ハ-モニクス (Harmonics) - Discontinued

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Chitoge dropped herself on the log, right next to Haru and followed his gaze over the moonlit pond.

"I'm sorry."

Haru looked down at her and made a face. "What are you apologizing for?"

The priestess tugged at the hem of her dress. "I'm the reason you got hurt, am I not? If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't be in such a state."

He chuckled before turning back to the pond. "I should be thanking you. It feels a bit embarrassing to say but you did break my fall on the way down." He leaned over to ruffle her hair. "Besides, you did your best to heal me and I'm grateful for that."

Chitoge blushed and rested her head on his shoulder. "That reason doesn't make me feel a whole lot better."

Haru shrugged. "Well, I'm kind of out of comforting words at the moment."

The girl chuckled. "What do you think will happen to us from here on?"

"Dunno. I'm guessing the situation could be a lot worse so I'm just enjoying myself for now."

Chitoge put a hand over her mouth as she let out a short giggle. "Even in my world you're still the same, Mr. Haru."

He smiled back at her. "Well of course. I didn't have much to look forward to but ever since you and Celes showed up, it's been a whole lot different."

The girl raised a finger to swoon over his cheek. "Say, Mr. Haru..."

"Hm?"

Chitoge sat upright. "Could we do this every night?"

He turned a brow up at her. "Do what?"

The girl shifted closer to him before placing a well thought out kiss on his cheek.

Haru's hand went up to his face. "What was that for?"

Chitoge gave him a sweet smile before throwing her arms about his body. "I appreciate you, Mr. Haru."

He chuckled nervously. Chitoge wasn't too familiar with the concept of intimacy but even that knowledge didn't help his position. "Ah--"

"Aren't you supposed to kiss me back?"

His entire body went rigid for a short while.  "Chitoge!"

The priestess gave him a puzzled look. "Is this not how it works?"

Haru rubbed the back of his neck. "Things like that only happen when two people really like each other, you know."

Chitoge cocked her head to one side. "But I do like you." She eased herself against his shoulder. "Is it that you don't feel the same way about me?"

"No, no." He was a bit too quick with his response.

"Is it something else?"

Haru looked over at his tent where Celes had retired to for the night. "Well, you see..."

Chitoge matched his gaze and her expression fell at the realization. "Oh." Her response was flat and shrouded by a sudden shift in her tone. 

He instantly felt a lump develop in his throat. "Chitoge, it's not that I don't want to. It's just that... well, I'm kind of tied to Celes."

The girl nodded and tried putting on a smile that didn't have the desired effect. "No, you don't have to worry about me." She rose from her perch and started walking away. "Lady Celes could use someone like you."

Haru watched as she somewhat blended into the darkness and return to the tent. He let out a long sigh and smacked his forehead in his palm. This was only to be expected, right?