Haru
Haru Okumura sat with Makoto on the shores of the beach. She watched as the sun went down, and the day began to turn to night. It was an amazing view, something that inspired awe in the young woman. She had never been this far out of Tokyo before. The city had always been a place burning with life. The crashing waves of the beach was so quiet compared to the symphony of Tokyo.
For Haru, it was a welcome change.
The young woman was used to huge, extravagant meals crafted by some of the finest cooks her father could afford. She wasn't ungrateful for the cooks' work, but this was so charmingly different. She had a fishing rod in her hand, standing on the sand as water pelted her naked feet. Mako-chan was by her side, keeping her company as they fished in the sunset. Morgana sat behind them, just out of the water's reach as he cheered the two on.
"Stupid Inari!"
"How dare you?!"
Futaba and Yusuke's loud voices broke the tranquility, like a hammer through glass. Haru turned her head to stare at the two, and while she couldn't understand what they were arguing about, she found herself a little jealous.
The two were so close to one another, Haru found it hard to believe they had only known each other for a few months. They were the kind of friends who could trade insults with one another, but they were still friends. Haru had never had a bond like that, though to be honest, she wouldn't no what to do with such a bond. The thought of fighting with any of her friends was abhorrent to the young woman.
But for Futaba and Yusuke, it was just how they expressed their friendship. It's sweet, in its own way, she thought.
Then there was Ryuji and Ann. Haru couldn't help but to admire their bond as well. From what Akira had told her, the two were childhood friends who became separated as the years went by. Becoming Phantom Thieves was the perfect chance for them to reconnect. The two were walking along the shore, smiling and laughing with every step. They were so close to one another...
She was blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends, but for Haru, one stood out among them. Haru's almond eyes traveled along the beach until she saw him. The young raven-haired man sat on a large stone, admiring the sunset. Akira Kurusu looked so at peace there. He was content, and that brought joy to her heart. After everything he had been through, he deserved it.
She wasn't the only one staring at Akira though. Haru wasn't surprised to find Makoto's crimson eyes on the young man as well. The auburn-haired girl almost sighed at the sight. Makoto couldn't have made her feelings for the young man more obvious.
It only took one glance for Haru to realize there was something to the way Makoto looked at him. Her eyes lit up, her smile grew, her face became flush... It was as if Haru was watching a love story come to life right in front of her. Makoto was helplessly in love with Akira.
"Akira-kun looks so peaceful there, doesn't he?" Makoto glanced at her friend, a smile still shining on her lips.
"He does."
"I wonder what he's thinking of?" Haru wondered aloud, watching as the other girl spoke. Why doesn't she talk to him...?
"He's probably just enjoying the scenery," Makoto answered, shrugging her shoulder slightly.
Makoto and Akira were close, even closer than he was with Ryuji, and it was easy to see why. Makoto was the group's second in command, like the mind and mother of the group. Akira was the father, and he was the heart of their family. Makoto led them with a firm hand, while Akira pushed them with a warm voice. Together, the two were perfect halves of the same whole.
"Hm... I'm going to miss him." The words felt ridiculous to say. Not because they weren't true, but because they weren't true enough. To say she'd miss him was like calling the sun 'warm.' Haru felt like she was losing a part of herself...
When she told President Takakura about her ambitions, Akira was by her side, his hand on hers, cheering her own. He was her strength, and without him, she wondered just who she was left as. She couldn't go back to being someone else's pawn... She just didn't know what else she could be. She didn't feel like Haru Okumura without him around...
Haru's thoughts were brushed away when Makoto grunted loudly beside her. The brunette had caught another fish, and she was beginning to reel it in while speaking. "Akira-kun may be leaving, but he will be back before we... know it!" She pulled on the line, gritting her teeth slightly as she strained pull the fish up. "But I understand what you mean. It just won't be home without him."
Makoto's so strong, not to mention confident. Not just in herself, but in Akira... I wish I could be more like her, Haru thought. She painted a smile on her face, tilting her head slightly as she commented, "It's wonderful that the two of you are so close to one another."
"Close? I-I suppose we are." Makoto was modest. Another reason Akira and her were meant to be, Haru thought to herself. Akira and Makoto had the fairytale kind of love. A pure, crimson bond that linked them together...
