( just prank arc)
Inside the café the smell of coffee lingered in the air. Sunlight slipped through the windows, leaving a golden glow across the wooden floor. The soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of plates blended into the everyday hum of the place.
Haruki and Kazuki were both lost in their work, but the moment the door opened and Hina stepped in Haruki's eyes froze on her. With a faint smile, he said,
"You're really late today.
But Hina's face told a different story. Her eyes burned red with anger. Without a word she grabbed Haruki by the collar and yanked him toward the changing room. Startled, Haruki's voice trembled,
"H-Hina, let go… I'll fall.
She didn't answer. The door swung open and she shoved him inside with surprising force. He stumbled nearly losing his balance before stopping himself. His heart raced he could see it clearly now, Hina was furious.
"Hina…?.he whispered.
That was all it took. The storm she'd been holding back finally burst. She stepped toward him, her voice sharp with rage.
"What did you say to Souta?.
Haruki tried to play dumb, though deep down he already knew what this was about.
"To Souta…?.
She closed the distance, and he instinctively backed away.
"Why did you tell him you're not good enough for me? That the only reason I treat you kindly is because you helped me?.
Haruki kept stepping back until his shoulders hit the wall. He froze his gaze dropping to the floor.
"So what…? What's wrong with it? I only said the truth.
The moment the words left his mouth it was like Hina's heart shattered into pieces. Her anger surged and with a sharp crack she slapped him across the face.
"Shut your mouth!. she snapped.
Her voice trembled with pain, every word exposing the hurt inside her. Tears welled in her eyes.
"I never—never in my dreams thought you saw me that way…
Her chest ached as though his words had carved deep wounds into her. But Haruki just lowered his head further his voice breaking.
"But it's the truth… I'm worthless. Nobody needs me. I'm… useless.
Tears blurred his vision, each word stabbing into Hina's heart like a blade. The sting of his self loathing twisted into her rage. She struck him again, harder this time, her palm leaving a red mark on his other cheek. She gripped his collar with both hands, her voice rising in a raw, furious cry.
"Stop it! Enough of this nonsense! I don't care if the world doesn't need you—I need you!.
His chest tightened. Her words hit deeper than any slap ever could. His voice wavered, caught between disbelief and desperation.
"Just because you say that… doesn't mean it'll change the truth.
But Hina couldn't take it anymore. Her anger burst past all restraint. She slammed her forehead against his with full force, her voice shaking as she shouted,
"I told you—stop talking like that, you idiot!"
The impact rattled her Dizziness swept over her as her knees gave way, and she sank to the floor. Haruki, untouched by the blow, panicked and dropped beside her.
"Hina! Are you okay?.
Hina steadied herself, but the tears wouldn't stop. Staring at her trembling hands, she muttered through uneven breaths,
"Even hurting you doesn't work. In the end, I'm the one who feels the pain, Maybe that's why you never understand anyone's feelings you just do whatever you think is right.
Seeing her cry like that made Haruki's chest tighten with guilt. He finally whispered, his voice low,
"I'm sorry...
Her eyes were wet, tears spilling freely down her cheeks as her body shook with soft sobs. Between broken breaths, she said,
"Don't ever say things like that again, idiot. You don't know how much it hurts me when you talk that way…
Haruki reached out to wipe her tears, but she slapped his hand away.
"Keep those hands away from me.
His shoulders sank, his head lowering as he admitted quietly,
"Sorry… I didn't know it would hurt you this much.
But Hina's patience had already run dry. She stood up abruptly, her voice cracking with fury.
"Get out! Before I really lose it and spill your blood!"
Haruki froze, panic and helplessness flashing across his face.
"I told you I'm sorry…he pleaded.
But she shoved him out, slamming the door behind him with a sharp bang.
Kazuki was waiting outside, leaning casually against the wall. She stifled a laugh at the sight.
"So… Hina kicked you out, huh?.
Haruki let out a weary sigh, his voice heavy.
"Yeah… she's really mad at me.
Kazuki raised a brow, genuinely curious.
"And why wouldn't she be? What did you do?.
He told her everything. By the time he finished, Kazuki shook her head, siding firmly with Hina.
"She was right to be angry.
But Haruki wasn't in the mood for jokes or lectures. His temper flared as he snapped,
"Oh great. So you're on Hina's side too?
Just then, Hina walked out, already dressed in her apron. She didn't even glance at Haruki—just went straight to work, her expression cold and unreadable.
Haruki's eyes followed her, his chest heavy with guilt and fear. Gathering what little courage he had, he walked closer, his voice barely above a whisper as if trying to reach her heart.
"Hina…
She turned, her eyes still red, her tone sharp and impatient.
"What is it?
The manager finally stepped in his voice firm but calm.
"Enough, you two The customers are getting disturbed. Focus on your work.
Once he left, Hina clenched her teeth, her voice low and edged with irritation.
"Well? What is it?.
Haruki hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck before mumbling,
"Want to have lunch together? I… haven't eaten yet.
She didn't even look at him, her hands busy with work.
"I'm not hungry.
But Haruki pressed on, refusing to give up.
"Come on hina… let's just have lunch together.
Her face flushed red with anger her jaw tightening.
"Are you deaf? I said I'm not hungry!.she snapped, grinding her teeth.
Haruki forced a weak smile, trying to hide his disappointment.
"Alright… fine. Got it.
His plan to ease her anger had crumbled. Both of them returned to their tasks, but Haruki couldn't stop himself from trying to start small conversations. Each time, Hina shut him out, cold and unyielding.
Across the room, Kazuki watched them with a smirk tugging at her lips.
"This fight's gonna drag on for a while, she muttered under her breath.
Haruki's eyes lingered on Hina, guilt weighing heavy in them. There was a glimmer of tears that never quite fell, as if his regret sat right on the edge of breaking free. For just a second, Hina glanced back. Her chest tightened, her expression softening—almost giving in. But she forced herself to steel her heart again.
"What now?" she asked, her voice tired, carrying the weight of her anger.
Haruki lowered his gaze back to his work, his tone barely above a whisper.
"…Nothing.
The café carried on in its usual rhythm—cups clinking, quiet chatter, the aroma of coffee filling the air. Everything looked normal on the surface. But between those two, silence was louder than anything else.
To be continued 👀