DAYLIGHT - K. Rukawa

23

[ yn's pov ]

Before we leave at Akagi-san's place, I volunteered to return the food tray to their kitchen. I picked it up and went on my way. I recognized Haruko in the kitchen immediately. It seems like she's cooking for dinner already. But the team agreed to end the study session early, even though Akagi-san insisted that we should eat dinner at his place.

"Oh! I almost forgot about this. Thank you, L/N-san." She said, she's currently chopping onions, and I noticed that she cuts it differently.

"Do you need help?" I asked her when she's almost tearing up because of it.

I saw her hesitated for a second before, gulping. "I... I don't want to bother you, but I'm not really good at chopping onions." was all she said.

I shrugged my shoulders giving her a warm smile. "No worries. I really like helping as long as I can." I responded.

There was an awkward tension between us, long silence has filled the air, as she watches me chop the onions. My eyes are strong when it comes to onions, and I didn't even blink a bit. I honestly don't know why people tear up with this because it never happened to me.

"You two seem to be so close, L/N-san." Haruko all of sudden said.

I glanced at her, confused. "What do you mean? Me and?"

"You and Rukawa-kun." She replied, letting out a chuckle. "That day when you first came to aid him at the rooftop, I admit that I was the reason why Sakuragi-kun and Rukawa-kun fought." She added showing her shy smile.

My brows knitted for a second before letting out a chuckle. "Oh, so they fought because of you, huh? Must be nice having two boys fighting because of you." I laughed.

"No... it's nothing like that!" She looks so flustered this time. "I... I just, I don't know."

From the beginning, Haruko and her questions, her stares, and everything it was simple for me to comprehend that she's one of those girls who like Rukawa. And maybe the real reason why Sakuragi-kun and Rukawa fought that day, was Sakuragi-kun thought they are together.

I don't know but I'm not bothered with the sudden realization. Haruko is confused. By her feelings towards the two, it's pretty obvious.

"So, do you like Sakuragi-kun, Haruko-chan?" I smiled, placing the chopped onions on a plate.

"I... I don't." Haruko sighed. "I like Rukawa-kun." She then said, admitting it. I saw her shut her eyes, gulping a lot of times.

I hummed nodding myself. "Everyone does." I chuckled, finishing the left onions.

"Honestly, it's not surprising anymore, Haruko-chan. But, listen here. This is just advice, as a matter of factly. You can't have them both."

"I saw how confused and how you hesitated a bit with my question. If you really like Rukawa, then make it as your inspiration and stop showing motives to keep Sakuragi-kun drowned to you."

"You don't have to follow it if you don't want to."

"I... you're right, L/N-san. That's why I want you to do me a favor." Haruko said, looking down. "Please help me with Rukawa-kun, I'll really do anything for it. I think I just really like him." She admitted.