You have the perfect man standing right in front of you. You love him, and he must love you back. Why hesitate? Could it be that Makoto didn't like Akira that way? But that felt insane to Haru. Absolutely ridiculous. The two were closer than any pair of friends could be, and what girl their age could resist Akira? He was the perfect man. An utter gentleman, but with a roguish charm that would make most women swoon...
"Morgana! Haru! The net!" Makoto's voice tore Haru from her thoughts. The ginger-haired woman completely forgot about what they had been doing. Makoto still had a fish on her line, and the flopping animal was quickly nearing the two.
"Huh? R-right!" Together the two soon caught the fish, putting it in with the others they had fished out of the sea.
Haru sighed in relief, wiping a thin film of sweat from her head as Makoto did the same. "Thank goodness. Makoto, do you think that will be enough for dinner?" The other girl nodded her head, and Morgana practically danced behind the two. Haru exhaled through her nose, before breathing in the sweet, salty aroma of the sea. It was nice to finally be done.
Haru's eyes slowly swept over the beach, only to come to a stop as she saw the young man was still alone. She wanted to approach him, but a simple reminder bubbled in her head. She wasn't who he wanted to see. They were friends, close friends, but Haru knew that compared to the other members of the team, one in particular, she wasn't anything special. So Haru molded a smile onto her face as she looked at Makoto.
"You should talk to him, you know."
"Huh?" Ignorance or denial, nothing would stop Haru from playing the role of Cupid.
"You should talk to Akira-kun. You won't have many chances left to," she insisted. A boy and a girl, the best of friends, separated by miles apart. Yet opposites always attract... It was the perfect kind of storybook romance. Something out of one of Haru's books. It was a beautiful story just waiting to be told. All it needed was a push to begin.
"I already said my goodbyes before we left." Makoto was logical, and naturally born to lead. She was like stone, unbending and stubborn. Akira was a stream, the only thing capable of picking the stone up and carrying it to where it could shine best.
"Not like that. You should just... talk to him." Haru shrugged her shoulders, but she kept her smile plastered on. "I think he just wants you by his side."
"How... could you know that?" Haru giggled at the sight of Makoto's obvious embarrassment. The auburn-haired girl laughed to hide the churning in her gut. She refused to show her frustration as she tightened her plastic smile.
"Call it a feeling," Haru replied, taking Makoto's fishing rod from her hands. "Go. I'll clean up here and start getting the fish ready. It'll be our last dinner together, so I'll make sure to put my all into it!" The young woman didn't allow Makoto to even reply. "Come on, Mona-chan!"
Makoto and Morgana watched Haru pick up the cooler. It was heavy, but strangely nostalgic. Haru remembered the times she'd have to carry fertilizer, pots, or even flowers to the roof of the school. It was a tiring task, but Akira would always be by her side to help. Time I stop slowing him down, she told herself.
The cat lifted his head to look at Makoto, and Haru could hear the feline's advice to the girl. "Maybe Haru's right, Queen. You and Akira are close, after all. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you." Even Morgana saw it. Everyone saw it. Everyone in the group secretly hoped that the two would confess their feelings to one another.
Makoto would make Akira happy, and Haru knew that Akira would do the same for her. They'd kiss under the moonlight, and they'd spend every day thinking of one another before they had a wedding, and lived happily ever after. Every little detail was going to be perfect in their lives. Haru should have been happy to play a part in their story.
Haru put the cooler and fishing rods down and massaged her dry throat. She had to prepare dinner. She ignored the dull ache in her bones as she worked, taking out a sanitized board to cut the fish on. She had to cut them open to remove the bones and fill them with spices, but as she worked the sound of laughter tickled her ear. Haru saw Makoto and Akira sitting by each other's side on a large rock, both of them grinning.
He's happier with her. A simple fact. What did Haru have to offer him? Exotic coffee and money? Akira wasn't some toy to be bought. He was a love to be earned, and Haru had failed on all accounts. She had lost in a race before it had even begun. Makoto was her academic and physical superior.
"I mean, if you have time to mess around with this punk, you damn well have time to get a little thinner."
