Chapter 13

Sunday morning, the group finds themselves at Haruko's home once again. They were waiting around the front door; the usual group consisting of, Yukiko, Takashi, Minami and Shizuka. 

Haruko opens the door, she was dressed in a black tank top and some joggers. "Oh, hey guys??" she greeted them awkwardly.

"Did you just get home as well??" Minami asks, awe-struck by all the sweat dripping down her forehead. 

"I just got back from jogging with Ms. Kawaguchi." 

"Oh right, you messaged me about that." 

Haruko lets the group in, they gathered in the living room and take a seat. "When did you start doing that?" Shizuka asks, looking between the two. "Why weren't we informed of this arrangement?"

"I mean, I didn't think I needed to tell you guys about that??" 

"You don't." Takashi answered, "But it's great that you're jogging with her. After the news we got yesterday from our sisters..." he sighs heavily. 

"That whole thing... it's scary." Minami frowned, when they had first heard from the twins that they were informed of a student being found dead, Minami and Haruko were sick to the stomach. "It happened so quickly..."

"We only know of a singular student being found, we aren't sure if it was the guys that Noriko had with her on Friday. It could have been from a different time." Shizuka explained briefly to reassure them again. 

"Still... it's hard to stomach."

"I don't doubt that, it's not something I expect you to get used to." 

"Thank God..." Minami sighs heavily, she glances at Haruko. "Please be careful on your date today."

"Don't worry, I will." Haruko offers her a slight smile, "Speaking of, I need to get ready for that... so..." she was trying to figure out what to say in that moment, rubbing the back of her neck. "W-What are you guys going to do?"

"Uhmmmnnn.... W-We--.... Uh-- Shizuka wanted us to come and convince you to not go on that date." Minami confessed, startling the group at how fast she gave in.

"Eh?"

"Mina!" Shizuka whines, glancing in her direction. 

"I-I'm sorry! I can't lie to her..." Minami held her hands up in defense. As expected of her best friend, Haruko felt kind of relieved that she was so loyal. 

"Um... Why- Why did you want to do that??" Haruko tilts her head curiously, looking at Shizuka. She looks around at the group actually, since they seemingly agreed. 

"I didn't say anything about that, but these two were insistent." Takashi was quick to admit as well, he points accusingly at Yukiko and Shizuka. "It was the first time we saw them agreeing on something..." 

"You were better when your mouth was shut..." Yukiko snapped at him. 

"Shut up." Shizuka deadpanned, she scowled at him. Glaring daggers into his very being. 

Takashi hides behind Minami, who was conveniently sitting beside him. "Jeez... they're so scary..." he grumbled.

"Tell me about it..." Minami nods. 

"Is there something wrong with my date today?" Haruko asks, wanting to get back onto topic. She still had a lot of time until the decided time but she wanted to take a shower and chill prior to it. 

"Apparently, she knows her." Yukiko huffs, pointing at Shizuka. "I wasn't listening fully but something about a danger to the mission yada yada..." she trailed off blandly. 

"Typical, unable to read and unable to listen... perhaps we should send you back to grade school?" Shizuka stared angrily, she crosses her arms and looks at Haruko directly now. 

"Fu--"

"Your date. She was an acquaintance from High school and my previous college." Shizuka admitted, "With her knowing my identity, I felt that it would be a bit threatening to the mission if you went out with her."

"Why? There would be no reason for her to meet Ishikawa or Chisako." Haruko stated as a counter to her statement. At this point she was just trying to see what other excuses she could come up with. 

"I-I just...I'm just taking precautions, Haruko." Shizuka pouted, cutely in Haruko's point of view. 

"I respect that, and I understand the weariness but I think I'll be careful." Haruko reassures her. 

"You say that but you weren't careful the other day." Shizuka puffs and huffs, "With your precious upperclassmen..."

"I-I said I was sorry, I was drunk..." Haruko cried out, she was tired of hearing it and down right embarrassed it happened. She was never living that down at this point. "I won't drink on this date, so don't worry. Trust me, please?"

"I...Fine... but if something goes wrong, you communicate that to us right away..." 

"I trust you, Haruko." Yukiko spoke out, gaining her attention. "It won't stop me from being jealous that you're going on a date with a woman you met while on our date though..." she grumbles, playing with her hair.  

"She wants to go on a date with you instead." Minami teases, she was getting used to holding her hands up in defense when Yukiko sends her a threatening look. "Woah, don't shoot the messenger."

