“It’s been a tiring day…”
Arriving at my house, I mumbled lethargically . Today’s kind of surprising and somewhat racing. Yeah, my heart kept thumping like a drum even after I depart with Haruki.
“Oh, Sakura… welcome back.”
The one who greets me is a man around in his 22 years, has a scruffy hairstyle and wears a semi-long sleeve shirt; has a round face and eyes like mine and taller than Haruki.
“Big brother, I’m back.” my older brother, Akihiro. He’s currently studying in college now, and still living here with us.
“Mom’s still not home?” I asked.
“She said she’ll take overtime today at work. Dad’s on a business trip. We’re the only ones here tonight.”
I see, and tonight I will be the one preparing dinner for us. “I’ll cook dinner, so you better change and wash your hands.”
Akihiro volunteered as he go to the kitchen. “Huh? Big brother?” I asked, out of surprise. “I was planning to practice, since I’ll be moving out soon. Well, this might take a while so…”
Oh, so he’s planning to be independent soon, huh. Well, I’ll just take his offer and get some rest for a minute. Getting to my room, I place my bag on the chair and sits on my bed.
Today, I have a time with Haruki. Since that night, the night he told me that he wants to be friends with me, a gleeful feeling splurge over. That made me started to look forward seeing him every day at school.
He’s a good companion, a schoolmate and a person I can talk at ease. Haruki does talk much but I don’t hate him talking. I like to hear his voice—Huh? Wha—what am I thinking?!
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Haruki is a good friend. He’s not my type at all. Although he’s kind of cute because of his dimple. No! Stop imagining weird things, Sakura!
Heaving a tepid sigh, I took off my eyeglasses and puts it on the night table. What am I doing…? This is my first time having a male friend. Most of the male friends I have once fell in love with me.
Haruki is different; I shouldn’t think of anything on him.
Right. I shouldn’t think of anything weird on him. How was he, by the way? I guess he got home safe, right? Fishing my phone from my pocket, I type a message to Haruki.
“And send. Well… let’s wait.” I utter and place the phone beside me. A few moments passed, and a vibration heard. Picking it up, I saw the message he sent. “A sticker, huh?”
Indicating that he came home safe is a relief for me, but not saying a thing after my text bothered me. Does he think him sending a message bothers me, huh?
I sent another text message to him. He replied quickly as soon as I sent him one. Wow, just what is this guy doing right now? Well, having a conversation like this makes me imagine he’s here talking to me.
I feel like he’s just sitting with me while we’re chatting.
Thinking about it makes me feel happy—huh? Stop! Stop thinking about it, Sakura! Haruki is a good friend! He’s only a friend!
Yeah, I must stop being a paranoid. He’s a friend, and a good one. We’re just knowing each other like other people.
Plus, it’s just only been a week since we knew each other. There’s no way for me to have feelings for him. Kind of weird, should I say… if I have that kind of thing to him.
Well, let’s just cast it aside for now and talk to him normally. I said something bizarre, welcoming home like we’re together. And I took it back and tell I’m just kidding.
I mean, a friend telling someone “Welcome back” is something they do, right? Especially when they stay at their house. So…. it’s not something wrong, right?
My phone didn’t ring after sending the last message to him. He might be bothered by the words I said. Well, I do feel like a creep, telling from someone ‘welcome home’… not that I assume something from him to tell it as well.
Right, we’re just friends. Haruki is a nice person to hang out with, and I wish I met him sooner.
Right that moment, my phone vibrates. Quickly grabbing it, I look at the sender and the message:
That simple message he sent, made my lips formed an inevitable smile. A warm feeling plucked through ny chest as my eyes locked on the name of the sender. Yeah, Haruki is a good friend, and a nice man.
And I think I slowly understand these feelings of mine.