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Haruka was walking down his street as he heard his phone buzz in his pocket. He took it out, intending to put off the message for a little while, but seeing who the sender was, those plans drifted away in a moment. He smiled at the screen, giddy like a little kid, and held it up to his face to cover his grin. Every single time Muu texted him, this would end up happening. His naturally sad-looking expression could be instantly lifted just by the mention of the girl. Now, she texted him.
It was quite an ordinary text, something along the lines of 'Be there soon, love you~♡' . Be where soon, though? Well, long story short; They have been dating for about half a year now (!!), and Haruka knew he had to do something for valentine's day, so he went with the good old café date. So Muu will be at the café soon. He stopped at the bus stop, and soon enough boarded on the vehicle. He managed not to forget either his phone, his boarding pass, the flowers he brought or his money, so he was on the right track.
He counted the stops — first, second, third, fourth, and got off at the fifth like clockwork. He's been preparing. The first few times he got off at the wrong stop made him take the same bus for about a week before events to really burn it in. It's silly, but it works. Mahiru sometimes calls him while he's on to make sure he doesn't stay on the bus and, whatever, go to the other countryside on accident.
The stop was in the middle of the city, but luckily it wasn't really far from the café, so he didn't have much of a chance of getting lost. Walk straight across, left turn, left turn again, and he was on the memorial street of the old city with stone instead of sidewalk. His shoes were clicking as he walked. The sound made him happy. His shoes were … untied, probably, and worn down. He wore jeans for this outing, and a button-up shirt under his coat. He made an effort to look at least plausible for a date.
He was nearing the café, and as he arrived in front of the door, he saw Muu was already there and waiting for him. She was on a call with her parents, probably, and god— she was beautiful. She always is, but judging by her outfit being even more frilly and cute than usual, she was also going the extra mile, since she's on a date. With him. He was smiling again, blushing like an idiot just staring at her. Muu didn't notice him yet — but when she hung up the phone, she quickly looked around and finally her gaze landed on Haruka.
She stuffed her phone in her coat's pocket hastily and ran up to him, planting a kiss on his cheek before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Muu's been missing you all this time!" She pulled away and cupped his face in her hands, humming to herself. "You must have missed Muu too." Haruka nodded the best he could without disturbing her hands, and tried give his brightest smile. "Yes, Muu-san. I was very— very excited to see you today. Yes." Muu just giggled and released his face.
Suddenly, a small pout appeared on her face. He was about to ask her what's up, but she had already opened her mouth to speak. "Muu feels like something is missin— ah! I know!" Without warning, she pulled him down by his scarf into another kiss, this time on the lips. Haruka could physically feel his face become hotter every second. No matter the amount of unexpected kisses he would get from Muu, he just couldn't get used to it. Muu knew this better than anyone else and still contuined doing it. He didn't mind.
He was still a little dazed when Muu tugged on his sleeve. "Come on, Haruka-kun. We should go inside. It's cold out here— Oh, and happy valentine's!" Haruka hesitated for a moment. "Happy valentine's day, Muu-san. Uh— Hold on, I've got something— Here, flowers, for you." He looked away. He was almost completely certain that if he was blushing a minute ago, then he was as red as the roses in his hand. Muu gave a squeal and took the flowers, smelling them. "Thank you!" She smiled at him, and he felt like he was melting right there in the negative three celsius degrees weather.
Muu dragged him into the café and sat him down at the table in the corner. She definitely knew he would eventually complain that the noises are too loud, with his words or more likely; with his face. He leaned on the table and just watched her. She read the menu aloud to him, twice, before calling over a waiter to order. Haruka just asked for cake. He didn't know what kind, it had cake in it, so he'd probably finish it. Muu, on the other hand had a lot of requests. Something along the lines of .. Strawberry crepe, but not too much cream, if there's too much cream she can't have it, oh, and she'd like a slice of the shortcake as well, but—
She took his hands into hers, playing with his fingers. Her hands were warm, warmer both than the cold air outside and the .. less cold air, inside. "Muu has really missed you, you know. She wishes we saw eachother more often now." Haruka nodded in agreement, and intertwined their fingers. Since Muu has gone to university, his life was a lot less exciting. He graduated from senior high and thus didn't see Es every day anymore, and his company was mostly Mahiru or maybe Yuno, occasionally. He missed falling asleep in Muu's arms every night.
