Chapter two: I know you're there watching me
Author: Ria Sakazaki/Lizza de Guzman
Pairing: Hanamichi/Haruka
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.
Note: Tehee! Hanamichi and Haruka are in love with each other! Hanamichi
was happy the next day. He was looking forward for his meeting with Haruka
again. Let's just see what happened that day. ^_^ please review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Haruka, this is Mr. Shinichi. You are to practice this afternoon. Tomorrow is your big race. You have to be there. We can't waste the chance. You've been the defending champion of the racing league since last two years. Kaneda is fighting for your crown too." Mr. Shinichi said through the phone. "I understand. But I think I'll be late for a couple of minutes. Is that ok with you, sir? I need to fix something important." Haruka told him. "ok, I know I can count on you. have you received the free tickets?" he asked her again. "oh yes sir. Thank you very much." Haruka told him. "ok just remember, we are going to keep this winning streak as long as we can. Bye Ms. Tennoh. Have a nice day." The kind man said and placed the receiver down. "I can't let Hanamichi down sir. And he will be my special guest tomorrow." Haruka said. she arranged her things to go to school.
~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hanamichi! Wait up!" Yohei and the others ran after him. " hi guys!" Hanamichi greeted them. "hey! what a sudden change of attitude. About yesterday-"Yohei said but Hanamichi stopped him. "it's ok. I really made a fool out of myself there." Hanamichi told them. " you're not angry?" Takamiya asked. "why?" Hanamichi asked then entered their room. "what got into him?" Ouksu asked Yohei when they saw Hanamichi humming. " maybe he saw Haruko this morning." Noma said.
Hanamichi acted really strange the whole day. For the first time, he got interest in their subjects and started reciting. Even the teachers were surprised. "Mr. Sakuragi, you seemed a little energetic today. Continue that attitude and who knows, you might get into the honors list." One of the teacher said. "thank you sir!" Hanamichi replied cheerfully. " hey Hanamichi. Are you really ok?" Yohei asked him. "of course I am. why would I not?" Hanamichi asked him.
That lunch, they really think that something strange is going on when Hanamichi had passed by Haruko and didn't even shriek or blush. " hi Haruko." Hanamichi said smiling. He looked like just an old dear friend. " how are you Sakuragi?" Haruko asked. "I'm fine. Ok, better go." Hanamichi said and waved casually goodbye. "wow, what a sudden change of attitude." One of Haruko's friends said. "people are acting really weird." Haruko agreed.
That afternoon, even the basketball team noticed his sudden change. He became serious and he didn't appear like an idiot inside the court. " Sakuragi! You really seemed strange today." Kogure told him while they were warming up. "I made some thinking yesterday." Hanamichi told him. " what kind of thinking?" Ayako asked him. "I need to change my attitude towards basketball." Hanamichi told them. he started sit-ups leaving Ayako and Kogure confused. "hey, what the hell happened to that monkey?" Akagi asked Kogure. "I don't know. he said he decided to change his attitude towards basketball." Ayako said. then that time, Couch Ansai entered the court. " HELLO!!" Hanamichi greeted in full energy. " hello Sakuragi. You seemed fully charged this afternoon." Couch Ansai told him. Hanamichi smiled and just scratched his head. His eyes traveled to the door. He was waiting for someone. Someone that might help him get through this practice without mistake, that's Haruka. But where is she?
Haruka hopped off her bike and ran towards the Shohoko gym. She was clutching her letter to Hanamichi. She decided not to show herself to him that afternoon. She was afraid seeing him and talking to him would make her cancel her practice. It's just that she enjoyed his company that made her forget how time flies. She crept into the corner, just behind those girls screaming for Rukawa.
