8.

The train smelled like old newspaper. The child across the way was screaming bloody murder. His ass had a cramp.

Haru was not happy. Makoto knew this too.

"Look, Haru-chan, it's a lake!" Makoto pointed out through the glassed window. "Doesn't the water look pretty?"

"Hm." Ignoring the use of –chan, Haru leaned on his arm and made a point to look in the exact opposite direction.

"Come on, Haruka-Kun," Hiromi playfully gave him a shove at the shoulders. "There's no use pouting now. You're already here with us, might as well enjoy the view!" If looks could kill, Hiromi would have been dead in an instant. Well, that certainly would solve things.

"I'm fine, thanks." And why exactly was he here with the two of them in the first place? Because Hiromi wanted to go get a one-of-a-kind figurine from some thrift-store out on the outskirts of Tokyo and wanted Makoto to come with, who in turn wanted Haru to come. His strict reasoning, was, of course, that the store she wanted to go to looked haunted. And because he was a boy in love, so whipped that he didn't even need to see Makoto in person to be persuaded, he agreed.

So here he was, sitting on a train for three hours with the love of his life and his girlfriend, going to some sketchy store in a town none of them had ever visited before. Yes, best freaking Sunday ever. Even if it was his only day off from practice, a day set aside specifically so he could rest… Ugh! Dammit he was irritated! He needed a swim. The lake Makoto had pointed out looked pretty tempting right about now.

"That's no way to talk, Mr. Grumpy gills!" Hiromi, apparently, was hell-bent on making Haru have a good time. Well, good luck with that. "Think of this as some sort of an adventure!"

"Yeah!" Makoto nodded along. "Like when we were six and Mom hid that buried treasure for us to find in the backyard. Except this time it's hidden in a, uh, castle. ...And we have to pay for it."

"Oh yeah?" Haru looked over at him with a raised eyebrow. "Then where is your newspaper hat and cowboy boots? A good explorer doesn't leave home without them."

"You wore what?" Embarrassment flushed Makoto's face and Haru couldn't help but smile despite his best efforts. Six-year-old Makoto wearing a hat colored (badly) with green crayon and shiny brown cowboy boots a bit too big for him- it was definitely a picture to remember. Good thing the Tachibana's had copies.

"We were little, Haru! Besides, you wore the hat too! But Mom made yours too big so it kept falling over your eyes." Makoto chuckled. "That was back when you were still taller than me."

"Wait, hold on a minute." Hiromi looked like she had just struck gold. "You were taller than Mako-kun?" Haru narrowed daggers at her as she started to laugh. It was around nine years ago but he was still bitter about losing out to Makoto. "I can't even picture this! I always just assumed you were a giant, babe."

"Well Haru is a couple months older, so he was bigger for a while. But then we hit middle school and I shot up there while Haru just kinda…" Makoto made a so-so motion with his hand.

"Simmered? Dwindled? Never truly grew a pair?" Hiromi finished, trying to help. Makoto nodded solemnly.

"He didn't grow into our middle school uniform until the last year."[1]

"I fucking hate both of you." With a pout Haru retrained his gaze back to the window. For the record, those uniforms were huge. Only someone big like Makoto could make them look somewhat normal. Middle school was filled with him tripping over the hem of his pants and constantly shoving the sleeves up his arm. Thank god he grew up enough to fit into his high school uniform.

"Well I think you grew up very nice, Haruka-kun." Hiromi smiled. "Besides, anybody who stands next to this guy is bound to be thought of as short." She thumbed a direction towards Makoto. "I always feel like a little kid next to him."

"Yeah." Okay, this was something Haru could get on board with. "Or an ant." It's not that he didn't really like that Makoto was tall, though. Actually, he kind of liked it. When Makoto stood at his side it gave him a sense of reassurance and comfort that could only really come with someone being bigger than you. Need that lightbulb changed? Makoto had your back. Can't find him? No not Makoto he always had his head poking out in the crowd. What about the top shelf? Makoto could it down in a heartbeat. No more climbing on the counter for you. Not to mention that despite his appearance, Makoto was the biggest softy in the world.

