A/N: Sorry for the late update. Once again, thank you to those who read, reviewed, added to favorites and followed this story. There isn't really anything much to expect from this chapter so I'm sorry. T.T
Disclaimer: I do not own KHR!
Chapter 4 - Taken for Granted
One Sunday afternoon, a certain brown haired girl with doe like eyes was knocking at the front door of the Sawada residence. "Huh? I wonder why no one is getting the door."
Haru opened it and entered the house. "Ojamashimasu~!"
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'It is so quiet desu. Is no one home?'
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Haru headed to Tsuna's room hoping that her friends are gathered there but when she flung the door open, no one was in sight. She heard the sound of a door opening not far from the room so she moved to see who it was.
A flush covered her face when she saw Tsuna wrapped only in towel covering barely his hips up to his thighs. His upper body was glistening in her eyes. She never thought that the boy running around in boxers before has grown this hot in just 5 years. He was not muscular but he has the right cuts and abs. Her mouth draped open as she watched him, drying his hair with a white towel.
The spiky haired boy let the towel drop around his neck when suddenly, he took notice of the girl in pony tail standing a couple of meters away from him. For a split a second, they froze when their eyes met then the silence was broken when Tsuna screamed in embarrassment.
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"Waaah! H-haru, w-what are you doing here?" The flustered boy uttered.
"Hahi! G-gomenasai, Tsuna-san. H-Haru didn't see anything." She turned the opposite direction with her palms covering her eyes.
"It's okay. It is just that you surprised me."
She chuckled awkwardly, "Ja, Haru is actually on her way out. I will take my leave now. Bye!"
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'Haru needs to get out of here. It was so embarrassing desu. Tsuna-san caught me staring at him, more of drooling over him.'
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"Wait." He grabbed her wrist. "Don't leave."
The physical contact made her heart thump so fast.
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'What does Tsuna-san think he is doing? He is barely naked and he is standing this close to me.'
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"I can't make you leave just like that when you've made your way to come here." It was an excuse. He didn't want her to leave. He wanted to spend time with her. It was like ages when it has been just the two of them together. They always hang out but it never really felt they were talking to each other. "Just wait a minute. I will get dressed very quickly then I'll ask you to come in. okay?"
"Okay." Even if she denies it, she really wanted to be around him.
Tsuna made Haru sit on his bed while he sat on his computer chair.
"So, Haru, what brings you here? Is there anything wrong?"
"Nothing really. Haru was just a little lonely at home desu. I thought everyone would be here."
"Ahh. Okasan went grocery shopping with Ipin and Lambo. Bianchi and Reborn also tagged along. I didn't come with them because you know, I'm kinda old for that now. And Gokudera-kun surprisingly still hasn't come here yet but any time now I'm sure he will be here."
She giggled. "Gokudera-san is like your stalker, Tsuna-san. Sometimes, I even wonder if he's gay for you."
"Hiee! Don't joke about something like that, Haru."
"Tee-hee! I'm just teasing you. Gokudera-san is really such a loyal and faithful right-hand man to you. I think his dedication for you is really admirable."
"Though I think it's too much sometimes. I just want him to treat me as a friend and not as his boss."
"You are really such a nice person, Tsuna-san." She beamed sincerely at him.
That made him feel all warm inside. It was like forever when she last smiled at him that way.
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It became awkward after that.
Being alone with just each other somehow made them feel nervous and uneasy.
It was as if there was really nothing for them to talk about.
They tried their best to have a normal conversation but they always end up in awkward silence after a random topic.
After all, it has really been a long time when it was just the two of them together.
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'Over the years, Haru got along pretty well with Yamamoto and Gokudera-kun. The way they interact with each other seemed so natural. It was good that she became closer with them but it felt like she became distant to me. Why did it turn out like this?'
'C'mon say something, Haru. You're always so high-spirited and you spurt about random things every time. You're finally alone with Tsuna-san now. What are you being tongue-tied for?'
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Her train of thoughts was distracted when Tsuna suddenly murmured, "I wonder what Haru thinks of Yamamoto and Gokudera-kun?"
"Hahi!" Her chocolate eyes widened in shock, "What do you mean, Tsuna-san?"
"Huh? What is it, Haru?" Tsuna asked, confused.
