Haruka found herself seated in a familiar room, looking around at it's white walls. She sat at a small table on her legs, her hands folded in her lap. A cup of tea sat in front of her, the liquid still and a small trickle of steam rising in the air, swayed by the light breaths coming in and out of Haruka's nose.

Haruka fiddled with the ends of her kimono, a new one that Tokiya had left for her to wear today. He was about to send Otoya out to get her more clothes some time that morning, but Haruka politely declined, promising that she liked dressing in kimonos and that she was alright with it. It was a red kimono with little blue birds sitting on tree branches. Haruka found it so adorable that she had to wear it.

The room was quiet other than the sound of birds outside and the tick tock of a new clock in the room. Haruka watched as the seconds ticked by on the small clock hung up on the opposite wall. The quiet ticks began to grow louder the more she focused on it. She grew more nervous with every tick and soon found herself dreading the moment that he would in too great her.

Otoya had warned her that he was out at a meeting before this and she would be alone for a while, but she promised not to be a bother and asked him to go about his day normally. He had smiled at her kind gesture before blushing, stammering as he walked out of the room, giving her motivating words. But after a few minutes his words seemed to fade and a small, dark pit began to form in her stomach as she twiddled with her fingers, listening for the sound of footsteps. But every time she thought she heard someone approaching it was either her imagination or just a servant walking by. She almost couldn't take it anymore.

She stood up, determined to get some fresh air to clear her mind. She moved quickly to the door and opened it fast, squeaking in surprise when she bumped into a wall of flesh. She stumbled back, nearly losing her balance if it wasn't for a hand wrapping around her back and catching her. She looked up to find a wet head of blue hair. Masato Hijirikawa was standing over her, panting softly as if he had just run here. His hair was wet, dripping onto his ill tied kimono which was partially open, revealing his upper, chiseled chest. He looked down at her surprise, blinking confusedly at her.

"Nanami-san, why are you running?" He asked, eyebrows knitted together. Haruka blushed, pulling away from him hastily and straightening her kimono out. She couldn't believe her stupid luck. He finally showed up just as she was about to leave. It looked like she was trying to avoid the conversation.

"G-gomen ne." She stuttered, looking down at her feet.

"I apologize for taking so long. I was taking a shower when one of the maids informed me that you needed an audience with me." Masato apologize, running his fingers through his wet hair, drops of water sprinkling into the air and falling to the floor. Haruka blushed as he motioned for her to sit. She nodded and hastily rushed to her seat, nearly tripping. "Nanami-san, you're worrying me."

"Hu?" Haruka hummed, confused by why she was worrying. What had she done.

"I was informed that you were found on the side of the street and had run away from home. That's not exactly a nice position to find someone in. So I'm worried." Masato explained, shaking his head. Haruka looked down ashamed. She was a cluts and she knew it. It was embarrassing how helpless she was and it was all because she didn't pay attention to where she was going.

"S-sorry." She squeaked, her breath casing the steam from the tea to dance through the air.

"So why did you request an audience with me? I already said it was alright for you to stay as long as you needed to." Masato asked, leaning in and attempting to change the subject.

"Oh, well.." Haruka looked down, trying to find the words. "I just thought it would be inappropriate to take a place in the household without speaking to the head first is all. I just thought it would be a bit more appropriate. I-I'm sorry to have bothered you." Haruka stuttered, hoping that t was a valid enough excuse to take time out of his day. "I didn't mean to take time out of your day."

"No, it's no bother." Masato smiled. "As I promised you may stay as long as you wish. You are a friend to the Hijirikawas, so there is no need to rush. Please do relax." Masato smiled. Haruka blushed, Masato's smile was beautiful and not an everyday occurrence. She looked down, smiling. "Please do not hesitate to request anything, food, furniture, or even another audience. You will never be a bother." Masato smiled. Haruka nodded, tears building up in her eyes. Masato flinched back when she began to wipe them away. "Is something the matter?"

"N-no, I'm fine. It's just that-... the way you said that... it reminded me of my grandmother. I really miss her alot and hearing that just- well, it got me a little emotional is all." Haruka smiled.

"Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman." Masato said, leaning in over the table. Haruka's face lit up in a brilliant smile, leaning in as well, all traces of nervous fiddling now gone as her eyes sparkled.

"Oh yes! My grandmother was the smartest most wisest person I've ever met!" Masato reeled back, blown away by her sudden talkativeness and excitement. "She was brilliant and brought out company back from ruin when she came in charge. I wish I could have followed in her footsteps, but I was always too sickly to do so. Oh, but Grandma said that I would have made a find successor, since I'm so smart- well she think's I'm smart, I think I'm average, but at least she has confidence in me, not that I would ever see myself like that *Takes deep breath in*." Haruka took a quick breather after talking excessively after that long, breathless sentence. Masato chuckled in amusement, shaking his head. "She was... brilliant and... very well... respected." Haruka said, panting.

"I can tell by the way you talk about her." Masato chuckled. Haruka looked up at him, watching as his eyes closed as he tried to hold in his laughter. She smiled at him. He was a very nice man, she could tell. She was happy to be staying here.

You know, I think this story is gonna be even longer than I originally planned- I'm guessing more than 50 chapters if I can stretch it that long. But I definitely want to reach that 50 chapter mark. Before the 30th chapter was my mark, but I think it can keep going! I'll try to keep this going, but I'm running out of ideas.

OMG, isn't Haruka just sooo adorable when she talks about her grandmother?! I just want to hug her and squeeze her and bring her home with me. Seriously, I Am quite similar to Tomochika, except more hugy, so we would be perfect BFFs!

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