Friday. 6:48 pm.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmffvIuBC7
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtC6BGeyn6
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I was just reading.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYH9eAKOCf
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I was just solving.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm69KEigTc
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I was just listening.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo8XtpqjHn
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But it was getting exhausting.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybmiXR1the
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Mundane and familiar.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBE0MlbPtz
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Familiar?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6kElxMQl
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Yes, starting from the beginning every time I made a mistake, every time I asked, every time I struggled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS5lWvLyi1
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Over and over and over and over and over.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjgqxbhvy9
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPIgn7D5Mt
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I heard Kuroiwa close the notebooks he had.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzg3ZFfEqT
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“Let’s take a break,” he said.
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Finally? Finally!30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlvJaMTKXJ
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I checked the clock automatically, hanging above the TV. Six forty-eight.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OMQXrZb7s
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Was it this late already?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdirNz60RY6
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I stared at it.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQudNzswH5J
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I tried to move the longer clock hand backwards. With my eyes.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8swe3XnsRh
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No. It did not move.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyNBNLyikU
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“It’s just a break?” I asked to confirm.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltXt3hyvcP
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“We still have at least one more to cover.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sdkts5tfC
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“But it’s late.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuOTrwswMI
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He looked at me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8GNVME88W
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“You can go home if you want. But exams are in five days.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NudCTMj6n
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I opened my mouth.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3UcE9gVfe
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Seriously, this guy.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QMiVKqEdy
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“Do I have a choice?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYWaidmZ4H
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“I just gave you one.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRHCX3G480
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“How much longer?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73JyP1PHCU
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“About an hour more. It depends on you, though.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRdtmn9SU1
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I heard a stomach grumble.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fJQA7GpOQ
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I checked myself for a second. It wasn’t me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u9A9wEGgF
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I looked at him. He stared at me. Seriously. Stern. Unbothered.
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Was it him?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvSgJndB3b
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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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBaOY14MD3
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So it was him. I muffled a laugh and turned my head briefly so he wouldn’t see.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuqRkPKled
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaxivSP2sG
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I heard my phone buzz inside my bag. I carefully searched for it.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJxrf1JDwO
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It was Mika, calling.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G4XFQE3gu
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“Hello, Mika?” I answered.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaiescNNU2
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“Runa, are you going back home now?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17EJxCArqG
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“Umm… not yet, he said we still need an hour more.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPhQwHScLa
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrtTAnLqJS
“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?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNXj5PEqhz
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“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something inappropriate, we’re just studying.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexKwQHoc3
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“Uh, hello, it’s common sense.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzOJB74SfE
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“It’s also common sense not to jump to any conclusions.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41mpPAQMJ1
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“Your mom would not acknowledge such common sense.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwuN9hfqId
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… She was right.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XCIi6DcPh
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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—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPQO38fsEX
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“I have to and you don’t have a say in it.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTXbLGuSur
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“Okay, mom.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXbhnjoUDz
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“Stop calling me that…”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF2FursfIu
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I smiled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuvTHv4D5H
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“By the way, where are you right now?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSKCQwikXk
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“We’re at a karaoke box.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6yftMVfde
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“Eh!? Really? Aw, I would’ve come too!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JQqAQUfpg
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“And ignore studying?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSEI53D60F
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“...No.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRNL7ktY9H
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“Besides, we’re mostly just studying here too, me and Hina at least. Yui sings from time to time.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5LZsuO1GX
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“How did you get there? I thought you went home after I left.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhvKUL8SbM
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“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnTCtT1vuf
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“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6NQ85ovOc
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“Hey don’t—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiG2zqkZal
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“Give me, I want to talk to her too.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mza0z3I8Q
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“Stop, you’ll drop it—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnq4HlB3F7
