It’s My Diary

Haru: Hey, baby.

Sakura: Hi, what's up?

Haru: I was wondering if you'd want to go on a date tomorrow?

Sakura: Ooh, sounds tempting, but I already asked Miyu and Reina out.

Haru: Who are they again?

Sakura: The girls I met at the Halloween party. They seem really cool.

Haru: Well, I'm glad you're starting to make friends.

Sakura: By the way, did you manage to talk to Aoi?

Haru: Sort of.

Sakura: What's that supposed to mean?

Haru: Don't worry. I'll tell you everything later. I don't want to ruin your night out tomorrow.

Sakura: Does it have something to do with Mia?

Haru hesitated. The last thing he wanted was to bring up that woman's name while talking to Sakura.

Haru: …How about I tell you when I pick you up tomorrow? Where are you girls going?

Sakura: The bowling alley. But seriously, you can tell me what happened now if you want. Remember, I don't want you carrying everything alone.

Haru: I'm not alone. I've got Kei by my side.

Sakura: Kei's a good friend. I trust him. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow at 7 PM. Love you!

Haru: Love you too.

…

The Next Day

Haru and Aoi spent the entire day cooped up in their rooms, neither Haru nor Aoi had left their rooms, avoiding each other's presence like the plague.

Lying on his bed, Haru let an anime play in the background, though he barely registered what was happening on screen. His mind was elsewhere, drowning in frustration and the weight of everything left unsaid.

He needed an outlet. Someone to talk to.

Just as he sat up, ready to head out, his phone vibrated. A message from his father.

Transaction Approved. The funds have been transferred to your account.

Haru exhaled sharply. He wasn't a stingy person—never had been, especially when it came to his brother. He had always known that Aoi used his money for himself and had never cared. But knowing that even a single yen of his could be spent on her? The mere thought was revolting.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a second before he typed:

Thanks, Dad.

After sending the message, he got changed. He needed to see Kei.

…

Haru didn't bother texting ahead. So when Kei opened the door and shot him an unimpressed glare, he wasn't surprised.

"Why do you always do that?" Kei groaned, running a hand through his messy hair. "You can't just show up unannounced. The place is a mess, and I'm busy babysitting Yuki and Yona."

"Must be tough looking after your brother and sister," Haru said, casually stepping inside. "Want me to help? I brought booze."

Kei let out a sigh, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, come in."

Two small figures suddenly darted toward the doorway.

"Haru!" Yuki beamed.

"Haru's here?" Yona echoed, peeking around her brother.

The twins, twelve years younger than Kei, were actually his half-siblings. Kei's father had passed away when he was seven, and his mother had a one-night stand when he was eleven, resulting in their birth.

Growing up, Kei had resented his mother for it. He had been just a kid himself, yet he was forced to step up, working relentlessly to help support them. Only in recent years had things stabilised, with his mother finally helping out.

"Hello, Yuki, Yona," Haru greeted warmly.

"How are you?"

"We're watching a movie with Kei!" Yona said excitedly.

"Do you want to watch too?" Yuki offered, eyes shining with hope.

Haru chuckled. "I'd love to, but I need to borrow your big brother for a bit. I did bring you some sweets, though. Go share them in your room, okay?"

The twins' faces lit up. "Thank you, Haru!" they chorused before running off.

Haru turned back to Kei with a smirk. "Bribery works every time."

Kei sighed and motioned toward the sofa. "Come on, sit."

They both sank into the sofa, Haru stretching out and cracking open a beer while Kei crossed his arms.

"Alright, lay it on me. What happened with Aoi?"

Haru took a slow sip before answering. "Mia showed up this morning when I was about to talk to Aoi." His jaw tightened. "She was wearing a bathrobe."

Kei stiffened. "Wait… she was at your apartment?"

"Apparently, her parents kicked her out," Haru said, voice dripping with disdain. "She showed up saying she had no money and nowhere to go."

Kei swallowed. "So… is she staying with you guys?"

"Hell no." Haru scoffed. "Aoi offered, but I didn't let it happen. I reminded him that I also own the apartment. And just to make sure he doesn't get any ideas, I had Dad transfer all my money directly to my account."

Kei blinked. "Wow. Don't you think that's a bit… harsh?"

Haru's expression darkened. "Don't you think it's harsh that my own brother is dating the one person I despise the most?"

Kei didn't argue. He knew Haru had a point.

"What happened to Mia?" Kei asked instead.

"I gave her enough money to stay in a hotel for a week, but after that, she's on her own. She better figure something out."

Kei frowned. "Did she say why her parents kicked her out?"

Haru shook his head. "She wouldn't say."

"And… you haven't told Sakura about this?"

Haru exhaled. "She's out with her friends. I don't want her worrying about it."

Kei nodded in understanding.

"So, you came here to vent instead?"

Haru smirked slightly. "You're the only person I trust right now."

Kei hesitated. Then, he took a deep breath, his fingers curling into fists.

"Haru, I need to tell you something."

Haru arched a brow. "Yeah?"

Kei faltered, struggling to put his thoughts into words. Then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into his bedroom.

When he returned, he was holding a thick, leather-bound journal.

He extended it toward Haru, his hand trembling. "Read this. It's my diary."

Haru frowned, confused. "O…kay?"

Kei was certain that once Haru read his diary, he would dismiss the time travel aspect but would undoubtedly question whether Kei had truly known all along that Mia was responsible for everything that had happened to Sakura.

And when he realised the truth, Kei had no doubt that Haru would be furious. Their friendship was about to come to an end.

But—

The moment he flipped the first page—

A blinding light burst from the journal, swallowing the room in its brilliance.

Haru barely had time to react before his vision blurred, his limbs turning weightless.

Then, darkness.