I still remember the day I met Haruki.
It was in the park, kindergarten. I was crying behind the swings, I think. I probably looked ugly back then, too. Can't remember what I was crying about, though. Probably dropped my food or something stupid.
Back when I was smaller, I was a loner. Everyone drifted to their own groups, but I just drifted further into my head.
It was quiet.
And I hate quiet.
When I dropped my food, no one was there to comfort me. No one was ever there. That was the last straw for me, I think. I slid behind the slides and bawled my eyes out while the days beat down upon us, children's laughter ringing through my ears.
But a shadow casted over me, and the sun no longer burned through my retinas. I looked up. "Huh?" I mumble, my eyes widening slightly as I realized—
It was that boy. The one the kids whispered about being too cold, too adult-like. I didn't know it back then, but that boy was also Haruki Hanma. My future best friend.
He looked at me with those cool eyes that disappeared one day, replaced by that warm look. I don't remember why that changed.
"Hello," The boy said, eyes scanning over me like I was an interesting product. "Why are you crying?"
I shuffle a little bit father away from him, and his brow furrows. "Hi," I mutter back, fingers clutching tighter around the fabric of my pants, "I dunno. Just lonely. Can you stop looking at me like that?" My eyes peer up at him, brows scrunched together, lip wobbling.
His eyebrows raise. "Look at you how?" He asks, simply. I feel frustration bubble in my throat. A scowl comes over me.
"Y'know," I say sharply, "Like that. All blank. No wonder my parents call you a doll." The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. My throat closes up instantly. Normal kid mistake— Saying the wrong things a lot. But this feels worse somehow. Guilt clenched at my heart.
"I'm sorry," I babble, trying to fix it, "I didn't mean that. I just—"
"It's okay," He interrupts. His voice is smooth, like a knife sliding through my ribs. "Don't worry about it. I get it." His eyes change, then, warmer, softer. More curious and child-like. It'll stay like that our entire lives.
"So… we're good, right?" I ask hopefully, my hands clasped together. This is my chance! I can make a friend and not be alone anymore! My cheeks heat, my back starts to sweat, waiting patiently for his response.
"No." The answer is so blunt I feel my heart crack.
"Wh- Wh- WHY?!!?!?" I feel my lip wobble, my throat closing up, a fresh batch of tears starting to come out. "I said sorry, didn't eye?!" My vision blurs, and I already feel the salty water streaking down my face.
A blur, and the kid's at my side in a flash. "I'm sorry," He says instantly, and from where I can see, he looks and sounds genuine. There's a softness in his eyes I didn't see before.
Where did the coldness go?
I sniffle, wiping my eyes, "It's okay," I answered automatically. His fingers brushed at the skin beneath my eyes. He wiped my tears.
"Are you sure?" He said. Testing, I realized. "You should be mad. That's what everyone does."
My lips twitched, despite myself. The boy stared at me in confusion. "I'm not everyone," I corrected him softly, "I'm Akiyo."
He blinks, then jerks back, away from me, like he's realized he's gotten to close to my face. "Then…" His perfect nails dug into the dirt, and I felt myself wince internally. "I'm not the doll your parent's say I am. I'm Haruki…"
My eyes lit up, then. He gave me his name! "So does that mean—"
A chuckle. "No." Haruki looks at me, and scoots a little closer, "Not until I buy you some food for the snack you dropped."
I had smiled and readily agreed, back then. But I really can't shake the thought now—
How did he know that?
I'm jolted out of my memories when the alarm clock started beeping. I groan, one foot in the bed and one foot on the floor as I struggle to get out of my grogginess. I slam a hand onto the clock, and watch in satisfaction as it stops making noise.
I carelessly go through my morning routine, and I've just finished grabbing my bag when the doorbell rings.
Haruki.
I stumble towards the front door, swinging it open with a slightly wild look in my eyes. Haruki looks up, and his mouth twitches into a slight smirk. "Look at what the cat dragged in," He drawled, the smirk widening into a grin, "You look like shit."
I growled, a little, rubbing my eyes, "Yeah, I just woke up," I snapped, irritably, "You don't need to rub it in my face, golden boy."
It was true. He looked perfect, hair combed neatly, hair tied in that half ponytail I once said he look good in (a moment of weakness). Haruki just sighed. "Mm. Sorry…" He reached forward, straightening my tie into place. His hands flicked my collar into something presentable.
I exhale a large sigh through my nose. "Well, thanks," I grumble, and he just smiles indulgently, sweeping my choppy hair out of my face.
"You look pretty," He said softly.
I blink. "Huh?"
"I said you look shitty." Haruki instantly replied.
A lie. We both knew that's not what he said. My hands started to sweat, the memory of yesterday bursting in my chest. I was supposed to be the one flirting…!
I looked away, pretending that that's what he really said. "You're the worst best friend ever," I complained, and he laughed, slightly.
"Well, I'm still your escort for today, brat," He grinned. I groaned.
"I'd really prefer to not be reminded of our English teacher by that nickname.…"
He laughed again. I hid a smile.
…
They swarmed him again, like bees to a flower. I waited outside of the classroom for a few moments, letting them have their moment with him before I waltzed in with sentimental memories of the past still burned into my brain like a brand.
