Haruto rushed to the bus stop, his breaths coming in labored gasps, as he arrived, he saw a crowd of people still waiting for the bus. Relief washed over him, knowing he didn't miss the bus.
Haruto made his way through the crowd, breathing heavily but still smiling. As he reached the front, his happiness was visible with his constant smiling. He cast a fleeting gaze to his left and noticed a young girl around 16-years-old standing in school uniform, her expression was filled with worry and unease.
Haruto looked at her with a smile but furrowed brows, "Are you okay?" he asked.
Girl slowly glanced up at him, "Yes thank you," he replied hesitantly, still looking uncomfortable.
Haruto with uncertainty nodded, he then noticed that her shoelaces were untied.
"Your shoelace is undone," Haruto pointed out kindly.
The girl quickly glanced down, seeing her loose laces with her anxiety growing, casting a nervous glance over her shoulder.
Haruto's confusion grows, as he follows her gaze, he sees an older man watching the girl with an unsettling and creepy gaze.
Haruto, who seemed disgusted, shook his head in disappointment, he then put on a smile, glancing back at the girl, he said, "Don't worry I'll tie it for you" The girl looked at him with both relief and gratitude.
Haruto quickly knelt down and began tying her shoelaces, the girl seemed nervous, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"I guess we're taking the same bus," Haruto said in a hushed tone, the girl seemed surprised, listening to him intently.
"Don't worry, inside the bus I'll stay close to you, you don't have to worry I will drop you to your school safely," Haruto said in a low tone, tying her shoelaces and then standing up with a smile, he added "There, your shoes are all set now"
The girl was gazing at him, clearly surprised, Haruto then with a smile took his place beside her. waiting for the bus…
Inside the bus, it was crowded, with most passengers standing and only a few sitting. The girl stood nervously among the sea of crowd, while Haruto stood directly in front of her, shielding her from the jostling. Due to their height difference, her face was close to his chest, providing her with a sense of protection.
The girl slowly looked up and saw Haruto already looking straight ahead, not at her, Nervously she lowered her gaze again.
After a while of traveling, the bus came to a stop and a wave of people started coming out. Haruto and that girl followed, stepping off the bus.
The busy droved away, with Haruto and That girl standing facing each other.
"I can go from here, Thank you" the girl whispered softly, her gaze downcast.
Haruto smiles, "It's okay, Take care" he responded, turned around and started walking away.
"Wait!" the girl called out hesitantly, Haruto stopped in track, turning back to her with a look of confusion.
With hesitation, the girl asked, "What's your name?"
"Haruto," he answered without a pause.
"And which high school do you go to?" she questioned, her words laced with uncertainty.
Suddenly Haruto burst into laughter, leaving the girl staring at him, confused by his unexpected reaction.
"I'm not in any high school. I'm a 24-year-old adult," he remarked with a smile.
The girl's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze fixed on Haruto, who looked far too young.
Still in shock, she whispered, "Oh, I'm sorry," as she quickly looked down.
Haruto chuckled. "See you around," he said, turning to walk away.
The girl kept standing, still stunned, watching Haruto as he walked away…
Haruto entered the grocery store's staff room, slipping on his apron with a big smile on his face.
Suddenly, Makoto appeared. "Haruto!" he exclaimed. "Are you crazy? Look at the time! Where have you been?" he demanded.
Haruto, still smiling as he kept on adjusting his apron, was suddenly interrupted by a loud call.
"Haruto!"
Startled, Makoto quickly stepped aside. Haruto turned to see his boss standing there, clearly annoyed.
The boss approached him, visibly angry, he stood face to face with Haruto, and began, "Why are you lat-"
Haruto immediately bowed down, Surprising both the boss and Makoto.
The boss was momentarily speechless, his words remained in his throat, staring at Haruto with utter disbelief.
"I'm really sorry" Haruto said, his voice sincere, "I was busy with something personal, but it won't happen again, i promise"
Makoto and the boss, both were visibly shocked, because it was the first time Haruto actually apologized.
"Uuh okay!" the boss stammered, still in shock.
Haruto stood straight, smiling, "Thank you." He said "I should go and work now," he walked past the boss, who looked even more stunned and confused.
The day was progressing smoothly for Haruto, who for once seemed to be genuinely enjoying his work. Makoto observes him with curiosity, confused by Haruto's unusually cheerful demeanor…
As the day came to an end, Haruto stood in the staff room, removing his apron.
Makoto came and stood next to Haruto, taking out his own apron. Makoto then glanced at Haruto who was still smiling.
"You seemed quite happy today." Makoto remarked.
Haruto glanced at Makoto, smiled, and replied "Really? yeah, maybe I am."
"Any special reason?" Makoto asked, gazing at Haruto.
Haruto kept on smiling, "No not really, just trying to live my life" he replied, taking his apron off and placing it inside his locker. Makoto still seemed confused, gazing at Haruto.
Haruto put on his long coat and from the coat's pocket he pulled out his phone, glancing at its black screen. He turned it on, hoping for a message from Kanna, but there was no message from her.
Haruto slightly smiles, slides his phone back into his pocket.
"See you tomorrow," Haruto said to Makoto before started to walk away.
"Yeah see you," Makoto replied, watching Haruto leave with a thoughtful look…
Haruto opened his apartment's door, switched on the lights before heading straight to his bed. He fell face first onto the bed, clearly exhausted. After a few moments he pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen, there was still no message from Kanna.
"She must be busy." Haruto thought to himself, "Or maybe she has forgotten about me, should i text her?" he thought for a while, "I will text her after freshening up" he said, forcing himself to stand up and started walking towards the restroom.
After freshening up, Haruto came and sat on his bed holding a bowl of salad. As he stared at the bowl of salad, memories of his mom's hand-made meals flooded in his mind, with a warm smile he began eating.
Halfway through his dinner, his phone buzzed with a notification, he picked it up and saw it was a message from Kanna.
Haruto's face immediately brightens up with a smile. He quickly opened the message which read "Hey you there?" Upon reading, Haruto's smile grew wider.