"Hanamichi Sakuragi! Let's see how's your lay-up doing." Akagi told him. " oh here we go again." One of the girls laughed. Haruka was fighting the urge to hit this girl on the head. How can she insult Hanamichi like that? Haruka sighed and watched him. "you can do it Hanamichi. Do you want an example again?" Kogure asked him. Hanamichi sighed and shook his head. " no, it's ok. I think I can do it." Hanamichi told them. Akagi snorted, so as Kaede. Hanamichi dribbled the ball and looked at the door. He can't see Haruka but he feels that she is just behind that door. He sighed and controlled himself. Ok, just toss it in a controlled force. Hanamichi thought. He started running. He was concentrating hard on the ring. Haruka of the other side was crossing her fingers for luck as Hanamichi jumped and let the ball roll into the ring. The ball came in as Hanamichi's feet landed on the floor. They were so shocked. Hanamichi made his first official shot.
"you did it! you did it!" Ayako cried. " you did it!" Kogure added. Hanamichi's friends were now routing for him. but his eyes were searching for someone. "that's good Hanamichi. I'm glad all the lessons yesterday paid off. Now, we'll try the hook shot." Akagi said. Hanamichi remembered Haruka saying that his hook shots were unbelievable. She was glassy eyed when she was describing the proportion and angle of his feet to his arms. " Rukawa, show Hanamichi how to do a hook shot." Akagi said. there he goes again. His hormones were having a revolution about Rukawa showing off but he remembered his promise to Haruka. He looked at the door again and saw a tall shadow behind Haruko. He knew that it was she and that's all he needed to make this shot one of his best.
He observed Kaede run and made a hook shot. His body was perfectly proportioned too. Hanamichi sighed again. " Rukawa! Rukawa! Rukawa!" the girls cheered. "ok Hanamichi, try it." Kogure told him and passed him the ball. "oh here we go again." One of the girls said. Haruka was getting furious. She was already clutching her fist. Hanamichi started dribbling and jumped. They were amazed by the way his body proportioned by the shot. They watched in wonder when Hanamichi threw the ball and it went in, rimless. "what the hell-"they said in shock. Hanamichi smiled with his shot. He looked at the crowd in front of him, he smiled when they saw their shocked faces. "unbelievable." Ayako stammered. " he did that?" Haruko asked in surprise. Even the girls who were insulting him were speechless.
Haruka smiled and tapped Haruko's shoulder. "miss, can you do me a favor?" Haruka asked her. when Haruko and the others turned around, their jaws dropped realizing how handsome Haruka is. " y-yes?" Haruko asked, stupefied. Haruka took a letter out of her coat. "here. can you give this to Hanamichi?" she asked her, showing the letter. Haruko's hands were trembling when she took the letter. " o-ok." Haruko stammered. Haruka smiled and patted her head then walked away.
"oh my god. OH MY GOD!!!!" the girls screamed. " what the-" Akagi said. they were having a five minutes break. "He is so cute!" one of the girl's said. Haruko was not moving but they saw her eyes were heart-shaped. " what's happening now?" Ayako asked. " he is wearing Tomoe Mugen School uniform! Gosh he is so cute!" Haruko's friend added. Haruko came back to her senses and entered the gym, holding Hanamichi's letter.
"I hate it when they do that." Yasuda said. Haruko was now running towards them. "what happened?" Ayako asked her. Haruko giggled. " there's a cute guy out there watching the practice and he was wearing Tomoe Mugen School uniform." Haruko said. "what? Where?" Hanamichi asked in surprise. " oh well, he's gone but he gave me this letter telling me to give it to you. hey do you know his name? He's so cute! He has this blonde hair and," Haruko said and started describing Haruka to them. Hanamichi took the letter and opened it. it says,
Hanamichi,
Sorry I can't see you this afternoon for your practice. I forgot to tell you yesterday that tomorrow is my big race, the JRL championship. I need to practice this afternoon but I can't break my word to you. I came; I'm watching you just behind the doors with those annoying girls. You really made it. I'm so proud of you. by the way, about the big race tomorrow, I want you to be there. I need you to be there. I have here twenty tickets here, you can take your friends or your teammates there. Well, I want you to take your friends, your teammates, your couch, your manager and your friend, Haruko. Then to add them all, there's only one ticket left. Just keep the last ticket and bring it tomorrow. You know where the race is. It's on the ticket. Please be there. aishiteru.
