Haruka flipped through the pages of her math notebook, her pen tapping lightly against the edge of the desk. She searched for a blank page to copy down the equations their teacher was meticulously writing on the board.
The faint hum of the ceiling fan filled the otherwise quiet classroom, and a gentle breeze wafted through the open windows, teasing the loose strands of her long black hair. Finding a blank page, she adjusted her posture and began to write, her handwriting neat and precise.
As she worked, her gaze wandered for a moment, catching on her seatmate, Kousuke, who was leaning back slightly in his chair. His eyes, dark and unreadable, were fixed on something outside the window. The sunlight streaming in cast soft highlights on his jet-black hair, emphasizing his sharp features.
Without meaning to, she found herself staring longer than she intended. A slight shift in his expression brought her back to the present. Kousuke turned his head, his eyes meeting hers, and raised an eyebrow in silent question. It wasn't accusatory or annoyed, just a subtle way of asking if there was something on her mind.
"It's nothing." Haruka replied as she turned her attention back to the board, feigning indifference as she resumed copying notes, her hand moving a little too deliberately.
Time passed, and soon, the bell signaled the start of lunch break. Haruka packed her things, stuffed them into her bag, and made her way out of the classroom towards the cafeteria.
"Mitsuse Haruka!" A familiar, cheerful voice called out from behind. Haruka turned to see her best friend, Ayane, hurrying toward her.
Ayane, shorter than Haruka, had ash-blonde hair and dark eyes. Her lips were pulled into a pout.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" Ayane asked, clearly annoyed.
"The line gets too long." Haruka replied shortly.
"Tch." Ayane clicked her tongue in frustration.
"And ever since you got a boyfriend, you've been conveniently forgetting about me." Haruka added with a hint of sarcasm.
Ayane rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. It was true-having a boyfriend for the first time had made her forgetful about her best friend.
Clearing her throat, Ayane swiftly changed the subject, and the two friends walked to the cafeteria together. Haruka, who disliked long lines, naturally walked faster than Ayane.
When they arrived, the cafeteria was already crowded with students queuing up. Haruka let out a frustrated sigh, while Ayane gave her a sheepish smile, knowing it was her fault they were late.
Suddenly, Haruka felt something being placed on her head. She turned around and saw Daisuke standing behind her. He was taller than her, with silver hair and dark eyes. One of the most popular boys in school, his good looks often attracted the attention of many female students, who were already glancing his way.
Daisuke smiled and handed Haruka a chocolate milk carton, the very thing he'd placed on her head, along with a chicken sandwich.
"You're always late to line up, so I got these for you." Daisuke said casually, extending his hand to collect payment.
Haruka exhaled in relief and paid him for the items. If not for him, she'd have had to wait ages to get her food.
"You're a lifesaver." She said simply, making Daisuke grin proudly.
"What about me?" Ayane raised a brow, looking at Daisuke expectantly.
"Not for you. Your boyfriend brought a lunchbox, didn't he? Said he wanted to share it with you." Daisuke shrugged, unfazed.
Ayane's annoyance quickly turned into joy as she scanned the room for her boyfriend. The moment she spotted him, she rushed over, leaving Haruka and Daisuke alone.
Haruka could only shake her head at her best friend's antics, while Daisuke chuckled. Together, they headed toward the table where Ayane's boyfriend and some other friends were seated.
On the way, Haruka suddenly tripped because of something and fell to the floor, drawing attention from the crowd. Daisuke, who hadn't been able to catch her in time, crouched beside her to check if she was hurt. His eyes then narrowed at Miyu, who stood nearby.
"Oops! Sorry, didn't mean to." Miyu said with mock innocence, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Miyu, with her ash-brown hair and light brown eyes, was undeniably beautiful, but her personality often left much to be desired. She smiled smugly as Haruka sat on the floor.
"What you did could've seriously hurt her!" Daisuke scolded Miyu, while Ayane rushed to help Haruka to her feet.
Miyu barely reacted, maintaining her indifferent expression. "But she's fine, right? It's not like I did it on purpose."
"Do you need to hurt me to receive attention? I didn't know how much an attention seeking you are." Haruka shot back sarcastically, dusting off her clothes.
Miyu's smug smile disappeared, replaced by a sharp glare. She clearly didn't appreciate Haruka's remark.
"What? I only said a little. Surely you're not offended already?" Haruka smirked before walking away, with Ayane and Daisuke following close behind.
At the table, Haruka slumped into the seat next to Kousuke, running a hand through her hair as she let out a tired sigh. She unwrapped the straw from her chocolate milk and jabbed it into the carton.
"You okay?" Kousuke asked, his voice calm. Haruka nodded silently, stealing a glance at Ayane's boyfriend, Sho.
With dark hair and striking green eyes, Sho met Haruka's gaze and offered her a small nod, which she returned. The two rarely spoke to each other.
The five of them ate together, chatting animatedly, though Haruka and Kousuke mostly listened.
.
.
.
After what felt like a long day, school finally ended. Haruka waved goodbye to her friends and headed home.
When she arrived, her older brothers, Haruto and Akio, were lounging on the sofa watching TV. She slipped off her shoes and placed them neatly on the rack.
"Where are the twins?" She asked, glancing around.
"Asuka and Asuki are in their room." Akio answered casually. Haruka nodded in acknowledgment.
"And Mom and Dad?"
"Overseas." Haruto replied, taking a sip from his mug of tea. Haruka nodded again and headed upstairs.
"Don't forget dinner." Haruto called out as the eldest sibling.
"Okay." Haruka replied lazily as she climbed the stairs to her room. Tossing her bag onto the chair by her study desk, she collapsed onto her bed with a small sigh.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep until Haruto came in and shook her awake.
Haruka opened her eyes, glaring at Haruto, who looked unimpressed. He pulled her up into a sitting position before she could rub her eyes, shaking his head disapprovingly.
"You always fall asleep. I told you to eat dinner, not nap." He scolded, pulling off her black jacket and socks.
"I just dozed off, not slept." Haruka muttered, annoyed, as she unfastened the ribbon on her collar.
"Check the time."
Haruka glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was 11 PM. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she leaned closer to confirm.
Haruto on the other hand just shook his head, placing her jacket on the chair and her socks beside her desk. He closed the curtains tightly before handing her a towel.
"Why didn't you wake me earlier?" Haruka complained, grabbing the towel and rushing to the bathroom.
"I've been calling you to come down for ages." Haruto replied nonchalantly before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
Grumbling under her breath, Haruka showered quickly. Minutes later, she emerged to find Haruto gone. She pulled on her pajamas and headed downstairs to the dining table, where her stomach growled incessantly.
At the table, Akio was eating ice cream from a tube while playing a game on his phone. Haruka joined him, eating her dinner quietly while they both scrolled through their phones.