[Warning 15+]
Part Two~Save That Old Energy Only For Me, Seriously!~Chapter 79A Sharp, Dry Sound
The western sky was fading, shimmering like a heat haze as it stained into a deep crimson.
The air, warmed by the midday sun, turned into classic summer thunderheads that cast shadows over the setting sun.
Hayato and the others watched the transition from evening to night through the train window in total silence.
After that, the sweet-tooth craving from Himeko led them to Karaoke Celery. It was the same spot Hayato and Haruki had hit up just the other day.
There was a moment where Himeko, totally freaked out by being there for the first time, pouted at Hayato because he was acting all chill since it was his second time. But after that, they had a blast eating and singing their hearts out. Especially that honey toast—it totally hooked the two girls, who were supposed to be on a diet but treated today like a total cheat day.
Maybe because they were thinking back on all that, everyone's faces showed some exhaustion, but they also looked comfy and satisfied.
Eventually, the train pulled into the station nearest to Hayato, Haruki, and Himeko's places.
"Alright, this is our stop. ...Sorry about that, man. Haruki and Himeko didn't hold back at all with their orders."
"No worries. In the end, you covered half of it anyway. Besides, it was fun seeing all these different sides of everyone."
"Um, Kaidō-san, thanks a ton for the treats today!"
"...Yeah, Kaidō, thanks for today."
As Hayato stepped off the train, he gave a casual wave over his shoulder, and Kazuki raised his hand back in return.
"Let's go again sometime. Your flat, monotone singing voice is actually kinda growing on me, Hayato-kun."
"Sh-Shut the heck up, man!"
"I'm actually kinda relieved Big Bro sucks at singing. Plus, Haru-chan was seriously amazing!"
"Well duh, I've been training like crazy in the shower!"
"Haruki..."
"Haru-chan..."
"Hey, Hayato, Hime-chan, stop looking at me like I'm some kind of charity case!"
"Haha."
Watching them go back and forth like that, Kazuki shook with laughter. Just then, the train doors slid shut, and in an instant, he was whisked away toward another city.
"...Guess we should head home."
Watching Kazuki leave with a dazed look, Hayato scratched his head with the hand he'd still been holding up and nudged Haruki and Himeko toward the exit.
Their steps felt a bit heavy, like they weren't quite ready for the day to end. Just as they were about to head through the turnstiles, Haruki suddenly stopped.
"Oh—I think I'll pass on dinner tonight. I'm way too stuffed. I'm just gonna head straight back."
"Me too. If anything, I just want something light, like ice cream or whatever."
"Himeko, that doesn't even count as a meal. Anyway, Haruki, I'll walk you home."
"Nah, it's fine. Looks like a storm's about to hit anyway... ...look."
"Oh..."
Looking up at the sky, the dark, reddish-black thunderheads were letting out a heavy, menacing rumble. It looked like it might hold off for a bit, but the weather was definitely getting sketchy.
"Anyway, see ya later!"
"Hey, wait—...geez."
"See ya, Haru-chan!"
Haruki ignored Hayato's attempt to stop her and took off at a jog.
Hayato's hand just swiped through empty air, and he let out a sigh as he dropped it.
"...I hope Haruki's gonna be okay."
"Haru-chan will be fine, she's not a kid anymore. You're way too overprotective, Big Bro. Anyway, let's hit up the supermarket before we head home."
"Yeah, fair point..."
◇◇◇
In the residential area just before dusk, Haruki was running as if she were trying to shake off her own long, stretched-out shadow.
"Ugh, seriously!"
Today was a blast. It felt just like being a kid again.
Just like back then, the playground had just shifted—from mountains, shrines, and abandoned shacks to movie theaters, famires, and karaoke. And along the way, everyone got to see all these new sides of each other.
Hayato, who sucked at singing and made a sour face whenever someone pointed out how monotone he was.
Himeko, who was dead-set on catching the rhythm so she could keep up when she went with her classmates later.
