Friday. 6:48 pm.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZdykzVH0l
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNtAxsVccC
We have done it several times now. I didn’t even know what time it was. All I could remember from the past few minutes after solving my sixth equation was that my eyes never left the notebook, my hand never stopped pushing my pen across the page, my ears never strayed away from his words.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ddtXoc6R
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg80JQy5nDT
I was just reading.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFCvmYm4Vp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1fxBRMlY6
I was just solving.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj0IThbol1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkjeceSl9A
I was just listening.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A0GbB9wkq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnJaibU683
But it was getting exhausting.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSd6W4FlxM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbrzdI8oFv
Mundane and familiar.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5uIW7jGfN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHUnUxjHBw
Familiar?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW7ShrRAhW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6qqWlYdpp
Yes, starting from the beginning every time I made a mistake, every time I asked, every time I struggled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOghLsPiS7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV9CBNQAAv
Over and over and over and over and over.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJepvUMQWHp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4FlqszKYJ
It would be strange if I still didn’t get it. I still didn’t get it… but I was starting to become familiar with it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYlkHh2Eo9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RLJDPlfLN
I heard Kuroiwa close the notebooks he had.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyWzDJid1T
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oKvk6Hzy1
“Let’s take a break,” he said.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5DxRNFN9p
Finally? Finally!74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjeaG38FSJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT55llEFLu
I checked the clock automatically, hanging above the TV. Six forty-eight.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW9hmVqwJP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwI7y5oprL
Was it this late already?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD26UzQnr5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyVsvMpwv6
I stared at it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMROaAJ1eC9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtBrnuQNX3
I tried to move the longer clock hand backwards. With my eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreKljNXtlH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxXw2OxVAX
No. It did not move.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtfbdv7Hxp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwLXgCeKqz
“It’s just a break?” I asked to confirm.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbKn50dAJN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJMyEeMYQ5
“We still have at least one more to cover.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJVB8zplyC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rpIIvWuJM
“But it’s late.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs0s2eyZrn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvhtWIFlhj
He looked at me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNcOeD1M3R
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Re7bg4tfa
“You can go home if you want. But exams are in five days.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZp8ZH1DZM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5vBRXLKAY
I opened my mouth.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P81M24wmG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi545Ye0SFN
Seriously, this guy.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdnJJnbbW9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYBHK6v1Iv
“Do I have a choice?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtpoftAvO4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3t1b7aIA4
“I just gave you one.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq1HcCqymV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnoVQSpn4x
“How much longer?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLPb12TNDv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpri28MICC
“About an hour more. It depends on you, though.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDl6f4ZcqX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YSNnzeTcf
I heard a stomach grumble.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BzKhwaJbL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFcaR0DWIz
I checked myself for a second. It wasn’t me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWAb7Hj6t3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmK9nchHzZ
I looked at him. He stared at me. Seriously. Stern. Unbothered.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs6S5Ha6Mp
Was it him?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAWUmNR7mU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMdMo8Udfh
“Let’s go eat,” he said as he stood up. “Rest there for five minutes, I know a ramen shop nearby.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD91VSwgOF6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtekro4sX0
So it was him. I muffled a laugh and turned my head briefly so he wouldn’t see.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqW4MYkqzL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJM9AWBnDd
I saw him head straight toward the door as he moved. Maybe toward his room. But I noticed he kept his distance.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdfWFP0PN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffwPQwcryw
I heard my phone buzz inside my bag. I carefully searched for it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoVXWxqw6h
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYnLN5Sz8e
It was Mika, calling.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX76rWuy3q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuihvNesGH
“Hello, Mika?” I answered.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXLpflxA1k
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicm8zFj1L2
“Runa, are you going back home now?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtraCUZsqE5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwQhkDbH1t
“Umm… not yet, he said we still need an hour more.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniCTdme9bO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUlaSF7QPP
“What? It’s already late. Does he not have any idea at all what it means to keep a girl alone in a boy’s apartment? What is he thinking?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWXFnKlXLB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQwb12vJBo
“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something inappropriate, we’re just studying.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Od8LCjdQU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOApJo3su4
“Uh, hello, it’s common sense.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavNdTIUbxb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0njk7sMIt
“It’s also common sense not to jump to any conclusions.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jVYGOW3EF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHtTeQvue
“Your mom would not acknowledge such common sense.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeNNjcgt0L
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUGVitHJgd
… She was right.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zxJ25OVCa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmtcRf9cps
“Fine, but don’t be too late. I’ll wait for you at the station later,” she continued.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZDOkWhQoR
“You don’t have t—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq8uuHn0Js
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3YmWrFDQL
“I have to and you don’t have a say in it.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53suXvvLd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSI4baoZj4
“Okay, mom.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSZr6qfdq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKYMNiFlJj
“Stop calling me that…”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeMKfTm2Xg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVmGhFNHzD
I smiled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6SanFaQiR
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5smEwM2cb
“By the way, where are you right now?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFN284Jkng
