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Chapter 8 - Complicated Feelings
Beep Beep Beep Beep!
Beep Beep Beep Beep!
The alarm clock on Haru's bedside table buzzed like an angry bumble bee for the nth time. It was already 6:20 in the morning, and the brown haired girl who kept on pressing the snooze button still refused to get up from her bed.
"Haru-chan, breakfast is ready. Hurry up. You'll be late for school." She heard her mother calling from the kitchen.
"Yes…" She replied sluggishly, not moving an inch to jump out of bed.
Why does Monday have to come so fast?
She didn't want to get up.
She didn't want to go to school.
She didn't want to see the face of the silver haired boy after what happened last time.
"NOOO!" Haru pulled the blanket over head and buried her face on the pillow as she recalled the most embarrassing moment in her life. Two days had already passed since then yet the image of Hayato and her accidentally kissing still kept replaying in her mind.
'Seriously, whoever is the crazy author of Haru's love life, what were you thinking? After going through romantic scenes such as bonfire, fireworks, and sunrise, you chose Haru's first kiss to happen in some random scenario desu. And to top it all, why with Bakadera?'
"What is the problem, my dear?" Haru felt the bed sink behind her. "Are you sick?"
"Hahi! Okaachan(Mother)?" She uncovered herself and sat up. "H-haru is fine desu! Don't worry."
"Then why are you acting unusual?"
"It's nothing, kaachan. I swear." She leaped out of her bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
"Really? Or maybe…" Her mother followed and stood by the door, watching her gargling. "Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?"
Haru was surprised with her mom's comment that it made her spit out the water in her mouth. "What? Haru doesn't have a boyfriend desu."
"Eh? The hot handsome silver haired guy who has been walking you home the past few days is not your boyfriend?"
"He's not!" The flustered girl took off her pajamas and changed into her uniform.
"HE'S NOT?! And here, your mom and dad are wondering when you are going introduce him to us. That's not good, Haru my dear. You should do something now or you'll lose your chance to have such a hot, handsome boyfriend. My my, you are so lucky to have such pretty guy to be that close to you. Use your charm to seduce–ehem–I mean to make him fall for you."
"Hahi! Okaachan, do even realize what you are saying to your daughter?" Haru grabbed her bag, went down the stairs and headed to the dining area to eat breakfast.
"Did I say something wrong?" Her mother sat across her while Haru was munching a chicken sandwich. "If I was a teenager in your time, I'd definitely chase that boy and he'd probably rank first in my 'Who-I-want-to-be-my-Boyfriend' list. But since your mom is already old, I'll just add him in my 'Who-I-want-to-be-my-Daughter's-Boyfriend' list or better yet I'm making him the number 1 candidate for my son-in-law."
Haru coughed as the piece of food got stuck in her gullet. "Ehem Ehem! Okaachan!" She grabbed a glass of milk to clear her throat.
"You know, if that ikemen and you end up together, you're definitely going to have a really cute baby. My my, your father and I are going to have a really cute grandchild."
That made Haru spray the milk she's drinking out of her mouth. "I'm leaving."
"Wait, Haru-chan, I prepared an extra bento. You should bring it and give it to him."
The reddened face girl ran as fast as she could. "NOOOO WAYYYYYY!"
...
When Haru entered the gates of Namimori High School, she couldn't help but notice the strange stares she was receiving from the students around the campus. She eyed them suspiciously as they look at her with eyes full of interest and amusement. They probably have heard about what happened last Friday between Gokudera and her. Ignore them. It was the only thing she could do anyway.
As she paced down the corridors, she noticed that a number of students were gathered in front of the Bulletin Board. She decided to see for herself what the fuss was all about and her chocolate brown eyes widened in shock. Posted on the huge flat slate was a picture of her not-so-romantic-first-kiss with the Smoking Bomb Hayato for everyone to see.
"H-h-haaaaaaaahiii!" Her face flushed red in embarrassment. She immediately took down the picture and tore it apart.
Boy A: "Eh? That's her, isn't she?"
Girl A: "Ah, that's right! It's her."
Boy B: "Gokudera's girlfriend?"
Haru: "NO! That was just a misunderstanding! It's not what it seems like."
Boy C: "How cute. She's shy about it."
Girl B: "Don't be embarrassed! You're such a lucky girl."
Girl C: "I'm jealous!"
Girl D: "Me too. Gokudera-sama is so cool and handsome."
Haru: "HAAAAHHHII?"
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Clang Clang! The school bell rang.
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Saved by the bell, Haru immediately ran to the rooftop while everyone else made their way to their respective classrooms. She didn't want to attend class because she knew her classmates will surely tease her. Unfortunately, the rooftop turned out to be the worst place to escape to because there standing under the bright clear sky was the last person she wanted to see.
The silver haired guy turned when he heard the door creaked open and his emerald orbs met with chocolate brown eyes.
"Oi, stupid woman. It's already homeroom period. What the hell are doing you here?"
"I could say the same to you, Gokudera-san." She pointed her index finger right at him.
"Tch." He folded his arms over his chest. "About the other day–"
Haru felt her body shivered. "Nooo! D-don't say another word. I-it was just an accident desu."
