The silence lasted too long.
Mei and Takeru remained frozen, like two guilty statues, waiting for the explosion.
But it didn't come.
Harumi walked over to Mei.Slowly.
Mei felt her heart rise into her throat.
"Is she going to scold me…?"
Harumi crouched in front of her.
She didn't say anything.
She simply took the girl's cold hand—still chilled from outside—and gently placed it against Mei's cheek.
Mei shivered.
— Mei… — Harumi began, her voice soft and gentle — has such a small face… it fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.
She smiled.
— Your eyebrows are thick… and your eyelashes are light. So different from your dark eyes, like you're always thinking about something important.
As she spoke, Harumi slowly ran her fingers through Mei's straight, slightly spiky hair.
— Your hair has such a strong color… it almost shines when you run.
Mei swallowed hard.
Harumi took her small hand.
— Your arms are tiny… and your hands are even smaller.
She closed her fingers around them gently.
— But they're very strong hands.
Mei blinked quickly.
The tears got stuck right there.
Harumi let out a soft sigh.
— There.
She held out her hand.
— Now… should we do the same with Takeru?
Mei puffed her cheeks.
She was still upset.
But she took Harumi's hand anyway.
She walked slowly.
Pouting.
Takeru looked away when she stopped in front of him.
Harumi stepped closer.
She gently placed her hand on his face.
— Takeru… — she said — is already as tall as me.
He froze.
— Your face is bigger… it fits perfectly in my hand.
She ran her fingers over his thin, straight eyebrows.
— Your black hair… it feels like messy grass… and it matches your eyes. Both a little sharp.
Takeru swallowed.
Harumi took his hands.
— You're tall for your age… — she continued — and your hands are big.
She slowly brushed her thumb over the calluses.
— Full of marks from someone who works too hard.
Silence.
She stepped back a little.
— See how easy that is?
She looked at both of them.
— It's really easy to describe what we can see. You just look and say it. Hair, hands, eyes… that part is simple.
She paused.
— But some things aren't.
Mei looked up.
Takeru did too.
— There are things we can't describe very well — Harumi continued. — And things we don't even know how to explain.
She took a deep breath.
— When I got here… I thought Mei was angry.
Mei bit her lip.
— And that Takeru was sad.
Takeru looked away.
— But you know what I think?
She looked at Mei first.
— I think Mei isn't angry.
The girl felt her chest tighten.
— I think you're just… sad.
Mei's eyes widened.
The tears finally rose, shining in them.
Harumi turned to Takeru.
— And you…
He held his breath.
— You're not sad.
Silence.
— You're disappointed in yourself.
That hit him directly.
Takeru closed his eyes for a second.
That was exactly it.
Harumi gave a small smile.
— So… starting today, we have a mission.
Mei sniffed.
— A mission…?
— Mhm. — Harumi nodded. — I don't know how to describe your feelings.
She crouched between the two of them.
— So Mei… our new mission is to discover Takeru's secrets!
— Secrets?! — Mei's eyes widened.
The anger vanished.
— That's right!
Harumi turned to Takeru.
— And Takeru… our mission is to understand Mei's side!
He nodded, a little embarrassed.
— I know her feelings might seem easier to understand — Harumi continued. — Even so… we still have to try.
She took a deep breath.
— You've both been through things I never have.
She smiled, sincere.
— So it's going to be hard for me to understand everything… but I'll try. Always.
The air felt lighter.
Harumi suddenly stood up.
— YOSHA!!!!
Both of them jumped.
— Now… — she pointed at the mess — you two are going to clean all of this up.
She grinned widely.
— While I make the BEST dinner of all time!!!
Takeru paled a little.
"She's going to cook…"
But he relaxed soon after.
Everything was okay.
When Harumi walked into the kitchen and closed the door…
The silence returned.
Takeru looked at Mei.
— I… I'm sorry.
He took a deep breath.
— For runni—
Mei interrupted him.
She stepped closer.
And in the most awkward way possible…
She patted his head.
Just like Harumi.
— It's okay… — she murmured. — It's okay… it's okay…
Takeru froze.
Then… gave a small smile, head lowered.
Mei thought, her heart warm:
"I want to be like Ms. Harumi. She always knows what to do."
And for the first time…
She got it exactly right.