Disclaimer:
I do not own the story and the concepts represented in the fiction written. This fiction and all Persona related fictions belong to Atlus, the fantastic company that created the games.
Author's Note:
Hm, not much to say. This is a short chapter that focuses on character development and character interactions.
Comments to Reviews:
VirtualDelirium: That's a fun idea, to make Akira cheat on Makoto and Haru. But, I can't do that. Those two would rip him apart. Plus, he's got a lot of other problems coming up soon. Also, thank you for the encouragement and praise. It's really motivating!
prince of underbrush: Aha! You should be concerned. Life is going to suck for Akira coming up.
KingPlotBunny: Yeah, chapter 10 was kind of fillerish. Initially, this was part of a different chapter, but it didn't flow right and worked better by itself. As for their relationship, hopefully, those two can get it right!
Erelia: You said it. It is hard to manage work, play, school, and being lazy. It is a balance I'm still trying to learn. Lazying time is important to me! I'm glad you enjoyed chapter 10 and thanks for the continued support!
Before
5/25
She'd heard somewhere that trivial things can be drastically blown out of proportion in a person's mind. Sure, Akio-san had implied something similar to Haru the last few days, but she never worded it plainly. Tactful as ever, the head maid danced around the subject, preferring Haru to reach her own conclusion.
Logically, Haru understood. The short kiss between her and Akira was just what it was – inconsequential. But the mind was a servant to the heart – or was it the other way around – and Haru couldn't stop the image from reappearing in her mind every couple of minutes.
It popped up everywhere. When Haru woke up, she went to school, took her exams, and walked alongside her newfound friend, Makoto Niijima.
"How do you think you did on your exams?" Niijima asked with a small smile.
Haru returned the smile, pushing the thoughts of her and Akira's accidental kiss deep into her mind. "Great, considering you helped me study biology."
The ruby-eyed young woman pinkened at Haru's remark, firing a humble response. Haru didn't need the tutoring as much as she hinted – able to receive above-average marks independently – but she wanted to spend time with her new companion. Their time in the library was delightful. The number of topics they broached was immense — especially Makoto's explanations of aikido and her promise to teach Haru defensive techniques.
They stop once they reach the doors leading out of the school.
"I'll be going then," Niijima said, turning toward Haru. "I have student council responsibilities to attend."
Haru shook her head mirthfully. "Enrolled in advanced classes and the student president. I don't know how you manage it all."
"You're in a similar predicament, though, aren't you?"
"Oh?"
"Advanced classes as well and in the gardening club, right?"
Haru waved off Niijima's claim. "The gardening club is nowhere as demanding as being president."
Niijima snickered, her ruby-red eyes bright in amusement. She looked radiant, so relaxed and joyful. "Perhaps, but I have help. Is there anyone who helps you in your club?"
Haru's throat constricted, and her mind went blank. Warning alarms stopped her from truthfully answering Niijima's question for two reasons. She had yet to discover why the student president was following Akira, and the thought of the young man still made Haru's mind spin.
Haru smiled, staring Niijima in the eyes, and said, "Unfortunately, no."
"I see. One of these days, I'll visit you. I don't know much about gardening, but I'll do anything you need."
Haru's smile never faltered. She thanked Niijima, and the two bid the other farewell.
Haru turned in the street's direction, exiting the school, where she could already spy a black limousine and the stoic driver waiting for her. Time slowed as her mind wandered. She thought about Niijima and why she was, if she was, following Akira. She then wondered about the young man and their outing a week ago. She thought about their kiss. Accidental as it might have been, it left a hole in Haru's chest and a need for another.
Deep in thought, Haru accidentally collided with the parked limousine and blinked back to awareness. The driver was staring at her, worried and confused. Recovering quickly, the young woman cleared her throat, opened the vehicle's door, and stepped inside. All the while ignoring the concerned look from the driver.
X
She had no solace from her worries at home either. Akio-san did not allow it, making Haru question her decision to tell the head maid about Akira. Never before had Haru seen the older female so jovial, so energetic about – well, anything. At most, the calm and collected Akio-san would smile enigmatically, never displaying her emotional cards.
The subject of love and romance was the older woman's hidden passion. Secretly, Haru vastly preferred Akio-san's current demeanor. It was something she displayed when no one else was around, and to Haru, it felt like a secret between them.
