Hori offered her condolences for Matsumoto's passing, but Haruki's expression remained blank. It was as if he had already forgotten about the hot spring's owner. Without a word, he faked a sad face then turned to leave the charred remains of the hot springs, Hori following closely behind confused at Haruki's lack of grief.
Haruki explained that he was on his way to the Med-bay after visiting the Arson site with those goons.
Hori appreciated his efforts to check on her. Despite only meeting yesterday.
"Nah it's the least I could do.....yeah, about hospitals, how did you get a Dark Frame?! You caved that guy's entire nose in!And how didn't you injure your arm?"
He blurted out immediately changing the subject, talking about the thug Hori asked to apologize....who she later punched.
As already explained, a Dark Frame is rare, not only that, Hori's punch fractured his skull without injuring her in the slightest.
"Oh, I've always had strong hands since I were little."
She said with a slight smile touching her knuckles.
Although that was the first time Hori actually punched someone, she had faint memories of her father afraid of her grip strength as a baby.
"...not very lady like is it?" She said with an embarrassed expression feeling shy for having such strength.
"Are you kidding?! that was freaking awesome!!" Haruki was impressed.
"You.....don't find it unattractive?
She said peeking at him as they walked.
"Huh? Attractive?" Haruki parroted.
Hori's face turned bright red as she gasped. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry! That slipped out!" She bowed, her eyes cast downward in embarrassment.
'Why did I say that?! Attractive?!, what a lewd word!' Hori felt indecency as she apologized.
Haruki slightly smiled.
'I'm not sure 'attractive' is a naughty word,... this girl's giving pure a whole new meaning...'
He chuckled at Hori's earlier statement.
"Nah, I find it hella attractive! I love strong women." He declared proudly.
"That's....great to hear," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling. But before she could continue, her stomach betrayed her growling loudly. Hori's face fell as she patted her belly, laughing awkwardly.
"Ehmm please ignore that-
"Nope your obviously hungry!! C'mon let's go eat!" Haruki insisted, it was already evening and he was sure Hori hadn't eaten.
Hori hesitated, not wanting to impose, especially after Haruki already invited her to the Hot Springs. Besides her clothes were dusty and stained with blood.
Haruki quickly removed the black sweater he wore and handed it over to Hori.
He was wearing a dark red shirt underneath so he didn't mind.
Hori slowly collected it. She gathered the sweater, her cheeks flushing with appreciation. As she put it on, the loose fabric swallowed her whole. It was clear that Haruki's love for baggy clothes, combined with his height, made his clothes too big for her.
"Looking good! Now let's go get some food!" Haruki said. "Understood!" Hori replied, her smile wide. "You in the mood for sushi?" Haruki asked.
"Yes, sir!" Hori responded, her eyes shining.
As they walked off into the sunset, the time read 5 pm, the warm light casting a cozy glow over the scene.
-----------------------
"We're here!" He yelled at the diner, they both stood outside admiring the restaurant.
The neon lights of the city cast a vibrant glow on the unassuming facade of the building, nestled in a large plot of land with cars parked outside.
It was a vibrant place packed with customers.
"Oh my, how marvelous!"
Hori exclaimed because of the alluring aroma emanating from the restaurant. Roasted, grilled, boiled and steamed fish, each with mouth watering seasoning.
She began salivating accompanied by her stomach growling even louder than before.
"Oh yeah, I remember, you haven't eaten since this morning right?" Haruki asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry if it's making you uncomfortable." She bent her head squeezing the hoodie.
"Quit apologizing and let's gooo~"
Haruki pushed Hori into the restaurant.
They burst through the door, multiple civilians could be seen chatting and dinning on delectable sushi.
Most of their eyes landed on Haruki, impressed by his looks mistaking him for a model.
Haruki occasionally waved at those he remembered, being a regular here made him quite popular.
"Ah, Haruki-kun, long time no see!" The head chef greeted. He donned a classic traditional attire for cooking, no hair and a short build.
"Wassup mister!" Haruki replied with a bow.
"Good evening sir." Hori said bowing her head as well.
"Good evening to you young lady!" He turned to Haruki and grinned. "You're as quick as ever, eh Haruki?!" The chef teased.
He laughed it off as they walked.
"Nah were not dating, she's my new maid." Haruki cleared their relationship.
"Maid?" Hori asked facing him.
"Didn't you say you wanna work for me?" He was referring to what Hori asked at the hot springs.
"Oh, yes sir!" Hori yelled respectfully as she remembered.
Haruki explained that she didn't need to call him sir, he was just 16, only 2 years older than our protagonist.
The chef asked for their order as he led them to a sit.
In front of them was a counter that had a conveyor belt, displaying different varieties of sushi. The norm in Japan.
"I'll have the regular." Haruki said.
The chef faced and asked Hori for hers.
