A/N: Hello! This is my very first fanfic. :D I was motivated to write this story because I really felt bad for Haru's one-sided love. The first chapter is a little bit DRAMATIC because I only intended to vent out my frustration for my OTP (forgive me for the overly used plot) but the succeeding chapters are LIGHT, FUNNY and FEEL-GOOD ones.
Enjoy reading and I hope you'll like it! :D
Chapter 1 - Bottled Emotions
'Why did Haru fall in love with Tsuna-san?
At first, it brought me happiness, it made Haru feel all fluffy inside.
But now, it gives me nothing but pain.
Haru didn't see this coming. It really hurts desu.'
The hahi girl thought to herself, as she sat alone under the bridge where Tsuna had saved her 5 years ago. She usually went there to cry to herself. Her arms were folded over her knees, with her chin resting on top of her upper arm.
"Hold on to me! I will save Haru with my Dying Will!"
Reminiscing about the incident that led her to fall in love with the dense, young Vongola, Haru felt a pang of pain in her chest. She whispered sadly to herself, "It was so romantic that Haru resolved to be Tsuna-san's bride desu. But-"
"Do you still believe that the Tenth is marrying you?"
The familiar annoying voice of a silver haired man made her shudder. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to find out that she was hugging herself in a corner, hurting alone. Of all people who might find her there, why was it Gokudera? His words had only made the scar on her chest sore even more.
"I won't accept it! No way will I let it happen, baka onna!"
For the first time, Haru didn't dare to refute when Hayato called her a stupid woman. Usually, she would talk back to him saying, "Don't call me a stupid woman! Haru is not stupid!" but this time around, she conceded to what he just said, "I know. Haru is really a stupid woman!"
For a second, Gokudera was taken aback with what he heard but he instantly retorted, "Who on earth will admit and call themselves idiots? I didn't know you were that dumb, stupid woman!"
Haru clenched her fist. She was hurting because of Tsuna, and Gokudera was making her feel even worse by doing nothing but annoy the hell out of her. Unable to contain her feelings anymore, Haru yelped with mixed anguish and sadness in her voice, "That's right. I am a dumb idiot! Haru is really stupid for falling in love with someone who already loves someone else. It was really silly of Haru to declare that she will be the wife of a mafia boss. Though Haru refuses to admit it, you were right all along, Bakadera! I was delusional in believing that Tsuna-san will marry me."
Shocked, Gokudera silently watched Haru when she snapped. Her tears were streaming down her face, her shoulders and knees were shaking, and her shivering hands were balled into a fist.
"Haru really tried her best for Tsuna-san to like her back. Even if Haru has noticed for a while now that Tsuna-san has feelings for Kyoko-chan, she denied all the indications. She pretended that it's not what she thinks it is. But then, Haru realized that no matter how hard she tries, she cannot make Tsuna-san smile the way that Kyoko-chan can. Just her mere presence can make his day. Just one smile from her is enough to make him blush and make his heart melt. I know it because all this time I was watching him, he was also watching at her. "
Haru fell on her knees, burying her face into her hands as she continued to sob, "It really hurts to know that of all people, Tsuna-san is in love with Haru's best friend. But Haru swears that she is not mad at Kyoko-chan. I can never hate her. I love her so much like she's my real sister. If the two of them do end up together, I can wish them happiness from the bottom of my heart so then why… why can't the pain I'm feeling right now subside? The pain is eating me. It hurts. It really hurts so much."
"That is basically why you are dumb, stupid woman. You feign that everything is okay when it is not. If you are hurt then cry but not only to yourself, you idiot! You can talk to aneki, I-pin or Chrome. You are just making everyone worried by pretending to be strong. You cannot deceive everyone with your fake smile, stupid woman!"
"Hahi?" Haru was so surprised that she couldn't say anything. She was expecting Gokudera to tell her something like "Didn't I tell you so? Stop chasing Juudaime! Look at you now! You look pathetic, stupid woman!" but she found herself feeling comforted by his words instead.
"You didn't tell anybody that there is something troubling you because you don't want anyone to worry about you, right? But either way, by not telling anyone, you still made everyone worried. Seriously, how bothersome can you get?"
Haru didn't know why but somehow what Gokudera said to her made her feel all warm inside. She turned her face up and wiped her tears with the back of her palms.
'Gokudera-san, so that is why…'
Gokudera decided to take his leave, embarrassed of having shown his caring side to Haru when suddenly the brunette girl muttered something got him startled.
"I'm sorry for making you worried, Gokudera-san."
Gokudera stopped in his track and turned his self around to look at her. Greeted by a beaming Haru, a blushing Gokudera grumbled, "Huh? What did you say? I'm not worried about you at all, stupid woman!"
"But you just said everyone was worried which means that it also includes you." She grinned at him playfully.
"Shut up, stupid woman!" His eyebrows twitched.
"Don't be shy now. You came here to look for Haru, didn't you?"
"Don't get the wrong idea, idiot. As the right-hand man, I'm just trying to tell you that your strange behavior is bothering Juudaime and the family so I'm warning you, don't be a pain in the ass or I'll seriously blow you up."
"Hai hai, whatever you say, but let me tell you this just once, Haru really appreciates Gokudera-san for taunting her. Because you were normally being your annoying yourself, Haru got so pissed that she was able to let out her bottled emotions. You know, keeping my grief only to myself just makes it even more painful. But Haru feels a lot better now after having someone listen to her. Thank you, Gokudera-san", she said with a heartfelt smile plastered on her beautiful face.
Upon seeing her warm smile and hearing her soft words, blood rushed into Gokudera's face, and his heart started to throb so fast. He got irritated for not understanding what was suddenly wrong with him.
"Tch." Hayato blurted as he turned away immediately to hide his tomato red face.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you continue to read the next chapters!:D
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR!