In my Dreams [Haru & Rowan]

Halloween was truly in full swing. The night sky peppered with the occasional firework, dotting the earth beneath in the weary glow. The moon, of course, was full and round and tonight was the night that monsters roamed. Or so superstition would say. Haru Kurama took no notice. He had a function to attend, a dress code to abide and connections to renew. It would be untoward of him to show up late, so Haru was dressed in his smart-casual suit instead of some fancy, spooky get up. He’d look stupid in something like that anyway.

Stepping out into the evening, before the sun had disappeared entirely, Haru adjusted his dress jacket, making sure the invitation was tucked neatly into a pocket. The venue was mercifully close, there was no need for him to hire a taxi. He would walk there. Haru didn’t know the party throwers personally, but he doubted many of those invited would. They were big names in the always affluent entertainment industry or something. He would’ve done more research if he had any hopes of gaining their favour. But the only reason Haru was attending this party was because he was buddy-buddy with a couple of the more manageable adults there.

The night was pleasantly cool and along the longer streets, people were lighting pumpkins and putting them outside, or getting ready to leave for a night of candy hunting. Some were hanging around outside their houses, lawn parties or something? The skittering of children massed into throbbing crowds of people awaiting the greater celebration – Haru had entered the main square. He needn’t stay long, but it’s not like he was going to be late. Perusing, he noticed that small stands were set up to manipulate the horde of anxious people. Water bottles, cheap props, even caricature artists littered the square. Nothing interesting, thought Haru, just the by-product of this wearily overhyped holiday.

He arrived shortly after things got underway. Smiling and kissing the cheek to the old hostess, he quickly found solace in the buffet table. Small foods mainly, shortbreads and finger sandwiches. All pretty high-class… Even Haru was out of his element here. Still, he’d adapt. Yawning softly, he took a small paper plate of olives and sandwiches with too much butter and got to mingling.

Before long, it was night. Many, many of the guests came in extravagant costumes. Twin entrepreneurs came as the black and white swans. Classy. Haru felt a little underdressed, but he wasn’t about to go out of his way for Halloween. The handsome man scouted around, looking for anyone in his mental list that he’d missed or forgotten. But as he did, something big and yellow caught his attention. To his right, nestled in a corner like a scared pet, in a gloriously gaudy, bright yellow ballgown, was a young woman. Attractive, with eyes like weathered ambers. Black hair. Shorter than him, but taller than many of the other women at the party. His age? Her cold, disinterested stare would make him think so. He gave himself a mental shrug and decided there’d be no harm in saying hello.

Stalking towards the punch, where she’d taken root, he gave her a warm smile as he approached.
“Evening.” he called over the obnoxiously loud music, pouring some pink punch into a plastic cup. “Enjoying the party?” Then, he looked her right in the eyes. A powerful social move. He was curious how she’d react. Perhaps she’d challenge him with her own stare, or shy away. Either way, he joined her in the corner, a comfortable distance from her and asked another question, his stupidly gleeful voice chiming clearly. “I’m Kurama. What’s your name?”

The girl stumbled when Haru had looked into her eyes. Very interesting. Shy, perhaps? No, her eyes locked with his. Confrontational? Or just not too interested in a guy who’d be so bold as to stare at her so intently. Either way, she had to take a moment to find her voice again, which Haru thought was cute. He smirked as he skulked against the wall, pressing his back into the cool plaster. He could feel the bass-y thud of surprisingly modern music vibrating through the floor. He’d been to very few parties, far too busy most nights, so tonight was refreshing, despite the unbearable company. When Sakamoto gave her name, she smiled at Haru; it was a trembly thing. Unsure and mixed with an unmistakable anxiety. Was he too close? He shuffled a bit further, taking a casual sip of the sweet, cranberry punch.

