Chapter 4: "Making up for lost time?"

After my words, Samuru-san ended the entrance ceremony and disappeared the same way she came to the stage, as for us, we got off and headed with our respective classes.

–– Miyamoto-senpai. –– Before we parted ways, I called the firstborn of the Miyamoto Clan.

–– What do you want Akira-sama?

–– After school I need to meet with you, will the student council president have time?

–– If it's for you Akira-sama, I'll always have time.

–– All right… –– Being so polite to a minor really throws me off a bit. –– See you on the council then.

–– Okay. –– Miyamoto-senpai bowed to me. –– Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to my class.

–– Very well, have a good year.

–– Same to you Akira-sama.

With those words said, Miyamoto-senpai walked away from our group and we walked to the freshman section.

–– Akira-sama. –– Haru approached me. –– I'm going back to my class, if anything should happen, don't hesitate to inform me.

-- Hmm... –– Again with the formal treatment... – Of cou-.

Out of nowhere I felt the worst shiver I've ever had in my short life, all that feeling came with an extra weight on my right arm, I looked carefully and the reason for all this was what was waiting for me…

–– Don't worry about it Haru-san. –– Hatsu appeared. –– Since I'm in the same class as Akira-sama, I'll take care of it for you, Hehe.

I don't know why that laughter has always given me tremendous distrust and fear for my physical integrity.

–– Hatsu-sama, with all due respect to you.

In the blink of an eye, Haru appeared behind Hatsu and with a slight yet beautiful movement, left his fingertips on one of the vital points of Hatsu's neck.

–– If any strange rumors of you involving Akira-sama reach my ears, I will make use of the punishments that by statute have been conferred upon my clan over yours, understood?

–– Yes... –– Hatsu withdrew his grip on my arm and slowly walked away to where his brother was.

–– As expected my former sparring partner.

–– Akira-sama!

–– Hm? –– Haru suddenly raised his voice at me.

–– You should be more attentive to your surroundings, what would have happened if instead of Hatsu-sama it had been Samuru-san?!

–– Haru-san, calm down… –– Suddenly Ichiro entered the scene. –– It's okay that my sister is a bit unbearable but, be aware of the tone in which you're addressing Akira-sama.

–– I know who I'm talking to Ichiro-sama, you don't have to remember!

–– Haru, be quiet. –– I interrupted Haru before this got out of hand.

–– But!

–– Haru. –– One look was enough to send my escort into defensive mode. –– Ichiro, thank you for trying to fix this, but… I'll fix this.

–– As you say Akira-sama.

–– For the time being, Haru is going to class and… –– I looked out of the corner of my eye because my instincts reacted. –– Hatsu.

–– Yes! –– Hatsu suddenly stopped at the sound of my voice.

–– I want you two meters away from me for now.

–– Hey, why?!

–– I don't trust your hands… it's just a precaution.

–– Hm… Hatsu pouted trying to look adorable.

–– It won't do you any good, Hatsu. –– Ichiro grabbed his sister by the collar of her shirt.

–– Hm... Ichiro-nii you should be on my side right now.

–– Not on this, sis, not on this.

–– All right guys, see you after school at the student council office.

–– Yes!

The first person to leave was Haru, who said goodbye with a bow while he continued to look at Hatsu badly, after that Ichiro dragged his sister and they also left my field of vision.

–– Well then… It's time to go…

I stared at the horizon for a while and then sighed as I raised my eyes to the sky.

–– Huh?

As I looked down to leave for class, I saw a silhouette on top of the main building of the institute.

–– I swear... –– I raised my arm with a clenched fist in that direction. –– I swear under my family name that this generation will be the one to overthrow you.

After my declaration, I lowered my arm and set a steady course for my classroom.

–– Fufufu… I am anxious to see how this generation will develop.

Once I arrived at the classroom, I apologized to the teacher for being late, introduced myself to my classroom and went straight to my seat which to my misfortune was almost next to where Hatsu sat.

Before coming to this place we were given a very clear directive, to go as unnoticed as possible before Samuru-san in order to investigate any possible weakness to take advantage of.

The morning classes passed so naturally and passively that I began to get bored, but my salvation came with the bell announcing lunch time.

–– Akira-sama! –– Hatsu quickly stood up and approached me. –– Let's have lunch together!

–– Sorry, I have plans already.

–– Let me guess, Haru-sama?

–– I need to catch up with my escort, don't follow me.

–– But...

–– Don't follow me, okay?

–– As you say Akira-sama.

With those words said, I left the room and headed to Haru's room, when I arrived I took a quick look around the room and found the one I was looking for.

–– Hoshinomori-kun, right?

–– Huh?

I looked to the side and found a girl of average height, short hair and dark brown eyes.

–– Are you looking for someone?

–– Yes, could you call Furukawa Haru please?

–– Furukawa-kun? Okay.

The girl went to Haru's stall which was surrounded by almost all of her class who were unsuccessfully trying to socialize.

When the girl spoke to him, Haru quickly stood up and turned around.

–– Akira-sama?!

–– Hey. –– I raised my hand and greeted Haru nonchalantly.

After the greeting, Haru came over to where I was standing and started talking.

–– What are you doing in my classroom? –– You?

–– Grab your lunch box, we're going to have lunch outside.

–– Uh, lunch?

–– Yeah.

–– Me and... Akira-sama?

–– Yeah, any problems?

–– No, none… –– Haru was a little surprised by my answer. –– I'll be right back.

Haru turned around and went to his seat so he could take out his lunch box.