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPfINbRkiv
“We’re at a karaoke box.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR2itS1U78
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5xv0cnot8
“Eh!? Really? Aw, I would’ve come too!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Z71afnIP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCf5I3VKXp
“And ignore studying?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqfCV9CvuF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQx2UUSWH1
“...No.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV81dejNZxv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaegKRome3p
“Besides, we’re mostly just studying here too, me and Hina at least. Yui sings from time to time.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ldlaJ3vu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU5wh67S0D
“How did you get there? I thought you went home after I left.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQggJ5JkG9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVu9mFIjFM
“I wanted to wait for you at the station. But Hina suggested we go here instead and study. She didn’t like the idea of leaving me at the station waiting for you, alone.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrnwupyqDJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVqbRiBsij
“Ah!? That’s unfair! You’re calling Runa, right!?” I heard Yui’s voice from the other side of the line. A bit far, I could tell she was far away, but I was able to hear her just from the volume of her voice.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8KVErM49y
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12NvtKMtHT
“Hey don’t—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j34JWXoSH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QPNQSauld
“Give me, I want to talk to her too.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2OV9Nmw3A
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn6XSDXsgF
“Stop, you’ll drop it—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbTwOzMMGz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIHXfJg25g
“Just for a second!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodQ3UwoOuO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Y0j8kz5m
“Give it back.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSPENO5PDJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwI1hFV2wc
“Hello~” Yui was the one on the phone now. I guess she won. “So how was your date?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEL5mDeteg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffPTZKKOvI
“I want my phone back if you are just going to say ridiculous stuff like that.” Mika protested.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx8ycVxQOr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEVFTkds7y
“Oookay,” Yui said reluctantly, “so how is your STUDY… SESSION.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi7C8ulKq9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK2ImNWVCq
“Fine,” I replied. Although it did not start fine, she didn’t need to know.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXrU0LXY7A
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAYVT0BV2L
“So how long are you still going to be there?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84rbEZsyfq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KgcJABQLZ
“About an hour.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd0vANGv7H
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJeKQi1TLc
“Oh, so it means we’re going to have to extend for another hour!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSszVEL5Ah2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEdLfh8ikU
“Give me my phone!” Mika’s voice sounded faint but I was still able to hear her.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzWtVxLBZO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8BQ9SFwAd
“Yay, I’m going back to the room to tell Hina!” Yui said with glee. I imagined she started running. She shouldn’t run in the hallway, in any hallway. But that’s Yui for you.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZV1biwRgd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceEoCpeSwV
“Hey! Give me back my phone!” Mika’s voice faded from the phone.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5VkK110ws
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNbig3HpM9
The call was cut off abruptly. Then, after five seconds, my phone rang again.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQskvPqMgZa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tp2x1txO
“Hello.” It was Mika’s voice now. She sounded like she was catching her breath. “Yeah, well, I guess I have to go as well.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdd1vtgFZi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtJGznepxO
“Okay.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMx2EmMEK4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiQWvs3yv6
“Message me when you’re about to go home, okay?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6cpHfGOmV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg9ZdP7eoe
“Okay.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx7eqZCLH0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiOH2qCGup
“I’ll wait for you at the station, then we walk home together.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OXmdhuHJj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIjPjMWGyj
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRWnczTcV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbzBtAiq9n
“Don’t you dare.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus4D24zmok
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DdOl8hvRc
I giggled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRd0HheCI7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oDgHpIi4P
“Alright, bye.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYpgDk481J
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WVePFiMsU
“Bye.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt1ki4kal5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFMSuHuSUQ
I turned off my phone screen after the call ended. Then I put it inside my bag. I smiled for a second while securing my bag. I stood up. I wanted to sit on the smaller sofa, but then I noticed someone was standing awkwardly at the door.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7cHYCYnur
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPRfTJSKUI
It was Kuroiwa staring at me. I stepped back a little.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlrYBMYKSS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCacOvDmsgk
“Why are you standing there?” I asked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSojXhdh17
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi9Q9k1mQ8
“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJV0F0ZYMZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBQyUdzBGu
You could’ve at least announced your existence, you know.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE4eRSZA9i
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTWEhFpXJC
“Anyway, it’s been five minutes. We should go,” he continued.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqMXqM3ZsX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR6nR3Tgfr
I immediately wanted to check my wallet if I still had enough cash left.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmhOX6fASr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYsOAIpaw7
“Don’t worry,” Kuroiwa said. “I’ll pay for it.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqno6vhniGl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGgvrM4JQs
I blinked at him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIonMsWWEca
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwusPCCpcp
“You don’t need to do that.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWBAOzc1gG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef0QOsCTJr
“You’re in my care at the moment, so I have to take responsibility for feeding you.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9luKeJTkJa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAbFPJhZm1
I blinked twice. My eyebrow lifted up.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmVIwLN45n
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS332t9nqV8
Did he think I was his pet?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjTuqYb1pG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFNClAgPLN
“Fine,” I said, “but don’t complain if I ordered something expensive.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTdbprOljZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP52sjzYmQ
He nodded.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezBEJeEuaI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeOeT7X0QW
Really? Is it really okay?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p8xkwILxO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblZcX1ehCJ