"I'll have the same please."
She answered. Not recalling any particular type of sushi.
The chef brought out their orders and neatly placed them on their table.
The regular Haruki refered to was the usual, Sashimi served in traditional Edomae-style.
Its smell increased as the chef slid the plates towards the two.
Hori hadn't eaten sushi since she was 12, despite living in Japan. Her father was quite strict with her diet.
As Haruki carried up a chopsticks and divided it into 2. Hori slightly panicked. This was bad, she wasn't good at using chopsticks.
'Ahhh, what do I do?!' she thought facing the delicious meal in front.
The voice in her head chimed in to explain.
Narrator - Hori's father, was greatly influenced by western tradition. Like using cutlery rather than chopsticks. So despite growing up in Japan, Hori isn't accustomed to using them.
'Enough, It doesn't matter if I'm good at it or not, Haruki-san is paying for this meal, I must eat it properly!'
She had an expression like that of a warrior, this wasn't anything serious tho. Hori divided her own chopsticks into two.
They both said with a big smile in unison.
"Thank you for the meal!"
They begin chowing down.
"Oh my God, this is so freaking good!" Haruki yelled in ecstacy. Classic sushi was always the best.
Hori closely observed him and tried to learn how to use the chopsticks.
She picked up a bit of sushi but it clumsily fell to the plate.
'Oh dear, it isn't working...' she complained.
Haruki's chopsticks moved with practiced ease as he picked up a piece of sushi and divided it in two. Hori watched, her anxiety growing. She wasn't good with chopsticks, and the thought of struggling in front of Haruki made her embarrassed.
".... you're having issues?" Haruki asked with concern.
"Oh, please continue with your meal Haruki-san."
She said with a forced smile but was interrupted by her stomach growling.
The entire restaurant paused as they were shocked by the sound.
Hori's face was full of embarrassment.
'She's a really mysterious girl, what kind of Japanese person can't use chopsticks?!' Haruki thought but decided not to judge.
Hori still seemed to be struggling despite obviously starving, like a form of torture.
Haruki sighed and carried a little bit of sushi with his chopsticks.
"Here."
He said while smiling, pointing the chopsticks with sushi at Hori's mouth.
Hori faced him and turned confused.
He couldn't possibly want to feed her in public.
Haruki said, annoyed.
"C'mon, it's not a big deal... and it's getting cold."
"Please sir!, there's no need for such a thing! Surely I can at least feed my self!!!" Hori yelled with a flustered face.
"My hands getting tired.... and don't call me sir." He said with a sad look.
Hori hesitated at first, but her hunger dared her to refuse. She gulped then slowly opened her mouth to eat the sushi Haruki fed her.
"How is it?!" He asked turning to his front to fetch another.
".... it's delicious!" Hori exclaimed. Haruki continued feeding her with a satisfying face. He didn't mind even giving her some of his.
The chef smiled, happy to see his favorite customer get along with a well mannered girl for once.
------------------------
Before they knew it, the meal had come to an end, and Hori's plate stack had grown impressively tall, a testament to her appetite.
'I want to die!!!' Hori cursed while covering her face. The customers at her sides smiled seeing such a cute couple.
'I can't even look at him!!!' Referring to her supposed boyfriend, Hori was completely flustered.
Haruki paid for the meal with cash. A total of ¥12,500.
"See you kid's later!"
The chef waved them with a big smile on his face. They replied accordingly and left the restaurant.
Now outside the restaurant Hori peeked at Haruki. "...I promise to help in paying for our meals Haruki-san!"
She said with determination. Feeling bad for leeching off him so far.
"You better."
He jokingly replied-
"No seriously tho, you better, you freaking ate 23 plates of sushi!What are you?! some cartoon character?!"
"I'm so sorry! I eat a lot!"
She said repeatedly bowing and apologizing.
Haruki sighed and dropped the topic.
They both walked in a straight road for some minutes before Hori asked. "Ehm... Haruki-san, where are we going?"
He replied, "We're going back to my place, We're gonna carry some stuff then rent a Hotel or something."
"Ah, yes, it's quite late isn't it?"
Hori added stretching her hands showing tiredness.
Narrator - The time is 7:00 PM idiot.
Narrator nagged.
As they strolled through the forest, the trees grew taller and the underbrush thicker, until Haruki's house came into view. The luxurious inn's facade was marred by a gaping hole, its elegant walls cracked and splintered, a calling card left by that Sinner of Addiction.
Haruki wore a long face, a little touched he'd be leaving his house for a while.
"Have you lived here long, Haruki-san?" Hori asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as she leaned in.
Haruki's gaze drifted away, his fingers tracing the wall's texture. "Not too long.... I moved here after I fought with my mom." Hori's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that." She apologized for her prying.
Haruki stared for a while, his smile was faint, but appreciative. "Thanks."