When Haruki sang and added some moves to the beat, Hayato would clap with this lowkey salty look on his face, while Himeko cheered and begged to know how to do the dance moves― and then there was Kazuki, who teased Hayato and got everyone laughing, having somehow slipped right into their circle without anyone noticing.
Looking back, everyone was definitely smiling. And yet, inside Haruki, something dark and sludge-like was swirling, scorching her chest. A sharp pang of pain shot through her.
It was close to impatience, envy, or jealousy, but it didn't quite reach that level; It was a childish emotion that felt more like pure possessiveness.
"I'm kinda jelly of Hime-chan..."
Haruki suddenly stopped in her tracks and muttered that to herself. Before she knew it, she was already standing in front of her house.
Haruki didn't even know why those words came out of her mouth. She knit her brows as if she hadn't realized the reason behind it. It felt like she was about to fall into a total downward spiral.
"Alright, let's do this."
Telling herself she couldn't stay like this, Haruki gave her cheeks a couple of sharp slaps.
Then, as if to keep herself in check, Haruki made sure to use her usual tone of voice and opened the door with her usual ritual greeting.
"I'm ho-―"
"Didn't I tell you to be a good girl and wait at home!?"
Slap! A sharp, dry sound echoed through the entryway.
Having taken an unexpected blow right on the cheek she'd just pumped herself up with, Haruki was more confused than hurt at first. With a dazed look, she snapped her gaze back to what was in front of her.
Standing there was a beautiful middle-aged woman who wasn't even trying to hide her irritation― it was Takura Mao. Haruki's eyes widened as if she'd only just realized her Mom was there.
Staring into that lovely face and those intensely powerful eyes looking at Haruki like Haruki was some kind of nuisance, the emotion drained out of Haruki's face bit by bit... ...and she let out a weak murmur.
"―Mom."
Author's Notes:
Next update is scheduled for Sunday or Monday.
This is the climax for Haruki's arc. I really wanna keep these updates coming at a good pace.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
If you like our work, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi. 🙏
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/ninjacross
Donations are very much appreciated.
Your donations really support us to finish this novel from here until the end, so please consider to support us.
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The western sky was fading, shimmering like a heat haze as it stained into a deep crimson.
The air, warmed by the midday sun, turned into classic summer thunderheads that cast shadows over the setting sun.
Hayato and the others watched the transition from evening to night through the train window in total silence.
After that, the sweet-tooth craving from Himeko led them to Karaoke Celery. It was the same spot Hayato and Haruki had hit up just the other day.
There was a moment where Himeko, totally freaked out by being there for the first time, pouted at Hayato because he was acting all chill since it was his second time. But after that, they had a blast eating and singing their hearts out. Especially that honey toast—it totally hooked the two girls, who were supposed to be on a diet but treated today like a total cheat day.
Maybe because they were thinking back on all that, everyone's faces showed some exhaustion, but they also looked comfy and satisfied.
Eventually, the train pulled into the station nearest to Hayato, Haruki, and Himeko's places.
"Alright, this is our stop. ...Sorry about that, man. Haruki and Himeko didn't hold back at all with their orders."
"No worries. In the end, you covered half of it anyway. Besides, it was fun seeing all these different sides of everyone."
"Um, Kaidō-san, thanks a ton for the treats today!"
"...Yeah, Kaidō, thanks for today."
As Hayato stepped off the train, he gave a casual wave over his shoulder, and Kazuki raised his hand back in return.
"Let's go again sometime. Your flat, monotone singing voice is actually kinda growing on me, Hayato-kun."
"Sh-Shut the heck up, man!"
"I'm actually kinda relieved Big Bro sucks at singing. Plus, Haru-chan was seriously amazing!"
"Well duh, I've been training like crazy in the shower!"
"Haruki..."
"Haru-chan..."
"Hey, Hayato, Hime-chan, stop looking at me like I'm some kind of charity case!"
"Haha."
Watching them go back and forth like that, Kazuki shook with laughter. Just then, the train doors slid shut, and in an instant, he was whisked away toward another city.
"...Guess we should head home."
