Friday. 6:48 pm.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSFobAEIDW
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvYZw5TZ4S
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN3AsszXNd
I was just reading.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmb1rskEuW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXJeGEZzjO
I was just solving.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKRAzJmIO3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYLNmt1dae
I was just listening.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvWROwhs2R
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But it was getting exhausting.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetZyoqf5KH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIlbGDxfpF
Mundane and familiar.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgUho0JLAf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsd65eZ70U
Familiar?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d6Uvx01bY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCGsuZnJHV
Yes, starting from the beginning every time I made a mistake, every time I asked, every time I struggled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl7bhsQqKs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRVR2NSdN3
Over and over and over and over and over.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC5JsyhRXa
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzk9UweWRz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATgMnIlr2z
I heard Kuroiwa close the notebooks he had.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpTLuamqOY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBVoxBQx8w
“Let’s take a break,” he said.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHXz5MQWao
Finally? Finally!130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkx8hlkD7j
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcSnW01DnP
I checked the clock automatically, hanging above the TV. Six forty-eight.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XCKNrYcAY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tUdVSiieZ
Was it this late already?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mA3ibOBTS
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I stared at it.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaFqbH9P4O
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I tried to move the longer clock hand backwards. With my eyes.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZbA4aZRU
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No. It did not move.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPVxBgedZx
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“It’s just a break?” I asked to confirm.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LWGg9bP6i
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t841sjOsl
“We still have at least one more to cover.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoGEUky2bw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVpz54x4xV
“But it’s late.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6XAaKM8s8
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He looked at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDMEZlebe3
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“You can go home if you want. But exams are in five days.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdJTO5Lg95
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssug9XfSLw
I opened my mouth.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjnD2SYLNI
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Seriously, this guy.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWso3je0CI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5tUriTAar
“Do I have a choice?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ4rM49YaA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2bl6G8X2b
“I just gave you one.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g5RY5ROeh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcteCuXwV4d
“How much longer?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMTaLqVKTR
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NyNt3wkS5
“About an hour more. It depends on you, though.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6smGKoPiUF
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt64mNA7NO
I heard a stomach grumble.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNufzIg64MF
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I checked myself for a second. It wasn’t me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsUmLsX7l8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSPxtNp5cZ
I looked at him. He stared at me. Seriously. Stern. Unbothered.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjiWgMVz8s
Was it him?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrTQtGhv2t
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlOdKdxcyA
“Let’s go eat,” he said as he stood up. “Rest there for five minutes, I know a ramen shop nearby.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zLEeJZlrE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72B8EPVxcD
So it was him. I muffled a laugh and turned my head briefly so he wouldn’t see.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl9rfBlXAH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5mP6fV22y
I saw him head straight toward the door as he moved. Maybe toward his room. But I noticed he kept his distance.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepqAG0xgs8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn91dP6Ks0v
I heard my phone buzz inside my bag. I carefully searched for it.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPdsdHt5Uu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V81MBtZlY
It was Mika, calling.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVil3bgqasM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNNlcnFU6g
“Hello, Mika?” I answered.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJC9HVLz7T
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EpTWlhSBG
“Runa, are you going back home now?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel1B2FgEZW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZiO3WZtiy
“Umm… not yet, he said we still need an hour more.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm11I3t6ei
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSSSbWToP
“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?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd0MYP5uDb
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL3eMFosDF
“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something inappropriate, we’re just studying.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVplqWnZa2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr3pwejarH
“Uh, hello, it’s common sense.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVuvvXpEb9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMVT0dL55H
“It’s also common sense not to jump to any conclusions.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgps2FL6Fk
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVaMnpdIcS
“Your mom would not acknowledge such common sense.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjdMQNZP2g
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxUp501wIS
… She was right.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMbtUiFxi8
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“Fine, but don’t be too late. I’ll wait for you at the station later,” she continued.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJcNKAA6th
“You don’t have t—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh57uovXVad
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC4WcKxfkG
“I have to and you don’t have a say in it.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPtDcJgevx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5BFJiEops
“Okay, mom.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZNdBN6XVE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YYdZB0WIa
“Stop calling me that…”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0ibaYgBw6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEpXCzMH0a
I smiled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWjN4X8P5A
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JNsZcqcpX
“By the way, where are you right now?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw5xN5cOM2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9SJG7je29
“We’re at a karaoke box.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguOeqFUXg3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lzz9Jhhgw
“Eh!? Really? Aw, I would’ve come too!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOz9mmsgdi
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27Q1Dbz4Yv
“And ignore studying?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVyzKANEaK
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGanc4tQWXM
“...No.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFUcfr00hN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ZVMHZ7ZB
“Besides, we’re mostly just studying here too, me and Hina at least. Yui sings from time to time.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiASeOyTRA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLRgYRMPtA
“How did you get there? I thought you went home after I left.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy3l3ksdlX
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yPJkWdQAY
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6YpRZ0Fqu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvd6940kqJ
“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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpwVywPwAm
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZnHhrlKng
“Hey don’t—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIi077h9gA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrWuJeT5NJ
“Give me, I want to talk to her too.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4RBp1jn5H
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjZPxbh1nY
“Stop, you’ll drop it—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo2lZAETgS
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQg3TTc8lr
“Just for a second!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRyqyQTNZE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoVx4tBesZ
“Give it back.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1gIWStOY9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mvHg60i8q
“Hello~” Yui was the one on the phone now. I guess she won. “So how was your date?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxtUzgnVhc
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLU9peN1Nb
“I want my phone back if you are just going to say ridiculous stuff like that.” Mika protested.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEjwW7G2E0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9yHgjnIL8
“Oookay,” Yui said reluctantly, “so how is your STUDY… SESSION.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPSh1jvrkg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaTnQIl7ZM
“Fine,” I replied. Although it did not start fine, she didn’t need to know.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDjljDZGD0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFAi09VMys
“So how long are you still going to be there?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OMXPMkOic
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“About an hour.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPPqiWJ72R
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpLQJzZOlq
“Oh, so it means we’re going to have to extend for another hour!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcUAvShawY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHrUSnz5O5
“Give me my phone!” Mika’s voice sounded faint but I was still able to hear her.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLso9BEcnZ0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqZg07fGNZ
“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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMgH1eU1tI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LYSdpZwMs
“Hey! Give me back my phone!” Mika’s voice faded from the phone.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkFavxJu56
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuGOqEF2Ur
The call was cut off abruptly. Then, after five seconds, my phone rang again.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ZOiHN26f
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu9k46MmDH
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG7ColGaJm
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“Okay.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeSHkgUjml
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“Message me when you’re about to go home, okay?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh31jbH4Lw
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“Okay.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZF9jHHMNl
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjXff66D20
“I’ll wait for you at the station, then we walk home together.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HXph3RXC
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bsMAeLkZ
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwmc51shrm
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“Don’t you dare.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg1Ouy5Ccg
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I giggled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e2GvrHoE6
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“Alright, bye.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L7ic7gVD5
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“Bye.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93juzIMWnJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVacQkAgwu
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2nVvatAxK
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOkdCOeoTg
It was Kuroiwa staring at me. I stepped back a little.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BsgmK8iCJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZpqARHkPF
“Why are you standing there?” I asked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv1uxRs0r0
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“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqgPjPzSDU
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You could’ve at least announced your existence, you know.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObzcgPSBdy
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“Anyway, it’s been five minutes. We should go,” he continued.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Us0qACU08
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I immediately wanted to check my wallet if I still had enough cash left.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOZW7UNxSB
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM67Fkk9h8
“Don’t worry,” Kuroiwa said. “I’ll pay for it.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHYd86RSm
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I blinked at him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDusTqfqM5
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“You don’t need to do that.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdscpplV8q2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHEEv6Rcfe
“You’re in my care at the moment, so I have to take responsibility for feeding you.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJL7hpTqxg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VBkgyOCI6
I blinked twice. My eyebrow lifted up.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS3g9obM7x
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDbwrmCwAm
Did he think I was his pet?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiR6hLczos
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1sC2oprf5
“Fine,” I said, “but don’t complain if I ordered something expensive.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kmtc5G6Ld
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He nodded.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t97qLcfHx
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Really? Is it really okay?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiMZidDajw
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“Let’s go,” he said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vj3QghskJ
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSKDRQ425z
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I took a few more steps then I heard him finally walking behind me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62xSTdjoSs
