Work Text:
1. It’s just Haru. When Keisuke brings him over for the first time, he introduces himself to you as Haru, and when you ask for his full name, he says, Just Haru with such a firm voice but an averted gaze that you let it be. To him, you’re just Ryoko, anyway, because the name Baji is already taken by your son.
2. He’s a quiet kid. Assertive, sure, but never loud.
3. One time, while the three of you are at the playground, Haru falls off the climbing frame, scraping his knees and palms. He sheds big tears, and for the rest of the afternoon, his gaze shoots daggers at the climbing frame. But he doesn’t scream once. Nor does he sob loudly. All there is are quiet tears, and when you and Keisuke hug him, he doesn’t let go for a long time.
4. You don’t hold him often, but whenever you do, he freezes for a second before melting into your touch.
5. Haru’s always wanted a cat. Thinking of it makes you chuckle every time because he’s so much like one. You like to imagine him curling up next to a little kitty in his bed. He always seems so lonely, in a way, and you think a cat would really fit him, even if he might be a little too impatient for one at times.
6. When Keisuke’s urged you to visit Shinichiro’s bike shop every day for a week straight, you eventually give in. It’s nice. Shinichiro’s nice. Haru is there, and Takeomi’s there too, and you learn that he’s Haru’s older brother. He’s an exhausting, loud kid, huh?, he asks, and a cold shiver runs down your spine.
7. Haru sleeps over at yours often. Takeomi seems relieved, and Keisuke and Haru are happy, so you don’t mind. He keeps Keisuke in check when he’s too much of a rascal, and they both fall asleep with smiles on their faces, and that’s enough.
8. Sweets and salty snacks start disappearing from your cupboard. It’s the first and only time you truly scream at Haru. He and Keisuke lock themselves in your son’s room, and even though you feel bad, you never end up apologising for it. But you do start giving him some of the snacks for free. He’s always been an awfully thin child.
9. One night, you’re awoken by Keisuke knocking at your bedroom door. He stands there, pouting. Haru’s had a nightmare, he tells you, and now he won’t stop crying. The two of you hug him until his breathing goes back to normal. He’s too young for this, but all you can do is tell him that he’s safe with you, and make sure that Keisuke hugs him to sleep.
10. One day, Takeomi calls. Haru’s in the hospital. You visit him together with Keisuke because he’s too young to go alone. Haru doesn’t say anything because talking hurts, but he listens to Keisuke talking about the newest episode of their favorite show, and even though Haru’s mouth doesn’t move, you know there’s a smile in his eyes.
11. Haru forgives Mikey. You’re not sure why, but you think you can understand. He must really like Mikey, even after everything. And you’ve loved the same way before.
12. After the hospital visit, Haru starts coming over less and less.
13. It saddens you to see Keisuke miss him. They grow apart in the span of a few months, and the last time either of you see Haru for a long time is that winter’s first snow. Keisuke and him build a snowman. There’s still hardly any snow, so it’s not very tall, and that evening, you and Keisuke put it into your freezer to be able to look at it for a little longer.
14. The next time you see Haru again is the very last. He’s called Sanzu now, and he only hugs you reluctantly, but then he doesn’t let go until you do. It’s Keisuke’s funeral, and you sob in each other’s arms, snot and all. He leaves halfway through the service in a haste. You don’t get to say goodbye.
15. The snowman eventually leaves your freezer when you move out another three years later. It’s the last thing that’s remained of Haru—Sanzu—and you cry when you gently lift it into your sink because it’s like a part of Keisuke, of Keisuke and one of his former closest friends, dying all over again.
16. You never hear anything from Sanzu—Haru—ever again.