It wasn't always all fun and sunshine, though. For one, Makoto's strides were like two of his and keeping up with him often involved Makoto slowing down, and for another, restraining him from doing something was about as easy as shoving a wall. But even so Haru still loved to share his clothes, loved having to stand on his tippy toes to reach for his nose or ears or whatever was in need of teasing. And by far his hugs were the best. He could nestle right under Makoto's chin and burry himself in the warmth of Makoto's arms. No, Haru would definitely not change Makoto's height for the world.

"Guysss…" With a whine-like noise Makoto slid down his seat while he covered his face with his fingers. Haru could see his ears burning red. "Is it really that bad?"

"Aww, we're just teasing." Hiromi reached over to run her fingers through his hair. "I love each inch of you, even the extra inches." Haru clenched his fists as Makoto gave a weak smile.

The situation with Hiromi wasn't fixed. Not really. When Makoto had called him the next morning after their failed study session, his voice was heavy and cracking as if he hadn't slept well. Hiromi and he had, apparently, spent much of the night talking. About what, Haru wasn't really sure. Makoto didn't really want to talk about the details. But he did know two things. The two of them were still together, and Hiromi was no longer going to pressure him into saying I love you until he was ready. When he would be ready, though, was the question. The simple thought of Makoto saying that to someone else made him miserable. Haru hoped in every selfish way that the moment for that never came.

"Ooo, I think I see it!" Hiromi broke the semi-uncomfortable silence she had created with her own voice, making a visor with her had to peer out the window. "Limited 2nd edition BooBoo bunny here I come!"

"We're going all this way for a bunny?"

"Shut up, Haruka-kun, you collect swimming suits." And Haru couldn't even argue back because he had her there. But his situation had to be different because at least he wore his suits. He was wearing one now. Yup, so not the same.

"We are now arriving at Tekichuu Village of Nagano prefecture." Haru wiggled his toes, itching to get off the seat and do something. Even if it was to get a collectable bunny.

"My joints are so stiff!" Makoto stretched his arms above his head. "I'm never going to complain about commuting to your house again, Haru. Imagine if we were this far away." Like hell Haru could survive such a distance, but he just shrugged in response as the train slowed to a stop.

They all hopped up at about the same time, eager to get out of the claustrophobic walls and breathe in some fresh air. Makoto led the way, following an older lady and her husband and the lady who had finally managed to shush her son to sleep in her arms. Whereas Tokyo's stations were massive and filled with people, the station here was borderline empty. Minus the employees, there was, at most, ten people wondering around the area. The walls seemed to be some cheap brick, stone already chipped off, and the tiles of the floor were scuffed over with dirt, rust, and constant wear. What made the most impression was probably the lady sitting on a cooler smoking a cigarette. Obviously, this town was out in the boonies. Haru was a bit surprised they had a station out here.

The plaza outside the station was a bit better off in terms of quality. Upon entering the unfamiliar city, they were abruptly greeted with a large red and white sign that read 'Welcome to Tekichuu Village' with a painted basket of apples faded to its side.

Overall, in comparison to Tokyo, it was actually quite quaint. Little shops with handmade signs and decorated with flowers all smiled at them. It almost reminded him of Iwatobi with its rather simple architecture and smaller buildings, but a bit sparser.

"Which way is it?" Makoto asked with a glance towards Hiromi, watching as she pulled out her Iphone to navigate. They were all sort of dancing about, trying to stretch out their limbs from sitting for so long.

"Let's see…" she pushed some hair out of her face. "We're supposed to follow this main road a couple of blocks and then turn left at Jace Avenue."

"Sounds easy enough." Haru made a sour face in a different direction as the two met in the middle to hold hands. A lady holding a basket of apples looked at him funny. "Coming Haru?"

"Is there really anything else to do?" Haru replied grumpily and Makoto had the audacity to chuckle at him. And not in a normal way, either. It was in that very cute way of his where he covered his mouth with his knuckles to try and prevent a smile that already formed, all the while the corners of his eyes creasing in enjoyment. Stupid Makoto, being adorable and making his heart go all pitter-patter like that. It was completely uncalled for, especially since he was still mad at him.

"Fair enough." And in actuality, there really wasn't much to this town, made evident as they walked down what was supposed to be the highlight of the area. Even Iwatobi had a swimming club for its residents. All he noticed that was even remotely interesting here was a shabby looking bait shop and that was only because there was dancing lit up fish on the door next to the word open. Haru would have bet all his spending money that there was mackerel inside that shop. Of course, all he got to do was bet since Makoto said he couldn't go inside.

