Friday. 6:48 pm.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1zZK1om5i
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXIZ5LgTBX
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I was just reading.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Xrq0bmy6
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I was just solving.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1rDZHI2Ih
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I was just listening.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqyy1tXtyp
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But it was getting exhausting.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfNqziLp2D
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Mundane and familiar.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiccQjUFrE
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Familiar?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpMsX0ORQM
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Yes, starting from the beginning every time I made a mistake, every time I asked, every time I struggled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iXPdgR9YT
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqJBfBmm3j
Over and over and over and over and over.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxRlspA1fQ
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZubY9bagY
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I heard Kuroiwa close the notebooks he had.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy6BnEmQoo
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“Let’s take a break,” he said.
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Finally? Finally!29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyxoaa57bw
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I checked the clock automatically, hanging above the TV. Six forty-eight.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjY1dU7DUB
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Was it this late already?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzNUiCgsp9
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I stared at it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0PK4L42s8
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I tried to move the longer clock hand backwards. With my eyes.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdQk9qITaj
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No. It did not move.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadW032Uf0u
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“It’s just a break?” I asked to confirm.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1RWxzxkk4
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“We still have at least one more to cover.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR47GKywJj
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“But it’s late.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1czeFSWH6
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He looked at me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxTjZaDNCp
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“You can go home if you want. But exams are in five days.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlypmeG2C8B
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I opened my mouth.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvVfEamLkt
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Seriously, this guy.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2FNfewxVG
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“Do I have a choice?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjlcJxa3tx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnswmi9vS0
“I just gave you one.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ6hDoy26G
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“How much longer?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC4xoHsaK9
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“About an hour more. It depends on you, though.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpcFu92tU0
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I heard a stomach grumble.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxYNnxwqlI
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I checked myself for a second. It wasn’t me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5TI5NrKny
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I looked at him. He stared at me. Seriously. Stern. Unbothered.
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Was it him?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBreCRYkDxq
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“Let’s go eat,” he said as he stood up. “Rest there for five minutes, I know a ramen shop nearby.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXIjq5cmNw
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So it was him. I muffled a laugh and turned my head briefly so he wouldn’t see.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVarsOJwVt
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I saw him head straight toward the door as he moved. Maybe toward his room. But I noticed he kept his distance.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcQaHBwywV
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I heard my phone buzz inside my bag. I carefully searched for it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOgFyUCdMm
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN3o6Edd2l
It was Mika, calling.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhFFaNUNcr
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“Hello, Mika?” I answered.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp6vsnOjKh
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“Runa, are you going back home now?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEswCaEQqLq
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc2OcFO8wx
“Umm… not yet, he said we still need an hour more.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3m1uUGcvR
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“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?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR8FWPaSAd
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkFy4h0b4I
“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something inappropriate, we’re just studying.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3E1umAQeB
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“Uh, hello, it’s common sense.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCAQZkluX9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlw44zZNIj
“It’s also common sense not to jump to any conclusions.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCsOIUJa2d
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“Your mom would not acknowledge such common sense.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFisGRI5XM6
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… She was right.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRN46gUFRt
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“Fine, but don’t be too late. I’ll wait for you at the station later,” she continued.
