Taciturn | Haruka Nanase

3/9

- ᴏғᴛᴇɴ ᴅʀᴀᴡs ʏᴏᴜ

'Pool closed for Winter'

"Oh." Haru stared at the poster just as he was about to lead you through the door of the rooftop. You peered around him to see what had made such a sad-sounding sound come from his mouth and you mouth formed an 'O' as you read over it too.

It seemed silly that you didn't even realise it was winter, that it was growing colder and that obviously meant the pool would be closed. It looked like it flew right over Haru's head as well and with a small tug of his hand, he turned to look at you - his face long as you knew he was displeased.

"Sorry Haru, looks like I forgot."

He sighed, following you begrudgingly back down the stairs, "Don't apologise, we both didn't realise." He merely walked next to you, no destination in mind when you muttered under your breath, "I was looking forward to just sitting by the pool though, I don't feel like leaving yet - oddly enough."

He stared at you, stopping when you had stopped as well because of the hand that was gripping yours, softly and gently but with a grip so the two of you wouldn't separate.

His hand was warm, smooth and he'd often rub his finger over the top of your palm nonchalantly, it was sweet - it made butterflies float in your stomach because of how simple and yet meaningful the action was. How endearing he was to you.

"Come on," he led you once more, this time going down an unfamiliar hall until the both of you found yourselves in front of the art club. He slid the door open with caution, unaware if there was anyone present - and to your luck, no one was in.

He closed it behind you as you stood by, wondering what was happening when you spotted the art utensils in a tray on a trolley and the canvas too, painted one and fresh ones littered the room on desks and laying carefully on the floor, you'd been watching the inanimate objects in the room that you didn't even realise Haru was calling you when he said you name once again, louder,

"[Name], sit here."

He breathed out slowly, you could see how relaxed and poised he was and by the way the setting sun touched at his athletic figure, he looked utterly gorgeous, "Haru, lemme take a picture. Look away, like it's natural."

"What?"

He raised a brow when you ripped your phone from your pocket and opened the camera app to point it at him, he sighed distastefully and muttered as you focused the phone camera, "Hurry up.."

'click'

"Beautiful.." you stared at the image, admiring your boyfriend as he called you again, "Sit here, I want to draw you.." His cheeks turned a light pink, almost unnoticeable but the tingles in your chest and the butterflies in your gut made you tremble with deep satisfaction when you leapt to him, "go on, then."

It had been nearly ten minutes of silence, Haru would look at you and then back down to the paper he was using with his lead pencil in his hand, he drew and drew without seeming to have any trouble. The silence was unnerving, you didn't know if you were allowed to talk or not but you couldn't stand it any longer.

"Am I pretty there, Haru?"

You were referring to the image he was drawing but he didn't look at you nor pause in his art piece, you smiled when he looked up but he seemed focused on your hair, how to draw it because of the way it fell,

"Haruka?"

"Don't call me that."

Grinning innocently, "Sorry, you weren't answering me."

"It's fine."

You almost gaped at his ability to completely divert a question, "well? Am I pretty?"

"What's that saying?..." Haru paused, without making eye contact and he then continued shading something on the paper, "'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' right?"

Humming, you nodded and you were about to question him, "Some people won't think you're that pretty, some people will. Does it really matter?"

"Haru!" He flinched and looked into your wide eyes after he was previously focusing on your lips now, "I was asking as your girlfriend, you know?" Pouting, his eyes narrowed on your lips now, "Stop pouting."

"Make me."

He sighed and lifted the pencil with annoyance, "I will..." He was quiet, "after you be quiet and stay still for five more minutes."

You did as he said and earned yourself a kiss along with a heartfelt compliment from the blushing swimmer.