Haru Had Been Brutal

Ding dong

Aoi opened the door to find a beautiful blonde girl standing outside, her expression eager yet uncertain.

Aoi studied Mia with a confused look. "Can I help you?"

"Hi, my name's Mia. I'm Haru's classmate. I came to see him. Is he here?"

Aoi paused before responding politely, "Give me a moment, miss." He closed the door gently before walking over to Haru's room and unlocking it.

"Another one of your girlfriends is here," Aoi remarked, half teasing.

Haru pushed past him, too angry to even entertain his brother's words. What was Sakura doing here? Was she okay? His mind raced with worry.

As Haru opened the door, his heart skipped a beat.

"Sakura?" The name escaped his lips before his expression darkened.

Mia.

"What are you doing here?" Haru spat, not allowing her inside.

Mia froze, taken aback by the harshness in his voice. Kei must've told him everything.

"I came to talk to you about what Kei said."

Haru scoffed, disbelief and anger swirling in his chest. "That's why you're here? I would've expected you to have at least a shred of remorse for what you did to Sakura, but instead—"

"I know, I know what I did was wrong, but—"

"But what?" Haru cut her off, his voice rising. "You knew Sakura was uncomfortable at the mixer, and instead of making her go home, you left her alone, crying in the bathroom."

Mia paused, her brow furrowing in confusion. Kei must've told Haru about the photo, about Ryo, about Kenji… But why was he still bringing up the mixer?

Haru continued, his voice thick with disdain. "You know you're partly to blame for everything that happened to Sakura. If it weren't for you, she never would've gone to that damn mixer. She never would've met that bastard Kenji. And after everything she did for you, not once did you apologise. Instead, you had the audacity to go to her for dating advice."

Haru's words stung, and Mia's chest tightened—yet she felt a strange sense of relief. Kei hadn't told Haru everything. He'd kept quiet about her role in the photo and Kenji's assault.

"I was just trying to toughen her up a bit," Mia said weakly, trying to justify herself. "You know, tough love…"

"Tough love?" Haru barked, his voice filled with scorn. "There's not an ounce of love in you. You're a despicable excuse for a friend."

His words cut through Mia like a blade. You're the one I love, she thought, wanting to scream.

Haru's thoughts flashed back to his conversation with Kei:

"Do you think Mia knew Sakura loved me and planned everything at the mixer because she didn't like the fact that Sakura and I were getting close?"

"I mean, think about it. Both their drinks were spiked, but Kenji and Ryo were only after Sakura."

"Why don't you ask Mia what really happened?"

Haru turned to Mia, his expression dark. "Mia. What really happened at the mixer?"

Mia swallowed hard, her throat dry, burning with nervousness. She forced a smile. "What do you mean?"

Haru's eyes narrowed. "Don't you think it's a little strange that a mixer you chose to go to had guys particularly interested in Sakura… and only her?"

Mia's hands trembled slightly, but she maintained her composure. "Sometimes that happens at mixers. It's not unusual."

"That's true," Haru said, his voice low and measured. "But what is unusual is that it happened to a girl who has a crush on your crush."

Mia's heart skipped a beat. Did Haru just imply…? She quickly masked her shock. What else has Kei told him? But no matter what, it didn't matter. Kei hadn't told Haru that she was behind everything.

"Yes, I have a crush on you," Mia admitted, though her words felt like they left a bitter taste in her mouth. "But I didn't plan for any of this to happen." She lied, her voice tinged with desperation.

I don't care if I have to lie. Haru belongs with me.

Haru's face twisted in disgust. "I will never be with a heartless woman like you. Now leave."

Mia quivered, her feet rooted to the floor. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she took a step forward, trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. "H-how am I heartless?"

Haru's laugh was cold, condescending. "Your best friend's drink was spiked—"

"My drink was spiked as well!" Mia shouted, desperation spilling from her.

"But you were the one who suggested going to the mixer in the first place. And Sakura… she was touched by another man, while you came out unscathed. You should've taken responsibility, apologised, and checked if she was okay. Instead, you ghosted her for three days. And when you finally talked to her, you just wanted to confess that you had a crush on me?"

Mia's face drained of colour, the weight of his words crushing her. She had no defense.

Haru stepped closer, his voice deadly. "Sakura was assaulted by Kenji yesterday, and you didn't even have the decency to show up when the police arrived. You didn't go to her house. And when that disgusting photo of her and Kenji went viral at college, you did nothing. You didn't even stand up for her, didn't tell anyone she was drugged. You took her to that damn mixer in the first place. Sometimes, it's hard to believe you weren't involved."

Mia screamed in frustration, her voice shaking. "What's so special about Sakura, anyway?! This isn't fair! You're supposed to be with me!" Her chest heaved as she backed away, her words bitter and full of rage. "You'll see, Haru. You'll regret this." With a final glance of fury, she spun on her heels and ran to her car.

Haru had been brutal, and Mia could barely breathe through the sting of it all.