The school bell rang as everyone stood up and finished up for the day. Haruka noticed Kazuo leaving early which relieved her. She also noticed that Kayano was looking at him as well.

*- I wonder if she has looked at him a lot… I haven’t noticed… * Haruka felt her chest hurt again.

*- It’s gonna get tough talking to Kazuo later as well… First I need to go see if I can land a job somewhere however… * Haruka closed the zipper on her bag as she swallowed her feelings and left. She made her way to the entrance hall where the lockers are situated. Haruka fiddled with her lock as she heard quick footsteps approach her.

“- Haruka! You’re too quick! “ It was Kayano and two other girls trailing behind.

“- Huh? what is it? “ Haruka was a little surprised after seeing the other girls.

“- Me, Yoko and Minami was thinking about going to a cafe, wanna tag along? “ The two girls smiled and waved.

*- I don’t even know these two… * Harukas surprised look quickly changed into slightly awkward smile.

“- Ah, sooorry~~, I have an errand to make… “ Haruka expected Kayano and the other two to be disappointed and felt a bit bad.

“- Oh, an errand, huh? What sort of errand…? “ Kayano looked a little suspecting.

*- Oh! Probably shouldn't tell them about a part- time job… Might even get in trouble with the school itself… * Haruka felt even worse now that she was about to lie to them as well.

“- Umm… You see… I have to- “ Kayano suddenly put her finger across Haruka’s lips.

“- It’s fine, I think I might already know~, Thee hee~ “ Haruka had almost never seen this elusive side of Kayano.

“- We think we might know as well~. “ Yoko and Minami giggled. Haruka was confused.

“- What! What’s up with the giggles! “ Haruka felt a bit annoyed.

“- Oh, it’s nothing. Have fun~. “ Kayano and the other two left through the main entrance.

*- What the hell… * Haruka was left confused.

Kazuo slipped out of the classroom nervously looking behind him. He lightly jogged over to the closest set of stairs whilst making up backup plans in case he would somehow bump into Haruka. He successfully made it to the entrance hall where he quickly slipped in his outside shoes and rashly closed his locker. Once he was outside the doors he let out a relieved sigh and took brisk steps towards the school gates.

*- Phew… I’m seriously bad with that awkward stuff… What the hell will I do once she gets home though? * Kazuo kept his tempo all the way home. Once home he sluggishly took of his jacket and dumped his bag beside the wall. He almost got into his old habit of switching on the water boiler for his noodles but realized there was leftover omurice in the fridge. The omurice made him cringe slightly as it gave him a flashback once again but it was probably the best food he had eaten in years. The microwave took it’s time heating up the food since it was cheap. Kazuo felt a bit weird but refreshed as he noticed himself pulling out actual cutlery and a plate from the drawers. He finally sat down by the table for good after he had to throw the omurice back into the microwave for the fourth time.

*- Hopefully she’s gonna take her time finding a job… Shouldn’t be too easy to do that on a whim… * Kazuo felt the anxiety.

*- Whaaatever! I’ll enjoy this food for now and deal with her later! * Kazuo joyfully finished his food and retreated back to his room and struggled with homework as he waited for the apocalypse.

“- Ahhhh! Screw algebra! “ Kazuo collapsed on his desk after several hours of studying.

*- Where the hell is Haruka! I wanna get rid of this anxiety already! * Kazuo rose from his desk and looked out of the window.

*- Hmm, it’s dark already… She better not have gotten herself into trouble… * Kazuo turned away from the window and stepped outside his room. It was dark and completely quiet, Kazuo felt a bit of shaky suddenly. It was like the darkness was seeping inside him and taking away his newfound happiness.

*- Huh…? Am I really worried? * Kazuo was stood frozen as he felt fear building up inside him. This fear spreading around such a small source of worry made Kazuo suddenly realize the value of what he got. He stumbled about trying to find the light switch whilst feeling minor panic.

*- Where’s the damn switch… Oh! There… * The room was suddenly illuminated. Kazuo could now see Harukas stuff laying around and it quickly calmed him down. Kazuo smiled for himself as he squatted down beside Harukas futon.

*- Guess I can’t let her go… * Kazuo stood up again with a sigh.

*- She better come home soon however… * As Kazuo thought this the door handle violently shook and the door itself swung open, at least that's what Kazuos judgement came down to as he is startled.

“- I'm hooome… “ Haruka sounded dreadful.

*- Oh shit, let's act like nothing happened. * Kazuo struggled to find himself comfortable as he heard Haruka leave the hallway.

“- Oh, umm, welcome… How’d it go? “ Kazuo, for some reason felt a little more at ease when he noticed that Haruka seemed more dead than nervous.

“- I managed to get a job at a ramen shop via my uncle but I first had to prove myself worthy… ugh... “ Haruka slumped down at the table.

“- Oh, sounds rough… “ Kazuo felt relieved that he could talk with Haruka normally and felt calm.

“- Yeah, it was, I had to show what quality of ramen I could make and my grumpy old uncle wasn't happy until I managed to cook the absolute most perfect ramen alive… My job isn't even in the kitchen! “ Haruka sighed and looked annoyed.

“- Sorry for getting home so late… At least I'll pay for myself now. “ Haruka fiddled with her hair.

“- Ah, it's alright, you did it for me, right? “ Kazuo felt a bit brave, maybe a bit too brave. Haruka quickly hid her face and started to fidget.

“- Oh, umm, yeah, guess I felt a bit bad ehhehe… “ Haruka let her hair cover her face.

*- Oh shit! She was nervous! Gotta say something to save the conversation… * Kazuo scrambled.

“- Oh, is that right… Umm, well, I was actually a little worried earlier, maybe we should exchange contact info already… “ Kazuo immediately realized he had just made it worse as Haruka jolted.

*- Damn, damn, damn, damn! I can't take this! * Kazuo started to sweat as all the nervousness came back.

“- Ahhh, actually… I have some more homework to do… there's food in the fridge! “ Kazuo hastily rose and went to his room. He later heard the ding from the microwave as he laid on his bed.

*- God damnit Kazuo! Did you have to screw up!? * Haruka ate her omurice with frustration.

*- How the hell am I going to tell him about Kayano now!? He must know…! * Scratches were made in the plate as she stabbed her food.

*- If it keeps being this awkward I might lose him to Kayano! No, wait… I might expose my secret! * Haruka leaned her face against the table.

*- Was he really worried though? I'd like to have his address...

*- Ugh, this is bad… *