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“Just for a second!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyS1nDwihN
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“Give it back.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEBD9yq0fa
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“Hello~” Yui was the one on the phone now. I guess she won. “So how was your date?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiYkQ09UOu
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“I want my phone back if you are just going to say ridiculous stuff like that.” Mika protested.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAwUgsfyY6
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“Oookay,” Yui said reluctantly, “so how is your STUDY… SESSION.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSZxM25b0N
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“Fine,” I replied. Although it did not start fine, she didn’t need to know.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA17jvU9Dq
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“So how long are you still going to be there?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiwSgVyUxS
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“About an hour.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPa6yJYIef
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“Oh, so it means we’re going to have to extend for another hour!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vUEA41rER
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“Give me my phone!” Mika’s voice sounded faint but I was still able to hear her.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYRBkCmyhT
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“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4g9lXNK1I
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“Hey! Give me back my phone!” Mika’s voice faded from the phone.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K07g6ECMV
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The call was cut off abruptly. Then, after five seconds, my phone rang again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw12VMejGAd
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“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSrnFQqwuV
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“Okay.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnKJunm8XB
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“Message me when you’re about to go home, okay?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdwcJnaNXU
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“Okay.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGWuGtzfGh
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“I’ll wait for you at the station, then we walk home together.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxukTSnkz
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…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fR2p5EzAN
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“Don’t you dare.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCtsAtzfIB
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I giggled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4uN4fttGf
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“Alright, bye.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNJyDXsyK3
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“Bye.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR53wSEA5PU
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcdfEchFDp
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It was Kuroiwa staring at me. I stepped back a little.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCb2JuGgj9
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“Why are you standing there?” I asked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoR16ugzGZ
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“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNfgxdTLPl
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You could’ve at least announced your existence, you know.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOxduGuOf7
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“Anyway, it’s been five minutes. We should go,” he continued.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVAJmhVRNq
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I immediately wanted to check my wallet if I still had enough cash left.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ4bjcLzZ4
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“Don’t worry,” Kuroiwa said. “I’ll pay for it.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1hfK3PCVE
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I blinked at him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE4d9vsGh4
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“You don’t need to do that.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY8AMF4JAH
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“You’re in my care at the moment, so I have to take responsibility for feeding you.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM11iXKAG7f
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I blinked twice. My eyebrow lifted up.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd1x5YeNFj
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Did he think I was his pet?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkcAPuWbQz
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“Fine,” I said, “but don’t complain if I ordered something expensive.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wZi8BgACB
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He nodded.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJTHWhswpF
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Really? Is it really okay?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oCaX9p0Sq
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“Let’s go,” he said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN4SdOXUdu
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepquERHLo6
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I took a few more steps then I heard him finally walking behind me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S14depeOL
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZueHLF1pYy
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7:02 pm30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFStL6oyCRG
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb31oo7DGJN
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdiVTtVfuV
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C3XXCpsIN
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I stopped. Three seconds… ten seconds… twenty-two seconds…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4pK7M1F4D
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0J3eGkoAI
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I composed myself. I tried.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GmHCZIxd6
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs4quS33Fp
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He stared for a moment.
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“Sure,” he said and began walking. Slow.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTH0cwjX32
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Why!?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVu2hRD9MQ
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa62VtwjpwD
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And there you go. He was in front of me. This is better than him walking behind me with that weird amount of distance.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhN05ozJuc
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgxjSLCxsB
That was creepy, but I should’ve expected it.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p16FwDmgf
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I let out a long breath.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyPTG7L37D
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“So that’s what it feels like to have a stalker,” I muttered to myself.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wIMXkbzrl
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Finally, we entered the ramen shop.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDSOvPOox
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox6EVVEfu7
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOKxNL86y3
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A faint aroma suddenly hit my nose. It smelled so good that my stomach finally noticed its hunger.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzngQI0E61g
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I looked around.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r59o8Jrcl
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The place seemed empty. And I didn’t see anyone by the counter.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0VEGfbz8k
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqcaLHCGjs
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?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGrVHKIzC1
