The Tall Series! Haruka Nanase

Height:

Reader – 175cm

Haruka – 175cm

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“___-chan! Come on, get in the water.” Your friend Nagisa called but you shook your head frantically.

“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.” You answered quietly but he heard.

Nagisa pouted and glanced at Haruka who surprisingly wasn’t in the pool. Makoto watched silently but had a bad feeling in his stomach. You saw he was making his way towards you and gulped. You gazed down at your lap but a hand blocked some of your vision.

“Come on.” Haruka’s silky voice made your heart rate increase and you felt blood rush up to your cheeks.

You refused once again and gently pushed his hand away.

“I-I don’t want to…”

Haruka sat down in front of you and leaned forward. You stiffened at how close he was but grew cold as he muttered a question.

“Are you scared?”

Memories flashed in your mind and your breath quickened. You found it hard to breathe and Haruka grew concerned. His hand reached out to comfort but you smacked it away and immediately got up. Haruka followed your movement but as he looked straight into your eyes, his eyes widened an inch. Pain…it flashed in your eyes as tears filled your vision.

“You can’t force me. I won’t let you.” Your usual quiet personality disappeared as anger took over.

You turned around and marched out the swimming area. Nagisa invited you to hang out with him, Makoto and Haruka. You were a bit hesitant but you didn’t want to make your shorter friend sad. You didn’t know they wanted to hang out by the pool.

You wiped away your tears and went back into school, entering your classroom. You grabbed your bag and slung it over your shoulder. You intended on walking out the room but another body blocked your way. Your eyes widened as you noticed Haruka was still in his swimming attire and tried really hard not to blush. Wasn’t he embarrassed for running from the pool to here in that? Didn’t people see him? You opened your mouth to speak but Haruka beat you to it.

“I’m sorry.”

Since your mood was bad, you slipped past him without speaking a single word.

“___.”

The sound of his voice calling out your name made all the movement in your body stop. You closed your eyes and let out a shaky breath. You wiped away the tears and continued to make your way out the building, leaving Haruka on his own.

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You gazed at your reflection through the mirror, your expression blank. You grabbed a packet filled with wet tissues and removed the foundation you covered your neck with. A faint mark that trailed across your neck was revealed. Your fists clenched as you remembered that moment where a few students tried to drown you.

Six Years Ago

“___. Let’s go to the deep end.” A boy grabbed your hand and his friend took the other.

You shook your head, afraid of going near the deep end since you were not a very experienced swimmer.

“Y-You can’t force me.” You fought back weakly but it was no use.

You soon found it difficult to feel the floor against your feet and panicked. The two boys snickered at your reaction and dragged you until you were at the other end. You looked frantically for the teacher but she was speaking to Hana, the girl who never liked you. The young girl glanced at you and a fake smile appeared on her face. You felt as if a ton of bricks hit you. She set this all up. For a ten year old, how could she be so cruel?

You cried out as you’re back hit against the edge of the pool but chocked when one of the boys wrapped his small hands around your neck. The other boy dragged you down by pulling your arms and you coughed as water entered your mouth. You had to call for help and quick.

“H-HELP!” You screamed and it echoed through the whole place.

Your teacher finally moved her attention onto you and she grew completely shocked at what was occurring.

“What on earth is going on?!” The teacher yelled and carefully ran to the other side.

The second the boys let go, you felt weak and your body sunk. You didn’t know what happened but as soon as you were saved, you fainted in the arms of the lifeguard. The two boys and Hana were finally found out about their bullying towards you and were immediately expelled.

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You felt bad…You were sure Haruka was trying to comfort you but you took it the wrong way. You groaned and rested your head against the table. You shouldn’t have overreacted like that towards him. He didn’t know and you were sure he would never try to drown you. But…You couldn’t help it when you feared swimming. All you could imagine was going in and immediately drowning.

You shook those thoughts out your head. You would never know until you tried once again. You averted your eyes to your cupboard and saw your school swimsuit peeking out. You got out of your chair and grabbed it. You placed it in your bag along with a towel. Since you hasn’t swam in a long time, you didn’t have any goggles or a swimming hat.

‘Let’s just give it a try…’

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You sat down by the edge of the pool and dipped your legs in. The warmth of the water made you relax and invited you in. You placed your hands on the ground and attempted to push yourself in but you found it difficult to. You just couldn’t get yourself to do it. You were a bit sure that you wouldn't drown due to your tall height. Maybe your feet would touch the ground...You really hoped it would.

“___?”

You jumped in fright at the sudden call and gasped as you fell forward and into the pool. Your body made contact with the water and you flailed your arms around, frightened.

“Help!” You cried out but your head went underwater soon after.

Another splash was made as the owner of the voice from earlier jumped in. You felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around your waist and you quickly clung onto them. Your head popped out the water and you coughed violently.

“It’s alright. You’re safe now.” Their hand rubbed your back to comfort you.

Once you had calmed down, you looked at the person holding you and guilt struck you.

“Haruka…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you before. You didn’t know anything and yet I acted so mean to you-” Your words were cut off when he placed his lips on top of yours.

The kiss was short and as soon as he broke it, you stared at him in a daze.

“It doesn’t matter. You just have to trust me. Do you?” He added the little question at the end.

You did. Of course you did and yet you acted in such a way.

“I do…” Your words came out in a whisper.

Haruka allowed one of his rare smiles to show and you blushed furiously. Liking your flustered state, he leaned forward and captured your lips once again. Your eyes slowly closed and you kissed back, tightening your arms around him. You soon broke the kiss and Haruka rested his forehead against yours.

“W-What was that for?” You questioned quietly.

“You’re supposed to kiss the person you like.” He answered simply.

“Me? H-How long for?” You were completely surprised by his confession.

“Ever since middle school.”

You were now confused. If he liked you then, why didn’t he confess to you before? Haruka noticed your expression and smiled slightly once again.

“I just wanted to know that you trust me first.”

You softened at his words but you felt slightly guilty for making him wait.

“I like you too and I trust you, Haruka.” Your cheeks glowed red as you confessed also before you bravely pecked his lips.