Chapter 35: It All Begins Now!

Chapter 35 - It All Begins Now!Both Haruma and Rukia were locked eyes with everyone around them drunk and passed out. As Rukia began to stand up, But suddenly, Toru held her, wrapping his arm around her, making her sit, he licked his cheek before biting it. Rukia's eyes widened, appearing uncomfortable and embarrassed while Haruma was completely focused on them, watching them with stoic expressions. Toru kept clinging to Rukia who was holding him back, "Toru, everyone's around!" she said in a hushed tone, but Toru was drunk. "Why didn't you drink?" Toru said in a groggy tone, and began clinging more to her, holding her thigh, causing Rukia to quickly look at Haruma with an uncomfortable look, while Haruma kept watching them with a serious face. "Let's go to my bedroom!" Toru said while clinging to Rukia. Just then Haruma hastily stood up and walked away. Rukia's eyes widened and she shoved Toru back who fell on the couch diving unconscious. Rukia quickly stood up and followed Haruma with urgent steps. Haruma came and opened the fridge pulling out a water bottle, opening its lid. Just then Rukia came and stood some distance behind him, "Haruma." she called out softly. Haruma closed the fridge and turned to her holding the water bottle. Taking deep breaths, Rukia hesitantly began, "It's n-not-" her voice trembling. "It's fine." Haruma with a faint smile cut her in mid sentence, "You are his girlfriend, so, it makes sense." Rukia was looking at him with a slightly disappointed look, "Then why did you storm off?" she asked in a low tone. Haruma let out a soft giggle and playfully said, "You wanted me to see?" He opened the lid and held the bottle up for her to see, "I came here for water!" He then began taking a long gulp. Rukia was still looking at him with an uncertain look. Haruma lowered the bottle, glancing at his wristwatch, saying, "I should leave now, I'm getting late." With that he walked past Rukia, who quickly turned around to his direction and said "You can stay the night" Haruma paused and turned to face her, "No, actually I'll be leaving for the academy in the morning." Rukia's face lit up with a smile and she walked standing before Haruma, "That's great, Congrats" In response Haruma flashed a smile. Smiling warmly at Haruma, she asked, "When can I see you again?" Haruma's eyes widened slightly, "What?" he muttered in a puzzled tone. Rukia raises her hand for a shake, "Can we be friends?" she asked. Haruma returned the smile and shook her hand, "We were already friends." he replied. Maintaining her smile Rukia asked, "So as a friend, when and where can I see you again? since you won't be here for the next whole year." Haruma with his smile in place replied, "You can accompany Masaru when he comes to visit me." Rukia gave a nod and said, "Alright then, let's meet again soon." Both exchanging smiles, hands still clasped in a slow gentle shake. Separating their hands, Haruma said, "Alright bye, and I'll take Masaru with me, I'll drop him off at his house." Without saying a word Rukia gave her nod a warm smile playing on her face. Haruma returned the nod and turned walking towards Masaru. Making Masaru stand, he placed Masaru's arm around his shoulder, supporting him to stand. He began walking towards the exit, waving at Rukia. Rukia waved back at her watching him leave with a big, warm smile... The sun was about to rise, Haruma packed his traveling bag and swung it on his shoulder, standing straight he gazed at his sports bag lying on the ground. With a determined gaze he grabbed his sports bag and stepped out of his room. Coming outside, Haruma saw his mother standing in the kitchen, packing a lunch box, her eyes had tears in them, and a warm smile playing on her lips. Upon seeing his mother, Haruma flashed a faint warm smile, he walked and stood at the doorway of the kitchen. "Mother." he called out softly. His mother quickly turned around wiping her tears, "Ooh Haruma, you are here." She quickly packed the lunchbox and stood before Haruma, handing him the box. Without missing a beat she spoke up, "This is your lunch box, I know it's not enough and I also know you prefer to eat homemade food but you don't worry I'll visit every once a week and I'll bring your favorite meal with me, and yeah" She quickly takes out some cash from her pocket and quickly placed it inside Haruma's front pocket. "I know it isn't much for a week but I'll try to increase the amount from the next week, and have you packed your everything I hope you aren't forgetting anything and-" Haruma pulled her in a warm hug, causing her words to freeze. There was a moment of eerie silence, before she burst into sobs, she hugged Haruma back, her loud sobs echoing in the air... Later on, Haruma and his mother then stepped out of the building and noticed Ryusei standing some distance, leaning on his car. Haruma smiled and walked towards him. Ryusei smiled, and stood straight watching him approaching. Closing in, they both shared a hug. Pulling back from the hug, Ryusei said, "I'm so proud, Haruma." Haruma smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Takanami," he said with gratitude. Maintaining his smile, he glanced over his mother, who still had tears in her eyes. "Miss Sumiko" Ryusei said in a soft tone, drawing her gaze, "Don't worry... I'll watch after Haruma, he'll be fine." Haruma's mother smiled faintly and gave him a slow nod. With a smile Ryusei opened the door gesturing them to step inside. With that Haruma's mother settled on the backseat, and Haruma sat in front and Ryusei took the driving seat, driving the car away into the distance... Later on, Ryusei's car came to a halt. Haruma, his mother and Ryusei then stepped out of the car, and saw Kento and his family already waiting outside with a car parked near them. Kento gaze landed on Haruma and he gave him a big wave. Haruma smiled back and began walking towards him. Closing in, both stood face to face with Kento firmly gripping both Haruma's shoulders, "Are you ready?" he asked in an energetic tone. Haruma with a confident smile gave him a quick nod. Just then Ryusei and Haruma's mother came from Haruma's behind standing to his side. Ryusei extended a hand to Kento and said, "Hello, my name is Ryusei Takanami, his uncle and a family friend." Kento with a smile clasped and shook his hand, "My name is Kento Takayama, the coach of Japan U17 Football team." "It's a pleasure meeting you." Ryusei added with a sincere tone, before immersing in further chat with him. While Haruma was standing nearby with a smile. "Brother!" Mio's voice echoed, immediately drawing Haruma's attention, who saw Mio standing next to his father. Kneeling down to her, Haruma said, "Hey little princess, I hope you are coming to see your brother off." Mio's expressions softened into sadness, "I wanted to, but I have school." Haruma smiled, "Yeah, you shouldn't skip your school." Looking around he asked, "Where is your sister ayane?" "She's in her room, studying." Mio replied, her demeanour still down. Haruma gently placed a hand on top her head, "Don't be sad, you can visit me on weekends, and I'll treat you with your favorite ice cream" Mio's face brightened with a smile, "Thank you brother Haruma!" she said cheerfully, with a wide bright smile she said, "I definitely like brother Haruma more than the other brother." Haruma got slightly confused, "Other brother?" he asked, maintaining a puzzled smile. Mio turned around, glancing at a specific direction, Haruma followed her gaze and saw another boy standing near Kento's car, his back on Haruma. Haruma, slightly puzzled, rose to his feets and walked towards him. The other boy remained motionless, his back still turned. Standing behind that boy, Haruma said, "Hey." his voice etched with slight confusion. The boy slowly turned around to reveal himself. The Black Kallor, Kurogami Shikyo. Haruma's eyes snapped open in disbelief, while Kurogami was shooting him a serious gaze. Both locked eyes, air around them heavy with tension.