38 HARU'S HEART
Haru pretended not to care about his strange nature, while Jean was used to weirdness before meeting him. Renji's memory might be bad when it came to socializing, but he never forgot about his encounter with the two of them.
It was then, the second year of Junior High. Haru becomes a transfer student. He is friendly. He immediately blended in well on the first day. When his classmates asked for his cell phone number, he didn't even hesitate to share his social media accounts.
Renji was clearly the most unconcerned at that time. He avoided Haru's crowd, walked out of the classroom with headphones around his neck, and dragged his reading book towards the cafeteria.
Eating alone in the corner while filling in the questions was his habit. Until Haru suddenly sat in front of him, smiled widely, then handed him a can of cold soft drink.
{"A gift for my future friend,"} Haru said at the time.
The former Haru was not much different from today. He was used to being neatly dressed, wearing his uniform properly, and reading glasses.
To Renji who had high judgment on visualization, the man was definitely not an attractive thing. Surprisingly, Haru's existence never really disappeared. The more ignored, the more wanted to approach.
Sometimes using school assignments, living in the same line, provoking him with various topics of conversation, even giving him a birthday present.
{"Another gift for my best friend,"} Haru said at the time. He even dared to put the knitted scarf around Renji's neck. Right on the first day of school holidays. {"This was made by my mother. She gave me two because she was too excited. She said if I had a friend I should give this to him."}
{"…"}
{"Happy birthday…"}
Renji was silent at that time. He looked around. So many of their classmates were staring in astonishment. They stopped wishing each other a happy holiday just because of that incident.
No matter how thick Haru's face is, the man still doesn't care about being ignored. He gestured with his head and smiled very broadly. {"Let's go home,"} he said. {"Our driveway will be covered in snow if we don't hurry."}
Renji never intended to go home with Haru. If Haru was nervous, he kept walking as usual. His eyes looked up at the sky. Imagining something while listening to classical music from headphones. Surprisingly, Haru was patiently waiting for them to walk side by side again.
Usually Renji didn't say anything, but that afternoon he confessed something.
{"I'm bisexual."}
Haru froze where he heard it. {"…"}
{"I can like anyone. Girl or boy,"} said Renji again. {"Getting close means being able to make love to me. If you can't, just leave."}
To be honest Haru wasn't Renji's first. But Renji was the man's first experience. Before getting close to Haru, Renji often received expressions of his heart from the girls at school. They obviously wouldn't miss Renji's charm when they first met.
Who is not attracted to that handsome face? That tall stature? Moreover, Nana's blood from the Netherlands also runs in his veins. Making Renji's exotic face more attractive than other Japanese boys. But after knowing the truth, they were too afraid to go any further.
At that time, they were just curious 12 year old girls. So Renji was a portion that was hard for them to accept. Until one day there was one masochist who served, but instead changed schools after that. Even the news of the girl was not heard again and disappeared.
It happened in the first year. The news spread, until it became the talk everywhere. Renji was only reprimanded by the BK teacher and suspended for two weeks. He said Renji's fault was being too honest about his sexual orientation. They considered it taboo, at least among children of Renji's age at the time.
Haru who moved in in the second year obviously didn't know. And strangely no one told. Maybe they have their own fears when it comes to Renji. Because Haru was around the guy more after calling him a 'prospective friend'.
{"What?"}
Haru's fingers trembled. His eyes darkened slowly. The world just disappeared. He couldn't think straight for a moment.
Renji seemed to know Haru's reaction would be like that. His face remained flat. {"Goodbye…"} he said. Then walk past.
Haru was stuck there for a very long time. Renji was even waiting for the next bus at the bus stop and he was still silent. His brain might be in a mess for a moment. It's hard to use to think. Until the moment Renji stepped into the vehicle—Haru suddenly reflexively chased after him!
Haru seems to have lost his mind. He got into the bus just as the wheels were almost running. He bumped into Renji and fell to his knees in front of him. The people around were excited to ask if he wasn't hurt.
At that time, Renji did not bounce. Haru stood alone and stared at his face as hard as a stone wall. Those golden eyes stared out the window. Ignore anything. It doesn't matter Haru or the faint gossip around.
{"Ren, I… can't,"} Haru said. {"You'll have to explain more later."}
Like a duckling, Haru followed Renji at that time. Not like usual. He could guess where they lived not far away because they always went down the same path, but he really didn't expect the luxurious penthouse to be their destination.
Renji let Haru step in and see everything. Renji's life is so extraordinary, yet full of emptiness. The penthouse was located on the highest floor of one of the Miyami Kurikawa Hotels. It rises 150 meters above the ground. It was vast, suffused with the splendor of gold-colored furniture, and contained the bookshelves of Renji's collection.
Collections of books and published works. At that time there were 13 novels. Of course, with a pseudonym because he was still young. Renji only debuted under his real name after graduating from Senior High.
Dramatically, Haru dropped his bag without realizing it.
{"I live alone,"} Renji said. {"You don't have to guess for what reason."}
{"What?"} Haru asked confused.
Renji was sure Haru would understand right away if he wasn't too shaken up. He also explained even though he was lazy. {"My sex orientation. My father doesn't accept, but mother can understand. I moved here because of his consent."} He said slowly.
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NOTE:
** About Renji's parent: Renji has parents who are from Japan and Netherlands. Ryouta from Japan, with his still aristocratic way of thinking. He refuses his son to be gay. While Nana is from Holland, there is more flexibility and she accepts Renji as he is, but it became a big problem in the past.