It was the second night of my trip back to my parents’ house.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling of my old room. I’d already tossed and turned a dozen times, yet sleep remained stubbornly out of reach.
I couldn't drift off. I was in the same room where I’d spent over a decade of my life, the temperature was set just right, and the day’s work cleaning the family grave had left my body with a healthy level of fatigue.
Normally, I would have been out like a light by now. I didn't even have to wonder why I wasn't.
"Sigh..."
I checked my phone by my pillow, watching the second digit on the clock tick upward. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself into a sitting position.
Not long ago, this restlessness had been my normal state... but it seemed that in less than two weeks, my mind and body had become incapable of sleeping without her.
I’d managed to fall asleep last night, likely thanks to the sheer nostalgia of being home, but trying to pull that off two nights in a row was a different story.
I wanted to talk to Haruka, even for a moment. I just wanted to see her face. But it felt cruel to wake her up at this hour just because I was feeling lonely.
Besides, we had to leave around noon tomorrow, and I wanted to be well-rested... and yet... and yet...
I let out another long, weary sigh and was about to collapse back onto the mattress when it happened.
Knock, knock.
A soft, hesitant rapping at the door made my heart give a small skip.
Could it be? I called out a quiet "Who is it?" with a surge of hope, and the voice that answered was exactly the one I’d been longing to hear.
"Sorry for coming by so late, Tatsumi-kun. Were you already asleep...?"
"No, I was actually struggling to get to sleep."
"Come in," I said, prompting her to enter before using the remote to click on the nightlight.
The gentle orange glow illuminated Haruka’s smile, and a grin of my own finally broke across my face.
"I'm glad you came. I was just thinking about how I’d have to hold you responsible for this."
"Responsible for what?"
"For making me unable to sleep alone. Here, come sit."
"Hehe, all right."
When I beckoned her jokingly, Haruka’s smile widened, and she approached the bed with a light, happy spring in her step.
We sat side by side on the edge of the mattress, leaning into one another as we whispered.
"It sounds like the progress on my plan is going quite well, then?"
"What plan is that?"
"The 'Make Tatsumi-kun unable to live without me' plan!"
"That’s a terrifying thing to plot... though at the very least, my stomach is already completely dependent on you."
"Hehe, mission accomplished. I guess the next target is your sleep cycle?"
"Give me a break. I’m already worried about what’ll happen once summer vacation ends."
"We can always have stayovers on the weekends, right? Since we can’t be together on weekdays, we’ll just have to make up for it with plenty of flirting then."
"I'm not sure if I should be happy or intimidated..."
It was a peaceful time. We huddled close, hands entwined, exchanging idle, rambling thoughts. The warmth radiating from where our bodies touched slowly unraveled my loneliness, and I felt a heavy drowse finally beginning to settle over me.
"...I’m finally starting to feel sleepy. By the way, Haruka, why did you come over?"
I asked while stifling a yawn. Haruka gave me a sweet, melting smile.
"The same reason as you, Tatsumi-kun. I couldn't fall asleep on my own, and I really wanted to talk to you."
"I see..."
"Ehehe... maybe I’m the one who’s become useless without you?"
"I guess I ended up counterattacking without even realizing it..."
The hunter becoming the hunted—was that the phrase? Or maybe that wasn't quite right.
I let out a soft, wry chuckle and flopped back onto the bed. Haruka tumbled down beside me, and neither of us said another word.
The moment she’d walked into my room, this had been the foregone conclusion.
My only concern was the possibility of a family member seeing us sleeping together in the morning... but a good night’s rest was worth the risk.
"Goodnight, Haruka."
"Goodnight, Tatsumi-kun."
I gently wrapped my arms around Haruka as she snuggled her forehead against my chest, and I finally let my eyelids close.
Feeling her warmth and softness against me, I let out a tiny, silent laugh... and my consciousness drifted away into the dark.
"Are you really leaving already? Oh, it’s so lonely to see you go."
Early the next afternoon, my stepmother sighed as Haruka and I finished lunch and began gathering our things.
"I told you from the start it was only for two nights. I can't keep her here for her entire Obon break."
"I know, I know... but still! Haruka-chan, please come visit whenever you like. You’re always welcome here!"
"Thank you so much! I’d love to come back when I have the chance!"
While the two of them held hands and promised to meet again, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned to find Dad holding out a book with a devious, mocking grin.
"Here, this is my new release. I even signed it for my biggest fan, Tatsumi, so make sure you treasure it. ♡"
"I don't want it..."
"Don't be shy! You can just message me your thoughts on LINE later. Or hey, you could even write me a fan letter!"
Ignoring my blunt rejection, Dad pushed the book onto me with such persistence that I finally gave in and took it. If I told him I already had a copy, it would only make things more exhausting.
As I shoved the book into my bag with a sigh, Dad watched me with a look of profound sentimentality.