Haruka Tennoh
Hanamichi blushed. Aishiteru, it means I love you. Hanamichi thought. He folded the letter and found a laminated paper. He flipped it over and he saw Haruka's name, phone and add. It was a calling card, just in case he wanted to talk to her or see her. Hanamichi blushed further. Inside the envelope was a bundle of tickets. He looked at it and saw it was prime tickets. Kogure was staring at his strange behavior when reading the letter. "hey Hanamichi! What's that?" Kogure asked him, pointing at the letter. "oh nothing. Hey, can I ask you something?" Hanamichi asked them. "what is it?" Akagi asked. Yohei and the other were already there so as Couch Ansai.
"are you a fan of the JRL?" Hanamichi asked them. they stared at him. " JRL?! The Junior Racing League?! are you crazy?! Almost everyone in Japan is crazy about it." Akagi said. "well, then, let's watch the championship tomorrow." Hanamichi told them. "do'aho, do you know how much is the ticket? And by now it's almost sold out." Kaede told him. "I got tickets." Hanamichi told them. "you what?! How?! Where?!" they demanded. Hanamichi showed them the tickets. "that guy gave this to you?" Haruko asked him. " don't you know who was it?" Hanamichi asked her. Haruko shook her head. " that was Haruka Tennoh, the two-time champion of JRL since last, last year." Hanamichi told them. their jaws dropped. "so couch, can you go with us tomorrow?" Hanamichi asked him. "hehe! Ok. I'll go." Couch Ansai said. "we'll meet here tomorrow so that we can go there together." Ayako said. they all agreed. Hanamichi sighed. They finished their practice and went at home.
"Hanamichi, tell us what's really happening here." Yohei told him while they were on their way home. "what?" Hanamichi asked him. "not all people in Japan knows that Haruka Tennoh is a girl. And how did you know her?" Yohei asked him. Hanamichi smiled. "and how did you get that shot so fast." Takamiya added. "well, secret." Hanamichi told them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Haruka, are you ok?" Setsuna Meioh asked her. "I'm fine." Haruka said. " with the look on your face I can see you're in love." Setsuna told her. " no I'm not." Haruka said. they were on the express way, just staring at the setting sun. she had finished her practice already. " oh come on. you're blushing. Tell me who it is." Setsuna said. " oh well," Haruka said, blushing further. "is it the guy you went to see before your practice?" Setsuna asked her. " yes." Haruka said. " come on tell me." Setsuna insisted. "ok, ok! it's Hanamichi Sakuragi of Shohoko high." Haruka confessed. "my god, you are growing up." Setsuna teased her. " stop it." Haruka said. "so, when will I meet this guy?" Setsuna asked her. " tomorrow." Haruka said. "speaking of tomorrow, I still don't have my ticket." Setsuna told her. " Hanamichi has it. I'll give it to you tomorrow." Haruka said. "is he good looking?" Setsuna asked her. " to my opinion, yes. I don't know in yours." Haruka told her. "well, does he have red hair and he is tall?" Setsuna asked her. "how did you know?" Haruka asked her. "he's handsome. Remember, I can see through the future. I trust your taste." Setsuna told her. "thank you." Haruka said. " so you better stop cross-dressing. You're having a boyfriend now." Setsuna teased her. " stop that." Haruka said. they teased each other the whole afternoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
later that night in Haruka's condo unit, the phone rang. She was watching T.V. when she picked it up. "hello, who's this?" Haruka asked. " guess who." Hanamichi said. "Hanamichi?" Haruka asked. She turned to T.V. off. " hi. How are you?" Hanamichi asked. Haruka blushed. " I'm fine. How about you?" she asked. "lonely." Hanamichi said. he was standing by the woody garden outside her unit. Haruka felt her insides were jumping with glee. " why?" she asked, thought she guessed the right answer. " because I didn't see you this afternoon." Hanamichi said.
