Chapter 3: Tear Drops

Haru hadn't fully healed yet, so he had to stay at Reo's room just to be safer. She had been in a foul mood ever since then, to the point that kids avoid her during practice matches where she lets out her anger in every strike she makes.

The bullies were kicked out by Hijikata; according to him they were no good from the start and would probably cause more trouble if they remained. And Kondou thinks that Souji likes Reo, since he hangs around with her quite often, but he doesn't know Souji just likes to test her patience.

"Stop following me," she said while wiping away her sweat. She had an intense spar with no other than Souji, "I lost didn't I? So quit grinning at me..."

"Eh? It's because your instincts are so good, I'm not satisfied with just beating you…" he trailed off, "Your attacks are strong, but rather slow," he brushed off her weakness on her face and raised a brow to taunt her.

"…"

With the awkward silence, Reo remembered to feed Haru so she left Souji at the dojo while he thinks about new ways to beat her. Idiot… pisses me off. The sun was shining brightly as she walks towards the hall, which made her more irritated as the light stroke her eyes; she hadn't been sleeping well because of her worries for Haru.

"Hey, Haru… how do you feel?" the little puppy just wagged his tail a bit to indicate that he's okay, "Still worse huh…" She heard footsteps in front of her room and recognized the familiar shadow of Kondou. He slid the door open with a slight frown for the unfortunate dog, "His nose is too wet, does he have a cold?" she asked. Reo only opens to Kondou or Hijikata; they were like parents to her, even if they always scold her. She understands why so she never bothered to be annoyed.

"Probably… and it's very cold even on this time of the day…" somehow her anxiety got worse, "So make sure you snuggle up together tonight!" he advised to cheer her up a bit.

"Okay Kondou-san."

It was almost midnight as the temperature dropped some more, Haru was shaking and Reo hadn't slept yet. She embraced him more to give more warmth and cried silently, it was the only thing she could do. She could lose her anytime and that's something she might never recover from. Another tough day would be ahead of her, her only wish was for the safety of her only companion. She continued to cry and wished to scream all her anger as the puppy had breathed slowly and then stopped. She's alone again.

The next day Hijikata came to check up on her, she explained what happened and had Hijikata handle the poor pup, "This may be a big loss, but you've been a good master. Be proud," Hijikata said with a faint smile. As she lifted her legs to get up, she found out that Souji was standing already standing in front of her and a few inches away from her face, which also caused her to fall down, "What do you want? It's too early to pester me."

"You were crying, weren't you?" he gave away his usual grin.

"…"

"Hmmm, your eyes are red and swollen. I am right," he chuckled.

"…"

"Why aren't you fighting back?" Souji was so sure that he had hit the right mark for her to get pissed, but today she didn't. Reo was about to cry and of all people to witness it is just have to be Souji, but she won't let it happen. She gave out a sigh and ran as far as she can from Souji. Unexpectedly Souji chased after her. You have got to be kidding me.

"Stop following me…!"

"Then stop running."

She was all out of stamina which caused her to pant hardly and quit running, Souji caught up with her too. Her tears can't be hold up much longer; she cried in front of him. "…" Souji approached her, to examine her face. Her cheeks were all lit up in bright shade of red, her eyes were still swollen, and she looked unusual for someone who looked emotionless.

"You can always replace your dog…" Souji thought.

"What?"

"Just name it 'Haru' again."

"… How did you know his name…?"

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