Yahata Umiri regularly supported a few familiar bands and LiveHouses, and since today was a Sunday, that list was even shorter.
Having partnered with her many times before, Haru had no trouble narrowing down where she would be. That's exactly how he and Taki were able to intercept her.
Looking at Umiri's composed expression, Haru spoke with a deliberately relaxed tone. "I'll go grab some takoyaki. You two go ahead and sit down."
When in doubt, eat first.
"…"
Umiri nodded silently, her face a picture of calm.
Even being cornered so directly by Haru and Taki didn't shake her. With her straightforward and unruffled personality, she quickly regained her composure, wearing the same graceful, detached expression as always.
She gently leaned her ever-present bass case against the bench, sat down next to the takoyaki stand without a word, and quietly waited for what would happen next.
Haru returned with steaming hot takoyaki, handing a portion generously dusted with seaweed flakes to Umiri. He spoke casually, as if making small talk.
"I remember you really like teriyaki sauce, right? I added extra seaweed, just the way you like it."
"Thanks."
Umiri took the takoyaki without any hesitation or wasted motion.
Her face betrayed nothing of her inner thoughts. Even under Taki's sharp, searching gaze, she remained unfazed. Her deep green eyes stayed fixed straight ahead.
Eyes like still water, able to see through illusion and catch what others couldn't.
But it was precisely this distant calm that ignited something in Taki. Just like last time, Umiri showed no care for the emotional weight behind their encounter. Her indifferent demeanor made Taki's bottled-up frustration surge.
She remembered too well how Umiri had brushed her off with that same cool act, and now her clenched fists trembled with rising anger.
But Haru wasn't about to let another shouting match unfold.
"Taki, you try some too."
Before Taki could explode, Haru calmly handed her a portion of takoyaki as well. While doing so, he subtly brushed her fingertips.
That small gesture made Taki twitch. She opened her mouth, hesitating as if to say something, but ultimately fell silent. Huffing quietly, she sat beside Haru, visibly holding herself back.
What else could she do?
No matter how mad she got, Umiri wouldn't react. Taki knew that if she let herself blow up now, she'd ruin the one chance they had to reach her.
Restraint.
When it came to Umiri, emotional outbursts had little effect. It was as if she lived in a state of constant, cold logic. Whether solving problems or dealing with people, she was always rational. Even when speaking to close friends, she defaulted to polite, distancing language.
To Haru, though, it felt more like she was deliberately sealing her emotions away.
No, maybe he couldn't call her his "bro" anymore. I promise this time.
Haru sighed inwardly at the mess of thoughts running through his mind. Outwardly, he remained perfectly composed, popping a takoyaki ball drenched in orange teriyaki glaze into his mouth.
The sweet-savory taste hit his tongue, and without preamble, he got to the point.
"So, about what I asked you last time... have you made up your mind?"
"If you're here with Taki, then you already know my answer, don't you?"
Umiri's voice was calm, even indifferent.
Her words, her tone, and her unreadable expression, they made it clear. It was like she was reciting a prepared speech, with no emotion behind it.
As if none of this mattered to her. As if she were just an outsider, detached from it all.
Haru took a deep breath, keeping his expression steady.
"So, you only see me as a friend?"
"That's right."
Umiri met his gaze, her voice soft and unshaken.
"Besides, don't you also only see me as a friend, Haru?"
"We're just very pure friends, that's all. And as a friend, I don't want to taint this rare connection with anything... else. That's why I turned down your invitation."
"I just want to be there for you and Taki as a friend, and watch you both find happiness."
Hearing that, Haru raised an eyebrow. A strange flicker passed through his eyes.
Between men and women, there was probably no such thing as truly pure friendship.
Even if he'd always seen Umiri as a close friend, a "bro" in every sense, once he heard with his own ears that she had feelings for him, something in that bond had started to shift.
To the point where even he wasn't sure what it was anymore.
Before Haru could say anything in reply, Taki couldn't hold herself back any longer.
Clenching her fists, she suddenly stood up from beside him, her sharp violet eyes glaring daggers at Umiri's impassive face.
