HaruHaru

10. Welcome Back

Haruna Text: Brother, I'll be hanging out with Makoto for now. Don't come bother looking for me since you're cool with us. Thanks and have a nice night.

That was the last text of the day... Haruka had no problem at all with Haruna hanging out with Makoto, knowing that she wanted someone to comfort her. Though, he felt a bit lonely without Makoto around as usual. He didn't care. He went on about his business as if nothing happened. He decided to hang out with Ai and Miharu, who were, according to Haruka, a "pain in the neck." He kept his distance just to be on the safe side. Miharu was doing the same, too. She hated Haruka's guts for being so distant from Haruna. She tried to open Ai's eyes to the "true" Haruka, but Ai didn't see anything wrong with him. She only saw Haruka as Makoto's significant other.

Haruka hung out with the girls in the same room, minding his own business. He thought long and hard about Haruna and Makoto, feeling a bit more distant from his best friend. His eyes were halfway open as he began to fall asleep. The thought of the two made him sleepier by the second. The voices in the house began to die out on him as his mind soon turned to sleep as an option. Then, his eyes shut tight and his mind became filled with Makoto and Haruna...

-ON THE WAY TO HARUKA'S HOUSE-

After a nice visit at Makoto's house, it was time for the two to head back to Haruka's place. Haruna wondered if Ai and Miharu were doing okay while she was gone, as well as Makoto thinking about Haruka. The two were walking beside each other, with their arms gently rubbing up against each other every once in a while.

"Your siblings sure are nice," Haruna giggled.

"That is true. My parents are out for the week, so I'm in charge of them. But still, they sure are loud, haha." Makoto replied. Silence fell upon the two once again as neither of the two attempted to strike up another conversation before they reached their destination.

"... Makoto?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for the birthday gift. It's really nice.."

"Ah, that? No problem. I just wanted to make sure that you're doing well. I don't want you to feel sad all throughout the summer."

"Well you're doing a great job at it," Haruna laughed. She made Makoto blush madly at her for saying such sweet words. Her hand was slowly making its way to connect with Makoto's hand as they were so close to each other.  

"What are we gonna do tomorrow?" asked Haruna. Makoto looked up at the starry sky and wondered for a bit before he could come up with an answer.

"Ahh, let's see... We might head back to Samezuka to swim for a bit," he answered. His hand also tried to make its way to Haruna's hand. The two just couldn't do it. There was no way for them to hold hands at the right time. They finally arrived in front of Haruka's house. Haruna walked forward and thanked Makoto for showing her around. There was one thing on her mind that she just wanted to kill off. It has been bugging her for quite some time, and she just wanted to throw it away. Haruna clenched her fists and muttered, "We should go out next time." Makoto didn't hear her quite well, so he politely asked for Haruna to repeat what she just said. Feeling a bit rushed, Haruna lunged at Makoto and wrapped her arms around his neck. Within seconds Haruna gave Makoto a quick peck on the cheek. Her feelings flew out the window as that moment dug its grave inside Haruna's mind. Makoto felt that extreme blood rush again. The rush was so intense that he almost returned the kiss with his. Haruna freed Makoto from her grasp and looked away for a moment to get some air.

"T-Thank you for bringing me home..." Haruna stammered. Makoto, rubbing his pecked cheek, smiled at her and patted her on the head.

"Take care and good night," he told her. As soon as he left, the door opened for her, with Haruka greeting her instead.

"Ah, welcome back," he greeted her. Haruna turned to her brother and gave him a warm smile that said "I'm glad you see me."