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“You don’t have t—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdupl7YNhD
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“I have to and you don’t have a say in it.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrCUvSGd1F
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“Okay, mom.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp8r6z2XlM
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“Stop calling me that…”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseaYGFsOeD
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I smiled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqCxRCgDHy
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“By the way, where are you right now?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba2ma59kek
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX1FQBospN
“We’re at a karaoke box.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdXnx7iQi6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5zPHYb2NL
“Eh!? Really? Aw, I would’ve come too!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz9AY7DcNv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWfssGaWzv
“And ignore studying?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUKG8EtFnk
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“...No.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ160Oeg4Oz0
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“Besides, we’re mostly just studying here too, me and Hina at least. Yui sings from time to time.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGryukwdhSE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlDO2zqXBQ
“How did you get there? I thought you went home after I left.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmkDzGelOU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74CY4AMbKT
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEDMjiBZvR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJy0NBKWRN
“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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6LnJ6IRID
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“Hey don’t—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhGyiL6CFZ
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“Give me, I want to talk to her too.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsruEQfvLa
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“Stop, you’ll drop it—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm4S72vRMv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh47jerHGL
“Just for a second!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs0AA6qrAU
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“Give it back.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11ERqT6MhL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi4ccZ2hiH
“Hello~” Yui was the one on the phone now. I guess she won. “So how was your date?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg96AShIrK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjohrIloaIo
“I want my phone back if you are just going to say ridiculous stuff like that.” Mika protested.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJvZ5XfW84
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkjpKjRtG4
“Oookay,” Yui said reluctantly, “so how is your STUDY… SESSION.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq2T66bDUz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AkmH99hFT
“Fine,” I replied. Although it did not start fine, she didn’t need to know.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMbDXu9VYN
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“So how long are you still going to be there?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwO0SJLcmi
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“About an hour.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo8VkmQFkm
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“Oh, so it means we’re going to have to extend for another hour!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8nbb8CqnP
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicQvLR7ndc
“Give me my phone!” Mika’s voice sounded faint but I was still able to hear her.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fLEz4375c
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMM4hJvX1H
“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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWjUOjcxNx
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“Hey! Give me back my phone!” Mika’s voice faded from the phone.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9SSETMryo
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDsLSbujxo
The call was cut off abruptly. Then, after five seconds, my phone rang again.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF2aUzeESt
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXehLjtd4oG
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1CfsIvhr8
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“Okay.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamLm1N7CO3
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“Message me when you’re about to go home, okay?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZFB6eiLyl
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“Okay.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkbplsEMUY
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“I’ll wait for you at the station, then we walk home together.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92ZLYwdXmt
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…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4grzlAisHI
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“Don’t you dare.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwF8HAXjOt
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I giggled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hguEQSI0T
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“Alright, bye.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiwR54o3Vm
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“Bye.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbVTgNWQNp
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfZg85msXI
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It was Kuroiwa staring at me. I stepped back a little.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxjTwhsB9h
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“Why are you standing there?” I asked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW2emvsCT5
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“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TUVEHMuPy
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You could’ve at least announced your existence, you know.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO82TSm5A7
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“Anyway, it’s been five minutes. We should go,” he continued.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHHA63sWTz
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I immediately wanted to check my wallet if I still had enough cash left.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM96AnTxdt
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“Don’t worry,” Kuroiwa said. “I’ll pay for it.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Yy3FOuBP
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I blinked at him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDgaXwbLe3
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“You don’t need to do that.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzMLyYy4i
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“You’re in my care at the moment, so I have to take responsibility for feeding you.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN24xvyirKj
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I blinked twice. My eyebrow lifted up.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVV0TUZ2Kb
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Did he think I was his pet?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvvQgysW4v
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“Fine,” I said, “but don’t complain if I ordered something expensive.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkDPfseT76
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He nodded.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7DOQ0hXvs
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Really? Is it really okay?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1rPUND9f9
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“Let’s go,” he said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaBrxohBzr
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9xYkZsESG
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I took a few more steps then I heard him finally walking behind me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImbuvuiZQo
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeTBzZxOFl
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7:02 pm29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBJ01VcJiX
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwozDTDjl8
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The ramen shop was only a few steps away now. And Kuroiwa had been walking behind me. Far behind me the whole time.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmnRaNYeNV
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvpsULEsir
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I stopped. Three seconds… ten seconds… twenty-two seconds…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wz76Nw5Qp
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jv8gMVW3k
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1UvUV5rXS
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSdC5DIlgb
I composed myself. I tried.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtg69jFhdT
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“Shouldn’t you be walking in front of me?” I said with my voice raised a little to make sure he heard me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6M3kyhio
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ5E6Um0dr
He stared for a moment.
