Dinner had been wonderful. The best he had, as good as the hot pot he had shared with his friends after he first joined the Phantom Thieves. Despite his outwardly proper nature, Yusuke practically tore into the lobsters like a fox devouring his captured prey, only stopping after realizing Haru was staring awkwardly at him. He apologizes for behaving indecently, but Haru brushed it off. Though she did ask if he ever eats enough, his response had left her horrified.
He only ate a few slices of toast for breakfast, skipping lunches to work on art projects every so often because those projects are very important, and growing daikon in his room. If he feels the need to eat, he just resorts to buying the absolutely cheapest of food from vending machines, nothing with Nutrional value. Whenever he goes out to eat, it's usually when he went out with the group, but that certainly didn't happen enough for him. One time, he was forced to survive on nothing but grass and beansprouts for three whole days, and hearing this made Haru think, at first, for a minute there if he had been stranded on an island, only to learn that was Madarame's fault. And the worst part is how casual Yusuke was about it, as though his life isn't important. For a man who's so focused in his work, he forgets to eat in the first place. He lost count of how many times he's been fed at Leblanc, which is often paid for by either Ren or Ryuji. He stops himself when he finally noticed the concern on Haru's pretty features was replaced with seriousness.
"You cannot continue living like this! It's not healthy for you!" she declared, leaving the young artist speechless. Haru just couldn't bear seeing this passionate and kind-hearted boy struggle with the basics of feeding himself. Especially when she comes from a wealthy family, surrounded by a mountain of money which can be more than enough to feed her entire team.
Yusuke, for his part, just shook his head with a tiny smile. For all his eccentrics, he has an incredibly stubborn sense of pride. "Haru, you are too kind. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. I go on for days without food with no trouble. Besides, I don't want to take advantage of you."
"No! You're my friend, Yusuke, and I'll not have you starve yourself all day! I won't be able to live with myself if I heard you collapsed during school hours or in the middle of the street! From now on, I'll cook you the best meals you've ever had! No more beansprouts and daikon!" Those words left Haru's mouth without realizing what she just said, only then does she realize this too late.
Something lit up in Yusuke's eyes. Was it hope? Whatever it is, he seems to consider her request, and for a moment, Haru wonders if he will reject her offer. If he doesn't, what can she say to persuade him? Is there no one who can help him survive? Does their group know of this? She'll have to bring this up to her friends the next time they meet.
"Well, I would be a fool to refuse free food," he accepts, finally.
Instant relief for Haru.
After dinner, Yusuke took a nice, long bath. The hot water felt refreshingly good on his body, never having the chance to afford hot water on a regular basis whenever he showered at the dorms, most likely due to his money problems. It wasn't too bad for him, having bathed in cold water during the previous winters is no bother. He brushed his tenth, then got out of the bathroom... wearing a nighttime attire the late President Okumura used to wear. A little big on him, but at least he has something to sleep in for the night.
The guest room the maids had prepared for him was incredibly marvelous. Faintly similar to Haru's room, except the wallpaper is lavender and the closet could have fit both his clothes and his art supplies, if he ever wanted to move in. It was beautiful, with a patio on another balcony overlooking the city. The bed smells gentle of Haru - cherry blossoms and sweet jasmine.
It's better than living at the dorms, which somehow managed to be a downgrade from even his old home at Madarame's atelier. At the dorms, there's too much of everything - a complete overload for the artist's senses, noisy neighbors, smelly odor and... Tomioka. God, he can't stand her. Tomioka may not live at the dorms, but whenever he sees her or gets forcefully involved in a conversation with her in class... he would often wish he was anywhere else away from Tomioka. Here, Yusuke is safe in a pleasantly quiet haven. It sparkles of Haru's personality and lifestyle, present all around him in touches of elegant ornaments and patterns.
The door to his room creaks open and Haru stands in the sliver of light, checking on him. She's in a sleeveless, blossom pink nightgown. Yusuke analyzes her with his signature finger-framing, scanning her in that gorgeous nightdress. If he could, he'd capture this version of her on paper. Perhaps another day he would.
"Hi. Do you have everything you need?" she asked.
"I'm perfectly comfortable, thank you. Although, I'd like some tea before bed."