“Let’s go,” he said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBxT5q2zV8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10GrlLUzEM
I walked toward the living room door. He stepped back. A few steps to give me room. Then I headed straight toward the main door.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjduC68jQQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sXWqYqOyV
I took a few more steps then I heard him finally walking behind me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrS18wxmc6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcYje5467I
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVV9qm5cSH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQxcNeoeTD
7:02 pm74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEompozgPf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNOLhN3uAW
Eight minutes. We have been walking for eight minutes. It should’ve taken only five minutes. But for some reason… No. I know the reason. And we added an extra three minutes because of that reason.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPYIWHts3i
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwBNjGM2Kn
The ramen shop was only a few steps away now. And Kuroiwa had been walking behind me. Far behind me the whole time.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp1hBGsirY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlunBoyA5oX
I wondered. If I stopped right here. How long would it take for him to pass by me? I wouldn’t look back. I would just wait.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk3FIxw0jg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uOSfHzVZi
I stopped. Three seconds… ten seconds… twenty-two seconds…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbjoRHX96M
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIrxh1yuR1
I bit my lip… looked back… and there he was, standing, not moving, and just watching me. A few meters away. Far away behind me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2F3jTCHp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oFN3X1SAz
I composed myself. I tried.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFCciLiX8e
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdZcG5aAMG
“Shouldn’t you be walking in front of me?” I said with my voice raised a little to make sure he heard me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kmiRltGgY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6nGbBTNsw
He stared for a moment.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w2h4VgWH7
“Sure,” he said and began walking. Slow.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcouaEN0hD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9m3UmF3Jc
Why!?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllSQBRmA5e
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C6pn94rZg
I waited. And when he was almost near me he moved sideways and made sure he wouldn’t get close to me as he passed by.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu2aYKUQ1l
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujwEsGLBpA
And there you go. He was in front of me. This is better than him walking behind me with that weird amount of distance.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmyoZOOzJp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ606tHPaEBz
That was creepy, but I should’ve expected it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFqdnnV1Rn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IZl0BIzts
I let out a long breath.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1qvl1ztB7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVXfTUsYCH
“So that’s what it feels like to have a stalker,” I muttered to myself.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAgXym1Nc9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAcdyDJ3NA
Finally, we entered the ramen shop.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7KAW3z6Dc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXgiHzGqqI
Inside, there was a long counter near the entrance. The shorter side of the counter was what greeted us when we entered. The longer side faced the four tables in the corner with the right amount of gap between them. I imagined that was where the customers and servers would walk. The counter also had some stools beside it. Behind the counter was the actual cooking station. At a glance, you would wonder how they navigated through it, but up close, it was wide and spacious, enough for someone to move around.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDn2j32FMO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeTTVuiuK2
Right at the end of the counter, there was a doorway. It was covered by a short curtain that only really covered the opening. Nothing else.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenCgVhe7yK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJjU1BogAj
A faint aroma suddenly hit my nose. It smelled so good that my stomach finally noticed its hunger.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFBAyHQ1TP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEExOQaGWO0
I looked around.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD1igkqr8z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhbiwpXXe5
The place seemed empty. And I didn’t see anyone by the counter.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTVwQ90TMm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoklYhs21p
So where did that aroma come from? The ingredients maybe? Or were there some customers earlier and the smell of the cooked ramen still lingered around the shop?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMMUP9QYnN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5xCsOSpdx
“This place is mostly not crowded during this hour,” Kuroiwa said, “they have more customers during the day.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd417OEovCc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeP12BRnBo
I see…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKdlzyDPAR
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1qgRrHyQ8
He led me toward the table.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdkrBEDekn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA8EHkXvgC
He stopped at the third table from the entrance and then looked at me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe4DC0Mbnm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTSM2qHsZe
“Sit here.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7YUwNxAMG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ICf9a17iD
“Okay.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNMtBVcOKp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoprqdSpxe
I sat down and gently slid myself toward the corner. Then he kept walking.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTsaX1kmqb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwNvT9jMuf
I watched him. My eyes widened.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI9xIOJRjc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8Dr8KkL1N
He sat down at the farthest seat of the farthest table from the entrance. Beside that table was another doorway with a short curtain covering the top.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJrQewJm6f
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BAdvoW99c
Between us. Two tables. And a pinch of awkwardness.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGGjegey2s
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcZK7SipPS
My hands covered my face. I placed them on the table along with my head. And then I started shouting internally.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjUO8GzaFC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB8Hbda0rM
Why!?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSb0sk8r0X
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLFXA3mLxi
I waited for a few moments and then I slowly lifted my head. I looked at him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjqR2eAvDl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiB3Etn3VU
Him. Eyes. Windows.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxAtnZfNAa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1MX3bufSz
Ugh…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PAgxEpw8j
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX99RXplfKX
I hated this…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz4rQlKC67
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL9gkUvbdO
This felt too awkward…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7q8TlvaNJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SEGIlrH9k
I hurriedly slid myself out, stood up, walked, and sat in the seat across from him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqdd3DDJGQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9KSGqvPxa
“One table is enough,” I said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuTHSk0ny9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL4fu0Ptoz
His eyes turned to me, taking his time.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fbpnOvfWf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazaFGv0Lgq
