[Warning 15+]
Author's Notes:
Updating 3 times today, and this is the first one.
Part Two~Save That Old Energy Only For Me, Seriously!~Chapter 82The Most Special and Number One
The night sky after the rain wasn't quite as clear as the one back in Tsukinose, but the stars were twinkling way more than usual.
Even though the moon wasn't out, the streetlights everywhere made it easy enough to sprint down the roads at night.
Hayato felt the difference but kept pushing, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps.
(...D*mmit!)
If Hayato'd just stopped to think for a second, he would've realized.
Then Hayato remembered the other day, standing in front of Takura Mao's film set with Haruki.
The deathly pale face, the blown-out pupils, and the way Haruki'd bolted as if she were desperately clawing her way out of a trap.
Hayato had no clue what was actually going down between Haruki and Takura Mao. But he could take a wild guess. And there was no way in heck he was gonna just leave Haruki like that.
That's why, when Hayato got that call from Haruki earlier—her voice sounding totally off—Hayato hallucinated a vision of the old Haruki sitting all alone, hugging her knees. He practically lunged out the door, leaving Himeko's suspicious voice yelling, "Big Bro, where are you going at this hour?!" in the dust.
Hayato just kept running, searching every which way with no real destination in mind. Luckily, the rain let up pretty quick, but he was already completely drenched in sweat.
"Oh, Hayato."
"...! Haru-ki...!"
In total contrast to Hayato's frantic state, Haruki just gave a casual little wave when she noticed him, looking a bit sheepish but acting like it was no big deal.
They were at a park in some residential area Hayato didn't recognize. Haruki was sitting there on a bench waiting for him, but unlike earlier that day, she was decked out in her school-issued tracksuit.
Even though a million things were racing through his head, Hayato let out a huge sigh of relief seeing Haruki looking pretty much like her usual self.
"Hayato, you're way too overprotective, you know that? I told you back then that I was fine."
"No, but Haruki, listen..."
Haruki sounded like she was over it, but there was a hint of happiness bleeding into her voice. It was definitely meddling on Hayato's part, but it didn't seem like she actually hated it.
Then Haruki gave the spot next to her a couple of light taps. Clearly, she was telling Hayato to take a seat.
Once she saw that Hayato had sat down, Haruki gave a massive stretch with a long "Mmm~" and leaned back to stare up at the night sky. Hayato followed suit, looking up to see a few stars twinkling faintly through the glare of the buildings and neon lights. Unlike Tsukinose, the glow of human life outshone the stars in this place.
"Looking up at the sky like this, at this hour... ...it's a first for us, isn't it?"
"We were just brats back when we lived over there. We always headed home early."
"Ahaha, it almost feels like we're doing something we're not supposed to."
"...There aren't many stars here, unlike Tsukinose."
"Yeah. The ground is way too bright, so a lot of things end up staying hidden... ...just like us, I guess..."
"Haruki...?"
"Y'know, compared to the old days, there's a lot more stuff we don't know about each other now. I had no clue Auntie, your Mom, was in the hospital, Hayato."
"...It's not like I was trying to keep it from you or anything—"
"Ahaha, it's fine, though. Everyone's got stuff that's hard to talk about, right? Like me and Takura Mao, for instance."
"That's..."
"I don't think we can stay the way we used to be forever."
Haruki was laughing innocently.
There wasn't a shadow of gloom on Haruki's face; Even now, she acted like it was just another casual convo― and as if it were just an extension of that, she suddenly spilled her own secret.
"You know... ...I'm Takura Mao's illegitimate daughter."
Hayato was speechless. When Haruki followed it up with, "Though I've never even heard what kind of man my Dad is," he was even more at a loss for words.
"When I got home today, Mom was there... ...and she slapped me, saying she told me to be a good girl and wait for her. Sorry for all the trouble earlier."
"...I see."
The circumstances of Haruki's birth, the fact that she was never wanted, and the reality that this wasn't the kind of thing to just blab to anyone—those things, at least, were clear.