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP113et87G
“This place is mostly not crowded during this hour,” Kuroiwa said, “they have more customers during the day.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6e3vxEd8
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd8pZcb3UG
I see…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCIfoKUPaN
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He led me toward the table.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsYGaZhO1H
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He stopped at the third table from the entrance and then looked at me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6TIylKrMt
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“Sit here.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxsnX9cEQ8
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“Okay.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6fPoznaY9
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I sat down and gently slid myself toward the corner. Then he kept walking.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyHZfjF5BU
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I watched him. My eyes widened.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7IpFALxwK
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkWKwHBtLL
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Between us. Two tables. And a pinch of awkwardness.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQrIE9VUqs
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94fdCmfmXW
My hands covered my face. I placed them on the table along with my head. And then I started shouting internally.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvATJSXQ4VC
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Why!?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K76sCNAhw
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I waited for a few moments and then I slowly lifted my head. I looked at him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpcnZCCYNK
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Him. Eyes. Windows.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDayaGsuinf
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Ugh…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRphsFYf0sy
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I hated this…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78u8VWccDo
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This felt too awkward…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXXcMNB4xc
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I hurriedly slid myself out, stood up, walked, and sat in the seat across from him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7Qv0wQEUq
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ueVnx9Gfs
“One table is enough,” I said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOhko9O38T
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His eyes turned to me, taking his time.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlNmaGkGrW
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“What?” he replied.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkDijLQIXG
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybAYS6Moiy
“Nothing... but one table is enough.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkznhZGD8k
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He looked up for a second.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnAZnuhwyf
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“Sure,” he said and continued to stare at the windows again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sFrCi89kT
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtOR5k6EP5
“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF4XFU5nXC
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Hmm?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwcq679i7Y
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98tOGh3hAt
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“Yes, dad!” The reply came from the other side of the doorway beside Kuroiwa.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa3PAtnWdU
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG8JuMBhKy
Then a girl appeared from it. She was holding a menu.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUY0PCuY2i
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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..30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RYB8CU8Ls
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I wasn’t really envious. It was just that this girl standing beside us was really pretty.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o1HVcP3Vi
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“Here’s the menu,” she said, her voice gentle.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWb5bauG7G
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She turned toward Kuroiwa.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2lQ6QHBHy
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“The usual?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2o6ff5PUl
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He nodded.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHZ2CMx1x
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I stared at them for a bit, and then she stared back at me with a smile.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa4QHAC8kk
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I gripped the menu and snapped my eyes back to it. Right, I needed to order as well.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gnoDID44y
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi50HmeIWGS
But wait. She looked into his eyes earlier. And she was standing near him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY7oqHAe0n
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Before I could finish my thought, I heard her.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK04Q8O4vD
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“Your order?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkGaW8uQi2
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“S-sorry, I haven’t decided yet.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGQwa2mup6
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“Take your time.” She smiled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvmKe929Gp
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I took a short breath. Okay, I have to focus.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9oz6Ir21B
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…If I remember correctly, he was fine with me buying something more expensive.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBihKZB63YG
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Alright… this is payback.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t2JCxV3m7
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“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR1BVWUMcL
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“Good,” he said, “eating a lot is good for the brain.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uYkSVcckJ
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerdaTU6aeN
…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv0uf9fznP
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7WHbzhcaY
…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kIe37Grp0
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Eating a lot.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNqfRhggXe
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv87nTm3E4D
…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjBAvdJePp
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevzPsteFuu
…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweTEPQJbBn
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When he says it like that… then…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTGzGdhkoe
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“Is that all?” the girl said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATfjD7y09M
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSR888NPw3
“Um, sorry, I’d like to take back the extra chashu and no more dumplings on the side, thanks.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ibIcjDvM
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8h7RYgd4J
“Okay, so a bowl of Chashu-men for you." She looked at me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUV9l0KWlb
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“Yes,” I replied to her eyes.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JEm52HSkA
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"And the usual for you." She looked at Kuroiwa.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JGfTPpDSN
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He nodded.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2mEcKqSH3
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“Then just wait here for your order. Thank you.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMOTulnYK3
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She smiled, then disappeared by the doorway beside our table.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJKhTkSQGc
