Word Count: 940

Teal

A puff of autumn wind swung past her as Haru fixed the teal scarf wrapped around her neck. It had been a rough day — nope, a rough week for her to be exact. The school works were piling up, her club was too demanding, and not to mention, she found herself in such a predicament.

To address her issue, she took a thorough evaluation in establishing her plan. Haru was determined to enlist the help of a certain guy, which was why she was running after him.

"Hahi! Yamamoto-san, please wait!" she called, making him turn around to face her.

"Yo, Haru!" Takeshi said cheerfully, eyes crinkling. "What's up?"

Needless to say, she was a bundle of nerves when she caught up to him. Naturally, Haru had always been an assertive person, but today was different.

"Yamamoto-san, I have some favor to ask you."

Among all her male friends, Takeshi seemed to be the most amenable and disposed, always went along with all the havoc occurrences centered around their group. And with that, Haru was certain that he would be the best candidate for this, considering that her scheme was absolutely absurd. It was already obvious that Tsuna would decline; Hayato would just end up bickering with her; Kyoko's older brother was also out of the picture, so Haru pinned her hopes on the baseball player.

"I see. So that's what it is," Takeshi said, occasionally nodding after the brunette mustered up all her courage and told him the entirety of what she had devised: fake dating.

Her dilemma started when a guy from a nearby school named Itsuki confessed to her. Haru didn't peg herself as an attractive girl, so it certainly caught her off guard. Even when she turned him down politely, Itsuki still had the gumption to pursue her.

Haru found it infuriating. Perhaps she must have been like that before, too. Back then, she remembered how she bluntly declared on becoming Tsuna's wife. However, the lovesick days were over, and Haru had long overcome that feeling. What was left now was only a deep empathy for him.

Anyhow, fake dating was the most plausible plan she could come up with. In that way, Itsuki might lay off her for good. But only if the Rain Guardian would agree to it, of course.

Takeshi shrugged. "It actually sounds fun to me. I'm up for it."

"What?" Haru asked, almost jumping in happiness. "Really?"

"Yup, really."

Haru's face softened. He was kind and reliable as ever, and the brunette knew she could always turn to him whenever something happened.

"Okay, Yamamoto-san, you are now my fake boyfriend until Itsuki leaves me alone."

And Takeshi, being the gentleman he was, offered to walk Haru home to which she gladly accepted because there was that possibility where they could run into Itsuki.

Worse luck, they actually did.

The brunette made the sound of an animal dying when Itsuki began approaching.

"Hi, Haru!" he greeted in a jovial manner. "I was looking for you at Midori High, but one of your classmates said you already left."

Itsuki smiled as if he was bestowed by the gods above with some kind of fortune. But then, he turned to the tall guy standing next to Haru. "Hello. And you must be?"

"Yamamoto Takeshi," the Rain Guardian introduced himself before thoughtfully adding, "Haru's boyfriend."

Itsuki's smile died down when he heard it. He turned again to Haru for some affirmation, and the brunette nodded, breaking his heart.

Takeshi made sure to wrap an arm around Haru's shoulder, pulling her close just to make their pretense look convincing. He asked Itsuki, "I presume you're Haru's friend?"

"Y-yeah," the guy replied lamely.

As Haru watched the two boys conversing, her face flushed bright pink at her and Takeshi's proximity. His touch felt unfamiliar, yet it was warm and comforting.

When the tension and awkwardness filled the air, Haru finally chimed in, "Itsuki-san, we have to get going now. Please have a great day!"

And Haru swore she didn't mean it as an insult.

—

"That went well," the Rain Guardian said in the aftermath of the events.

Haru agreed, nodding as they walked home together. "It did! Thank you very much. Yamamoto-san."

"It was nothing, Haru. I'm just glad I was of help." Takeshi grinned widely. Before, Haru wasn't really mindful, but now looking up close, it suddenly dawned to her that he was one hell of an attractive guy. It was his smile that captivated her the most.

Haru was beyond grateful, so she prodded. "I owe you one. If there's anything I can do for you in return, you can tell me!"

Takeshi tilted his head to her in interest and asked, "Anything?"

"Yes! I can't even begin to explain how much your help meant to me."

"Then," the raven-haired man began, and Haru did not understand why he had a slight blush on his cheeks until he asked her a startling question: "Will you go on a date with me?"

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. "A date? Why?"

"To tell you the truth, you've been on my mind a lot for quite some time now," Takeshi admitted, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "I figured it would be nice to get to know you more."

The brunette was lost too for words, flabbergasted about the way he regarded her. But taking deep consideration, Haru loved the thought of getting to know him better as well. For all she knew, it could be something entirely different — a new feeling, like the first flower blossoming after crisp snow.