We saw in Chapter 4 that Haruki encountered a girl with shimmering white hair, mesmerizing blue eyes, and a voice so soft that it sent him into a daze. And now… standing before him… is this the same girl? Or someone else entirely?

  Unknown Girl: "Haruki, it's nice to meet you."

  She gave a soft, charming smile, making Haruki’s heart race. His cheeks flushed red as he kept staring at her, completely lost in the moment. Time seemed to stop for him. She, too, was gazing at him, their eyes locked. Haruki was so mesmerized that he even forgot to blink—until Kouki suddenly shook his shoulder.

  Kouki: "Haruki, what’s wrong with you? You’ve never reacted like this before. Say something!"

  Haruki started panicking, just like a boy meeting his dream girl for the first time.

  Haruki (nervously stammering): "Ahh uh ahmm… Hey, nice to meet you too…" (He lowered his head, shyly pcing a hand over his chest.) "What’s happening to me? Why is my heart beating so fast? This girl…"

  Kouki: "Alright, enough staring! We've been standing here forever. Let’s go!"

  Hina: "Yeah, let’s move!"

  Everyone started walking forward, but Haruki remained frozen in his thoughts. Seeing him like this, the girl turned back and softly called out—

  Girl: "Haruki, we’ll be te. Let’s go."

  Haruki, who had been lost in his feelings, felt his heart race again and quickly followed.

  Emma: "Wow! Look at all these rides! A roller coaster! That spinning ride! And a WATER SLIDE!!!"

  Haruki: "Calm down, Emma… Look around. People are staring at you."

  Emma awkwardly looked around and noticed that everyone—including little kids—was staring at her. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly hid her face against Haruki’s chest.

  Haruki (flustered): "Hey! Move away! People will think we’re together!"

  Emma: "Just let me stay like this for a moment!"

  Hina (offering an ice cream): "Emma, here! Have some ice cream."

  As soon as Emma saw the ice cream, she immediately grabbed it and started eating like a little kid.

  Kouki: "One second ago, she was embarrassed, and now she’s fine? Nice move, Hina."

  Hina (ughing): "Hehe, thanks! By the way, there’s a haunted house right next to the ice cream stall. Want to check it out?"

  Kouki & Emma: "Yes, let’s go!"

  Haruki: "No thanks. I don’t feel like wasting time on those fake horror setups. You guys go ahead."

  Emma grinned mischievously.

  Emma (teasing): "Are you scared?"

  Haruki: "Shut up, or I’ll smash this ice cream on your face."

  Emma: "Wow! Red fg! A guy bullying a girl!"

  Meanwhile, Kouki returned with four tickets.

  Haruki: "Why’d you get one for me? I said I’m not going!"

  Kouki: "Look closely. There are only three. Who said we’re taking you along?"

  Haruki: "You… You little—!"

  Emma turned to the girl.

  Emma: "You’re coming too, right? Kouki bought four tickets!"

  But she gently shook her head.

  Girl: "I… I’m scared of haunted houses."

  Kouki: "Alright, Haruki, she’s staying back. Take care of her, okay?"

  Without waiting for Haruki’s response, Kouki ran off with the others.

  Haruki: "Wait! How am I supposed to take care of her?! Come back!" (He sighed.) "Why did you stay behind?"

  Girl: "Haruki, let’s sit on that bench. We’re blocking the walkway."

  Haruki: "Oh… Right. Let’s go."

  The two of them sat on a nearby bench.

  Haruki: "This is unfair. You know my name, but I don’t know yours."

  Girl: "My name is Sabrina. I recently moved here, and soon, I’ll be joining your school."

  Haruki: "Sabrina… That’s a beautiful name."

  Sabrina: "Thank you! Can I call you Haru?"

  Haruki blushed.

  Haruki (shyly): "Uh… Sure, if you’re comfortable with that."

  Sabrina (smiling pyfully): "Haru~ ehehehe!"

  Haruki felt a strange warmth in his heart. His face turned even redder.

  Sabrina (teasing): "Your reactions are so easy to read, Haru. You’re like a little kid!"

  Haruki: "A-Am I…?"

  Sabrina: "It’s kinda boring just sitting here. Let’s go on a ride!"

  Haruki: "Uhh… You go ahead. I’ll wait here."

  Sabrina: "What kind of guy lets a girl go alone? That’s not very gentlemanly."

  Haruki (sighs): "Fine, fine. Let’s go."

  As they walked, the crowd was thick. Someone accidentally pushed Haruki, and he was about to fall when—

  Sabrina caught him in a perfect movie-like moment.

  Sabrina: "You okay?"

  Haruki (flustered): "Y-Yeah…"

  Sabrina: "Aren’t guys supposed to catch girls? Looks like I’m the one saving you, Haru."