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And it seemed like Kuroiwa went back to watching the windows again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Q8hgcMNh
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What’s so special about those windows?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgzS7ufYgd
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I turned my head to look at them too. I mean, what do I do at this point?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCzLK5GzXa
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Then the man at the counter almost shouted.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJWv7wYgW8
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“Akehiko! Yama-san!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELwOij7NGR
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I looked in his direction. He was now wearing a chef's hat.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqPa4jmyOy
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I tilted my head slightly.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wnCTr2Z6g
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But he wasn’t before.Maybe he is the chef too? Not just the owner.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdivVs7lam
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I followed the chef with my gaze. And when he reached the other end of the counter, there I saw two middle-aged men.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKddFIfTiML
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhb7uN7tvs
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“This place can be loud sometimes,” Kuroiwa suddenly said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAZe2NQ2C9
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“Haah! What did you say there, punk!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdygzOtRDIN
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUPIvDrPNR
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“Say that again!” This time I knew who said it. It was the man in a suit but with no tie.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4JHjoomTS
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I held my breath.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPlMKvt5lP
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That shout was definitely for Kuroiwa. Why did he have to offend some adults instead of just staying quiet!?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOhOH6JIv8
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I turned my eyes to him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFyPIy5Bdm
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Windows.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQWOQOX9zu
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Why!?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAyZSlXazi
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My head snapped back towards the other customers.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn42UqzmP6L
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“Damn, I didn’t get his attention this time,” the man with no tie said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iIEqV0Y5x
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“Well, better luck next time,” the man wearing glasses consoled him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9jZ5bxo5I
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“Haha! I’ve tried for weeks but he just loves the look of my windows.” The man behind the counter laughed at him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH9uwLlbbn
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…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7weYLu834H
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My face went blank.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYWdUlJv0W
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What is going on?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn5NdPDKAQ
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The atmosphere was getting awkward, so I tried to talk to Kuroiwa.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35skCPlc9s
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“Do you come here often?” I asked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XfiNocCsi
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“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbxc1B96Kz
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Oh no. Did I just ask the wrong question?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYgR08C5XB
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“Say that again, you punk!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3RMKibNSk
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I did, just ask the wrong question.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb3QKIxWa3
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Sigh.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1rla1150A
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This time I could tell by the voice that it came from the chef.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXqvk3TUkW
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjsw82Mtzi
Kuroiwa?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5RVo3Opcd
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9rOCDvYGc
Windows.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC97Uj3Kyw
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Of course…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d2et9N3Ia
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“Well, better luck next time?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYmp00mnQc
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“Hah! Serves you right.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PuTnCZD60
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The one who consoled the chef was the man wearing glasses, and the man with no tie laughed.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxbiTeUsyQ
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Both my hands met my face. This was stressing me out.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtfg9oeih4
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Did they really want his attention that much?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuymau80EDj
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“Kuroiwa… san…” I called him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yiGc8yYtz
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vcf9Hj95t
He turned to me and stared at me for a second.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLzV5XqZuW
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“Did you not notice at all?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRORjC4syx
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9f5M1CWpd
“About?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTm7xUM2bg
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsmrB11snA
“Those guys at the counter.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaxVauEOkY
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz4WqgGNYc
“Why?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAKlKNNRcV
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OTaCGhHU4
“It seemed like they were trying to talk to you.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVTH0tyDTn
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXLMxbTXXg
“Really?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVALJ7r2Crm
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We both looked in the direction where the chef and the other two customers were.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOQUJZldN0
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The chef… whistled while looking at the ceiling.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOoi7p46nr
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The man wearing glasses… held the menu upside down while reading it.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyfhhKcYC0
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The man with no tie… was… nowhere to be found.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6DK6Jfjfw
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“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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvJxTRfZFG
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This is ridiculous!30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSixNtQbap
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A few seconds later, I heard them laugh from behind me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hKsYyllDS
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I looked at them. Stared at them menacingly. As menacing as I could get.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOFy4K01aC
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They flinched and stopped laughing.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhfUU1gvxO
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Traitors.
