Instead of directly answering his question, Sakura's mouth slightly dropped open. "Ahh! I forgot to bring something!"
"Is it something important?" He stood up from his seat and got himself a glass of water. He leaned his back against the counter and sipped from the glass while waiting for her answer.
"I forgot to bring the clothes you lent me! Ugh," she slapped her forehead in disbelief. "How could I forget them out of all things?"
Haru choked from the water he was drinking, even spilling some on his shirt. He turned around and wiped his lips with the back of his hand as his ears turned red and felt warm as the moments of him undressing her vividly rushed into his mind.
"I am really getting old- Oh my god! Are you okay?" she quickly stood up and rushed to him when he saw him coughing. She stared at his reddened face and gently rubbed his back.
He put down the glass on the counter top and only nodded at her. He covered his mouth with his arm before coughing, and his ears and face were still red.
"But why do you look feverish…?" she rested her palm on his forehead.
Haru felt the warmth of her palm against his skin. He wasn't feverish, but it felt like his surroundings felt hotter that moment. Avoiding the concerned look of the woman beside him, he cleared his throat and removed Sakura's hand before speaking, "Would you like some ice cream for dessert? I have vanilla and strawberry."
"Sure, but are you really okay now?" she asked Haru once more as she watched him walk towards the fridge. "Vanilla please."
"Yeah, I'm good," he took out the pint of vanilla ice cream from the freezer as well as the peaches and strawberries from the crisper drawer. He was lucky that his father replenished the fridge yesterday. "You can wait for me in the living area while I prepare these."
"I can help," she suggested.
Haru glanced over his shoulder and flashed a charming smile at her, "You're my visitor, so just sit back and relax."
It was the same irresistible smile she saw when he offered her a cup of coffee. As if Sakura was under a spell, she simply nodded and made her way to the living area, where some books about coffee and coffee art were arranged on the three-layered floating shelf. Her face lit up when she saw the mini maneki-neko figurine set displayed in front of the books.
On the other side of the shelf, picture frames with photos of Haru and his father were displayed. Based on these, she assumed that he's an only child. She wanted to inquire about his mother, but at the same time, she didn't want to ask something too personal, especially that they just met again.
Sakura sat on the khaki colored mid century couch and checked her notifications. "Ayaka is so cute, no? I think all of your friends are."
Haru followed her to the living area, "Cute? Why tho?"
"Ayaka's asking for a picture again," she glanced at him after reading Ayaka's message. "We took a picture together in the cafe because Nana and Kiyoshi wanted to see me."
"That's more like.... annoying."
Her brows furrowed, "What's annoying about it?"
"They always ask for a picture, or it didn't happen," he smirked, placing the ice cream bowl with three scoops of vanilla ice cream and peach and strawberry slices on top.
Sakura chuckled, and her eyes widened in delight upon seeing the fresh fruit dessert in front of her, "Woah~ aren't you too generous, Haru?" She giggled and snapped photos of it.
"It's not that much," he sat adjacent to her while running a hand on his nape. It was a simple gesture, but deep inside, he was happy to hear her compliment.
"We should take a picture together, and I'll send it later to Ayaka," she leaned closer to him and positioned her phone at an angle where the dessert could also be seen. Haru only looked straight into the camera as she captured their photo.
She checked her gallery and glanced at Haru after seeing him not smiling in their pic, "Do you want me to take another one?"
He scratched the temple of his head and murmured, "I'm not really good at that kind of stuff."
"Says someone who's not good at this, but totally looks photogenic," she rolled her eyes.
"Silly," he chuckled and handed her the dessert spoon. "Let's eat before this melts."
The two finally enjoyed the vanilla ice cream with fresh fruits that afternoon.
Another hour has passed, and Haru accompanied her to the train station. As they walked around the neighborhood with beautiful peonies planted along the way, most passersby stared at the two as if they were a couple who came straight out of a manga. The long-haired tall handsome man was always a sight to see, but the woman with short pink hair walking beside him caught their attention that afternoon.
Soon later, they arrived at the station. They directly went to the ticket machine to purchase her ticket, and since it was almost time to say goodbye, they walked in a slower manner while heading to the ticket gates.
Sakura gazed at him, "Haru, thank you for helping and taking care of me last month. I'm sorry if I'm a month late."
"You really don't have to say sorry. I understand-"
"Still, thank you-"
Haru was about to pat her head, but he withdrew his hand and ran it through his hair, "You're doing better now. That's what matters." He took out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her, "By the way, you have my number, but I don't have yours yet."
Sakura chuckled softly and typed her number. She typed her name with a cherry blossom emoji at the end. "So….friends?" she beamed, giving back his phone and then offering her hand for a handshake.
He took her hand and shook it gently. "Text me when you get home," he smiled.
"I will. It's nice… I'm glad to meet you," she smiled back at him and pulled her hand away.
He gazed at her smiling face, "I'm glad to meet you again, Sakura."
"I need to go now." Sakura beamed as she waved her hand, "See you around! Bye, Haru!"
Haru waved his hand as well and waited for her to disappear from his sight before going out of the train station; both had smiles on their faces as they parted ways. He returned home and washed the dishes while waiting for her message. It would take her at least 15 to 20 minutes to get back home, so he expected that she would arrive within that time frame, however…
30 minutes have passed, but no text messages were sent to Haru.
Author's Note:
1. Maneki-neko is a popular Japanese figurine or charm that brings good luck.