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN0FLYHBAz
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7:02 pm130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcoYfBSr5K
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60O7cAg37D
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKzGmher93
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoQ3a4FsXi
The ramen shop was only a few steps away now. And Kuroiwa had been walking behind me. Far behind me the whole time.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hDXf3St8Y
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjSJuoAq1y
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpjsShP5jP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7ws0U9jSS
I stopped. Three seconds… ten seconds… twenty-two seconds…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh9NQEyBik
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxwdRmYbxj
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wZOdQ88kc
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuN5rEUkXq
I composed myself. I tried.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMjKE81GJE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEV05aTEYF
“Shouldn’t you be walking in front of me?” I said with my voice raised a little to make sure he heard me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jy7p2MexM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAhUIOa9W2
He stared for a moment.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSEZbQTSds
“Sure,” he said and began walking. Slow.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKB36L3rsj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85HXf2DGiE
Why!?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsrmLpjfsH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnQC05gPbX
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvtBplvcXM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G5qr4dSCv
And there you go. He was in front of me. This is better than him walking behind me with that weird amount of distance.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49svjwVXXn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHHvrOvim9
That was creepy, but I should’ve expected it.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5k1xFKeO1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgiXTrju5O
I let out a long breath.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAmMjlPkMn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUB9PIWEBJ
“So that’s what it feels like to have a stalker,” I muttered to myself.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnaV7mHxET
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGXJyvy3L
Finally, we entered the ramen shop.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJDaBcLIHi
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSbjmUOOev
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvlL5jDAO3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1NsfSOq9O
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXJ1GfvdML
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPUgPf9xdA
A faint aroma suddenly hit my nose. It smelled so good that my stomach finally noticed its hunger.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzJhYUkUnB
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo91npFocxs
I looked around.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXix279oeAa
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtclkvSItDN
The place seemed empty. And I didn’t see anyone by the counter.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7FwJI8xlT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa10Lg76zDZ
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?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfdyVCGOpj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapbyVLr4Xr
“This place is mostly not crowded during this hour,” Kuroiwa said, “they have more customers during the day.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt8wR2NJ3Q
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBOyGh5ui9
I see…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgOo9MscjT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeMKP41wEV
He led me toward the table.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1EvGA21TV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7kLV5hZUQ
He stopped at the third table from the entrance and then looked at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrYV6tL9Jg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cxcS5TM8A
“Sit here.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORoPa4xmgO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylhPcw3O7w
“Okay.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhCUE0hKz5
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aHzgwHilG
I sat down and gently slid myself toward the corner. Then he kept walking.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFAvFaqIFz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsejHfudnsh
I watched him. My eyes widened.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDW1Yf32Ry
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kv65WZK5A
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6MI53G9nr
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvmjQ8gl7W
Between us. Two tables. And a pinch of awkwardness.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAx24FBb7R
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi55LZJV6uu
My hands covered my face. I placed them on the table along with my head. And then I started shouting internally.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o1YzkIxno
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHg165iGvp
Why!?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZnEi8sMol
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UXfhWVxqo
I waited for a few moments and then I slowly lifted my head. I looked at him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgPY78wp1y
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YjkZiNCwd
Him. Eyes. Windows.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiENt3UCAVw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMMxZcO9JZ
Ugh…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyvJGM47ci
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MLLOGXSPv
I hated this…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPlykMl3Gg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bhBNtD4SP
This felt too awkward…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0iGkI3UKg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDvp5ipQAq
I hurriedly slid myself out, stood up, walked, and sat in the seat across from him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jR5DOLbQ6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ7ZF69kTX
“One table is enough,” I said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq0i0F98eu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEiWLhA7s
His eyes turned to me, taking his time.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02PexuXWu4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ism991Lw3
“What?” he replied.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnR5PI6tfU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3alDWuFapF
“Nothing... but one table is enough.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXLNB7qLeV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOecPxw6O7
He looked up for a second.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kaNwRBR7g
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbpmjjk6ka
“Sure,” he said and continued to stare at the windows again.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2prOnaVMX
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7G7gAyone
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1rkzAZIr8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvrWa8fce3
Hmm?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL90qcDuT1E
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gwoj0kfXO
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mkAHjEhVO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqrSkNgzr1
“Yes, dad!” The reply came from the other side of the doorway beside Kuroiwa.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rmP0LjNsL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNwKznAPUQ
Then a girl appeared from it. She was holding a menu.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtIwRvTuT4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaMUa035Qg
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..130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfMMNhXkuy
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoexgcyERDj
I wasn’t really envious. It was just that this girl standing beside us was really pretty.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3TcRuraaQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0clah1QbhT
“Here’s the menu,” she said, her voice gentle.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaF5qjNRib
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSexEKdyph
She turned toward Kuroiwa.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqpU84GBdI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7fneRsyup
“The usual?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiEmHjuPwT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXJ051E6w1
He nodded.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFRLmFADf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8pp9vKDiy
I stared at them for a bit, and then she stared back at me with a smile.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzcCO6VZ6s
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hrysT0cs
I gripped the menu and snapped my eyes back to it. Right, I needed to order as well.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNFea9e6Re
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGF27It7ch
But wait. She looked into his eyes earlier. And she was standing near him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaBheTSh8c
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIorbwLkCe0
Before I could finish my thought, I heard her.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP2YmY2Kvf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBByNp1Dqt
“Your order?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWAI8Aew5Q
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C4AXiEMiK
“S-sorry, I haven’t decided yet.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo43CwE2Xx2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN8F7sfIRn
“Take your time.” She smiled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjzkvBGc0A
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFmhiRLHYV
I took a short breath. Okay, I have to focus.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwViWqkULg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB7eVTbh1k
…If I remember correctly, he was fine with me buying something more expensive.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTkXwO4gsQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnQwPxbkZF
Alright… this is payback.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxDR5E1DVo
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm06anQRBgX
“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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvg5w1Me38
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4gi87IAjo
“Good,” he said, “eating a lot is good for the brain.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0k406OoCQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZidn9Tx28d
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLZpVQgiYg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQtRIRl4G7
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPBoeTUXGK
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnEUScPJuP
Eating a lot.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3IOJ1MuJh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvxyzs4w9P
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6ExhHCDmy
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S7UV4JDYy
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXofu3yNz8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hy0fHo3gj
When he says it like that… then…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8uxo3AFV5
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h0SxcQ7XC
“Is that all?” the girl said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fBslx2eUN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCzI8t4eXa
“Um, sorry, I’d like to take back the extra chashu and no more dumplings on the side, thanks.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQw9fFYSau
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJS0KbU7oP
“Okay, so a bowl of Chashu-men for you." She looked at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqsV5Gcg1L
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRr2xriPta
“Yes,” I replied to her eyes.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe24LhPkVI1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgG8p4yBwf
"And the usual for you." She looked at Kuroiwa.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLZ1LkaXsg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7PYTty50X
He nodded.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6yZmr4BUZ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPqwBtmPtZ
“Then just wait here for your order. Thank you.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGpismdUoy
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEMm1OByHw
She smiled, then disappeared by the doorway beside our table.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzQPkjrGyl
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRRA6OXBKH
And it seemed like Kuroiwa went back to watching the windows again.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPMlKgQUSn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsozJC183Ht
What’s so special about those windows?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAHARzCsgQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdDnA1Fe11
I turned my head to look at them too. I mean, what do I do at this point?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXFQpOqjIC
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T0NAVPwS6
Then the man at the counter almost shouted.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxB6UJ6rGa
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3mJtCV8t
“Akehiko! Yama-san!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb5cZ6mzDN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuEWWbON8l
I looked in his direction. He was now wearing a chef's hat.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDrTxupF4Y
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO81rl12vh
I tilted my head slightly.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXSXOCnHXI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiVGyGm04n
But he wasn’t before.Maybe he is the chef too? Not just the owner.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY3dmBfYSM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaWZ7tEwiX
I followed the chef with my gaze. And when he reached the other end of the counter, there I saw two middle-aged men.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9L2sDlsui
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vF9KdtUnu
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagGBeDDamT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ2sKdFe9H
“This place can be loud sometimes,” Kuroiwa suddenly said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuigqCwZMA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC0Eue85fw
“Haah! What did you say there, punk!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR41NeYsVma
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR6kYC0eKH
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQdm9twmb6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cPI6V4pxs
“Say that again!” This time I knew who said it. It was the man in a suit but with no tie.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fNI3Euejf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5JI73Wzek
I held my breath.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NwuDAMygO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ902g1jvLKu
That shout was definitely for Kuroiwa. Why did he have to offend some adults instead of just staying quiet!?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotsDyNvVoA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfvuqQvLg3
I turned my eyes to him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaN21eMn2X
