Haruka skipped around the small apartment with happiness still fluttering inside her. She had tied up her hair in a ponytail and let open all the windows to reflect how good she felt. The air flowed through the apartment and swept around Haruka as she stood in the kitchen doing the few dishes they had out of sheer happiness. Some sakura leaves had also made their way into the living room and the wind had thrown around some papers but Haruka couldn’t be bothered.
*- Ahhhahh! This is so nice~ * Haruka stood fidgeting and making stupid- looking happy faces.
*- Ohhoh, how should I greet him? I’d love to hug him again… * Haruka caressed her lips.
*- Screw it! I’ll just play it off! * Haruka gripped the soap bottle as she felt nervous.
*- Wait! What if it gets awkward again…? No! I’ll make it normal if I do it enough! * The master plan was now in full order. Haruka finished the dishes and let her hair free as she decided to go look out the window and wait for Kazuo when she realized she could do the laundry as well. She collected some bed sheets from the laundry machine and happily tip toed over to the hall. With the laundry in her hands she managed to get the door open with her elbow and exited the hall with her back facing the stairs due to the way she opened the door. As she stood out on the metal grid platform that the stairs led up to, the wind grabbed her hair and made it flow. More and more sakura petals got mixed into the air and Haruka looked out over the trees with her hair blowing in the wind. The fresh smell of the laundry mixed with the clean spring aroma. Haruka could feel the refreshing, yet warm breeze sweep all around her stirring her clothes while she inhaled the wondrous air around her. She let the air leave her chest and she smiled, still watching the neighbourhood from over the trees.
“- H-hi Haruka. “ The somewhat nervous, monotone voice came from behind her, down the stairs. Haruka could feel her heart jolt as she peeked over her shoulder, half turned around with laundry towering up to her face. The wind still held her hair and stirred her skirt and blouse.
“- Hi... “ Haruka smiled genuinely and brightly.
“- ...Kazuo, welcome home. “ The scene seemed almost magical but then Haruka considered what angels were in play and what the wind were doing with her clothes.
“- Oh! Umm, let’s go inside. “ Kazuo still looked nervous as Haruka looked down on his face. Haruka put the laundry in the hall for later and, slightly nervously walked into the kitchen.
*- Yosh! I’ll hug him now and I’ll keep hugging him until it doesn't get awkward! * Haruka gripped her hands into fists in a determined stance and turned around. Kazuo had just closed the door behind him and stood there looking at her. His face was a little strained and he still looked a bit bothered but then he let out a cautious smile, it seemed he was happy as well. Haruka smiled back at him and walked up to Kazuo with her aura of joy.
“- Hey… What’s up with you? “ Kazuo sounded a bit tired in his voice but Haruka could tell he was relieved.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
“- You know when I hugged you and things turned super awkward? “ Haruka was all fluttery.
“- Umm, yeah, it happened just recently… “ Kazuo was beginning to wonder.
“- You know what! Let’s make sure that it never gets that way again! “ Haruka embraced herself onto Kazuo and wrapped her arms around him, now for the second time. Kazuo was startled but Haruka kept hugging him for a bit as she could feel her happy- energy seep into Kazuo.
“- Whoa! What’re you doing! “ Kazuo didn’t know where to put his hands.
“- I thought, if we’re gonna stay together then we can’t have simple things such as hugging be a problem for us staying together, right? “ Haruka released Kazuo from her hug but kept close.
“- So that’s the reasoning for this? “ Kazuo looked refreshed somehow and it seemed Haruka had successfully shared her happiness.
“- Yes! That way we’ll not be awkward around each other! “ Haruka did a little victory jump.
“- Ahh, I guess you’re right… I have no complaints. “ Kazuo smiled again as he happily went along with the haru-flow.
“- Okey! Great! “ Haruka also smiled before she turned around towards the kitchen.
“- Do you want some tea? “ Haruka started to fill up the water boiler.
“- Ah, sure- “ Kazuo walked into the living room.
“- I’ll bring it in for you then. Oh and by the way, I’ll make dinner today but my shifts start tomorrow so you’ll have to make it yourself then. “ The water boiler started to heat up as Haruka brought out two cups.
“- Hm, okey… “ Kazuo sounded a little bothered again.
*- Hmm, there is still something bothering him…? * Haruka wondered as she put the tea bags in the cups. She went over to the living room with the two cups on a plate. Kazuo had opened some book and was sitting by the table reading. Haruka sat down opposite to him and put Kazuos cup next to his book.
“- Thanks. “ Kazuo looked up from his book. Haruka squinted her eyes at him and pouted a little.
“- Heyy… What’s bothering you~ “ Haruka sat on her knees and leaned over the table, balancing on her elbows. Kazuos pupils seemed to widen as Haruka looked at him.
“- Oh, I-it’s nothing… “ Kazuo brushed off and looked the other way.
*- Should I know what it is? Oh! I do know! * Haruka shone up.
“- Hey, Kazuo, I just remembered something I was supposed to tell you~ “ Haruka sat back.
“- What is it then? “ Kazuo was back to his book.
“- You know… I’m not going out with anyone or anything, someone said I should tell you… “ Haruka felt a little embarrassed.
“- Wha! Really!? I mean… How’d you… Ah… That bastard- “ Haruka realized she had found his spot of bother. Haruka just smiled for a moment as she looked at Kazuo getting a little red over his sudden outburst.
“- Umm, it’s not that it’s an issue if you were going out with someone- “ Kazuo looked down and Haruka almost choked.
“- AHHAHA, TSUNDERE! “ Haruka erupted with laughter.
“- Shut up…! You’re loud. “ Kazuo felt humiliated.
“- Ahhaha! That’s just too perfect though! “ Haruka was pretty much rolling on the floor.
“- You’re annoying, stop it. “ Kazuo buried himself in his book again.
“- Aww, you’re cold Kazu~ “ The wind blew through the apartment and Harukas laughter quieted down. Some more sakura petals whirred about inside the room. Haruka were laying on her back looking at the ceiling. Her hair was a bit messy from the rolling around and some of it were stuck on her lips. It was peaceful, only the sound of the wind and singing birds could be heard. Haruka could also hear the occasional sound of Kazuo flipping a page in his book.
“- Kazuo, you know… I feel really happy right now… “ Haruka vividly stared into the ceiling as she lost herself in wonder.
“- Yeah, I’ve noticed… “ Kazuo acted a bit blunt but Haruka smiled as she realized how she liked that about him.
“- Well… Don’t you feel happy as well? “ Haruka turned her head towards Kazuo as she laid on the floor.
“- Hmm, you’re right, I do feel happy. “ The wind blew through once more.
“- Then we’re happy together, Kazuo… “ Haruka couldn’t help but to smile as she said it.
“- Mhm… “