☦︎︎ ℋ𝒶𝓊𝓃𝓉ℯ𝒹 𝒷𝓎 𝒰𝓃𝓈𝓅ℴ𝓀ℯ𝓃 ℒℴ𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 ☦︎︎

Departure and Decision

Haruka slowly emerged from the realm of sleep, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal a room bathed in the soft hues of dawn. Gentle sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting dancing shadows across the walls. A sense of confusion washed over her as she tried to recall what day it was and why she was up so early. Before she could give it much thought, however, a gentle knock at her door interrupted her musings.

"Who could be up this early..." Haruka muttered to herself as she swung her legs out of bed, her feet touching the cool floor. With a yawn and a stretch, she padded over to the door and opened it, revealing a figure silhouetted against the dimly lit corridor.

Standing in the doorway was a guard, his stoic expression betraying no hint of emotion. In a gruff voice, he said, "Excuse me, Miss Haruka, but you are requested to follow me immediately."

Haruka looked at the guard in surprise, her sleep-addled brain trying to make sense of his words. "Immediately?" she managed to say, her voice still sleepy.
The guard nodded, his expression unchanging. "Yes, Miss Haruka. You are needed in the main hall. Please follow me."
Haruka's mind whirled as she tried to make sense of the situation. Why was she being summoned so suddenly, and what could be waiting for her in the main hall? With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, she followed the guard, her steps weary from sleep.

After being summoned by the guard, Haruka found herself in the grand main hall. Standing at the far end was Akira, her expression neutral, though there was a hint of hidden anticipation in her eyes. Without a word, Akira gestured for Haruka to follow her. Haruka obeyed, her mind still trying to catch up with the sudden turn of events.
As they stepped outside, a luxurious limousine awaited them, its engine idling silently. The guard opened the door, and Akira gestured for Haruka to climb in first. Hesitantly, Haruka slid into the plush seats in the back.

Once both Haruka and Akira were settled in the backseat of the limousine, the door closed behind them, sealing them off from the world outside. Silence fell upon them, broken only by the hum of the engine. Haruka glanced over at Akira, who sat poised and seemingly unruffled, her gaze fixed straight ahead. After a few moments, Haruka couldn't stand the silence any longer.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked, her voice betraying her curiosity and mild concern.

Akira turned her gaze to Haruka, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "We're taking a trip." she said simply.
Haruka narrowed her eyes, frustration and intrigue warring within her. "A trip?" she echoed. "What do you mean? Where are we going?"

Akira leaned back against the plush upholstery, her gaze never leaving Haruka. "It's a surprise." she said, her tone giving away nothing.
Haruka bristled at the vague answer. "A surprise? Why all the secrecy?"

"Patience, Haruka." Akira replied, her tone still cool and calm. "You'll find out soon enough."
Haruka's frustration grew, but she could tell that Akira wasn't going to give her any more information. She huffed and crossed her arms, silently stewing in her own thoughts. The limousine continued to smoothly glide down the country roads, the silence between them growing heavy with anticipation.

The next several hours passed in a tense, mostly silent journey. Every now and then, Haruka would glance at Akira, hoping for an explanation, but Akira's aloof expression betrayed nothing. The hum of the limousine's engine and the steady landscape outside the windows made it impossible to guess their destination. Haruka fidgeted in her seat, her mind racing with possibilities and theories, each one more outlandish than the last.

After what felt like an eternity, the limousine exited the motorway and began navigating narrow, winding country roads. The scenery grew increasingly rural, the occasional farmhouse standing solitary in lush green fields. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and it wasn't long before they came to a stop in front of a quaint, picturesque farmhouse.