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“Sure,” he said and began walking. Slow.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bBtysAEVF
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Why!?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSW65TGN9Y
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUNB5HYEIb
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dOpxeXE6i
And there you go. He was in front of me. This is better than him walking behind me with that weird amount of distance.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4hFhsXR5s
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLmgM0KEZE
That was creepy, but I should’ve expected it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f7pzLQDa9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUfC4IPDDV
I let out a long breath.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEog0poJrE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNYDtFAFxP
“So that’s what it feels like to have a stalker,” I muttered to myself.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22huUTba69
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Finally, we entered the ramen shop.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREOJfn1iKY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqCYfuCvQu
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgmFZL81TN
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIvtV1tP0N
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSMXam2h3b
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5hWjIHM0v
A faint aroma suddenly hit my nose. It smelled so good that my stomach finally noticed its hunger.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EEqdEO3kR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawE8LUd5js
I looked around.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W6SdY0kCU
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The place seemed empty. And I didn’t see anyone by the counter.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbsh94K1US
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ4hQUWWhW
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?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm78l3aSOh
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEo5feiteD
“This place is mostly not crowded during this hour,” Kuroiwa said, “they have more customers during the day.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G8HhFyg09
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyhsnAhOI6
I see…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaldLYHaICP
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2YdRC9QKp
He led me toward the table.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfHZ26mlMy
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlHaitIktn
He stopped at the third table from the entrance and then looked at me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V1Uabcg5o
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0vIz45Zr9
“Sit here.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7xaFnytVL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHRKsNuN0D
“Okay.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXsgUcE5Ri
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMpkKnYkdI
I sat down and gently slid myself toward the corner. Then he kept walking.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F5aqMQfK0
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEXEKQPDx2
I watched him. My eyes widened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGzBulbdUE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡery3M6MxOK
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaDcjMTFvj
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNprUstyR8M
Between us. Two tables. And a pinch of awkwardness.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoMTtzIj7X
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wJ90UuH0d
My hands covered my face. I placed them on the table along with my head. And then I started shouting internally.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovOx6Nqeua
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVAzhrl6EK
Why!?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYsjwij6Gn
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHONYU8pf1
I waited for a few moments and then I slowly lifted my head. I looked at him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmos8nLbK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfPO5le4lV
Him. Eyes. Windows.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsZEMCGGfe
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWcymm9O23
Ugh…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudBIGPhiwI
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE6Qvp4J29
I hated this…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaJe5gjxT7
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaSZlEGZyQ
This felt too awkward…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rnd76EToZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoItH0rxuMh
I hurriedly slid myself out, stood up, walked, and sat in the seat across from him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhcFfESDCk
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNT13MzfXv
“One table is enough,” I said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNfgdrNVv3
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKo6gfBjfO
His eyes turned to me, taking his time.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4rwslzDhV
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzEomZ27PN
“What?” he replied.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TCnvzFjsQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEhGpiHuBA
“Nothing... but one table is enough.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZltSwO8wT
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO6bCafCar
He looked up for a second.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdeEx5ODQu
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjj5kXD4ab
“Sure,” he said and continued to stare at the windows again.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXNpwwQr01
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc736xO11F
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbfnVOj9HG
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMccDcu0XSV
Hmm?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymMbnrDBEU
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC4mWzzA3R
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvlWRGjrCq
“Yes, dad!” The reply came from the other side of the doorway beside Kuroiwa.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L3tUk3i5E
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRs1Y6vjzs
Then a girl appeared from it. She was holding a menu.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ5C65HjrE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF9pJCzWgE
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..29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLocmBwocpU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgaxyN36gX
I wasn’t really envious. It was just that this girl standing beside us was really pretty.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwGTUEh9TP
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTAfV184vS
“Here’s the menu,” she said, her voice gentle.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHYypnL8hP
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLteYXkEvH3
She turned toward Kuroiwa.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE8SwbA1z0
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzjiQn6OTC
“The usual?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRvGXe2pOQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweD9GKztQk
He nodded.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLOKC5GaIu
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I stared at them for a bit, and then she stared back at me with a smile.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhInfmVmfgR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tNLd6S3dZ
I gripped the menu and snapped my eyes back to it. Right, I needed to order as well.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG1sqCLWWx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhfbrRa6KU
But wait. She looked into his eyes earlier. And she was standing near him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JRXbTaAwJ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8SwgNtRXD
Before I could finish my thought, I heard her.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM8da8PQBK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMhUDgQWuJ
“Your order?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G7ItwXgwr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IFWvrOL2t
“S-sorry, I haven’t decided yet.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLdwrZBzN6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGsIHbrZoU
“Take your time.” She smiled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jmPg9vjkr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IHIDFwQ0e
I took a short breath. Okay, I have to focus.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGaCBJMpFM
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ3qAVxxTg
