Chapter Text
Haru Okumura was in her third and final year of Shujin academy, and while she was always a quiet kid she didn't do it to be rude she just knew that once she was married for her fathers political career she would lose any relationship she had. Thankfully the school allowed her to start a garden on the roof, they had already brought up a few supplies from the school greenhouse. Haru walked to the roof as soon as school ended, however on the roof she saw someone leaning against a fan unit on the roof.
“Um sorry but no one else should be up here.” Haru said.
“Sorry I just couldn't deal with the rumors floating around in the library.” The boy said. “Sorry to bother you, senpai.”
“Senpai…” She said, “Does that make you a second year?” Haru asked.
“Yes.” The boy said.
“Why would they spread rumors about you?” Haru asked.
The boy shifted how he was standing. “Have you heard of the criminal transfer student?”
Haru nodded, unsure of where this boy was going with this.
“Because of my record people often talk about me.” He said his eyes were pointed at the ground as he said that. He pushed himself off the fan unit and began walking towards the door.
“Wait, you're a criminal?” Haru asked.
The boy looked really hurt as he walked towards the door.
“Wait, actually will you help me with the gardening?” Haru asked, watching the boy walk away broke her heart for some reason.
He turned around and said, “Sure I’ll help, I hope I can.”
As the boy walked over to where Haru was standing. “Ok we just need to tend to these planters for now.” She said,
“Ok I’ll follow your lead on this.” The boy said. “I know how particular people can be about gardens like this.”
As they crouched down and began tending to the planters.
“I know it might seem rude but I didn't actually get your name.” Haru said.
“Ren Amamiya.”
“And it sounds like you know my name already.” Haru said dejectedly.
“No actually, I just recognized your uniform of a third year student.” Ren said.
“Oh in that case please just call me senpai. It's not that I don't like my name, I just don't like the stigma attached to it.”
“I understand.” Ren said.
'He is so understanding and calm about these things, I know we just met but I already doubt that he committed a crime.' Haru thought to herself before returning to her planters.
Just then they heard the door to the roof open and Mr. Kamoshida walked through.
“Hey Amamiya, you're not supposed to be up here, return to your classroom.” He yelled.
“A-actually Amamiya is helping me out and since the school approved me being up here shouldn't he be allowed here?” Haru said, surprising herself by standing up for someone who she just met.
“Tch just remember the position you're in Amamiya.” Kamoshida grimaced and spat out his words.
“Believe me sir I can't forget.” Ren said his voice was dripping with anger.
Kamoshida then turned around. “There’s still class after this so be sure to not be late.”
“Yes sir.” Ren said his voice was still dripping with anger.
“What was that?” Haru asked as soon as the door clicked shut behind Kamoshida.
“I...I don't know, as soon as I transferred here he has hated me.” Ren said, turning to Haru. “And gone out of his way to make sure I know it.”
Haru stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt before walking over to him and hugging Ren.
“...Senpai?” Ren said.
“I'm sorry you have to deal with that.” Haru said as she tightened her grip on Ren.
Eventually the two had to go to class and then they went home once class ended.
Once Haru got home, her father was still absent. ‘He must still be at work.’ Haru thought to herself. Once she got to her room she flopped onto her bed and pulled her phone out hoping to see a message from Ren. There was no message from Ren and Haru silently cursed herself for expecting a message from someone who didn't have her contact information so she rolled over and eventually fell asleep. She dreamed that she walked into a building which was identifiable as a school and there were people talking about her from behind her back, students were spreading rumors about her and teachers and staff were spreading rumors to the student body. Haru awoke that morning in a cold sweat, what she had experienced while asleep gave her the most fear and anxiety she could remember having.
At school she found Ren again on the roof leaning against a fan unit this time with a smaller book in one hand his other hand was hanging next to him.
“Amamiya-kun?” Haru said Ren closed the book he was reading and placed it back in his bag before walking over to the planters to help Haru.
“Thanks for standing up for me yesterday.” Ren said immediately after crouching down to tend the planters.
“Of course, I'm no fan of Kamoshida anyway.” Haru said.
“You wave it off but it was still the first time anyone's done that since…” He trailed off.
“Can I ask what happened to get you arrested?” Haru asked, trying to make the most of the silence he had left.