“What?” he replied.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmJ2KF73zC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasQBpOVFWO
“Nothing... but one table is enough.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZsHWzXMiq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs0q4Krwws
He looked up for a second.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswOTX6muia
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlgjZ30H0i
“Sure,” he said and continued to stare at the windows again.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTolE4K3CKM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5aNXQwDRl
“Oh.” I heard the sound by the counter. It was from a middle-aged man who showed up suddenly. “Sayaka! The kid’s back and with a girl, serve them.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPOgWZu69S
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb0h8Phfuq
Hmm?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybCm2l967B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIcFUYT1k0
By the looks of it, the man probably was the owner. And by the sounds of it, he seemed familiar with this guy who was with me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDgEe06OOb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvYA4fJpzG
“Yes, dad!” The reply came from the other side of the doorway beside Kuroiwa.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GVZaWtoyr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCN3XJiV29
Then a girl appeared from it. She was holding a menu.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjdnzEEE6G
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlxxOwvGQZ
I stared at her for a moment, and she looked like she wasn't far from my age. Her hair was long, black, and tied in a ponytail. She was tall, maybe even taller than Hina. Her eyes were glittering like Yui’s, the shape of them was narrow but the hazel color was still visible. Her lashes were long and her skin was fair and smooth, which almost filled me with envy..74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgy5NUzwzz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasloFdSuXr
I wasn’t really envious. It was just that this girl standing beside us was really pretty.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBad72ZAOF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkftLinL5ZJ
“Here’s the menu,” she said, her voice gentle.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfucQNeNEd9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNDYWOlzeU
She turned toward Kuroiwa.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt8e7lSB3j
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTh12SiBvj
“The usual?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOj29e4VkT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi71xr7Z2e
He nodded.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOWoaQvP1L
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzKrN9gQPN
I stared at them for a bit, and then she stared back at me with a smile.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHUPLAqaJN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxEThlfinx
I gripped the menu and snapped my eyes back to it. Right, I needed to order as well.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0oLGUwtj6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ttnrYXZkm
But wait. She looked into his eyes earlier. And she was standing near him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2uAZzP2XB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRPDQJHi7g
Before I could finish my thought, I heard her.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLN49SdqcM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ZchCUG79
“Your order?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EYoG8bKlb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV4VA7sCej
“S-sorry, I haven’t decided yet.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdTe5QzAli
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ZiHA0YPf
“Take your time.” She smiled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtVkmkTj1m
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM5GvZQH5A
I took a short breath. Okay, I have to focus.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yAarNaZLi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfjI4VC3f7
…If I remember correctly, he was fine with me buying something more expensive.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrqqmCITPD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OxTbKiaMu
Alright… this is payback.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCR3aLnO6w
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5JKlzvW7m
“Um… Can I order a Chashu-men with extra chashu and also some dumplings on the side, please?” I peeked at him from the corner of my eye.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPhMNVyB37
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkQfzYjYLg
“Good,” he said, “eating a lot is good for the brain.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzZabiXEYf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGT331e6tV
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGkK0feiMK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdBDrEuDaw
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxe0mGvLUc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7losUVfrs
Eating a lot.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkhPNjdTjO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiYTPRNFVL
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LefGj5IhW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTG1g8uz0W
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpE91ikC2t
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurLYnDhXIW
When he says it like that… then…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OgLPGu2EN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcR1ohsm6f
“Is that all?” the girl said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8eshpj09o
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8125Mlcm0
“Um, sorry, I’d like to take back the extra chashu and no more dumplings on the side, thanks.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eGLFNGCzi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxW8gcJX17
“Okay, so a bowl of Chashu-men for you." She looked at me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT9xM3msbw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu59gRRYCB
“Yes,” I replied to her eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQy7ptmxh7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEnde3DVag
"And the usual for you." She looked at Kuroiwa.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pQoPh3YHk
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvK9k88EeQ
He nodded.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRj9vmszTB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajJlLbhiYc
“Then just wait here for your order. Thank you.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0GsUF0ndT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2OSDOoYdd
She smiled, then disappeared by the doorway beside our table.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBYyck0Sb2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXaosBnGI
And it seemed like Kuroiwa went back to watching the windows again.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs2a3bcJdJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h2SOiI2Lq
What’s so special about those windows?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QMA8NUsWq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N9bMHR3GT
I turned my head to look at them too. I mean, what do I do at this point?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmnujQsDrS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUxBQHmAfk
Then the man at the counter almost shouted.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyswbhnS3o
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kiDaJfdBS
“Akehiko! Yama-san!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAUu61AZTz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXoNoyFeTZ
I looked in his direction. He was now wearing a chef's hat.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlK7xX1JuU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG230G05j8q
I tilted my head slightly.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TZjzpkMxH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUsuVndEyA
But he wasn’t before.Maybe he is the chef too? Not just the owner.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhacJZzbOgm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf3GMNDWui
I followed the chef with my gaze. And when he reached the other end of the counter, there I saw two middle-aged men.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYhpBBu7Wq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5yasFfDfL
I wasn’t paying attention to what they were saying, but I could see by how their expression was that they were all friendly to each other.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCBLGC6iti