"We can plan for another date later." Haruko offered. She was somewhat amused that she was going on so many dates, they were like the side quests she didn't intend to do but ended up accepting. 

"I-I would like that, yes..." Yukiko mumbled, she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, "I enjoyed the last one, even if there was a lot of interruptions..." 

"I enjoy anything I do with you, because I enjoy your company." Haruko hummed. Yukiko was a very pleasant character, there was something refreshing about her. Haruko pretty much enjoyed most of the characters, there were just moments where it gets a little overwhelming. 

"This is to practice your flirting, right?" Takashi asks suddenly, looking between the two with a raised brow. 

"Y-Yea... Practice..." Yukiko coughs, she looks away from Haruko shyly, her face red. 

"Well, since we've come to an agreement. I will be going on my date with Chizuru, and you guys will be...?" Haruko trails off, since she was going to be gone doing her thing they might as well follow Takashi's main story considering there was someone (or something) playing as him. 

"While you're busy doing that, we will be looking around for those guys Noriko and Kou had brought along to clubbing. I'm hoping that we'll be able to map out where their main location is but that's a stretch, we'll need to find clues first. " Shizuka clears her throat, she smooths out her shirt sitting up properly. "We'll keep you updated just to make sure you're aware of what's going on."

"Alright, please be careful with that." 

"Of course. We will regroup back here. If that's alright?"

"You're always welcome to come here. Minami has my spare key anyways. "

"Good, I'll keep that in mind."

*

When it neared her date time, Haruko had pulled on something proper this time. Considering her past with Shizuka and the fact that she's from a private school, she decided to at least look a little decent for her. 

She whore a gray undershirt tucked into black slacks that cut off at her ankles. And a blazer on top. Something that was somewhat formal yet simple. 

They had decided to meet somewhere a bit further away from where she usually roamed on a day to day basis. Haruko already had a feeling where she was when she saw the larger high end shopping mall. She swallows harshly, 'This is Uehara territory...' she thought.

'The pictures in the game do not do these locations justice...' Haruko whistles in amazement, glancing around. She had been waiting for Chizuru outside of the theater. Unsurprisingly, they had decided on a movie for the first part of their date. 'I mean... I did the same thing on my first date...'

She jumps in surprise when she feels someone tug on her blazer from behind. Haruko whips around curiously to see Chizuru there. She was baffled by her outfit, the woman was wearing a black off the shoulder mini dress that hugged her figured with a black choker around her neck. She seemed taller than usual because of the heels she was wearing this time around. 

"Did you wait long?" Chizuru asks with a sweet smile, she lightly sweeps her curled hair back to reveal more of her skin. 

Haruko swallows nervously, "N-Nah, I just got here." She admitted, which wasn't really a lie. She did just arrive, she was just walking around a bit before standing there. "Y... You look pretty." she complimented. 

"You as well, you're looking dashing today, Haruko." Chizuru chuckles, she reaches out to hold her arm. Stopping for a bit before she continues to cling, "Is it alright if I hold you?"

"Of course, please do." 

Haruko was playing it cool, but deep down she was going through it in her head. The two head over to get their movie tickets, opting for an action film (how coincidental). Haruko pays for the tickets and the popcorn and drinks. 

"You're dressed up today, Haruko." Chizuru pointed out, they stood around waiting a few minutes before they could enter to find their seats. 

As they were standing around, Haruko felt a bit awkward, like they were being watched. She looks around, other patrons standing around for the same movie. But she did notice three women standing closely. 

"I'm going on a date with a pretty girl, I should at least look good enough to be seen with someone as beautiful as yourself." Haruko tried, she might as well flirt a little to see how far it gets her on this date. 

It was like she was testing limits. 

"G-Goodness..." Chizuru blushes, "You're plenty attractive as well..." 

"Ah. Let's head in." 

They find their seats, the two getting comfortable as the other seats start to fill in with people who were watching the same film. Haruko was very weary to see any of Shizuka's members, hoping they wouldn't remember her face from the first day. 

"It's going to get cold, Miss Naba." Haruko pointed out, she took her coat off and places it on Chizuru's lap. "Please feel free to use this to keep warm." 

"T-Thank you..." Chizuru hums, she waited for Haruko to settle into her seat before leaning in close and resting her head against her shoulder. 

"Do you want some candy?" Haruko offers, she opens a box of chocolate she had picked up when they were getting popcorn. 