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Pkv9yIfB
Hmph!30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzI2izmjdg
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I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqVg5206AK
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Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ9Lyd0MMO
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“Our order is taking a bit longer than usual,” Kuroiwa said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM5K1nr4QJ
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“Oi, Matsuda. Their orders.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISurJiglMi
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“Oh yeah!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJwJi7HmvI
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I didn’t even bother to look at who said what at that point. I didn’t care.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy9zSOax34
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I opened my eyes. And stared at Kuroiwa looking at his beloved windows for a second.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSOo34MWRE
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDboALDnbIv
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpKVL4Q4rT
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Back in his apartment, there was still a lot of work to be done.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kZ1cA6uE3
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“Hey,” I said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4yEdGh1ug
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He looked at me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL2JDh4QZr
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“Do you really think I can pass the midterms?” I asked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx1H3WgcBs
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“Sure,” he answered. Casually.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ph7Gva2y
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But that wasn’t enough for me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwaAsRLaJa
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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—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h8K9bfW1l
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvmkOocgVM
“You were, and you were better than I thought.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJL2hIe4Ww
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I blinked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6GC75GSQb
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“I am?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHNVq6qsXJ
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbgaImnCeV
“Are you tired of the repetition?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM8DUgV7L1
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbenpaVwK3F
“A little bit.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJaECteQg6
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“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtfdOimj4c
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“How about you then? Aren’t you getting tired?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Xi7Kuq7m
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My eyes met his eyes when I said that. And more details about him appeared in front of me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr4FBunR34
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XOrHqdkaO
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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp5h8XrVvz
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Dark but soft. Sharp but gentle.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6LC9LPOmn
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It was so strange. He was so strange.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVedCiK9QA7
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“No,” he said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWZ7E2jYKo
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Blunt.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoerVx6Fry
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I smiled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzhP2KRZiw
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3rxdIcUJm
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I stared at him again.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJryOSfQg1
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“How did you even think about teaching like that?” I asked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTvjImNLf
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“Because it’s the most efficient way to learn.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzu0cvxeMY
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“Is it?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkLA9RB5XP
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“Let me ask you some questions then. How do you learn to play the guitar?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCKaf01ou6
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I blinked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqxB2RvTKk
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“Practice?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF3SujtXuk
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“How do you learn to drive?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8weej042Hj
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“Umm… go to driving school? And also I guess practice.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2lLiUfPvM
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoK3MmDEMX
“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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb1s7fqKbk
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My eyes widened as I listened.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmrKzf7VkU
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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.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsUhrDfRCq
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjHBn22nGX
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QeAXHorij
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…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXVd34mnJ7
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2FVfrG7or
Strict… but honest…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVSkCccIx
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Cold… but thoughtful…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEJXawLQJa
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Precise… but generous…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxyh8WCe0H
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2zoCbmUx6
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UZ40iLILl
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“You really do like math, huh?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4SHHWtOpG
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“Not really.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4LkQkFX8s
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“Eh? Then… you hate it?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHzOdYfcED
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“No. I don’t particularly like or hate math. To me it’s just math.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nFD4UaAvR
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That was unexpected.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFicAYWEwN
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But kind of something I should have expected.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsp7M2d4tB
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I sat up properly this time but my eyes never left him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsL48wjGwr
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“Since when were you practicing this way, your way of learning?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN54A22jbZ
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“Since back when I was in elementary school.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU6PIqmYpE
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“I—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyt0EHHoto
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“Excuse me, here’s your order.” The waitress from before came back. “Pardon me, pardon me.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CyIs7wlzP
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVxuIIYE65
She put down the bowls of ramen from the tray she had been holding.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6dIhMUGp2
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“Chashu-men for the lady, and Tonkotsu ramen for you,” she said, and gave him a quick wink, then disappeared into the doorway.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC3TVuwzpu
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I pouted.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CDCJ0IyPC
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Why?30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo4pPY7XyN
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I unpouted my lips.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbboJleIyvJ
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“Let’s eat,” Kuroiwa said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxNKbKIGLp
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd4Q3k8ezD
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“It smells good.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl7V09h41u
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8h6JJNVAC
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I held on for a second as I tried to savor the taste.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrazFH2uJB0
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“Wow,” I said, “It’s delicious.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDQqs44wCq
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“It is,” Kuroiwa replied.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BCbKhNHCc
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Behind me some noise just exploded. I just let Kuroiwa enjoy his meal while I looked out of curiosity.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPOFSzyTD
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The chef was standing proud while the two other customers were clapping.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqsIAUqZFz
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I rolled my eyes. I felt like I just wasted my time.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKVI17CIOI
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Traitors…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3WfutyM4Y
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnmn5FHIRs
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7:45 pm.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WhWixMsbk
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmFhm54YMu
