I woke up to my phone vibrating oddly close to me. I answered the call that i was recieving.


    —What''s the matter now? —i spoke first begrudgingly.


    —Come over to my house. —Yuuko ordered me around, cutting the call as soon as she finished.


    Classic Yuuko. I don''t even have a choice. Because if i don''t go know, she''s going to end up coming here to drag me herself.


    I went to the bathroom to wash my face, and i really looked messy despite getting ready to go to school not so long ago.


    When i got back home, i fell asleep instantly. I didn''t even make my way to my room, i just passed out on the couch. So now, my hair is all messy and being completely honest, i don''t feel like fixing it now.


    I went into the balcony to take a quick peek at how cold it is outside, and as soon as i stepped out i nearly froze to death.


    It''s not only windy, the wind itself is pretty cold.


    I managed to throw myself into a somewhat decent outfit so i don''t genuinely freeze to death, took a quick peek at myself in the mirror, and nodded.


    I turned the lights off, closed the windows, and walked towards my door.


    "What does Yuuko want out of nowhere?"  i thought to myself, and as i wrapped my scarf around my neck, and put on the nearest pair of boots that i had, i walked out.


    As i walked down the stairs and into the street, i noticed pretty quickly that i, Haruna forgot for the second time in a single day my earphones.


    I let out a huge sigh, and decided to just keep walking anyways, for the second time.


    Thankfully, there wasn''t a lot of people around in the street, and there wasn''t really any noise that could make me feel slightly more annoyed than i already am at myself. I can really be a pretty huge idiot sometimes.


    I checked my phone quickly to take a look at what time it was, and it was just past 1PM.


    That''s surprising. I felt like a slept a lot more than just a few hours.


    Well, whatever. I still feel a bit drowsy, but it is a day off, so i guess its nice that i got a bit more sleep in.


    Of course, not like i had anything better to...


    "I didn''t expect to either, but i just wanted to leave it like this because i''d hate it no matter what"


    Before i realized, Anri''s words found their way back into my head. Am i just curious? Because that comment from her really did catch my attention, given the only thing i know about her, is that she loves books, and that even last year she already had a bit of a sour look in her face when it came to talking to people.


    Not only that, but i also remember pretty clearly a lot of people making comments about how her hair looks pretty, and more.


    I guess she does have her own things to worry about if she hates it that much, huh...


    Before getting too caught up in overthinking, i realized i was already at Yuuko''s house.


    I walked up, and i knocked twice.


    —Haru-chan, welcome! —a familiar face opened the door pretty swiftly.


    —Im sorry to appear out of nowhere, Akemi-san.


    —Yuuko told me you were going to come, so don''t worry about it. Come in.


    I took off my coat and my scarf as i thankfully made my way into Yuuko''s house, where it was a lot warmer than out in the street.


    Yuuko''s mom signaled me to just head upstairs, and i nodded to her, as i made my way up.


    —Im coming in, Yuuko  —i knocked once before opening the door to her room.


    —Ah, you got here a lot earlier than i thought you would. —she was laying down on her bed, and she looked a lot more alright than i thought she would.


    Not only that, but she was eating some pocky without a single worry in the world.


    —I thought something had happened to you, and all i can find is a young lady without a single care in the world eating snacks like its nothing. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    —You''re already here, so keep the complaints to yourself. Besides...


    —I made sure to get here quick precisely because i thought it was something serious. And here, i nearly froze to death for you! —i played up my best "dramatic girlfriend" impression towards her, before i realized she had a completely blank expression on her face, and i felt someone''s gaze on my back.


    I turned around, and i felt my heart skip a beat when i realized who was staring at me.


    —Yuuko-senpai, is there something i don''t really know about you two?


    —Not really. You don''t see her in class, but this is how Haru usually acts. Get used to it, Hanamiya.


    I reflexively froze, and sat down next to Yuuko, as if i was getting ready to get scolded or something.


    What''s with this stupidly stiff reaction? Something''s wrong with me.


    —Anyways, what are you doing here, Anri?  —i asked to try to bring the attention away from the sheer embarassment im feeling right now.


    —I live next door. I told Yuuko-senpai what happened earlier. —Anri brought us some tea as she sat down next to me,a lot closer than what i expected her to.


    I couldn''t really take my attention off how close she was.


    Okay, listen here, Haruna. Why are you getting nervous about something like this? Please, get it together.


    Yeah, something''s really wrong with me if im constantly speaking to myself in my mind.


    —I see. It might be a bit stupid for me to ask, but are you...


    —Yes, im fine. After all, they''ve been doing this for a while and this is the first time in a while that they do something physical.


    It really wasnt a one time thing, then...


    —Haru, you took a video of those three while they shoved Hanamiya around, right? —Yuuko asked without paying much attention to what Anri said.


    I took out my phone, and just handed it over to her, so she checked herself.


    —Mizuno-senpai, you were going to show this at school anyways, right?  —Anri asked me with a slightly concerned expression on her face.


