In the morning...
"Shin, come closer. I'll fan you." Haruto said, waving a large fan. Shin makes a small noise of assent, crawling closer to Haruto's side and letting the man fan him. They were currently outside, sitting on the boarded floor of the engawa. The two are also dressed in dark blue Yukatas. After the events of yesterday, the two decided to stay at home and rest. Shin's grandmother was very accommodating and let Haruto stay without a second thought.
Haruto is humming a little tune and Shin got curious. "You're in a very good mood. What are you thinking about?"
Haruto nods. "I was just thinking about the past."
"What about it?"
"You never let me get this close before." Haruto explains, "I was just wondering what you think about me, Shin. That's all."
"..."
"I thought you were annoying at first." Shin admits and earns a pout from Haruto. "But...you didn't judge me. I don't really care what others think about me, but I have to admit...It's nice having someone who didn't care too much about the rumors too."
Shin remains silent right after, then looks at Haruto's arm.
"..." Shin moves closer and presses his side against Haruto. Haruto stopped fanning, turning slightly red.
"To be honest, I'm surprised that I can be this close with a person." Shin admits, "I really hate getting touched and touching others, but I don't really mind if it's you. Don't cry." Shin said quickly.
Haruto rapidly blinks.
Shin continues. "I...don't know how to explain it...When you grabbed my wrist for the time, I wanted to hit you, but...surprisingly, I couldn't do it. I...couldn't hate it. Every time you touched me, I pushed your hand away because I was scared that your gentleness was...fake."
"Shin..."
Shin shakes his head and covers his face with one hand, not really hiding much. Shin wasn't used to being this open with someone. He preferred to keep to himself and he was not the best with words.
"Why don't you like being touched?" Haruto couldn't help but be curious. Shin didn't like getting touched to the point that he'd actually attack the person if he was touched. He wondered what changed within Shin, even Yuuji couldn't get close to him anymore. Kei could get close to Shin, but there was still a certain distance between the two, and Shin always looked stiff or awkward. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's also fine."
"..." Shin lowers his gaze, staring at the little pond of Koi fish in front of them.
Shin's vision suddenly blurred slightly, his head aching.
Deep purple marks, crimson dripping and sliding-
"Shin? Are you okay?"
Shin blinks, regaining his senses and looks at Haruto's worried face.
"...Will you wait for me?"
"I will." Haruto immediately replies.
"Thank you...It's not something I want to talk about or remember yet."
"That's fine." Haruto replies with a reassuring smile. "You don't have to remember it if you don't want to."
"You deserve to know." Shin says firmly. Shin pulls away from Haruto to look at him properly, face to face. Haruto blinks in confusion, but waits patiently. He doesn't mind staring at Shin's face, he doesn't mind at all. Shin bit his lip and his cheeks paint bright red. "If...we're going to be together...and if...everything works out...You deserve to know."
"..." Haruto's hands curl to fist as he nods at Shin, heart pounding. "Yeah. I also want to share something with you too."
"Hm...I'll be there for you."
"..."
"..."
Shin wanted to scream. He finally said it! He looks away from Haruto, the heat getting to him. Shin knew that he had to get used to having these types of open conversations, where he'll be left vulnerable and wide open. But Shin didn't mind, it's with Haruto after all. However...he still couldn't help but get a little embarrassed.
"..."
"..."
Then pure silence.
It didn't last long though, Haruto clears his throat and with a wide smile, he suggested.
"Shin, let's go on a date!"
"So forward..."
"Hehe..." Haruto smirks, "I'm the type to openly express my likes, wants and needs, Shin. I believe you know that better than anyone."
"Yeah, I do." Shin replies. "But I'm kind of impressed and envious you don't get embarrassed saying stuff like that."
"Eh?" Haruto tilts his head. "I like you. I'm not embarrassed to express that for you."
"..."
