Ch. 21 - Looking after each other.

Walking to through shopping malls is not something Haruna and I are usually comfortable with, firstly both Haruna and I are shy individuals, she rarely talks and always looks at me hoping I'd do something as she is unable to formulate responses or hold a proper conversation. Secondly, because of the first reason, I always ended up in an awkward situation and I just do whatever it takes to end it. I've become an socially awkward person just to impress and be dependable for Haruna. But it is worth it? Damn sure it is.

"Ryota, wanna go check that out?"

She points out at a Arts and craft store, I wonder what she wants to check out in there but I agree to check it out with her.

"Sure, lets go."

She holds my hand as we walk together in a steady pace, we're both feeling uneasy and edgy being outside, being in a place with many people as we're both used in only staying indoors and we rarely go anywhere apart from school and work. Neither of us can usually hold on staying with many people without being on edge or perturbed. But we figured out, that whenever we're out like this together, we stay close together to provide a some sort of warmth, comfort and something to lean on, doing this allows us to encouraged one another. And that's how we started dating for real and not just flirting through text messages. I look at her and she seems excited, her eyes are glowy and she looks passionate about something. I get a bit flattered whenever I see her like this.

We got inside and it was full of art materials, I glance around trying to figure out what she might need to buy in this place. Then before I can think of something, she holds my head and drags me to the sewing aisle, where garments, clothes, treads and sewing needles all in different designs and sizes.

Is she trying to sew something?

I look at her and she was just looking at them, she look back at me and we locked eyes together. She just stared deeply into my eyes with a bright smile, blushing cheeks. We continue to looked at each others eyes for a moment, untill we both blushed and look away. We we're kinda embarrassed but I tell she's giggling.

"Uh, Haruna. Why are we here?"

I asked her.

"Umm...what colors do you want for a scarf?"

She ask me in a soft murmuring voice.

A scarf? Is she going to knit me a scarf! Oh my...

What color would look good on me though?

I try to look at the colors of the fabrics and cloths available. I like reddish types of colors, but what shade of red would look good on me?

I browse through the different shadings of red yarn, while Haruna browse some needles behind me.

There are a wide selection of different types of red, I dont exactly know which ones would look good at me. I look at each one of them closely, I try and imagine myself wearing a scarf with every color and I can't of anything that would look good on me. I look back to check what's Haruna is doing, she was just standing there starring at me. I think I might have took so long trying to pick one and I still can't think of whats good on me!

I pick two yarns, one labels "Rosewood" and the other "Carmine". I look at them very closely and I cant tell if there's any difference between these two. All I see is red. Maybe rosewood would be better, I put down the camine red yarn and before I open my mouth to tell her that this is what I pick. I can feel her presence beside me, so close I can feel her breath in my shoulders. I peek behind my shoulder and she was starring at me. Her eyes are constantly looking back at me and the garments im holding. I can't help but feel awkward and inferior to her unparalleled gaze.

"What do you think about this one?"

I showed her the rosewood color and she just remain silent. She then reach her hand behind me to grab something, her face was so close to mine, I can feel her breathing. I couldn't think of what to do, she doesn't seem to be affected by how close are faces are.

"How about this one?"

She holds a yarn of a brightly shade red color. She leans backward showing me the yarn.

"Why is your face turning red?"

She asked me. I was blushing the whole time as it was the first time her face was that close to mine. I was flustered and at lost of words.

"I...I am..I dont know...why-"

Before I could finish or even say anything properly, Haruna sweeps my bangs and she rest her forehead into mine. I was completely being envelope by her charm, I couldn't think straight and she's so pretty.

"Your body temperature is normal, you dont have a fever."

"I-its not because of that! Erm..Its beca-"

She place her finger in front of my mouth, cutting me off from finishing my sentence.

"Shhh...I know what I did."

She bites her lips while she said that.

"Oh my...You were doing it in purpose..."

I feel so stunned and my face is turning red, I started to cover my face.

She's a shy person but she gets a bit playful and teases me whenever she's with me.

"Its because you always like to act tough and cool, so its cute to see you like that~."

She giggles.

She then holds the yarn below my chin right, beside my neck. Taking a good look if the color will match me. I couldn't think of anything to say at that point.

"Hmm...I think this would look good on you~."

And she's also such a caring girl who isn't afraid to express herself. We're both college students who needs to balance our time studying and our work. Yet she still has the time and she really puts up some serious efforts to something just for me. She's a keeper, and sometimes I wonder how I even got her, im totally incompetent and useless compared to her.

When we're about to head to the register, I insisted on paying it for her, then I grab more stuff for knitting and sewing such as fabrics, wools, yarn and many other more. She told me not to, but I insisted anyway and pay for all of it. I think this is the best I can do to return the favor for now.

When we exited the store I carry all the things we bought in my left arm and I hold her around my right arm. She was shocked at first for such a bold move. But she happily obliged and she place her arm around me. Im so happy that I guy like me would have a girl like her!

I thank her and I started to flirt with her, we were just walking aimlessly being lovey dovey, not paying attention to anything we pass by. Our moment was interrupted when her phone's notification tone rang and vibrated. She let go of me and she pulls out her phone.

*Beep*

Ah, I got one as well. I opened my open and checked the message, it was from Akagi senpai.

[ If you guys are hungry I ordered some food in the Pizza parlor we're Chinatsu and I are in.]

After reading the message, Haruna turns to me and said...

"Ryota, Akagi asked if we're hungry and he's offering to join him and Chinatsu to eat some pizza."

She showed her phone to me and it was the same message from Akagi that I just receive. I show her my phone in return.

"He also sent me that message, hehehe~."

We just looked at each other.

I check at the time first then ask her if she wanted to.

"Sure, I would like to, but how about you?"

She replied.

"Sure lets go, but let me text where are they first."

I told her before I started typing my reply to Akagi senpai.

"Why does Akagi always sends each one of us the very same message at the same time, even though he know we're all together?"

She sounded curious and a bit upset about her question, seems like she's been asking the same question for a long time.

I can't help but let out a little laugh, Akagi senpai sure does do some questionable stuff.

"Maybe because Akagi senpai, just wanted to make sure we all receive and know his word at the exact time he said or send it. Or probably its just a habit he got from his job, as he always does that whenever he makes an announcement that's work related to us. He's our supervisor at work after all~ hehehe."

I jokingly told her the second part, but the first one was the same reason Akagi once told me when I ask him. But she seems to laught at the idea of its just Akagi's habit.

I texted back at Akagi...

[ Sure! Where are you though?]

Right aftet I send it, he replied almost immediately.

[ Look behind you.]

I look behind me and from a short distance, I can see Akagi senpai munching on some pizza and Chinatsu casually waving at us.

I receive another message...

[ Love birds~ ((っ´ω`)(´ω`⊂ )) .]

With a ridiculous emoticon. It seems like he saw us walking lovey dovey just aimlessly passing by.

Haruna wave back at them and she holds my hand, we then both walk over to them. I think I got teased enough for today.