–– Tch, why are you talking so formal to me? You idiot.

–– I'm back. –– Haru approached slowly with his lunch box in his right hand.

–– Okay, let's go outside, I found a perfect place to have lunch and rest.

–– Yes!

We left Haru's classroom and went down to the high school courtyard in search of the place I found on my way back from the gym in the morning.

The whole ride was in silence, I could only hear our rough steps going down the stairs and the voices of the other students passing near us, maybe it's because of the amount of time we were apart, but I'm finding it harder and harder to deal with Haru.

–– We arrived.

I broke the prevailing silence that surrounded us when we arrived at the place where we will have lunch, a tree surrounded by benches forming a square around it, as far as we could see, this place is perfect to be quiet, I do not know if it is Samuru-san's work, but this place is quite hidden.

I looked for the place with more shade and when I found it, we sat down, and we stared at the horizon.

–– It's been a while since we last ate together, hasn't it?

–– He's right... And again, silence...

This time it was a somewhat awkward silence between the two of us. I knew it... something changed since the last time we saw each other, it's only logical... it's been five years.

After neither of us opened our mouths to try to start a conversation, I raised my gaze to the sky for a moment and then lowered it to contemplate the scenery that the environment gave us as a gift. This scenery was warm, the sound of the wind circulating at that hour was pleasant and the leaves dancing to the rhythm of that sound, gave a more charming plus to what I was witnessing.

I glanced sideways at the person next to me, who seemed to be just as focused as I was on what was around her,

–– Uff… –– I let out a slight sigh. –– Shall we eat?

–– Eh, yes?! –– With a surprised tone, Haru answered me.

We opened our lunch boxes, my lunch was something very traditional, rice, egg omelets, cherry tomatoes and octopus-shaped sausages.

–– Agh… –– A faint sound made me turn my gaze towards Haru.

As I looked in that direction, I saw Haru's face slowly and progressively lose its color, until it became a pale color worthy of a ghost. I turned my gaze to his lunch box and found the answer I was looking for.

–– So... sautéed vegetables, huh?

–– Yes… –– Haru's expression of disgust was already going to another level.

–– Puf… hehehe… hehehe. –– I couldn't stand it anymore, I let out the laughter I was trying to resist.

–– Hey, don't laugh at other people's misfortunes, you lucky bastard! –– Haru got up quickly and faced me.

–– Sorry, sorry, it's just that. –– I put my hands on the bench and looked at Haru. –– This brings back memories.

–– Huh?

–– Your mother hasn't changed...

–– Unfortunately for me... no.

Haru turned his attention back to his lunch, and when I realized that he was about to give his arm, and taste, to twist... I stretched my hand with the lunch box in it towards where Haru was.

From Haru's eyes there was a gleam so striking it was almost blinding, so, without a word, I raised one of my eyebrows and Haru responded.

–– Akira! –– He snatched my lunch and eagerly clapped his palms together. –– Thank you for the food!

–– You… you're not changed either.

–– Hm? –– Almost choking on his food, Haru turned to look at me. –– Did you say something?

–– Ah… I've told you since you were little not to talk with your mouth full… You know what? It doesn't matter.

I picked up the lunch box Haru had put aside and put my palms together.

–– While we're at it... Thanks for the food. –– I brought my chopsticks to the food and then to my mouth. –– Hehe… it really hasn't changed, this is delicious.

–– You're crazy, how could that be delicious?!

–– You'll be… you don't know what you're missing Haru, you're lucky to be able to eat this every day.

–– If you like it so much, why don't you come over for dinner tonight? Mom would be happy to see you.

–– Huh?

I don't know if its nostalgia, but I could swear I went back in time when Haru said those words.

–– Going to your house for dinner?

–– Wait, what did I say? Hey! Haru jumped off the roof rack and stood in front of me.

–– Haru?

–– My sincerest apologies for my behavior, Akira-sama! –– Haru I bowed accompanying that sudden shout. –– I'm just your escort, I shouldn't take on attributions that don't go with my current position.

–– Ah... The "-sama" again? –– I'm getting tired of it. –– Hey Haru... –– I set the lunch box aside and stood up from the bench.

–– Yes! –– Haru stood up straight and stared at me.

–– You ate my lunch, didn't you?

–– My sincerest apologies for my immaturity.

–– I'll let this slip up go if you promise to do one thing.

–– Whatever you say, Akira-sama.

–– Stop using the "-sama" when we're alone, and treat me like you did before the promotion ceremony.

–– I can't do that Akira-sama, I'm just your escort and subordinate.

–– Haru, didn't you say you would do anything?

–– But…

–– Look Haru… I'm not asking you this as the head of the Kyoto clans, right now I'm just Hoshinomori Akira, your childhood friend.

–– …

–– I'm not asking you to go back to being as close as before, I know it's almost impossible because of all the protocol you have to follow as firstborns, but in these moments when we're alone, just call me Akira, tutor me like in the old days, okay?

–– That… –– Haru took his left arm and started rubbing his elbow.

I know that twitch, he's hesitating, it seems my request…

–– Ah... Har-.

–– That'll be hard, but if it's only when we're alone! –– Haru stopped rubbing his elbow and looked at me firmly. –– I think I can handle your request… Akira.

–– Hehe, as difficult as ever, you're not going to change, huh?

–– Shut up. –– Haru slapped my arm weakly and smiled shyly while blushing. –– Mr. Idiot, hehe.

We may not be the same as we used to be, and we may never get back the relationship we had when we were little, but... from now on I'll cherish every single one of these little moments of intimacy we have together.