"Okay, time's up! That's enough, I don't wanna see any display of affection at the moment," Kyoko said with bitterness in her voice and tears welling up in her eyes.
"Ha?" Kiyoshi's jaw almost dropped. "You're the one who thought of the challenge-"
"But I didn't expect it to be Haru and Sakura!" she bawled, lifting her knees towards her chest and hugging them together.
"Did Sakura fall asleep?" Ayaka asked Haru and looked worriedly at the two, while Kiyoshi and Mei went over to Kyoko.
Haru glanced at Sakura's doll face and shook her shoulder gently, but she had no response, "Most probably."
"Bring her upstairs," Mei suggested as she sat next to the crying lady. "We'll look after Kyoko," she hugged her friend and patted her back to comfort her. "It's okay, don't cry….?"
Haru nodded in response and took a final glance at Kyoko before scooping Sakura in his arms. He carried her upstairs, while checking her face from time to time. After opening the door of his room, he closed it with his foot and headed to his bed where he carefully laid her down. However, the drunk woman only sat down, with her arms still wrapped around him, and her face buried on the crook of his neck.
"I thought you're asleep?" he sat on the edge of the bed, an arm wrapped around her back.
But she didn't answer.
"Oh, you're not asleep yet cause you can't believe you lost the bet?" he teased her, trying to take a look at her face.
She pulled herself away, "No, it's not just about that…."
"What is it about then?"
"Sorry…" she murmured and pursed her lips.
"For what?"
"Sorry…"
"Enough," Haru brows creased. She'd definitely drive him crazy if she continued apologizing without telling the reason why. "What are you apologizing for?"
"This is so embarrassing…" she was mumbling under her breath while drifting her gaze across his room. Her focus suddenly shifted when she got curious about what his room looked like. Unfortunately, her vision was already becoming blurry, so she just sighed in dismay.
"Come on. Tell me. What is it that you're sorry for?"
Sakura tried staring at him this time with her half-lidded eyes. "Well…this is about this morning…ugh….," she then ruffled her short pink hair as she continued, "There were tweets saying that you were in a relationship with Kyoko…. I….uhm… I judged you too quickly…"
Haru tilted his head to the side while listening to her almost inaudible explanation. As he watched her nibble her lower lip, he thought that if she didn't stop from apologizing, he might have already kissed her lovely heart-shaped lips of hers to hush her.
"I see. So… you thought I was a bad guy?" he inquired curiously.
"Because…. because I assumed you were in love with her, but you had the audacity to kiss me when you got drunk the other week!" she blurted out and laid herself down on the bed with her face against the pillow.
Haru wasn't sure if he heard her right. " I…. kissed you…?" he blinked slowly, trying to process what she just said. "I don't remember-"
Sakura peeked at him, "You don't?"
However, his mind was filled with so many thoughts that he could not give her an answer.
"Come closer… and I'll make you remember…" she spoke softly.
Confused, he propped an elbow on the bed, and when he leaned in closer to her, Sakura raised her head up a bit and reached for the collar of his shirt before planting a gentle kiss on his lips!
As if time suddenly stopped and only the beating of his heart could be heard, he froze in place, with ears that had gotten redder. Truth be told, she always made him flustered with her boldness, and receiving his first kiss from someone as lovely as her made his mind completely blank.
Haru gazed at her half-lidded eyes while his other hand inadvertently caressed her arm until Sakura's hand rested on his firm chest, and she nibbled his lower lip before pulling away. It was a quick kiss, but he liked how soft and warm her heart-shaped lips were. That fleeting moment was so nice and gentle that he wished it lasted longer.
Sakura stared into his deep black pupils and was enchanted at how his eyes seemed to be holding an entire cluster of stars. "You have…. The Jewel Box cluster in your eyes…" she whispered near his mouth.
"Hmm?" he responded quietly, unsure with what she meant with it.
She slightly shook her head. "Do you finally remember kissing me?" she mumbled.
"I still don't," he continued gazing at her scarlet colored cheeks with a dreamy look in his eyes.
Haru was obviously feigning. The moment he felt the warmness and softness of her lips a moment ago, images of his dreams with her flashed at the back of his eyes. He finally remembered waking up from his usual nightmare and falling asleep kissing her. All this time, he thought it was just a dream, but it turned out to be true.
She tilted her head and while still gazing at his alluring eyes, she reached for the bobby pins clipped on his hair and touched it, until her hand slid down his broad shoulder. She closed her eyes and when she was about to lean in for another kiss, she heard voices outside Haru's room. She paused, and without opening her eyes, she rested her head back on the pillow.
"Kyoko!" Mei's scream was heard inside the room. "Oh my god! Are you alright?"
"I told you I'll f*cking carry you! Why did you even get off of my shoulder?" Kiyoshi almost bellowed.
"I'm not a f*cking rice bag, Kiyoshi!" Kyoko cried out.
Haru rubbed his neck, his lips pressed together, before looking at the door. When the door opened, Kiyoshi came in with his arm wrapped around Kyoko's waist. The tall woman almost stumbled as he led her to the futon next to Haru's bed and was gently laid on the mattress.
Kyoko continued weeping as she hugged the blanket handed by the man who helped her, and Kiyoshi checked her if she hurt her feet or body, while Mei stood in the doorway and gestured to Haru if Sakura's already asleep. He glanced at the pink-haired woman and nodded after seeing her asleep on his bed.
"We'll be downstairs. Take a rest now," Haru told Kyoko. He was about to stand up, but apparently, Sakura was tugging the bottom hem of his shirt.
Kiyoshi smirked, "Seems like you would not be staying downstairs, but would be sleeping next to that lovely woman on your bed, Haru."