"Will you feed me some?~" Chizuru swooned, she opens her mouth. Haruko grew nervous just from starting at her plump lips, she shakily puts a piece into her mouth. "Thank you, Haruko~ But I was expecting you to feed me with your lips~" she purred.

Haruko jumps when she felt Chizuru wince, she swore she just saw the woman sitting beside them elbow her in the side just now.

"U-Uhh... j-just kidding..." Chizuru smiles awkwardly.

"It's alright." Haruko reassured. "I'm no experienced when it comes to dating, but I'm pretty sure kissing comes later, doesn't it?" she chuckles. She leans in close to kiss Chizuru's forehead to catch a glimpse of who was sitting beside them. 

'The three women from outside...? Friends of hers perhaps...??' 

"Let's enjoy this film, huh?" Haruko smiles, sitting back into her seat as if she hadn't noticed a thing. 

"Yes~"

Throughout the movie Haruko would notice the small things easily, whenever Chizuru interacted with one of the women with the slightest movement or just a simple expression. She notices that whatever they do determines what Chizuru does.

'I don't know who these girls are, but they're not a part of Shizuka's gang... perhaps old classmates?' Haruko thought. When the movie comes to an end, she stretches her arms and moves to the edge of her seat. She takes the chance to look at all four of them when the light was beginning to come back up. "Shall we go to the next spot for our date?" she asks, directing it towards Chizuru. 

"H-Huh?" Chizuru sits up, her shoulders visibly tensing. "Yea s-sure..."

They head towards the exit, throwing away their snacks and drinks. Haruko turns back to see the four of them quietly whispering to themselves. "Where would your friends like to go?" she asks, chuckling in amusement. It wasn't like she didn't notice them already. 

The three women beside Chizuru flinch when she directly brought them up.

"Y-You knew...?"

"I had an idea, right when your friend elbowed you before the movie started." Haruko motions to the woman that sat closest to them. "Also, it wasn't hard to feel all the movement, you were holding onto me the whole movie."

"S...Sorry..." Chizuru frowns, she held her head low in shame and embarrassment. 

"No, don't be sorry. It's okay." Haruko reassures. "Please, introduce me to your friends?" she asks, motioning to the three. 

"O-Of course..." 

They head to the closest cafe to sit around and get an actual meal today. Haruko looks around at them quietly, drinking her water. She takes in their appearances. The first one, sitting beside Chizuru was a girl with long black straight her and light brown eyes. 

The woman beside her had brown hair that reached the middle of her back, and fringed bangs that made her seem softer on the outside. 

The last woman had dark eyes, long black curly hair styled half up and down and side swept bangs. 

In order they began to introduce themselves, "I apologize for the intrusion, my name is Airi Saito..." The woman beside Chizuru said. 

"Hana Sato." 

"My name is Lily Nishimura. We really didn't mean to interrupt your date." The last girl said with a slight frown. "We just wanted to come along because this was the first time Chizuru has gone on a proper date with someone she's interested in... she didn't know what to do so we decided to try and come help her..."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I understand." Haruko chuckles, she was a mess the first date too. Not only that but it wasn't like the first time her dates were interrupted. "I'm also new in the dating department so... I get the nervousness. My name is Haruko Kisaragi."

"I'm sorry for ruining this..." Chizuru pouted, holding her head down again.

"Cheer up." Haruko pets her head lightly to preserve the hair she had prepared for the day. "We're going to have to try again. This date, I mean." she points out, "But next time, it'll be just us, okay? I don't mind how awkward or nervous we both get, at least we can do that together..."

"If you're interested, of course..."

"Of course!" Chizuru nods excitedly.

"I suppose we can turn this date into a hang out for now." Haruko suggests, glancing around at the table. "More friends for me." she laughs as their other drinks and food get dropped off to the table. 'I wonder if there's a limit to how many people I can romance... I'm not the main character, so I shouldn't have one, right...? Should I try it now...? ' 

She was assuming that they were all background characters, because aside from one of them (who seemed somewhat familiar) she couldn't figure out the rest. And since they don't hold must importance to the story, she might as well play around a little. 

"You don't mind us being here?" Airi asked hesitantly. 

"Of course not. Now I can bask in all of your beauty." Haruko smiles slightly, "Do you ladies go to the same school?" 

"Yea. We attend a private college in the area." Lily admitted, "We're best friends, so when Chizuru told us about her day at work one day an dhow there was a girl hitting on her, we just had to step in and help her out."

"There was no confirmation if you were into girls but with how you agreed to go on a date, we could only assume you had similar preferences." Hana added.

