As they arrived at the Sumeragi residence, Menma's breath hitched.
The house was beautiful and grand, even bigger than she had imagined from the pictures Haruya had sent.
A warm, inviting light spilled from the windows, making the place feel less like a mansion and more like a home.
Haruya's mother, Akari, was already at the front door, with a wide smile on her face.
Beside her stood a tall, handsome man with a friendly smile.
Haruya's father, Kenjiro.
"Irene, you're finally here!" Akari greeted her old friend from their hometown, pulling Irene into a warm hug.
As they separated, Akari's gaze fell on Menma. She smiled kindly and patted her head. "Haruya will be very happy to see you, Meiko-chan."
The couple led them into the house and sat together in the living room.
"Thank you for inviting us, Akari. Meiko has been quite excited for this trip for a while now." Irene then turned towards Kenjiro. "Kenjiro, it's been a while. It's good to see you again."
Kenjiro laughed and greeted the mother and daughter warmly. His eyes, full of warmth, rested on Menma. "Haruya is in his room, upstairs in the very left corner. We'll take care of your luggage."
Menma, bubbling with excitement, nodded and thanked him. "Thank you, Uncle Kenjiro!"
She then started running up the stairs, her feet making light thumps on the carpeted steps, leaving the parents to talk downstairs.
The sound of their conversation faded as she climbed higher, her heart hammering in her chest.
She found the door in the far corner, and a quiet sense of nervousness settled over her. She took a deep breath, smoothing the skirt of her white sundress, and knocked gently.
"Come in," a voice called from inside. It was Haruya's. It sounded so familiar, yet slightly different than what she remembered.
She slowly opened the door, her smile growing as she saw him.
His back was facing her as he sat at a large desk, a serious look of concentration on his face. He was reading a piece of paper, muttering to himself as he traced a finger over the words.
Without facing her, he asked, "What's up, Mom?"
Menma's smile turned mischievous.
He thought she was his mother.
It was the perfect opportunity for a surprise.
She walked silently across the carpet, her excitement bubbling over. She came to a stop directly behind him and reached her arms out, hugging him from the back, her hands extending over his shoulders and around his neck.
Haruya froze, completely still.
The sudden contact was a complete shock, and a moment later, he started to turn his head to see who it was.
It was a simple, reflexive action. One which would soon turn into something else.
Menma, in her eagerness, leaned forward a little to whisper in his ear.
The moment he turned his head, his and Menma's lips connected.
It was a fleeting, soft touch that lasted for only a few seconds, but it was enough to make the world stop completely.
They both froze, the surprise of it all freezing them in place.
The warmth of his lips on hers, the feeling of his cheek against her face.
It was completely unexpected, and a wave of pure shock coursed through her.
After what felt like an eternity, Haruya suddenly jumped from his seat, and Menma jolted back in shock, her hands immediately flying up to cover her mouth.
Both of their faces were a brilliant shade of red, a flush that crept all the way to their ears.
Haruya's hands gripped the edge of the desk behind him, his knuckles white, as if to keep himself from floating away.
Menma's eyes, wide with surprise, darted around the room, unable to meet his gaze.
Seeing her fully now, Haruya was a mess of emotions. He was shocked, surprised, and deeply, deeply embarrassed.
"M-Menma?! W-What are you... What are you doing here?!" he stuttered, his voice a little higher than usual.
"I-I wanted to surprise you," she stammered back, still covering her mouth shyly. "Aunt Akari offered Mom and me to come visit your home during summer break."
"W-When did that happen?" Haruya asked, his mind still reeling.
"Just before you both left Chichibu," she answered quietly.
"I see..." Haruya's voice trailed off, unable to form a coherent thought.
His mind was in a complete mess.
The sensation of her lips on his was replaying over and over, a slow-motion loop that was both mortifying and thrilling.
This was not at all how he had imagined their reunion.
This was not how he had imagined his first kiss, either.
He had pictured it as a grand, romantic gesture, not a clumsy accident in his room.
