HeartBeats - Ruka Sarashina (Kanojo, Okarishimasu)

My name is Ryo Murata, I'm 21 years old, I'm a college student and I live in Tokyo. And now I officially have a girlfriend... I thought I wouldn't get into a relationship so soon but... Yeah, I feel like this isn't something I can control.

A few days passed, and I was still getting used to the idea of dating Ruka. Sometimes I found myself thinking about the times we shared together, but there was also this strange feeling of unreality. As if, at any moment, I would wake up from a dream.

Decided to take some time to reflect on everything, I texted Ruka explaining that I was going to be away for a few days:

"My friends practically forced me to go to the beach. I think it'll be good to rest a bit."

However, Ruka didn't respond right away, nor did she make any comment on the matter. Which made me a little uneasy, but I decided not to think about it too much. Maybe she was busy or, as usual, keeping her own thoughts to herself. Still, the trip to the beach could be a good opportunity to organize my mind and better understand my feelings.

I was sitting in the backseat, watching the road speed by as my friends' car glided through the streets towards the beach. The air in the car was light, filled with casual conversations and occasional laughter. A friend of Kazuya's was driving, trying to keep up with the music playing, while Kibe, in the passenger seat, was telling a funny story about a night when he and Kazuya got into trouble at a bar. I, although present at the moment, was somewhat distant, lost in my thoughts.

I looked out the window, watching the trees and buildings transform into more open views as they approached the coast. The cool breeze that came through the cracks in the open windows helped me relax a little, but my mind was still elsewhere. I was thinking about Ruka. The lack of a response from her since I mentioned the trip made me a little uneasy, but I knew I needed some time to reflect and better understand what was going on inside me. It was funny how, even though we were officially together, I still had trouble fully understanding my own feelings.

On the other side, in another car that was following ours, Mami was with those guys from the other bar. It was strange how we ended up crossing paths once again. When Mami showed up at that bar where she worked, things got weird. She always had a way of teasing people, and to make matters worse, she seemed to have some kind of interest in me, I don't know if it was a malicious interest or not, which made him very uncomfortable. I just wanted to avoid any kind of trouble.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the other car coming right behind. I could vaguely make out Mami's silhouette in the back seat. That made him sigh. The last thing I wanted was more drama, and Mami always brought that into the atmosphere.

"Relax, man! You look like you ate something and didn't like it." - Kibe said, turning in the passenger seat to look at me. He probably noticed the silence and decided to joke.

I forced a smile and shook my head. - "I'm fine, I'm just thinking about some things." Kazuya glanced quickly in the rearview mirror and laughed. - "Thinking about your girlfriend, huh? I bet you miss her."

I rolled my eyes, trying not to give it away, but it was obvious that my friends had noticed. - "M-Maybe..."

"Well, you're on vacation, man. Enjoy it! Forget about those things for a few days!" Kibe said, patting my shoulder. I knew my friends were right. I was there to relax and get away from my routine and worries for a while. But Mami's presence and the constant thoughts about Ruka didn't let it be that simple. As we unloaded the car, Kibe started to chat, getting back to the subject of the trip. - "Hey, Ryo, did you know I met Mami before we came here?" Kibe said, as he picked up one of the backpacks.

I looked at him a little curiously and suspiciously. - "R-Really? And what did she want?"

Kibe shrugged. - "She said you could bring your girlfriend on the trip. She said it wouldn't be a problem and that it would be cool."

I felt a little suspicious when I heard that. The idea of mixing Ruka with Mami seemed chaotic. I shook my head, trying to hide it. - "I didn't have time to invite Ruka... Besides, I thought it was just a trip with friends. I didn't know the guys from the bar were going to come too..." - he said, a little evasive.

Kibe laughed, while Kazuya, who was listening to the conversation, added: "It was probably Mami's provocation. She loves messing with other people's heads."

"Yeah, it seems like her style, really..." - I agreed. I knew that Mami had her motivations and that, even when she acted friendly, there was always something behind her words. Still, I didn't want to stress about it now.

Finally, with everything unloaded, we picked up our backpacks and headed towards the beach. The sound of the waves grew louder as we got closer, and the fine sand began to appear beneath our feet. The scenery was beautiful, the sea stretched out to the horizon, reflecting the last golden rays of the sun. A true paradise.

"We're here!" - Kazuya said, opening his arms as if he was connecting with the place. He seemed relieved to be away from the routine.

I looked around, trying to allow myself to relax and enjoy the moment. The beach was quiet, without many people around, and the idea of spending the next few days there, just enjoying the sound of the sea and the company of friends, finally began to seem more appealing.

