Haruki

His evening begins before you leave work. Haruki gets ready slowly, carefully, as if it weren't just a meeting. He always comes, even if you're walking close: it's important to him to be near and know you're safe. He waits outside the building, as usual. Off to the side, attentive. And when you leave, he perks up, but then freezes. A colleague is next to you. You smile, laugh, and talk animatedly. Haruki doesn't approach, he just watches. And when your colleague puts his hand on your shoulder before saying goodbye, something inside him tightens painfully. —You are a wonderful girl...I really enjoy working with you.

The scene cuts painfully into his heart. Jealousy burns, though he hates it and tries to suppress it. Haruki convinces himself he trusts you, but the hand on your shoulder haunts him. When you approach him, he's already collected, at least, pretending to be, and quietly says... —What kind of guy was that? You don't immediately understand what he's talking about and ask again. -What type? His gaze loses confidence, he rushes about, afraid of choosing the wrong words and seeming rude.

— Uh...well, that is to say...this guy you were talking to...um, honey, don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous, that is to say...I have nothing against your communication, but I want to know who this is...yeah...that's it... He mechanically scratches his cheek, collecting his thoughts and betraying his excitement. —It's just...you're my girlfriend and I'm your boyfriend and I thought I should know which guys you're hanging out with...closely... He blushes slightly when he meets your gaze, but almost immediately looks away, starting to fidget with his fingers, looking somewhere to the side, awkwardly and embarrassed, as if this conversation is harder for him than he expected.

“I love you and I don’t want to seem like an abusive jerk, but I… mmm.” He whispers it quietly. —I'm jealous of you... You heard him right away, but you decide to ask again, teasingly, seeing and feeling how embarrassed the eternally serious Haruki is. —I'm saying... I'm jealous of you... forgive me for this... but I can't help myself... Don't get me wrong, I trust you, but... I can't hide this feeling... forgive me... I'm a terrible guy...