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRST9zccWi3
“This place can be loud sometimes,” Kuroiwa suddenly said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkh3gtZrLo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTVuX4B3BF
“Haah! What did you say there, punk!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wTxm9VHgG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNCB0htKLJ
I was startled by the sudden shout. I looked at the direction from where it came. And it seemed like it was one of those two new customers who had just come in.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd0Tb8ae1E
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNWl03OW32
“Say that again!” This time I knew who said it. It was the man in a suit but with no tie.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvJ6IFyDR9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12WnyWLQ7o
I held my breath.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJb7rsGbAh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW42macpKFk
That shout was definitely for Kuroiwa. Why did he have to offend some adults instead of just staying quiet!?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91XdmH07fG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZUWzss1ol
I turned my eyes to him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSoksEVVsq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTXsW5bcux
Windows.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFOhHb2f1J
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRY0KzP20j
Why!?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG0Kn8mRhj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D9h2W4EuD
My head snapped back towards the other customers.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI3fbpn8aX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl9h2N5yyK
“Damn, I didn’t get his attention this time,” the man with no tie said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkm55zXzWd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxpWYoPZq1
“Well, better luck next time,” the man wearing glasses consoled him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiie7b5xIE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXKyfyLBqr
“Haha! I’ve tried for weeks but he just loves the look of my windows.” The man behind the counter laughed at him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTR3BHsscj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbGY5oqucB
…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf46LzWQ29B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxwpMM3HOe
My face went blank.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC68adB9GXh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kEcKdco3d
What is going on?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmwrXthKiH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYmDJYzj58
The atmosphere was getting awkward, so I tried to talk to Kuroiwa.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiybeMnEAW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym4FXP8H2D
“Do you come here often?” I asked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke6q3hiUre
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvCpAPLrTe
“Yeah,” he said, still looking at the windows. “But there is actually a better place than here. I just come here often at this time because it’s always empty.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3jY4OnwaE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXvlMiKgG1
Oh no. Did I just ask the wrong question?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbArspflL31
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaqSedg0cN
“Say that again, you punk!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiNJDx7kCr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3pW2FneHK
I did, just ask the wrong question.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg3HkIaXbK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbHblVfl6R
Sigh.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo8lu0kHaz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqb6O5KcpH
This time I could tell by the voice that it came from the chef.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucbuvqfxs2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdlDnjoHBi
Kuroiwa?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPqQI2nN1B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VhvcgbNG5
Windows.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXuWFhJ2F
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEjbHzvWx7
Of course…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvNbShC1rP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUyc0hYFme
“Well, better luck next time?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVb4DHl1Kx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtISr5me9c
“Hah! Serves you right.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl5Kp8KdQe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDQ0njuDIP
The one who consoled the chef was the man wearing glasses, and the man with no tie laughed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEQGouUIXJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFziqVN4wU7
Both my hands met my face. This was stressing me out.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKajEgJG6cf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkKiTaBDaD
Did they really want his attention that much?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdhaYt2gmq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4TR1v3NA1
“Kuroiwa… san…” I called him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizSdDWUuew
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM1hhZGoYn
He turned to me and stared at me for a second.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5penEBBHwj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs0aEOzAbk
“Did you not notice at all?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5My692goz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DgEdF03NW
“About?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8YuObMMSm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c8ZWJyxEa
“Those guys at the counter.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiUVUwzXj0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jNccpkzh2
“Why?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UbNujAfS7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqIqWgEZpX
“It seemed like they were trying to talk to you.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5SWTxwdZE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAosNc1al4
“Really?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwpbkYgtrK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiZjJQmAYO
We both looked in the direction where the chef and the other two customers were.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnxZKgyGO2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhE1iHqgK
The chef… whistled while looking at the ceiling.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8IbBNjQvP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC6BqBh6xW
The man wearing glasses… held the menu upside down while reading it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WSWhw33S2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF68xqAo2XB
The man with no tie… was… nowhere to be found.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA7LLlx1Rn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGL2tr7ks3
“They don’t seem like they are talking to me,” Kuroiwa said as I almost slapped myself to confirm if I was living in reality right now.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfMIcSuqdY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NnD3ZHIaM
This is ridiculous!74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxlbTYRn61
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtnIbBK5Uo
A few seconds later, I heard them laugh from behind me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71ghHjy4Uc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21LJex9s8v
I looked at them. Stared at them menacingly. As menacing as I could get.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswV6jd9IAh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tr6RzmbSz
They flinched and stopped laughing.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhb4n6ISGu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlRObi4Cds
Traitors.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhvRAE8iPZ
Hmph!74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI5XvhLFah
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmbLnwpadA
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r2vAyOc4Y
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjekg5ZZ6eK
Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX68iwCxfV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxivIGDH5H
“Our order is taking a bit longer than usual,” Kuroiwa said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDHSm4ufIS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9bH89FsF6
