Chapter 91
[122]
What happened last night? He and his friends had been having a good time together in a private room, but the rest was a blur. More importantly, who was in his bed with him right now!? Was it a girl from the club? What if it was one of his friends? He didn’t know which of those situations would be more awkward.
Of course he found each of the girls in his friend group very attractive and he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about each of them that way (Even Futaba, as ashamed as he was to admit it). But did any of them think about him like that too? And what about this weird thing he had going on with Naoto? Honestly, it might be easier if the girl was a stranger. Sure it’d be awkward for a few minutes, but then they’d probably leave and that would be it.
‘Ugh. Is that the kind of guy I am now?’ He thought to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and prepared himself to lift the sheets. Better to find out now and plan ahead than to just react when she woke up. Gently pulling back the blankets, he began to see brunette hair lying against a pillow. When he finally pulled the sheet back fully, he was surprised to find that he did in fact recognize the girl beside him. And that made this situation a whole lot more complicated.
‘H-Haru!?’ He let out a gasp of surprise, unintentionally waking the girl who began to panic.
“Ahh!” She screamed before accidentally rolling out of the bed. “Ren!”
“Haru! Are you okay? Why are you-Did we-?” He sat up and climbed out of bed, helping the girl up.
“No!” She waved her hands frantically. “It’s not like that! We didn’t! I just…” She looked away, rubbing one of her arms.
Ren was relieved to hear that he hadn’t ruined their friendship in a night of drunken passion. Yet at the same time, a small part of him was disappointed. But if they hadn’t done it, why was she here? If he remembered right, Haru was staying with Tae in her apartment. Aside from Futaba, her place was closest to Leblanc, so why stay the night?
“Haru what’s wrong? What-” He rubbed his temples. “What happened last night?”
“You don’t remember?” The girl seemed surprised. “Well actually, my recollection of it isn’t great either. But I do remember asking to stay the night. You were going to sleep on the floor but I insisted we share the bed.” Her cheeks became red.
“You didn’t want to go back to Takemi’s? Did something happen?” He asked, concerned.
“No, well yes but...not between us.” She struggled to explain. “Why don’t I just start from the beginning?” She took a seat next to him on the bed. “Um...I told you about Sugimura...right? The man I was previously engaged to?”
“Yeah.” Ren remembered her explaining on the roof of Shujin. “You said he turned out to be a man hired to kill your father. And he had a suit that let him disguise himself as anyone.”
“That’s right.” Haru nodded. “But...what I didn’t know until just recently was that killing my father wasn’t his only reason for getting close.”
“What do you mean?”
“After...After he killed my father, Sugimura...h-he taunted me. Leaving threatening notes, pictures of me from behind…” She began to choke up at the memories and Ren put a comforting arm around her.
“I’m so sorry. I...I had no idea you were dealing with this…”
“That’s why I accepted Doctor Takemi’s offer and moved in. I...I had to get away from home. From him.” She wiped her tears. “I thought that was the end of it...But it turns out that by running away, I did exactly what he wanted of me. It turns out, Sugimura has been posing as me…”
Ren’s eyes widened in surprise and his mouth gaped.
“He’s tricked everyone at Okumura Enterprises into believing the marriage went through ahead of schedule. And, using my identity, he successfully gained control of Okumura Enterprise and sold it off to be absorbed by Shido Sciences.” She looked down, ashamed. “My father’s company is gone now because of my cowardice. And now...I have nothing. No money, no savings, no home, no identity. Sugimura has taken it all away from me.”
“Haru…” Ren had no idea what to say. What could you say to someone who just lost everything? “Why...why didn’t you say anything last night? We would’ve all been there for you.”
“I just wanted one night, one night where I could forget all of that. I wanted to hide from the truth for just a bit longer...and enjoy one more night with you all.” She sobbed. “I didn’t go back to Takemi’s because...I can’t face her. She’s already done so much for me but now...I’ll never be able to repay my debt. I have nothing to offer.”
“Haru! You know she doesn’t care about that!” Ren scolded the girl. “Takemi isn’t looking after you because she expects money! I should know, if she charged me for every time I came to her bleeding out, I’d owe millions by now!” He placed his hand on Haru’s shoulder once more. “This is what friends are for, to rely on when you’re out your lowest.”