"Oi oi! You expect me to just let it slip. You knocked me unconscious after what happened, idiot. You really hit me hard on the head. Damn it."
"Stop calling Haru idiot. And you deserved it anyway!"
"Ha?! Oi, did you forget that you were the one who pushed me to the corner and k-ki…" He couldn't say it. Why can't he say the word? Suddenly, the storm guardian felt heat radiating from his face.
"Hahi! W-what are you saying? You were attempting to k-kiss Haru in the first place even before it happened anyway so it's your fault."
"Shut up, idiot woman!" Hayato couldn't think of a witty retort. Haru was right after all. He wasn't able to fight the urge to kiss her.
"Haru is so frustrated desu! To think her first kiss happened just like that, and of all people, I had it with a bully like you! Give it back!"
"Don't ask for the impossible, idiot. Why are you making a big deal out of it anyway? Lips are just like any other part in your body. Just imagine your elbow brushing against somebody else's elbow. It's the same thing." That's what Hayato said but deep down inside, his mind was telling him otherwise.
Haru didn't know why but she suddenly felt a twinge in her chest. She was already unhappy with how her first kiss transpired, and hearing something like that from the silverette only made her feel even worse. It's true she was disappointed that of all people, Gokudera Hayato was her first kiss but it's not because she disliked or hated him. He has been acting kind and nice to her recently after all – comforting her when he found her crying under the bridge, letting her cry on his back when she confirmed Tsuna likes Kyoko and finding her on his own volition when she got lost during the fireworks.
"Gokudera, you are a jerk! Kissing you is like kissing an empty carton of milk! Baka! Baka! Baka!" Haru yelled as she turned and ran away from him.
"What did you say, idiot woman?" The dynamite grumbled but the hahi girl was already gone.
Haru couldn't understand why she was afraid of facing Hayato. Was it because a part of her didn't want to find out that he didn't care at all? But it's not like she has feelings for him. No. That's impossible. She just felt insulted, rejected and unwanted after the dense silver haired idiot brushed the kiss aside like it was nothing. That's all there is to it. At least that's what she convinced herself.
.
.
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"You are really an idiot when it comes to women, Hayato. Poor Haru-chan. You just made her cry."
"Shamal! What the hell are you doing here?"
The pervert doctor stood beside him, leaning on the metal wired fence. "Should I comfort her? That cute girl needs a doctor like me to mend her broken heart."
"Cut it out, you disgusting old man."
"First kiss is very important to girls, Hayato. They want it to be perfect. They want it to be romantic like kissing under the starry night sky, making out in the rain, or kissing before the sunrise in the beach."
"What the fuck are you saying? Things like that don't happen so conveniently just like in the movies."
"That is only unless the man makes an effort, Hayato. Women's dream…Don't you think it's the man's job to make it happen?"
"Tch." Hands in his pocket, the dynamite guy walked away leaving his former teacher behind. "What the hell are you babbling, old fart?"
Dr. Shamal smirked as he watched Hayato's retreating figure. Knowing his student so well, he wasn't an idiot. He probably understood his intended message.
'Damn that perverted old man. It's not like I didn't get what he's trying to say at all. It's just that no matter how it happened, it still wouldn't make that idiot woman happy. It's not a matter of how and where but who. If it was Juudaime, she probably wouldn't care if he stole her first kiss just like that. As long as it is him, she'd be jumping of happiness like a crazy idiot.'
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Meanwhile, when Haru was running down the hallways, she unexpectedly bumped into a familiar figure. She fell on her butt as sheets of paper scattered around the floor.
"Ah! I'm sorry. Are you okay?" The boy immediately approached her to help her get up, reaching out his hand to her. "Haru?"
"Hahi!" The brown haired girl looked up upon hearing the familiar voice. "Tsuna-san?"
"What are you doing out here, Haru?" He asked nonchalantly as they picked up the pieces of paper that got strewn when they crashed into each other.
"Eh? Eto..."
"It's because of the picture on the bulletin board, isn't it?"
"Hahi!" Her big doe-like eyes blinked. "Y-you also saw it, Tsuna-san?, T-that was –"
"It surprised me."
"Eh?"
"I didn't know you were in that kind of relationship with Gokudera-kun. I always thought you didn't get along because you always bicker with each other. But who am I kidding? Even I have noticed recently that behind all the fights, you've actually gotten pretty close. I'm glad if the two of you are happy."
"No!" She shook her head as she flailed her arms in the air. "That was just an accident. There's nothing between the two of us, Tsuna-san."
'No way! Tsuna-san is the last person I want to misunderstand.'
"Eh? Really?"
"Really. Haru is telling the truth. Kissing Gokudera-san is Haru's worst nightmare desu." She locked her chocolate brown eyes with his auburn orbs. They were brimming with persistence, convincing him that the kiss with his right-hand man was not what it seemed like.
The brunette chuckled awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, if you say so. I guess there was really no way you two would end up liking each other."
"But of course! Haru would never fall for that rude, cold idiot desu!"