“Are you here alone?” he asked. Surely, the glamorous-looking young woman would be well-accustomed to this kind of small talk. He hoped she didn’t find it untoward to ask, though, if she’d brought a date or chauffer. In honesty, he was concerned for her. Such a billowy, bright dress shouldn’t be left in the corner of a party; even if the people that looked her age were all snobs or obviously addicted to alcohol or a drug. Perhaps she was alone.
Was there a problem with that? No, he concluded, people can do whatever they wanted.
But something about her made him stir. Like she was a tree with her roots left above the earth – any stiff breeze would bring her tumbling down.
But she held herself well. Sophisticated, a strong gaze.
Why was he so worried for this woman he didn’t know when there was no reason at all to feel concern for her?

Realising he probably was stood there for a good few minutes, staring intensely off into space, not hearing any questions she might’ve had beyond her response to his own, Haru shook himself and sighed.
“It’s so bloody loud in here!” he laughed. “I’m going to head out the back, where the music isn’t trying to pierce my eardrums! Feel free to join me, if you wish, Miss Sakamoto!”
Not really expecting her to do so, Haru gulped down the last of his punch, refilled the glass and disappeared quickly into the thick crowds, towards the large garden through a set of open double, glass doors.

Stepping out into the evening, Haru smelled the reek of cigarette smoke. Of course, no host would allow guests to smoke indoors. There were very few people outside, spread in small pods across a clean, sparse plot of grass. He wouldn’t stay long. Nothing left to do, but drink and eat his fill… Maybe head home? Get some sleep. No work anymore… Enrolling in that school forced him to drop every job he had – severance pay excluded most of the time. It’ll feel very odd waking up without anything to rush to.
Haru looked up at the sky just as it turned an attractive shade of purple. And night fell.

The sky was a source of relaxation most nights. The sombre way the purples and lilacs of the encroaching twilight melded with the burning oranges of the receding evening. If Haru were some kind of artist, he might appreciate the shades and such a little more; but they didn’t mean much to his uncultured mind. They just… Exuded calm. The coldness was comforting, despite the enticing scent of smoke.

Shortly after his own excursion outside, he was joined by that glittery young lady in bright yellow dress. Walking in it must’ve been a grind. She probably had heels on beneath it too. Good thing there were no stairs outside.
Haru wouldn’t want her to trip.
She said something. A soft something. He agreed, so he smiled and nodded quietly; one hand in his pocket and the other holding that solemn glass of punch. The music inside was now at a grumble, so Sakamoto’s voice made its way to him.

They stood there for a few minutes, quietly; in each-other’s company but also not associated. Apart. But together. Facing this annoying night. “You said your father mingles with the people inside? I take it he’s a higher up to some kind of something?” He didn’t look at her, swaying his glass through the air as he spoke. “Perhaps your family is one I’m just forgetting, so forgive me if I seem a bit rude- but…” Then. Then he turned and flashed a lovely smile. “You did decide to join me, so I guess you don’t hate me that much.” What a jokester. He laughed melodically and gestured his arm forward, inviting her to walk and talk with him. He listened to the young lady when she answered and politely waited for her to finish before nodding. Sakamoto Industries? A name with some weight, though Haru didn’t do work in that sector, so it was natural that he wouldn’t know it by heart. He scolded himself, but it didn’t make him stutter or jolt in surprise. He was talking to a well-off woman, but he seemed utterly unfazed.
“You’re certainly an interesting character, Miss Sakamoto, if I may say.”

Just who was this guy that appeared so suddenly into Rowan’s evening. Someone who didn’t know her family? A likely story. This probably wasn’t the first time some guy in a fancy suit tried to get friendly with her. Was he looking for the same? Did he think she was easy? He was so easily lost in thought… God. He sounded genuine, but rich people were good at lying through their teeth. If only she knew Haru came from a restless, strained life and only had the most essential pennies to his name.
Rowan would go on to ask Haru a few questions.