"If you get fish it'll just spoil on the way home!"

"Yeah, well you'll spoil!"

"That doesn't even make any sense!"

"Girls, girls. You're both pretty. Let's keep moving."

But, Haru supposed, the town did seem to thrive on one thing. Apples. Lots and lots of apples. He wished he was kidding, but really, he wasn't. Apples in baskets, apples in widows, crappily named apple themed stores, apple decorations, kids playing with apples, throwing apples, eating apples, there even a giant freaking apple sitting in the middle of a fountain.

"Haru no."

"I didn't even do anything." Not yet, anyways.

"I can tell." Makoto gestured to his head. "You don't even know how clean that water is."

"It's all rules with you." Didn't they understand he was a man with real needs here? Regardless, Makoto kept him in reach for as long as the fountain stayed in sight.

To be honest, Haru was surprised they all weren't dressed in apple costumes and praying to their overlord for a good harvest. Obviously this place only had one thing to live for and it was juicy, sweet, and coming to a store near you. How had he not noticed this when they first got off the train? There were so many signs. No really, those posters for Applefest actually meant something here.

"I'm starting to crave an apple, to be honest." Makoto squinted as some of the baskets for sale, probably contemplating going on over.

"I want to take a picture." Hiromi did.

"I understand why you guys didn't want to come by yourselves now. Obviously you need some protection from the apple dumpling gang in case they turn on you for not eating enough apples." Haru didn't mind the red fruit, but couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the merchandising from it. Did they seriously have action figures? Iwatobi-chan was much better.

They did end up taking Makoto's advice and stopped in a small café, called A Slice of Life for something to eat. Inside, they were given a menu that did not disappoint based on the restaurant's name. Highlights included and were not limited to "Turn down for what?", an apple turnover glazed in icing, "leaf pile" a salad topped with you guessed it apples, dressing, and surprisingly bacon, and "Wrapped to the core", a chicken apple wrap with spinach and ranch. Each table was even set up with a basket of smoked-apple bread. Surprisingly, it was pretty good. After some serious contemplating about leaving an apple for a tip, they left with full stomachs.

Hiromi's directions led them up to Jace Avenue, which they then followed a couple more blocks. Thankfully, by then they were led into the more suburban part of town that had a bit more houses and a little less fruit. Flowers smiled at them, windows shined in the sunlight, and the air had a peaceful silence to it that Tokyo always lacked. It was actually quite nice.

The scenery changed drastically as they turned up another road and were greeted with a large hill. Though not incredibly steep, it was long and disappeared into a canopy of trees, winding up to some unknown destination. Around the road the trees were rapidly spreading, become dense and thick like a forest.

"Are you sure it's this way?" Makoto asked, looking a bit unsure. Haru was thinking along the same lines. This road seemed to take them away from the town, not towards something that could be considered a store.

"He said it was a little out of the way." Hiromi shrugged. "My phone says its right up this hill." And what a hill it was. More than difficult, it was tedious. The road wrapped around and waved like a snake, leading them in an S like shape that brought them into compact trees and onto sidewalk-less roads. Still, it wasn't completely unhabituated. On their walk roads branched off and Haru could see paneling from nearby houses through the gaps in trees. This was probably the more secluded part of town. More than likely included the people who didn't like to interact with others much.

"Ah, here it is!" Hiromi stopped in front of a wooden sign with a bounce, face beaming. Written in rather poor handwriting was Eito's Collections, more than likely written by the man himself. In paint. On splintering wood. High class quality there. Underneath it sat a big white arrow, pointing off to a road to the side. This road only lasted for a couple of feet before it disintegrated into a field of grass in need of a trim.

"This is it?" Haru looked at the building with an eyebrow. Like the man's lawn, the building wasn't in that great of condition either. It was a flat-roofed one story with an overhang that covered a porch filled to the brim with odd commodities. Just with a glance Haru was able to pick out a spinning wheel and a stone statue of a naked angel on one knee, his arm raised up towards the sky. Who the hell wanted that on their doorstep? The shutters on the windows hung limp, broken flower pots laid off to one side, and a bird's nest was clearly visible in the crack under the roof. What made the place, however, was how the trees behind it loomed over and cast a huge shadow over what could have been filled with sunshine. Because of this, it was given an eerily presence that made it feel like an abandoned cabin in the woods. But hey, the sign said open with a smiley sticker next to it.