"Yea. I love women, they're amazing." Haruko swooned, she pokes at her food excitedly. 

"Excuse my assumptions, Haruko but... you're not from here, huh?" Lily smiles, resting her cheek against her palm as she stares at the other woman. 

"Ah, yea. I just moved from the states (apparently)." Haruko agreed. "How'd you know? Did my eyes give it away?"

"I mean, they were pretty distracting." Lily nodded, "With how beautiful they are...half-Japanese...?"

"Half-American." Haruko nods. 

"I could just tell. I do minor photography so I pay a lot of attention to features, and your features were feeling mixed. I just wanted to ask out of curiosity." 

Haruko was impressed by that, she's met very few people that paid attention to those kinds of details. But of course, it was to be expected from someone in the arts category. She felt the same way in architecture, always paying close attention to details on her plans. 

"Your English must be really good then, hmm?" Hana asks, there was a hint of flirtation in her tone.

"Depends... how attractive will I be if my English is amazing?"

"Don't know, want to try it out and see where that takes you?" 

Haruko had turned up the flirting game, pulling them out of her ass whenever the opportunity came up. And to her surprise they reciprocated, all four of them. And yet she hadn't seen one heart pop up, only the first time when she saw Chizuru. 

Once they finished eating, they head out of the cafe. Haruko holds the door for them as she puts her wallet away into her pocket, "Where may I accompany you now?" she asks. 

"Goodness, you keep up with the chivalry and you might end up with all of us." Lily giggles, she pats Haruko's cheek softly. 

"Well, we always frequent this area so I would say you should show us around somewhere else." Hana pointed out, "You live in the opposite direction, right?"

"Are you trying to get me to take you four to my home?" Haruko raises a curious brow, she was slightly amused and scared of these women and their confidence with flirting. 

"Too obvious?" 

"My home already? You could at least take a girl out on a proper dinner date.." Haruko jokes, satisfied by the laughter she received from them. "I suppose I can take you to my humble home, considering the interest in it. A heads up though, my friends might be over."

"We can make friends with them as well." Airi hums.

"And here I thought I could enjoy my time with you ladies alone." Haruko chuckles, leading them to her home by foot. 

The walk over was full of teasing and flirtatious banter, she was doing her best to keep up the act but there were seriously no hearts showing up with these characters. 'Perhaps they're just friend women who support women by flirting...? Like a way to up self esteem, right? The women at the office did that all the time whenever they saw one another before the shift began...' 

*

They entered her home, Haruko already noticing her friends shoes at her front entrance. "It isn't much, but it's a decent place for someone living on their own." she explained, allowing them to enter.

"You play your cards right, your date could end off really well considering you live alone.." Lily chuckles suggestively.

Haruko swallows hard when she mentioned that, it never crossed her mind once but now that it was brought up she was going to become hyper aware of it whenever she brings someone over. And super careful. "I...I'm home." She calls out to the others, aware of their presence in the house. 

"You're home! Welcome back." Minami greeted, she came around from the corner of the living room. She looks at the four other women in confusion, she knew Chizuru but who were the others? "Oh, your date multiplied??"

"Date turned into a hang out with my date and her best friends so..." Haruko trails off. "You already know Chizuru, beside are are Airi Saito, Hana Sato and Lil--"

"Lily...???" Takashi coughed uncontrollably when he noticed her, he shot up out of his seat and stared with widened eyes. 

"Well, well, well...." Lily raised a brow at him before it furrowed in slight annoyance. "Isn't that something... and Shizuka is here too?" she shared a glance between the two.

"Y-You know each other??' Yukiko asked in surprise, she was just as confused as Minami and Haruko. 

"Know? We've dated." Lily hums, she crosses her arms, her glare directed solely on Takashi. 

'What???' Haruko gasps, 'What character is this...???' she knew Lily was familiar, but who was she really. 

"Wasn't Chisako your only ex??" Yukiko turns to Takashi in confusion, whipping her gaze his way.  She notices that he held a guilty expression, rubbing at his arm anxiously. 

"Would you believe me if I said she was the other woman?" Lily's gaze was intense when she looked at him. "How fitting, she broke up with you? I expected none the less from a girl who didn't deserve the same treatment I got." 

"Takashi...??" Minami was in shock, she was startled from the information dropping right now. 

"You..." Shizuka started, her fists clenched tightly, trembling. She stood up and faces him angrily. "You're the guy that cheated on Lily...." she hissed.

'He did WHAT....??!'