Chapter 2 - Letting Go of the Only Thing that was Supposed to Make You Happy

The silver haired man can hear all the murmuring and buzzing sounds that the guests were making. They were obviously inquisitive and probing how strange it was that the bride still hasn't arrived. He mustered up all his courage to pass through the cathedral doors, and as soon as he stepped his foot inside, all eyes were set on him. Thunderous silence shook the room and this made his footsteps the only audible sound.

Even if Hayato upheld a calm and composed demeanor, the Vongola Decimo could tell through his blazing emerald eyes that he's carrying something weighty on his back. As he stood placidly in front of his boss, the right-hand man could still feel the heavy stares that never budged from the moment he entered the church. Though it was painful for him to say it, Hayato whispered remorsefully in his ear, "I am very sorry to say this, Juudaime, but Haru is not coming."

When Hayato pulled away, Tsuna tapped him on his shoulder to assure him that he was alright. However, his cold and shaking hand gave away that he was actually dying inside. He really wanted to scream and lose out of control right there but he held himself together.

Like a mature and grown up man, Tsuna took the responsibility of letting the guests know what happened even if his right-hand man insisted to do that job. "I am terribly sorry for inconveniencing everyone but I'm afraid the wedding will no longer take place. I deeply apologize as I know that despite of your busy schedules, you've went out of your way to attend this event. You are still invited to the reception though, as dinner will be served there. Again, I am very sorry."

When he finished his sentence, a loud noise broke out from the audience. They had different reactions such as disappointment, pity and empathy but he couldn't care less anymore. All he wanted was to get out of there, find her and ask her why. He couldn't fathom what could've gone wrong. He refused to accept it. He could not believe that this was really happening.

Tsuna drove right away to his mansion and slammed its door open. He furiously called out her name only to be received by Bianchi's and Kyoko's sorrowful faces.

The pink haired woman handed him the note that Haru had left but he only torn it to pieces. Even if they told him she was gone, he still stubbornly searched for her in every room only to disappoint himself further. The two ladies tried to calm him down but failed.

He drove off again, going to places where he thought Haru might be. She couldn't have gotten so far away because an hour hasn't passed yet since he heard the bad news. But even if he had looked for her all day and night, he was still not able to find her.

That evening, Tsuna locked himself in his room and drowned himself in alcohol. His family and friends were all gathered in the estate but he refused to see anyone of them. He didn't need somebody to comfort him because tomorrow, he can use his power as the Vongola boss to find her. He just wanted to be alone for now and ponder why she did that to him.

She said it was her dream to be his wife, right? Then why did she run away? Why did she disappear and left without trace?

"Thank goodness we made it just in time before the cake shop closes. There are no customers anymore but isn't that great, Tsuna? We have the restaurant to ourselves. Wow Pretty! So many rose petals scattered on the floor and heart-shaped embellishments hanging on the wall and ceiling. Isn't this romantic? Classical background music and there are also lighted candles everywhere. It is just the first week of January. I didn't know they decorate this early for Valentines. Huh? There is only one table and two chairs, maybe they are almost done cleaning and was about to close. How about we just take out a cake and eat it somewhere else?"

"That's not it." The man in black tuxedo shook his head and sighed. "Look. The table is well-set and prepared. Isn't it a waste if no customer is going to take it up?"

He pulled out the chair and made the woman in black halter dress sit down.

A waiter poured some wine for them and served strawberry shortcake.

"Wow~! It's Haru's favorite but it's a waste to eat it. I don't want to ruin its heart-shaped design."

"Eh? What are you saying?" The spiky haired boy panicked faintly. "You should eat it."

"Tsuna, do you know? This is the 31st time that you've joined me on Haru's appreciation day since we became a couple."

"You were counting it?"

"Of course! That means we've been in a relationship for 2 years and 7 months now. Anyway, I really thought that you might not be able to come this time. I am very glad that you made it tonight because you've actually never missed Haru's appreciation day even once despite of your hectic life as a mafia boss."

"Well, it's the least I could do. Though we see each other every day in the Vongola mansion, we never really have time to go on dates. I'm sorry if I can only take you out just once or twice in a month, Haru."

"It's okay. Haru understands that you are very busy."

"You've always been understanding and supportive all throughout these years. Thank you, Haru."

"Naturally. Haru is your girlfriend desu. On another topic, every time we eat in this pâtisserie, it always feels like you are going to propose to me." The Vongola boss choked. "You know, just like in romantic movies and novels, the leading man hides the engagement ring inside the cake."

"Are you dropping hints that you already want me to ask your hand for marriage?"

"N-no, I-I was just sharing my thoughts. Why are you making it sound that Haru is desperate? Tsuna, you meanie! Besides, we are still very young."

"What do you mean by that? Don't tell me you're still waiting for another man to come into your life?" Tsuna said jokingly.