"I'm afraid the kitchen is closed tonight. If you go snooping around in the middle of the night, Umeko-san might mistake you for an intruder. The maids are currently doing laundry before bedtime. Tomorrow, you'll get your uniform back."
Earlier, Yusuke had tried to make himself some tea in the kitchen. But Umeko, the chef, had shooed him out of the kitchen because the hour is late, and no one needs late night snacks. When he tried to protest, her terrifying aura silenced him. Oh well, he can't except every place he stays at for one night to be as hospitable as Leblanc. However, Umeko did give him a glass of water for him to keep at his bedside.
Haru is about to leave when he calls out before she can ease the door shut. "Yes?" she says, looking back.
"Thank you for letting me spend the night."
His genuine gratitude seems to surprise her, causing Haru to blush slightly. "Oh. You're welcome. It's the least I could do for you."
Yusuke nods, and settles himself in bed, surprisingly finding it more comfortable than a futon. Haru watches him fall asleep under the blanket for a few more seconds, lingering as if she wanted to say something, but no words came other than her eyes were sincerely focused on his sleeping form.
His blue locks and pale skin glisten in the rays of the moonlight beaming through the glass doors. It's almost as if he's glowing in pure, angelic light. His expression is that of one lost in peaceful thoughts. Haru wonders if she could try capturing this moment on paper, he'd look really impressive as a model himself.
"Goodnight, Yusuke." She whispers softly, gazing at him one last time before gently easing the door shut.
By morning, Yusuke is ready and dressed in his freshly cleaned uniform for the day when Haru emerges in school attire with her casual pink turtleneck cardigan. She walks with grace and elegance, though some sleep lingers in her eyes. Good mornings are exchanged between the two, which changes to discussions on plans for after school or the upcoming weekend. Haru asked how he slept that night. Yusuke had gotten used to sleeping in a futon in the past, and sleeping in a bed for the first time felt comfortably relaxing.
Umeko had the maids bring in plates of freshly cooked breakfast to the table, and Yusuke is left in a transfixed state at how much food he's given. Tamagoyaki omelets sliced in pieces with bits of cheese and veggies, dorayaki with red bean paste, miso soup and rice. And to top it off, two cups of freshly brewed coffee to complete the set.
"This looks fantastic... I almost feel as though I don't deserve it..." Yusuke responded guilty.
"Don't say that, of course you deserve it. You're my friend and I care about you..." Haru stated, albeit blushing when she said it. Why did she blush? He is her friend. Of course, she should care about him.
Hearing her say this, Yusuke's heart melted. "Thank you for caring about me."
He wastes no time scarfing it down, but he still savors the wonderous flavors exploding in his mouth. Haru, on the other hand, just smiles and delicately cuts into his food and ate carefully. He couldn't remember the last time anyone cooked for him, let alone Ren who often made curry or coffee for him, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He couldn't wait to see what Haru had asked the chef to make for his lunch after noticing Umeko discreetly placing a bento box in his bag.
"You know you're not supposed to peak until lunchtime." Haru playfully reminded him when she followed his gaze.
"I shall be patient." He agrees.
"And I'll lend you some money for the train fare if you ever want to visit me again. But please, promise me you won't spend it on countless art supplies, unless you really are running low on them." She had been told, mostly by Ryuji, that art supplies are Yusuke's biggest expense, either those or whatever beautifying objects that capture his attention, like a pair of lobsters he bought during his trip to the beach. So, Haru took it upon herself to correct it.
At first, Yusuke wanted to object that art supplies always come first. However, the serious, and yet, gentle concern in those sweet brown eyes persuaded him. "Very well. I promise," his acceptance brought relief to her and she resumed eating.
He could already imagine how many times he'd want to paint Haru, how often she would look so enchanting as to fill him with an overwhelming desire to capture her like that on a canvas or in his sketchbook forever. As he continues eating, Yusuke silently came up with another goal. Not only does he determine to escape another slump, but to create the perfect masterpiece of Haru surrounded by angelic light, bathed in the soft lighting of her pure soul and surround her with kindness and compassion. For however long it takes, and no matter how many times he will come back here, he determined to paint Haru as she was meant to be seen; the definition of kindness in true beauty.