The young Vongola boss laughed a little, "But you know, Haru, Gokudera-kun may appear to be rough and ignorant but that's only because he's been through a lot in the past. So I hope you could try to understand him."
The hahi girl got taken aback with Tsuna's casual remark. Suddenly, it hit her that Hayato was always there for her but she knew nothing about him. He was always listening to her frustrations about her unrequited love but never once did she do anything for him. She has always been relying on him whenever she needed someone to comfort her yet she still kept on constantly quarreling with him. Then she realized how strange their relationship was. Sometimes they were cool with each other but most of the time they argue and fight. Didn't that mean they were really close friends? But what kind of friend is she when she doesn't even know anything about his life and couldn't do anything for him?
'Wait! W-what are you thinking, Haru? It's not like Gokudera-san would want you to care about him anyway. He only just thinks of you as a pest desu.'
"But to think Gokudera-kun and you had kissed when you don't even like each other." The spiky haired boy sighed. "I was with Kyoko-chan the whole time during the school trip but I still couldn't get the courage to confess. I am really hopeless."
"Tsuna-san…" The brown haired girl felt a pang in her chest. There she was convincing the love of her life that the kiss was all a misunderstanding but the object of her affection couldn't care less at all. All he ever thinks of is Kyoko. "Don't worry! Haru would lend you a hand desu! Leave it to me! Haru will come up with a plan to hook you up together."
The young Vongola's boss face turned beet red. "Eh? You don't really have to do that, Haru. It's okay."
"Don't be shy, Tsuna-san! Haru is Kyoko-chan's best friend. I'm probably the best wingwoman you could ever have."
Haru has long accepted that Tsuna will never love her the way she loves him. She is not his sun. It was something she could never be. But even if she couldn't give him happiness, she wanted to support and help him attain his happiness. It was the least she could do for the person she has loved for 5 years.
"Hey, you two! What are you doing out there in the corridor? Are you skipping class?" A teacher called their attention.
"Ah! I have to take these to the faculty. I'm sorry, Haru, but I have to go ahead. You should also go to your class now."
She gave him a faint smile. "Okay…"
...
Haru walked home alone, contemplating about the unfavorable things that were happening to her. Of all people, why did she have to end up kissing the person who always calls her stupid and finds her nothing but annoying? Moreover, everyone else in the school had the wrong idea of their relationship, telling her how lucky she was when the silvered haired idiot doesn't even give a damn at all for stealing her precious first kiss. And worst of all, why did she tell the person she loves that she is going to help him get together with her best friend? Is she a masochist? It's already painful enough to know that he didn't like her back. Did she really have to insist on doing something that will only bring her more pain?
"Yo!" A jaunty voice brought her back to reality as she felt a gentle tap on her back. She looked on her side and was greeted by a warm and carefree smile.
"Hahi! Takeshi-kun?"
"You didn't eat lunch with us today. Are you okay, Haru?"
"Yes. Haru is fi–" She stopped and shook her head. She's not going to lie and tell her best guy friend that she's fine again liked she always used to when she was obviously not. She promised she'll rely on him more and will no longer hide secrets from him. "Well, weird things keep on occurring one after another desu."
The rain guardian clenched his fists as he calmly asked her, "Like you and Gokudera kissing?"
"Hahi!" The brown haired girl blushed a little. "T-that was just a misunderstanding! It was only an accident! It's not what it seems it like."
The guy walking by her side chuckled. "I figured."
"Hahi! What is funny, Takeshi-kun?"
He sighed heavily, placing his palm on his forehead, "Thank goodness. I was worried over nothing."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." He placed his hand over Haru's head and ruffled her hair. "I was just thinking you must have had a hard time saying those lines a billion times trying to clear the misunderstanding. And you probably have to do it over and over again in the following days." The baseball jock chuckled.
"Mou…It's not a laughing matter, Takeshi-kun! You just can't imagine what Haru has been through today! Boys and girls were flocking over me, asking about my relationship with Gokudera-san. It's annoying and tiresome." She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted her lips.
"Haru, is there really nothing going on between Gokudera and you?" He blurted out, just to make sure. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to get off the heavy feeling in his chest.
"Absolute none!" The flustered woman shouted.
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All of a sudden, a motorcycle came rushing down the street in an unbelievable speed.
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"Watch out!" The dark haired boy acted on instinct, pushing the brown haired girl to the side to keep her from the impending danger.
When Takeshi turned to face Haru, he found the said girl trapped in his arms, leaning against the wall. A blush soon crept over his face. He has never seen her beautiful face this close and it has also turned as red as his. He could feel his heartbeat racing as her chocolate brown eyes stared right back at his honey colored orbs. He felt a tingling sensation in the inside as the tips of their noses touched. Their warm breaths were blowing against each other's lips, making the air around them grew heavier.
"I'm sorry." The baseball jock slowly pulled back.
"No, that was just…" The blushing girl clenched her hand over chest. Her heart felt as if it was about to burst.
'I wonder…What is this feeling?'
A/N: Rushed ending again... SORRY! I also apologize if it always takes me forever to update. So what do you think of this chapter? I hope it was fine. huhu
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