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I didn’t really want to lie… but…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOjHANYNfu
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I looked at Kuroiwa…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT1MEZKuV8
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Then my phone buzzed…30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NY8D8PbVj
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Mika called.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vmJ2zdvQu
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“Hello? Mika?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JHhF9qoL5
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“Runa, it’s late! And it’s almost an hour since I last called you. Where are you?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEQmn8pavm
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqaDbcf7qC
“We just finished eating, we’re still heading toward Kuroiwa-san’s apartment.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVRKIGNg8W
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“What!? You just ate?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalTg0W7gpf
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“Sorry.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP42vJ8zpF
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“So how much longer?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQiExtRNE0
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“About an hour more.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9NFe2CsK5
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“Shh, quiet Yui.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v8Q90Ob82
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I blinked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgAwlTIYJ1
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“Yui’s there?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPWnw14qzW
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“Yeah, I scolded her earlier but she is still trying…to… get… YUI!”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaMuP30Wiy
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“You okay?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrqGPssuou
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I giggled.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqF0pZz9dT
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“It’s not funny Ru— Fine, Yui you can extend us for another hour.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiJz6iGlwd
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBILf9PXshH
“Yay.” I finally heard Yui’s voice shouting in joy.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz1BpQCJKT
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I heard Mika sigh.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpg4mzBP4k
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“Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for another hour.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJW3XdE7vq
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“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lTYuBVwNv
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“Not really, I’m with friends and you’re with a stranger.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzq3juzfwB
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“Hmm… I don’t know.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ePdMNIrt
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“... Runa, it’s barely been a week since you started talking to him. He is still a stranger.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWmJjKiTST
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“Yeah, I guess.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF4Km6yqU1
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I laughed.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBSeeLbeX8
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“It’s not funny.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULVTMpP47j
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“I know.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWARg1riEIj
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Another sigh from Mika.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlLP9LUj8y
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklsefhpPyI
“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?”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60rsCSBEea
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“But—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3sEdRibeq
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“No buts, you don’t get a say in this.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLeBbIByEl
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“O—”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4PW3PQeAZ
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“And don’t you dare call me mom.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiFknVxtXQ
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“Alright.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsy1CRzaIy
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“Well then, message me.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6WlDDlgjf
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“Okay.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraS7y1hrKm
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“Bye.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiswbtIqUC6
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“Bye.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20fxsXDwBx
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The call ended.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtoIX4AXTH
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Stranger.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe7VX0sHaV
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I sat with that word for a moment.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLIeuTlCrQ
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTHjo8r8tn
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H7XDfCkxc
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He was closer.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhQSUEjnGx
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Just a few steps away.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWEDl50BiG
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I stared at his back while he walked. Slow, like always. Unhurried.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5QeCQABlJ
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At our pace, there were still four minutes left before we reached his apartment.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nzyv3teOA
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“Hey,” I said.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC2bWEZV6A
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He stopped and turned.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDyhWjj559
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“Walk with me,” I continued.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEZEqBU2rr
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He stared at me for a second. And gave me that look that I presumed was him asking for permission.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP9gLwguJP
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I smiled… internally.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh1o4Owh5H
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“It’s fine.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX7nnPQUzh
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“Okay.”30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm0dy5TvgO
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I walked toward him, beside him. Then he walked.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDZ9xMmk0h
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He matched my pace and I matched his.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1R3MqcLB2
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Until we were completely… in sync.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02dgPRAbLv
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfizouwDMZ
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And that’s enough.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9r2LmAXR2
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsMPkssAMO
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They don’t show a picture of him at all.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5BbRFF2LH
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Different.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQxnRaUW2W
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In many ways.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO25anwlPcL
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Similar in some ways.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdxblhpvEf
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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.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN0X8SA5pU
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If there is a struggle, then I start from the beginning.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzAWmGSv8j
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I wouldn’t fail. Even if his condition was ridiculous. He doesn’t even think about it. So I knew I wouldn’t fail.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XzwTaxoPY
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I knew he wouldn’t fail me.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXXA6RzMzT
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At school everybody avoided him. Out here he was the one avoiding.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o3X6mB9Tk
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The chef, the two customers… That waitress seemed fond of him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCDzRvcvmx
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And I want to know why. As I have been asking why.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wT5V1SGmh
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I thought about the waitress. How she casually talked to him, smiled at him, and even winked at him.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSul3uFBpnX
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I, on the other hand. Him, as well.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO8widttOx
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There was still distance between us while we walked back to his apartment.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLuxvG4XmO
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Two minutes left before we arrived.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGpSEFumM1
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And I started to wonder.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJvhaY0k4Z
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I wonder when my turn will come… to be familiar with him…
and then Add to home screen.