HeartBeats - Ruka Sarashina (Kanojo, Okarishimasu)

My name is Murata Ryo... You can just call me Ryo. I am a university student at the University of Nerima.

I am 21 years old, I have a serious and more reserved personality, always focusing on my academic responsibilities.

I am someone who is very meticulous and organized, rarely leaving anything to chance. My dedication to my studies is evident, and I end up being known for my work ethic and determination.

I know... I'm pulling my weight a lot... although I'm not very communicative, I am well respected by my colleagues for my integrity and reliability.

I prefer to analyze situations calmly and make well-considered decisions, which makes me an excellent problem solver.

It turns out that recently, I ended up meeting a very peculiar girl... Ruka, my new girlfriend.

I'm standing at the school door, waiting for Ruka. It still amazes me how different our worlds are, even though we are only about 2 years apart. She is 18 and in her last year of high school, while I am 21 and studying for a year at college.

Ruka is like a hurricane in my meticulously organized life. Her energy and enthusiasm contrast so much with my serious and reserved nature. When we are together, she challenges me to step out of my comfort zone. It's disconcerting at times, but at the same time, it's invigorating. I've never met someone as determined to show their feelings openly as she is.

Sometimes I wonder how she views our relationship. Does she understand my need for order and my dedication to studies? And, most importantly, can I fully understand her passion and spontaneity?

As I wait, I see the students slowly leaving, and I can't help but smile thinking about the impact she has had on my life. Maybe I need that explosion of color and life that Ruka brings. She reminds me that despite my seriousness, there is still room to live intensely.

I'm standing at the school door, waiting for Ruka, and I can't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. Some students pass by and cast curious glances in my direction. Maybe they're wondering what a college student is doing here, or maybe it's just my own insecurities talking. I'm not used to being the center of attention, and right now I feel a little out of my element.

My thoughts are interrupted by Ruka's cheerful and familiar voice. She comes running through the gate, with a radiant smile on her face. Her eyes shine with enthusiasm, as always. When she sees me, she waves excitedly and runs towards me. Before I can say anything, she's already holding my hand, her presence so vibrant that it's impossible not to feel the energy emanating from her.

"Ryo, you came to get me! I was so happy when I saw you here!" -says Ruka, her enthusiasm is contagious.

This is Sarashina Ruka is her name. She is an energetic and determined young woman, who can be quite persistent when she wants something.

Before me, her vibrant and intense personality creates a huge contrast. She tends to be expressive and direct about her feelings, which may initially surprise me, given my more serious and reserved demeanor.

Ruka always tries to break our barrier with her spontaneity and enthusiasm, trying to open me up more and more and experience life in a less rigid way. At the same time, she can appreciate and admire dedication and integrity.

I smile, feeling the discomfort dissipate a little. - "Of course, Ruka. I couldn't help but come." - I respond, trying to ignore the looks around.

She notices my discomfort and, as always, she knows exactly how to cheer me up. - "Don't mind them, Ryo. They're just curious. And besides, I'm really glad you're here." - she says, squeezing my hand a little tighter.

Your support and enthusiasm remind me why I'm here. Despite the differences, Ruka has an incredible ability to bring light to my darkest days. With her by my side, I feel like I can face anything, even the strangeness of being in an environment that isn't mine.

"Come on, let's get out of here!" - Ruka suggests, pulling me lightly.

"Okay." - I respond, my smile widening. With Ruka by my side, the discomfort disappears. I've dated before, so I already have a certain notion of relationships, unlike Ruka, i'm her first boyfriend.

She always says that I make her heart flutter wildly, kind of... Literally.

We walked together very close, I looked at her and saw that she was very nervous.

Ruka looked flushed, she was very easy to read. As we arrived at the train station, the place was completely empty.

There was just the two of us enjoying that calm and silent atmosphere. Ruka wore her fateful little blue bows that looked like rabbit ears. As we were alone, I took the initiative and took her hand and we held hands together.

So, remember what I said about solving problems? Well, there's something I forgot to mention. Every time your heart starts racing, things happen...

We enter the train hand in hand, and I soon notice that it is starting to fill up quickly. At each stop, more people enter, compressing the space around us. Soon we are so close that there is almost no room to move.

Her bows start to move...

Ruka is next to me, so close I can feel the heat of her body. She looks at me with a mischievous smile, and blushing a lot. Clearly enjoying the forced proximity of the crowd. I try to maintain my composure, but the situation is a little disconcerting. I'm not used to so much physical closeness, especially in such a public place.

'The bows are moving again... Apparently only I really notice...' - thought Ryo

"Is everything okay, Ruka?" I ask, concern mixed with joy in her eyes.

A small blue heart appears on Ruka's chest...