Sugimura's words shot through her head like a bullet. her fingers tightened around the knife, skin turning pale as she ground her teeth. Sugimura was... was an awful person, but he wasn't completely wrong. Haru wasn't as thin as Makoto was. In fact Haru was probably the heaviest of the four girls. Her thighs were huge, her tummy bulbous, and her chest filled with fat.
She pulled her smile tighter and told herself to stop. She didn't mean to, but Akira's words ranged through her head, drowning out Sugimura's.
"You're beautiful, Haru."
Beautiful...? She lifted her eyes from the fish and looked at Akira. He was probably the greatest thing to happen to her. Because of him, she was freed. She was free to be her own person. Whoever that was, her life was hers again because of him. The other Phantom Thieves helped, of course, but Akira...
The least Haru could do was make sure he ended up with someone deserving.
That night the group enjoyed the food Haru had prepared together. They sat around the firepit on improvised seats as the stars glittered above their heads. Haru was pleased to hear her friends were enjoying her food, blushing under their praise.
"This is amazing, Haru!" Akira commented, after finishing his first fish. He was sitting right by Haru's side, the two sharing the same large, wooden log to sit on.
"Yeah! Mmm! It's like it's melting on my tongue!" Ryuji agreed, his cheeks filled with food. He sat on the log to left of Haru, with Ann by his side and Morgana eating between the two blondes.
"Indeed. This has been prepared excellently. If I did not know better, I would say an expert of the culinary arts prepared this," Yusuke added, quietly picking meat off his own food. He, Futaba, and Makoto shared the largest of improvised seats.
"Omnomnomnom!" Futaba shoved more of the delicious dinner into her already-filled mouth. She struggled to chew all of it, making an approval moan as she nodded her head. Her eating was only rivaled by Morgana, who was happily devouring his food off of a plate on the ground.
"Easy there, Futaba," Makoto reminded, handing the younger girl a bottle of water.
"Seriously, great work, Haru-senpai," Ann beamed.
"T-thank you, everyone. I didn't do anything special, though. I just cooked the fish like the video said..." Haru smiled at the others, bowing her head slightly as Akira bit into his fish once more.
"Don't sell yourself short, Haru. I think you did great." Akira smiled at her, and that familiar warmth in her chest became a hot fire.
"Thank you, Akira-kun," she muttered, avoiding his silver eyes and gazing into the hot, dancing fire. "But really, i-it was nothing." Back in Tokyo, as humiliating as it was to admit, Haru actually had dreams about cooking food by Akira's side. She imagined the two at a cafe, like LeBlanc, where they would prepare food and coffee together.
It was a silly, childish dream, she realized.
"Are we ready for dessert?" Akira asked, smiling at the group.
"Dessert!" Futaba cheered, throwing her hands in the air.
"Heck yeah! What kind of sweets did you guys get?" Ann wondered, practically licking her lips.
"Makoto actually suggested a dessert from the West. Anyone ever had s'mores before?" Akira picked up a sealed, plastic bag of marshmallows as Makoto took out a similar bag full of chocolates, and another one filled with crackers.
Ann clapped her hands together, her smile widening as she nodded her head. "Ooh! My parents made that for me when I was young once! They're delicious!"
Futaba's eyes widened as she leaned forward. "I've read about them, but I've never had them before! Hurry! I want one!"
"Alright, I'll bite," chuckled Ryuji. "What's a s'more?"
"It's a common campfire treat in the United States, and Canada. It's made by placing a roasted marshmallow and some slightly melted chocolate between two graham crackers. Another name for them is graham cracker sandwiches," Makoto explained, as she opened the bags.
"The name comes from the words 'some more.' Because people always ask for more s'mores," chuckled Akira. The others were excited to try the treat, but Haru was left rather puzzled at the sight. She watched as Akira took out several long, metal rods and began to hand them out to everyone. She took one of the sticks, staring at it with clear confusion.
"You impale the marshmallow on the end of the stick, then you roast it over the fire," whispered Akira. He smiled at her, leaning towards her ever so slightly. He felt close to her, their faces almost touching. He pulled away as he pushed the stick into the large marshmallow, and she did her best to mimic the motion. Then they, and the rest of their friends, began to hold the marshmallows over the small fire.
