Chapter 20

After time still flying like some leaf unstick on a branch, falling down. It was December-twenty four and it was time for the group travel in the Philippines.
But there's one problem.

"Mom, please??.. it'll only take four days!" you begged while already kneeling down on the cold tiled floors in the living area while fixing up your best puppy-face infront of the lady.

Your mother sighs dramatically while pouring down lemon juice in a glass. "I already told you for the last time (Y/n), no means n-"

"I'm begging you! I promise we'll be back really, really, really, really soon!!" you were starting to tear up.

With whatever you do, from the looks of it, your mother will never agree or basically allow you to join the travel with your group of friends. She had this blank, straight and stoned-up face scaring you out.

She shakes her head. "No." then she finishes her glass on time, placed it in the sink and left the room. Leaving you all washed up in tears.

Back to your room, you decided to call Gou but she woudn't answer for already twenty-three minutes! Even texting her, she woudn't reply.

She's probably busy organizing her luggage. The thought of it frowns you so much because your not going to be able to join the group travel. And the other's are probably busy too like her.

"Sjsjsjak... I need Haruka.."

You scrolled through your list of contacts on the screen and clicked Haruka's name. Then pressed the call button.

He was the first one who spoke, "What?.."

"Wow, can't I even get a 'hello!' or 'whats up?'." you facepalmed on your thoughts.

Your lazy tone of voice raised high, you were angry and sad. "Haruuuuu.."

"(Y/n)?? Whats wrong? Did something happen?!"

"Well, pretty much and I'm getting so bothered by it."

Then you explained everything to him, starting from you begging for half an hour on your mom yet she still doesn't let you go, to you calling him and cracking up in tears.

And would you look at that, he listened and listened like just the good listener he would be for his cracking-up-in-tears girlfriend.

"That's badluck you got there."

"Wow, gee thanks for the support!"

"Okay, sorry, sorry." he pauses for a second. "What if.." his words trailed off.

"What if??.."

"Well... what if we just cancel the plan?"

Your eyes widened. "Oh, for heaven God's sakes, no!" you screeched. "I don't wanna be the reason why the terrific plan is cancelled! That's such a kill joy." you mentally pouted.

You heard Haruka sigh. "But we woudn't enjoy it if you aren't there anyways. Especially me, you know? I would rather stay here in Japan with you while the others continuing their trip."

Hearing your heart beating to the core, your cold palms warmed and your eyes wasn't as swollen from a second ago. That's what you call magic when your body reacts that way.

"B-But.."

"I'll just tell everyone, alright squid? Don't worry, I'll be with you no matter what happens. Even if I have to jump a cliff." you felt him smiling warmly to you, then just like that- he ended the call.

Staring at the ceiling, your thoughts pondered. "Why do I feel like my heartbeat racing so quickly again? Its not even the first time when Haruka does this kinds of things to me in situations like this. I don't deserve such a precious angel."

**

For around some time, the group met up in their usual place- the café.

"This really sucks." Gou pouted, you felt so guilty and uncomfortable because all their parents allowed them to go but you? That's a different page.

Makoto gives you a glance of pity. Somehow, making you more uncomfortable as ever. "We should help squid."

Raising her fist up in the air, Nagisa smiles and chirped, "Yeah! We probably should! We can't just sit here and say words that woudn't even help anything."

Your lip corners twitched into a tiny curve, appearing it like a smile.

"This is gonna sound cliché-y but.." Rei intently smiles. "Friends should always be there for their friends, no matter what even happens. And even if you need to jump off a cliff."

Everyone smiled to each other, it felt so satisfying to you. On the other hand, the sentence Rei just said sounded so familiar to you. Like you already heard it before.

A bulb ticked on your head. "It was the similar thing on what Haruka told me when I called him for help!"

You glanced over Haruka, unexpectedly caught him staring at you, he turns his head to the other way with an obvious color of blush. You just grinned at him.

"Why can't we just convince squid's mom?" they were all pondering with ideas and sorts for the problem that is really isn't necessary, well at least thats what you think.

"But then it would be embarrassing and her mom would think of us as some misunderstanding teenagers who should have no rights to do such things." Just listening to their conversation felt like heart stroke, you needed.. comfort.

Your head hurted so much that its kinda more worse than a headache perhaps. You needed air. Badly.

Standing up, all your friend's eyes dazed to you. They were about to ask where you were going but you spoke first, "I need.. air, I'll just be out somewhere."

"Wait, did you bring your phone?"

You pulled out your phone from your short pockets and waved the phone to Gou back and forth to answer her question. You mentally grinned.

She gave a thumbs up and said, "Okay, squiddo! Ciao!"

"Squiddo? What the fu-"

As soon as you pushed a glass door of the main exit and entrance of the café. A hand held your wrist firmly- it was Haruka.

"H-Haru?! You startled me." a hand placed over your heart, making an expression as if you couldn't breathe.

He pats your head with a gentle smile. "Why are you coming with me, by the way?" you asked the water addict beside you while walking in a particular pace.

"Eh? You think I can just leave my girlfriend off alone somewhere without anyone with her? What if something wrong happens to you? Like an accident or-"

"Okay, mister water. I thank you for concern and I love you very much for that." you kissed his cheek caressedly. You knew he blushed.

He kissed you back, but this time, on the tip of your nose. "I'm so lucky to meet you, (Y/n)."

At this point, everytime he would say your actually real name, you'll basically feel all the things when you have a crush on a particular someone. Butterflies, palms warmth, heartbeat racing- all that jazz.

Well since they always call you 'squid', credits to Makdonalds by the way. It felt like your real name is squid.

"What have you done to me Haruk-"

"Hiya Haru-kun!" a loud, cheerful, unfamiliar voice squeaked as we kept on walking. Haruka stopped and since his hand was holding yours now, you also stopped walking.

Shifting your head at your back along with Haruka, you saw a redhead with solid-ass curls, green emerald-like eyes, red-baby colored lips and a sense of fashion that could be placed in the most famous international runway if possible.

You saw Haruka's lips twitching into a tiny smile that also quickly faded afterwards. "Kiya?" he mutters in a questioning way.

The redhead saw you then bowed politely with a smile, "Hello there! I'm Kiya Korosou!"

Smiling back, you also politely bowed to her. "(Y/n) (L/n)." you simply said as you thought her last name was familiar, you swear you already heard that last name.

"Is Iia with you?" Haruka asks Kiya while looking like he is searching for something he doesn't really wanna search. If that makes any sense.

Kiya shakes her head. "Nope, don't worry. She's at some party whatevah, you know my sister."

"Twin-sister." Haruka corrected.

"But we're still completely different."

"I know, I know. You always say that."

"Because I'm stating a fact!"

Your thoughts was belwildered. Many floating questions with countless question marks here and there. Then something ticked your head.

"Piranha?!"