"Yes, I'm fine..."-Ruka responds, trying to appear calmer than she really is. - "I'm just not used to trains being so crowded."

She laughs softly, squeezing my hand. -  "Yeah, it might be a little overwhelming. But think on the bright side, at least we're together." - I tell her, winking.

'The heart appeared again... Something is going to happen.' - thought Ryo.

I can't help but smile. Despite the discomfort, there is something comforting about her presence and the way she can turn any situation into something positive. As the train gently sways along the tracks, I try to focus on Ruka rather than the crowd around us.

Every time this blue heart appears in Ruka's chest... Paranormal events happen around me...

Suddenly, the train comes to a sudden stop and, by reflex, Ruka holds onto me to keep her balance. Our bodies press even closer together, and I feel my heart speed up. She looks up in surprise, and for a moment our eyes meet, and the noise and confusion around her seem to disappear. It's as if, in that brief moment, it was just the two of us in the world.

"Sorry.." - she murmurs, still holding my arm.

"It's okay..." - I reply, my voice sounding softer than usual. - "I am here."

The train began to shake and shake a lot. - "How strange... This train doesn't usually rock like that..." - I said to myself.

Suddenly everything went dark, as if they had entered a tunnel. But that's where the problem is, the train they took doesn't go through any tunnel.

The noise of people stopped. - "Ruka?!" - The darkness of the tunnel seemed endless, but then a faint light began to invade the carriage. When we finally emerged from the tunnel, I opened my eyes and was faced with something impossible. I was alone in the carriage. I looked around, desperately searching for Ruka, but there was no sign of her or any other passengers.

I got up and approached the window, the view outside was surreal. The train was flying, floating in the blue skies, above the clouds. Below, landscapes of mountains and rivers stretched out, but everything seemed ethereal, almost like a painting.

"Urgh... And here we go again..." - I said to myself.

Only I can solve it!

"Ruka!" - I shouted, my voice echoing in the void. I began walking through the carriage, my footsteps echoing on the metal floor. Every carriage I passed was empty, the lights flickering occasionally, creating a feeling of abandonment and desolation.

The silence was disturbing. The only thing I could hear was the sound of the wind hitting the windows. I opened door after door, passing each deserted car, my mind spinning in a thousand directions.

I kept walking, anxiety growing with each step. The next car looked different. The colors were more vibrant, almost bright. I felt a strange sense of calm upon entering, as if time had slowed down. In the center was an old chair, looking out of place. I approached, feeling an inexplicable attraction.

When I touched the chair, a wave of memories invaded my mind. Moments with Ruka, laughter, tears, promises made under the starry sky. But then the chair began to disappear, as if it were dissolving into thin air. I took a step back, scared and confused.

I ran back to the starting car, desperate to find a way out or an answer. Outside, the sky was beginning to darken, black clouds were forming. The feeling of urgency increased. I needed to find Ruka. I needed to understand what was happening.

Suddenly, a soft voice echoed around me, like a whisper on the wind: "Find the key to return." I looked around, trying to find the source of the voice, but there was no one. Just emptiness and the train floating in the endless skies.

I decided to move forward, determined to find the key, whatever that meant. My heart was pounding, but there was a flame of hope inside me. I would find Ruka. I would find out the truth. And together, we would return home.

I continued passing each carriage, and with each new space I explored, the memories of Ruka became more vivid. In a carriage, I saw Ruka sitting alone, looking out the window with a sad expression. In another, she was standing, as if she was waiting for someone, her eyes full of hope. Each memory felt more real than the last, as if she were living those moments right next to her again.

As these visions unfolded, I began to notice something strange. My right arm began to glow an intense blue color. At first, it was just a faint glow, but the light grew stronger and stronger, radiating a comfortable warmth but also carrying a sense of unknown power.

Suddenly, the environment around me changed. Shadows began to materialize, dark, undefined shapes that moved like living smoke. They approached me with clear intentions to attack. I felt a chill run down my spine, but at the same time, the glow on my arm increased, as if responding to the threat.

Without thinking, I raised my glowing arm, and the blue light intensified even more. The shadows hesitated for a moment, as if the light bothered them. Then they advanced again, fast and fierce. Instinctively, I turned my body, and the blue light formed a barrier around me, repelling the shadows that dissolved upon contact with it.

"Ruka!" - I shouted again, my voice reverberating in the empty carriage. I knew I needed to continue. These shadows were trying to stop me, but I couldn't give up. The glow on my arm seemed to give me strength and courage to move forward.

I passed more carriages, each one revealing memories of Ruka, alone and waiting. The train felt like an endless maze, but I was determined to find the exit, find Ruka and bring her back.

In one of the carriages, a particularly strong memory hit me. Ruka was sitting on a bench, holding a small object that glowed. I moved closer to the vision, and as soon as I touched the object in the memory, I felt a wave of energy course through my body. The glow on my arm turned even more blue, radiating light throughout the carriage.