"Man, this is awesome. Hey, Ann? Remember when our classes went on that camping trip?" Ryuji turned his head to smile at Ann.
"I remember your snoring keeping everyone up. You were in a completely different tent, and I still heard you."
"Uh... Sure you aren't talking about your snoring?"
"I do not snore!"
"Alright, alright, calm down, you two," chuckled Makoto.
"Ooh! Dude, we should tell scary stories! Anyone got anything good?" wondered Ryuji.
Haru felt a rush of excitement, and her eyes lit up as she looked at the others. Her tight, thin lips finally opened into a real grin. Scary stories? How exciting! Haru, for the first time that day, was truly happy. There was something fascinating about rotting corpses, rampaging monsters, and knife-obsessed slashers that just left her spine tingling in the best kind of way.
Her love of the genre only grew after meeting Akira. She never had any friends, at least none that she could go to the movies with, until she met the Phantom Thieves. Haru had spent well-over an hour just staring at her phone, wondering how she could ask the young man to come with her to the movies. He must have been asleep by the time she texted him, yet he answered back almost immediately.
'I'd love to come with you. I've been wanting to see Pach-saw for a while. See you tomorrow?'
Haru smiled at the memories, even as others in the group didn't sound nearly as excited as she was.
Akira was beaming. The young man was eager for the chance to tell a horror story to the group. Growing up, Akira had always been a fan of horror, but he only had a chance to share that hobby after coming to Tokyo. No one in his family wanted to see scary movies with him, and even the other Phantom Thieves were reluctant to see the gory films he wanted to watch.
Haru was the first person in his life who actually asked him if he wanted to go see a horror film together. He smiled at that memory as he glanced around the circle. If no one else was going to...
"What kind of stories?!" Makoto's eyes widened. "Um, perhaps we should talk about something else!"
"Y-yeah, I'm with Makoto. Let's talk about literally anything else," pleaded Ann.
"Ooh, I wanna hear some horror stories! Come on, just one!" begged Futaba.
"A man is lost in the woods, trying to find his way out. He finds an empty cabin with the front door laying inside. He's too tired not to try going inside... He calls out if anyone is inside, but no one answers." Akira's voice silenced the entire group. It was low, almost foreboding as his smile was replaced with an empty glare.
"So he decides to sleep in the cabin. Better to ask for forgiveness, than permission, after all. He drags his feet through the cabin, noticing the cuts on the couch, and the markings on the wall. Just the kind of trash and debris you'd find in an old cabin." Akira noticed Haru inching closer to his side, her eyes wide. He was happy she was enjoying the story. His eyes darted to the rest of the group.
Futaba was wide-eyed, taking slow, shallow breaths as Makoto clung to her. Yusuke looked up from his sketchbook, brows raised in curiosity. Ryuji's mouth hung open, as if he hadn't expected Akira to have a story in mind. Ann digging her fingers into her knees, trying to remain calm as Morgana hid between her legs.
"He finally finds the bed on the second story and he falls asleep on it. After his eyes adjust, he notices a painting of a smiling man in the dark room. He shrugs it off though, too tired to care. Rain begins to pelt the outside of the house, and it leaks in through the ceiling. He pulls the blanket over his body, trying to ignore the drops that land on him."
"When he finally woke up, he pulled the wet covers off from his body and looked around. His blood turned cold. The portrait wasn't there. Instead, there was a window to the forest outside. Without much thought, he grabbed his things and ran towards the front door, only stopping when he saw something."
"What did he see?" Haru inquired, putting her fingers to her mouth to muffle her voice. Akira gave her a sideways glance, and a quick smile, before continuing.
"The door had fallen inside the house. Like someone had broke in. And the markings were words, he realized. Upside down, scratched into the wooden walls. He turned his head, blood turning cold as he read the words. Saliva dripped onto his neck as he read the warning. 'Look up.' He lifted his head up, and a smiling, toothy gri-"
"Ahh!" Makoto screamed, crushing Futaba. "Stop stop stop!"