Haruki's face looked innocent, but her eyes were more serious than Hayato had ever seen before.
It was hard to tell why Haruki'd suddenly started spilling all this. Still, there wasn't a hint of hesitation on her face; This confession had to be because something inside Haruki had shifted.
As Hayato stared back at Haruki, trying his best to take it all in, she hit him with a look that felt like she was interrogating him—or maybe even sizing him up.
"...Hayato, why exactly did you come looking for me?"
"What do you mean 'why'...? ...Obviously, I'm gonna look for you. I don't need a reason for that."
"But why? Is it just because we're buddies? If this was Hime-chan and not me, I'd get it. But what if it were Kaidō? Or Mori-kun? Would you have gone if it were Mitake-san?"
"That's..."
The words got stuck in Hayato's throat.
For Hayato, rushing to Haruki's side when she was in that state was just a natural reflex. He didn't even have to think about it.
So, even with Haruki asking Hayato point-blank, there was no way he could explain the reason.
After staring intensely at Hayato's face for a moment, Haruki suddenly flashed a bright smile for some reason, muttered, "Gotcha," and stood up.
"Like I said before, I'm a pretty high-maintenance person, aren't I?"
Haruki walked slowly with her hands laced behind her back, muttering with a self-deprecating smirk. Then she gave a little pebble at her feet a sharp kick.
"Hey, Hayato."
"What is it?"
"You know, I hate being lonely. I don't wanna be all by myself anymore."
"If that's the case—"
"But see, if I say that, you'll always stay close to me, right? You'll come to my side and let me lean on you... ...I knew that from the start. But that's just not enough."
"—Haru-ki...?"
But Hayato swallowed the words he was about to say.
As Haruki turned around with the starry sky at her back, lit up by the park's streetlights, her expression was a total 180 from her weak-sounding words; Her will was incredibly strong, and for some reason, she looked like she was actually the one cherishing Hayato. It shook him to his core.
"Because, y'know, you're just as lonely as I am, Hayato."
(TL Note: Ignore the smartphone!)
"---!"
"We're buddies... ...and precisely because we're buddies, I can't stand things staying like this. I don't want to just be the one leaning on you—I want to be the one supporting you too, Hayato."
Hayato completely froze at those unexpected words.
Haruki peered into Hayato with eyes that seemed to see right through everything, giving a troubled, almost exasperated laugh.
It was a declaration that shook the very things Hayato'd buried deep inside his soul.
Hayato's heart started thumping like crazy, and a cold streak of sweat ran down his back.
Hayato was probably making a total mess of a face right now.
Whether Haruki realized what was going on with Hayato or not, she kept that usual mischievous smirk on her face and boldly proclaimed her desire for all the world to hear.
(TL Note: Once again, ignore the smartphone!)
"I wanna be that person for you, Hayato—your most special and number one buddy."
The words and the gaze leveled straight at Hayato's eyes were incredibly direct, and Haruki's face was so beautiful, more than anything he'd ever seen before.
Hayato's heart sped up even more, making the sweat feel different as it poured out. Above all else, he couldn't tear his eyes away from Haruki, as if he’d been pinned right where he stood.
(What the heck am I...?)
And for some reason, Hayato had this nagging feeling that if he let Haruki go now, she'd end up becoming someone way out of his reach.
So, as if desperate to keep her from vanishing, he reached out—at the exact same time Haruki reached out too—and they ended up catching each other's hands by total accident.
Haruki blinked in surprise at the coincidence, her cheeks flushing as she gave a shy, awkward smile.
Hayato was just as stunned, his eyes wide as he looked away, looking totally sheepish.
"But y'know, doing it all at once is impossible, so... ...for now, please just help me get stronger."
"...Haruki, you're playing dirty."
The words slipped out of Hayato's mouth before he could stop them.
The way Haruki just stuck her tongue out with a cheeky grin was seriously annoying. Then, looking like it was tough to even ask, she made a plea to Hayato.
