Heart's Apart
On a clear and sunny afternoon in 2018, the park glimmered in warmth, leaves danced in the breeze, while birds chirped from their branches.
A sixteen-year-old boy, average in height, quiffed black hair and gray eyes, stood facing a girl of the same age. Her long, beautiful black hair flowed to her knees, her brown eyes were gentle, but her gentle brow eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
They both stood a short distance apart from each other. Both appeared saddened, their eyes downcast as they were avoiding making eye contact.
The girl took a deep sigh, meeting the boy's gaze with a mixture of anxiety and determination. Boy, visibly nervous, glanced at her.
"H-Haruto," she began, her voice trembling. The boy named Haruto seemed even more nervous, his eyes wide in curiosity.
"Let's end this," she declared, her voice shaking. "I can't take this anymore." Her tears started flowing down, "I've had enough…. Please, let's end this here."
Haruto stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock, as he stared at her in complete silence.
With tears streaming down the girl's cheeks as she quickly turned her back on Haruto, hurriedly walking away. She wiped her cheeks repeatedly, struggling to stop the tears that kept flowing. Each step felt desperate, pulling her further from him.
Haruto, still standing in his place, remained stunned and speechless, watching her leave.
"She's leaving." Haruto thought. "She's really leaving me," his breath quickened, his heartbeat racing, and his forehead grew damp with sweat.
In a desperate hurry, the girl exited the park, vanishing from Haruto's view, who remained standing, visibly stunned.
Suddenly tears started gathering in his eyes which he fought hard to hold back. Clenching his trembling fist tightly, he lowered his gaze with a hint of sorrow and disappointment.
After two months…
As the sun rose, a boy lay asleep on his bed, surrounded by his belongings scattered all over the bed and floor.
Just then a female entered the room, "Haruto!" she called firmly, started picking up his stuff from the floor, frustration clear in her tone, "I've told you a thousand times to keep your room clean" she started putting everything in place, "Why can't you understand to put everything where it belongs"
After cleaning the room, she stood by the bed, watching sleeping Haruto, whose face was buried in a pillow.
"Haruto… Haruto, wake up!" She called, but there was no response from Haruto as he remained deep in his sleep, with a firm expression she took a pillow and smacked it onto Haruto's head, prompting him to lift his head slightly. As he glanced out the window, he noticed the morning sunlight already streaming in.
Haruto sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. "Mom, why can't you just let me sleep?" he grumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Haruto, you have school today," his mother replied firmly.
Haruto looked up to his mother, disinterest clear in his eyes, "I'm not going," he said calmly.
"Haruto, this is your final year of middle school," his mother said, her tone turning firm. "Exams are just a month away, and now you are going to school, and that's final. Now get up, get dressed, breakfast is ready, and I don't want to repeat myself, and I'm waiting for you at breakfast, now be quick!" With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Haruto alone in silence who seemed lost in thoughts…
Haruto's mother and his elder brother were seated at the breakfast table, quietly eating when they suddenly heard footsteps coming down the stairs. They looked up to see Haruto in his school uniform, with a backpack slung over his shoulder coming down the stairs, a sight that surprised them both.
Haruto joined them at the table and started eating. His mother and brother watched him intently, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Haruto looked up at his brother then to his mother, "What?" he asked, his expression serious.
"So after two long months you've finally decided to bless us with your presence at school," his elder brother, Rensuke, teased.
Haruto remained silent, his focus on the breakfast as he tried to block out the teasing.
Their mother smiled proudly and added, "Yes, because I insisted."
Rensuke turned to their Mother, "You insist every day mom," he teased playfully.
"Well, today I was more firm," their mother replied to which Rensuke shook his head, smiling in amusement.
After finishing his breakfast, Haruto stood up, slung his bag over his shoulder, and with minimal enthusiasm, muttered, "I'm off." With that he began walking towards the exit of his house. His mother wished him luck as he left…
Outside, Haruto walked towards the school with a clear lack of enthusiasm. His demeanor was serious, tinged with sadness…
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was lively with male and female students chatting and laughing among one and another. There was no teacher present, allowing the students to enjoy their time together, exchanging gossip and laughing freely.
As Haruto stepped inside the classroom he was immediately noticed by a student who exclaimed "Haruto?" there was a hint of shock in his tone.
All the students turned their attention to him, their curious gazes following his every step.
Quietly taking his seat, Haruto's expression remained serious, as the whispers and speculation of his classmates swirled around him.
A friendly clap on his back greeted him, "Hey, you're back!" A male student joyfully commented.
Haruto sighed deeply and with little enthusiasm, "Hey Baku." he muttered.
Baku quickly positioned himself in front of Haruto. "It's great to have you back," he said warmly. Haruto nodded in subdued acknowledgment, lacking enthusiasm.
"So, have you decided to be regular now?" Baku asked excitedly. Haruto nodded again, showing absolutely no interest.
Baku grinned widely and playfully pulled Haruto into a headlock. "Awesome! My best bud is finally back," he exclaimed, his smile infectious.
Haruto tried to push him away saying, "Hey, get off of me!" His voice was firm.
Suddenly, Baku caught sight of the classroom entrance, his eyes widening in realization. He released Haruto from the headlock with a slow, deliberate motion.
Haruto hurriedly adjusted his hair. "Do you have any idea how long it takes to style my hair?" he exclaimed. Glancing over, he noticed Baku looking worriedly toward the classroom door.
Following Baku's gaze, Haruto's eyes widened. Standing at the entrance of the classroom was the same girl from the park two months ago.
She stood at the classroom entrance, flanked by her friends, each clutching their backpacks. It appeared they had just arrived, their widened eyes remained fixed on Haruto.
Haruto and that girl stared at each other with wide eyes, their gaze locked as if unable to look away.
"Wow, Haruto and Kanna are face-to-face again," one student whispered, nudging another.
"What's their deal?" another student asked, confused.
"You don't know their history?" the first student asked, sounding surprised. The other shook his head, clearly unaware.
"Are you Serious?" the boy exclaimed, his voice bursting in surprise. "They were the school's most well-known couple... 'Haruto and Kanna' started dating in their second year... They used to be the couple everyone admired, but a few months ago," he continued, "we heard they broke up. Haruto stopped coming to school, while Kanna kept attending like usual. She even confirmed the breakup, but no one knows why it happened."
"And now," he paused, emphasizing the moment, "Haruto's back… and I'm having a very strong feeling that this is their first meeting since the breakup."
Haruto and Kanna continued gazing at each other, a heavy silence filling the classroom.