Haruka strolled down the bustling streets of National City, taking in the sights and sounds. It was the weekend, and he decided to indulge in a movie, eager to unwind from his superhero duties. As he approached the theater, he wondered what film might capture his interest today.
Haruka spots a young woman with vibrant red hair and a delicate, freckled complexion standing on the sidewalk, her gaze darting around uncertainly. He approaches her with a friendly smile.
"Hello, Ms., do you need any help?" Haruka asks in a casual tone.
Haruka watches the young woman's expression shift from uncertainty to surprise. Her eyes widen, and he senses a change in her demeanor.
"Uh, Ms.? Are you okay?" he asks again, concern lacing his tone.
The woman replies calmly, "I'm fine, thank you."
Haruka looks at the young woman with concern. "Do you have somewhere you need to be? I'd be happy to help you find your way."
She hesitates, then averts her gaze. "I... I don't actually have a place to go." Her voice is small, tinged with embarrassment.
Haruka's brow furrows as he considers her predicament. "Is this your first time in the city? Why don't you come with me? I was just about to see a movie. You're welcome to join me."
"Really? I would love that!"
Haruka smiled warmly at the young woman. "I didn't catch your name. I'm Haruka, you are..."
"I'm M'g—Megan. Megan Morse." She returned his smile, a hint of shyness in her expression.
"Nice to meet you, Megan." Haruka gestured towards the theater. "Shall we?" He felt a curious sense of kinship with this lost-looking stranger, and he was eager to learn more about her.
Haruka leads Megan into the movie theater, the smell of buttery popcorn and the chatter of other moviegoers filling the air. They find their seats, and Haruka offers to get them some snacks.
"Would you like anything? Popcorn, maybe some candy?" he asks Megan.
"Candy?" Megan repeats, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What is this 'candy' you speak of?"
"Candy is a sweet treat, like chocolate or gummy bears. It's a popular snack at the movies."
"Ah, I see," Megan says, nodding slowly. "On my ho—" She catches herself, "I mean, where I'm from, we don't have these 'candy' things. This is all very new to me."
Haruka thought Megan was a bit odd. How could she have never tried candy before? She must have had a pretty sheltered upbringing, he figured.
"Don't worry, I'll get you a variety and you can try them out. I'm sure you'll love it."
As the movie begins, Megan watches intently, her eyes wide with wonder. Occasionally, she leans over to Haruka, whispering, "I don't understand. Why is that person making those strange noises?"
Haruka patiently explains the basic concepts of comedy and filmmaking, amused by Megan's lack of familiarity. He can't help but wonder why she seems so out of place, but he pushes those thoughts aside, focused on making sure she has an enjoyable experience.
Haruka led Megan out of the theater, the bustling streets of National City alive with activity. He glanced over at his new companion, noting her wide-eyed fascination with their surroundings.
"So, Megan, what would you like to do next?" Haruka asked, eager to continue showing her the wonders of the city.
Megan's brow furrowed in thought. "Well, I'm quite curious about this 'ice cream' you mentioned earlier. Could we perhaps try that?"
Haruka smiled. "Absolutely. There's a great ice cream shop just a few blocks from here. I think you'll really enjoy it."
As they walked, Haruka couldn't help but notice Megan's occasional hesitation or confusion over the most mundane things. When they passed a group of rowdy teenagers, she eyed them warily, as if unsure of how to react.
"Is everything okay?" Haruka asked, gently placing a hand on her arm.
Megan jumped slightly at the contact, then offered a sheepish smile. "Oh, yes, everything is fine. I'm just... taking it all in, that's all."
Haruka nodded, deciding not to press the issue. He could tell Megan was trying her best to blend in, and he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.
At the ice cream shop, Haruka guided Megan through the various flavors and toppings. She listened intently, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"This is all so fascinating," Megan murmured, taking a cautious lick of her ice cream cone. Her face lit up with delight. "Mmm, this is quite delightful! The texture and flavor are simply divine."
Haruka chuckled, glad to see her enjoying the experience. As they strolled through the park, Megan asked about other Earth customs, from holidays to sports. Haruka did his best to explain, amused by her genuine interest and eagerness to learn.
At one point, Megan paused, her gaze fixed on a group of children playing on a nearby swing set.
"I've never seen anything like that before," she said, her voice tinged with wonder. "How do they make those structures move back and forth?"
Haruka couldn't help but laugh. "They're just swinging on the swings. Here, let me show you."
He guided Megan to an empty swing and demonstrated the proper technique. Megan's first few attempts were clumsy, but soon she was swinging back and forth, her laughter filling the air.
Haruka watched, a warm feeling blossoming in his chest. There was something about Megan's genuine curiosity and enthusiasm that he found utterly charming.
As the sun began to set, Haruka suggested they find a place to grab dinner. Megan eagerly agreed, and they set off, her hand brushing against his as they walked side by side.
Haruka leads Megan to a nearby fast food restaurant, hoping the familiar cuisine will appeal to her. As they step inside, Megan's eyes widen, taking in the sights and smells with unbridled curiosity.
"This place is quite remarkable," she murmurs, trailing her fingers along the counter. "The aromas are so enticing."
Haruka chuckles, guiding her to a table. "Wait until you try the food. I think you'll really enjoy it."
Megan nods eagerly, her gaze darting around the bustling establishment. When their order arrives, she examines the burger and fries with intense scrutiny before taking a cautious bite. Her eyes light up, and she lets out a delighted hum.
"This is absolutely delicious!" she exclaims, eagerly taking another bite. "The flavors are so complex and satisfying."
Haruka watches, amused by her enthusiasm. He's glad to see Megan enjoying herself, even if her unfamiliarity with everyday Earth customs is occasionally endearing.
As they finish their meal, Haruka notices Megan's expression slowly shift. Her brow furrows, and she gazes down at the table, her fingers tracing the patterns on the surface.
"Megan, is everything okay?" Haruka asks, concerned.
Megan lifts her head, offering him a hesitant smile. "I... I'm not sure where I'll go after this. I don't have a home to return to."
Haruka's heart sinks as he realizes the implication of her words. "Are you a runaway?" he asks gently.
Megan shakes her head. "Not exactly. It's... complicated. But I have nowhere to go, and I don't know what to do."
Without hesitation, Haruka reaches across the table and places his hand over hers. "You can come stay with me, if you'd like. I'm sure my parents won't mind."
Megan's eyes widen, and for a moment, Haruka thinks he's overstepped. But then, a brilliant smile spreads across her face, and she suddenly leans forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, Haruka, thank you!" she exclaims, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I don't know what to say."
Haruka, taken aback by her unexpected display of affection, hesitantly returns the hug. "It's no problem at all," he assures her. "Let's go talk to my parents, and we'll get it all sorted out."
As they leave the restaurant, Megan's hand finds its way into Haruka's, and he can't help but feel a sense of warmth and protectiveness wash over him. He knows his decision to invite Megan into his home may complicate things, but in this moment, he's simply glad to be able to help someone in need.
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