    —Not really.


    —Then, be honest and tell her what you were planning by doing that. —Yuuko stared at me with a sharper gaze.


    Sure, i''ll play along.


    —I''ll remember their faces, so i was going to keep a look out for Anri at school. You don''t want me to blow it out of proportion, right?


    Anri started clenching her skirt and nodded without saying a word.


    —Mizuno-senpai, i appreciate you looking out for me, but...  —As she kept speaking, i realized where this was going, so i interrupted her.


    —I didn''t do it specifically for that reason, you know?


    Yuuko stood up and grabbed my arm pretty tightly.


    —Then, what are you doing?


    She''s pretty shaken up... It''s been a while since i''ve seen her like this.


    —Im not just going to stand around and let a whole group of idiots do whatever they want. That''s it. Besides, i recognized Anri too. I did say i was going to look out for you, and it''s because...


    My mind went blank, as i realized i couldn''t bring myself to say it.


    "Sayumi would have done the same"


    Yuuko seemed to realize how my words started to get stuck in my throat, and she let my arm go very delicately.


    —Im sorry, i got a bit heated up. Hanamiya''s parents are close friends of mine, so i want to look out for her too, but you know... overdoing things is the worst we can do for her. —Yuuko spoke pretty earnestly.


    —Mizuno-senpai, i wasn''t going to blame you for doing something wrong. In fact, the way you handled things was pretty nice for me. I just want to ask you something.


    —Go ahead.  —i smiled at her, knowing well i feel a bit more comfortable now.


    —We should spend more time together.


    My heart skipped a beat again at how much i got caught off-guard.


    I must have instantly dyed my face red, because Anri backtracked instantly.


    —Okay, that sounded weird. I mean it, but don''t just be weird and go about things for "looking out for me". After all, it''s not like anyone''s going to even bother doing something to me with Mizuno-senpai around.


    Yuuko chuckled at Anri''s comment, and i could already feel the dagger flying into my chest.


    —True, she is pretty infamous after all... —she took the jab at me while holding her laughter.


    —Yeah, yeah. Then, i''ll take you up on that, Anri.


    I really had no reason to. But, i have no reason to just tell her no in the first place.


    It''ll be just fine, i guess.


    —Will you both stay over for lunch?


    I stood up, and i looked at Anri before i spoke, hoping she understands what i was trying to tell her with my eyes.


    —I''ll leave early. I have some things i want to buy on the way back, so i''ll pass for today, Yuuko.


    —I did call you at the worst time possible, so i understand. Well, be careful on your way back, Haru.


    I smiled at her and nodded before looking at Anri again.


    —I''ll go back to my house too. I''ll walk Mizuno-senpai out.


    We both waved goodbye to her and started walking out.


    Thankfully, she did get it.


    I picked up my coat and my scarf back, and headed out with Anri following me closely.


    —I''ll walk you a little farther down, is it okay? —Anri asked softly.


    —I don''t mind. Maybe you could just take me all the way down to my apartment. I''d appreciate it. —i exaggerated it, to see if she''d feel a little less stiff talking to me.


    —I didn''t realize you were that lonely, Mizuno-senpai —she said trying her hardest not to laugh. A bit cheeky now, huh?


    —I might not be joking at all, you know? —our eyes managed to meet as i leaned over a little closer to her, while i spoke.


    —Even if you aren''t, im just surprised. You''re very easy to talk compared to how people see you at school.


    —Well, even i get tired of playing dumb and being upbeat, you know?


    She chuckled at my line as i thought to myself, that it was probably just fine to let out a little bit more.


    —Even so, i will admit that i feel a lot more at peace talking to you and Yuuko.


    —Is that so...  —her voice softened a lot , and she gave me a pretty short answer.


    I stopped walking, and turned around to face her as i figured we''ve talked enough.


    —I''ll be fine from here on, Anri. Thank you for taking the time — i smiled at her again, this time meeting her eyes directly.


    I couldn''t tell if i just felt happy, or if my heart was truly skipping a beat right now.


    —No problem, Mizuno-senpai. See you tomorrow, at school —she waved goodbye at me with her hands, and i noticed they were trembling a little bit.


    I didn''t realize... well, it''s fine.


    Before i waved goodbye back at her, i quickly ran up close to her, and put my coat around her.


    —You could have said something, you know? —i spoke slightly concerned for her.


    Anri''s eyes were avoiding mine.


    —You can just give it back to me tomorrow. I''ll be going now, Anri.


    I turned around, waved her goodbye this time, and started walking back towards my apartment.


    Thankfully, i forgot my earphones again. Im sure, that if i did bring them, i''d be hearing the sound of my own heartbeat louder than the music i''d be listening to.


    Even if i don''t know why im suddenly getting so shaken up... i figured i''ll be just fine.


    All of this, feels a bit wrong... i think.


    I''ve been seeing in shades of gray most of the time, nowadays, but i feel like this day everything started taking a little bit more color.