At the next day, Haruto came to school like usual but he felt something is not right. He sat down at his seat. And then Ryo and Daiki came closer to Haruto.
"Hey.. Haruto are you dating Airi?" , Ryo asked.
Haruto was surprised by Ryo's sudden question.
"No.. Why?" , Haruto answered.
"Well.. there was a rumor about you and Airi were dating. They said someone saw you two at the café sittingtogether. Is that true?" , Ryo asked.
Haruto confused. That is right I was sitting together with Airi at the café but we aren't dating...
"Umm.. I was sitting together with Airi at the café but we aren't dating." , Haruto answered honestly.
"Hmm... really? Even if it truth the rumor has already spread the whole room. It had become a mess and hard to explain." , Daiki said.
Haruto looks like he is going to face a big problem but he suddenly got something in his mind.
"There must be someone who saw us and spread the rumor. Do you know who started this rumor?" , Haruto asked.
"They didn't mention who started the rumor so no." , Ryo answered.
"How about asking them one by one who heard the rumor from?" , Daiki suggested but it was no go.
"It will takes lot of time, and not effective as well." , Haruto rejected Daiki's suggestion.
Daiki thought about a few second what Haruto said and looked back to Haruto.
"Ohh right! Then what should we do? Do you have any idea?" , Daiki asked.
Haruto thought for a minutes, he don't want to be in the mess. So, he decided casually.
"Well... this isn't the problem I can't explain. So, I'll let it goes." , Haruto said.
Ryo and Daiki look stunned. And then Ryo asked,
"Are you sure about this? This can cause a big mess later. Are you really fine with that?"
"Yes." , Haruto calmly answered back.
"Okay then if you're sure about this. You can come to us if there is any problem. We will help." , Daiki said.
"Okay! I have something to do. I must go. See ya!" Haruto said and left.
Right now, I have to check if this rumor can be more or less caused.
Haruto left from Ryo and Daiki and looking for someone. After a few minutes, he found him, Riku Tanaka, Boyfriend of Airi Shimizu. He can make this mess bigger or smaller all depending on him. Haruto walked toward to him. Riku, who was chatting with his friends, got eye contact with Haruto knowing Haruto has something to say to him.
"You have something to tell me right Haruto Aoyama?" , Riku asked directly.
Haruto surprised that he could saw him through.
"Have you already heard about the rumor right?" , Haruto asked.
Riku looks clam like he don't mind about these rumors and answered,
"Yes, I already heard it. Would you mind explaining it to me? I don't want to decide something without explanation."
Haruto looks surprised. It's rare to find like this in a situation like this.
I glad he didn't over do it.
Haruto started explaining the story from the start, how he met Airi at the shopping center, how did Airi help him, what did Airi ask him as a return and where did they go for a return, to the end. After the explanation, Riku seemed something in his mind was finally solved.
"That makes sense..." , Riku said.
"Airi isn't someone who will do a thing like from the rumor." , Haurto said.
"Alright.. Thanks for telling me the truth." , Riku thanked him.
"I have responsibility to explain and say the truth. So, I have to."
"By the way, gotta go! See you later Riku!" , Haruto said.
Finally the main point is down. So, I don't have to worry about the rumor.
He finally got back to his seat and rest. After the school over, Haruto went to the Airi and asked her,
"Don't you mind about the rumor about us at school?"
"Well... We didn't do anything wrong and the rumor is not true. Why do I have to care about something I didn't do?" , Airi calmly said.
Haruto seemed impressive about what she said.
"Ohh... You have a point." , Haruto said.
And back to home. On his way back to home, he thought while looking at the sky,
I still have a lot to learn about the world huh.. That why people say it "Learning is never done."
When he got back home, he is going to prepare to hang out because tomorrow is the day they settle. at the next day, Haruto standing in front of the restaurant near their school. Waiting other to arrive. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to their group says,
"I have already arrived guys!" , sent to their group chat.
"We're on our way Haruto!" , Airi sent back.
Haruto nodded like normal and didn't noticed anything yet. Then he thought and read it again.
What do you mean by 'we' and 'our'?
After a few minutes, they all arrived together as a group. Haruto looked at them and know it now.
Now I know what does she mean by 'we' and our'.
Haruto checked the group. Including Ryo, Daiki and Airi. He suddenly asked Airi,
"Isn't Riku coming with us too?"
"He was busy with helping his mother. So, he can't come with us..." , Airi said.
"Ohhh... I see.." , Haruto said.
Ryo suddenly cut the conversation and said,
"Before hanging out, we have to fill our stomach.. Let's enter this restaurant."
"I agree!" , Daiki agreed with him.
"I was so excited that I skipped the breakfast." Ryo said.
They all laugh and then enter the restaurant. They chose the seat beneath the window. It was bench seat and can sit 2 person each. It was also facing each other. Ryo sat with Daiki and Airi sat with Haruto. They ordered some foods and drinks. After the foods and drinks arrived, Haruto whispered to Airi,
"You ordered more than I thought unlike the previous day.."
"I'm not a type of person who spend someone's money than mine..." , Airi whispered back.
Haruto looks amazed by what Airi said.
"Ohh.. You do have a good point sometime." , Haruto whispered.
After done eating and drinking, they all paid the bills what they ate. And then they left the restaurant and Ryo asked other,
"Okay now! We have filled energy. Where should we go next?"
"Can I pick?" , Airi asked.
"Sure!" , Ryo replied.
"Why not!" , Daiki added.
"Go on!" , Haruto added.
Airi eyes look filled with joy since everyone said she can pick.
"Then how about the park?" , Airi asked.
"Not bad.. That's a good one though." , Haruto said.
After a few second, both Ryo and Daiki agreed. Then they went to the park. Called Sakura Kōen, also known as Cherry Blossom Park, located at the center of the city. Both Ryo and Daiki were amazed by the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms. Airi looked happy. As a nature of being female, she would definitely love beauty. But as for Haruto, he was attracted by the beauty of Cherry Blossoms. He tried not to stare Cherry Blossoms but can't help by himself. And then Airi said,
"Aren't those Cherry Blossoms beautiful?" , while staring at them.
And then she turned to Haruto and knew he was already spacing out. So, she pinched his cheeks because he didn't answered what she said. Now she looks mad at Haruto for not answering her.
"Are you spacing out or something...?" , Airi asked.
"Not really... I guess." , Haruto said.
"I don't think so..." , Airi replied.
Airi stared Haruto for a second.
"Hugh... Nevermind..." , Airi added.
And then Airi walked toward Haruto and requested,
"Ohh! By the way, can you take a photo of me?"
"I'm not quite good at this.. but I'll try my best." , Haruto replied.
"Thanks!" , Airi thanked.
Airi pulled out her phone and gave it to Haruto. Then Airi walked a bit back from Haruto and make a pose. And then Haruto held her phone and aimed to her and checked again if there was any problem. After taking photo, Haruto gave back phone to Airi. After walking for a while, they back home before lunch.
Ryo and Daiki waved to Airi and Haruto saying,
"It was fun! See you at Monday!!"
They waved back to them. And then Airi waved to Haruto saying,
"Bye Bye Haruto..! See you at school..!"
Haruto waved back to her, turned back and went to home.
It was fun! Not gonna lie.... I love this kind of friendship.. I wish our friendships could be like this forever...!! No matter what happen I'll keep this friendship with all I have...!