"Just now, you asked what Haru thinks about Takeshi-san and Gokudera-san."
"EH?"
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'No way! I'm really an idiot. I can't believe I just said my thoughts out loud. I need to find an excuse.'
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"Eto..What I mean is, they are really popular with the girls in our school, right? Between them, who do you think is going to be Prom King? I mean, it is won by votes, right? Since both of them have their fansclub, I'm pretty sure they're the ones who will compete for the title. So I was wondering what do you think, Haru?" Tsuna muttered nervously.
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'That is totally lame. I really feel like an idiot right now.'
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"I see. Well to be honest, Gokudera-san is quite handsome himself because he is half-Italian, not to mention he is very smart but athletic guys are really hot and irresistible desu. Let's see…Takeshi-san is a boy next door type that has a smile that makes girls' panties drop but Gokudera-san's cool and badass attitude makes the girls wanna throw their bras at him too. It is also a plus point that Gokudera-san can play the piano and Takeshi-san is a great cook. Hmm, Haru wonders which is more sweet and appealing, a guy who plays an instrument or a guy who prepares a romantic dinner. Anyway, that is really a tough question, Tsuna-san. Haru doesn't really know. Fangirls' fantasies are limitless desu."
"It's okay. I just happened to ask." The Vongola boss was glad that she answered without asking why he even came up with the question in the first place, but hearing her talk about them somehow made him feel a little down.
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'I wonder if Haru was just speaking in place of the fangirls or does the way she described them actually reflect what she thinks about them?
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"But now that you mention it, Haru wonders who they will take to prom. I mean, they have lots of admirers but I never actually see them close with any girl desu."
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'They really aren't close to any girl except you, Haru.' Tsuna whispered to himself. 'Wait. Then, when prom comes, both of them might actually ask Haru to be their date. Hieee! I don't even wanna think about it. '
Suddenly, Haru asked him something that taken him aback.
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"Ne, Tsuna-san, you'd probably ask Kyoko-chan to be your prom date, right?" It took her a lot of courage to blurt it out. She grinned, trying her best to conceal the pain.
"Eh? W-what? H-how did..I-is it that obvious?" The blushing lad stammered.
"You think I didn't notice, Tsuna-san? You are not the only one who has hyper intuition, you know. Haru's woman's intuition is pretty accurate too." She smirked, pretending that it didn't hurt. She can clearly see the pink streaks on his cheeks, and it was agonizing. "I'm cheering you on, Tsuna-san! It is our last year in high school so you better confess to Kyoko-chan already."
"But you know, I'm not really popular like Yamamoto or Gokudera-kun. There is really nothing great about me. I'm just dame-Tsuna. I don't think I'm fit for her."
There was a long pause before the brunette girl exclaimed,
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"You are really stupid, Tsuna-san!"
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"EH?" His orange orbs widened in shock. Haru just called him stupid.
"Didn't it ever occur to you that maybe Kyoko-chan likes you too, and perhaps she's just also waiting for you to tell her how you feel?" She gripped his shoulders and looked at him straight in the eyes. "She could've just settled with one of the guys that have been hitting on her all this time but she remained single until now. What do you think is her reason for that?"
"Haru." He looked at her gently.
"And never look down at yourself, Tsuna-san! Don't ever say that there is nothing great about you because you are the kindest person I've ever met. You possess a gentle, caring and compassionate heart. You are always doing your best for others. That is why I-". She cut herself off realizing what she was about to say. She removed her hands off his shoulders and bit her lips, "That is why I...
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I think you are great just the way you are for Kyoko-chan."
For a moment, Tsuna felt his heart racing. Hearing Haru's description of him made his whole being melt. However, that blissful feeling was suddenly replaced by frustration. He thought he was crazy for even thinking for a second or two that she will say 'That is why I fell for you.' Rather, she told him that he was great the way he is for Kyoko. But why didn't that made him happy? Instead, it seemed he was a bit disappointed that it wasn't what he expected.
Nevertheless, he smiled softly at her, "Thank you, Haru."
"Also… earlier, I thought you kind of look manly and a bit handsome." She turned her back and folded her arms. "But don't take that the wrong way!"
The spiky haired boy chuckled.
"Hahi! What is funny, Tsuna-san?"
