Lunch Date [Haruka x Reader]

Coming to school today was perhaps the biggest mistake you had made since groggily coating your toothbrush in Neosporin this morning. Sleepy, unsure of what to focus on, and wishing to be anywhere in the world other than school, you planted your face in your math book. You had no idea what you were even learning, and you didn't care to find out. Numbers, words, pictures--none of it made sense. The worst of it had not yet come until suddenly:

"Miss (fn), can you tell me the answer?"

You shuddered with unhindered fear. Before you knew it, all eyes were on you, waiting for you to say something, anything at all. For all you knew, you were an idiot anyway, but no one else had to know. However, you were caught in a new dilemma; everyone would know now. You simply gave up and announced your wrong answer, of course, getting giggles out of a few students.

"Yeah, you know (fn)! She doesn't have a clue about anything!" you heard someone say this about you.

Perhaps it was the recent lack of sleep and the insane amount of pressure you had just endured; regardless, your eyes leaked a few tears. You didn't want to be seen, and you didn't want to speak; you had no control whatsoever. It was hopeless until a silky voice behind you saved your life that day:

"Hey, (fn) is fine. It's okay to get things wrong. It's even okay to be better at different things. So just leave her alone."

It was not the boldest of comebacks, but it was enough to make your heart jump. This voice of silk had just transformed your dreary day to a tolerable one. Who could it have been? It was tempting to turn your head slightly and thank whoever it was. Nonetheless, time flew, and you were too late. Class continued as if nothing had been said and done. So what? Who needed the teacher's help when you had a new secret hero?

In the next hour, you were conveniently stretching your neck to turn around and see who was behind you, and there he sat: your hero, with his short black hair and serious blue eyes. Luckily, he stared down at his homework enough not to see you as you whipped your head back around, blushing furiously. THAT was the guy who stood up for you. That was a face you would never forget, and your next mission was to show him that you were grateful in a way that may not draw attention to anyone else but him.

But geez, you thought at home, I don't want to be so damn obvious. Ugh, what if this is stupid? Oh man, it's gonna be stupid. But wait--maybe it isn't! Ugh, it probably is. Who knows? I can't just…NOT thank him! I don't even know his name or anything…hm, BUT I might know someone who does.

Thus you slept on a high strung brain.

The next morning began with your blushing face being constantly splashed with water before you got dressed, ate breakfast, and left with your things…and that one special thing you needed. Your face grew hotter from the thought of it. Every hour in class before that crowning moment was an aching eternity, more time to sit there, pay attention to nothing, and hear your heart pounding in your ears. At the top of the lunch hour, you ran off like a shot. You clutched the embarrassing gift to your chest and confronted your friend in front of the school before even setting off on your mission.

"Gou-chan!" you called, "where were you yesterday?"

"Me? Oh, sorry, I was sick. I'm still carrying around my tissues and stuff, but whatever. I'm basically better."

"I missed you!"

"I missed you too. Being sick was sad."

"I bet," you gave her a hug.

"Oh, what's that? You have a bigger lunch."

"AAAH!! That's nothing. Look, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes?" Gou sat beside you, wondering what you had on your mind.

"Look, I had a rough day yesterday, and someone made fun of me in class too. But…."

"But what?"

"Then…the boy who sits behind me…well," you blushed a little, "he stood up for me. I was wondering if you knew--"

"Was that Haru?"

You flushed even more seriously.

"H-Haru?"

"Yes, Haruka Nanase. Don't you know him?"

"W-w-well, not really. Only heard of…I don't really know him. He's part of that swim club you talked about, right?"

"Yes, and he thinks you're really cute," she winked at you.

"How could you have not told me this before?!"

"AHA! So THAT'S what you're hiding in the lunch box! You got a present for Haru, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU? Now what's in the box?"

"Gou-chan!! Stop asking! It's embarrassing!"

You hid the present in your arms, but Gou persisted, asking over and over. She caught you red-handed no matter how snug you tucked that embarrassing lunch box away.

"What's in the lunch box, (fn)?!" she poked at you trying to get to it.

You winced, but after a girlish little giggle, you screamed:

"TACOS!!!"

"What about tacos?" a boy's voice asked.

Spellbound, both of you tilted your heads upward to find the black-haired hero, watching two high school girls in a weird poke battle. Gou backed off.

"Haru, nice to see you again! I was just playing around with (fn). I missed her yesterday, being sick and all. Hey, I think she wants to talk to you."

Off she ran like a shot. You were alone with Haru as your blushing, hot-mess self.

"So, what tacos?" he approached you.

"Uhh," you coughed, "here, I'll show you."

Haru followed you to a personal spot on the grass. This was perfect for your shy self, seeing that no one could find you or tease you, not even Gou, who was nice enough to leave you two alone (depending on how you looked at it). Your heart pounding in the heat of the moment, you revealed your little present to him.

"So….I wasn't sure what you liked, and…I wanted to thank you for yesterday. I made fish tacos…and I hope you like them."

Geez, you thought to yourself, but you didn't get a chance to insult yourself mentally any further as you watched Haru accept your thank-you gift. One bite, and he was in love.

"(fn)…"

"Huh? You….you like them?"

"Love them. I didn't eat breakfast, (fn). This is just what I needed. I had no idea…you're…so nice."

You were flattered, and you left that box open for Haru. There was no longer a reason to feel so shy; your self esteem grew every minute you watched him. Bite after bite, he cherished something unforgettable and flavorful. Happily, you watched them all disappear, knowing they were in a good place. You had shown amazing thanks to your hero, who was eyeing you with a smile. It was rare, beautiful, touching.

"I could learn to like you a lot. I bet you could make those for me everyday, and I would never get bored with them. So, shy girl…fish taco girl…(fn)…" he took your hand in his, "let's be friends."