"I don't think Mom is there anymore, but I'm still a little scared to go home. So, I'd be really happy if you'd walk me back."
"...Alright."
And just like that, Hayato squeezed back on the hand of Haruki who'd laid her weaknesses bare without holding anything back.
(Haruki is... ...no, what the heck is this...?)
Hayato's head was a total mess.
What Haruki said was a sign of weakness. She'd laid her fragile side bare.
And yet, for some reason, Hayato couldn't help but feel like Haruki was actually the strong one, and it was driving him crazy.
―Hayato'd caught himself thinking he was gonna get left behind.
So, as if to make sure they were still connected, Hayato squeezed Haruki's hand tight.
"...Ehe."
Then, from right beside Hayato came a voice and a face that looked shy but was clearly beaming with happiness―
(...Oh.)
―And for some reason, Hayato found himself thinking that he didn't want to hand a Haruki like this over to anyone else.
It was a total sucker punch. Hayato's heart started racing so hard it actually hurt.
Hayato thought he'd already accepted that things had changed from the old days.
When he looked over at the person walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Hayato just like they used to, he saw the crown of Haruki's head with its long, glossy hair at a much lower level than back then. Her hand in his was small enough to be completely enveloped, and it was so soft.
Still, whenever they hung out like before, Haruki'd get mad, get surprised, sulk, get happy, and in the end, before Hayato knew it, she'd be smiling just like she was now.
It was the same. It was supposed to be the same.
But Hayato knew all too well—to a painful degree—that things don't just stay the same forever. So, as if he were trying to confirm something, he squeezed Haruki's hand even tighter.
And for some reason, Hayato remembered that time they said goodbye back in Tsukinose, choking back tears.
"...Hayato?"
"...! It's nothing."
Feeling his body temperature start to spike, Hayato hurriedly looked away.
The girl walking beside Hayato didn't overlap with the Haruki (boy) from back then anymore.
On this day, Hayato became vividly aware that the way he saw Haruki had changed forever.
Author's Notes:
Next update will be around noon.
※By the way, Haruki didn't borrow any underwear (No—)
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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The night sky after the rain wasn't quite as clear as the one back in Tsukinose, but the stars were twinkling way more than usual.
Even though the moon wasn't out, the streetlights everywhere made it easy enough to sprint down the roads at night.
Hayato felt the difference but kept pushing, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps.
(...D*mmit!)
If Hayato'd just stopped to think for a second, he would've realized.
Then Hayato remembered the other day, standing in front of Takura Mao's film set with Haruki.
The deathly pale face, the blown-out pupils, and the way Haruki'd bolted as if she were desperately clawing her way out of a trap.
Hayato had no clue what was actually going down between Haruki and Takura Mao. But he could take a wild guess. And there was no way in heck he was gonna just leave Haruki like that.
That's why, when Hayato got that call from Haruki earlier—her voice sounding totally off—Hayato hallucinated a vision of the old Haruki sitting all alone, hugging her knees. He practically lunged out the door, leaving Himeko's suspicious voice yelling, "Big Bro, where are you going at this hour?!" in the dust.
Hayato just kept running, searching every which way with no real destination in mind. Luckily, the rain let up pretty quick, but he was already completely drenched in sweat.
"Oh, Hayato."
"...! Haru-ki...!"
In total contrast to Hayato's frantic state, Haruki just gave a casual little wave when she noticed him, looking a bit sheepish but acting like it was no big deal.
They were at a park in some residential area Hayato didn't recognize. Haruki was sitting there on a bench waiting for him, but unlike earlier that day, she was decked out in her school-issued tracksuit.
Even though a million things were racing through his head, Hayato let out a huge sigh of relief seeing Haruki looking pretty much like her usual self.
"Hayato, you're way too overprotective, you know that? I told you back then that I was fine."
"No, but Haruki, listen..."
Haruki sounded like she was over it, but there was a hint of happiness bleeding into her voice. It was definitely meddling on Hayato's part, but it didn't seem like she actually hated it.