"Are you sure this is… safe?" Makoto, of course, was looking at this house with super scaredy-cat vision, and didn't see it truly for the dump it was. Probably was a bit too distracted by the dancing shadows that were created by the afternoon sun and trees or by the slightly ajar door up ahead. Haru supposed if he squinted he could see what that was all about. Sort of. To be fair, he didn't get scared by much. Apparently, neither did Hiromi.

"Of course, silly!" Hiromi assured, tugging him forward. Haru followed naturally. "We're not about to be trapped by a mass murder and stabbed to death."

"Hiromiii-channn-" Makoto dragged his feet. Of all the things she could have said it had to be that, didn't it? They had been dating for three months already, how had she not picked up that he was the biggest fraidy-cat when it came to creepy and the haunted? Size didn't matter when Nagisa announced a surprise Horror marathon and all Makoto had to hide behind was Haru himself. How the orca managed to squeeze behind like that, Haru would never know.

Hiromi stared at Makoto, looking perplexed, and Haru sighed. He guessed he had to handle the situation.

"If you don't want to come inside, then don't. Wait out here and I'll go with her." As suspected, Makoto didn't seem to like that option much either. The moment the two of them moved towards the entrance he was grabbing onto their forearms, trailing behind.

"Wait, I'll come, I'll come!"

"My poor baby, don't worry I'll protect you." Hiromi giggled, leading the way up to the door. It matched right along with the rest of the buildings aesthetic, white-washed red with wooden splinters for decoration. She knocked on the door thrice. "Hello? Eito-San?"

Forcing Makoto between them so he wouldn't run away, Haru followed Hiromi in and was greeted exactly how he expected. By dust, dim lighting, and a disarray of junk. The room was illuminated by a single light hanging from the ceiling over wooden tables stacked with a horders dream and his own personal nightmare. Clay things, wooden things, paper things, metal things, things in boxes, things framed on the walls, it was piles and piles of just random things. Could he at least organize them by category or something? It bugged him, way more than he would have liked to admit.

"Eito-San?" Hiromi tried again, walking over to where a register sat. Behind that was doorframe covered by a curtain and she began peering at it like she could somehow see through it. "Eito-San!" Haru jumped at the volume of her voice, knocking over some miniature copper pots and pans. He bent down and picked them up, scowling at the floor.

"Maybe he isn't here?" Makoto suggested, itching at his cheek nervously. "We could come back another time…" Or never. That's definitely the expression Makoto was supporting right now. Haru watched as Makoto rolled a toy car back and forth with his fingers with a smile he kept entirely to himself.

"He said he would be…" Hiromi pouted, her cheeks puffed out. "The sign does say open."

"Maybe he is- YEEP!" Before Haru could even register what happened Makoto was on the floor with a cry, the tables bouncing from his sudden tumble.

"Makoto-"

"Something touched me!" Makoto interrupted, his eyes wide as he scanned the room around them. Nothing, at least to Haru's eyes, was moving. "It was hairy and fast and ran right into my leg!"

"Mako-kun, I think you're just imagining things. I don't see anything." Hiromi bent down, peering through the tables.

"I wish I was!" Makoto said miserably, pulling himself to his feet. "Maybe this place really is haunted!" Haru looked at Makoto skeptically.

"I highly doubt it, Makoto."

"Holy shit it's real!" Haru turned around at Hiromi's cry in time to see a mound of fluff flash through the legs of the tables into the far end corner of the room.

"That's not a ghost." Haru started weaving through the tables towards its direction. He had a pretty good indication of what it was now.

"Maybe it's a badger or fox or something…"

"Haru, don't touch it! It could have rabies!" Ignoring Makoto, Haru did just that, grabbing onto their so-called demon ghost and pulling it tightly against his chest.

"Wrong."

"Oh, it's a kitty!" Hiromi immediately cooed, weaving through the tables to meet Haru half way.

"With a collar. She's a housecat." A pretty one at that. Unlike the rest of the place she was groomed well, her dark gray hair fluffed and soft to the touch. A bit afraid of the new people around her, her green eyes peered at them cautiously.