  Haruki could only stare into her dazzling blue eyes.

  Haruki: "Come on, forget about it. Tell me, where do you want to go?"

  Sabrina: "Let’s just explore the rides. But ugh, there are so many people, and the lines are so long…"

  Haruki: "You're right. Hey, I know a pce… Let’s go there. No one really goes there."

  Sabrina: "Where??"

  Haruki walked ahead, with Sabrina following behind. But soon, she fell slightly behind. That’s when Haruki reached out and gently grabbed her hand.

  Sabrina: "Walk slower, will you?"

  Haruki: "Uhh, okay…" (Her hand is so soft… ahhh…)

  As they walked, they arrived at an abandoned ride.

  Sabrina: "Is this the pce?"

  Haruki: "Yeah, this is it. The view from here is amazing. Want to check it out?"

  Sabrina: "Of course! Hehehe, let's go!"

  The two of them sat on an abandoned ferris wheel seat.

  Sabrina: "It feels so peaceful here."

  Haruki: "Hmm… Who told you about this pce? This is kinda—"

  Before he could finish, Emma, Hina, and Kouki suddenly appeared near the abandoned ride and shouted—

  Emma: "Haruki! Sabrina! Come down! We’re here too!"

  Haruki: "Alright, coming!"

  Sabrina: "How did they know we were here?"

  Haruki: "They knew I would come here, but they didn't know about you. That’s why they came looking for me."

  Sabrina: "Good thing we were together. Otherwise, I might have gotten lost."

  Haruki: "As long as I’m here, you won’t get lost."

  They continued chatting as they climbed down.

  Emma: "What’s going on here, huh? You left us and came here alone with her!"

  Kouki: "I hope you guys had fun too. It took us a while because of the crowd."

  Hina: "It’s getting te; it's already 5 PM. Should we head home?"

  Emma: "Wait! Let’s grab something to eat from the café before leaving!"

  Sabrina: "Sorry, guys. I have to leave now. It's getting te. Maybe next time… And thanks, Haru. I had a great time."

  Haruki: "Ahaha, my pleasure."

  Sabrina: "Alright, I’m heading out. Byeee~"

  The group waved goodbye to her, but Sabrina forgot her bck hairband on the bench. Haruki noticed it and quickly ran after her.

  Haruki: "I’ll go give this to her!"

  He ran through the crowd, searching for her. Not finding her anywhere, he hurried toward the exit, but she was already gone. It was as if she was never there to begin with.

  Just a few minutes ago, she was right there with them. But now? No one knew where she had disappeared.

  Haruki, tired from running, looked around. But there was no sign of Sabrina. However…

  He saw those same mesmerizing blue eyes.

  The white cat was sitting near the gate, staring at him. Haruki stopped in his tracks.

  At that moment, Kouki, Emma, and Hina caught up to him.

  Kouki: "Haru, did you find Sabrina?"

  Haruki: "Ah… no. She left before I got here… Hahahah…"

  Emma: "Forget it. We can go to the café some other time. I need to head home—Mom’s calling me."

  Kouki: "Yeah, we should go."

  Haruki: "Kouki, listen. Drop Emma and Hina off at their homes."

  Kouki: "And what about you?"

  Haruki: "I’ll go by myself. I have something else to do."

  Kouki: "Alright, if you say so."

  Haruki: "Okay, guys. I’m heading out. Bye, and take care. Have a safe drive!"

  Emma: "You too!"

  Haruki: "Idiot, I’m walking home!"

  Kouki: "Hahaha, see ya!"

  The four of them went their separate ways. On his way home, Haruki bought a manga book and a small bag to keep Sabrina’s forgotten hairband.

  As he continued walking, he suddenly noticed the same white cat.

  It was following him.

  Haruki: "Hey, little one. Do you need any help?"

  The cat let out a soft meow, rubbing against his legs, showing affection.

  Haruki: "Awww, I don’t have anything to give you right now… I’m so sorry, kitty. Stay safe, okay? And be careful while crossing the road."

  The cat circled around him and then gently wrapped its tail around Haruki’s hand.

  Haruki: "Awww, cutie… Alright, I’ll get going now. Bye-bye."

  Haruki walked a few steps forward… but then stopped.

  The cat was still following him.

  Haruki: "Wait… do you want to come home with me?"

  The cat tilted its head, then jumped into Haruki’s arms.

  Haruki: "Hahaha… Alright, from today, we’ll live together. I really like you, little one… So, let’s go home, sweetie."

  That night, Haruki adopted the cat.

  But… was it really just a cat?

  Or… was it Sabrina?

  The truth will be revealed in the next chapter. Stay tuned for more twists! The next chapter is coming very soon.

  Chapter Ends Here.