"Oh my God!" Ann cried out, falling out of her seat, glaring at Makoto. "Why?!"
"Ow! Ow ow ow! Help!" cried the youngest of the teens.
"Wait, I don't get it," Ryuji commented. "What was with the painting?"
"But... no one even died."
Everyone commented on the story, either terrified or confused by it. Yet it was Haru's comment that caught Akira's attention. After all, she was the only one else in the group to really enjoy horror films. He smiled at her, and explained.
"I was aiming more for psychological horror. You know, like how monsters can be everywhere, just watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
"I guess that makes sense... I just think it'd be better with detail. Like in the movie we saw!" Her eyes lit up, and the sight of her smile warmed Akira's heart. "The killer wore the face of his victim? I think that would have helped a lot. Just something to add to it, or-Oh! What if the traveler found the last victim? With meat still hanging on their bo-?"
"Guys!" Ann growled. "Can you not?!"
"Sorry," the two apologized, before looking at one another. The boy and girl's eyes locked on each other's for a few moments, before Haru whispered to him.
"I just think that a more physical threat would have made the story better," she muttered. "It just felt like a lot of build up for nothing."
He smiled at her as he whispered back. "I did get interrupted. Maybe the smiling man was about to rip his throat out with his teeth. Maybe he was going to tackle him down and pin him as he went to town on his organs."
Akira could see the shudder dancing up Haru's spine, and he smirked with pride. "Ooh. That sounds bloodcurdling... It reminds me of the Pach-saw movie we saw! When the elephant jumped down from the cliff and impaled a man on its horn?"
He laughed in return. Haru really did enjoy that movie. Akira had to remember to take her to another one when he ever came back to Tokyo. "I loved that scene." He inched a bit closer, admiring Haru's smiling lips as his mind wandered for a moment.
Akira's bond was Haru was simple. The two had become remarkably close in their short time together. It was easy to see why, though. Haru was an astounding young woman. She was kind, brave, and strong. In truth, she was the kind of person Akira wish he could be. The kind of strength she carried with every step... He felt his cheeks turn warm as Ryuji's voice caught his attention.
"Haru? Your marshmallow."
"Huh? Oh no!" Akira stared at Haru's now burning marshmallow. The thing had been kept over the fire the whole time he had been talking, and now it was burnt to a crisp. The marshmallow was a bubbling, misshapen mess at the end of her stick, slowly melting onto the ground. Haru quickly dumped the burnt treat into the fire, sighing.
"Here, you can have mine." Akira quickly put together a s'more for her, handing it to the girl with a smile. Melted chocolate oozed between the two crackers, melding with the gooey, golden marshmallow.
"Oh no, I couldn't. It's yours."
"I insist. I'll just start roasting another for myself."
Haru hesitated for a moment, before nodding her head. "Thank you, Akira-kun."
"My pleasure."
Morgana once said that Akira and Haru were a lot alike, and the young man couldn't argue that. Akira was often called 'kind,' or 'sweet.' If he was a good person, Haru was a saint. A wonderful woman with a kind heart, and heartwarming demeanor.
Not to mention beautiful. Akira tried to ignore the blush on his cheeks. I hope she'll be okay without me... He mentally scoffed at his own thought. Nice humility, Akira. Come on, Haru's her own person. She'll be fine.
Haru took a bite of the small sandwich, chewing into it slowly. Her eyes widened as the delectable treat tickled her tongue and electrified her taste buds. "This is delicious!" She bit into it again, practically moaning as the chocolate and gooey marshmallow melted on her tongue. The graham crackers were crushed under her teeth as the sugary sweets clung to her lips.
"I'm glad you liked it." Akira chuckled as he made himself a s'more. He happily returned to talking to the group, apologizing to everyone for scaring them. As he talked, he felt a twisting in the pit of his gut. She doesn't need you anymore. None of them do.
One by one the retired Phantom Thieves fell asleep. Some of them slept inside the car, others slept outside on blankets or in sleeping bags, under the night's sky. The last ones to sleep were Haru and Akira, who still sat together by the dying fire. The young man prodded at the fire with a stick, as Haru's eyes gazed at the starry sky.
"It's... breathtaking."
