That was it. The date was already over. Sure, there were a few good moments when they talked a bit, but overall, it wasn't something to call home about. Haruka and Ren sat in the back to the limo, staying completely silent, as if they were listening for something small scurrying around. Haruka sighed, staring out the window. She had propped up her chin on her right arm's palm, and her elbow was placed on the window sill. Ren mirrored her, staring out at the sidewalk on the other side, except propped up on his left elbow.
Haruka was wide awake, well aware of her surroundings and more importantly, aware of Ren. She was still feeling nervous around him- she wasn't sure that would ever go away. He was an intimidating man, even when he was trying to be nice. Except for when he was with woman that he was trying to bed. Haruka peaked over to him for only a second before turning back to the road, a small blush on her face. She had to admit, she had seen the way he treats those women, and he's good.
Ren was a bit annoyed. No, scratch that, he was very disappointed. He was hoping that Haruka would choose a bit more of a strong appeal tonight, but her small fire had gone away again. He was annoyed because he had waited a perfectly good coupon on a flower like women. He could have gone on a date worth going on, but he chose her instead. He had even rented a new tux to wear for her, but he found it over kill for her.
He did however like the dress that she was wearing- quite revealing, but still seemed to come off as a 'no touch' attire. Now she wore her small, black jacket on top of the dress, the sleeves long and wavy edged. The coat was quite form fitting, snug on her body, yet fashionable. Even if you buttoned it up it wouldn't make too much of a difference, it had a V-neck to it as well, but more showy if it wasn't for the dress underneath. He would be more pleased if he didn't know that the new maid, Tomochika, had picked it out for her. He had walked by her room on the way to pick up the tux and had heard Tomochika insisting that she wore the revealing dress and had heard Haruka begrudgingly give in to her friend's wishes.
He heard Haruka turn her head to him for a second, but she had turned away by the time he turned to her. He stared at her back for a few second before turning back to the window. But, before he was about to sigh again, he heard her squeak suddenly. He whipped his head back to her, his elbow still propped up but his chin free from his palm. He found her on her knees, still on the chair, staring far behind them out the window. She whipped around and reached forward. She knocked on the glass dividing them from the driver, opening the sliding plate.
"Stop the car!" She suddenly demanded.
"W-what?" The man cried, keeping his eyes on the road, trying his hardest not to meet her gaze.
"Stop!" She cried again.
"Haru-" Ren tried to cut in, quickly interrupted by the driver.
"Mam, I can't- W-wait!" The driver cried as Haruka opened the door, but made no move to jump out. The driver stepped on his brakes, causing the car to squeak and threw everyone forward. It was a good thing they all had their seat belts on! But now Haruka's was off and she was out the door, running down the sidewalk, her heals forgotten on the way as she grabbed the edges of her dress to keep her from tripping.
It took Ren a few moments to get his breath back after it had been knocked out of him, but he managed to take off his seat belt and open the car door.
"W-Wait, Sir, maybe I should get her ba-" But Ren was already out of the car, his black tux buttons undone to allow more movement. He ran after her, vaguely aware of the sinuous tire tracks from the limo stretched out in front of him, even darker than the black pavement. Ignoring the skid marks, he rushed towards Haruka. She was slower than him- he could catch up to her soon. She, however, didn't seem to pay any heed to him as she kept going. Before he reached her, she stopped running, slowing her pace down and soon stopping her run all together, bending down and sitting on her legs.
He caught up to her, breathing hard. He could hear her talking and moved closer to her, peeking over her head to see what the commotion was about. Up against the brick wall, which separated the walkway from the greenery of a small forest area, sat a small girl, who was curled up against the wall. She had tucked her knees close to her, her arms wrapped around her shins as she shook slightly, the winter wind still lingering around. The girl had looked up at Haruka, her blue hair falling in her face and her green eyes red with tears. Haruka seemed to be talking with the little girl, worry edged in her voice.
"Whats your name?" Haruka asked quietly, trying not to frighten the little girl.
"Sora." The girl answered, sniffing loudly.
"What's wrong, Sora-chan?" Haruka asked, her eyebrows slanted up.
"I'm lost..." The girl said in between sniffles. Haruka frowned, letting out a small sound of worry from the back of her throat.
"Where were you before you were lost?" Haruka asked.
"I was in the park with my Mommy."
"How did you end up here?"
"I was chasing a pretty butterfly and got lost." Haruka turned to Ren, a sad look in her eyes.
"Jinguji-san, we have to help her." Haruka insisted. Ren's eyes widened, recognizing the look of determination in her eyes. He saw a small fire in her eyes, one that wouldn't take no for an answer. She looked directly into his eyes, ocean blue meeting fiery gold. Ren found himself stunned by her determination, breath caught in his throat. Ren subconsciously nodded his head, finding himself unable to say no to her eyes.
She turned back to the little girl, smiling down at her and promising she would be alright. Sora nodded, taking hold of Haruka's newly outstretched hand as the pickett pulled her up.
