Haruka sighed as lay in bed, bored. Kyosuke had been texting her occasionally but for the most part, he'd been busy. Today, he was busy again and Haruka wondered what he was doing.

It had been a few days since the pervert incident and she hadn't been able to gather the courage to go back on the train. Masami had insisted on picking Haruka up and taking her home until she was ready to take the train again. She jumped when her phone buzzed loudly; Kyosuke was calling her. She answered the phone almost a little too excitedly,

"Hello?"

"Are you home?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I'm outside."

Haruka leaped out of bed, bounded down the stairs, and madly dashed out of the house. Kyosuke was waiting for her, coolly leaning against a black motorcycle with a single helmet resting on the back seat.

"What are you doing here? Is this yours?"

Kyosuke stepped aside, allowing Haruka to admire his new ride for a moment, and he gently reminded her to hang up her phone. She secretly checked out Kyosuke while she admired his motorcycle. It was refreshing to see him outside of school and not wearing his school uniform or his club uniform. He was wearing dark pants and a white shirt with a v-neck with dark shoes; a leather jacket was draped over the handlebars of the motorcycle.

"I'll tell you more about it later. Are your parents home?"

"Yes, everyone is home today. Why?"

Haruka was confused when Kyosuke walked into her house. Out of curiosity, she followed him and Kyosuke politely called out a greeting to announce his intrusion.

"Oh, hello! Are you Haruka's friend?"

Haruka was a little uncomfortable; her mother was a little too excited to see a boy in the house.

"My name is Kuga Kyosuke. I'd like your permission to take out Haruka for the day."

Haruka and her mother were caught by surprise but Haruka's mother recovered quickly and barked at Haruka to go and change into "more suitable clothes" while she tended to their "guest."

Haruka blanked out when she stared at her closet. What was she supposed to do? What was she supposed to wear? Was he just taking her out? Or was it...a date? Haruka gasped loudly and her cheeks flushed. Kyosuke had just asked her mother for permission to take her out on a date! Haruka dug through the depths of her closets and drawers in search of a cute outfit.

When Haruka finally emerged from her room, she was horrified to see that her mother was showing Kyosuke her baby pictures.

"And this was from Haruka's third birthday. Isn't she the cutest thing? She loves udon noodles!"

Kyosuke chuckled,

"Yes, she did mention that to me."

"Mom!" Haruka covered her face in shame and ran outside.

Kyosuke politely bowed and thanked Haruka's mother for her hospitality.

"You were very cute when you were a baby. I may ask your mother for a copy."

Haruka's cheeks were burning with embarrassment,

"What? Why do you want such a thing?"

"Because," Kyosuke stepped closer to Haruka, "my birthday was a few days ago and I think your baby picture would make a nice birthday present."

"Oh...happy birthday, Kyosuke. I didn't know your birthday had passed," Haruka motioned to the motorcycle, "So was this your birthday gift?"

Kyosuke didn't answer. Instead, he got on the motorcycle and motioned for Haruka to do the same. She didn't know where he was going to take her but she decided to trust him. After all, he came to her rescue and he gave her a second chance.

They arrived in an outdoor shopping mall and Kyosuke parked his motorcycle before helping Haruka safely dismount. They proceeded to enter the courtyard but Haruka stumbled on a curb. Kyosuke grabbed her hand to keep her from falling over and she thanked him, relieved that she wasn't hurt. He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her close to his side.

"Maybe I'd better keep an eye on you today. You're not usually this clumsy."

"I'm glad you noticed."

Haruka felt giddy as she glanced at their joined hands.

They grabbed ice cream and chatted freely about everything and anything, although it was mostly Haruka who was talking. Kyosuke was occupied with observing Haruka and memorizing every detail about her, from the length of her lashes to the many shades of brown in her eyes to her cute nose and the shape of her lips and the fair skin on her neck…

"Sorry, I think I've been talking too much. Anyway, are you going to tell me about your motorcycle?"

Kyosuke snapped back to reality and stirred his ice cream; Haruka hadn't noticed that his ice cream was almost melted in its plastic bowl.

"I got it for you."

"What?"

Haruka furrowed her brow; why would Kyosuke get a birthday gift for her when it wasn't her birthday? Kyosuke smiled at her confusion and he set his ice cream side, turning his body towards her.

"I got the motorcycle for you. I spent the last few days studying for my permit and when I got my permit, I spent another few days learning how to ride my motorcycle. That way, I can take you to school and bring you home so you don't have to take the train until you're ready."

Kyosuke's eyes glimmered as he gathered his thoughts.

"That incident on the train...no, even before then. When Kareno-san told me you were in trouble, my heart nearly stopped."

"She told me you ran like the wind," Haruka murmured.

Kyosuke held Haruka's hand and brushed her hair behind her ear; Haruka had trouble paying attention because their knees were touching.

"When that pervert was touching you...it made me angry. Really angry. It was an anger that I've never felt in my life before. And when you cried, it made my heart hurt. I don't really understand what I'm trying to say to you but I do know this: I want to protect you, Haruka."

Haruka was touched by Kyosuke's words and she squeezed his hand.

"Thank you, Kyosuke. But you know, if it's because you feel obligated, you don't-"

"It's not because of that. There's no obligation. I care...deeply about you."

Haruka found herself grinning smugly,

"So are you using that bodyguard excuse to get to know me?"

"N-no…"

Kyosuke was blushing and he averted his gaze. Haruka giggled and she held both his hands in hers.

"Thank you for thinking of me, Kyosuke. I'm looking forward to getting to know you more."