⚪️ Short Story | Those Who Leave Are Not Pursued

This is a story about chasing.

***

I was called out by Haru.

It's laughable that she would say "those who leave are not pursued" after cutting someone off herself. Actually, it's infuriating. That's my line. I'm not going to chase her either.

Perhaps because she was so deeply offended, her breathing was heavy.

It seems the person she was starting to get close to suddenly pulled away, and because the way they did it was so blunt, Haru's anger wouldn't subside.

Hey, so did you bring the cards?
Yeah. I brought them just like you asked.
Read them for me.
Read what?
My love life.
No, I'm not a fortune teller—
You know a lot about it.
Well, I suppose, because I'm interested.

Isn't what Haru needs not fortune-telling, but the courage to face the person involved? I don't have the right to say that, though.

He was the one who showed interest first. Was it just an illusion? What do you think? And besides, what does it even mean to say "those who leave are not pursued"?

I don't know.
That's why you need to read them.

I'm not keen on doing a reading. Especially when it's Haru's; I can't help but get involved. It gets clouded.

Hmph, Haru huffed.
Good grief, I sighed.

As I reluctantly shuffled the cards, Haru's breath hit my hands, and she was whispering something from a distance so close that I felt dizzy just looking at her. She was whispering, "Tell me how he feels."

[Upright] 18: The Moon
[Upright] 17: The Star

I couldn't help but say, "Ah."

You just said "Ah." What do you mean by "Ah"? Is it bad?

No, that's not it. Let me just read them for now—

I don't know if these are Haru's feelings or the other person's, but the apparent events and the true feelings might be a little different. And the true feelings in the heart feel like a longing, something a bit out of reach.

Just as I thought.

Huh, oh, is that it? It's like a longing. He likes me, then!

My heartbeat is getting a little out of control.

To him, I'm like a flower on a high peak, right? And he gave up before even trying, cut me off, and acted tough by saying he wouldn't pursue me—how stupid!

I, I wonder if that's it.
Thanks, you've given me energy!
You're welcome.

Well, I'm going! I'm going to go talk to him. Take care of the coffee bill here. I'll make it up to you next time!

Those who leave are not pursued, huh—

The Moon represents hidden true intentions, and the Star represents hope.

(The End)

🔵 948 characters

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