This Warmth Of Yours

Chapter 29 - Basking In Unfamiliar Warmth

Haru!

His eyes opened, his arms stretching out towards an unfamiliar ceiling. He heard a slight rustle next to him, turning. "K– Ka..." His voice couldn't come out properly.

She hid something behind her back and smiled. "You're awake!"

He watched her settle into the seat next to him. He couldn't speak for some reason, he must've stressed his throat. "I managed to call and get everyone together. You're lucky we made it there just in time," she explained. They said they simply broke the front door down after smelling smoke from outside. Yuki's parents drove them over and helped call the authorities.

Yuki smiled. Thank god. Kana pinched his cheek, furious. "You– you did good! But– you're an idiot! Stupid!" She melted into his lap, "You're so stupid..."

"Why didn't you extinguish the fire first!? What if we didn't come in time!? Do you know how scared I was!?" She hastily wiped a forming tear in her eye. "Don't sacrifice yourself too!"

He scratched the back of his head and pat her head. "I'm sorry, it really wasn't my intention," he whispered. He wasn't sure if she heard it or not.

Kana rose from his lap, moving his arm away. "Well, it's– it's fine. I'm sure you want to know about Haru, right?" His head perked up. "She's in another room. Rika, Nami and Kyo are there with her. I'm only here so you won't wake up all sad, confused, and alon– Hey! Yuki, stop!"

He leapt out of bed and shoved the door open. His steps were wobbly and hobbled, he couldn't even see the white, dimly lit corridors properly. "Oh–"

"Ah!"

He fell to the floor, having collided with another person. "Eh!? Yuki!?" came a voice from in front of him. He recognised it, it was Rika's. For some reason, it looked like she was suppressing laughter.

His eyes focused on the person he knocked down with him. Her cherry blossom hair was let go, her sky blue eyes was gentle, and there was light in her eyes again. Her bare face showcased her radiant smile.

"Hahaha!" Kana laughed as she just left the room after Yuki. "Both of you had the same idea!"

Haru froze up and giggled. She hopped into his arms and weighed him down, his back slamming against the cold floor as he laughed. She wrapped her arms around him, tight and close. He rested his chin on her hair, holding her close.

Nami pulled out her phone's camera and pointed it to Yuki's face. There were random scribbles on it with a marker, most of them calling him an idiot. He glared at Kana, who, at that point, wasn't hiding the marker she was holding anymore. Anyway, that didn't matter.

The girl was still here. She was in his arms. She was warm and her heart was beating. He felt tears drenching his cheeks. His vision blurred and his hold ever so slightly tightened.

He felt warmth on his back. Everyone joined them for a group hug. "I love all of you," Rika breathed. The silent dawn was peaceful, so peaceful.

...

All of them sat in 2 lines, leaning against the 2 sides of the wall in the narrow hallway facing each other. Nami poked at Haru's cheek. "Haru, what do you plan on doing now?"

She casted her gaze downwards, her face unsure. "You can live at my house, my parents won't mind. We're already family, remember?" Kana offered. "If you're still having reservations, all family members have to help out at the bakery on our off days! You can see it as payment if you want! We're always short-handed!"

Kyoya added to her offer. "I know a few therapists and people that know what to do. I'll connect you to them if you want, and..." he trailed off. Kyoya tensed up. Haru could roughly guess what he wanted to say next, her gulp stuck in her throat.