"Nothing. I just remembered how crazy and silly you were before when you say I'm cool or something like that. But now, you are acting all shy and feminine. It's cute." Tsuna froze realizing what he just said.
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'Shit. I wasn't supposed to say that last sentence but it came out.'
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Haru didn't know how to respond to that. She was caught off guard. She couldn't even turn to look at him because she can feel the heat radiating from her face.
Fortunately, they heard Lambo's blabbering getting louder and louder which means his mom and the others were close to reaching home. They proceeded to go out from his room to welcome them. Tsuna was about to reach for the door knob when all of sudden, it turned and made a squeaking sound. The door flung open and there appeared Hayato.
"Good afternoon, Juudaime!"
"Konnichiwa, Gokudera-kun!" He greeted back and then he turned to the petite girl, "Just like I told you, sooner or later Gokudera-kun is going to pop out of nowhere." The hahi girl giggled.
"Tch. What the? You are also here baka-onna!"
-On the way home-
Haru was walking behind Hayato when she suddenly grabbed the tip of his shirt.
"What now?"
She leaned her forehead on his broad back. This sent chills down on his spine.
"Chotto..What do you think you're doing, baka-onna?"
The petite girl uttered with a sad tone, "Let me stay like this even just for a while, please?" She clenched the back of his shirt and started to sob quietly.
"Mattaku…" There is no way he can push her away when she's crying like that. Not when he had already develop a soft spot for her. He let her weep softly at his back without saying anything. A moment later, she finally began to speak.
"Gokudera-san, Haru has confirmed it today. Tsuna-san really likes Kyoko-chan. Even if he said it indirectly, it still boils down to that. Why? Why can't it just be me? Life is so unfair. And what was that? Calling me cute all of a sudden. How can I get over him when just a simple word like that can make me feel all fluffy inside? I hate myself."
"Telling Juudaime that you are rooting for him and Sasagawa only to find yourself sobbing now. You asked that for yourself, stupid woman."
"I know I'm really stupid. I dug my own grave. Now, it's only a matter of time for them to- Wait a minute, you were listening all that time?" She pulled away from him.
"Un, I was there long enough to hear that you said I'm quite handsome." He smirked.
"Hahi!" She flushed in embarrassment. "H-Haru would never say something like that! Well, maybe I did but I didn't mean it not even a little bit!"
"Baka, I heard you. No use denying it now. You even said I was cool and badass that girls would want to throw their undies on me." He grinned triumphantly.
"I wasn't only talking about you that time. I was also complimenting Takeshi-san. You…you cocky bastard!" She sneered back at him.
"Tch. I'm way better than that baseball-idiot. His spiky black hair wouldn't even match up to my silky silver hair. And he doesn't even have any fashion sense. He's too plain."
That made her chuckled slightly. She didn't see that coming. Of all the retorts he could say, that was the least she expected. "I can't see how your octopus hairstyle is better than Takeshi-san's haircut. And I don't know how that punk outfit and creepy accessories make you look better."
"Shut up, stupid woman! You call yourself a girl when you don't even have a sense of style and fashion." She was supposed to be offended by what he said but somehow, hearing that made her giggle even more.
"What is funny, baka-onna?"
"Nandemonai desu. I was just wondering why I only realized it now that Gokudera-san is fashion-conscious." She beamed at him. Maybe she can't see what those fangirls see in him but she sees a side of him that no one else can. He always calls her stupid but he's the one who comforts her. He acts rough but behind that, he truly cares. As she gets closer to him, she realized that there is a lot about him that has yet to be discovered. Much to her surprise, there was also a cute side of him and it makes her want to know him more.
"Tch. Atarimae desho." He doesn't care anymore if she might be mocking him but whatever. What matters is she's not crying anymore. For all the years that he has always made her agitated, he was gladdened that for the first time he had finally made her laugh.
A/N:I know a lot of you doesn't really care much about Tsuna so I'm sorry to disappoint you that this chapter was almost all about him. I think I still have a soft spot for him. Though I do understand he doesn't deserve Haru, I just can't make him happy with Kyoko without making him realize what he's loss for taking Haru for granted. Anyway, I promise to start writing about the 598680 love triangle in the next chapters already.
Anyway, please review! It would really inspire me.