Ren sighed openly before speaking.“ In my hometown my school kept me late one day and while I was walking home I heard a man and a woman arguing, as I got closer to my house I noticed them and that the man was clearly drunk and trying to force himself on the woman. I tried to help the woman but the man sued me and got me sent away and I have a record of arrests now.” Ren said.
“That's horrible.” Haru said.
“Kamoshida just reminds me of that man, which does not explain why he hates me but I guess hating a criminal isn't hard.” Ren said, dropping his gaze.
“Amamiya-kun…” Haru said looking at him, his gaze stayed rooted to the planters however it was clear his mind was somewhere else.
The rest of the break passed in silence and when class was about to begin Haru stood up and told Ren to follow. After that school was uneventful for both of them, since they were a year apart they didn't see each other in the hall.
The next day Haru woke up, it was a day off from school and she had heard about this lovely little café in Yongen and even though she had never been to that area her classmate recommended it a few months ago.
Haru strolled her way to the train station and got on the one heading for Yongen-Jaya, since that was the closest. After she stepped off the train and into the backstreets of Yongen she immediately felt lost and out of her element, however she looked up LeBlanc on her phone's navigation and followed it to a café that was tucked neatly between a supermarket and some apartments.
Stepping inside she was immediately taken aback by the glorious smell of fresh coffee and something else boiling away in the kitchen.
“Welcome.” Said someone before an older looking man wandered into the front area. “What can I get you?”
“Well, I've never been here so what would you recommend?” Haru asked, doing her best to seem polite.
“A drink I would recommend would be the house blend, and something to eat would be the famous curry.” The man behind the counter said.
“I’ll start with the house blend then.” Haru said.
“Coming right up, hey kid I gotta get some groceries so can you brew the coffee this time?” The man said to someone.
“Sure thing boss.” A familiar voice resounded from the back.
A moment later a young boy walked out of the kitchen and the boss walked out the door.
“Wait, Amamiya?” Haru said as she slowly recognized his messy black hair and general stance. “I didn't know you worked here.”
Ren looked at the door for a second before returning his gaze to Haru. “I actually live here as part of my probation.” All the while Ren was working away with his hands on something Haru couldn't see past the counter.
Ren placed a white cup on the counter, it rested in the middle of a small plate. “You coffee.” He said.
Haru sat down on the stool where Ren had placed the cup, she gingerly took a sip. “This is really good Amamiya, thank you for this.” Haru said.
Ren looked up and smiled. “Anyway, why are you here, senpai? I'm not trying to be rude, I just never knew you were interested in coffee.” He said.
‘His smile is so sweet and genuine’ Haru thought to herself. “My dream in life is to open a small local café, with an entirely handmade menu made from homegrown ingredients.” She said. "I know its probably not as exciting as other people's dreams but its what I want in my future."
“So that's why you were gardening at school the other day.” Ren said.
“Yes, and I find something about it to be relaxing.” Haru replied placing the cup back in its saucer which gave off an audible clink despite how carefully she put the cup down.
“I hope it was still relaxing having to hold my hand through everything.” Ren said with a chuckle.
‘He said that so casually’. “Oh no I enjoyed you being there, it's rare for people to join me in my hobbies.” Haru waved her hands in front of her face.
“I'm joking senpai, I enjoyed it too.” Ren said seeing how his word choice was affecting Haru.
Haru looked down and took another sip of her coffee trying to hide how much she was blushing now, fortunately Ren didn't seem to notice. Just then the door opened and the older looking man walked back in. “It seems like your doing fine. Wait why are you smiling like that?” He asked Ren who was now smiling to himself.
“We know each other from school.” Haru said before Ren could say anything.
“Really?.” The older man said feigning surprise. “I'm surprised there's someone in that school willing to put up with him.”
“He's actually been very helpful.” Haru said in response to the man's joking tone.
“Helpful. Him?” The older man said he looked at Ren somewhat accusingly.
“I help you around the store all the time.” Ren said.
The older man just rolled his eyes. “Can it.” He said and Ren let out a small chuckle. “I hope it's not too much trouble to keep an eye on him.”
“Oh no it's absolutely fine.” Haru stammered, once she had finished her cup she paid and walked out, bowing before she left.
“She seems like a sweet girl.” The older man said before Haru fully closed the door. “How far have you gotten with her?”
“Sojiro, we're just friends.” She heard Ren say, a little forcefully.
‘Friends’. Haru already didn’t want to lose what she had with him but would she even be able to see him after she was married? She pondered this as she walked to the station to get a train home.