Kibe and Kazuya started to set up a space for them to stay, opening a tarp and organizing their backpacks. Mami and the people in the other car were a little further away, already arranging their own things.

I sat down for a moment on the sand, letting the sea breeze hit my face. I looked at the horizon and, for a moment, I felt a slight longing for Ruka, but I also knew that this time alone could be good for me to get my thoughts in order.

"Hey, Ryo! Let's go for a swim?" - Kibe called, already taking off his shirt and running towards the sea with Kazuya right behind.

I smiled, getting up slowly. - "Okay, I'm going!" - I shook the sand off my clothes and walked towards the sea. Maybe this trip was exactly what I needed.

A few minutes later...

After spending a good amount of time diving and playing in the water with my friends, I got out of the sea and threw myself on the sand, completely exhausted. The sun was still shining brightly, but the sea breeze was refreshing enough. I grabbed a towel, dried my face, and leaned back against one of the beach chairs Kibe had set up, trying to relax.

As I watched the horizon, my mind began to wander. I looked at my friends having fun in the water and suddenly the image of Ruka popped into my head. I thought about how she would be if she were here with me, maybe playing shyly in the water or insisting that she apply sunscreen to her back. A slight smile appeared on my face as I imagined this.

"Would she like to be here?" I wondered for a moment, feeling a little tightness in my chest. Even though I knew this was a trip with friends, a part of me wished Ruka were here to share these moments.

Instinctively, I picked up my phone and unlocked the screen. Maybe Ruka had sent a message, or maybe... who knows? I checked the notifications, but there was nothing new. No messages, no calls.

I sighed, a little disappointed, but at the same time, relieved. - "Maybe she's busy..." - I thought, but even so, I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated for not having heard from her. I started to write her a message, thinking of something casual, like asking what she was doing, but I soon gave up, deleting the text before sending it. I didn't want to seem insistent.

I stood there for a few minutes, just staring at my phone screen, thinking about how good it would be if she showed up unexpectedly. I laughed softly at myself. - "What a silly thought... As if that would happen."

Little did I know that somewhere on the beach, not so far away, Ruka was disguised, trying not to be noticed while watching me from afar, not daring to approach me yet. She had decided to follow me to the beach, even if it was unexpected. But for now, she preferred to keep her distance, waiting for the right moment to reveal herself.

Ruka was disguised with a sun hat and sunglasses, watching from afar. She had been very careful not to be noticed by me or my friends. Wearing a long skirt, she blended in easily with the other tourists on the beach. Being there, so close to me, without her knowing, made her heart race, but at the same time, she found the situation a little funny.

Ruka giggled when she saw the carefree way he was fiddling with his cell phone, without even realizing that she was there, so close. - "I wonder if he's thinking about me?" - she wondered, with a twinge of anxiety. It would be nice to surprise him, but for now, she preferred to watch from afar and plan the perfect moment to reveal herself.

In the meantime...

Still lying on the sand, I picked up my cell phone again and started scrolling through the photos that Ruka and I had taken in the last few days. One in particular caught my attention: the two of us together, smiling in front of the aquarium, on our last date. - "I think I'm getting soft..." - I thought, laughing to myself. - "But it would be so cool if she were here..."

I locked my phone once more and stretched, thinking about how good it would be to just get up and see Ruka by my side. For now, I could only wait for the moment when I would return home and see her again.

I took a deep breath, watching the horizon and trying to relax. Even without Ruka there physically, she was present with me. And, somehow, I knew that this feeling was mutual, wherever she was now.

I was still lying on the sand, letting the soft sound of the waves calm me, when I noticed someone approaching. I glanced to the side and saw Mami, Kazuya's ex-girlfriend, approaching with that casual manner she always had. I tried not to show surprise, but I couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable seeing her there.

Mami smiled in a relaxed way and, without waiting for an invitation, sat down next to me on the sand, crossing her legs and resting her arms on her knees. - "Hi, Ryo." - she said, her voice softer than I remembered. - "I hope you don't mind me joining you. Everyone is having fun in the sea and... I thought it would be good to apologize more appropriately for what happened at the bar."

I looked at her with a slightly serious expression. I still remembered how Mami had teased Kazuya and caused a bad atmosphere. I wasn't very comfortable being around her, especially after that episode, but I tried to be polite. - "It's okay..." - I murmured, looking away from Mami and focusing again on the waves.

Mami smiled, this time with a hint of something that seemed like an attempt at sympathy. - "I really didn't mean to create that uncomfortable situation." - she continued. - "But, you know, life is complicated, and sometimes... we end up saying things we shouldn't..." - She paused, looking directly at me, as if she was waiting for an answer.

