It was already past 4 in the morning, and Haru kept tossing and turning on his bed. His mind was filled with thoughts not only of Sakura, but also of what his father said earlier. What's more was that the downpour has not yet stopped, which irked him as he had trouble sleeping, especially when it was raining hard. He turned to face the wall this time, closing his eyes tight and clutching tightly on the blanket, and pushed himself to fall asleep this time.
Haru's phone alarmed at 10:30 in the morning. He wanted to sleep more, but he had to go to the café and check up on Sakura afterward. Some minutes later, he lazily got up, brushed his teeth, and bathed, then wore a khaki v-neck knit vest on top of a white closette mock-neck long-sleeve top, khaki slacks, and an all-white low top Converse shoes. He checked what his father had cooked, who already left for work early that morning - bacon and eggs. He snatched a piece of the bacon slice and ate it as he made his way outside their house.
--
A female barista played 'She's Dreaming' by EXO from their K-pop Saturdays playlist before arranging the newly cleaned mugs on the shelf. It was still dark and cloudy outside, and it seemed like it would rain again any time soon. A mug almost slipped from her hand when she heard some of the female customers squealing as soon as the door of the café opened. She glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes widened upon seeing her fellow barista.
"Haru!" she beamed at him and quickly placed the mug on the shelf. "What are you doing here? Isn't it your day-off?"
"Yo, Ayaka," he covered his mouth with the back of his hand before yawning. "Yeah, it is my day-off, but I have to buy brunch." He peeped out before speaking, "Why does it look like it's going to rain again?"
"I know right. It's the start of the spring season, but it is more like... the rainy season. But seriously, what would we do without you? The café would probably go bankrupt if you weren't here," she playfully bantered "Look at these girls who are getting a glimpse of you."
Fujiwara Ayaka's a year younger than Haru and has been working at Café Ai the same time as him. Everything about her's so cute and small. She's petite, has a small round face, round eyes like a doll, a small pretty nose, and cute pouty lips. Her black hair's cut into a pixie.
"Silly," Haru yawned again and checked the display cabinet on the counter. "I'll get two chicken pesto panini and two caffe mocha."
"Are you going to buy brunch for the woman you met last night?" she grinned.
He squinted his eyes, taking his wallet from his back pocket, "How did you know?"
"It's in the GC!! Were you two so busy last night that you forgot to check your messages??" she chuckled as she prepared his orders with the help of the other barista.
"Oh," he put the exact payment on the counter. He was actually not in the mood to check his phone last night. "I fell asleep after I got home-"
"Excuses!" Ayaka rolled her eyes when she took his payment and gave him his change afterward.
"Anyways, Kiyoshi checked her on IG, and she's really beautiful!! I love her hair color as well, and I'm sure Nana would love her, too!" she spoke in an adorable tone while her eyes were sparkling. "Do you have her number? Should we send her a message first? She might be busy, you know."
"Are you close-"
"Are you two close?" she folded her arms. "You should at least give her a notice, Mr. Yagami Haru."
"I forgot to ask her number-"
"Excuse me," a soft voice was heard behind Haru; it was a lady who was waiting in line. "If I may-"
"Sorry about that, miss," Haru smiled at her, but even before he could leave the spot…
"Can we also take a picture together? If it's alright with you..." she asked, blushing.
"My pleasure," he smiled once more and stood next to the lady.
Ayaka watched them while she waited for them to finish. She glanced at her side as Haru took the brown paper bag with the paninis and the coffee cup holder with his caffe mocha. She whispered, "Hope she's not busy and is fine tho! Send my regards!"
Haru nodded and bid goodbye to her and to the other barista. He left the café and walked at a slow pace, but the weather was making him more sleepy. He reached Sakura's apartment building after some time and greeted the guard and the front desk receptionists.
"Good day, Sir! How can we help you?" the female receptionist greeted him sweetly.
"For Aiuchi Sakura? I would like to ask if she's in her room at the moment?" he answered.
"Your name please?"
"Yagami Haru."
"For a moment, sir," she smiled sweetly at him before picking up the phone. She pressed no. 10 and 5 and awaited for the other line to be picked up. "Hmm... she's not picking up. I have not seen her today though." She looked at the male receptionist, "Have you seen Ms. Sakura? The new tenant with pink hair?" but he just shrugged.
"Is something wrong?" Haru butted in.
"I've already dialed her number twice, but she hasn't picked up the phone yet," she answered fidgeting, with a hint of panic in her voice. She called the guard standing by the entrance and asked him about Sakura.
"I've been on duty since 7 in the morning, and I haven't seen her leave the premises yet," he answered concernedly. "She's easy to remember cos of her pink hair, but I haven't seen her..."
"Oh my god-"
"Please check your CCTVs," Haru told the woman, trying his best to be as calm as possible and hoping that Sakura was doing alright. "Do you have an emergency elevator and a spare key to her room?"
"Yes yes," the woman hastily searched for Sakura's room key. "Come with us please-"
"She arrived at midnight and hasn't left her room since!" the male receptionist exclaimed.
"Shit," Haru muttered, numerous thoughts were boggling his mind.
The lady stepped out of the front desk and faced the other receptionist, "Call for an ambulance or emergency if needed, wait for my call."
"Please come with us," the guard hurriedly led Haru to the emergency elevator located at the southwestern part of the building. "I really hope nothing bad happened to your girlfriend, sir," he said upon pressing the up button.
Haru, who was standing a bit behind the guard, was only staring at the number on the digital display, fists clenching on the paper bag and cup holder he was holding. He has not felt worried sick about someone this much, of course apart from his father, and wished he could teleport to Sakura in an instant.
"Sakura, please wait for me…"