Kazuo had just left the gates and was starting to stroll back up the hill.

“- Kazuo! I bought food! “ It was Haruka sprinting at him with a large plastic bag.

*- What is she doing?! * Kazuo looked around him quickly. Haruka reached him.

“- Hey! Keep it down, didn’t you want to keep us knowing each other a secret? “ Kazuo was a bit startled.

“- Yes, but our class ended like an hour ago so we shouldn’t meet anyone from there, right? Except I just met you here, how come? “ Haruka squinted her eyes at him.

“- Don’t be so sure about that, there’s clubs going on after school you know… “ Kazuo took the lead and started walking.

“- But you’re not in a club right? “ Haruka tried to keep up with his pace.

*- Might as well tell her… *

“- I was speaking with Mabuchi, my friend, he’s a perceptive bastard so he realized something was up when you blushed after our eyes met this morning. “ Kazuo said it bluntly.

“- O-oh, I see, he won’t tell anyone, right...? “ Haruka had changed into being flustered again.

“- There you go again! Why do you get so flustered? “ Kazuo went straight at the question.

“- Well, umm, CUS IT’S WEIRD! We’re living at the same place right now a-and we’re, like, boy and girl and, like, we met like only yesterday… ! Haruka gripped the plastic bag and looked at the ground.

“- Whoa, slow down, um, I also thought it was a little weird but if you get flustered just because of that, then this secret won’t last long… “

*- So she thought it was weird as well… * Kazuo looked at Haruka. He noticed how large the plastic bag with food was.

“- You’re right, I’ll try and get used to it… “

“- Yes, uh, by the way… How much did all that food cost…? “ Kazuo was a little concerned.

“- Oh, umm, about five thousand Yen, should be enough for a while, we just need eggs, milk and such more often, why’d you ask? “ Haruka looked at Kazuo not knowing what was wrong.

“- Ohh, five thousand you say… “ Kazuo was trying to smile but the drops of sweat running down his face gave him away.

*- That was all the food money left for this month… I have to pay for her clothes as well… There goes all my savings… * Kazuo stared into the ground with heavy depression.

“- Hey, what’s wrong, did I use too much money? “ Haruka looked concerned.

“- Ehehe, maybe just a little too much, yes… “ Kazuo put his hand behind his neck and showed a nervous smile.

*- More like We are not gonna survive the month. *

“- Ah, I’m sorry... This was the amount of money I got when I shopped food for my parents… I didn’t realize that you would be short on money. “ Haruka looked guilty.

“- Don’t worry too much, just don’t buy any expensive underwear later on, okey?. “ Kazuo eased up the mood.

“- I’m not that type of girl! I will respect your brokeness… “ Haruka pulled a cheeky smile.

“- Is that right? Maybe I’ll make you work part time for this. “ They both laughed.

“- Actually, I could do that. I do feel a little guilty staying at your place for free... “

“- Really? That would be a huge help money wise! “ Kazuo suddenly felt less depressed.

“- I’ll look into it tomorrow then~. “ Haruka smiled. The two of them went on up the hill while small talking about people in their class. When Haruka and Kazuo got home they put the more real food in the kitchen. They dropped of their bags in the living room and Kazuo fetched his savings. They would need to buy the clothes with that if they were going to have something to eat for the rest of the month.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“- I got the cash, shall we go? “ Kazuo had just stepped out of his room.

“- Yes, I’m sorry for forcing you to spend your savings… “ Haruka looked guilty again as she was sitting and waiting by the living room table.

“- Come on, it’s fine, I can only blame myself for letting you stay in the first place, I knew it would have some consequences. “ Kazuo tried to sound friendly.

“- Oh, right, I’m still thankful for this whole letting me stay thing by the way. “

“- You better be. “ Kazuo disappeared into the hallway before she could answer, he only heard a disgruntled sigh. Kazuo opened the front door as Haruka entered the hallway. Haruka quickly put on her shoes and followed Kazuo down the stairs after she closed the door. They walked down the hill once again but took a right before the school that would take them towards the city centrum. When they got closer to centrum, shops started to appear on both sides of the road and the buildings got taller and taller. There were carts outside every store with different offers and deals trying to draw in customers. Kazuo liked this part of the city, he found a strange calm in all of the shopping hysteria. Haruka was walking besides him as well which somehow made him feel good. The wind blew down the street from behind them and Haruka was constantly fighting her hair going all over the place. She looked annoyed.