"Shin! Are you okay!? You're really red!" Haruto frantically fans Shin, steam literally leaking from the top of Shin's head. Shin doesn't know how he can last long with this guy, he wonders what more Haruto can say to him once they finally make their relationship official.
"..."
"Shin! Should I call for help? Oh no, you're really heating up!"
Making it official...Shin thought.
"W-Wah!"
All of the sudden, Haruto picks Shin up.
"H-Haruto!"
"Oh? You're okay now." Haruto flashes a relieved smile.
"...P-Put me down!"
"As you wish~" Haruto carefully places Shin down. "So, what should we do for our date?"
"..." Shin hold's Haruto's sleeve. Haruto hums, knowing Shin agrees and wants something. In Haruto's opinion, it is honestly an adorable habit of Shin to hold his sleeve and tug it kindly.
"Want to..."
"You want to...?"
"...Want to go to the lake. I saw it in the pamphlet and it looked really nice and..."
"Hm?"
"I want to go fishing."
"...You know how to fish, Shin!?"
That was unexpected! Shin nods.
"That's awesome! Let's do that then." Haruto agrees easily. "But I don't know how to fish though, so you'll have to teach me!"
Shin smirks. "You're in very good hands then. I'm sure you already know, but I'm strict."
"No problem!" Be as strict as you want with me!!
"But before we go, please follow me."
"Eh? Where are we going?" Shin says nothing and takes Haruto's hand, intertwining their hands together to lead him back inside the house. Haruto could see Shin's nape turning red and Haruto couldn't help but also feel a bit shy now.
Shin was right. Hand holding is a different matter...
"Oh? You're inviting me inside your room?" Haruto smirks, moving closer to Shin.
"Want to be locked out?" Shin replied blankly.
"Locked in rather." Haruto counters.
"And I'll be at the other side of the door with the key."
"I'll break out."
"I'll kick you back in."
"I'll pull you in with me-"
"You're persistent."
"Only for you~"
Shin rolls his eyes with a smile and pulls Haruto inside his room. Haruto's face shone curiosity at the amount of things inside Shin's room, especially the boxes and plastic bags at the corner of the room. "What's all this Shin?"
"Go sit."
"Yes." Haruto sits on the floor and waits for Shin. Shin goes to the corner and rummages through a small basket and returns with a comb and a dark hair clip. Haruto's eyes widen slightly at the items at hand. "Shin, is that..."
"F-For you..." Shin replies, taking a seat behind Haruto. "Stay still."
"..."
Abort! Abort! Systems down! Overheating!
While Haruto remained shock, Shin began to comb Haruto's messy hair. He takes Haruto's bangs and moves it up to clip it. This way, Haruto doesn't have to brush his hair away every now and then. "Is it alright? Is it too tight?"
"It's perfect."
That was fast!
"S-Sure? You're not just saying it cause it's me, right?"
"No, it's really perfect. Doesn't hurt at all."
"That's good." Shin gets up and offers his hand for Haruto. "Let's go. I'm sure grandmother will be happy to have fish for lunch."
"Mhm!"
And so, the pair went to the lake to fish. Shin knew that this summer was going to be full of many memories. Actually, this will be his first summer full of exciting memories. Shin thought that he could never experience anything like this. If he told his past self about where he is right now, his past self wouldn't believe him at all.
And it was all thanks to one persistent man.
Who never gave up.
Who always came to the rooftop everyday.
Who never stopped trying to wake him up.
Shin could genuinely smile for the coming days.
His heart full of warmth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello everyone!
How is the new chapter?
ALSO.
Everyone please stay hydrated
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It does bring a smile to my face that all you are loving and enjoying it! Thank you so much for enjoying it! Author loves you all!
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I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for waiting and taking the time to read the story! Thank you for everyone's supports, views, votes and comments! I really appreciate it and I'm so excited to release the new arc! The Summer Vacation Arc will be ending at the first half of the next chapter and the second half will be a new beginning of a very intense (I hope so) arc.
Thank you for reading and I'll see you guys at the new beginning of another chapter!♡