Disclaimer: Yamada Ryosuke lives peacefully far away from this fic's author, and the him inside this fic is merely what the author made up for the sole purpose of making this fic enjoyable :p
Winter Chapter 1: Let Go
Chilly December marked the beginning of winter of that year, leaving the crisp air of autumn behind. I treaded my way towards school with my heart unhealed and formed a mist in front of my face as I breathed out a heavy sigh.
Time had flown by faster than I thought it would. I could hardly believe that it has been three weeks since Haruka told me those words on the phone. None of my actions seemed to reach her. I called her, yet she never answered. I texted her, she never replied. I visited her house, yet it was always either Nishi-san or Auntie who answered the door and told me that Haruka was either out or straightforwardly said that she didn’t want to meet me. And so, days passed by without me finding out what actually triggered Haruka to break us apart.
I breathed out another heavy sigh as I reached the classroom door. I plastered a mask of cheerfulness on my face before sliding the door open and greeting everyone inside. “Minna ohayou gozaimasu~” “Ohayou~” most answered. I walked towards my seat and slumped into it. I brought out my cellphone and stared blankly at the screen.
A pat on my shoulder turned my attention and I looked up to see Chinen. “A, ohayou” I snapped the phone close. “It’s not getting anywhere is it?” he asked concernedly. I gave him a slight nod and he sighed softly. “It just doesn’t make any sense!” he furiously said in a low voice, repeating the words he’s been saying for quite some time now. I stared gravely at my cellphone and said nothing.
The day passed by quickly and I got back home extremely exhausted as a result of the mental burden and physical tiredness from JUMP’s practice. I plopped onto my bed and fell asleep in an instant.
Saturday came and I took Cookie out for a walk. As I passed by Haruka’s house I fought the urge to ring the doorbell and ask whether Haruka was home and walked straight towards the usual park. A sudden flashback came to me when I heard a soft sob as I reached the place.
“Haruka?” I called out rather unsurely as I made my way towards the source of the voice I just heard. Now only silence was heard. I hastened and found a figure on the bench, sitting in a stiff position. I stopped my tracks about a meter from the bench and called out again “Haruka?” I wouldn’t mistake that hair and figure anywhere. She turned her head, slowly, as if afraid of what she would see.
After those long weeks I finally met face to face with the girl I know I still cherish dearly in my heart, yet the pain increased as I saw her. Her blue eyes wide with fear and anxiousness, her body looking as stiff as a board, and she seemed very tired and didn’t have enough sleep, reminding me of the time she cried and cried when Henry first came back.
“Haruka I-“ “Don’t come any closer” she jumped off the bench and took a step back from me. “Bu-“ “Everything is over between us” her voice quivered. “Ex-“ “There’s nothing to explain” her body shook and her eyes were watering. I felt my body lose its strength and my half-stretched hand went limp as I saw how miserable I had made her. It was as if a thousand shreds of ice pierced my heart.
I gripped Cookie’s leash tighter as I tried to bear the feeling in my heart. I gazed straight into Haruka’s eyes and gathered back all my strength “Haruka” I began. “If there was anything I did wrong I truly apologize and….” I swallowed a lump in my throat “It’s okay if you hate me, for whatever reason you may have and…I think this is probably the first and maybe the last time I’ll say this to you” I paused and took a breath, realizing how badly my voice shook “I love you and will always do” I looked deeper into her eyes, ignoring the throbbing pain I felt on my chest, hoping my feelings would reach her.
I saw a tear fall down her cheek before she silently ran past me. I didn’t try to stop her. I didn’t chase her. I let her go.
つづく
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Shorter than usual x( Thank you
shinju_10 ruilian_thatsme einzeru angelkimkawaii chartreuse76 nd everyone else who read chapter 20 :D