"Oh…" the tension in his shoulders relaxed a bit and a smile grew across his face. "What a pretty one she is!" Makoto offered his hand in front of the cats face and after a moment, she grew enough courage to sniff it. Makoto took this as an indication that it was okay to pet her head and began scratching her on the side as Haru held her. "I can't believe I thought she was something scary."

"I think I need to have a word with Nagisa about having you watch so many scary movies." Haru gave the cat a good scratch underneath the ears and she nuzzled into his hand affectionately. Apparently caution was no longer needed when people were willing to pet you.

"Please do!"

"Kiki, are you causing trouble again?" They all turned from ogling the cat to the curtained door, where a short, plump man with a blonde mustache now stood. He grinned at the sight of his cat in Haru's arms, what remained of his teeth shining brightly. This guy had to be at least 50, if the large bald patch on top of his head was to go by. He wasn't completely hairless, though. Blonde hair poked from behind his ears and slid down into a ponytail behind his back. It wouldn't have been so bad, really, if the man hadn't tried to dress like a teenage boy. Plaid shirts with a vest? Rei would faint at the sight.

"Oh, she's fine." Hiromi smiled, walking over. Her face became visually relaxed with a narrow in her eyes. "Precious little thing."

"She's a beauty, all right. Knows it, too. Been raising her since she was a kitten." He paused for a moment, probably thinking back on old memories or whatever. Haru nuzzled her ear with his nose. "So what can I do you get for? Not very often I get young folk up here like yourselves."

"Oh, how silly of me. I haven't introduced myself." Hiromi offered her hand. "I'm Hiromi! We spoke via email the other day, Eito-San."

"Oh, that's right! The little girl who wanted the BooBoo bunny." Hiromi continued to smile but Haru was sure he saw her eyebrow twitch.

"Yup, that's me! Do you still have it?" Eito put his hands on his hips, leaning his head back as he pretended to think.

"Hmm… I believe I do. Let me just check." He walked around the counter and peered down to look at something that none of them could see. "Aha! Here she is." There was a bit of clinking of glass and something hit against another surfrace rather hard before Eito emerged before them again, this time holding a small figurine in his hands.

"Oh my gosh she's perfect!" Hiromi gave a small squeal as she bounced closer, looking like she was putting all her energy into not yanking it out of his hands.

"You bet! I treat all my merchandise with careful hands." Yeah okay. Eito set it down on the counter, and Haru couldn't help but bend his neck a bit to get a closer look. Two inches tall, standing on a little patch of grass, and pointing a little umbrella to the sky was the whole reason they were out here in the first place. A fluffy white bunny with big blue eyes and a yellow polka dot umbrella. Nice.

"She's even cuter in person." Hiromi was obviously ecstatic. "I can't wait to add her to the rest. How much do you want for her?"

"Hmm…" Eito scratched his chin. "I'm thinking about 25,000 yen here."

"What!?" Hiromi slammed her palms down on the table and both Haru and Makoto jumped. "In the email you told me around 15,000!"

"I realize that but this is BooBoo bunny, you understand. And a limited addition. There are plenty of collectors out there itching to buy." There was a twinkle in his eyes.

"That's not what you agreed to."

"People change, and so does my mind." He shrugged.

"We sat on a train for three hours to get here! You can't just do that!"

"Oh what a shame. But hey, if you really don't want Booboo, then that's fine." He began to pull the figure off the counter. "Maybe next time, little girl, if you're willing to pay."

"Listen here, you jackass." Hiromi looked him dead in the eye, and Haru felt the room drop about 10 degrees. "I'm not leaving here without that bunny, and I'm not paying any more than the 15,000 you already agreed to." Eito laughed nervously.

"A price is the price. I'm afraid I can go no lower." He lifted his hands and shook his head as if to say his hands were tied.

Hmph. Well I guess…" Hiromi walked away the counter with a sigh, stopping in front of a large painting, framed in a glass-less wood, which had large chains sticking out of it. It was a rather beautiful painting, showing two women dancing around a lake in pastel water colors. It had a signature in the bottom right-hand corner. "What is this, Eito-San?"

"That? It's a classic water painting from Riko Honda. Very old, very cool. I even found it signed."

"How much is it?" Eito gave a chuckle.

"Look, little girl. If you're unable to give 25,000 for this, you certainly can't pay for that. It's chained up for a reason. I'll take no less than 120,000 yen."