“- Maybe you need to tie it up? “ Kazuo caught her attention.

“- Huh? My hair? “ Haruka looked back at him with both her hands keeping her hair back.

“- Yeah, you seem to be struggling a bit. “ Kazuo noticed how thick her hair was as it was blowing about.

“- I don’t know if it’ll work, my hair is so wild it doesn’t really like being tied up… “ Haruka let her hair go for a split second and the wind instantly made her look like a wookie.

“- You see?! It’s always doing it’s own thing and I never know when it’s gonna turn on me, completely wild… “ Kazuo chuckled.

“- Are you laughing at my hair?! What is it?! “ Haruka gave him an angry look.

“- Oh, nothing, your hair fits you pretty well… “

*- … Both in looks and personality. * Kazuo couldn’t help but to chuckle again.

“- No no, there is something! Tell me! “ Haruka pulled on Kazuo’s uniform. “

“- Hey, stop it~, it’s nothing really, it just fits you so well it was kinda funny… “ Kazuo smiled as he corrected his uniform.

“- Hmph, You’re weird… “ Haruka had calmed down a little.

“- I could say the same for you~. “ They continued talking whilst walking down the street. Soon enough they found some clothes shops that sold clothes at decent quality for a low price.

“- Remember that you can use your uniform when you’re out so buy the stuff you need the most first. “ Kazuo had stopped Haruka before she went into a shop.

“- Yeah yeah, I’ll be smart about it, just don’t follow me in, it’s embarrassing buying underwear with a guy… “ Haruka gave him an annoyed look.

“- I’ll stay out here, don’t worry. “ Kazuo watched her walk into the shop. He looked around at the stores nearby for some time and stumbled by a place that sold makeup.

*- Whoa, that’s pretty expensive stuff… Haven’t seen Haruka use makeup yet thought… * Kazuo was looking at the different price tags as Haruka stepped out of the clothes shop and looked around for him.

“- Why are you looking at makeup… “ Haruka seemed disturbed.

“- Huh? Oh, it’s you, I was just looking at the prices in case you needed to buy some… “ Kazuo was casual.

“- I don’t wear makeup! I'm not some cheap girl! “ Haruka was loud as usual and managed to catch the attention of everyone around them, including other makeup- wearing girls around their age.

“- Hey hey, Haruka, quiet down a little… It’s okey to wear a little anyways, right? “ Kazuo was nervously smiling as he tried to defuse the situation.

“- No! Makeup is disgusting! “ She made it very clear and was now catching a lot of angry looks. Haruka was looking proud of her statement but Kazuo was panicking trying his best.

*- Damn it Haruka, would you act normal when we’re in public at least. * Kazuo decided to set stop for the rising tension. He grabbed Haruka’s arm and forcefully pulled her away from the store front.

“- What the hell Kazuooo! Let me goooo! “ Haruka tried to resist but at least Kazuo had managed to pull her away from the situation.

“- Jesus Haruka! Calm the fuck down, will you? “ Kazuo was strained.

“- What. I was just stating my opinion… “ Haruka, obviously still not backing down, looking down at Kazuo with her arms crossed as he rested on his knees standing.

“- You didn’t have to let everyone know… You were getting some pretty ugly looks from those other girls… “ Kazuo sighed.

“- Well, they are the unfaithful, I’m the perfect, natural, beauty goddess! “ Haruka raised her head and stood up with her back straight trying to show herself off. Suddenly a gust of wind made a mess out of her hair again. Kazuo looked at her with tired eyes and sighed.

“- You’re really strange... You know that? “ Haruka twitched.

“- Don’t call me strange! I’m just being myself!... I think! “ She pouted her lips and looked away from Kazuo.

“- Really…? “ Kazuo squinted at her and and put his hand in his pocket.

“- Hmph! Yes. Anyways, I need to buy girly needs as well. “ Haruka swivelled about and started to continue down the street. Kazuo watched her back as she walked away with her shopping bag in hand. Her hair was still bothering her, making her grunt annoyed but cute noises as she tried to manage it.

*- Hmm, she really is cute… * Kazuo smiled for himself as he followed Haruka down the street.