"Man... I never would’ve guessed my Tatsumi would be bringing a girlfriend home for the holidays. And such a stunningly beautiful one at that."
"I think I’m more surprised than anyone."
"Gahaha, I bet! I guess the next long break is winter. You’ll be spending Christmas with Haruka-san, I assume, but what about the New Year?"
"We haven't decided yet... I’m sure Haruka will want to spend the actual New Year with her own family, so I’ll probably be the only one coming back here."
The Akise household was a happy one, and Haruka valued her time with her family just as much as our time together. Besides, Yui would be deep into her entrance exam prep by then, so we wouldn't have much time for leisure anyway.
Perhaps catching the tail end of our conversation, Natsuki eagerly jumped in.
"In that case, maybe we should be the ones to visit Tatsumi-kun's place next time! Dad and I could tag along on the day Yui goes for her stayover!"
"I don't mind, but... is Yui actually doing okay with her studies?"
"Me?" Yui chimed in. "A day or two won't hurt. My last mock test went pretty well. Oh, and if we’re going, I want to eat Big Brother’s cooking again!"
"It’s true, we didn't get a chance to try it this trip. I’d love a taste as well," Natsuki added.
"Haruka-san’s food was incredible... and since he’s been her student for two months, I bet his cooking is something special," Dad teased.
"Hehe, he’s my star pupil! I’ve trained him very thoroughly, so you can definitely look forward to it!"
Don’t go raising the bar like that...! I’d improved, sure, but I was still leagues behind Haruka.
"Don't go getting your hopes up," I warned them before checking my phone. Our bus wasn't due for a while yet, but it was better to be early than late.
"Haruka, it’s about time."
"Right, okay."
I called out to Haruka, who was still chatting with the girls, and stood up while hoisting my bags.
Haruka turned toward the three of them at the front door and gave a deep, polite bow.
"Shintaro-san, Natsuki-san, Yui-chan. Thank you for taking care of me these past three days. I truly had a wonderful time!"
"As long as you enjoyed yourself, that's all that matters. Tatsumi’s a man of few words and he’s all size, but he’s a sincere guy. Take good care of him."
"I was so happy to finally speak with you in person! Please keep looking after Tatsumi-kun—and Yui, too."
"Haruka-san, thank you for coming! Let's keep talking on LINE!"
As I watched them exchange their final, warm farewells, I felt a quiet wave of relief.
I hadn't been terribly worried, knowing how my father and the others were, but seeing them hit it off so naturally was still a weight off my shoulders. Haruka probably felt the exact same way when I’d visited the Akise home.
Dad noticed me basking in the moment and smirked.
"Don't just stand there daydreaming. Work hard so Haruka-san doesn't get bored of you. Need me to lend you some reference books on how to be a charmer?"
"I don't need them. They’re just those romance novels you like, aren't they? We have our own way of doing things."
"Listen to the kid who’s been dating for two months talk like an expert. And sorry to disappoint, but the books I’d lend you are from Mom’s collection, not mine."
I was about to point out that there wasn't much of a difference when a sharp elbow slammed into Dad’s ribs.
Leaving my father to wheeze in pain, the culprit—my stepmother—offered me a gentle smile.
"It was so good to see you again and see how much you’ve grown. Take care of yourself, and stay happy with Haruka-chan."
"Yeah, I will. You take care too, Mom. I know work is busy."
"Big Brother, make sure you don't cause Haruka-san any trouble! Good luck with your studies—oh, and the Sports Festival is coming up, right? Good luck with that too!"
"You don't have to tell me. Good luck with your entrance exams, Yui."
Yui made a visibly disgusted face at the mention of exams, which made me laugh.
She had about six months until the high school entrance exams. I hoped she and Inami—who she’d mentioned was in the same cram school—would be able to push through to the end together. Not that it was really any of my business.
With the final round of goodbyes finished, we left the Yanagida home behind, seen off by the three of them waving and smiling.
Haruka kept turning back to wave until they were out of sight, then she took my hand with a radiant expression.
"Tatsumi-kun, thank you so much for bringing me! I had so much fun!"
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Natsuki-san was so kind, but she’s also so cool and composed. She feels like such a professional. I think I’d like to be like her someday."
"She’s definitely a different type than Kayo-san."
"She is! And Shintaro-san is so... how do I put it? Nonchalant? He’s so good at joking and has such a relaxed vibe. Hehe, maybe he doesn't take after you much after all, Tatsumi-kun."
"I’ve always been told I have my father’s face and my mother’s personality. ...Anyway, I’m just glad everyone got along."
"I'm relieved too! And I finally got to talk to Yui-chan again. Hehe, I can’t wait to see what happens with her and Inami-kun!"
"Give the poor girl a break..."
I smiled back at Haruka as she fondly recounted her favorite moments from the trip.
And just like that, our summer trip to the Yanagida house came to a close.