"you missed me?" Haruka asked him. she took one throw pillow and embraced it. "yeah. Though I only saw your shadow, I still miss you." Hanamichi told her. "why?" Haruka asked. She was glad she's alone in her unit. " you know why." Hanamichi said. "no I don't." Haruka said though she already knew it. "because, you were the one who gave me strength today." Hanamichi said gently. "is that true?" Haruka asked him. " cross my heart and," Hanamichi paused, wondering is he could say some more. " and?" Haruka asked. "and aishiteru too." Hanamichi said. Haruka smiled. "I want to see you." she told him. "I'm here, staring at your window, waiting outside while surrounded with plants." Hanamichi told her. Haruka jumped and ran to her window. When she opened it, she saw Hanamichi by the garden. "wait for me." Haruka said. she dropped the phone and took her coat while running outside.
Hanamichi sighed. He placed the phone inside his bag and smiled when he saw Haruka running towards him. it was almost eternity when Haruka jumped into Hanamichi's arms. they just stood there, hiding from the eyes of people, holding each other tightly. Haruka encircled her hands around Hanamichi's torso. She just want to hold him like that. she looked up to him and smiled. Hanamichi smiled too and slowly lowered his face down to hers. Haruka closed her eyes when she felt Hanamichi's lips brushed against hers. "I love you." Hanamichi whispered against her soft lips. " I love you too." Haruka said before he claimed her lips fully. They just stood there, savoring their kiss, holding each other tight. Haruka brought her hands around his neck to pull him closer. They broke apart just to get some air and kiss again. Hanamichi held her closer until her body was flat against his. "please don't let go of me." Haruka told him. Hanamichi kissed her eyes, her nose then her lips. "I promise." Hanamichi said. Though they won't show it to each other, the love was there. Nothing can break them apart now. Hanamichi clung to this moment. all those heartbreaks, the pain was gone. Forever. Now he found the girl he was looking for and none will take her away from him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Haruka, this is Mr. Shinichi. You are to practice this afternoon. Tomorrow is your big race. You have to be there. We can't waste the chance. You've been the defending champion of the racing league since last two years. Kaneda is fighting for your crown too." Mr. Shinichi said through the phone. "I understand. But I think I'll be late for a couple of minutes. Is that ok with you, sir? I need to fix something important." Haruka told him. "ok, I know I can count on you. have you received the free tickets?" he asked her again. "oh yes sir. Thank you very much." Haruka told him. "ok just remember, we are going to keep this winning streak as long as we can. Bye Ms. Tennoh. Have a nice day." The kind man said and placed the receiver down. "I can't let Hanamichi down sir. And he will be my special guest tomorrow." Haruka said. she arranged her things to go to school.
~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hanamichi! Wait up!" Yohei and the others ran after him. " hi guys!" Hanamichi greeted them. "hey! what a sudden change of attitude. About yesterday-"Yohei said but Hanamichi stopped him. "it's ok. I really made a fool out of myself there." Hanamichi told them. " you're not angry?" Takamiya asked. "why?" Hanamichi asked then entered their room. "what got into him?" Ouksu asked Yohei when they saw Hanamichi humming. " maybe he saw Haruko this morning." Noma said.
Hanamichi acted really strange the whole day. For the first time, he got interest in their subjects and started reciting. Even the teachers were surprised. "Mr. Sakuragi, you seemed a little energetic today. Continue that attitude and who knows, you might get into the honors list." One of the teacher said. "thank you sir!" Hanamichi replied cheerfully. " hey Hanamichi. Are you really ok?" Yohei asked him. "of course I am. why would I not?" Hanamichi asked him.
