I'm sorry

"Haruto..."

The group couldn't find the words to say; he had just told them something he had kept to himself all this time. 

Haruto

Rin gazed at Shuchin-kun, who was twirling his fingers. 

"Why do something...s-so horrible!"

To get angry on someone else's behalf, that was something Rin was best at. 

The tears flowed. 

Shuchin scratched his head. 

"Tsk,  that's one of the reasons why I came here."

"To do what, bully him more?" Reina raised a fist, ready to lunge at him.  Futoshi raised his arms, catching her. If she went for him, that would've caused a bunch of other issues that frankly,  he didn't want to deal with. 

"Reina!" Calm down."

"Why should I? If Haruto won't get mad, Rin and I will get mad at him!"

Then, Shuchin-kun lowered his head. 

"Look, Haruto... I'm sorry."

The room was stunned. Everyone's gaze widened at witnessing his bow.  Haruto clenched his fist.

"Look. I get why you did it. You wanted to look 'cool' in front of your girlfriend. I can't blame you for something like that, but why pick on me of all people?"

Shuchin repeated his actions, lowering his head.

"I don't know... I guess it was because you were the closest person to me at the time. And I felt like you were an easy target."

Then, he looked to Aoi. She had been sitting there, waiting to interject. 

"u-uhm yes?"

"I'm sorry you had to hear that. I know you always thought highly of me. "

Aoi waved her hands in front of her. She had been shocked, sure. But that wasn't enough for her to just cast aside these feelings she had harbored. She didn't care about that. He had been a man and apologised, and for her, that was enough. 

"Please... raise your head!"

Shuchin felt the cold ground beneath him. His forehead caught the brunt of it. 

He cradled himself as he pushed his head down further -still on the ground. It seemed like he wanted to atone for what he had done. 

He gripped his shirt and sighed. 

"I'm sorry!" 

His tone was stern, but had an edge of guiltiness to it. He continued:

"That goes to all of you. Thank you for looking after Haruto all this time."

Haruto walked over and raised a hand.

"I'm not your brother. Oh, and this is payback."

Before Shuchin could tell what had happened, Haruto's hand lowered, hitting him on the head. 

I'm glad I'm not on the receiving end of that...

A lump had formed where he had been hit, and steam had appeared a moment after. 

He finally raised his head.

It would take a while to be truly forgiven, but at least he had the guts to face up to his actions.

                                                                                       ***

"So what happened with you and that girl?" 

Now that the air had been cleared and things had calmed down for a bit, Haruto sat by Shuchin. 

Shuchin scratched the scar on his cheek, looking elsewhere.

"Oh... You mean Miku-chan? We both went to different schools for high school, so we broke up."

Haruto placed a hand under his chin.

"So that's her name, huh?"

Reina, who had sat on the opposite couch with Futoshi and Rin, spoke up. 

"So, let me get this straight... The girl you tried to impress so much ended up dumping you anyway."

She really doesn't pull any punches!

Shuchin looked like he had been taken aback by her blunt words; he coughed. 

"I guess when you put it that way, I sound like a right jerk."

"Because you are!"

"Reina, just chill out. The guy is already guilty as is-"

"May I say something?"

Rin interjected.

"Shouldn't we just leave this talk for later? I have something I need to tell you all as well."

They all looked at each other, confused by what she meant.

"O-oh ok..."

Aoi chimed in, turning to Shuchin. 

"W-would you like... to go to the beach?"

Shuchin still had a sour face. After what he had done, he had every right to do so. Even still, a forced smile tugged at his lip.

"Yeah... sure."

- The conversation had been put on hold, and the group had met up at the beach.

How much you wanna bet that what she wants to talk about is that outburst she had?

Rin's outburst from before still weighed on his mind. 

She had started spouting about how she has to 'put on this mask' and something about 'public appeal.' 

It had happened when Haruto and Shuchin started their argument. She had tried to keep the peace between them, hoping to calm the situation down when Haruto blew up in her face. 

"Futoshi, what are you doing just standing there? Wait... Don't tell me you're ogling me in my swimsuit, you perv!"

Futoshi laughed. 

"Why would I be ogling if there isn't anything there?"

Reina blushed before cocking her leg, hitting him in the back. 

"That's for being tactless, hmph!"

Futoshi rubbed his back. For what it's worth, the kick felt quite light, not enough to knock him off balance but just enough to leave a bruise. 

"What was that for?!"

"I already told you! Don't you listen?" 

"Stop your lovers' quarrel and get over here! The water feels amazing."

Rin placed a hand by her mouth, shouting at the two. They had been standing under the umbrella that the group had set out beforehand. 

The water sparkled in the distance, like it was beckoning for them to join in. It glistened almost beautifully as the waves moved in a rhythm. 

The plan was now back on. Aoi would ask out Shuchin. They had been sitting a distance away from the rest of them, talking about something. 

Reina pulled on Futoshi's arm, bringing them to where Rin was. 

Rin opened with an attack, catching Futoshi off guard. She cupped some water in her hand before splashing the two. 

"That was a cheap shot!"

"It's called preemptiveness, actually."

"Does that even make sense?" 

The girls fought back and forth, splashing each other with water. Futoshi, now covered in water, looked around. 

"Where's Haruto?" 

He scanned around the surrounding area, trying to find him, but with minimal success. 

Don't tell me he's feeling guilty now, too... 

                                                                                ***

-Futoshi had looked everywhere outside, retracing his steps, and he made his way back to the villa. 

"Haruto! You're in here!"

What responded to his call was a heavy silence.

From the entrance, you couldn't see if anyone was in the living area, so he had to move further in. 

He made his way to the living room, hoping he was there. 

He peeked around the corner.

In the living room, the boxes from before had disappeared. Sitting there on the white couch opposite the open window was...

"Haruto, how long are you gonna mope around?"

"Till the end of time, I guess."

"Feeling bad?"

"You can tell, huh?"

He had a sour expression on his face, and his gaze was dejected.

"Take a look at yourself, and you'll see why."

"That bad?"

Haruto turned, and he looked at Futoshi. Under that intense gaze, Futoshi scratched the back of his head. 

"Pretty much. Honestly, I thought you would never get mad at her, after all, she's your 'angel' isn't she?"

Haruto cringed. 

"You heard all that?"

"Yep, Reina and I both."

The sound of the wind and the waves drifted through the window; they both looked forward. 

"So what are you gonna do now?"

"I'll apologize for lashing out at her."

"Will you get down on one knee and propose as well?"

"Stop exaggerating, although if we do, you know you'll be my best man."

"Actually, start dating her before you say such things." 

"Nope, never!"

Haruto paused before a sly grin forced itself across his face. He nudged Futoshi.

"So... I've been meaning to ask. What's up with you and Reina?"

Futoshi swatted his hand, his brow furrowed. 

"Absolutely nothing. In fact, it's an insult you even think I like her."

"...Sure."

"You're a good match, y'know... You and her."

"We are total opposites, and anyway, she's lazy, sharp-tongued, plus she always knows how to push my buttons."

As he said that he itched his ear. 

"Then why are you always together?"

"Because we live near each other."

"If you're looking for answers, there are absolutely none to give-"

Cutting him off, a voice rang out. 

"Is anyone in there?"