WAIT-WAIT-WAIT-WAIT!! W-what's exactly happening right now? Did I get a power boost or something like that in my luck?! NO WAY! Calm down Haruki, act NORMAL!
After having an inner crashout, Haruki looks back into her eyes.
"W-what is it, Kanzaki-san?"
"I am gonna stay here for a little longer and as you can see I am all alone... So... I would like to have someone's company of course".
A subtle blush appeared on her cheeks as she said that.
Well, that's true. After all, nobody truly wishes to be all alone at the end of the day. I guess it won't hurt to spend a little more time outside.
Haruki sits beside her on the bench, maintaining a distance between them.
•••••
The silence between them was strong.
Should I say something?! What am I supposed to say? Ah yes! The bruise.
Haruki makes up the courage to start a conversation but the topic wasn't really great for that situation.
"Um, Kanzaki-san, what was that bruise on your hand? If you have something to tell I can listen to it."
Yess! I started a real conversation with a girl!!
"To be honest with you, Inoue-kun, I don't talk about this kind of stuff with others."
Those words out of Kanzaki's mouth pierced straight through Haruki's gathered up courage and confidence. Might need an ambulance for the deep wound.
That's totally sensible. What were you thinking dumb head! Who starts a conversation like that with asking something that much personal?
"A~ah, I know right? My bad, my bad. You don't really have to answ-"
"Thanks for asking though, Inoue-kun".
Kanzaki says with a sweet smile on her face.
This is probably the first time Haruki seeing her smile.
Such a sweet beautiful- actually she should smile more often.
He stared at her sweet, beautiful smile, not realizing how long he'd been looking.
Kanzaki caught him staring at her!
"I-is something there on my face, Inoue-kun?"
Kanzaki asked while blushing softly.
"A-ah nope. There's nothing on your face–" except a sweet smile.
Haruki didn't dare to say the other half of his sentence.
What are you doing Haruki! Don't get carried away like this.
"B-by the way, Inoue-kun, would you like to, u-um exchange contacts?"
Haruki blinked. TWICE.
Is this really happening, or did I accidentally trigger a dating sim in real life?
Haruki took a short breath and shook off the panic.
"O-oh yeah, sure".
After exchanging contacts, it is time to leave.
"Okay then, Kanzaki-san, bye. See you tomorrow."
I guess it's okay to say it this time
"Hm bye, Inoue-kun. See you tomorrow".
As Haruki turned and began to walk away, he didn't notice the smile quietly slipping from her face — replaced by a sadness she didn't dare let him see.
*At Home*
Haruki kept checking his phone like it owed him money — but nope, still no message from Kanzaki.
Hmm... Maybe I hoped too much. But it's totally fine. At least I spend some quality time with a girl. It's fine....Y-yeah totally fine...
But deep down we all know, it's not really fine for him. Poor Haruki fell asleep with his phone clutched like a lifeline — dreaming of message notifications that never came. Even his phone screen probably gave up on him.
*Next Day Morning*
He walked to class, dead-eyed and mildly fed up. But he shrugged it off the next second.
She was busy....probably. After all, other's aren't lifeless like me — oh! There she is.
"Hi Kan....zaki-san?"
There was a new bandage on her left cheek...
"Hi! Inoue-kun".
She gently touching the bandage, "It's nothing much really. I-i just hurt myself.. ehehe".
She tried to laugh it off, but it wasn't really something that easy and Haruki understood that clearly. But he didn't dare ask her anything this time. There was a subtle seriousness in his eyes. Kanzaki's awkward smile fade away after noticing that. They didn't really talked throughout the day.
*Riiiiing*
While packing his bag, Haruki saw Kanzaki leaving at a hurry. He pushed through the crowd and soon catches up to her. Both were silently walking as a kind of tension was growing between them.
"Kanzaki-san"
"W-what? Inoue-kun.."
Haruki's sudden call startled her good.
"I know this is none of my business as you said that day, I also know I shouldn't poke on other's personal matter very well but If you want to say something, I can lend you an ear. Not bragging but I am really a good listener hehe."
Hearing those assuring words really helped her calm down. And the tension between them softens by a bit.
With a soft smile on her face like the other day she says "Thanks Inoue-kun. I guess I misjudged you on the first day but you really are kind hehe".
"Y-yeah, I get that a lot".
"..."
But again silence grew between them.
I guess she is still unsure about talking her matter with me. But it's okay. I did what I had to. If she decides to open up then I will listen to her for sure.
"Okay then, see you tomorrow, Kanzaki-san".
"Wait, Inoue-kun!"
"Hm?"
"Can I...can I walk to your home with you?"
"Huh? But my home is totally opposite from yours from this point".
"I know that. I just... just don't wanna go home right now. I wanna walk a bit more".
I wanna walk a bit more 'with you'.
She couldn't let her true words out. But she was aware that these feelings of her, were real.....