“But…” Haru still seemed troubled. “Where do I go from here? How do you come back from...from this?”
“Take it from someone who’s lost everything before.” Ren smiled at her. “You can only go up from here.”
Haru stared at the boy, wondering where he got his optimism from. Maybe it was another superpower?
Without waiting for a response, Ren got up from the bed and stretched. “Now how about I go make us some breakfast? This isn’t the kind of problem you deal with on an empty stomach.” The boy went down the stairs to the kitchen and began to cook for her.
‘For as long as I can remember, people have always been doing things for me…’ Haru thought sadly. ‘Should...Should I really rely on everyone so much? Am I really that helpless?’
A few minutes later, after getting dressed (Ren had loaned her some pajamas), she headed downstairs just in time to see Ren placing two steaming plates of curry on the table.
“Curry...for breakfast?” Haru said, confused.
“Trust me, Futaba and I have it every day and we’re still not sick of it. Plus it pairs great with the-” He was interrupted by a loud noise from the kettle behind the counter. “Shit!” He ran to remove the kettle from the counter while Haru took a seat at the counter.
Taking a bite of the curry, Haru was shocked by how good it was. Ren had told her Leblanc was famous for its curry, but she didn’t think it would be this good, and in the morning no less. And to top it off, when Ren brought out the coffee, it perfectly complemented the dish. It seemed almost as if her spirits were being raised from simply the act of eating.
“‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.’” Ren quoted, leaning against the counter. “Hippocrates supposedly said that.”
Haru hummed in reply, too busy stuffing her face to speak. Seeing her enjoy the meal, Ren decided to dig into his own plate which, while good, was still no match for Sojiro’s cooking. He’d beat him one day.
“So,” Ren began as he set down his spoon. “What’s our next move?”
“Hmm?” Haru tilted her head, confused.
“About Sugimura, we can’t just let him get away with this! There has to be a way to get your company back, right?”
“Ren...There’s nothing that can be done.” She replied sadly. “Okumura Enterprises is gone, it’s a part of Shido Sciences now. My shares are gone, I have no say in, well...anything anymore. As far as the world is concerned, I’m not even Haru Okumura anymore…”
“So then, what is it that you want to do?” Ren changed the question.
“I don’t understand.”
“You, Haru Okumura. What is it that you want to do? Now, no one can decide your future for you. What would you like to do with the rest of your life?”
Haru was surprised, all this time and she’d only thought of the money and reputation she’d lost. But...in reality, she’d never cared about those things to begin with. While she was growing up, and her father was always busy building his company, all she’d ever wanted to do was be like the normal kids. Now, in a way, she was one. Granted, she was dirt poor now and had no home or parents, but she had a family. A new family who over such a short time, she’d grown to love. Ren was right, now she could do what she wanted with her life! No more arranged marriages, no more business meetings, no more Sugimura!
“When I was growing up.” She began. “My grandfather owned a cafe. It was small, but it had great coffee that the regulars loved. I remember wanting to own one just like it when I grew up. That was...before he died, and my father started his company.”
“That’s incredible!” Ren stood up from his seat. “Not the part about your grandfather dying, obviously. You want to try working at a cafe? Come work here!”
“Wh-But...Surely I’m not qualified. I’ve never made coffee in my life! I’ve never even cooked for myself!” She protested.
“So? When I first came here, I couldn’t even hard boil an egg! Sojiro’s an amazing teacher and I’m sure he’d be glad to have an extra pair of hands around since I’m gone so much. If you want to try working here, go ahead. Hell, I could teach you right now if you wanted.”
“Y-You would? In that case...could we start now?” She asked shyly.
“Sure. We can get started on everyone else’s breakfast and I’ll show you the steps.” He tied his apron up once again before handing her one.
“Everyone...else?” She questioned as she accepted the apron.
“Sojiro and Futaba. Not to mention, while you were changing, I got a few texts from the others. They’re pretty hungover too, so they’re coming here for some curry. Spicy food can help with hangovers after all.”
“Oh.” Now that she thought about it, her head didn’t even hurt anymore. Whatever was in this curry must’ve been a revolutionary cure-all, because Haru felt better than she could ever recall. It was either that or being with him. Ren just seemed to have this effect on her, helping cheer her up whenever she was at her lowest.