“Oi, Matsuda. Their orders.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m9LCPIo5Y
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5dUXQO3Fh
“Oh yeah!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WLPrhQsSP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg49JiVjgQ7
I didn’t even bother to look at who said what at that point. I didn’t care.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaw9K3ZFY2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZpKHwsVRB
I opened my eyes. And stared at Kuroiwa looking at his beloved windows for a second.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgpNuUA0Pw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm82A0iFiUl
I released the tension from my face. After all the absurdness that just happened, I realized that Kuroiwa and I were just taking a break.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg6w0owljn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb20LTsVARs
Back in his apartment, there was still a lot of work to be done.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhdTI8NziT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhKo3tuRqU
“Hey,” I said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg40cr9fim
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z3WQkE3t6
He looked at me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHKcbSgkjS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43iLCstvt5
“Do you really think I can pass the midterms?” I asked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgIY38YEb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzOqamCtz8
“Sure,” he answered. Casually.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQrVRq9yrm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0WUxmUKqw
But that wasn’t enough for me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSW1HhF9Rb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQOwsQq1HC
“All we’ve been doing was just starting from the beginning over and over. It’s true that somehow I am making progress, but—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJSTaN48jI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Gy09ZWev
“You were, and you were better than I thought.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Kl88pA2rt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK2f66ZGGy
I blinked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHaSgQJMls
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmm99UspJF
“I am?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAHbopCEZm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOtW7huPnF
“Are you tired of the repetition?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tsJYbKmeE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkSVQIBgIZ
“A little bit.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Gl0GrEjI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKZvVvjQmF
“Your patience was actually better than I thought. Normally, other people would already be tired after a few loops of what we just did. But you kept on listening, writing and solving. That’s what matters the most.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2XIMymo5f
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNPUbDiFzt
“How about you then? Aren’t you getting tired?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbIcF4Bbu4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJm3JkgOOK
My eyes met his eyes when I said that. And more details about him appeared in front of me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xVyEGYRQK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82JjzKzykV
Although his eyes were perpetually sharp. The way he held his gaze was always careful. Almost tender. Every time he shifted where to look, it held a pattern. Moving up, then side, then the other side, then neutral. I never noticed it. But I have been staring, ever since I came out from the bathroom. I have been staring.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvnpvqPix6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsm60Zk8gi
Dark but soft. Sharp but gentle.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kKdvvG1qE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCO5RGOV1w
It was so strange. He was so strange.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLntZ9dxGaM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7XXLApbBz
“No,” he said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyb7LDqqE6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCzaSMby3i
Blunt.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg3Zk3fxB6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq7tySdLax
I smiled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyHQGtb749
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7mtNnUHYw
I placed both my elbows on the table and I let my hands support the weight of my head as I put my chin on them.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANYwIxEg2E
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bqRNfC4Us
I stared at him again.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTboDIS9J
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G8pJgh1tJ
“How did you even think about teaching like that?” I asked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsJMabsOC4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcvr3rJOXl
“Because it’s the most efficient way to learn.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQWlgDeJ4w
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktyVXfjW2j
“Is it?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI7CIyg7Pq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrGvXPJzJ1
“Let me ask you some questions then. How do you learn to play the guitar?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyORuJdq6fP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInAVUd3BdN
I blinked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlcd0EWaTf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsHrpQqolH
“Practice?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6m0Fz9DV4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VLBZUtdLp
“How do you learn to drive?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkXNvcDyZ5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XFv60GDy7
“Umm… go to driving school? And also I guess practice.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaziZPQUeoE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIprla6QpkL
“Right, and of course there are different ways to learn different subjects. But for math, practice is the most efficient way. If you continuously solve the same problem that you don’t understand, repeat it from the start if you stumble, you will eventually end up with the right results.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUMVTNbVMA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgzpA6aV8W
My eyes widened as I listened.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85F0af53WA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3hDRGuqEI
“If you get familiar with each number, with each sign, with each formula. Of course if you are presented with a different equation, it will become almost automatic for you to solve it even though it’s different from the ones you have dealt with.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kTQFkVaCZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrAEQiFGaT
It always mesmerized me whenever he talked like this. Every word that he said punched right through my brain like a revelation I have not even thought existed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l6Kxjucjg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafLjUZ3u44
I closed my eyes as I continued to listen to his voice that echoed in my ear. And it turned out that without looking at him as he talked, his voice sounded different. Not by a significant change. A subtle one. Something that you needed to hear… long… intently… attentively…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoz0t9ty1R
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBhgGgJPNY
Strict… but honest…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGUaWPCOOm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAr7Jk2qES
Cold… but thoughtful…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2qLmurnWD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DeCaR1hSu
Precise… but generous…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC3NEikZFU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjqdFPfx7b
I had asked myself why multiple times since we started this break. Maybe this is why. Maybe this is the answer.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHmcCXiIWz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3rREbO6JM
I didn’t realize until I caught myself smiling more. But I just let it be. I tilted my head over my hands, opened my eyes and stared at him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovhVqzSDLQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwoVPlbFbl
“You really do like math, huh?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL7huTeTne