Akira followed her eyes, but his voice didn't contain the same awe. In fact, he sounded unimpressed. "Light pollution makes it hard to see the stars at night. My hometown is pretty rural, so most nights you can see them pretty easily."
"You saw this every night?" It was amazing. There were so many stars. Haru could barely fathom what she saw. There were still some clouds left, but instead of being white, they were a dark indigo, almost black. The sky looked like a beautiful painting from where Haru sat.
Her eyes widened as she tried to copy the image into her mind. She wanted to remember this forever. She wanted to memorize every single silver dot in the sky. She wanted to remember the dark purple clouds that floated over her head. She wanted to see the sane radiant, round moon in her dreams for weeks to come.
Haru leaned back, losing herself to the sight. She would have fallen on her back, if someone hadn't caught her. She blinked, tearing her eyes from the sky, and turning red as she realized Akira had caught her with a single hand. A familiar heat touched her skin as she swallowed spit down her throat. Oh no, not again... She quickly sat up, hoping the cool air would help her warm face.
"Most nights," he corrected. "It lost its luster to me a while ago," he admitted. He poked at the fire again, watching as the wind picked up the embers. "It's funny. I reacted pretty similarly to seeing the city at night."
"Really?" Haru was surprised to hear that, but she supposed it made sense. She had been born in Tokyo. The city's glamour was lost to her by the time she was seven, maybe even six.
"It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. It took Sojiro a few weeks to let me walk around outside on my own. When he did, I just walked around Tokyo, taking everything in. It was amazing. Every inch of it was just this beautiful monument of life. People were rushing by me, like-" He paused, searching for the word. Haru could see the joy in his eyes. His silver eyes were aglow with the memories of the metropolis.
"They were like rivers! I had never seen so many people in one place before. It was so easy to just get lost in all of the lights..."
It was funny. Haru had spent her whole life in the city, yet she had never seen what he did. She wasn't upset, though. She smiled, happy to know she could see the world through his eyes whenever she wanted. All she had to do was ask.
That said, part of her wondered if she should apologize. Akira was on his way back to his hometown, far from the lights of Tokyo. She considered it, only to place her hand on his and gently squeeze it. "You'll come back. Not just to us, but to Tokyo. We'll have a party. Walk around together..."
"Heh. It's a promise." And his pinkie slipped around hers.
A dying flame traced their outlines. The moon shined down on them. Stars sparkled above them. It was just them, as a cold wind blew over their bodies.
"It's cold," she would mutter.
And he'd put his arm around her, and pull her close, against his warm, firm chest. "Stay close to me. I'll keep you warm."
Haru groaned at the fantasy. It was stupid, and ridiculous, and she couldn't even keep her own eyes from rolling. It's not happening. Just stop. You need to stop. What's wrong with being friends? she asked herself.
"Marshmallow?"
"Huh?" Haru watched as Akira took his hands off of hers and pick up the half empty bag of large marshmallows. He plucked one from the bag, holding it out to her. "Oh, thank you!" She took a bite into it, as her mind shooed away her fantasies and dreams. They were childish, and she needed to be a woman now, not some lovestruck little girl. "Akira? Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," and he smiled at her, because of course he did. Akira was the kind of man who could make someone feel like the only thing in the world. Like they were the most important thing to him. Haru reminded herself that that was just who Akira was. He was like a spring morning. Warming. Melting away the frost on her skin. "Have you ever thought about love?"
Akira was quiet, and his eyes widened just a fraction. It was barely noticeable, but it was as clear as day to Haru. "Sometimes. Not as often as most boys my age, I imagine. Too busy saving the world, I guess," he laughed, and Haru imitated him before he asked, "Why do you ask?"
"I've just been thinking about it. Wondering when I'll feel it."
"There's a lot of fish in the sea," he commented. "Anyone you looking at right now?" He smiled, and Haru wanted to scream at him. Was it his ignorance or her cowardice that kept them apart? Or was it just the roll of the die? She wanted nothing more than to hold Akira's hand and tell him, 'You. I love you, Akira.' But she couldn't. So she just smiled and shook her head.