That lunch, they really think that something strange is going on when Hanamichi had passed by Haruko and didn't even shriek or blush. " hi Haruko." Hanamichi said smiling. He looked like just an old dear friend. " how are you Sakuragi?" Haruko asked. "I'm fine. Ok, better go." Hanamichi said and waved casually goodbye. "wow, what a sudden change of attitude." One of Haruko's friends said. "people are acting really weird." Haruko agreed.
That afternoon, even the basketball team noticed his sudden change. He became serious and he didn't appear like an idiot inside the court. " Sakuragi! You really seemed strange today." Kogure told him while they were warming up. "I made some thinking yesterday." Hanamichi told him. " what kind of thinking?" Ayako asked him. "I need to change my attitude towards basketball." Hanamichi told them. he started sit-ups leaving Ayako and Kogure confused. "hey, what the hell happened to that monkey?" Akagi asked Kogure. "I don't know. he said he decided to change his attitude towards basketball." Ayako said. then that time, Couch Ansai entered the court. " HELLO!!" Hanamichi greeted in full energy. " hello Sakuragi. You seemed fully charged this afternoon." Couch Ansai told him. Hanamichi smiled and just scratched his head. His eyes traveled to the door. He was waiting for someone. Someone that might help him get through this practice without mistake, that's Haruka. But where is she?
Haruka hopped off her bike and ran towards the Shohoko gym. She was clutching her letter to Hanamichi. She decided not to show herself to him that afternoon. She was afraid seeing him and talking to him would make her cancel her practice. It's just that she enjoyed his company that made her forget how time flies. She crept into the corner, just behind those girls screaming for Rukawa.
"Hanamichi Sakuragi! Let's see how's your lay-up doing." Akagi told him. " oh here we go again." One of the girls laughed. Haruka was fighting the urge to hit this girl on the head. How can she insult Hanamichi like that? Haruka sighed and watched him. "you can do it Hanamichi. Do you want an example again?" Kogure asked him. Hanamichi sighed and shook his head. " no, it's ok. I think I can do it." Hanamichi told them. Akagi snorted, so as Kaede. Hanamichi dribbled the ball and looked at the door. He can't see Haruka but he feels that she is just behind that door. He sighed and controlled himself. Ok, just toss it in a controlled force. Hanamichi thought. He started running. He was concentrating hard on the ring. Haruka of the other side was crossing her fingers for luck as Hanamichi jumped and let the ball roll into the ring. The ball came in as Hanamichi's feet landed on the floor. They were so shocked. Hanamichi made his first official shot.
"you did it! you did it!" Ayako cried. " you did it!" Kogure added. Hanamichi's friends were now routing for him. but his eyes were searching for someone. "that's good Hanamichi. I'm glad all the lessons yesterday paid off. Now, we'll try the hook shot." Akagi said. Hanamichi remembered Haruka saying that his hook shots were unbelievable. She was glassy eyed when she was describing the proportion and angle of his feet to his arms. " Rukawa, show Hanamichi how to do a hook shot." Akagi said. there he goes again. His hormones were having a revolution about Rukawa showing off but he remembered his promise to Haruka. He looked at the door again and saw a tall shadow behind Haruko. He knew that it was she and that's all he needed to make this shot one of his best.
He observed Kaede run and made a hook shot. His body was perfectly proportioned too. Hanamichi sighed again. " Rukawa! Rukawa! Rukawa!" the girls cheered. "ok Hanamichi, try it." Kogure told him and passed him the ball. "oh here we go again." One of the girls said. Haruka was getting furious. She was already clutching her fist. Hanamichi started dribbling and jumped. They were amazed by the way his body proportioned by the shot. They watched in wonder when Hanamichi threw the ball and it went in, rimless. "what the hell-"they said in shock. Hanamichi smiled with his shot. He looked at the crowd in front of him, he smiled when they saw their shocked faces. "unbelievable." Ayako stammered. " he did that?" Haruko asked in surprise. Even the girls who were insulting him were speechless.