Then Haruki gave the spot next to her a couple of light taps. Clearly, she was telling Hayato to take a seat.
Once she saw that Hayato had sat down, Haruki gave a massive stretch with a long "Mmm~" and leaned back to stare up at the night sky. Hayato followed suit, looking up to see a few stars twinkling faintly through the glare of the buildings and neon lights. Unlike Tsukinose, the glow of human life outshone the stars in this place.
"Looking up at the sky like this, at this hour... ...it's a first for us, isn't it?"
"We were just brats back when we lived over there. We always headed home early."
"Ahaha, it almost feels like we're doing something we're not supposed to."
"...There aren't many stars here, unlike Tsukinose."
"Yeah. The ground is way too bright, so a lot of things end up staying hidden... ...just like us, I guess..."
"Haruki...?"
"Y'know, compared to the old days, there's a lot more stuff we don't know about each other now. I had no clue Auntie, your Mom, was in the hospital, Hayato."
"...It's not like I was trying to keep it from you or anything—"
"Ahaha, it's fine, though. Everyone's got stuff that's hard to talk about, right? Like me and Takura Mao, for instance."
"That's..."
"I don't think we can stay the way we used to be forever."
Haruki was laughing innocently.
There wasn't a shadow of gloom on Haruki's face; Even now, she acted like it was just another casual convo― and as if it were just an extension of that, she suddenly spilled her own secret.
"You know... ...I'm Takura Mao's illegitimate daughter."
Hayato was speechless. When Haruki followed it up with, "Though I've never even heard what kind of man my Dad is," he was even more at a loss for words.
"When I got home today, Mom was there... ...and she slapped me, saying she told me to be a good girl and wait for her. Sorry for all the trouble earlier."
"...I see."
The circumstances of Haruki's birth, the fact that she was never wanted, and the reality that this wasn't the kind of thing to just blab to anyone—those things, at least, were clear.
Haruki's face looked innocent, but her eyes were more serious than Hayato had ever seen before.
It was hard to tell why Haruki'd suddenly started spilling all this. Still, there wasn't a hint of hesitation on her face; This confession had to be because something inside Haruki had shifted.
As Hayato stared back at Haruki, trying his best to take it all in, she hit him with a look that felt like she was interrogating him—or maybe even sizing him up.
"...Hayato, why exactly did you come looking for me?"
"What do you mean 'why'...? ...Obviously, I'm gonna look for you. I don't need a reason for that."
"But why? Is it just because we're buddies? If this was Hime-chan and not me, I'd get it. But what if it were Kaidō? Or Mori-kun? Would you have gone if it were Mitake-san?"
"That's..."
The words got stuck in Hayato's throat.
For Hayato, rushing to Haruki's side when she was in that state was just a natural reflex. He didn't even have to think about it.
So, even with Haruki asking Hayato point-blank, there was no way he could explain the reason.
After staring intensely at Hayato's face for a moment, Haruki suddenly flashed a bright smile for some reason, muttered, "Gotcha," and stood up.
"Like I said before, I'm a pretty high-maintenance person, aren't I?"
Haruki walked slowly with her hands laced behind her back, muttering with a self-deprecating smirk. Then she gave a little pebble at her feet a sharp kick.
"Hey, Hayato."
"What is it?"
"You know, I hate being lonely. I don't wanna be all by myself anymore."
"If that's the case—"
"But see, if I say that, you'll always stay close to me, right? You'll come to my side and let me lean on you... ...I knew that from the start. But that's just not enough."
"—Haru-ki...?"
But Hayato swallowed the words he was about to say.
As Haruki turned around with the starry sky at her back, lit up by the park's streetlights, her expression was a total 180 from her weak-sounding words; Her will was incredibly strong, and for some reason, she looked like she was actually the one cherishing Hayato. It shook him to his core.
"Because, y'know, you're just as lonely as I am, Hayato."
(TL Note: Ignore the smartphone!)
"---!"