"I don't think so." She pulled her knee onto the log as she stared into the dying, dancing flames. Makoto stared back at her. She was pleading Haru for help. It was as clear as a fire at night. Makoto was helpless against Akira, and Haru was helpless against her friends. "I'm just worried, I-I suppose."
Tell him how Makoto feels about him. Tell him she loves him! He needs to tell Makoto he loves her! she screamed at herself.
"How can I help?" His hand found its way to her shoulder, and she leaned into him. He smelled like saltwater, yet there was something bizarrely sweet about him. Haru wasn't surprised, though. Akira was full of surprises.
"Promise you'll stay in touch?"
Stop being so selfish!
He chuckled at the question, nodding his head. "Of course. You're my friend. I'll text you as much as I can."
"Good."
Tell him. Tell him to be with Makoto! Tell him Makoto likes him! Tell him something! Haru cursed at herself, nails digging into her palms as she fumed. She told herself, promised herself that she would do the right thing. She was supposed to be a heroine of justice. That didn't stop just because she wasn't Noir anymore.
Tell him about Makoto's feelings. Help them be happy. But what about her own happiness? What if she told Akira the truth? What if she told him how her heart raced at the thought of him, how she had dreamed about kissing him, marrying him, spending forever with him?
Do something! she demanded. But her lips wouldn't move. She couldn't sound out the words. Haru Okumura, she realized, was too much of a coward.
"Haru."
His hand slipped into hers, and she realized only too late that her nails were digging into his skin. She gasped as his fingers gently held hers, and his silver eye inched closer to hers. He was right there, so close to her... and he was scared.
"What's wrong?" He was scared for her.
He always puts other before him... Her fingers held on tight, refusing to let go for just this moment. Haru wanted to pretend that this moment was theirs, that nothing was going to change, but no moment lasts forever. She pulled her hands away and she put on a smile for him. I wish I could do the same. "I'm sorry. I'm just scared of being alone." And it wasn't a total lie.
"Mako-chan and I will be going off to college soon. I have a plan, but I'm not like her." She would never be her. Makoto was perfect, everything Akira ever wanted. Kind, strong, smart, beautiful... "I just doubt I'll be able to keep up with her."
"Life's not a race. Don't compare your life to hers," he gently pleaded. "Haru, I know you. You're spectacular." Haru felt the corners of her lips genuinely rise from the compliment. "You really, really are."
But I'm no Makoto. It was simple, unspoken fact. Haru wasn't Makoto, and she never would be. Some part of the young woman wanted to hate her friend, but she couldn't. Haru did this to herself. She refused to be selfish. Haru knew that if she told Makoto how she really felt about Akira, Makoto would have approved. She would have helped her win his heart...
And Makoto would have been miserable.
No. I have to be strong. I have to do what's right, she told herself. Haru looked into Akira's eyes, and she felt her sadness melt away. She fell forward, embracing the young man in a tight hug. Her right hand dug into his black locks as her left landed on his back, pulling him close. He hesitated only for a moment to return the embrace, even though Haru knew he'd rather have Makoto in his arms.
"I love you," she wanted to whisper it into his ear. But instead, she all she could say was, "Thank you."
"No problem, Haru... If you ever feel this way, call me, okay?"
Call... That's when I'll tell him about Makoto. Personal experience had taught Haru that lying to someone was easier when you didn't have to look them in the eye. "Okay." I'm so selfish...
Haru promised herself she'd do better for her friends. She told herself again and again that she'd make things right. She had broken that promise too many times. She had to follow through next time... She promised herself that for the fourth time that year.
END
This chapter was hell to write. Mostly a lot of editing and asking myself how I wanted things to go. You ever looked at a word so long, it stops being a word? Yeah. That was mean.
Anyways, Haru's arc in the story is a fun one. Well, not for her, but for me. I wanted to make sure she was different from the other girls, and she is the one who, I feel, has an in-canon crush on our hero. So I wrote her as being the type of person who is willing to give up on her own happiness to make sure her friends are.
Listened to a lot of sad music writing this chapter. Hopefully it came out okay.
If you liked this story, or know how I can improve, please, leave a review! Favorites and follows are nice, great even, but reviews are the fuel that keeps this old tank moving! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and have a nice day!