"That's not true, is it?! Umiri, you do like him!"
Taki's voice rang out, full of urgency and desperation, laced with a subtle thread of worry. Her eyes widened as she searched Yahata Umiri's face for any sign of emotion but she found none.
"I already told you, Taki."
Umiri lifted her calm green eyes with barely a ripple in her expression, utterly unfazed by Taki's intensity.
"I only said I confessed to Haru because I wanted to provoke you. I lied."
"That…"
Taki, not the most articulate to begin with, was immediately at a loss for words.
After all, aside from that so-called "confession," Umiri had never shown any cracks. Taki hadn't even seen the confession firsthand, so she had no proof, no solid ground to stand on.
And the girl sitting before her was Yahata Umiri, the very embodiment of calm reason. If she insisted it had all been a lie, then no matter how unwilling Taki was to believe it, there was nothing she could do.
But she really didn't want to believe it. That Umiri had lied just to manipulate her.
Haru, watching Taki's frustrated and resentful expression, could only shake his head inwardly.
Obviously, a tsundere like her was easy for someone like Umiri to handle. No wonder Umiri never flinched when Taki got angry. She probably already understood that beneath Taki's sharp tongue was just a soft, worried heart.
Still...
"Lied?"
Haru muttered softly to himself, in a voice only he could hear. A strange glint flashed through his deep black eyes.
No cracks at all?
But wasn't that exactly what made it suspicious? Was it really normal to go through a close friendship with someone of the opposite sex without a single slip?
Especially someone like Umiri, who managed every relationship with precision, who never let anyone get too close, always keeping a careful distance....
Had she really never let anything slip?
"Umiri, can you look me in the eyes and say that again?"
"…"
Umiri's brows knitted faintly. A flicker of something unreadable flashed through her dark green eyes.
Haru lifted his gaze, those deep, gentle black eyes locking with hers. His calm, handsome features softened slightly with a quiet smile.
At that moment, their eyes finally met in full. The connection was sharp, direct, like a meteor streaking across a night sky.
"Umiri, I'd like to invite you on a date."
"Sorry. I refuse."
Fastest rejection in history!
Another girl's name had just been added to the "rejected by fate" list. As Haru recalled the moment, his expression turned subtly odd but was quickly smoothed over with a faint smile.
Maybe it was during that brief moment of eye contact. He had sensed the heaviness behind Umiri's calm, and something had stirred in him. Without revealing anything, he nodded slightly.
And then...
"In that case, I'll give up."
"Haru, what the hell?!"
Taki immediately snapped.
She hadn't followed him here just to hear him say he'd give up. Even if she couldn't expose Umiri's lie herself, she was counting on Haru to find a way through.
And now he was just giving up? Was he serious?
Umiri nodded silently, as if agreeing with his words.
Haru gently pressed down on Taki's hand to calm her, then smiled faintly and continued, "But only if you make me give up, Umiri."
"What does that mean?"
Umiri's brows knit tightly, her eyes narrowing with suspicion at the black-haired boy in front of her.
"Well, you said you don't like me, right?"
"In that case, going on one little date with me shouldn't be a problem. Friends eat together all the time. After the date, if you still give me the same answer... I'll give up cleanly."
A long time ago, Haru had said it: people's eyes never lie.
Even with her exceptional precision in managing social interactions and emotions, Umiri couldn't entirely suppress human instinct; no one who constantly controls their emotions can remain composed forever. There will always be a moment when that calm façade breaks.
And the instant Haru said he would give up, Umiri's eyes flickered. Just for a second, but it was there.
Though she recovered in a heartbeat, Haru still caught that subtle change with sharp clarity.
"I understand."
Her gaze still slightly unsettled, Umiri nodded. She seemed willing to accept his proposal.
Straightforward and decisive as ever, she stood without hesitation and answered seriously, "Then let's set the date for next Sunday. I'll clear the whole day."
"I've just about finished the takoyaki. I need to get ready for my next live."
With that, Umiri tossed the empty food container into the trash and politely thanked both Haru and Taki. Then she picked up her instrument case and walked off, her refined expression never showing the slightest emotional fluctuation.