Haruka smiled and tapped Haruko's shoulder. "miss, can you do me a favor?" Haruka asked her. when Haruko and the others turned around, their jaws dropped realizing how handsome Haruka is. " y-yes?" Haruko asked, stupefied. Haruka took a letter out of her coat. "here. can you give this to Hanamichi?" she asked her, showing the letter. Haruko's hands were trembling when she took the letter. " o-ok." Haruko stammered. Haruka smiled and patted her head then walked away.
"oh my god. OH MY GOD!!!!" the girls screamed. " what the-" Akagi said. they were having a five minutes break. "He is so cute!" one of the girl's said. Haruko was not moving but they saw her eyes were heart-shaped. " what's happening now?" Ayako asked. " he is wearing Tomoe Mugen School uniform! Gosh he is so cute!" Haruko's friend added. Haruko came back to her senses and entered the gym, holding Hanamichi's letter.
"I hate it when they do that." Yasuda said. Haruko was now running towards them. "what happened?" Ayako asked her. Haruko giggled. " there's a cute guy out there watching the practice and he was wearing Tomoe Mugen School uniform." Haruko said. "what? Where?" Hanamichi asked in surprise. " oh well, he's gone but he gave me this letter telling me to give it to you. hey do you know his name? He's so cute! He has this blonde hair and," Haruko said and started describing Haruka to them. Hanamichi took the letter and opened it. it says,
Hanamichi,
Sorry I can't see you this afternoon for your practice. I forgot to tell you yesterday that tomorrow is my big race, the JRL championship. I need to practice this afternoon but I can't break my word to you. I came; I'm watching you just behind the doors with those annoying girls. You really made it. I'm so proud of you. by the way, about the big race tomorrow, I want you to be there. I need you to be there. I have here twenty tickets here, you can take your friends or your teammates there. Well, I want you to take your friends, your teammates, your couch, your manager and your friend, Haruko. Then to add them all, there's only one ticket left. Just keep the last ticket and bring it tomorrow. You know where the race is. It's on the ticket. Please be there. aishiteru.
Haruka Tennoh
Hanamichi blushed. Aishiteru, it means I love you. Hanamichi thought. He folded the letter and found a laminated paper. He flipped it over and he saw Haruka's name, phone and add. It was a calling card, just in case he wanted to talk to her or see her. Hanamichi blushed further. Inside the envelope was a bundle of tickets. He looked at it and saw it was prime tickets. Kogure was staring at his strange behavior when reading the letter. "hey Hanamichi! What's that?" Kogure asked him, pointing at the letter. "oh nothing. Hey, can I ask you something?" Hanamichi asked them. "what is it?" Akagi asked. Yohei and the other were already there so as Couch Ansai.
"are you a fan of the JRL?" Hanamichi asked them. they stared at him. " JRL?! The Junior Racing League?! are you crazy?! Almost everyone in Japan is crazy about it." Akagi said. "well, then, let's watch the championship tomorrow." Hanamichi told them. "do'aho, do you know how much is the ticket? And by now it's almost sold out." Kaede told him. "I got tickets." Hanamichi told them. "you what?! How?! Where?!" they demanded. Hanamichi showed them the tickets. "that guy gave this to you?" Haruko asked him. " don't you know who was it?" Hanamichi asked her. Haruko shook her head. " that was Haruka Tennoh, the two-time champion of JRL since last, last year." Hanamichi told them. their jaws dropped. "so couch, can you go with us tomorrow?" Hanamichi asked him. "hehe! Ok. I'll go." Couch Ansai said. "we'll meet here tomorrow so that we can go there together." Ayako said. they all agreed. Hanamichi sighed. They finished their practice and went at home.
