1981:ch-2

Take Me Back

To The Year

1981

Chapter Two:

"The Warmth of Familiarity"

As Haruto and Souta stepped inside the Gakkō, they were met with the usual morning atmosphere—students greeting one another, chatting about their plans, and preparing for another school day. Naturally, they returned the greetings with respect as they made their way through the hallway.

Souta clung onto Haruto's arm, as she always did. He had long since gotten used to it after years of friendship. It didn't bother him in the slightest. If anything, he secretly liked it.

As they walked through the corridor, Souta continued talking, her voice calm and soothing as always.

"Hm, tomorrow is the weekend. Are you going to help me at the bakery again?" she asked, looking up at Haruto with hopeful eyes.

Haruto gave a small nod. "As usual," he replied bluntly.

Hearing his response, Souta pouted slightly, puffing out her cheeks in mild dissatisfaction.

"What's with that tone, hmm?" she asked, poking the side of his cheek.

Haruto let out a small groan but didn't move away.

"You already know my answer, and yet you still ask," he murmured, continuing to walk.

His heart was pounding. Her expression just now… it was something he could never resist. The way her round cheeks puffed up, the way her lips curled into a slight pout—it was a sight he found undeniably adorable.

Clearing his throat, he forced himself to act normal and focus on the conversation instead of the way his heart was reacting to her.

Souta suddenly shook his arm slightly, bringing his attention back to her.

"Sometimes I wonder… how did you even end up being my friend?" she mused. "You're always so—"

Before she could finish, her foot caught onto something, and she stumbled forward.

Haruto reacted instantly.

"Careful—!" He reached out and grabbed her arm before she could hit the ground.

Souta let out a small squeak, her eyes wide with surprise.

Haruto smirked as he helped her regain her balance.

"You really like attention, don't you?" he teased. "Did you see how many students just turned to look at you?"

At his words, Souta's face immediately turned red. She huffed and lightly smacked his arm.

"It wasn't my fault! I just lost my balance!" she defended herself, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.

Haruto chuckled, finding amusement in her reaction. He liked teasing her, especially when it brought out this side of her—the flustered, embarrassed expression that only made her cuter in his eyes.

He let out a small sigh before gently holding onto her again and continuing toward their classroom.

As they walked, Haruto found himself sneaking glances at her, as he always did. He couldn't help it—she was simply too hard to ignore.

Finally, they arrived at the door of their classroom. The moment they stepped inside, Haruto released her arm, giving her some space.

"Don't get too distracted later," he remarked before heading to his seat.

His desk was situated right behind hers, both positioned next to the window. The morning sunlight streamed in, casting a soft golden glow over the room.

And, as expected, the light hit Souta's face perfectly, highlighting her delicate features.

Haruto felt his heartbeat quicken.

She looked ethereal, as she always did.

This was the sight he waited to see every single day.

---

History Class Begins

Once the lesson started, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The teacher, an older man with glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, began his lecture about Japan's rich history, filling the classroom with his steady voice.

Haruto sat back in his chair, idly tapping his pencil against his desk as he listened.

Souta, on the other hand, was completely engrossed in the lesson. She leaned slightly forward, her chin resting on her palm as she attentively took notes.

Haruto found himself watching her instead of paying attention to the teacher.

The way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The way her brows furrowed in concentration.

The way she would occasionally bite her lower lip when deep in thought.

He forced himself to look away before anyone noticed his staring.

Letting out a small sigh, he turned his gaze to the window instead, watching the clouds drift lazily in the sky. The sunlight was still warm, and the soft breeze that seeped through the slightly opened window made him feel drowsy.

It wasn't long before his focus started slipping.

His eyelids felt heavier, and the dull sound of the teacher's voice only made it worse.

Just as he was about to let sleep take over, he suddenly felt something lightly hit the top of his head.

Blinking in confusion, he looked down and saw a small piece of paper folded neatly on his desk.

He furrowed his brows before glancing at Souta.

She wasn't looking at him directly, but he could see the corner of her lips twitching into a small smirk.

Curious, Haruto unfolded the note.

"Stop daydreaming, lazy Shiranami."

His eyes twitched slightly.

Looking up, he saw Souta suppressing a giggle.

Haruto sighed, but he couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.

She was unbelievable.

Still, he supposed she had a point.

Straightening his posture, he finally turned his attention back to the lesson—though, not without sneaking one last glance at the girl sitting in front of him.

---

End of Class

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, the students immediately started moving around—stretching, chatting, and packing up their things.

Haruto exhaled and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.

"Finally over," he muttered.

Souta turned around in her seat, resting her chin on her folded arms as she peered at him.

"You survived, huh?" she teased.

Haruto rolled his eyes. "Barely."

She chuckled. "Good thing I was there to keep you in check."

He scoffed. "Oh, please. You were just waiting for an opportunity to mess with me."

Souta grinned, not denying it. "Maybe."

Haruto shook his head, but he couldn't help smiling.

The usual routine. The usual teasing.

The usual warmth of having her by his side.

As the other students prepared for the next lesson, Haruto leaned his chin against his hand, glancing out the window once more.

It was just another normal day.

Another day he wouldn't trade for anything.