All she left behind was the graceful image of her retreating figure.
After a moment of silence, Taki frowned.
"…So she agreed to the date, but are you really sure this is the right move?"
If Haru and Umiri's relationship dragged on unresolved, there might still be chances to break through and make her admit the truth. But now Haru had cornered both of them into an all-or-nothing situation.
If they didn't end up confirming a romantic relationship by next Sunday, then there'd be no turning back.
"If Umiri made that decision, then she won't back down in front of you," Haru replied quietly, his tone loaded with meaning. His eyes followed the spot where her silhouette had disappeared.
Taki lowered her gaze in silence. As someone who knew Umiri well, she and Haru both understood her personality. If they let this drag on too long, they'd never get through to her.
Because when someone like Umiri decides to hide her feelings, the emotional lock only grows tighter over time. Eventually, they may never hear her true heart again.
To break this deadlock, they'd have to hit her where it hurt, hard and fast.
With that realization, Taki's gaze sharpened. She turned to Haru and said with conviction, "Umiri was definitely lying just now. I might not have evidence, but I'm certain she doesn't see you as just a friend."
"Haru, I'm counting on you to handle this."
Haru's mouth twitched. With a hint of resignation, he replied, "Taki-san, do you really have that much faith in me?"
Maybe thinking of something else, Taki's ears turned a soft pink. Her long, starry night-purple hair swayed lightly near her cheeks, and the tear-shaped mole at the corner of her eye looked unusually charming.
She turned her head, avoiding his gaze, arms folded tightly over her chest. For some reason, she fell silent.
Well then...
When it came to handling girls, Taki didn't actually doubt Haru all that much.
"Your thoughts are all over your face. That's a classic tell."
"Huh? No they're not!"
Watching her flustered reaction, Haru couldn't help the gentle smile in his eyes.
Still… a date with Umiri, huh?
He couldn't even imagine a shy version of her. What exactly should he do to break through her defenses?
…
Time passed quickly.
Haru placed his oil brushes back onto the easel, nodding at the half-finished painting before him. This new piece already surpassed his last work, Summer Bloom.
There happened to be an upcoming group art exhibition in a week, and he planned to use it as an opportunity to raise the name of "Yuuka."
If he could secure a few more top prizes in group shows or juried exhibitions, he'd truly be making a name for himself as an artist. The resulting attention would naturally draw in the media.
Right now, his goal was to earn an invitation to one of Japan's top-tier art showcases.
"Hm?"
He opened the fridge, only to find it nearly empty.
It seemed he hadn't done any real shopping lately. Somehow, he'd eaten through everything at home. There were just enough ingredients for a simple dish, but he wasn't in the mood to cook.
Fine, he'd just eat out tonight.
Since taking over Rabbit House from the previous owner, Haru hadn't treated it like some passive side gig. Under his management, the cafe's earnings were solid, and even if he stopped working altogether, he could easily cover his daily expenses.
On top of that, he was composing music under contract with Sakiko's label, bringing in a generous monthly income. Winning gold at the last art show also came with prize money, and his piece Summer Bloom had sold for tens of thousands of yen.
Even with commissions and taxes, Haru had more than enough to live on.
Click.sfx
Locking the metal door behind him, Haru stepped onto the rusty stairs of his apartment building. Despite having enough money to move into a better place, he hadn't made any plans to leave. He was used to this place. Aside from being a bit cramped, it was fine.
The shopping street glowed with neon lights, the night surprisingly lively. As Haru walked the bustling roads, he glanced habitually at the rows of eateries on either side.
Then, he caught sight of a familiar figure and his expression twisted into something unreadable.
Before he could turn away, the figure he'd been staring at seemed to notice his gaze. With a hint of surprise, she pulled her phone off the selfie stick and walked over.
"Well, well... if it isn't Haru-boy."
"It's not good for minors to be wandering around at this hour, you know? Don't tell me you're headed somewhere… naughty?"
The woman before him wore oversized sunglasses that covered most of her face, her lips glistening with gloss in a teasing smile. Even though Haru couldn't see her full expression, he could clearly imagine the mischief in her eyes.