I didn't say anything right away. I wasn't good at handling these situations, especially when it involved someone I barely knew. Besides, I still felt a sense of anguish over the way Mami had treated Kazuya. Even so, i tried to be civil. - "I understand." - I replied simply, not wanting to prolong the subject.

Mami seemed to notice my lack of enthusiasm, but instead of giving up, she changed the subject, trying to engage me in a conversation in a way that would invo-lve me more. - "So... you work at that bar, right?" - she said, with a slight curiosity in her tone. - "That's interesting. I've always thought that people who work at bars have a lot of stories to tell. Do you like it there?"

I hesitated for a moment. It wasn't exactly a subject I felt like discussing with Mami. I didn't like the feeling of being analyzed by her, especially considering what had happened at the bar before. - "It's a job like any other." - He said, without going into too much detail. - "It helps pay the bills, and I like the environment. Hiroshi and the owner are nice guys..."

Mami tilted her head, watching me closely, as if she was trying to decipher what I was really thinking. - "You seem like the kind of guy who likes to solve things his way!" - she commented, letting out a slightly more suggestive tone. - "I admire that. Not many guys have that kind of independence."

I felt a slight discomfort growing. He knew Mami was a hard person to read, and that put me on alert. Despite her friendly tone, I simply couldn't relax in her presence. - "Yeah, I guess so..." - I answered vaguely, looking around, as if looking for an excuse to get out of that situation.

Noticing that the atmosphere was getting a little tense, I decided to get up. - "I'm going to go to the bathroom." - I said, trying to sound casual, but anxious to get out of that interaction. Without thinking much, I ended up forgetting my cell phone on the towel next to Mami and started walking towards the bathroom.

As I walked away, Mami stared at my phone on the towel for a few moments. She bit her lip slightly, as if she were considering something, but then looked away, focusing on the sea in front of her. Her fingers tapped lightly on the sand, and she seemed to be lost in thought, perhaps reflecting on what she had said.

I, on the other hand, was in the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. - "Why is this bothering me so much?" - I wondered. I felt a strange feeling of pressure in my chest, as if something was out of place. Mami was not the type of person I wanted to keep in touch with, especially now that I had Ruka in my life. I didn't want any misunderstandings, especially with Mami flirting so subtly.

After washing my face with cold water to try to clear my mind, I looked at the mirror once more. - "I need to go back soon... before she does something weird..." I thought.

I was in the bathroom, leaning against the sink, the sound of the water slowly dripping seemed to amplify the restlessness inside me. I ran my hands through my hair, thinking about how things had gotten out of control. I felt suffocated, her words still echoed in my mind. But that wasn't all. Her presence, her proximity, the way she tried to flirt... all of this made me feel trapped in an uncomfortable situation.

While I was lost in my thoughts, the bathroom door opened with a slight creak, and before I could process the situation... It was her, it was Ruka. - "R-Ruka?!"

She came in. She had a slightly annoyed expression, I couldn't help but be surprised to see her here!!!. Had she followed me here? Without saying a word, I acted on impulse. With my heart racing, I quickly pulled Ruka into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and, without thinking twice, I kissed her intensely and suddenly.

"Ryo-" Ruka stood still for a few seconds, clearly surprised by the impulsive act. My eyes widened as I felt my lips on hers, and her face began to grow hotter and hotter. Her hands were tense, as if she didn't know what to do with them at that moment. Ruka even stood on her tiptoes. Her heart was beating wildly, and although the kiss was unexpected, there was something comforting about it.

When I finally pulled away a little, panting, I noticed Ruka's incredulous look. The silence between us was almost palpable. Her face was completely flushed, her cheeks dyed bright red, but soon that initial embarrassment was replaced by a slight glint of irritation in her eyes.

"Ryo..." - she murmured, trying to regain her breath and composure. - "What... what do you think you're doing?!" - Her tone was a mixture of embarrassment and contained anger.

Still leaning against the bathroom door, I felt the adrenaline of the moment still running through my body, but I realized that I had acted impulsively. I opened my mouth to try to explain, but the words failed me for a moment. - "I... I just... I just needed you!" - I finally said, my voice low, almost hesitant. - "Mami showed up again, and she was saying things... I just needed something real."

Ruka was silent, still processing the situation. She crossed her arms, trying to hide the mix of feelings that were bubbling inside her. - "I... I understand you, but... you didn't have to kiss me like that, all of a sudden, Ryo." - She looked away for a moment, her emotions confusing between affection and anger. - "I thought you didn't want me to come..."

