Chapter 14: Restart

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Translator: Soafp

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“Na-chan?” (Haru)

“Eh, sorry. What did you say?” (Natsu)

“The traffic light changed.” (Haru)

You’ve been pretty worried.

(Not as much as you, though.)

“Ah, thanks.” (Natsu)

“Are you okay, Na-chan?” (Haru)

“Eh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for losing it like that. You didn't even get a chance to get angry, did you?” (Natsu)

“Well, it doesn't really matter anymore. But, Na-chan, you're pretty caring when it comes to your family, huh?” (Haru)

(You still don't understand a girl's heart, do you?)

You think so?

“…Family, huh? So, Haru-kun thinks of me as family.” (Natsu)

“Uh, what?” (Haru)

“Didn't you just say I'm caring about my family?” (Natsu)

“I did, but… why were you angry?” (Haru)

We’re not on the same page at all.

(Not at all.)

“Isn't it frustrating? He took something important from you, blamed it on you, and then just tossed it aside like it was nothing. Akiho may have deserved it, but it felt like he was making fun of you, Haru-kun! Hurting others just because he can.” (Natsu)

“What?” (Haru)

“‘Eh?’ This is about you, isn't it? Of course, I'm angry! Ugh, why am I more upset about this than you?” (Natsu)

“Well, I guess it's because you were angry.” (Haru)

Because you were angrier than me, I managed to stay calm.

(So I was useful, then?)

Just a bit? You're being too modest.

“Oh, I get it now.” (Natsu)

“Really?” (Haru)

“Yeah. Ah, I was really looking forward to seeing the orcas…” (Natsu)

And the dolphin show too.

(What’s difference between orcas and dolphins?)

Size?

“We didn't get to see them, huh?” (Haru)

“Hey, Haru-kun. Let's go again sometime.” (Natsu)

“…Yeah, we will.” (Haru)

“Haru-kun?” (Natsu)

---

“Thanks for today. We ended up coming back earlier than planned.” (Natsu)

“Yeah. Thanks again. See you later.” (Haru)

(I am saying ‘earlier than planned,' but…)

“That's no good.” (Natsu)

“Eh?” (Haru)

“You shouldn't be alone right now. Haru-kun, you'll start overthinking things. And I don't want to be alone either, so come over to my place.” (Natsu)

(It's embarrassing to cling to you like this, you know.)

You don't have to.

(It's a girl's heart.)

“Hey, Na-chan? Don't pull so hard. I get it, I'll come.” (Haru)

“Good. I even have dessert ready, so look forward to it.” (Natsu)

Dessert, huh?

(You like it, right?)

Yes, I do.

Dessert.

“Uh, Haru-kun? Sorry, I need to grab a few more things. Can you come with me?” (Natsu)

“Yeah, of course.” (Haru)

“Sorry, I should've remembered before we got to my place.” (Natsu)

“Well, that's just like you, Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Huh? Hmmmm? Haru-kun?” (Natsu)

(You can be pretty rude sometimes, you know?)

“Okay, okay. Let's just go shopping first.” (Haru)

“…Yeah, I guess. People do say I'm a bit scatterbrained sometimes.” (Natsu)

Only sometimes?

(You disagree?)

Who knows?

“Where are we going?” (Haru)

“I was thinking we could take a walk to the shopping district. What do you think?” (Natsu)

“And what's with this hand?” (Haru)

“When a girl shyly holds out her hand, you're supposed to take it.” (Natsu)

“Oh. Hm? Shyly? You seem pretty confident to me.” (Haru)

“What, should I blush and look up at you instead?” (Natsu)

Sometimes, I'd like to see that side of you too.

(Weren't you always like that when we were together?)

Maybe you've had some memory loss.

(What do you mean?)

Seeing a beautiful you act so cute is just unfair.

(…Well, that's not fair of you either.)

“My lady, at your command.” (Haru)

“Indeed. But no, that's not it! Make it a little sweeter.” (Natsu)

“Sweeter, huh? How about this?” (Haru)

“Hmm, yeah, you're getting there.” (Natsu)

A lover's handhold.

(That's just mildly sweet. Still not enough.)

“So, what are we buying?” (Haru)

“Nagoya's famous for miso katsu! So, we're getting some pork from the butcher, and I'm running low on some regular medicine, so let's drop by the pharmacy too, okay?” (Natsu)

“Alright, let's head to the pharmacy first.” (Haru)

“Yes.” (Natsu)

---

“Thanks for the meal. I'm full and satisfied, as always. It was delicious.” (Haru)

“Ufufu, glad you liked it.” (Natsu)

“Oh, by the way, what's for dessert? Did you buy something?” (Haru)

“Hmm, I've been letting it ripen… maybe?” (Natsu)

“Oh, so it's fruit?” (Haru)

“Maybe. It could be a peach, or a melon, or even cherries.” (Natsu)

“What's that supposed to mean? I have no idea.” (Haru)

You've been waiting for it to get delicious, haven't you?

(…Yeah.)

“No need to rush.”

Click.

“Why'd you turn off the lights? It's not a birthday—” (Haru)

In the dark room, Haruto felt something soft on his lips.

Smooch.

“N-Na-chan?” (Haru)

“Hey, hold still. I'm embarrassed too, you know.” (Natsu)

“Why?” (Haru)

“You didn't run away, did you, Haru-kun? You got angry when you saw Toma, but you didn't run. So, this is a reward… No, it's because I wanted to do this. Do you mind?” (Natsu)

“Of course not.” (Haru)

“Good. Then let's go to the bed?” (Natsu)

As Natsuki guided him, Haruto sat on the bed, pulling Natsuki close and kissing her. Starting with light, tender kisses, he gradually deepened them, slipping his tongue into her mouth. As their tongues intertwined with soft, wet sounds, he gently pulled her onto the bed.

“You can do whatever you want, Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

“Na-chan…” (Haru)

Haruto held Natsuki tightly, kissing her repeatedly.

---

“Fufufu.” (Natsu)

“What's so funny?” (Haru)

“Hm? Fufu, just thinking about how we did it, Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

“What's that supposed to mean?” (Haru)

(I was just really happy, you know?)

I see.

“But don't worry. I'm not going to start calling myself your girlfriend just because of this.” (Natsu)

“Eh? Why not?” (Haru)

(That would make me sound crazy.)

Ah…

(Aren't you going to deny that?!)

“Oh, I didn't mean it like that. It's just… I'm still a little scared.” (Natsu)

“But you were telling me to stay positive and move on, right?” (Haru)

“Hmm? Well, yeah. Does that make me a bit of a hypocrite?” (Natsu)

“Yeah, it kind of does.” (Haru)

“I see. But Haru-kun, are you okay with this?” (Natsu)

“It's a little late to ask, don't you think? If I wasn't okay with it, I would've said no before it got this far.” (Haru)

“Yeah, that's just like you, Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

“So, Na-chan, will you be my girlfriend?” (Haru)

My first confession.

(It's the beginning of our new chapter.)

“Yes, please take care of me, Haru-kun.” (Natsu)