"So it's worth a lot, huh?" Hiromi began digging in her purse, pulling something out in a clenched hand. "It is very pretty. It'd be a shame if something… happened to it." Clicking the bottom of a pen, Hiromi pressed the tip centimeters away from the painting.

"Oi!" Eito went from pudgy pale to brick red in a matter of seconds. "What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"Getting what was promised to me, obviously." Hiromi stuck out her tongue. "Now sell me that Booboo bunny for 15,000 or I'll be marking a mustache right on this pretty little lady. Ooo, and I bet a smiley face would look great on this sun over here…"

"You wouldn't. That's defacing private property!"

"Oh, I think I would." Hiromi's blue eyes were sparkiling with a devilish gleam while Makoto and Haru exchanged glances. Haru had no doubt she would if it came to it. Makoto seemed to think this too, based on his nervous expression.

The silence that hung in the air was stiff, and Haru wasn't sure whose gaze was more intense. Hiromi's, which crackled with electricity and power, or Eito's, which looked more stubborn than a mule. In the end, it was Eito who began sweating and he broke as Hiromi lowered the pen until but a hair could fit in the distance between ink and paper.

"Fine, fine alright already! A deal is a deal! I'll sell it for what we agreed! Now get away from that before you mark it! I have a collector coming in on Monday to examine it!" Hiromi smirked in victory.

"See, was that so hard?"

"You freaking kids these days, think you can do whatever you want…" He grumbled, shoving the statue towards her direction. "Just give me the money."

"Thank you!" Hiromi smiled sweetly, handing him the money over. He began counting it with scrutiny as she kissed the bunny on the nose. "Well, pleasure doing business with you!" She bowed, making her way to the door as she slid her new prize into her purse.

"Yeah, yeah. Get out of here already." Hiromi stopped to look over at him with another smile, this time looking a hell of a lot more forced.

"Oh, by the way, I'm not a little girl. I have the parts to prove it." And without another word, Hiromi headed out the door with all three boys looking after her.

"Uh, have a good day." Makoto stammered out to Eito, and Haru followed him out to Hiromi, regretfully leaving the cat behind.

"Well, that's taken care of!" Hiromi smiled brightly, jumping over to them and pulling Makoto into a loose hug.

"Yeah, you did great!" Makoto praised. "That was pretty awful of him, changing the deal you had like that." Hiromi nodded, pouting.

"I can't believe the nerve of him! Ugh, that makes me mad! I'm a poor college student, you know. I can't afford to spend so much on something like this, even if it is BooBoo!" Poor student or not, she still spent 15,000 yen on the stupid thing.

"So what now, should we head back and wait for the train?"

"Hmm, I guess." They looked at Haru for his opinion, to which he just shrugged. He was just happy to finally be able to go home.

"Then home it is!" The two split apart from their hug, opting to hold hands instead, and the three of them made their way towards the road.

By now it was nearing four in the afternoon and the birds were all noisily flying in the skies above them, probably looking for a late night dinner before the skies became too dark and the nightlife emerged. Joining them in their sounds was the occasional sound of woodpeckers and the swoosh of the trees from the wind. It all felt so surreal compare to the noises of Tokyo, which only consisted of cars honking, people shouting, and the occasional burst of loud music. It was kind of nice, he had to admit, to actually be able to hear the sounds of the world. Iwatobi offered a lot of those experiences too.

"Hey, guys, lets go through here!" So lost in the sounds of the creatures around him, Haru hadn't even noticed Hiromi had pulled Makoto to a stop. He turned around to find Hiromi pointing into the woods.

"Through the forest?" Makoto stared at the dense trees, looking a bit nervous. "I dunno, Hiromi-chan… That's…" dangerous? Stupid? Come on Makoto, take your pick. Lots of options here.

"Come on, Mako-kun, it would be fun! We have some time before the train comes, anyway. Think of it as a final adventure through the woods!"

"No thanks." Haru was having none of that. He was getting sick of all this adventure nonsense.

"You guys are no fun! Fine, I'll go by myself! See you at the station, I guess." Letting go of Makoto's hand, Hiromi abruptly turned and stepped into the grass, heading straight into the large array of trees.

"Hiromi-chan!" Makoto called after her, but she didn't even turn to look back. "Haru..." the brunette opted instead, his eyes creased with newfound worry.

