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I just want to quietly draw manga Chapter 229
🕑 Added 2025-07-09 18:17:04 +0000 UTCRyuko looked around the now-empty karaoke room and let out a long sigh.
Originally, she had planned to have some of her friends help Haruki home after he passed out. But instead, they’d all vanished likely afraid she’d scold them. Now she was left alone… with a drunk Haruki slumped on the couch.
She stared at him for a few seconds.
How am I supposed to carry him by myself?
Just as she was considering whether to call for help, Haruki stirred and sat up slowly, his eyes dazed.
“Everyone’s gone?” he muttered, blinking.
Ryuko rushed over to steady him. “You shouldn’t get up too fast. I’ll find someone to help you into a cab.”
“I’m fine,” Haruki mumbled. “Don’t worry about it.”
His balance was clearly off, but he still tried to wave her off.
“I’ll walk you back to campus,” he added, trying to sound composed.
Ryuko blinked in surprise, then let out a small laugh. Even when he was drunk, he still worried about her.
“Thanks. But right now, I should be the one walking you home.”
“It’s really not a big deal”
“No,” she said firmly. “I invited you out, and my friends pushed too hard. You got caught in the middle. Let me at least make sure you get home safely.”
Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Haruki didn’t argue further. He just nodded.
Ryuko helped him toward the elevator, ignoring his protests that he could walk fine on his own.
Before they left, she stopped by the front desk and arranged to have the birthday gifts both hers and Haruki’s held until morning. Then she flagged down a taxi and guided him inside.
Within minutes, Haruki had fallen asleep again in the back seat, head tilted against the window.
Ryuko glanced at him and shook her head. “You really said you were fine.”
When they arrived, she asked the driver to help her get him inside paying a little extra for the effort. Haruki stirred but didn’t wake as they laid him on the bed. Ryuko quietly removed his shoes and set a trash bin beside him, just in case.
It was nearly 1 a.m. by the time she finally sat down.
She kicked off the heels she had reluctantly worn for the party her feet sore and aching. She glanced toward the bed where Haruki now slept, peaceful and unaware of the chaos from earlier.
This wasn’t how she pictured her birthday.
She had hoped for a fun, casual night. A nice memory. Instead, her friends had turned it into a mess. Haruki barely had time to relax before being pushed into drinking with strangers.
If the roles were reversed, she wouldn’t want to go to another birthday party either.
She sighed, turned off the lights, and was about to head out when she heard coughing.
The light flipped on again. Ryuko rushed back to the bedroom just in time to catch Haruki about to be sick.
She grabbed the trash bin and held it in front of him, gently supporting his shoulders until he finished.
Once he lay back down, Ryuko sat on the edge of the bed, debating whether she should still leave.
She sighed again.
Guess I’m staying.
The next morning, Haruki woke up with a splitting headache and a bitter taste in his mouth. It was barely seven.
He blinked a few times, trying to piece together the previous night. He remembered going to Ryuko’s party… and not much after that.
He looked around. Definitely his place.
Voices and soft clanging came from the kitchen.
He slipped on some slippers and followed the sound only to find Ryuko cooking porridge at the stove.
“You’re up,” she said, glancing back at him with a small smile.
Haruki looked at her more closely. Despite her usual charm, her dark circles and tired eyes told a different story.
“You… didn’t sleep?”
Ryuko shrugged. “A little. Not much.”
Haruki didn't need to ask why she’d stayed. Between the faint smell of vomit, the freshly laundered T-shirt he didn’t remember changing into, and the drying clothes on the balcony it was obvious she’d taken care of him.
“Thanks,” he said softly.
She handed him a bowl of porridge without saying anything. The silence was light, almost comfortable until Ryuko crossed her arms and stared out the window, lost in thought.
Rain tapped lightly against the glass.
Haruki quietly sipped the porridge.
“You’re not eating?” he asked, glancing at her.
“I’m cutting back,” she said.
Haruki gave a small chuckle. “You already look great. What are you even trying to lose?”
Ryuko turned to look at him, eyes clear and serious.
“So… in your eyes, I’m beautiful?”
Haruki paused, unsure how to answer.
Ryuko tilted her head. “Then why don’t you like me?”
“Wha—?” Haruki nearly choked on his porridge.
“Am I not pretty enough?” she asked calmly. “Or is it something about my personality?”
“You’re way too direct,” Haruki muttered, setting down his bowl.
Ryuko leaned on one hand, watching him. “Then tell me. Have you really never… felt anything for me? Not even once?”
She knew how Haruki was dense, guarded, slow to act. If she didn’t ask directly, nothing would ever move forward. Even if he had noticed how she felt, he’d pretend he didn’t.
So this time, she was done pretending.
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