The two of them lowered their heads, their eyes fixed on the floor.
Haruya peeked slightly, staring at the silver-haired girl in front of him. Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes wide.
She looked so much like the girl he remembered, and yet, she was different.
A little bit different, but still the same Menma.
'I can't believe that really just happened...' he thought, a mix of mortification and a speechless feeling fluttering in his chest.
Menma, who had put her hands behind her back, also peeked at him.
'Haru is so careless...' she thought, a mischievous half-smile forming on her lips despite her embarrassment.
Her plan for a quiet surprise had gone horribly wrong, but the result was something she couldn't help but replay in her mind.
The moment just felt so electrifying.
The two of them continued to peek at each other, an awkward silence settling in the room.
They weren't just two kids anymore; they were a boy and a girl who had just shared a completely accidental first kiss.
Suddenly, the door swung open and a cheerful voice filled the room. "What's all this quiet?"
It was Akari. The two of them jumped in surprise, their heads snapping up.
Sensing the strange, ambiguous atmosphere in the room, Akari raised an eyebrow. "Did anything happen?"
"N-not at all," Haruya said quickly, looking away. He didn't dare to look into his mom's eyes, afraid that she might see the blush on his face and the messy state of his mind.
"Mmm," Menma hummed in agreement, also looking away, avoiding Akari's piercing gaze.
Akari became a little suspicious.
She looked back and forth between the two of them, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Uh-huh... Well, why don't you take Meiko out for some sightseeing? It's her first time in Tokyo, so make sure to show her around well."
Haruya's head snapped back and looked at his mom. "Won't you need me to cook dinner?"
Akari gave a huff. "Have you forgotten we have maids? Some of them are Totsuki graduates as well." She crossed her arms, a playful, nagging tone in her voice. "Besides, my cooking might not be good, but with me guiding your dad, even Senzaemon won't be able to say much."
Haruya raised his arms in surrender. "Okay, okay. Yes, ma'am."
Akari smiled, victorious. "Good boy. Make sure to come back before 7:00." She then turned towards Menma. "Meiko, don't be too embarrassed about asking anything around us. Haruya will take good care of you."
Menma looked up and thanked her, with a small, grateful smile on her face.
Satisfied, Akari went out of the room, leaving the two of them alone again.
The tension was back, thicker than before.
"Um..." Haruya was unsure of what to say next. The silence felt deafening.
Suddenly, the door opened again, and Akari's head peered through.
Haruya and Menma jolted back in surprise once more.
Akari's suspicion grew even more. "Why are you both so jumpy today?" She shook her head and turned her attention back to Haruya. "You should take Tsumugi with you, too. I'll be going out with your dad and Irene for a while. Minako won't be back until tomorrow. I already informed her, and she should be getting ready by now."
Without waiting for her son's reply, she closed the door and left for good.
Menma raised her head, looking at Haruya with a questioning look. "Tsumugi?"
"My cousin," Haruya explained, taking advantage of the atmosphere finally shifting. "Remember the one I told you that taught me how to play the piano and recently sent a picture of her to you when she won her competition?"
Remembering the photo of the blonde girl with a bouquet in her arms and a gold medal around her neck, Menma nodded. "She must be really talented."
Haruya laughed, feeling the awkwardness easing. "Yeah. She's very sweet. I'm sure you two will be great friends."
Unlike Haruya, however, Menma still seemed to be quite shy.
She looked away, her cheeks still a little pink.
She hummed in agreement, her voice soft and airy.
Looking at the shy girl, he chuckled. "Why don't you wait for me downstairs while I get changed? It won't take too long."
"Okay." Menma immediately took the opportunity to escape and ran out the door, closing it quickly behind her.
Haruya chuckled once more as he stared at the door absentmindedly.
He suddenly remembered the previous incident.
He reached up and touched his lips with a silly smile on his face.
"Her lips felt so soft..." he muttered.
Unbeknownst to him, from behind the door, Menma was leaning against the wall, similarly touching her lips.
"His lips felt so soft..."