"Yeah." Was all Haru answered, already stepping onto the grass.

Adventure? Adventure his ass. Haru was starting to think Hiromi wouldn't know a good time if it smacked her in the face, which he was perfectly willing do to right now. Where was the fun in getting snagged by bushes, tripping on twigs, and having to crawl over fallen over trees? Not to mention they were on a slight incline because of the hill. He certainly didn't see it, and if another branch caught onto his leg one more time he was more than likely to kick a tree. That whole appreciation for nature thing? Yeah, he wasn't feeling it much anymore.

Haru looked up at Hiromi, hoping that she was coming to regret this decision, but no, she seemed to be having the time of her life. Smiling bright, humming a song, god he wanted to go home.

"Haru, you have a bur in your hair." Grumbling, Haru came to a stop as Makoto began ruffling through his hair. He would have enjoyed the situation a bit more if not for the fact it felt like his hair was being ripped from his skull. "Jeeze, where did you even run into this guy?" Makoto held the prickle sphere up between his pointer finger and thumb as Haru rubbed his head.

"I have no freaking idea. Everything in the forest keeps attacking me."

"Hurry up, slowpokes!" Hiromi's voice rang back to them, and looked over some distance to see her standing on a rock. "This is no time to be doing each other's hair."

"Hiromi-chan, how much farther?" Haru was a bit too satisfied in noticing that Makoto sounded as tired of this as he was.

"Oh, not too much longer." She winked at them. "I see a clearing not too far up ahead. Probably a group of houses or something." At this Makoto gave a smile as Haru sighed with relief.

"As much fun as this is, it's probably best we get back to the station. It'd be awful if we missed our train."

"You worry too much, Mako-kun! I know exactly where we're going." Haru didn't know why, but that sounded exactly like something Nagisa would say. That just made him nervous. He wished he hadn't made the comparison.

"Well as long as you know." He smiled down at her.

"I shall lead us to victory!" She pumped her fist into the air. The clearing she had been referring to was now slowly coming into view, the midafternoon sun causing the area to practically glisten. It did seem like there were way fewer trees and to be a pretty open area. Maybe Hiromi was right and they were at the edge of the city. They followed a small dirt path that opened them up to the skies above.

Wrong. She was so wrong Haru almost wanted to laugh. It was a clearing, alright, but not one that led to homes and people. It was a cliff.

"Well this doesn't seem right." Without the trees blocking the wind, the long grass and plants swayed freely in the wind, minus a large patch of dirt towards the drop-off point, which was deprived of all life. The cliff was high up, but not massively steep. It was a long incline of dirt, bushes, and tuffs of grass. Eventually it stopped and returned to the mass of trees below. So much for getting out of here.

"This view is gorgeous." Hiromi praised, shielding her eyes from the sun to see better. "The trees look so pretty. Hey guys, let's take a picture!" Haru scowled at the dirt. How about no? Haru was quick to decline her offer.

"Fine, then you take a picture of me and Mako-kun!" Well, Haru didn't really want to do that either but he supposed it was better than being in the picture himself.

"Say cheese." He deadpanned, holding up the smartphone. He was coerced into taking several for her, like Makoto and her hugging, Makoto getting kissed by her on the cheek, Makoto holding her in a deep, loving kiss… Haru may or may not have purposely covered half the lenses of the camera with his thumb for the last one. He reached over and handed Hiromi her phone back when they finally parted.

With her camera back, Hiromi went towards the edge and bent down, gazing at the depth of the hill.

"I wonder how long this is." She said out loud. "Can you imagine sledding down something like this?"

"Be careful, Hiromi-chan, we don't know how steady the ground is there."

"Don't worry, it's perfectly sturdy." She pat the ground for reassurance.

"Even so…"

"We should probably get going anyways." She stood up, stretching her arms. "We'll have to go back and around. Oh hey, look at that!" Hiromi took one step forward, teetering on the edge, and the ground began crumbling beneath her. She started to fall forward.

"Hiromi-chan!" Even as Makoto shouted, Haru was reaching for her, trying to grab onto her hand, her wrist, her anything, and found he was still too far of a distance away. With a tsking noise, he took another step forward and Haru was finally able to grab Hiromi around the waist as the ground slid away from his feet. Hiromi's screams echoed. Haru felt something warm wrap around him.

And then everything became chaos.