"That's not it. What I'm saying is that Haru is not in a hurry so we could take things slowly." She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. "Just so you know, I've waited for you for a decade now, Sawada Tsunayoshi, so I don't mind waiting a little bit longer. But don't make Haru wait too long because I want to be still young and pretty on my wedding! Also, keep this mind. Ever since you saved me from drowning in that river, I've always known that you're the person I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I'm pretty sure that my old self has told you that billions of times when we were still teenagers."

She pouted her lips and furrowed her eyebrows. "Seriously, Tsuna, you are unfair! Making Haru say embarrassing things like these." The reddened face woman mumbled like a kid.

"Eh? You're the one who is making me feel embarrassed, you know." The slightly blushing man muttered as he felt his heart thumping fast. "However, I really appreciate your feelings that I don't even know how to express how grateful I am to have you, Haru. Anyway, how can you be embarrassed? Looking back on those days, weren't you very explicit and straightforward in proclaiming that you are going to be my future wife?" He said teasingly.

"Hahi! T-that's o-only b-because Haru was still very young and naive back then. Don't make me remember!"

A smile curved its way to his lips as he obviously enjoys seeing her flustered. "But…the way you are now, you really look cute, acting all shy and feminine, Haru."

That made her blush madly. She felt like her heart was going to leap out of her chest. He doesn't normally compliment or tell her that she's cute but when he does, he always catches her off guard.

To avert her gaze, the blushing woman resumed to eating her favorite strawberry cheesecake when unexpectedly, she felt something hard in her mouth. She took it out and just like what she's always been dreaming of, a diamond ring was found resting on her palms. She was rendered speechless, and tears suddenly trickled down from her chocolate brown eyes.

"Waah Haru, you are crying already. I still haven't gone down on my knees to propose yet."

"But what I can do? I just can't stop my tears from overflowing. Hurry up and say it already then."

"You're really upfront, aren't you?" The Vongola Decimo stood up from his seat and walked towards her.

He took the circular object from her hands then right on her side, he knelt on one knee. He gently grabbed her fingers with his left hand and he held out the ring between his thumb and index finger with his right hand.

Then, he finally asked her, "Miura Haru, will you marry me?"

Haru woke up with tears seeping down from the corner of her eyes. It was the most blissful memory she ever had yet it was painful for her to remember. She thought it was nice looking back at the joyful moments they shared together but it crushes her heart thinking that they were all just fake. However, she can never deny that those three years were the happiest times of her life. She was close to having her fairytale ending but she squandered everything and ran away from it. She had him once and that was enough. She can't be selfish and keep him to herself forever. She really wanted to be happy with him but more than anything, she puts his happiness before hers. She deemed that she's just a filler in his life. She's not the one who can truly make him happy. Though it's agonizing for her, she has to allow him to chase his happiness that goes by the name of Sasagawa Kyoko. And that is why she decided she has to let him go.

"So you're awake. Do you want anything to eat?" A familiar emotionless voice made the brown-haired woman sat up, and a black haired man holding a cup of coffee greeted her.

"No, thank you. I don't have appetite at all." She smiled weakly at the man in black and purple yukata. "You know, this may sound weird but it's kind of pleasant to hear you ask that. You've become a little bit nicer or should I say normal over the years."

"So asking if someone is hungry is an improvement for me, huh? You're really interesting. By the way, I can see them."

She looked down and saw that her breasts are almost on the threshold of slipping out of the yukata she's wearing.

"Hahi!" She went red on the face, and she immediately pulled up the blanket to cover her chest.

They didn't say anything for a moment but not long after, she broke the awkward silence.

"Aren't you going to ask why Haru had run away?"

"I'm not really interested but I find your action amusing though."

"That doesn't really lift up my spirit, you know. But anyway, thank you for letting me spend the night here, Hibari-kun."

"Hn. So what are you going to do now?"

"I still don't know, actually. Can you let me stay here until I figure out?"

Hibari's quarter was the best place for her to hide after all. No one would suspect and look for her there.

"A freeloader basically?"

"Well, Haru can help in house cleaning, doing laundry and cooking meals, you know."

"So you're demoting yourself into a maid, huh?"

"Hahi! That's rude, Hibari-kun. You didn't change at all. You are still so cold." She protested but she actually caught what he was getting at.

He was indirectly telling her that she cannot lie around and just sulk in a corner.

She also cannot hide and run away from Tsuna forever.

After what she did, she definitely owes him an explanation.

"Hn. Do whatever you like."

A/N: Thank you very much for the reviews and all! It really made me happy and motivated. But to tell you the truth, I just randomly wrote ch.1 to vent out my frustrations for TsunaxHaru. I really wanted them to get together in KHR but too much TsunaxKyoko moments. Why? T.T Anyway as I was saying, I am very sorry if this chapter disappointed you and didn't meet your expectation because I honestly don't know exactly where this story is headed. Anyhow, thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own KHR.