I felt a wave of guilt when I heard Ruka's words. I knew I had been insensitive, taking her to a place where she couldn't be herself, where she couldn't be free by my side. I sighed deeply, running my hand through my hair again, the weight of my decisions starting to build up. - "I'm sorry, Ruka-chan..." - I murmured, the sincerity clear in my voice. - "I... I just thought it would be good to have you here, close to me. I didn't think about how hard it would be for you. I was wrong."

Ruka looked me in the eyes for a moment, as if she was evaluating the sincerity of my words. Her anger began to subside, although she was still frustrated. - "Ryo!" - she began, her voice softer. - "Ru, I know you're going through a lot right now. But you need to trust me, you need to let me help... without pushing me away or pushing me away like that."

I approached her, holding her hands firmly but gently. I could feel the weight of what she was saying and the seriousness in her eyes made me realize how willing she was to be by my side, no matter how confusing the situations were. - "I know..." - I replied, my voice low and full of emotion. - "I just... get lost sometimes. And I need you."

Ruka, still blushing, shook her head, trying to hold back a shy smile that appeared on her lips. - "You're such a fool... since when did you become so touchy-feely?" - she murmured, finally giving in to the sweetness of the moment. But soon after, her tone became more serious again. - "But you need to stop making such impulsive decisions! You can't just pull me into a bathroom and kiss me, even if I... like it!..."

I laughed lightly, relieved to feel the tension between us easing. - "Okay, okay... I promise to think before I act, especially when it comes to you." - I squeezed her hands gently, looking into her eyes with an intensity that made her look away again, embarrassed.

"Well... now that you've kissed me..." - she said, trying to break the awkward moment with humor. - "maybe we should get out of here before someone thinks it's weird that we're both in the bathroom."

I laughed again, but the sound was genuine this time. I let go of her hands, until my heart raced as soon as I heard the knock on the door. When I opened the bathroom door a little, I saw that it was Mami. I knew I wasn't ready to deal with her again, especially now, after everything that happened in the bathroom with Ruka. I tried to remain calm, as I feared, I saw Mami standing outside with a slightly teasing smile.

"Hi, Ryo... You were taking too long in the bathroom." - Mami said, crossing her arms while tilting her head slightly.

"Uhh... I... I was calling my mother." - I said, creating a lame lie.

She looked at me strangely. -"That's a lie. You forgot your cell phone back at the beach." Her tone was casual, but her sharp gaze betrayed that she knew I was lying.

I froze for a second. I tried to hide my nervousness, rubbing the back of my neck and forcing a smile. - "Oh, yeah... I... I need to get my phone back, don't I?" - I tried to sound relaxed, but inside, I was even more tense.

Before I could continue with the act, the bathroom door opened completely and Ruka came out, dressed and with her hair still slightly damp. Mami's expression changed instantly when she saw her. I was paralyzed, not knowing what to do or say, while Mami alternated her gaze between me and Ruka.

Ruka, instead of getting nervous or uncomfortable, just gave a polite smile and said, "Good morning." - There was an almost disconcerting calmness in her voice, as if she was completely in control of the situation, while I was still struggling to process everything.

Mami narrowed her eyes for a brief moment, but soon returned the smile with an expression that seemed more curious than friendly. - "Good morning to you too, Ruka. I didn't know you invited her..."

"Her family lives around here, so..." - I was clearly disconcerted, not knowing what to say. I looked at Ruka, who just gave a small nod, as if telling me not to worry. She then turned to Mami and, with the same calmness, said: "We were just 'talking', you know... What about you, Mami? Anything important to talk to Ryo about?" - she said provocatively.

Mami bit her lower lip, clearly bothered by Ruka's direct manner. - "Ah, nothing much... I just wanted to talk to him for a bit. It seems like you guys are pretty busy there..."

I knew I needed to end this situation before it got even more uncomfortable. I took a deep breath and, with a more serious tone, said: "Mami, can we talk later? I really need to take care of some things right now."

Mami gave a forced smile, but nodded. - "Sure, Ryo. We'll talk later." - She gave Ruka one last look before walking away, leaving Ruka and me alone in the small bathroom room.

As soon as Mami disappeared from view, I let out the breath I was holding, running my hands over my face in frustration. - "Sorry, that was... complicated."

Ruka, however, remained calm, looking at me with a slight smile. - "You don't need to apologize. She's... pretty straightforward, huh?"

I laughed, although the nervousness was still evident on my face. - "Yes, that's a good way to describe her." - I looked at Ruka with pride, feeling incredibly lucky to have her by my side in moments like this.