…If I remember correctly, he was fine with me buying something more expensive.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMLwRYj4aD
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghZgMZ4a3F
Alright… this is payback.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaraKi39DsG
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tEN9B6rBR
“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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf35caAQxP6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBp0TrCZ4d
“Good,” he said, “eating a lot is good for the brain.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgVBI3tKoF
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQBZbUL2ZA
…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pmODuhhd5
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD1mQP8YDZ
…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5cRnq9Xe2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99PWCZH4M8
Eating a lot.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90NR7pMJ1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl31OpZgWF
…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuJdSJOebn
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87rDIjbCqG
…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqwTdh3z4Y
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWjB8Xrhn3
When he says it like that… then…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEhWzvvT2x
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG7wsBKNZl
“Is that all?” the girl said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjJeCWm0S9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe86FifwvXC
“Um, sorry, I’d like to take back the extra chashu and no more dumplings on the side, thanks.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZKR7Blxqs
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4JL42QkRk
“Okay, so a bowl of Chashu-men for you." She looked at me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsLNCpHjpK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8xrhORUrf
“Yes,” I replied to her eyes.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44GzbsVTiL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zVv0wh03y
"And the usual for you." She looked at Kuroiwa.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv2rzt6P08
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIAxIbhqGU
He nodded.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj8IlY9Muy
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“Then just wait here for your order. Thank you.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqzKDQqlxl
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oS5bAJGQZ
She smiled, then disappeared by the doorway beside our table.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Hh3bInyU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqoPtwTOX4
And it seemed like Kuroiwa went back to watching the windows again.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmTiz5Gh5
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What’s so special about those windows?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv4NtScu3x
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bT4lg1qV9
I turned my head to look at them too. I mean, what do I do at this point?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqVSLqxJPI
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1EgycyJvD
Then the man at the counter almost shouted.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ST3lEZvN0
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCVjXy9GJy
“Akehiko! Yama-san!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9G7Mx0RjJ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQbUUM55qU
I looked in his direction. He was now wearing a chef's hat.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Wv2u4Zut
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I tilted my head slightly.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CDfVy4H9X
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But he wasn’t before.Maybe he is the chef too? Not just the owner.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v6fdOrWcQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNVEYBEfY8
I followed the chef with my gaze. And when he reached the other end of the counter, there I saw two middle-aged men.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlrLp4dfuT
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YSlxeavry
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqk55empI8
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlfkon46am
“This place can be loud sometimes,” Kuroiwa suddenly said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOPaLdvic9
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvrLzOXL8Z
“Haah! What did you say there, punk!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLjAWvVSUn
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcjwzUT8BR
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwRm3WVIWl
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNoDw2FNkP
“Say that again!” This time I knew who said it. It was the man in a suit but with no tie.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QEkVwgt1n
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTwfcbjgXx
I held my breath.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7eenOk9ad
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClnpehTkBK
That shout was definitely for Kuroiwa. Why did he have to offend some adults instead of just staying quiet!?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTdT4rUkhR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpsm1ZqVGT
I turned my eyes to him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xIxhnzax
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwzL7P7hBC
Windows.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDik4N1pM1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjikkGH5oDO
Why!?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKzQZO7kFx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGp0KEYp2W
My head snapped back towards the other customers.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyCvwHzqBa
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqRZGJIzX0
“Damn, I didn’t get his attention this time,” the man with no tie said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMy4qRbzwQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75rjIFcaLA
“Well, better luck next time,” the man wearing glasses consoled him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2NemCCXIL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcwR3dL9dt
“Haha! I’ve tried for weeks but he just loves the look of my windows.” The man behind the counter laughed at him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7aJfMGp1L
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6NE94LJkn
…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01fx4IqgmT
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My face went blank.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnyjX1aYuC
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9zjP7kmKU
What is going on?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfCfRKzCLG
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ltPv5gvFc
The atmosphere was getting awkward, so I tried to talk to Kuroiwa.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yI0qocAqQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZNFWDYcIS
“Do you come here often?” I asked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7W8k0BhU6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf48p2bB1tk
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhxNRhVSmA
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Ek1Pla3X
Oh no. Did I just ask the wrong question?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSuvgd5vgU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3WMnt9bbI
“Say that again, you punk!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsUy3aaQg
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpX8f8DPdQ
I did, just ask the wrong question.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlxshNNLIG
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnst3eZSrS
Sigh.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd4FNeWvUR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJllieNTPCU
This time I could tell by the voice that it came from the chef.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPEokKRikF
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF55r7oTpbT
Kuroiwa?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzQvaofDM8
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VTE6oCRZx
Windows.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImKwUPQFu8
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1j0ZEpoHD
Of course…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgKh4ykQ5M
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpjUCdT9A5
“Well, better luck next time?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUnZ5NyqyA
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLB2lmewD5
“Hah! Serves you right.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb390Db9WOy
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATcJJdlDgF
The one who consoled the chef was the man wearing glasses, and the man with no tie laughed.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihpS10gI2J
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOssoGZZ78O
Both my hands met my face. This was stressing me out.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64stpaVEly
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxca3vSZEtU
Did they really want his attention that much?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXT0mUWERl
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE26xjhkEzS
“Kuroiwa… san…” I called him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfSlcbHhmu
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSJZVGF8c2
He turned to me and stared at me for a second.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqu3AKz5fg
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnxWygQSlj
“Did you not notice at all?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2MxLgaILa
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkmZSZGBCE
“About?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRp0CEwQri
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QEUoA5rvL
“Those guys at the counter.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwG6X3lp8R
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTozcK2a8X
“Why?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Ka2bzRTx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NyEAa2AEI
“It seemed like they were trying to talk to you.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WZYjQmJ4D
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ihB7gkW1
“Really?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMjHSpXttY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilfrcQ5Xpc
We both looked in the direction where the chef and the other two customers were.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPOjoEBLaD
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The chef… whistled while looking at the ceiling.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nLwjSGMpB
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The man wearing glasses… held the menu upside down while reading it.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4uuWgvIOY
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The man with no tie… was… nowhere to be found.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSILMAsIq2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhSu427HOm
“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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGYOpOReMa
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM50ryXhPF
This is ridiculous!29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjx5MhRRQA
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A few seconds later, I heard them laugh from behind me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHDDzcAats
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I looked at them. Stared at them menacingly. As menacing as I could get.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaguodpiuq
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They flinched and stopped laughing.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfFww4BABz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HVXvPyfT
Traitors.
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ZvajdcQ4
Hmph!29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11NfU0h3BT
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUvqVH8HLZ
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucKSh2quc3
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Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i2Gu9lqhZ
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“Our order is taking a bit longer than usual,” Kuroiwa said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7FjZyDXOB
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdFFdvEmIt
“Oi, Matsuda. Their orders.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy2dHNCtSi
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PGZYMNUbC
“Oh yeah!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSn5o81n5R
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I didn’t even bother to look at who said what at that point. I didn’t care.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVGCtIhYRK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumMW4tErzf
I opened my eyes. And stared at Kuroiwa looking at his beloved windows for a second.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5PPCS1yal
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpjThBEhWp
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSmrVAPwt2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aqbc7YE0M
Back in his apartment, there was still a lot of work to be done.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2LjYodtqq
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“Hey,” I said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYj1mZtbQk
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He looked at me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHiurqGQMy
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“Do you really think I can pass the midterms?” I asked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJWCCTlfNu
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“Sure,” he answered. Casually.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VkXIf9F0z
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But that wasn’t enough for me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnziwQCv1H
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“All we’ve been doing was just starting from the beginning over and over. It’s true that somehow I am making progress, but—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmzwBCqwRe
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjraPIBGzyH
“You were, and you were better than I thought.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRVueObyae
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0LsS34DD2
I blinked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywjLRBkC60
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“I am?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKeGblMHUZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKx1YVqLH
“Are you tired of the repetition?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hJXVacsqU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ142Z1C56
“A little bit.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLv0vg9Kjk
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9hFeqx75C
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlPjAVBUCL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKGBsHjyhR
“How about you then? Aren’t you getting tired?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nmWxunCW7
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My eyes met his eyes when I said that. And more details about him appeared in front of me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Xj9LGtl7
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Q41c9Ols
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUUOZnLkBy
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Dark but soft. Sharp but gentle.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YWKuvc7HE
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It was so strange. He was so strange.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iBnGBfjHH
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“No,” he said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVlQwUH2EU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC1W6S685Y
Blunt.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW1JJdICyV
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I smiled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7nXf10DlC
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCkeFCAh09
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0fCjmqEoC
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I stared at him again.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3gkpbc9t5
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“How did you even think about teaching like that?” I asked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CEdlOKIhj
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3XziaYyaB
“Because it’s the most efficient way to learn.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOshdk2MPP
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“Is it?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kpdjwfMNi
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76YKRgywjk
“Let me ask you some questions then. How do you learn to play the guitar?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ObQAcKFHV
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I blinked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiWWKgA6sZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm3Cof4h37
“Practice?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Eide7oQix
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFWhAZygNX
“How do you learn to drive?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkysLkwHJ8