I could see Haruki glancing around after a few seconds, no doubt puzzled as to why I hadn't entered yet. I let out a soft, amused sigh before stepping into the classroom.
"Morning," I called to no one in particular. The no one was, namely, Haruki.
The Harem perked up like a dog hearing the word treat. "Akiyo!" They all said in unison, blocking Haruki from reaching me first.
Being as observant as I was, I didn't miss the irritated look in his eyes before it was smooth over with a calm smile. He had always been like that. Masking his true feelings when it was beneficial. A pang of nostalgia washed over me before Kaori giggled and whispered softly in my ear.
"Akiyo~ Remember the plan." She grinned, and I felt my cheeks flush. Oh, right. Flirting with Haruki… Why do I keep forgetting? It's frustrating at this point. I laughed nervously, well aware that the burning feeling of my cheeks was being translated as a blush—
(I should have noticed it at that moment. The way his eyes darkened.)
"Yeah, yeah, I remember," I mumbled, turning my head away. It felt weird, being at the center of attention when it was always Haruki. Aside from Haruki himself, I was never really considered as part of the picture by anyone. Just a blur of motion, at the edge of the photo frame.
So, this? Being watched, especially by women? It made me… Uncomfortable. Especially since their eyes should be on Haruki.
I opened my mouth to say something else, maybe something like 'Please back off,' and probably crack a joke, but someone grabbed my arm. It was no question who it was.
"Haru?" I blinked, "Something wrong?" His expression was cool, even peaceful. But I saw the tightness in his jaw, the small vein in his temple. Nothing about him could ever escape me.
I studied his face a little closer. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much we'd both change, he'd still be mine— As a best friend, of course.
"Yeah," He said, a tension in it that only I could hear. The Harem was to blinded by love-colored glasses to truly see him like I could. "It's just… The teacher should be here by now. Let's sit together today, Aki."
Like that was even a question. We always sat together, ever since the moment I almost cried because Haruki sat with Kaori. That was the first time I ever saw Haruki crack. The genuine horror in his eyes made me realize— In some way, in some form, I had him wrapped around my finger.
So I was going to use that to pair him up with the girls.
I nodded, lips curving into a soft smile. "Yes, of course," I beamed, and I let him drag me to our chairs. My hand rested on his thigh. He hardly stiffened, but his jaw loosened. I smiled. A win for me.
Testing, I rubbed slow, careful circles into the plush of his thigh, barely looking over at the flesh gave way to my thumb. I wasn't looking at that. I was looking at him.
His eyes had widened, just a fraction. I heard the hitch in his breath. A reaction. Another win. Haruki's knuckles turned white, and his nails were probably digging into his palms.
"What… What are you doing, Aki?" He croaked, and I had to hide my grin. God. I'd almost forgotten how much fun it was getting a rise out of him, being to busy with my schoolwork and the girls constantly dragging him away from me.
"It's been so long since we've done this," I said, "Don't you remember? I'm in a nostalgic mood."
He swallowed, once. "Yeah," He murmured, 'Yeah, 'course I remember."
I sighed, "Oh really? What was the first thing I said when I went over to your place?" I challenged. I had to see that he still knew me. Knew us. That, despite how much out dynamic had changed, it was still us.
Haruki laughed in that quiet way that made my chest ache, like my heart wanted to crawl out of my body. "Is that even a question? It's branded into my brain. 'Haru, you're a nepo baby! How are you so rich?!'"
His voice went high-pitched, grating and annoying. I grimaced, swatting at his arm. "Ha-ru-ki. Han-ma. I do not sound like that," I said venomously, the warning clear in my voice.
A pause. Then we burst into quiet giggles. God, we were so stupid sometimes. But I loved it. I wanted it how a man chooses to live.
"Sure you don't," He grinned, leaning forward, noses touching. I stuck my tongue out, relataliating by plopping my head firmly into his lap.
"Punishment," I declared, voice muted in a way that had clearly been practiced over years of sitting next to my best friend. "You're taking notes for me, Haruki."
Haruki stiffened, I noticed. Just slight enough to feel in the muscles of his thighs. But he relaxed, then, so I dismissed it. "...Fine," He grumbled, taking out his pen and aggressively— At least, aggressive for his standards— and waited for the teacher to arrive.
I chuckled, softly. My hand reached up to play with his silky tie. Haruki's initials were stitched into it, a shiny hue that made it look like it was spun from gold. Internally, I sighed. Damn rich kid.
But a thought popped into my head.
I was told to flirt with Haruki by the girls. To report to them of how he would react, so they could test it on him.
But Haruki was smart. Surely, he would see the pattern. Would that mean it wouldn't be as affective as when I first did it?
And another thing…
Was what I was doing really flirting? Because all of this— Resting my head on his lap, running my hand along his thigh, holding his hand— It came so naturally, like breathing. Would the girls be able to even replicate that by a fraction?
I didn't know.
So the only thing left to do was to ignore it. To push forward and pretend like the doubts weren't drowning me.
That ended the notable events on the first nostalgic day of Haruki Flirting 101.
This Log Chapter ends here.