"We're buddies... ...and precisely because we're buddies, I can't stand things staying like this. I don't want to just be the one leaning on you—I want to be the one supporting you too, Hayato."
Hayato completely froze at those unexpected words.
Haruki peered into Hayato with eyes that seemed to see right through everything, giving a troubled, almost exasperated laugh.
It was a declaration that shook the very things Hayato'd buried deep inside his soul.
Hayato's heart started thumping like crazy, and a cold streak of sweat ran down his back.
Hayato was probably making a total mess of a face right now.
Whether Haruki realized what was going on with Hayato or not, she kept that usual mischievous smirk on her face and boldly proclaimed her desire for all the world to hear.
(TL Note: Once again, ignore the smartphone!)
"I wanna be that person for you, Hayato—your most special and number one buddy."
The words and the gaze leveled straight at Hayato's eyes were incredibly direct, and Haruki's face was so beautiful, more than anything he'd ever seen before.
Hayato's heart sped up even more, making the sweat feel different as it poured out. Above all else, he couldn't tear his eyes away from Haruki, as if he’d been pinned right where he stood.
(What the heck am I...?)
And for some reason, Hayato had this nagging feeling that if he let Haruki go now, she'd end up becoming someone way out of his reach.
So, as if desperate to keep her from vanishing, he reached out—at the exact same time Haruki reached out too—and they ended up catching each other's hands by total accident.
Haruki blinked in surprise at the coincidence, her cheeks flushing as she gave a shy, awkward smile.
Hayato was just as stunned, his eyes wide as he looked away, looking totally sheepish.
"But y'know, doing it all at once is impossible, so... ...for now, please just help me get stronger."
"...Haruki, you're playing dirty."
The words slipped out of Hayato's mouth before he could stop them.
The way Haruki just stuck her tongue out with a cheeky grin was seriously annoying. Then, looking like it was tough to even ask, she made a plea to Hayato.
"I don't think Mom is there anymore, but I'm still a little scared to go home. So, I'd be really happy if you'd walk me back."
"...Alright."
And just like that, Hayato squeezed back on the hand of Haruki who'd laid her weaknesses bare without holding anything back.
(Haruki is... ...no, what the heck is this...?)
Hayato's head was a total mess.
What Haruki said was a sign of weakness. She'd laid her fragile side bare.
And yet, for some reason, Hayato couldn't help but feel like Haruki was actually the strong one, and it was driving him crazy.
―Hayato'd caught himself thinking he was gonna get left behind.
So, as if to make sure they were still connected, Hayato squeezed Haruki's hand tight.
"...Ehe."
Then, from right beside Hayato came a voice and a face that looked shy but was clearly beaming with happiness―
(...Oh.)
―And for some reason, Hayato found himself thinking that he didn't want to hand a Haruki like this over to anyone else.
It was a total sucker punch. Hayato's heart started racing so hard it actually hurt.
Hayato thought he'd already accepted that things had changed from the old days.
When he looked over at the person walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Hayato just like they used to, he saw the crown of Haruki's head with its long, glossy hair at a much lower level than back then. Her hand in his was small enough to be completely enveloped, and it was so soft.
Still, whenever they hung out like before, Haruki'd get mad, get surprised, sulk, get happy, and in the end, before Hayato knew it, she'd be smiling just like she was now.
It was the same. It was supposed to be the same.
But Hayato knew all too well—to a painful degree—that things don't just stay the same forever. So, as if he were trying to confirm something, he squeezed Haruki's hand even tighter.
And for some reason, Hayato remembered that time they said goodbye back in Tsukinose, choking back tears.
"...Hayato?"
"...! It's nothing."
Feeling his body temperature start to spike, Hayato hurriedly looked away.
The girl walking beside Hayato didn't overlap with the Haruki (boy) from back then anymore.
On this day, Hayato became vividly aware that the way he saw Haruki had changed forever.
Author's Notes:
Next update will be around noon.
※By the way, Haruki didn't borrow any underwear (No—)
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: