v2 Chapter 9: Isn't It Fine?
Leon was holding Haru, who was too confused to understand what had happened. He had seen through her sluggish movements from the start and had already moved to catch her.
"U-Uh..."
There was a slow, approaching presence. Haru, unable to do anything, clung tightly to the firm arms supporting her, her black hair brushing against them. Beautiful, Leon thought.
Then, Shou called out to her.
"Haru."
There was no response.
"Haru?"
Haru felt an inexplicable irritation at the sound of Shou’s voice.
"I’m not Haru."
She mumbled into Leon’s arms.
"Haru, what are you saying?"
Linus looked at her in surprise.
"I’m not Haru. I was never really Haru!"
The adults exchanged bewildered glances, unable to understand what she meant.
"Haru..."
Shou reached out, but Haru slapped her hand away and clung to Leon even tighter.
"Honestly..."
Haru shut her eyes tightly, and she heard a rustling sound.
"Hey, Shou, that..."
"Yeah."
Falco’s voice came, and Shou responded briefly. No one else said anything. Haru, curious, cracked her eyes open just a little.
"Let’s see... A small apple. Next, candy."
Shou was muttering to herself. The rustling sound must have been paper being spread on the ground.
"Swamp grapes. Maybe not those?"
Not those? But she had always wanted to eat swamp grapes. They were a specialty of the Lake Country, yet they never appeared in the dormitory meals. Without any allowance, she could never afford to buy them.
Shou was about to put the glossy, dark grapes back into her pouch.
"Ah!"
"Huh?"
Haru had spoken without thinking.
Shou, as if nothing had happened, simply nodded.
"Swamp grapes, noted. Next, some baked sweets from the Lake Country."
Baked sweets! She hadn’t had any in so long!
"And then... oh, this was really good. Butter cake."
Butter cake? Shou was setting it down onto a large piece of paper.
"Oh my, Shou, you still had some? I’d like some too."
"Yeah, it was delicious, wasn’t it? But hold on a moment. Next, some Deep Forest-style baked sweets."
"That brings back memories. I used to receive them often."
"They’re good, aren’t they, Linus?"
Shou said as she pulled out a small stove and pot from her pouch. It looked like she was going to make tea.
"Haru?"
She called out without looking directly at her.
"I’m not Haru."
"Then... Haruko?"
"No."
"Chiharu?"
"Close."
She had blurted it out before she realized it.
"Then, Miharu?"
Haru felt something catch in her throat. She wanted to answer, but no voice came out.
Shou was lighting the stove. How did she know? Miharu was a rare name.
"Miharu."
"Yeah."
This time, she managed to speak properly.
"Miharu, huh. That’s the same name as one of my friends."
"Really?"
So that’s how she knew.
"Then, Miharu, what’s my real name?"
"Shou’s?"
"Yeah."
Behind them, the black-haired hunter muttered, as if repeating the question to himself.
"Shouko."
"Aw, you got it on the first try. Well, it is a common name."
Shou pouted as if disappointed. Haru couldn’t help but chuckle.
Shou grinned back, then, like magic, pulled out small teacups from her pouch and began pouring tea.
"Here."
Haru instinctively let go of Leon to take the cup with both hands.
"Here, Leon."
"Oh, thanks."
Ah, she was still leaning on him. Flustered, Haru tried to move away, but Leon’s arm gently wrapped around her waist.
"It’s fine. Just stay like this."
Was it really okay?
Haru glanced around, but no one—Linus included—seemed to mind. Everyone was sitting comfortably in their own way, accepting tea from Shou.
"So, Miharu, what do you want to eat first?"
"What first? Umm, swamp grapes—wait, no, butter cake, baked sweets, umm..."
She was overwhelmed by the choices.
Meanwhile, Shou was casually dividing up the butter cake for Lyla, handing Deep Forest sweets to Linus, and stuffing a grape into Falco’s mouth, laughing.
Anything is fine.
She could eat whatever she wanted, as much as she wanted.
She could even save some for later.
If that was the case, then she would start with the one thing she had wanted to eat in the Lake Country.
"Swamp grapes."
She murmured.
"Here you go."
Shou handed them over, but before Haru could reach for them, Leon snatched them away.
"Ah."
She turned around, mouth slightly open, and he casually popped a grape into it.
Since it was already there, she had no choice but to chew.
The thick skin burst as she bit down, releasing a flood of juice, while the smooth, slightly tart flesh slid into her mouth. Even the fragrant skin was delicious.
"It’s good..."
"Yeah."
Shou nodded with a bright smile. Haru found herself staring at her, but before she knew it, another grape was at her lips.
Pop.
Chew, chew.
Another?
Chew, chew.
"Leon, she might want to eat something else too."
"Oh, right. I just got carried away—it was amusing."
Amusing?
Looking around, Haru realized that everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Not mocking her, not pitying her.
Just enjoying the moment.
"Miharu, I recommend the butter cake. It’s rare to get your hands on one."
"Then I’ll have that."
"Oh, Leon, I bet you want the butter cake for yourself."
Shou intercepted Leon’s attempt to snatch the cake. He raised an eyebrow.
"Miharu, don’t hold back."
"N-No, I’ll take it myself."
This time, Haru picked up the thick slice of butter cake with her own hands.
"It’s delicious."
"Right? It’s really good."
Lyla beamed with her.
Haru placed the rest of the cake on her lap and lowered her head slightly.
"Um… I’m sorry for running away and acting like a child."
"Huh? Isn’t it fine?"
Shou blinked in confusion.
"Isn’t it fine...?"
"Yeah, you’re a kid. It’s okay to be selfish and run around."
"A kid? Us?"
Haru looked at Shou, who smirked.
"Well, well. The past is the past. Right now, we’re 13-year-old kids. You arrived here at 10, already 10 years behind the others. You’ve got to enjoy your childhood to catch up."
"Behind?"
But I was an adult.
"You had no experience in these ten years. If you’re making up for it now, you should take your time—be selfish, be spoiled a little."
"Is that... okay?"
"Yeah."
"I don’t have to keep trying so hard?"
"Nope."
Haru took a big bite of her cake.
So it’s okay now.
