Kurozawa stormed down the hallway so fast her footsteps sounded like tiny explosions. It almost felt like she was stomping on purpose, like each step was meant to intimidate me.
She reached the last door on the right and yanked it open.
"Can you hurry up already?"
….
You don't have to be…
So damn mean.
And impatient.
I nodded and picked up my pace before she turned away and walked inside, forcing me to sprint to the door before it slammed shut. I let out a deep sigh.
Is she in a bad mood?
I peeked into the room. She was already in her seat, tiny hands tapping the tablet. Two microphones sat on the glass table like props for a concert.
Smells like a wet dog.
Ignoring the smell, I made my way to the opposite side and sat down on the leather seats.
My heart thumped a little.Okay—more than a little. I'm alone with her in this room after all.
She's scrolling through the song list, completely focused.
Short black hair hiding half her face—
Yellow eyes glowing under the tablet's light—
Pale skin reflecting the screen—
Blood rushed to my cheeks.
She's…kinda…
Cute.
My breath caught as I watched her.
No.
Stop looking.
No matter how much I tried to force myself to move, my face stayed frozen. My eyes wouldn't shift… locked on her glossy pink lips.
A small, awkward silence filled the room—
Her eyes darted and met mine—
My heart slowed… painfully, like she could hear every beat thumping in my chest.
Her mouth opened a little, like she wanted to say something—but nothing came out. A confused look crossed her face before she quickly dropped her gaze, her cheeks turning bright red.
My eyes dropped to the floor, where my worn-down sneakers suddenly became the most interesting thing in the world
This is…
So awkward…
My hands tangled between my legs, squeezing tight—like my body was trying to hold itself together.
"Why… were.. you staring at me?"
Crap—
"S-SORRY! I didn't mean to!"
My hands clenched together tighter between my legs as I hunched forward.
Silence.
Shit.
Just keep your eyes closed,
Wait and let it pass—
Wait and—
"H-Haru!!"
Her yell pulled me back to reality. When I opened my eyes, she was standing there with a small frown, her hand gently extended, the mic waiting in it.
Huh..
Does she want me to… take the mic..?
Silence.
Then—
"Don't just sit there like a lost dog!" she shouted, stomping toward me. She let out a flustered sound, shoved the mic into my hands, then spun around and sat back down.
A cherry scent trailed behind her.
"Now then….time to pick a good song."
She scrolled—Her eyes lit up—And she slammed the screen harder than needed.
Music blasted through the speakers.
Her smile widened as she jumped up a little.
...
It's a…
anime opening?
Kurozawa… likes anime??
I stared at her.Her small frame almost glowing as she prepared to sing.Ready to dance.Ready to give a whole performance.
I've never seen someone so excited and happy to do something.
She spun toward me.
"Haru! Get up!"
…Get up.
Hell no.
I'm not embarrassing myself.
No way am I—
Her eyes snapped back—fiery and unforgiving.
I jumped up at once, clutching the mic like a hostage victim. She didn't even look at me—She turned back and started singing.
Two hours.
It's actually been two hours.
My ears… they're dying.
She's a horrible singer.
…
I'm sorry, Kurozawa. Truly.
All I did was mumble backup lines whenever the screen forced me to sing.
But she… she never looked away. She even danced.
I wish… I could be more like her.
She finished her last song and collapsed onto the booth seat, sweating.
I felt a soft smile form without meaning to.
"H-Hey… um… Kurozawa,"
"What, weirdo?"
"I just wanted to say…that your singing… was… amazing!"
I said it louder than I meant to. A lie, obviously… but somehow it felt good. Like I'd earned the right to see this side of her—carefree, lost in the moment.
She was having fun… with someone like me.
At least, that's what it feels like.
She gasped—her face warming with sudden color.
Her head dropped onto the table, like she was trying to hide her whole face.
"Y-Yeah… um…"
"You… yo… YOU—YOU DUMBASS!!"
She yelled, grabbed her bag, and stormed out.
…
What… did I do?
Her footsteps faded.
Then returned.
The door swung open.
Her face was a tomato.
"Don't just—!! Stand there!! We're leaving!!"
I shot up, grabbed my bag, and stepped out into the lobby.
It was dark—almost night.
She stood waiting for me,
"So… um… you're ready to part ways?"
Night had already settled in—
quiet, dim, a little lonely.
I should walk her home.
And honestly… I don't want to go back to my mother's nagging.
Like she has any right to say anything.
"Haru…?" she called gently.
I looked up.
Shit—I blanked out again.
"Oh—yeah, it's late. But… if it's okay, let me walk you home."
I offered her a small smile.
Anything can happen.
She looked down, her cheeks warming before she peeked back up at me.
"Sure…" she whispered.
She turned and began walking ahead of me.
I followed in silence, our shadows stretching long beneath the streetlights.
— the moment Haru walks Kurozawa home —
We stop in front of her rusted little gate. She turns toward me, her cheeks still a soft pink under the streetlamp.
"Th-Thanks for… you know… walking me, home" she mumbles, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
I nod once, trying not to stare at how her yellow eyes glow in the dark.
She pushes open the gate—SCREECH—just like last time.
She steps inside, turns back around—
BANG!
The upstairs window screeches open, and a voice slices through the darkness:
"RIKA!! DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID!? YOU TOLD ME YOU'D BE HOME HOURS AGO—HOURS! GET INSIDE BEFORE YOU MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE!!"
Her body jerks—
like the words physically hit her.
Her eyes don't shift to me right away.
It takes effort—like lifting something heavy.
And when they do, they're filled with panic.
Her face is red, her lips trembling.
"I… I gotta go,"
She bolts for the door, fingers slipping on the handle twice before she gets it open.
The door slams like a gunshot.
…
A cold shiver creeps up my spine.
That voice—
That was Kurozawa's… mother?