Merciless Loop

CHAPTER 07 - Connection

Her long silky hair is elegantly laid on its shoulders, fingers gracefully sliding through the piano keys, and cheeks drenched with tears; she’s nearing the last note. Oblivious of the fact that a short girl was watching her with teary eyes from the back, her last press on the key allows her to wipe away the tears flowing on her cheeks. She sighed and looked up on the ceiling, offering a prayer to God through her eyes, asking for guidance. She's decided.

“I knew you were sad…” Yuko whispered and from the back she wrapped her arms around Haruna. “You can always cry on me Nyannyan…”

That moment feels like a dream for the tall girl as the tears in her eyes exploded like a water balloon poked by a needle. She covers her eyes with her now shivering hands as Yuko’s embrace tightened, leaning her head on the sobbing girl’s shoulder.

“When you’re sad, just come up to me and let it all out.” Her hands released the older girl and walked in front to face her. She grazed Haruna’s bangs to the side and cupped its drenched cheeks. “…details, it won’t matter to me. Just… let me be your crying shoulder.” The short girl sat on Haruna’s lap and enveloped her in her embrace. “I want you to be happy.”

--

It was a quiet afternoon. She was watching the clouds racing up in the sky as her classmates bid goodbye with one another, her fingers playfully tapping the wooden desk. Whatever thoughts are inside her head, we never know.

“Nyannyaaaannn~!!!” Yuko broke the silence. “Excuse me… excuse me… sorry…” she said in an apologetic singsong tone as she enters the door going against the flow of the crowd leaving the place, making her way to Haruna who is now looking at her. “Nyannyan~” She smiled.

“Oh~” the tall girl replied widening her big brown eyes.

“Ehhh~~ just an ‘oh’?” the arriving girl pulled a chair and put it besides Haruna. “Let’s go watch a movie tomorrow.” Her set of squirrel teeth displayed excitedly.

“Movie?” the invited one rolled her eyes. “At the movie house?”

“Of course! You want it on your house?”

“I don’t invite strangers to my house.”

“Hey~ I’m no stranger!” Yuko pouted and folded her arms on her chest.

“Not you… Your… boyfriend.”

“Eh~~ that’s so rare of you.” The short girl started teasing.

“Rare?”

“You looked jealous~”

“No I’m not! What’s there to be jealous about?”

“Hnnn? You are jealous!” Yuko laughed. “I didn’t know there was that side of you…”

“Stop talking non-sense. I just don’t know him yet.”

“Ehhh??? I knew it~” she continued grinning.

“Knew what?”

“I knew you were a good person! You’re concerned about me! Right? Right?”

The tall girl sighed, admitting defeat against Yuko’s playful stubbornness. “Of course… Aren’t we friends?”

“Not anymore!” she blasted. “We’re best friends!!”

Haruna gave off another sigh as she felt Yuko’s cheeks rub against hers, hugging her playfully. Her eyes tell she’s contented of whatever they have right now. And much to Yuko’s surprise, the tall girl’s arms did nothing but stay on where it is.