The shadows tried to get closer again, but now it felt like the blue light was growing inside me, ready to protect me and fight anything that tried to stop me. I focused on the energy I felt and directed it toward the shadows, which retreated, unable to withstand the intensity of the light.

As she moved from carriage to carriage, Ruka's voice became clearer, an anguished whisper asking for help. The blue light on my arm illuminated the path, driving away the shadows that still tried to stop me. Finally, I reached the last carriage.

There was Ruka, trapped in a crowd of shadows. She looked frail and disoriented, almost unconscious. I ran towards her, running over and bumping into everyone, my heart racing, and I hugged her tightly. Her hands were cold, and her half-open eyes showed confusion and fear.

"Ruka, I'm here!" - I whispered, holding her firmly. The blue light on my arm began to pulse more intensely, as if responding to our proximity.

It was then that I felt a deeper connection. The glow on my arm seemed to intensify, and an intuition told me something about the key... Slowly, I placed my glowing hand on Ruka's chest, where the blue heart was. The blue light spread, enveloping us in a cocoon of energy.

Everything around us began to transform. The train stopped shaking, the shadows disappeared, and the ethereal skyscape dissolved, bringing back the reality of the carriage packed with passengers. I looked around and it seemed like no one else had noticed what happened. For them, it was as if nothing had changed.

Ruka was in my arms, still half unconscious. The blue light dissipated, and she began to wake up, blinking her eyes as she returned to consciousness. Her expression changed from confusion to surprise and finally to embarrassment when she realized where my hand was.

"Ryo?" - she asked, her voice hesitant and slightly flushed. - "What... what happened?"

I was surprised too, but I knew now was not the time to explain everything. - "Are you okay, Ruka?" - I replied softly, trying to calm her down.

She looked at me, still embarrassed, and gently pushed my hand away. - "You... are... squeezing my boobs, you pervert." -she murmured, blushing deeply.

I felt my face get hot with embarrassment. - "I... I'm sorry, Ruka. It... it was necessary..." - I stammered, not knowing how to explain the strange journey we had just gone through.

Ruka looked away, still embarrassed, but there was a gleam of understanding in her eyes. - "Thank you, Ryo." - she said softly. - "I don't know what happened, but... thank you."

And every time everything goes back to normal, Ruka and everyone around me act like nothing happened.

The train continued its journey, now back to normal. Sitting together, I felt a sense of relief and an even stronger connection with Ruka. She didn't remember the details, but something inside me knew that, somehow, we were closer than ever. And as I looked outside, at the familiar sights passing by, I promised myself that I would always be by her side, no matter what.

Finally, the train arrives at our stop. The feeling of relief is immediate as the doors open and we begin to move towards the exit. Even with the crowd around us, I don't let go of Ruka's hand. She pulls me gently, guiding us through the sea of people, and soon we're outside, breathing in the fresh air.

"Phew, we did it!" - Ruka exclaims, laughing. Her laughter is contagious, and I can't help but smile along with it. She turns to me, still holding my hand tightly. - "What did you think of the adventure on the train?"

"It was...interesting to say the least." - I respond, trying to hide what had happened on the train. - "But, being with you made it all worth it."

She laughs again and gives a little jump of joy. - "That's what I like to hear! Come on, we still have a lot to enjoy today."

We walk through the streets, our fingers intertwined, and I feel the tension of the train begin to dissipate. Ruka is full of energy, pointing to shop windows, suggesting places to visit, and talking about everything she would like to do. Her passion for life is palpable, and every moment with her is a new discovery.

As we walk, I notice how Ruka's eyes light up when she speaks. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and even my darkest thoughts seem to disappear when I'm with her. I appreciate the way she sees the world, with an optimism and joy that is almost childlike in its purity.

Finally, we arrived at a small park. It's peaceful and beautiful, a welcome contrast after the hustle and bustle of the subway. Ruka finds an empty bench and pulls me to sit down. Still holding hands, she leans against me, her head resting on my shoulder.

"Today was fun." - she murmurs, her eyes closed, a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Yes it was." - I agree, looking at the sky as the colors of the sunset begin to paint the horizon. - "Thank you for bringing me here, Ruka."

"I appreciate it, Ryo!" - she responds softly. - "You always make everything worth it."

Without realizing it, I end up touching my lips to Ruka's. Becoming a simple and soft kiss. A kiss that lasted a few seconds. A strand of saliva comes out of our mouths after we separate from the kiss. - "You just give me trouble, you know?"

"I-I do?" - This action made Ruka's heart flutter again. Her "ears" started moving again and the blue heart appeared again.

That again... Love is really for few.

End of the One-Shot.