➵ Kato Haru belongs to Taku Kishimoto
➵ For my bb @lkingofcatsl <3
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Turning the key, the door clicks open. Haru trudges in tiredly, sighing. The air slightly lighter than outside; he exhales through his mouth, pensively. He makes his way to the bathroom, stripping off his clothes. Taking a quick shower, he relaxes in the bathtub.
Sighing, he sinks into the water. His tense muscles relax at the touch of water. Work had been hectic and stressful. It wasn’t easy to deal with Hoshino’s remarks; most times, they were bearable but today, in particular, hit somewhat hard. He doesn’t understand how they end up having to face each other every time.
Another sigh escapes his lips, but the warm water makes him feel more at ease. He pushes away the intrusive thoughts leading him to think about his precious (Name). She is the bright ball of sunshine in his dull, normal life. Even now, he can’t believe or comprehend how she came to like him back in the second year of high school. Back then, he wasn’t particularly the life of the class. He was a regular student, mostly blending in the background. Whereas, she was the light of the class. Everyone liked her and gravitated towards her. After all, she was kind to everyone and very genuine. That’s what Haru loves about her. Even now, so many years later, he’s still in awe at her. Her entire personality is so beautiful and precious to him.
A clear day, bright blue sky and the sun shining. Haru makes his way back to class after P.E. He turns the corner and collides with someone. “Ouch.”
He looks at who it is after hearing something drop. It’s (Name), his class president—the nice girl, the girl everyone likes. That’s the general opinion he had of her. He knew about her but they never talked besides studies related things.
“I’m sorry!” (Name) says, picking up her books that were scattered on the floor.
Her eyes meet his golden ones, and she immediately averts her gaze, looking at the books as she collects them, a slight red hue on her face.
“Let me help,” Haru says.
“N-no! It’s fine,” (Name) insists.
“Let me do it,” Haru replies, picking up the books.
They are of the homework that is due today. Class president duties. “I’ll help bring them to the staffroom.”
Haru is just helping out a fellow peer. “Ah, thank you,” (Name) replies softly, giving up on denying his offer.
Besides, it is her first time interacting with him, aside from class-related things. Her heart beating fast as they head over to the staffroom and drop off the books.
“Thank you!” (Name) says with a bow.
Haru touches his neck, “It’s no problem (Last Name)-san.”
That was the first encounter that triggered many other meetings. (Name) found the courage to come up to him, and they slowly had long conversations until it led to this moment.
“I like you! Go out with me?” Haru asks his entire face beet red.
(Name)’s face flushed crimson, matching Haru’s as she feels her words are being swallowed. She tries to speak but no words come out, so she resorts to nodding. Haru’s face lights up, smile engulfing his face. He takes her hands and says, “I’m so happy!”
“...Me too,” (Name) replies.
A beautiful day on the rooftop. The time when they first became a couple. But two separate occasions made them realize they loved each other. For (Name), it was before their corridor collision.
Haru minds his own business during recess, looking for a quiet spot to sleep. Instead, he comes upon a shitty scene—a bunch of immature students teasing a little kitten with a stick. Anger surges through him. They are bothering and hurting the small cat. He runs there and yells, “Hey!”
The students, who are first years from the looks of their ties, look back at Haru. “Leave the kitten alone!” He yells, glaring at them.
“Shit, it’s a senpai,” One of the guys says, nudging the other two.
They drop the stick and run off, terrified by Haru’s glare. He slowly walks up to the kitten. The poor thing so terrified and whimpering. Haru lightly pats the kitten’s back, super slowly. “It’s okay now,” He says softly.
He pets the kitten couple more times. “I’ll name you Misu, like tiramisu,” He says, chuckling.
Misu eventually stops whimpering and rubs against Haru’s legs, mewing loudly. Haru smiles softly. He stays there with the kitten for the rest of the break, playing with Misu.
What Haru didn’t know was that (Name) saw the entire thing go down. She was about to go stop the students, but Haru beat her to it. Before this, she noticed the little things he did for people. He was kind, but she didn’t know he was able to make such soft expressions. Most people overlooked his little acts of kindness but she did. So this situation was the trigger to her realizing her feelings for him.
Haru, on the other hand, didn’t have feelings for her prior to them colliding in the corridor. It started after they began to talk more. But, one particular event made it all clear to him.
The school festival is approaching. Preparations are on-going. (Name) is in charge of supervising everything and she is getting overwhelmed by the responsibility. Taking a quick breather, (Name) heads up to the roof. She collapses in a corner, tears falling. The work is taking a toll on her. Things are going wrong and their class can’t seem to agree on anything. She can’t even figure out what to do and she feels all alone. All she can do is let her tears out and go back to try to fix the mess. Alone.
Except she isn’t alone. Haru sneaked out before and is chilling with Misu up on the upper level of the roof. (Name) doesn’t notice her but he notices soft sniffling sounds. He gets up to see who it is. Horrified to see her crying. He has never seen her cry as she is always smiling. For a moment, he doesn’t know if he should comfort her or not.
But Misu has other plans. She jumps off and runs to her. “Misu!” Haru hisses. (Name) looks, eyes locking with Haru’s. She quickly wipes away her tears. Haru comes down and walks to her, picking up Misu. He sits next to her, placing Misu in his lap, stroking Misu’s head.
“Yeah,” (Name) replies, smiling at him.