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEq5QFBkD2
“Umm… go to driving school? And also I guess practice.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlB1LeSyhZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKkcfFMNvw
“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxs8hACoRd
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My eyes widened as I listened.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsL5NTOmS
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“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.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHBLNOhW1g
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDEq6mhYOs
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjZGmEGRmJ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWJK2VHrMY
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…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNie3Gd7jm
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctITOo2GX9
Strict… but honest…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagR8zZbTY
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Cold… but thoughtful…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQFVpvDzMU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99ZvTbI4rk
Precise… but generous…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dsOfEIvGb
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I had asked myself why multiple times since we started this break. Maybe this is why. Maybe this is the answer.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHJk98zbdv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k5xTHFoLL
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQCD49sRX2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmDAWDUlR3
“You really do like math, huh?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71cDGcZwgN
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YTf7SNznN
“Not really.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtlrLizTH
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“Eh? Then… you hate it?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9DUvBF8bz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sWiH2E2pu
“No. I don’t particularly like or hate math. To me it’s just math.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk7s2sxwiR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwSvLm47he
That was unexpected.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilpgReH44B
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But kind of something I should have expected.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoJEQiLJ7g
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I sat up properly this time but my eyes never left him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JTHdbGw5I
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPDboXTC73
“Since when were you practicing this way, your way of learning?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV0s13Rjw2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNpd4uCJaa
“Since back when I was in elementary school.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HGal3QwDd
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“I—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAXLeSMduY
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4mT8MusKw
“Excuse me, here’s your order.” The waitress from before came back. “Pardon me, pardon me.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0RzgoBTj2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHDM3wGval
She put down the bowls of ramen from the tray she had been holding.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvhftdIFyO
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdiU9GqQvE
“Chashu-men for the lady, and Tonkotsu ramen for you,” she said, and gave him a quick wink, then disappeared into the doorway.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Og5RF8DDR
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I pouted.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRyRWSvMhE
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiE5ZvWOqZ
Why?29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNxMMxVexr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36tWTrINLf
I unpouted my lips.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj9ipIWXW3
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“Let’s eat,” Kuroiwa said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0MapGdmQD
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb12maS9pX
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“It smells good.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaXxiLUbLy
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I held the ramen spoon, scooped some broth from the bowl, blew on it a few times, and then took a sip.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZRMnd3sgt
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29I1IE9aAi
I held on for a second as I tried to savor the taste.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofnVdM1EFr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy53VtMuO35
“Wow,” I said, “It’s delicious.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmzK8GU8mx
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTCl2ezKvj
“It is,” Kuroiwa replied.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeyG6pEGQ1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGdq2Npa6N
Behind me some noise just exploded. I just let Kuroiwa enjoy his meal while I looked out of curiosity.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuz3F7sqOL
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The chef was standing proud while the two other customers were clapping.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB3kOV8xJK
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I rolled my eyes. I felt like I just wasted my time.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRVO02MaaU
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5zvKuhAf1
Traitors…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgUE6jA7TM
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoyCtJ3qKa
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetnZ22TBAE
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7:45 pm.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOuJ0QUJAn
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdqQHYRQen
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkBb7RTMCO
I didn’t really want to lie… but…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonX39ndx26
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu288C0vPs
I looked at Kuroiwa…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH57eyAXt1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46W5Ky7wC3
Then my phone buzzed…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlzdVCEhis
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP3yilp0jN
Mika called.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWXwGhG8ZQ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5LEsyMVEo
“Hello? Mika?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMNdC8Zb2
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzTZcuWBn
“Runa, it’s late! And it’s almost an hour since I last called you. Where are you?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXleLplKerz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr3XhjjlP7
“We just finished eating, we’re still heading toward Kuroiwa-san’s apartment.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1Amq2rtdv
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0K8dSznWm
“What!? You just ate?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bEuOyDJ0C
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtybKVtZ2Lj
“Sorry.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv5aE8QC8R
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“So how much longer?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj9NubXoNX
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“About an hour more.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNuoh7bK6V
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgHUg1v5Ck
“Shh, quiet Yui.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UCtbtlgDd
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NWUlFrjm0
I blinked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaByKcVS35K
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“Yui’s there?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZqa61XjLW
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81G9N18nt6
“Yeah, I scolded her earlier but she is still trying…to… get… YUI!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh2nkbnxtb
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVehvC0dVd
“You okay?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5WQjITEGN
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I giggled.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1ulGadItX
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“It’s not funny Ru— Fine, Yui you can extend us for another hour.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnLdi1sc4P
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1G7dVIPr2
“Yay.” I finally heard Yui’s voice shouting in joy.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2G6Q6KHqA