While we were trying to compose ourselves after the confrontation with Mami, I noticed something strange in the distance, on the beach. Between the shadows of the trees that surrounded the sand, Prelest appeared in a flash, watching from afar, with her piercing eyes. Only I noticed her presence, but the figure disappeared as quickly as it appeared. I swallowed hard, trying to shake off any uneasiness.

Soon, Kibe and Kazuya approached us, both with relaxed smiles. Kibe, with his playful manner, was the first to speak. - "So, Ryo, do you mean you brought your beloved here in secret? How did Ruka appear out of nowhere?"

Kazuya, although a little shy, chuckled, clearly curious as well. - "Yeah, we didn't even know she would be here. How did you guys organize yourself so quickly?"

Already prepared to deal with these questions, I smiled and answered convincingly: "Oh, her parents live around here. We took advantage of the fact that we were already at the beach and arranged to meet up..."

Ruka, next to me, smiled and nodded, supporting the version without hesitation. - "That's right! My parents live around here, so it wasn't that hard to come. And of course, I wanted to take the opportunity to see Ryo-chan!"

Kibe and Kazuya looked at each other, satisfied with the answer, and Kibe patted my back. "Good move, man. You just didn't have to hide it from us. This beach is great for relaxing."

I giggled, relieved to have avoided any complication. However, I couldn't help but think of Pretast's figure. Even with my friends around and Ruka beside me, there was something in the air that made me restless. But for now, I decided to put these thoughts aside and enjoy the moment.

With the sun tall in the sky and the sound of the waves breaking gently on the coast, Ruka and I enjoyed a quiet moment together, floating near the coastal of the sea. The atmosphere was serene, with the sea extending like a blue immensity around us. We were silent, enjoying calm, until Ruka suddenly suggested. - "I'll get a drink to both of us, okay?"

I nodded with a smile, watching her as she swam into the sand. Ruka's presence always calmed me, but now that she was leaving, a strange sense of restlessness began to emerge. I was alone, floating on the waves, feeling the slight breeze and the movement of the sea, until I noticed something approaching.

When I turned slowly, my heart jumped to see mami approaching, swimming to me. It was not exactly a pleasant surprise, considering the last dating tense with her. The water was gleaming around me as it approached, the smile on the lips as sharp as it always, but with a disguised intention. She arrived at me easily, hovering a few meters away.

"So, Ryo ..." - she started, her soft voice, but loaded with something she couldn't completely identify. - "Do you look very comfortable there ... enjoying the day with your girlfriend?"

I frowned. I wanted to avoid any confrontation with mami, especially after what happened at the bar. - "Just relaxing a little .." - I answered briefly, trying to keep the tone neutral.

Mami swam a little closer, her curious eyes fixed on me. - "It's funny, you know? You and this girl, Ruka ... makes me think something ... I would never imagine someone like you were in such a serious relationship."

I felt a twinge emerge. The way Mami always seemed to find a way to poke people to alert him. I knew I couldn't leave the conversation if it drags too much. - "Life is like this, isn't it?

But Mami didn't give up. - "It's true. But you know ... Sometimes I wonder if you're really as happy as it sounds." - She looked at the horizon, as if thoughtful, but there was something in her tone that sounded provocative. - "I mean, people sometimes settle down without realizing it, and end up trapped in something they don't even want."

I closed my teeth. I didn't want to argue with her, but the way Mami spoke, full of hints, was beginning to move my nerves. I took a deep breath before answering. - "I'm not stuck to anything. I'm exactly where I want to be."

Mami gave a low giggle -. "Of course, of course ... It's just that you look so ... uncomfortable near me. Is it because it still thinks about how things could have been different?"

I felt the pressure grow. - "What does she mean by that?!" - I thought. I took a deep breath and said. -"Mami, I'm here for my own choice. It has nothing to do with the past."

She tilted her head, as if analyzing each word. - "Hmm, I think yes. But it's interesting ... I always wonder what could have happened if our lives had followed other directions. Maybe you weren't here, with this ... girl."

"Enough, Mami!" - Said more firmly this time, trying to cut the conversation before she continued.

Mami got closer to me, and suddenly she eventually "stumbled" on a pebble, falling straight over me. The impact made her have her body pressed against mine, and instinctively held her to prevent it from falling more. I was completely surprised by the situation, trying to get away politely, but still worried.

"Are you well?" - I asked, the clear confusion on my face. Mami, however, just gave a quick smile, looking a little embarrassed.

"Ah, sorry, it was an accident ..." - she said with a nervous laugh. But before I could answer or walk away, Mami did something unexpected. In a quick move, she jumped over me, trying to get involved in my arms to kiss me.

End of Chapter 9