As she watched the boy begin to slice chili peppers with a huge grin on his face, Haru felt her feelings for Ren grow stronger than they were before. Sure she’d first fallen for his hero side, the masked vigilante who risked his life on a regular basis. But in all honesty, she liked this side of him even better, the soft-hearted boy living in the attic of a cafe who loved life and his friends. When she’d woken up this morning, she’d been scared and confused, but now she didn’t want this moment to end. And now that she didn’t have to worry about any arranged marriages, maybe now she could pursue who she really wanted.
“You coming?” Ren asked, turning to her.
“Oh! Yes, sorry!” She snapped out of her daze and joined the boy in the kitchen.
They were halfway through preparation when the cafe door swung open and in came a familiar punk-rock doctor looking very concerned.
“Ren! Have you seen Haru? She didn’t come home last night and-” She turned her gaze behind the counter and spotted the girl in question stirring a pot of chicken and vegetables.
“Good morning Tae! I’m making curry!” She giggled excitedly.
“Dammit girl!” She stormed her way behind the counter and smacked the back of the girl’s head. “Do you have any idea how worried I was about you!? You didn’t call, you didn’t text! I was up all night waiting for you, calling hospitals to see if you were hurt!”
“I’m sorry.” Haru rubbed the spot Tae hit. “I...I didn’t think. I was out with my friends and being stupid and-” The girl was cut off as the doctor pulled the girl into a hug, one which shocked Haru but she gladly reciprocated.
“Don’t ever worry me like that again. Got it?” She asked, her tone serious but relieved.
“Got it.” Haru replied, a tear forming in her eye as she smiled at the woman.
“Well since you’re here already, care for some breakfast?” Ren asked. “It’s on the house.”
“Damn right it is.” Takemi replied. “You owe me that much after making me worry so much.” She took a seat in one of the booths while Ren and Haru resumed cooking, both with large grins on their faces.
It wasn’t long after they finished preparations that the rest of the crew filed in, first Futaba and Sojiro, who was glad to not have to cook that morning, along with Ren’s new cat Maurice, soon followed by Ryuji, Makoto, Ann, Morgana, and finally Yusuke. Thankfully, none of the teens discussed last night’s events, exposing their underage drinking and subsequent hangovers to the adults present. The food was a hit, with all of the guests greedily cleaning their plates before asking for seconds (thirds in Yusuke’s case) and Haru couldn’t have been more proud.
As she looked over everyone talking and enjoying breakfast, she couldn’t help but reflect on how perfect this moment was. In that moment, none of what she had lost mattered, because she had gained so much too. Everyone was here and enjoying themselves, and she was able to help create that. What more could you ask for?
“You like it?” Ren asked, standing beside her. “Working here?”
“...It’s perfect.” She replied, staring into his eyes.
“Yeah. This place has some magic to it. No doubt about it.” He looked over his friends, his family enjoying themselves. “Hey Boss!” He called out to Sojiro. “Can Haru work here?”
“Sure.” The older man replied. “She can have your job!” He joked.
“Wha!” Ren mocked being offended. “Unbelievable.”
Haru merely giggled in response, grateful to be welcomed into the cafe.
When the meal finally concluded and the conversations began to simmer down, Makoto decided to make an announcement.
“Alright everyone, I know that the dance is still a few days away, but it’ll be upon us before we know it. I suggest that everyone, along with making sure the gym is prepped, go out and get a costume for the dance. Futaba, Yusuke, Boss, you’re all welcome to come as plus-ones so this applies to you too.”
“Ah I’m too old for that kind of shindig, you kids have fun though.” Sojiro passed on the invitation.
“Shindig? God Sojiro, you’re so old!” Futaba playfully punched his side. “But you can bet I’m going! I’ve got the perfect cosplay in mind!”
“I wish you’d told me sooner!” Yusuke raised his voice. “I’ll need to begin preparations now if I want to dazzle you all with my costume!”
“Sounds like this is going to be quite the event.” Tae took a sip from her coffee. “I can’t believe I signed up for this committee. You’re all lucky I love Halloween.”
And, just as Makoto said, the dance was upon them before they knew it.