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczLXIm1DBp
“Not really.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa3Rsudkas
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xR70PYG7Z
“Eh? Then… you hate it?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ7iyNe2Uc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gvdzwkzzm
“No. I don’t particularly like or hate math. To me it’s just math.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKL18nLEBj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6YzYDv6wy
That was unexpected.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FOE5zJV6V
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWu7o197Dh
But kind of something I should have expected.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS25x5AugwB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeVdWIhBoY
I sat up properly this time but my eyes never left him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOzExCXkoC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xXN3u4KlQ
“Since when were you practicing this way, your way of learning?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDizpEvYgS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOIXLKYHyC
“Since back when I was in elementary school.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92AWefDUuY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JXVOElOz
“I—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9bTwUPPw6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhsqE9oMhU
“Excuse me, here’s your order.” The waitress from before came back. “Pardon me, pardon me.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFhq8hB7RK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxHIuRUf8h
She put down the bowls of ramen from the tray she had been holding.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyLng5UxfA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN80CD8GFH
“Chashu-men for the lady, and Tonkotsu ramen for you,” she said, and gave him a quick wink, then disappeared into the doorway.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjYMnldnrp
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeOATTy3Uq
I pouted.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HYt0ksvgZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu90JDM7g2m
Why?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLlI4OQrjb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtKvYVTnW4
I unpouted my lips.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmkBfDepJg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTt5BK8yug
“Let’s eat,” Kuroiwa said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqKTk7Vmnx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihzhl2ocFQ
The smell of the ramen found its way to my nose and I instinctively just gave the bowl in front of me all my attention.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtixYQGIU4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Kx2KN8ay
“It smells good.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC5xMOF6KF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4e01NCKh4
I held the ramen spoon, scooped some broth from the bowl, blew on it a few times, and then took a sip.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjod8MlTiK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQewICeYFk7
I held on for a second as I tried to savor the taste.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYn8bdmLg4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u9Eejl7gX
“Wow,” I said, “It’s delicious.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHjGNhGP3t
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNdycRUhI3
“It is,” Kuroiwa replied.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdzHsnWa8i
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH7VOinE1H
Behind me some noise just exploded. I just let Kuroiwa enjoy his meal while I looked out of curiosity.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1le98M23OE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrilmk0Tt22
The chef was standing proud while the two other customers were clapping.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrWpVGjC5R
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMWJY7J1qX
I rolled my eyes. I felt like I just wasted my time.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahOicc6Wnv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFISJW8zjE
Traitors…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbGEovdGec
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8PGTfRFIP
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHYz0w7Wfh
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwxkeXcjPw
7:45 pm.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHInG7vcXN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJTfDi1E2R
While we were eating. I received a message from Mom. I replied to her that I was with Mika studying at a cafe, thankfully she didn’t call me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISw45t6eKu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENkSRQQrg7
I didn’t really want to lie… but…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo7UwURyhj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XrXzLOkTq
I looked at Kuroiwa…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9LCXPrdvu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsEbZJDXw6
Then my phone buzzed…74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6XcmwtC3D
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddWnovV4em
Mika called.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3odx5F28Z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfwGe8zscQ
“Hello? Mika?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLYTgCsoy1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMj1YQN4yz
“Runa, it’s late! And it’s almost an hour since I last called you. Where are you?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslwb4DpIBN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZA5S8MxbM
“We just finished eating, we’re still heading toward Kuroiwa-san’s apartment.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtMxuDMS9Q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbcBt7Ffst
“What!? You just ate?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHjaXy8nC0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsk3mKKuP2
“Sorry.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzS5UOGWYv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s0ExrIMop
“So how much longer?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJu06FdChN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38RaUonHrv
“About an hour more.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHStHlD7VEj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxkp4KeCZZ
“Shh, quiet Yui.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFGdOQdm5p
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VqQWKwg4I
I blinked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ646xJqw0MX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Y3zaEYOJ
“Yui’s there?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmMd3GR9WH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2viNzwiIM9
“Yeah, I scolded her earlier but she is still trying…to… get… YUI!”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno8cXOrRZ7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kAbnJETY2
“You okay?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr55h9EyabG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrEWrhfZth
I giggled.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkboNxiKyY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIjIY15FBE
“It’s not funny Ru— Fine, Yui you can extend us for another hour.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGajCRdFxFJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnUMUSD66E
“Yay.” I finally heard Yui’s voice shouting in joy.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zG7kbIHpI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5UCpxct4X
I heard Mika sigh.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTqYS5BIol
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9qIsfWDHL
“Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for another hour.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0IHmsGRyr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18rjSVhFCl
“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKYvnvR9E7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl02NJOeLZu
“Not really, I’m with friends and you’re with a stranger.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNJzfjGK0x
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW8ciaYlWe
“Hmm… I don’t know.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK8oMQBKl4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R4BeuLZtK
“... Runa, it’s barely been a week since you started talking to him. He is still a stranger.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfzbZTTAJO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0g3Y1lPmC
