Part 5: Familiar Faces, Warm Smiles
The final bell rang. Students scrambled, chairs scraping. Bags swung over shoulders. Haruto stayed quiet for a moment, his eyes scanning outside the window.
There, on the academy path, stood Renjiro
Haruto dashed out of the academy, completely forgetting his bag. Outside, Renjiro was standing near the entrance. Without thinking, Haruto grabbed his hand and pulled him along, guiding him a little closer to the nearby shop.
"Give me one of those good chocolates your uncle always makes," Haruto said to the shopkeeper, almost breathless. "I'll tell my brother to pay later—just give me one now."
Renjiro blinked, startled. "What the hell just happened?"
"Brother, I'll inform you later. You can pay him, okay?" Haruto didn't wait for an answer. He snatched the chocolate and sprinted back toward the academy, weaving through students, heading straight for the junior section. He couldn't waste a second—the person might leave if he was slow.
Meanwhile, Renjiro paid the shopkeeper and turned, only to find Ayame and Kaito staring at him.
"This is unfair! Brother eating chocolate without us?" Ayame complained, crossing her arms.
Kaito nodded. "Uncle always makes the good ones."
Renjiro handed each of them a chocolate. Without another word, the two started walking home together, leaving Renjiro standing there, still wondering what had just happened.
After paying the shopkeeper, Renjiro followed them at a distance. "So… how was the exam?" he asked, trying to appear casual.
Back in the academy, Haruto stopped in front of a classroom, scanning quickly. His eyes moved across the room until he finally spotted who he was looking for—a young girl, head down on the table, asleep.
"Hey," he whispered, kneeling beside her. "Wake up."
She stirred, yawning and rubbing her eyes. When she saw Haruto, she didn't hesitate. She wrapped her tiny arms around him tightly.
"You finally came, big brother!" she said.
Haruto hugged her back. "C'mon, let's go home, Mimi."
Haruto crouched slightly and lifted Mimi onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, giggling as they started walking.
"Big brother," she asked, tilting her head, "what made you come here today?"
Haruto paused for a second. "Oh—right. I almost forgot," he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her a chocolate.
Mimi's eyes sparkled. "Wow! Thanks, big brother!"
They soon reached Mimi's house. The door opened, and before Mimi could say anything, Haruto stepped forward and hugged her mother tightly.
"Aunt Mikasa! How are you?" he said happily. "I missed you so much."
Mikasa smiled warmly, patting his back. "I missed you too, Haruto."
They talked cheerfully for a while, laughter filling the room. After some time, Haruto turned to Mikasa and sighed softly.
"Aunt Mikasa," he said, sounding a little upset, "please tell Aka to take us out sometimes. I really want to come to your home… and visit Aunt Sayuri too. It's been so long since I met both of you, but they always say no. and sometimes make your way to our home too"
Mikasa smiled gently and placed a hand on his head. "Yeah… I guess.."
He suddenly straightened up. "Anyway, I gotta go now. I'll see you again soon."
With a quick wave and a smile, Haruto rushed out of the house.
Haruto stepped out of the house, the warmth of laughter still echoing behind him. Suddenly, his eyes widened.
Class 1 is gathering outside!
"Oh no—I gotta gooo!" he said, breaking into a run.
His feet hit the road fast, his thoughts racing. He didn't notice the sound coming from the side until it was too late.
"Haruto—!"
A Cycle brushed against him as it passed. It was fast and the impact was enough to knock him off balance. Haruto staggered, the world tilting violently, before everything went dark.