"Madam, when will you correct things with your boy?"
A very demanding secret, Haru thought humorously.
"Akio-san, I have told you already. He is not my boy."
"Oh, hush," said the older woman, moving to sit on Haru's bed. "The longer you take to contact and explain to him, the more the novelty wears off."
Haru blinked. "The novelty?"
"Yes, yes," asserted the head maid. "A beautiful, young, attractive woman rushes forward, capturing the young man's lips (Haru's face pinkened, matching her sweater), and then dashes away. Never to be heard of for a week straight."
"I-I already messaged him, explaining about third-year exams. He's been informed about this last week and that there'll be no meeting up for the mentorship."
"Aw," said Akio-san, "but exams are over. Ended today, I recall."
Haru opened, then closed her mouth, unable to conjure a response.
"You meet the boy every Tuesday and Friday, correct?"
Haru offered a meek nod.
"Then, if you are to interact properly with him, you must smooth out these misunderstandings. Tomorrow is Friday. Madam, could you interact with him as things are now?"
No, Haru thought. Proper communication requires focus and the ability to listen attentively.
Not ruminate or wonder while the young man was an arm's length away. Suddenly, Haru realized the negatives of the mentorship and her insecurities about whether she was suitable for the role. She contemplated whether there wasn't someone more credible for the position.
Her thoughts became a dark spiral of negativity and doubt, her mind spinning ideas of avoiding the young man instead of talking to him. Her mind conjured images of their outing a week ago and saw the accidental kiss replayed repeatedly. But, instead of Haru running away, she stayed to witness the look of disgust the Akira in your mind flashed her away.
Was that expression directed at her real or a result of her worry and doubt?
Were it not for Akio-san, Haru would've believed the image to be authentic. With profound gentleness, the head maid lightly shook Haru out of her thoughts.
"Madam…no, Haru. I see from your eyes that you doubt yourself about something. I don't know what it is, but you have nothing to doubt yourself over. The young woman I know is objective yet compassionate, understanding without compromising, and knows the value of communication."
The head maid smiled at her, and like a beacon of light, she banished Haru's dark thoughts away.
"Do…do you really think so?" Haru asked. "At times, I don't feel like half the person you value me as."
"Oh, madam," Akio-san laughed, "you don't even realize how wonderful you are. Come here and let me tell you something."
Haru obliged, scooting closer to Akio-san.
"Do you know where I always head off to whenever I accompany you and your father to his high society social events?" Akio-san asked.
Haru blinked and shook her head. The thought never crossed her mind with the countless people she was always expected to greet and converse with.
"Well," said the head maid, "the other caretakers and I usually excuse ourselves to some private quarters. We're always nearby, if needed, but out of sight. Usually, the same individuals attend the outings your father frequents. As such, I am constantly in the presence of the same caretakers."
"So, they're your friends," Haru said.
"Hm, acquaintances are more accurate. We discuss the everyday things individuals in our profession converse about within legal boundaries, such as employers and wages. But, can you guess what topic always appears no matter the occasion?"
Haru smiled, shaking her head.
"The children of our employers," said Akio-san. "As we have been employed under the same household for a long time, we eventually care for the children of our employers. We often care for these children so long that they almost become our children. We take pride in their accomplishments, anger in their callousness, and joy in their maturity."
Haru couldn't help but ask, "Have I been brought up during these conversations?"
"Of course," the head maid said. "All I ever hear from the other caretakers is how reckless, spoiled, and insensitive the children under their watch are. Some don't even have an ounce of empathy in their bones. I've noticed that the more affluent the children's parents are, the more the caretakers complain. I've only noticed one exception to this observation."
The Akio-san's expecting look surprised Haru.
"Surely, you don't mean me," Haru said.
"No," said the older female sarcastically. "Who else?"
Standing up, Akio-san maneuvered to the nightstand, adjacent to the bed, where Haru's fluorescent pink phone lay. "Haru, think what you will, but you are a lovely, charming, and agreeable young woman. If any young man were to think any less, he might need glasses."
Haru snickered silently, picturing Akira and his thick-rimmed glasses, and wondered if she should inform Akio-san of the fact. Haru decided against it, though, as the head maid moved in front of her, holding out the cellular device.