Watching Kazuki leave with a dazed look, Hayato scratched his head with the hand he'd still been holding up and nudged Haruki and Himeko toward the exit.
Their steps felt a bit heavy, like they weren't quite ready for the day to end. Just as they were about to head through the turnstiles, Haruki suddenly stopped.
"Oh—I think I'll pass on dinner tonight. I'm way too stuffed. I'm just gonna head straight back."
"Me too. If anything, I just want something light, like ice cream or whatever."
"Himeko, that doesn't even count as a meal. Anyway, Haruki, I'll walk you home."
"Nah, it's fine. Looks like a storm's about to hit anyway... ...look."
"Oh..."
Looking up at the sky, the dark, reddish-black thunderheads were letting out a heavy, menacing rumble. It looked like it might hold off for a bit, but the weather was definitely getting sketchy.
"Anyway, see ya later!"
"Hey, wait—...geez."
"See ya, Haru-chan!"
Haruki ignored Hayato's attempt to stop her and took off at a jog.
Hayato's hand just swiped through empty air, and he let out a sigh as he dropped it.
"...I hope Haruki's gonna be okay."
"Haru-chan will be fine, she's not a kid anymore. You're way too overprotective, Big Bro. Anyway, let's hit up the supermarket before we head home."
"Yeah, fair point..."
◇◇◇
In the residential area just before dusk, Haruki was running as if she were trying to shake off her own long, stretched-out shadow.
"Ugh, seriously!"
Today was a blast. It felt just like being a kid again.
Just like back then, the playground had just shifted—from mountains, shrines, and abandoned shacks to movie theaters, famires, and karaoke. And along the way, everyone got to see all these new sides of each other.
Hayato, who sucked at singing and made a sour face whenever someone pointed out how monotone he was.
Himeko, who was dead-set on catching the rhythm so she could keep up when she went with her classmates later.
When Haruki sang and added some moves to the beat, Hayato would clap with this lowkey salty look on his face, while Himeko cheered and begged to know how to do the dance moves― and then there was Kazuki, who teased Hayato and got everyone laughing, having somehow slipped right into their circle without anyone noticing.
Looking back, everyone was definitely smiling. And yet, inside Haruki, something dark and sludge-like was swirling, scorching her chest. A sharp pang of pain shot through her.
It was close to impatience, envy, or jealousy, but it didn't quite reach that level; It was a childish emotion that felt more like pure possessiveness.
"I'm kinda jelly of Hime-chan..."
Haruki suddenly stopped in her tracks and muttered that to herself. Before she knew it, she was already standing in front of her house.
Haruki didn't even know why those words came out of her mouth. She knit her brows as if she hadn't realized the reason behind it. It felt like she was about to fall into a total downward spiral.
"Alright, let's do this."
Telling herself she couldn't stay like this, Haruki gave her cheeks a couple of sharp slaps.
Then, as if to keep herself in check, Haruki made sure to use her usual tone of voice and opened the door with her usual ritual greeting.
"I'm ho-―"
"Didn't I tell you to be a good girl and wait at home!?"
Slap! A sharp, dry sound echoed through the entryway.
Having taken an unexpected blow right on the cheek she'd just pumped herself up with, Haruki was more confused than hurt at first. With a dazed look, she snapped her gaze back to what was in front of her.
Standing there was a beautiful middle-aged woman who wasn't even trying to hide her irritation― it was Takura Mao. Haruki's eyes widened as if she'd only just realized her Mom was there.
Staring into that lovely face and those intensely powerful eyes looking at Haruki like Haruki was some kind of nuisance, the emotion drained out of Haruki's face bit by bit... ...and she let out a weak murmur.
"―Mom."
Author's Notes:
Next update is scheduled for Sunday or Monday.
This is the climax for Haruki's arc. I really wanna keep these updates coming at a good pace.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
If you like our work, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi. 🙏
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/ninjacross
Donations are very much appreciated.
Your donations really support us to finish this novel from here until the end, so please consider to support us.
Follow Our Official WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaRa6nHCsU9OAB0U370F
Read in other languages: