Chapter 11:
Chapter 11 : Haru's High school life
Everyday you, Shining you
Haru's high school was only a short bike ride from home twenty minutes normally, ten if he pedaled like he was escaping fangirls.
He left early most mornings. Not because he was eager for class, but because it was the only time of day he wasn’t juggling a thousand things.
At school, Haru had a reputation.
The calm guy. The responsible guy. The guy who looks like he has his whole life together even though inside, he felt like he was patching holes in a sinking ship.
Most students didn’t know that after school, while others went to clubs or cram school, Haru went straight to his part-time job at a bookshop to help with bills.
Most students didn’t know that he was already an adult in everything but age.
---
“Did you eat?”“Souta, your socks are different colors.”“Ayase, where’s the bento you made?”“WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE—”
Some mornings felt like a natural disaster.
Ayase trying to cook while answering work texts.Souta trying (and failing) to wake up.Haru directing them like a worn-out general in a battlefield.
But the moment he left the apartment…
He was just Haru again.He stepped into the school hallway, where his friend Riku was already waiting, leaning against the shoe lockers like a delinquent extra from a drama.
Riku whistled. “You look like you aged twelve years since yesterday.”
“I have siblings,” Haru replied.
Riku gave a sympathetic pat on the back. “My condolences.”
Class was the same as always.
“Haru, can you explain this?”“Haru, do you have the notes?”“Haru, can you help with the festival booth?”
Riku sighed dramatically. “Do you ever stop helping people?”
“Not really,” Haru admitted.
Helping gave him purpose.Control.Stability.
Ever since the day his world collapsed years ago.
— Flashback —
He remembered the day their parents died.
Ayase holding tiny Souta, eyes red and swollen.Relatives whispering about “three children alone.”Someone saying Ayase should be separated from her brothers.
She was twenty years old, he was ten, and Souta was six. After the funeral, Ayase signed the documents declaring her as their legal guardian.
For a while, everything seemed fine. But the beginning was rough—Ayase had to sell their cozy home because she was struggling through college and couldn’t keep up with the bills alone. Haru remembered hearing her whisper to Kana one night that every last coin had to go to their education and happiness.
From that day on, he took responsibility like a second skin.
— End of flashback—
---
Haru was popular, quietly and accidentally.
Girls liked his gentle aura.Boys liked that he treated everyone fairly.
But Haru had no space for romance.
Once, Riku cornered him:
“Do you seriously not realize that girl in Class B likes you?”
“She asked to borrow my pen,” Haru said.
“For three weeks straight?!” Riku snapped.
Mai, the only girl he was actually friends with, almost fell off the bench from laughing so hard.
Haru sighed. “I… don’t have time for dating.”
Mai’s expression softened. “Because of home?”
He nodded.
He didn’t resent Ayase or Souta.
But he couldn’t afford distractions.
Not yet.
---
Most students went home.
Haru went to work.
The Blue Lantern Bookshop was tucked between a bakery and a stationery store, its windows fogged slightly from the warmth inside.
When Haru walked in, the owner — Mr. Sano, an elderly man with glasses strapped to his forehead — looked up.
“Good timing, Haru-kun. A shipment came earlier. Think you can handle it?”
“Of course.”
Haru put away his bag, tied on his apron, and got to work.
He sorted new arrivals, stacked shelves, recommended books to customers, and helped elderly regulars find the novels they loved.
“Thank you, young man.”
“No problem. Have a good evening.”
One customer — a quiet university girl — shyly approached him.
“Um… do you have any more of the poetry books you recommended last time?”
Haru blinked. “Oh, yes. I kept one aside for you.”
Her face brightened. “You remembered?”
Riku’s voice echoed in his head:Girls like you, idiot.
But Haru just nodded politely. “Of course.”
During slow hours, he enjoyed the peace.The smell of paper.The soft music.The comfort of knowing he was doing something helpful.
Mr. Sano often watched him with a grandfatherly smile.
“You work hard, Haru-kun. Your family must be proud.”
Haru paused.
He hoped so.
“I… try,” he said softly.
The old man patted his shoulder. “You’re a good kid.”
When Haru finished his shift, he grabbed the snacks he bought for Souta and bowed to the owner.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Get home safely.”
---
Haru biked through the evening streets, the sky glowing orange.
He passed kids walking home with their parents. Couples holding hands. Students laughing together.
He wondered sometimes what it felt like to live freely like that.
To not constantly worry about Ayase’s stress.To not monitor Souta’s homework.To not budget every yen in his mind.
But when he reached their apartment and opened the door…
Ayase turned from the stove, smiling warmly. “Welcome back, Haru.”
Souta ran up to him. “Did you bring snacks?!”
Haru held up the bag.
Souta cheered.
Ayase laughed softly. “You spoil him too much.”
Haru shrugged. “He’s the baby.”
Dinner was warm.The TV buzzed softly.Ayase joked about her coworkers.Souta bragged about PE class.
Haru felt the tightness in his chest ease.
This was his life.Difficult.Busy.Messy.
But full of love.
Later, lying on his bed, Haru stared at the ceiling.
He wondered if Ayase knew how hard he tried.If Souta knew how much he cared.If he would ever get the chance to chase his own dreams.
But then he heard a soft knock.
“Haru? I made tea. Want some?”
He smiled instantly.
“Yeah. I’m coming.”
And just like that—
The loneliness faded.
He wasn’t alone.
He never would be.
End of chapter 11
He left early most mornings. Not because he was eager for class, but because it was the only time of day he wasn’t juggling a thousand things.
At school, Haru had a reputation.
The calm guy. The responsible guy. The guy who looks like he has his whole life together even though inside, he felt like he was patching holes in a sinking ship.
Most students didn’t know that after school, while others went to clubs or cram school, Haru went straight to his part-time job at a bookshop to help with bills.
Most students didn’t know that he was already an adult in everything but age.
---
“Did you eat?”“Souta, your socks are different colors.”“Ayase, where’s the bento you made?”“WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE—”
Some mornings felt like a natural disaster.
Ayase trying to cook while answering work texts.Souta trying (and failing) to wake up.Haru directing them like a worn-out general in a battlefield.
But the moment he left the apartment…
He was just Haru again.He stepped into the school hallway, where his friend Riku was already waiting, leaning against the shoe lockers like a delinquent extra from a drama.
Riku whistled. “You look like you aged twelve years since yesterday.”
“I have siblings,” Haru replied.
Riku gave a sympathetic pat on the back. “My condolences.”
Class was the same as always.
“Haru, can you explain this?”“Haru, do you have the notes?”“Haru, can you help with the festival booth?”
Riku sighed dramatically. “Do you ever stop helping people?”
“Not really,” Haru admitted.
Helping gave him purpose.Control.Stability.
Ever since the day his world collapsed years ago.
— Flashback —
He remembered the day their parents died.
Ayase holding tiny Souta, eyes red and swollen.Relatives whispering about “three children alone.”Someone saying Ayase should be separated from her brothers.
She was twenty years old, he was ten, and Souta was six. After the funeral, Ayase signed the documents declaring her as their legal guardian.
For a while, everything seemed fine. But the beginning was rough—Ayase had to sell their cozy home because she was struggling through college and couldn’t keep up with the bills alone. Haru remembered hearing her whisper to Kana one night that every last coin had to go to their education and happiness.
From that day on, he took responsibility like a second skin.
— End of flashback—
---
Haru was popular, quietly and accidentally.
Girls liked his gentle aura.Boys liked that he treated everyone fairly.
But Haru had no space for romance.
Once, Riku cornered him:
“Do you seriously not realize that girl in Class B likes you?”
“She asked to borrow my pen,” Haru said.
“For three weeks straight?!” Riku snapped.
Mai, the only girl he was actually friends with, almost fell off the bench from laughing so hard.
Haru sighed. “I… don’t have time for dating.”
Mai’s expression softened. “Because of home?”
He nodded.
He didn’t resent Ayase or Souta.
But he couldn’t afford distractions.
Not yet.
---
Most students went home.
Haru went to work.
The Blue Lantern Bookshop was tucked between a bakery and a stationery store, its windows fogged slightly from the warmth inside.
When Haru walked in, the owner — Mr. Sano, an elderly man with glasses strapped to his forehead — looked up.
“Good timing, Haru-kun. A shipment came earlier. Think you can handle it?”
“Of course.”
Haru put away his bag, tied on his apron, and got to work.
He sorted new arrivals, stacked shelves, recommended books to customers, and helped elderly regulars find the novels they loved.
“Thank you, young man.”
“No problem. Have a good evening.”
One customer — a quiet university girl — shyly approached him.
“Um… do you have any more of the poetry books you recommended last time?”
Haru blinked. “Oh, yes. I kept one aside for you.”
Her face brightened. “You remembered?”
Riku’s voice echoed in his head:Girls like you, idiot.
But Haru just nodded politely. “Of course.”
During slow hours, he enjoyed the peace.The smell of paper.The soft music.The comfort of knowing he was doing something helpful.
Mr. Sano often watched him with a grandfatherly smile.
“You work hard, Haru-kun. Your family must be proud.”
Haru paused.
He hoped so.
“I… try,” he said softly.
The old man patted his shoulder. “You’re a good kid.”
When Haru finished his shift, he grabbed the snacks he bought for Souta and bowed to the owner.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Get home safely.”
---
Haru biked through the evening streets, the sky glowing orange.
He passed kids walking home with their parents. Couples holding hands. Students laughing together.
He wondered sometimes what it felt like to live freely like that.
To not constantly worry about Ayase’s stress.To not monitor Souta’s homework.To not budget every yen in his mind.
But when he reached their apartment and opened the door…
Ayase turned from the stove, smiling warmly. “Welcome back, Haru.”
Souta ran up to him. “Did you bring snacks?!”
Haru held up the bag.
Souta cheered.
Ayase laughed softly. “You spoil him too much.”
Haru shrugged. “He’s the baby.”
Dinner was warm.The TV buzzed softly.Ayase joked about her coworkers.Souta bragged about PE class.
Haru felt the tightness in his chest ease.
This was his life.Difficult.Busy.Messy.
But full of love.
Later, lying on his bed, Haru stared at the ceiling.
He wondered if Ayase knew how hard he tried.If Souta knew how much he cared.If he would ever get the chance to chase his own dreams.
But then he heard a soft knock.
“Haru? I made tea. Want some?”
He smiled instantly.
“Yeah. I’m coming.”
And just like that—
The loneliness faded.
He wasn’t alone.
He never would be.
End of chapter 11
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