The first couple were mirrors of his own, back in the house. He chuckled lightly. “Well, it’s only fair! I was invited by some friends to come over. I helped them with some business and they were kind enough to help me use this part as a… networking party, if you wanna think of it that way.” As they walked, he turned to face her, now walking backwards as he responded. “And yes, Miss Sakamoto. I came alone. I’m afraid I’m not much for company these days – My friends are mostly just business associates. So conversations like this are very welcome, if I’m honest.” Sheepishly, he scratched his shaggy head of hair.
Then she asked about his name. Why it seemed familiar to her, as her own name was not to him. Haru couldn’t know why she found it so. Maybe… Hm. Maybe she’d heard something like Kurama on the street?
It wasn’t exactly the most exotic name. Hiraka, Kirama, Karutada, even Mitada sounded similar.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you, Miss Sakamoto. I’m a dogsbody temp in a lot of things – Or at least I was. I decided to take up education again, so I’ve dropped it all! It’s a very scary time, if I’m honest, Miss Sakamoto!”
He laughed again.
That implacable laugh.
What a freakin’ weirdo.

The conversation between Rowan and Haru continued for a short while, exchanging pleasantries and curious questions on each other’s lives, enjoying the quiet moments between each sentence. A relaxing interaction, all in all, like speaking with an old friend that was okay with being subsumed in a silence that wasn’t awkward. Between them they shared a good few words. To Haru, it was less draining than other times he’s spoken to rich people. They always found a way to flaunt their wealth, even if they didn’t mean to, and corkscrewing a brag like that is just annoying.
After a little bit, Sakamoto excused herself to get a drink, to which Haru merely smiled politely and waved his hand toward the house, then returning to gaze up at the starless sky.

Now alone again, he pondered on his future. As he’d detailed, it was a scary, dangerous time for him and it made him nervous like hell. But all the while, it was the most excited he’d been in years. Like some rusted gears were finally churning out a song they begged to sing. Like childish anticipation was tugging him along some desperately thin wire. ‘No room for error, Haru…’ He’d constantly remind himself.
Was Sakamoto coming back?
It was a couple minutes now and Haru wondered if she’d just grown bored of him and left to investigate someone else, or even just head home. She didn’t seem too fond of the party or the company. It would be a shame to waste such a lovely dress, though…

Haru decided, for what reason he wasn’t sure, to check up on the young lady. It’d be nice to know if she were still around at least! So, turning on his heel, hand in his pocket, the very picture of slim and slimmer, he walked back into that obnoxiously raucous house. He dipped between crowds, poking his head around the party. For whatever reason, a girl in a bright yellow dress was turning out to be difficult to find- Oh, there she was! Haru saw her at the punch bowl, or in the line to it. She looked…
Distressed.
Haru, ignoring someone asking a question, strode in her direction. As he got closer, he saw she was being harassed by a heavily-made-up woman in formal polka-dots. A tight bun and bright red face gave Haru a pretty good idea of who he was about to confront. Judging by the ashamed expression of a guy stood beside the obviously yelling blonde, he guessed Sakamoto managed to get herself into some kind of lover’s spat. Maybe the man was Sakamoto’s boyfriend, but also the blonde’s girlfriend? Such a thing was common amongst the well-off. Regardless, he was done with this party and figured this would be a nice excuse to leave.

Snaking behind Sakamoto without her knowing, Haru poured himself another, very full glass of punch. He heard some of the horrid things the blonde was screaming at Sakamoto, which just soured Haru’s mood further. Plan in place, he made himself known to the conflict by wrapping an arm around Sakamoto’s upper back, a hand on her shoulder, and standing and pulling her side against his own. He grinned and chimed. “There you are, darling! Was the line so long? You were gone for what felt like forever!”
Flirting? Really?
The blonde woman glared at Haru, demanding to know who he was. Then it seemed Haru was knocked by someone behind him, for he stumbled forward and managed to pour all but dribbles of his punch down the blonde’s front, ruining her polka-dot dress. She, understandably, screeched like a banshee. “My goodness, I am so sorry!” Haru had an unmistakable expression of regret and remorse while he was bombarded with vicious insults and threats. “Please! Allow me to bring you some towels! Come, love.” He tugged Sakamoto, took her wrist (not wanting her to think he was getting any ideas) and slyly walking out of the house party alongside her.

He took the woman in bright dress a bit aways from the party before letting go of her and cracking up in a big, smug smile. “How was my performance? I thought I did quite well, selling the idea I gave a damn about her ugly dress.”