HaruHaru

7. Brotherly Talk

I feel as if everyone is leaving me, but who cares? There was something missing from me that I wanted back. I felt that I was swimming in nothing but a sea of disaster. What have I done to deserve this? What is going on here?

Makoto and Haruka were taking a walk down the lonely streets of the neighborhood, walking past Makoto's house along the way. Haruna was fast asleep, and the two boys felt that since she lives on her own, she could take care of herself. Haruka wanted to talk to Makoto, just the two of them.

"Makoto, are you sure this is okay?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, we haven't been chatting with each other as much nowadays. Is that okay?"

"What are you talking about, Haru? As long as we still see each other, we can still talk to each other. There's nothing wrong with that."

"....."

"Why'd you ask?"

"It's nothing."

"Come on, Haru. Just tell me."

"...."

"Haha, of course you wouldn't." Makoto chuckled.

Haruka stopped in his tracks after hearing those words come out from Makoto's mouth. What did he mean by that? Haruka thought. The two boys were near the river as they made their way down the road. The path to the river was very steep and looked impossible to climb back up. The view from the road was perfect, even for dates.

"What?"

"You never open up to others, Haru. It's the truth."

"...."

"See what I mean? Seriously, I'm trying to help you break out of your shell."

"There's no need to, Makoto. I don't need anyone's help. Besides, you can't change who I am."

"I guess you're right on that one... Hey, Haru?"

"Hm?"

"How do you feel right now?" Haruka couldn't find an answer to that question. He just didn't feel like himself that day. Ever since Haruna and her friends arrived to see him, he hasn't been himself. He felt incredibly distant from his friends. Haruka slowly opened his mouth, but closed it as he wasn't able to find the answer. All he did in response was look away from Makoto as if he was crying. He took one deep breath and exhaled.

"Makoto, keep an eye on my sister while I go take a walk for a while."

"Already? Can't we just walk around together like we used to?"

"I just want to free myself from all of this. Just go watch Haruna for me."

"Oh, okay then..." Makoto was worried that Haruka felt a bit depressed, which could lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Makoto felt extremely overprotective after noticing how Haruka was acting around him. Haruka slowly walked on without Makoto, and Makoto turned around and headed back to the house...

"Haru..." Makoto said worriedly under his breath.

-AT HARUKA'S HOUSE-

"I'm back... Haruna? Hm, guess she's still asleep. Better go check on her..." Makoto made it back at the house, but didn't get any response as soon as he took his first steps into the house. Makoto walked back to Haruna's room and found the door closed. The last time he left the room the door was still open for air to rush in and out in a constant pattern. Why was it closed? Makoto slowly opened the door and found Haruna sitting up in her bed, looking at old family portraits hanging on the wall. She was as beautiful as ever. Her hair was completely down and her ocean blue eyes gleamed in the sunlight.