"Why don't we go back to that park and see if your Mommy is there?" Haruka suggested, Sora nodding in agreement. "Oh! I forgot, my name it Haruka Nanami. This is Ren Jinguji." Haruka introduced, pointing her finger at them as she gave Sora their names. "Jinguji-san, where is the nearest park?"
"Just down the street to the left." Ren answered, putting his hands in his pockets. Haruka nodded, turning to Sora.
"Lets start there." Haruka daintily held Sora's hand as she walked her down the street. Ren followed a few feet behind them, observing the pinkett from a distance. She was becoming more and more confusing to him. First she acts frightened, then she tries to talk to him, then she turns flustered, and soon she back to brave, only to go back to shy latter. She was bizarre to say the least.
They had rounded the corner and found the park entrance, heading into the wooded area. Heading down the dirt path, they found a small children's park which was seemingly abandoned, to sign of child or parent around.
"Is this the park?" Haruka asked Sora, the little girl nodding her head vigorously.
"This is where I was playing before." Sora clarified, looking around for her mother. "But Mommys not here..." She frowned, tears coming back to the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sure she's looking for you right now. Perhaps if we waited for a while your mother will come back here looking for you." Haruka smiled, bending down to Sora, who nodded and wiped her tears, sniffing again. Haruka lead the blue haired girl over to the bench that sat by the swing set, making sure to give Sora the dry spot. They sat in silence for a while, Sora swinging her feet around under her, looking down towards the ground.
Sora shivered in the cold, her long sleeved shirt not keeping her warm enough. Seeing this, Haruka took off her coat and placed it on Sora's shoulders. Sora looked up at Haruka in surprise, the pinkett smiling down at her. Sora smiled back, her green eyes no longer teary. Haruka swung her now bare arm around the girl, pulling her close to keep her warm. Sora snuggled into Haruka's side, closing her eyes in content.
Ren watched this from the side, staring at them. His gaze was fixated on the pinkett, watching every movement as if he was watching TV. He noticed that Haruka shivered in the cold air, now without protection from the cold wind. He eyed the goosebumps on her pale arms and frowned. As nice of a gesture as it was, she was going to get frostbite in this weather. Sighing, Ren walked over to Haruka, who looked up in confusion. Ren stopped in front of her, quickly removing his tux jacket from his body, which was already unbuttoned from the run. He spun it around and laid it on her shoulders. Haruka blushed, daintily touching the edge of the jacket.
"You'll catch a cold." Ren said, turning away from her and moving over to the side of the bench, leaning on it's edge.
"Thank you..." Haruka whispered, keeping her gaze down. Haruka sat up when her eyes caught something white by her feet, a smile coming to her face. She reached down and plucked it along with it's stem, pulling it up to Sora, who watched in awe. "It's a wishing plant! You blow on it and make a wish." Haruka explained. Ren almost scoffed at her. It was simply a dandelion getting ready to expel it's seeds- it wouldn't grant a silly wish.
"Really?" Sora asked, sitting up.
"Yes. Why don't you make a wish?" Haruka suggested, handing the dandelion to the bluenett. Sora nodded, a smile curving from her lips. She closed her eyes and let out a loud puff of air, the seeds flying off of the stem and into the air.
"Hey, you wanna know what I wished for?" She asked, excitement bubbling up inside of her.
"What?" Haruka asked, smiling at Sora.
"I wished Mommy would come back soon so we can hug." Sora said, making Ren smile. He had to admit, kids were cute. Haruka giggled and complimented her on her wish, making Sora's smile widen.
"Sora!" The three of them turned their heads to see a woman running towards them, releaf in her brown eyes. Sora gasped and jumped up, Haruka's jacket left lying on the bench.
"Mommy!" She cried, running towards the blue haired woman who embraced her, a sob in her voice.
"I was so worried about you, I couldn't find you anywhere!" Sora's mom cried, picking up her child and holding her close.
"I'm sorry, Mommy! I won't do it again, promise." Sora said, hugging her mother.
"Oh thank you, thank you so much for finding my child." Sora's mother said, turning to Haruka and Ren.
"I-It was nothing." Haruka blushed, waving her hands in front of her face.
"Still, thank you." Sora's mother took Sora home, the little girl thanking Haruka and Ren the entire way out of the park. Soon Haruka and Ren were left alone in the park, sitting in silence. Ren peered at Haruka, who made no move to get up any time soon. Ren didn't move to leave either, he rather like the temperature outside at the time. So they sat in silence, both finally content with their night out.
Yay, I've wanted to write this chapter for a while now! I thought it was perfect for the after date since the date didn't go well.
Well, I hope you guys appreciate this update a lot. I'm battling both sickness and allergies, but I still came through for you guys, my Peeps! Ha, don't worry about me, it's not as bad as it sounds. I mean, I did take a few naps in between writing this, so that's good!
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