“No, you’re not. You don’t need to hide it from me,” Haru says.
(Name) doesn’t reply to what he says. “The cat’s name is Misu?”
“What a weird name. Can I hold Misu?” (Name) chuckles.
Haru nods and lets her take the kitten. Misu purrs as (Name) tickles under the neck.
“Do you want to talk?” Haru asks, looking at the sky.
(Name) nods. She slowly tells him about her troubles and Haru attentively listens and gives his opinions.
“You’re taking on too much by yourself. You can ask for help. Rely on other people. Rely on me,” Haru says.
(Name) stops stroking Misu, staring at Haru. “I-uh-That’s a first someone said to me.”
“Thank you…,” She mutters.
She lets Misu run off and gets up, dusting her skirt. She smiles at Haru, “Thank you for listening to me. I feel much better. Please help me.”
“Of course,” Haru says, standing as well.
This little encounter where Haru saw a different side to (Name) made him realize his feelings. He saw her vulnerable and human whereas before they weren’t on the terms to talk about deeper topics, only casual conversations. This time he wanted to protect her, support her and bring a smile to her face. His heart started beating fast for her, in a way it never did before.
Reminiscing about all the moments that led them to where they are now, Haru gets out of the tub. The soak did him good, he feels much better but still slightly apprehensive. And thinking about (Name) helps. His beautiful girlfriend.
He throws on some sweats and decides to make his favorite curry. He turns on the rice cooker. Chopping up the vegetables and meat, tossing them into a large pot along with curry roux. Soon, the aroma of curry spread in his entire apartment. As soon as he closes the stove, the bell rings.
He opens the door, revealing (Name) smiling. "Hope I'm in time for dinner! I brought tiramisu! Your favorite!"
"(Name), right on time. Come in!" Haru says, smiling.
His expression softens as (Name) makes her way inside. At the age of 29, he can truly say that she is the love of his life. After all, they have been through thick and thin. Through the good times and the bad times, fought a lot, and made up a lot.
(Name) leaves the tiramisu in the fridge and serves the curry Haru made. Haru just looks at her, smiling lovingly. Just looking at her makes him so happy, all his troubles gone. (Name) tucks her hair back and notices Haru staring, “What are you looking at?”
“My beautiful girlfriend. Can’t I?” He grins.
“You’re so cheesy,” (Name) laughs.
She puts the food on the table and Haru joins. The two share a light-hearted dinner and dessert, chatting about their days. Haru doesn’t mention how he is affected by Hoshino’s remarks. Once the dishes are in the sink, (Name) flops onto Haru’s bed.
Haru joins her there and she says, “So, tell me what’s wrong.”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve known you long enough that you’re troubled by something. Did something happen at work?” (Name) asks, worried.
Haru sighs, “I can’t hide anything from you, huh?”
“You can’t so talk to me. I’m always here for you,” (Name) replies, touching his hand.
“...Hoshino,” Haru mutters.
Groaning, “Him again?! Will he cut it out? What did he say, Haru?”
“It was another bank robbery and Kambe and I were chasing a different criminal but he headed to the bank so we followed him. Hoshino and the rest were there because of the bank robbery. As if it wasn’t bad enough that the set up was exactly like back then. Hoshino had to tell me not to get in their way,” He explains.
(Name) squeezes Haru’s hand, his expression turning grim. She stays quiet and lets him speak.
“He also told me not accidentally shoot someone again...and he added that I couldn’t because I’m longer in Division One and not authorized to use a gun...I-It’s not just his words...It reminds me of what I have done...I’m a failure as a cop and now, I’m too terrified to use a gun…I-I can’t forgive myself for letting that happen,” Haru says, hands trembling.
(Name) feels them shaking so she moves and hugs him. “Shh, what happened back then wasn’t your fault, okay? You were startled, you had no idea the employee was involved with the criminals. It was an accident, okay? You’re not at fault. Hoshino has no right to say that to you. You’re the justest cop I know. You have helped countless people and even now, you do the same. I know you better than anyone, I know that you mean the best and you’re so hardworking and sympathetic. You’re more caring than anyone I know so don’t doubt the man I’ve come to love, okay?” (Name) says quietly but loud enough for him to hear.
Haru’s face is buried in her shoulder. He stirs slightly as she speaks. He holds her tightly, scared to let go. His past mistakes always came back to haunt him, but (Name) is there to support him. He feels he might cry, he lets her go.
Haru faces (Name) and she’s smiling at him, “I love you, Haru. Every part of you.”
Haru’s face scrunches up, he might actually cry. He controls himself, though. “Oh my! Don’t cry, Haru!”
“I’m not!” Haru exclaims.
She grins, “I know, love.”
Haru smiles and whispers, “I love you so much. I can’t imagine life without you.”
(Name)’s grin widens as she jumps on him, crashing her lips into his. How bold she is. She wasn’t that forward back in high school.
Haru falls back on his bed but kisses her back, holding her hair. (Name) breaks the kiss and rolls over so that she’s lying beside Haru and staring at the ceiling. “I’m going to protect you!”
Haru chuckles, facing her, “Aren’t I supposed to protect you?”
She locks her eyes with his, “We’ll protect each other!”
“Okay,” Haru replies, feeling better than ever.
She really is his bright ball of sunshine. She was so radiating beautiful; inside out. He smiles at her and she shoots back the most adorable toothy grin.
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