The waiter arrived with their desserts, and Muu gently took her hands away to eat. They ate in silence other from Muu occasionally making small noises to show her appreciation. It wasn't awkward at all, but Haruka wished he could catch up with her, wished they would talk to eachother. He took a deep breath, swallowed his mouthful of cake and tried to think of something appropriate to say. "I'm sorry for not calling you very often." She looked up from her crepe, whipped cream on her cheek. (which he reached over to wipe off.)
She looked a little puzzled before muffling a laugh with her palms. "It's okay, Haruka-kun. Muu should call you more, too." He wasn't satisfied with that answer. No, not at all. "Muu-san, no— It's not— It's not about that, but— I just wish we could talk more, and, and— and I miss getting to see you every day and you, uhm— you know me, I can't—" His voice cracked a little. He ducked his head away to clear his throat. "I don't know if people like me if they don't tell me and— I just— I know you do but— I—" That's it. He gave up. Nothing more's coming out in a sentence that makes actual sense.
Muu stared at him, dumbfounded, before reaching over the table with her hand, hooking it under his chin and bringing his head up. She gave a little smile and pointed at his cake, prompting him to eat now. "Muu is very busy with university. I have to study until midnight sometimes, and it's just, ugh.." She rolls her eyes. "So she doesn't remember to call sometimes— And so sorry about that!" She rests her face in the palms of her hands. "But if you need reassurance, you can always ask! Muu always loves you anyway."
Haruka looked up from his cake for a moment. "Muu-san, i'm sorry for making a day like this— well— basically, I just ruined it, like, I— with my depressing thoughts aga—" "Don't be silly! Muu is more than happy that you at least talk to her, unlike those scary bad people in her old school who just up and left." Haruka blinked at her. "I couldn't leave." She burst out laughing. "That's not the point, honey! You're just a good person to be the girlfriend of. Because you communicate." He was blushing again. She really knew how to bring a reaction out of him— was it on purpose?
"Eh, all in all. Muu reaaalllyyy loves you! Like a lot. This much." She spread her arms to give a visual description. "And if you forget, Muu will tell you. Ask. Or if you don't, I'll do it myself!" He nodded along. Seems like things were really turning out well for him either way. Muu really, really was the best thing to happen. He fiddled with his fingers, trying to come up with a good reply, but his mind was filled with a lot of things. Muu really loves you!. Honey. And she kissed him. Twice— God, he should really be getting used to that. He settled on the simplest reply he could find.
"I love you too, Muu-san. A lot." Muu giggled and reached over to hold hands with him. She hummed and it was something he recognized, but he couldn't make it out properly at the moment. That's not the point, either way. She had a beautiful voice. "Haruka-kun, could we go to your house? Like, after we finish here? I miss being in your room. And this dress is pretty, but it's also a bit uncomfortable, so… could you lend me something?" She smiled her innocent smile, and that was something he could not deny. Not like he wanted to. "Sure, Muu-san, but the bus will be here in about twenty minutes, so we should finish and pay pretty soon." He memorized the schedule, just in case.
They ate their desserts, but this time, not in silence. Muu was rambling on about school and then allowed Haruka to talk too, his topic of choice being, as usual, biology. It slowly derived into what their favorite flowers and plants are, then how Muu joined the gardening club, and then laughing about how she can now critique the tomatoes just by their looks. Haruka felt like before they leave, he had to give her the gift he was .. more nervous about. He had gotten them matching rings. Not for marriage stuff, not yet, he just liked the idea, but what if she didn't?
Well, it was the same situation before prom and they started dating when he asked, so.
"Muu-san, can you give me your hand?" She complied happily. "And— and close your eyes for a moment." She did that too. He reached into his pocket to take the rings out. He put one of them on, and the other into her open palm. "Muu-san. We're not getting married any time soon, we're 18, after all, but— I wanted to give you a ring. Just— Just as your— boyfriend..? I—" He didn't have a chance to finish his sentence, as she squealed upon seeing the ring in her hand. "Haruka-kun— Can you put it on for Muu? Like— Like in the rom-coms, can you? Please?!"
Haruka gently took her hand into his, then with the other, slid the ring onto her ring finger. In a sudden bout of confidence he had no idea of the origin of, he lifted her and and kissed her knuckles. "There you go, Muu-san." When he lowered her hand, and looked up at her, she had this .. surprised, bashful expression on her face. Her eyes were wide and her face had a pink flush to it. "Eh— Ah, Muu-san, sorry if I—" she cut her off with a little laugh. "You really are prince charming, huh?" "W—Wait, wait— What?!"