“Yeah, I guess.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2FRQJ7Hkz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbFprhQkuz
I laughed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHL9I3WGKB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYEoDSW79X
“It’s not funny.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhKl6tTgGP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNKmR89AQE
“I know.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NJSlxWMtT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYszxPu0DG3
Another sigh from Mika.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUGjJ85L1a
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXzXMJkdL2
“Anyways, message me when you’re about to go. After an hour, I’ll call you again. If that happens, whether you’re done or not, you go home. Understand?”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q4KLykvOA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUFnnKHvUc
“But—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE1ehi9ITa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SmTjBnmMT
“No buts, you don’t get a say in this.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBZGnzdKD5
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4qYTMDgNF
“O—”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5RXnFjKc3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nSM7Fv10M
“And don’t you dare call me mom.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cjvDc3CMe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2kS1ImgBI
“Alright.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuOXEIY3uZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNxD07bI5p
“Well then, message me.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT0BCSAqhm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN968xg6haI
“Okay.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDOl7PFcWQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgOchWwFXg
“Bye.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIjnya8Dn6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz0ArQelvL
“Bye.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWsbSb2vwo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEwbIyBPPX
The call ended.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGDRsh2rLm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfIrCmBUo1
Stranger.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vkMVqPjyb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rN6NXHWLX
I sat with that word for a moment.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOpAIq299l
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITg7ln6ttm
Technically, Mika was right. And I guess it was just not technical. I really didn’t know anything about this strange guy.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsii2P0gCqm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIicj5hCtmZ
Earlier, he was walking behind me. Now he was walking in front of me. With some weird distance. But there was a significant difference this time.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm1WKoxE5z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3RzR2ggjC
He was closer.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAmvNOThvN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20CEGJiIgA
Just a few steps away.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaewdjvjCTa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nblZSN1Yg
I stared at his back while he walked. Slow, like always. Unhurried.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjYXSZxpzj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOxJwkCo8E
At our pace, there were still four minutes left before we reached his apartment.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazXdseXzlQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsRbFnPD3t
“Hey,” I said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pjYfrCPvq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAYBY7rx30
He stopped and turned.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIYnWJP46j
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ot3MP5Utv
“Walk with me,” I continued.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc715TFVRg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QByQh2xTm
He stared at me for a second. And gave me that look that I presumed was him asking for permission.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJh0AsPFZs
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbEO3TS3w7
I smiled… internally.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qdoMnxcLX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeUbaVv8xW
“It’s fine.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wboFlpWcv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cAXxjc1K0
“Okay.”74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDWZme9lY8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMNYpAy3hx
I walked toward him, beside him. Then he walked.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijTLOp8t0D
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3b89gCx0z
He matched my pace and I matched his.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2WSwkAR8s
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslijNcBZmd
Until we were completely… in sync.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2UWjpjS6A
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvTlXeELVA
I tried to talk to him. And surprisingly I tried to tease him. I laughed beside him. He never laughed, he never smiled, but kept talking back.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZfkC0tC28
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tKb4ms1kK
And that’s enough.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWKdlu0eil
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ681mKcR44h
Just a few hours ago, I couldn’t imagine that this would happen. Everything I’ve known about him. This Monday before we talked for the first time Tuesday afternoon. Last week before I even had any inkling of thoughts about him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrSQJBRPuk
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALHmnBN348
They don’t show a picture of him at all.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInX2yaZBNX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7lQZD8JiH
Different.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAQCFoDI4z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxleUlpwUwu
In many ways.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGSPQkRFZk
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHEbb2Z7q0
Similar in some ways.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXMIOzm5wo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjF9MVER7m
It turned out, he wasn’t really lying. He was trying to help me. To teach me. And I felt I had been progressing well.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3xnZl6dwY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nM0Ajx9eq
If there is a struggle, then I start from the beginning.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvX3wivib9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT8sf2wVbm
I wouldn’t fail. Even if his condition was ridiculous. He doesn’t even think about it. So I knew I wouldn’t fail.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqlTWpWoNd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrhRc6PMm2
I knew he wouldn’t fail me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwedzBSL1R
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsO1HoBxVy
At school everybody avoided him. Out here he was the one avoiding.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIauiZwaj5x
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduxpek0a9A
The chef, the two customers… That waitress seemed fond of him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoGU0BQSn4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uiTgLqMbG
And I want to know why. As I have been asking why.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNRdnJOfQB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0h5s3W9ym
I thought about the waitress. How she casually talked to him, smiled at him, and even winked at him.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxgCWRxbsK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC6Kq9dAwE
I, on the other hand. Him, as well.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6TcWQ8GqW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyxZrrXRA8
There was still distance between us while we walked back to his apartment.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xKQOUhAqy
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMjv8DhkfC
Two minutes left before we arrived.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lIGyXGxfO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ9MmLVfxx
And I started to wonder.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSY1aBWsfT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb69AVCJrhP
I wonder when my turn will come… to be familiar with him…
and then Add to home screen.