"Haruko. My name's Haruko"
Is what I would say just to introduce myself. With that name, people would assume I like spring. Well, with my name Haru- which can be spring, and my 'ko', intending the word 'child'.
"You like spring? That's cute."
Fuck no, I hate spring. The pollen, the heat, and don't make me start with the endless, annoying, buzzing bugs.
Gosh, I prefer autumn.
I'm Haruko, a 21 year old college student who cares about nothing. What I like to do? Writing stupid things that nobody will read rather than listening to class.
"Hey, how's the novelist doing?" Someone asks with such a bright tone. Hell, that's annoying to hear.
I tilt my head to see familiar eyes gleaming at me like good news was about to come. It was Asahi. His name suited him well, bright and sunshine.
"Stop calling me that, dipshit." I muttered with a mocking tone.
"My bad man. So, how is it?" Asahi asked while sitting right beside me.
"None of your business."
"Right, how cool."
...…
The silence was loud, and awkward. Not that I cared. The only thing I could hear was the voice of our professor explaining the same brain-wrecking lesson again.
The sound of keyboards typing.
The sound of a pen scribbling on a paper.
The sound of-
Ding. My phone shouts at my pocket.
I took my phone out and looked. A message from the guy last month? Damn, might as well ignore them.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Oh great, I got a pleading guy. What could they be spamming me with? I stopped talking to them for a reason.
- ????: Hey, fella.
: It's done.
: The novel is done.
: You can catch the book today.
: Meet me at ******. I'm only available until 5PM. I'll leave it on the ground if you can't make it.
: Hello?
Done? How is he done? It's only been a month.
I think to myself while I type on my phone using the exact same words.
- ????: I got tricks up my sleeve. So, you coming or I'm leaving it on the ground?
- Hawuuu: I'll get it. Stop being impatient, man.
- Nazo: Got it.
That evening, I met up with Nazo in some skeptical alleyway. The cold air hit me in the face like a winter wind, though the atmosphere wasn't like winter, it felt more like Halloween.
As I walked deeper, I saw a strange guy with a white book with no title. With a deep breath, I approached, only hoping it was Nazo.
"Hey hey! Let's make this quick can we?" The guy pushes himself off the wall. "All slow for what, Haruko?"
"Blame yourself, standing there like a dealer. What's up with the suspicious chosen place?" I ask Nazo, reaching out for the book.
"Just wanted to make it more exciting."
Finally, I got my hands on the dang book. My fingers instinctively reached out for the other end of the book. Though, before I could open it, Nazo held my wrist
"Not yet. Open it when you get home, hey?"
"And for what reason? You scamming me?"
"Nah, not that. Just promise to open it only when you're home."
….
I pause for a moment, my shoes tapping the cold ground. Well, not that I can feel the ground with shoes on, I just knew it was cold. Then, I sigh, letting go of the other end of the book.
"Alright, fine."
"Great. Don't ruin the story, hey?"
"How can I ruin it? You already made it."
Nazo giggled, as if mocking me.