"Madam, you will never have a chance if you don't take a chance."
Haru sighed, resisting the urge to refute Akio-san's advice, and took the device. If she were honest, Akio-san's encouragement allowed Haru to collect herself and quiet the negative thoughts in her mind. Taking a deep breath, the young woman searched her contact list and found the desired individual. Before she could lose her nerve, she pressed to call.
The phone began to ring, ring, ring, and ring, each ring sending more and more anxiety through Haru's chest. Akio-san placed a hand on Haru's shoulder. Just when the ringing couldn't possibly continue, a voice on the other end of the answered.
"Hello?"
He sounded breathless and confused. Exactly how Haru felt upon hearing his voice.
"Hello…" Akira said again.
Haru opened her mouth, but the words refused to form, stuck in her throat. Only when Akio-san touched her back did Haru croak a very un-ladylike greeting.
"Akira-san…"
"Haru. Hey, what is it?"
In the background, she can hear something running, making a short zoom, like a machine. What is it, indeed?
"I apologize. Did I call at a bad time?"
"No, not really," Akira said. "I was taking a break."
"A break?" Haru echoed.
"Yeah. I'm at the gym with a friend, Ryuji. He's doing his set while I rest."
"I see," she said.
Panic began to set in as she wondered where to take the conversation. Akio-san, standing before her, offered a tight smile and thumbs up in encouragement. Despite how silly her action, the head maid's enthusiasm gave Haru confidence.
"I wanted to let you know," Haru began, "that the third-year exams are over so we can commence the mentorship as usual. Hopefully, tomorrow would be alright?"
Akira didn't respond right away. At least for her, Haru waited in tense silence until he said that tomorrow would be alright.
"Perfect," Haru said. "Then, tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, it is," Akira agreed.
Now, Haru mused, would be the time to bid farewell, end their conversation, and hang up. That was what common sense was telling her. But something prevented her from saying goodbye; the image of their kiss continued to persist in her mind. The thought of saying goodbye without some insight into his feelings on the matter would drive Haru insane. The need to know was like a carbonated drink, shaken and ready to explode.
"I'm sorry."
"Hm?"
"Last week," Haru said, "I left abruptly without warning during our outing. I'm sorry…if I made you uncomfortable and ruined the day for you."
There. Haru said it. And in typical Akira fashion, a long silence followed Haru's apology. Waiting for his response was a test of patience. Still, Haru remained firm until he said, "During our…outing, your leave was sudden. At first, I thought I did something wrong."
Haru had to stifle the urge to reassure the young man he had done nothing wrong.
"But," continued Akira, "I figure you'd tell me if I had done something off-putting. In regards to how I felt, well, I enjoyed our time." He paused, then included, "Every single part."
Every single part. Haru replayed his statement in her mind. Then, she did it again. And again. Absolute joy blossomed in her chest! With those simple words, Akira had answered her silent inquiry. He enjoyed their outing. He enjoyed the dinner, movie, and everything afterward — every single part.
Haru blushed suddenly as Akio-san's comments on communication surfaced to mind. You will never have a chance if you don't take a chance. Those words were a mantra in the young woman's head, filling her with an unfamiliar fearlessness.
"Akira-san, I've enjoyed our outing too. In fact, I was wondering if we can arrange another."
Akira's silence wasn't a surprise anymore to Haru. His response, however, did cause her to raise an eyebrow.
"Do you like coffee?"
"C-coffee? I'm a fanatic, actually. Yes, a coffee fanatic!"
Silence once more permeated their conversation. Was she perhaps too overzealous by saying she was a coffee fanatic? Akira's next question was also something she didn't expect.
"Do you like curry?"
"Yes?" Haru responded, unable to keep the confusion out of her voice.
"Good," said Akira. "Have you ever heard of Leblanc?"
They ended their phone call with plans to discuss their next outing after school.
"Well, how was it?" Akio-san asked, practically hovering over Haru.
Haru smiled at her. "You will never have a chance if you don't take a chance."
Akio-san's eyes gleamed. She jumped up and began pacing the room with the energy of a toddler. Haru watched her, overjoyed herself, thinking about trivial things and how she craved for more of them in the following days.