Page 4 of Praising Haru

Yeah…

Did you go to school at John Smeaton in Leeds?

Yeah…

Small world. So did I.

Do we know each other?

Not really. I don’t think you’d offend your parents by asking questions about your birth family. It’s natural to want to know. But they probably won’t know anything.

Back up. What do you mean by ‘not really’?

LOL. Exactly that. We met once. You saved me.

I—what?

Saved me.

Context, please.

I was being bullied, and you chased them off. I went by Harry back then in an effort to fit in and not get picked on for being different.

A picture pops up of a small kid in my old school uniform. My memory ignites. Harry never did come and find me again after that day. I told myself it was because the bullies left him alone. Did they?

I click on his profile image, which makes it larger. It’s a photo of him. He’s grown his black hair longer over the last ten years. Back then, it was short and spiky. Now it frames his face like floppy curtains. His jaw still has a gentle curve. He’s cute in a soft and pretty way.

Wow. It really is a small world.

Sure is. Anyway, you were venting, and I was offering not very helpful advice.

If your name isn’t Harry, what is it?

Haru.

Ugh. Yes, that should have been obvious.

You’re not which Haru?

There’s an anime character called Haru. It was the first thing that came to mind when I had to pick a username.

Choosing usernames is hard, which is why I have the same one everywhere: KylePlaysRugby.

Do you want to keep venting?

Do you mind?

Nope. I can’t promise to give any sage advice, but I can be a sounding board. Vent away.

How am I supposed to feel?

How do you feel?

A shrink would answer a question with a question.

Would they?

I send him an emoji with its tongue sticking out.