"Hanamichi, tell us what's really happening here." Yohei told him while they were on their way home. "what?" Hanamichi asked him. "not all people in Japan knows that Haruka Tennoh is a girl. And how did you know her?" Yohei asked him. Hanamichi smiled. "and how did you get that shot so fast." Takamiya added. "well, secret." Hanamichi told them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Haruka, are you ok?" Setsuna Meioh asked her. "I'm fine." Haruka said. " with the look on your face I can see you're in love." Setsuna told her. " no I'm not." Haruka said. they were on the express way, just staring at the setting sun. she had finished her practice already. " oh come on. you're blushing. Tell me who it is." Setsuna said. " oh well," Haruka said, blushing further. "is it the guy you went to see before your practice?" Setsuna asked her. " yes." Haruka said. " come on tell me." Setsuna insisted. "ok, ok! it's Hanamichi Sakuragi of Shohoko high." Haruka confessed. "my god, you are growing up." Setsuna teased her. " stop it." Haruka said. "so, when will I meet this guy?" Setsuna asked her. " tomorrow." Haruka said. "speaking of tomorrow, I still don't have my ticket." Setsuna told her. " Hanamichi has it. I'll give it to you tomorrow." Haruka said. "is he good looking?" Setsuna asked her. " to my opinion, yes. I don't know in yours." Haruka told her. "well, does he have red hair and he is tall?" Setsuna asked her. "how did you know?" Haruka asked her. "he's handsome. Remember, I can see through the future. I trust your taste." Setsuna told her. "thank you." Haruka said. " so you better stop cross-dressing. You're having a boyfriend now." Setsuna teased her. " stop that." Haruka said. they teased each other the whole afternoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*_*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
later that night in Haruka's condo unit, the phone rang. She was watching T.V. when she picked it up. "hello, who's this?" Haruka asked. " guess who." Hanamichi said. "Hanamichi?" Haruka asked. She turned to T.V. off. " hi. How are you?" Hanamichi asked. Haruka blushed. " I'm fine. How about you?" she asked. "lonely." Hanamichi said. he was standing by the woody garden outside her unit. Haruka felt her insides were jumping with glee. " why?" she asked, thought she guessed the right answer. " because I didn't see you this afternoon." Hanamichi said.
"you missed me?" Haruka asked him. she took one throw pillow and embraced it. "yeah. Though I only saw your shadow, I still miss you." Hanamichi told her. "why?" Haruka asked. She was glad she's alone in her unit. " you know why." Hanamichi said. "no I don't." Haruka said though she already knew it. "because, you were the one who gave me strength today." Hanamichi said gently. "is that true?" Haruka asked him. " cross my heart and," Hanamichi paused, wondering is he could say some more. " and?" Haruka asked. "and aishiteru too." Hanamichi said. Haruka smiled. "I want to see you." she told him. "I'm here, staring at your window, waiting outside while surrounded with plants." Hanamichi told her. Haruka jumped and ran to her window. When she opened it, she saw Hanamichi by the garden. "wait for me." Haruka said. she dropped the phone and took her coat while running outside.
Hanamichi sighed. He placed the phone inside his bag and smiled when he saw Haruka running towards him. it was almost eternity when Haruka jumped into Hanamichi's arms. they just stood there, hiding from the eyes of people, holding each other tightly. Haruka encircled her hands around Hanamichi's torso. She just want to hold him like that. she looked up to him and smiled. Hanamichi smiled too and slowly lowered his face down to hers. Haruka closed her eyes when she felt Hanamichi's lips brushed against hers. "I love you." Hanamichi whispered against her soft lips. " I love you too." Haruka said before he claimed her lips fully. They just stood there, savoring their kiss, holding each other tight. Haruka brought her hands around his neck to pull him closer. They broke apart just to get some air and kiss again. Hanamichi held her closer until her body was flat against his. "please don't let go of me." Haruka told him. Hanamichi kissed her eyes, her nose then her lips. "I promise." Hanamichi said. Though they won't show it to each other, the love was there. Nothing can break them apart now. Hanamichi clung to this moment. all those heartbreaks, the pain was gone. Forever. Now he found the girl he was looking for and none will take her away from him.