After the meal, perhaps buoyed by the good news of Haru leading the karate club to victory, both Haruno and Shizuka drank a little more than usual.
Haruno paid for the meal, and as she walked out of the restaurant, a pair of enticing rosy blushes adorned her cheeks. Her slim legs, accentuated by her jeans, and her stunning waist-hip curve immediately drew the attention of several male passersby, who couldn't help but look back at her.
Haruno was already used to this. She squinted her eyes, slightly drunk, and turned to look behind her, spotting Shizuka pulling Haru aside by the entrance and whispering.
Unable to resist, Haruno called out, "What are you two talking about?"
"I'm just discussing some details of the competition with him. After that, I'll grab a cab home," Shizuka responded with a smile.
"Ah, okay," Haruno said lightly. She wasn't interested in the competition at all, since her intuition had already told her that Haru would win.
So, she took a few steps forward and stood under the bright streetlight, resting.
"Has Haruno encountered any major events recently?" Shizuka asked quietly, pulling Haru with her.
She didn't try to hide her concern for her friend.
Haru thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really, at least I haven't heard anything major about her."
Shizuka crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "That's strange."
"Why is that strange?" Haru asked, instinctively curious.
Shizuka didn't answer right away, frowning and thinking for a while before shaking her head. "Maybe I'm overthinking it... but I plan to look for an opportunity to test it out in a few days."
Haru couldn't help but laugh. "Is being a mystery solver fun, Hiratsuka-sensei?"
Shizuka waved it off with a smile. "I have no clues, okay? I can't just jump to conclusions and tell you what I think—that would be too rash."
Haru clapped his hands. "Ah, so this is what maturity and rationality look like. Got it, got it."
"Hey, can you be more sincere when you praise me?" Shizuka said.
"Look into my eyes, how sincere can I be?" Haru replied with a smirk.
"…I see right through you!" Shizuka laughed, then left to catch a cab.
Before getting in the car, however, she turned around and shouted toward Haru, "Keep it up in the next competition! I'll be watching you!"
Haru muttered, "Something about that doesn't sound right?"
Once the car disappeared from view, he turned back toward Haruno.
As he approached where Haruno was standing, he couldn't help but chuckle.
She was standing there with a drunk, alluring face, playing hopscotch.
The streetlight stretched her shadow, casting her figure in an almost lonely, yet breathtakingly beautiful way. Her face and body were so captivating that it made her seem like she belonged in a different world.
It was the first time Haru had seen her like this. Walking up, he said, "I'm really good at hopscotch, want me to join you?"
Haruno hummed a tune, smiling charmingly at him before turning away without answering.
Haru, unfazed by her indifference, squatted down beside her, pretending to grumble, "I played so well in the competition, why didn't the media report on it?"
Haruno seemed interested in the topic. She smiled, turned around, and looked down at him from above. "Want me to find a reporter to cover you?"
"No, no, I was just joking," Haru quickly waved his hands.
Even if it was a joke, he wasn't sure if Haruno might just take him seriously.
Fearing she would continue on the topic, he swiftly changed the subject. "So, what's next? Should I walk you home?"
Haruno declined, "It'd be boring to go back now."
"How about I walk with you?" Haru offered.
Haruno stared at his face for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "If you're willing to carry me, I'll agree."
Haru immediately crouched down again. "Forget it."
Haruno wasn't angry. Her beautiful eyes blinked as she deliberately asked, "You're that unwilling? It's not like you never carried me when we were kids."
"I can't help it. I can't be sure you won't try anything. What if I agree to carry you, and then you have more requests?"
Haru made a face that clearly said, "I've been burned before."
"Haru, you really aren't cute anymore."
Haruno started to complain again.
Haru pretended not to hear, replying by posting a meme in the photography club chat on his phone.
Haruno didn't say anything more and quietly stood aside, looking at him with a gentle gaze.
After a while, Haruno stood up again. She picked up her phone and called the driver, clearly preparing to go home.
Haru suddenly remembered something that Hiratsuka-sensei had asked earlier and tentatively spoke up, "Has something special been happening to you lately?"
"No, just a bit more pressure than usual. Sometimes I need to take a moment to adjust my mood," Haruno said casually.
Haru thought to himself, could this be what Hiratsuka-sensei was referring to?
Given his relationship with Haruno and the impression she had left on him, he couldn't even entertain the thought that she might like him.
To him, that was absolutely impossible.
So, he immediately said, "If the pressure really gets to be too much, feel free to contact us anytime."
"We?" Haruno raised an eyebrow with a playful smile.
Haru answered honestly, "Yeah, you can call me out to hang out, or you can bring Yukino to come too."
"Just the two of you?" Haruno's smile became even more peculiar.
Haru was puzzled. "Who else should we invite? Aunt Yukinoshita? Even if I forced her to come hang out with you, she probably wouldn't agree."
Haruno burst into laughter, bending over as she casually draped her arm around Haru's shoulder. "I'll remember that. Next time, I'll tell my mother."
"Feel free to tell her. She likes me, so she won't scold me."
"Hah, you really are confident."
Haruno laughed for a moment, straightening her posture with some effort. Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Is there no third option besides you and Yukino, like Kasumigaoka?"
Haru froze.
Haruno smiled kindly. "You and Kasumigaoka have something going on, huh? Don't deny it, you can't fool me."
Haru was stunned.
He had sensed something was off back then and had wondered if Haruno had noticed. Now, his suspicions were confirmed.
Originally, he thought he would be scolded, but Haruno only said that one thing before the conversation ended.
"My driver's here."
"Oh, I'll walk you over."
Haruno walked alongside him, speaking softly, "I will remember everything you said earlier."
"Which part?"
"You said that if I feel overwhelmed and need someone to hang out with, I can always reach out to you, right?"
"That's definitely fine."
"Available anytime?"
"Well, that depends if I can take the day off."
Listening to Haru's honest answer, Haruno smiled contentedly. "I'm happy to hear that. I've decided to reward you."
With that, she quickened her pace and stopped right in front of him, blocking his way.
She even lifted herself slightly on her toes.
Seeing Haruno's posture, Haru couldn't help but ask with distaste, "Is the reward a kiss?"
"Don't you like it?"
"Not really."
"How about a kiss on the cheek or forehead?"
"Hey, can you listen to me for a second?"
Haru helplessly watched as she got closer, finally placing her hand on his shoulder.
Seeing that Haruno seemed determined to go through with it, Haru spoke up helplessly, "How about kissing my hair? That way, no one will feel awkward."
"Wouldn't I just end up with shampoo taste in my mouth?"
Haruno, her face glowing and eyes sparkling with mischief, gently raised her head. She knew Haru wouldn't resist, so she tiptoed up, and in her slightly intoxicated state, she found herself almost kissing his lips.
Haru, startled, quickly took a step back.
He froze for a moment and then stepped back, looking at her with uncertainty.
Haruno seemed to snap out of it and covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Just kidding. Why do you have such a big reaction?"
She touched her forehead, muttering to herself, "The alcohol must be hitting me. I'm really a little drunk."
Haru looked at her suspiciously but didn't say anything.
Haruno, undeterred by any awkwardness, smiled brightly. "You're avoiding my kiss, huh? Haru, you're really not cute... Well, I'm heading back now. I'll come to watch your next match."
Haru waved his hand, his doubts lingering in his mind.
Once Haruno got in the car, she stared quietly out the window, watching his familiar figure retreat until it disappeared.
She rested her flushed cheek against the window, her eyes still flickering with light.
I almost gave away my first kiss.
As this thought crossed her mind, she wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or regretful.