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I heard Mika sigh.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8phYGu4M
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“Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for another hour.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZzuaB6zhf
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN8kBNN7ms
“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykoqq5yZWD
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkge2atyVGG
“Not really, I’m with friends and you’re with a stranger.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZNVPv1ftP
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gW3zxgs3z
“Hmm… I don’t know.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyhKa3i6Gn
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplL3bWCorV
“... Runa, it’s barely been a week since you started talking to him. He is still a stranger.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjp7kSmlQX
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQXfXxwIQH
“Yeah, I guess.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbjeLicIMi
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0URDG8552n
I laughed.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAxlOVCo7e
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“It’s not funny.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTrDdgufUw
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcgovv7RK0
“I know.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLlYYBPd63
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Another sigh from Mika.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5rmWWNbKL
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYvZt3h0Ks
“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?”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT2AdLDCEO
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkdoajK1cc
“But—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDKzcPZway
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t48yT3tgE
“No buts, you don’t get a say in this.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWujzfoozHZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoxyVfu58v
“O—”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNIu1nqQxc
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“And don’t you dare call me mom.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9r7IX7Q17
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFmafYT4xq
“Alright.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbrCP7Y7qO
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu2LsjZKN9
“Well then, message me.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnjV2zE3K1
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHhE3jLPI4
“Okay.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigvb8t5TFH
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUSsWCMTjz
“Bye.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcvl9vuLll
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFOJLPNzQG
“Bye.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjyWS8hsoK
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydTL6z6Etf
The call ended.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkjxQVsfIq
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjyCTS0Cnm
Stranger.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKikJzUW9dl
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaQTbBqNuF
I sat with that word for a moment.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQPMJXZ6WL
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Technically, Mika was right. And I guess it was just not technical. I really didn’t know anything about this strange guy.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefJpex9HPk
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R8Hv7JvVD
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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7z5steiv6
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He was closer.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOldcMRCOm
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Just a few steps away.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5B23IPuCI
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I stared at his back while he walked. Slow, like always. Unhurried.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiQqja8PvW
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3lbrjG2bw
At our pace, there were still four minutes left before we reached his apartment.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPx6joEmW6
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ487hz9CrIE
“Hey,” I said.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pxirat9vl
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He stopped and turned.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfGTFPSII1
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“Walk with me,” I continued.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlOBQRQbzd
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlV61gztq7
He stared at me for a second. And gave me that look that I presumed was him asking for permission.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4baflIHILz
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAINSVQWQvU
I smiled… internally.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgc6intjsy
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“It’s fine.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5hYza4ZMs
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“Okay.”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9jX6DdzAF
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I walked toward him, beside him. Then he walked.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2GxfvNnux
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He matched my pace and I matched his.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9STRtdjIQJ
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Until we were completely… in sync.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoJqpA6o9D
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasESXfWLby
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And that’s enough.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPQDdCI9MX
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW8pfRfUeo
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They don’t show a picture of him at all.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiWPp1hdp1
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Different.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQODSWLOv32
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In many ways.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1akQ2n4w3
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Similar in some ways.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZpo9K6rWd
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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.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXqHikGmMR
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd3OqWTycB
If there is a struggle, then I start from the beginning.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAvGb33wmN
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlX1XNAUpL
I wouldn’t fail. Even if his condition was ridiculous. He doesn’t even think about it. So I knew I wouldn’t fail.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWglMZfoNZd
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelFf1962iT
I knew he wouldn’t fail me.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiDkzDRtWd
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At school everybody avoided him. Out here he was the one avoiding.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx6GkCJCU3
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The chef, the two customers… That waitress seemed fond of him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDZvIK2llr
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6730PjFiU
And I want to know why. As I have been asking why.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ61uWAbLKu
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusgSPZs9xS
I thought about the waitress. How she casually talked to him, smiled at him, and even winked at him.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZJLZ9SNYX
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM5IFtf5Kw
I, on the other hand. Him, as well.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRbenL3yEZ
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmx1ivuGs7
There was still distance between us while we walked back to his apartment.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHHxDte8OZ
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Two minutes left before we arrived.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P8ANJrGJE
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And I started to wonder.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA2j3Ch0To
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I wonder when my turn will come… to be familiar with him…
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