A Dream Shattered
"That's such a pure smile" Makoto's voice echoed, startling Haruto, who quickly fumbled to shut off his phone quickly slipping it into his pocket. As he turned to his left, he saw Makoto standing with his hands folded, seeming serious.
Haruto's eyes narrowed, clearly annoyed, "What?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"Where are you?" Makoto asked with a suspicious tone "You are not paying attention at work, and who is Kanna?"
Haruto, clearly irritated, began folding his apron, "Why do you even care?" he snapped sharply, "And what makes you think that I'd tell you anything about her?" He placed the apron inside the locker and shut it down.
"What?" Makoto exclaimed, clearly stunned, "Why the hiding? i thought we were friends, and we won't hide anything from each other, then why are you not telling me about kanna?" he asked, seeming frustrated.
Haruto wore his long coat, "We are friends!" he declared, adding, "And about Kanna, she was just my old school friend." with that he turned his back on Makoto and started walking away.
Makoto, still standing in his place, watched Haruto leave, his irritation and frustration boiling inside…
Haruto stepped into his apartment, switched on the lights and made his way to his bed. Sitting down he seemed pleased, he pulled out his phone and opened Kanna's inbox and saw that she was still offline.
Haruto smiles and types, "Yeah, and it was a horror one, let me know when you're free" and hit send.
Suddenly his phone buzzed with a message, it was a message from his bank.
A broad smile appeared on Haruto's face as he opened it, he saw his monthly salary had been credited in his account, bringing his total balance to 703k yen.
Haruto's face lit up with pure joy, placing his hand on his forehead he started chuckling, tears of happiness began filling in his eyes.
"Finally, after years of hard work, I can finally start my own business" he whispered to himself, Overwhelmed with joy.
"With this money I'm sure I'll start a small start-up, then with my hard work I will grow it, I will become successful… I will live the life I dreamed."
With that thought he fell backwards on his bed, his arm opened and a big smile spread across his face…
After a few moments, in his pajamas Haruto was walking back and forth across his room, his phone pressed on his ear, talking with someone on a phone call.
"Yes, That's totally fine by me." Haruto said on the phone, a excited smile on his face, "Sure, hold for a moment."
He quickly went to his side table, bend down, opened a drawl, pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from inside, placing paper on the side table, he wedged his phone between his shoulder and ear, "Yes sir, I'm listening" he said, and started writing something on the paper.
After writing for a while, he stood straight, taking the phone back in his hand still pressing on his ear, With his eyes sparkling with excitement, he said, "Yes sir, I've noted it down, I'll be there, thank you, thank you very much"
There was a constant smile on his face, as he added, "Alright, see you next weekend" before disconnecting the line.
Haruto lowered his phone, seemed stunned, overwhelmed with happiness, he collapsed on his bed, his eyes wide and a big smile stretching across his face, "Next weekend, i will take my first step towards my dream." he murmured, beaming with joy.
He quickly stood on his feet, placed his left hand on the lower back, and with a graceful motion, he sat on his left knee, his one hand still on his back, with a broad smile on his face, he extended his one hand forward, reaching into the empty air before him.
With a warm smile and with his closed eyes, Haruto whispered "Kanna Shinohara, will you be my wife?" he began chuckling softly.
Suddenly a bright ethereal hand appeared, gently placing itself over the hand Haruto extended.
Haruto's eyes snapped opened, stunned and wide with utter disbelief, slowly looking up he saw Kanna standing in before him, dressed as a radiant fairy, her ethereal glow illuminating the room, her long beautiful hairs cascading around her like waves, adorned with delicate flowers, A warm beautiful smile gracing her lips, and her hand rested softly on Haruto's, who was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view of her grace and beauty before him.
Haruto was mesmerized, his eyes fixed on Kanna in complete disbelief, time seemed to be still between them, both of their gazes locked in a shared look of deep affection.
Suddenly his room echoed with the loud ringing of his phone, Startling Haruto snapping him back to reality where he was still kneeling in the emptiness of his room, with just his phone ringing across the room.
With a slight smile Haruto stood up and picked up the phone to see it was Yusuke's who was calling him. A wave of disinterest and Irritation washed over Haruto, with a resigned sigh he answered the call, placing the phone to his ear.
"Hey Haruto!" Yusuke's voice came through, brimming with excitement.
Haruto's expressions remained grim, "What?" he asked with a firm tone.
A wave of chuckles came from Yusuke, "What happened? Did your boss fire you or something?" he asked in a teasing tone.
Haruto's expressions hardened into anger, clenching his fist, "Why did you call me?" he asked firmly.
"Nothing special" Yusuke replied calmly, "Just wanted to tell you something."
"What's that?" Haruto asked with a calm yet firm tone.
"I've reached out to Kanna's parents," Yusuke said with a confident tone.
Haruto's eyes widened in disbelief, seemed stunned, his heartbeat pounding with increasing intensity.
"And guess what" Yusuke continued with a confident tone, "Her parents liked me alot." he declared. Haruto's worry and disbelief intestifying, his anxiety clearly growing.
"And why won't they like me?" Yusuke continued confidently, "I'm a successful man, who has an amazing job, my yearly income is in millions, I travel across the countries, I own a luxury house, and now soon enough I'll get engaged with Kanna and you're the first person I'm Inviting, make sure to attend my and Kanna's engagement ceremony." he let out a sinister laugh, adding, "Don't worry i won't marry her, I'll just enjoy her company!" he then disconnected the call
Haruto's frustration reached its boiling point, With a tight end grip he lowered the phone, his heart beating uncontrollably, his vision started blurring his legs losing the strength to stand causing him to stumbles backwards collapsing on his bed, clutching his chest with one hand, he tried to steady his pounding heart, but his anxiety and heartbeat kept increasing.
Suddenly his phone started ringing again, As he quickly glanced at his screen he saw Kanna's name flashing on the caller's id.
Haruto's racing heartbeat began steadying, his frustration began melting, his expressions softening as he was gazing at Kanna's name on the screen.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and regained his composure, answering the call he pressed the phone on his ear.
Without wasting a second Kanna's voice came through, "Hey Haruto, I'm really sorry i was busy" a hint of urgency in her voice.
Haruto remained silent, his expression devoid of emotions.
"Haruto?" Kanna calls out gently. her voice carried a hint of concern.
"Yeah?" Haruto replied calmly.
"Is something wrong? you didn't reply?" Kanna asked softly.
"I'm listening," Haruto replied with a forced smile.
"Yes you are, but make sure to reply, so I can hear you too" Kanna replied gently.
"Hmm," Haruto acknowledged calmly.
"Haruto?" Kanna's voice took a firm turn, "Are you okay? is something bothering you?" she asked, seeming worried.
"I'm fine," Haruto replied, "In Fact I'm more than fine," his tone low and gentle, "It's a cause of celebrations, you and your family must be celebrating right now."
"Celebrating?" Kanna said, seemed confused "Why would my family and I have any reason to celebrate?" she asked, clearly puzzled.
With a gentle smile, Haruto added, "You parents must be happy for you"
"Haruto? I'm not getting anything" Kanna said with a firm tone "Please come to the point?"
Haruto's expressions turned serious, as he closed his eyes, preparing to disclose Yusuke's words.