let it bloom

"haru, stop. everyone's looking at us." i've seen two teenagers feeding each other in public before and i used to cringe at them, at their actions, at how high-pitched or loving they sound like while literally baby-ing each other.

"and?" and now i'm experiencing it.

"your bodyguards are staring!" i gently pushed her away to create some distance between us. it was already march, and the weather is still cold yet i couldn't feel any of it. i'm wrapped like a burrito in haru's coat. no, not just her coat, she's wearing it while hugging me.

"grandpa hired them for that reason, to 'keep an eye' on me. what are they supposed to do?" i've failed to come up with an argument, i gave up instead. i leaned onto her and let myself melt in her warmth.

"see, if you stop struggling so much, things are easier," she whispered to my ear,  putting her chin on top of my head, "and more comfortable. i really like times like these with you, saku." my heart did it again; i'm not sure whether the reason is her, our close proximity, or the constant anxiety of the flower blooming.

"say aah~" i willingly opened my mouth this time and enjoyed the strawberries.

i used to wish for something like this, a friend who will always be with me, spend most of my days talking about nothing in particular, just en