Haruki's heart pounded like festival drums. Yumi sat on the edge of the bed, her crimson eyes slowly wandering around the room—as if she were seeing the world for the first time. She wasn't exactly scared… just curious. The curiosity of a newborn child holding a strange new toy.
"I have to… hide you before my mom wakes up." Haruki whispered, his voice trembling. He glanced at the clock: 5:30 a.m. Not much time left.
He grabbed her hand—cold, but undeniably real—and pulled her toward the old wardrobe in the corner. He yanked the door open, shoving clothes aside.
"Get in here. Just for a few minutes. I'll tell my mom something… then we'll get you out."
Yumi (tilting her head curiously at the dark wardrobe):
"Is this… a safe place? It looks cramped. And it smells strange… like old paper and sweat."
Haruki (face flushing red):
"No time to argue! Just get in!"
She slipped inside quietly, hugging her knees as she sat on the floor. Before he closed the door, she looked up at him with wide eyes.
Yumi:
"Haruki-kun… you're scared. Why? I'm… not dangerous, am I?"
He didn't answer. He shut the door softly, then rushed to the kitchen where his mother was already preparing breakfast. The smell of rice and miso soup filled the small apartment.
"Good morning, Haruki. Late today?" she said without turning, flipping eggs in the pan.
He swallowed hard. "Mom… there's… something important."
She turned, eyebrows raised.
Haruki (trying to sound calm, but his voice cracked):
"In my room… there's a girl. Her name is Yumi. She's… my girlfriend. I've been hiding it from you because… I was afraid you'd get mad. I never found the right time to tell you. She came late last night… and… stayed over."
Silence stretched for long seconds. Then his mother smiled—a small, surprised, yet happy smile.
"Your girlfriend? Oh my… I didn't know you'd become a man already! Okay, bring her out. She can't hide like a thief."
Haruki ran back to the room and opened the wardrobe. Yumi stepped out, her black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Yumi (looking at him innocently):
"Is the danger over?"
Haruki (muttering):
"Yeah… just… act normal."
He led her to the kitchen. Yumi stood there, eyes widening at the small table and simple dishes.
Haruki's Mom (smiling warmly):
"Hello, Yumi-san. Sit down. Did you sleep well?"
Yumi (sitting slowly, staring at the plate like it was treasure):
"Yes… thank you. This… smells strange. Sweet and salty together."
She took her first spoonful of rice and miso. Her eyes suddenly sparkled.
Yumi (whispering in awe):
"This… tastes real. Warm… it fills me up inside."
Haruki sat across from her, watching intently. His heart raced. She ate slowly, as if every bite was a new discovery.
After breakfast, Haruki had to leave for school. Before going, he gently gripped her shoulders.
Haruki (whispering):
"Stay in the room only. Don't come out. I'll be back after school. Don't open the door for anyone."
Yumi (eyes shining):
"I'll wait. Because… I'm here now. This feeling… it's nice."
At School
The entire day, Haruki couldn't focus. In first period, he doodled random lines instead of notes. In second period, he stared out the window, imagining Yumi alone in his messy room. "What if she finds something… embarrassing?" he thought, cheeks burning.
He remembered the perverted manga hidden under the bed, the magazines he'd secretly bought from an old shop. "Oh god… if she finds them…"
Back at the Apartment
Yumi sat quietly on the bed for a long time. She listened to the city's sounds through the window: cars, children's voices, bicycle bells. Every noise was new, fascinating.
Then curiosity won.
She stood up slowly, wandered the room. She touched the walls, opened the desk drawer—found pens and notebooks filled with Haruki's messy handwriting.
Then she spotted it under the bed: a stack of comic books. She pulled one out. The cover showed a girl in skimpy clothes, expression seductive.
Yumi (flipping pages slowly, eyes widening):
"These… strange shapes. Why do they draw them like this? And why… does my body feel… hot?"
She read a little. Her face gradually flushed. A strange feeling grew in her stomach—not pain, but an empty ache.
"This… is hunger?" she whispered.
She stood, cautiously left the room. She heard sounds in the kitchen. Haruki's mother was washing dishes.
Haruki's Mom (turning, smiling):
"Yumi-san? Hungry already? Come here, I made extra onigiri."
Yumi sat on the small chair. She took the rice ball wrapped in seaweed, bit into it carefully.
Yumi (eyes sparkling):
"This… is better than the dream. In the dream… food was illusion. Here… it stays inside me."
She ate slowly, watching Haruki's mother with childlike curiosity.
Yumi:
"You're… Haruki-kun's mom? Is he always… this shy?"
Haruki's Mom (laughing softly):
"Yes, since he was little. But he's kind-hearted. I'm glad he found someone who cares about him."
Yumi gave a small, mysterious smile. Inside, she thought: "This world… is full of warmth. And secrets. And things that make the body tremble."
(End of Chapter 2 – light cliffhanger: Yumi is starting to adapt, but her curiosity will lead to bigger trouble soon… and perhaps Haruki's dreams returning.)