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bHzw08TNn
Windows.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf7eY3gM6d
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGa5noc4q0
Why!?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR52NEskbWt
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzk10wuiuL
My head snapped back towards the other customers.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCdryvC9vT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BYZGepilM
“Damn, I didn’t get his attention this time,” the man with no tie said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIOa7Zxieh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofwyrzFQZ2
“Well, better luck next time,” the man wearing glasses consoled him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCyBTk4nce
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp0Lf4w8MU
“Haha! I’ve tried for weeks but he just loves the look of my windows.” The man behind the counter laughed at him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDge6RZUgW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrfVT3KoJp
…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCLYfkSvaD
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXT8HGy8vD
My face went blank.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFpIKoLCYJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCPj7NwuFA
What is going on?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIJcMJWVHN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l24w7UjJJ
The atmosphere was getting awkward, so I tried to talk to Kuroiwa.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwotozcwNO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zRUxbeGjv
“Do you come here often?” I asked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNWmdkGFD9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQP1hkfM5K
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1hnll40Fw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3zz9EXeQI
Oh no. Did I just ask the wrong question?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBxcrS7ZJ7
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvydMaxAtDk
“Say that again, you punk!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdjBdrahqV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuyNAR0tPt
I did, just ask the wrong question.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaIZlDvQPI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtXUEECUGb
Sigh.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VbqqtXlvL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgrqxzFIIB
This time I could tell by the voice that it came from the chef.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKZdqGVUD3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonQISwhYRa
Kuroiwa?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0rdzdTOMU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOXqXG9p3
Windows.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g2qiQpXfs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyybagTJDnz
Of course…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvlBP8VIdH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBf0VXeh1n
“Well, better luck next time?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekHsbq4WUY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09XKDVNEhZ
“Hah! Serves you right.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYXD57j32h
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zINtnlaRy
The one who consoled the chef was the man wearing glasses, and the man with no tie laughed.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KAjC1Quu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63fdlJF14p
Both my hands met my face. This was stressing me out.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr8dFzXoQ0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpeAQg1ztL
Did they really want his attention that much?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE44GC5Gf62
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkCd7jmqD3
“Kuroiwa… san…” I called him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G5L3oACou
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MJoaVGeds
He turned to me and stared at me for a second.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tusihIYZ8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZry8uureIL
“Did you not notice at all?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Jnrh4Ryx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZd2wHuOT5
“About?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73k3jihyi0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVN1lKdqvJ
“Those guys at the counter.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24IPpLIbGz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1JGqnjQSp
“Why?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJOpEzNlZU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckWfXZeW7W
“It seemed like they were trying to talk to you.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lVc6GUs9I
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnyq8ZBud6
“Really?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7SaYcaRw6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1io8FaZEn1
We both looked in the direction where the chef and the other two customers were.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNwfJgptdY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WMCPauHVN
The chef… whistled while looking at the ceiling.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJuJCknqTD
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAqEvsAoQU
The man wearing glasses… held the menu upside down while reading it.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCFG9kO18T
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The man with no tie… was… nowhere to be found.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evtFtBZKZ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsty0VHhd4u
“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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy4NS2fk2O
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This is ridiculous!130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Se7QtqXo
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A few seconds later, I heard them laugh from behind me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uocsKRxvw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlrDPexI2h
I looked at them. Stared at them menacingly. As menacing as I could get.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JuYsSSD3e
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They flinched and stopped laughing.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3csxOTH7C4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRicjUErYl
Traitors.
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnjHIMELia
Hmph!130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70JOkB6dFy
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP0AsJTnTA
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuyespfUy4
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Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxMxxTKjWy
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“Our order is taking a bit longer than usual,” Kuroiwa said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMXGfIE3H4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj2PHtdybz
“Oi, Matsuda. Their orders.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Eb6m5bjP4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAqmaygP08
“Oh yeah!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnJGiIgizf
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I didn’t even bother to look at who said what at that point. I didn’t care.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Q5dB908W
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHcBD49WSK
I opened my eyes. And stared at Kuroiwa looking at his beloved windows for a second.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJSeNqqUS0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXzm8NuQWy
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OUvhWHXJ3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ705FLooE4v
Back in his apartment, there was still a lot of work to be done.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gcwDbpLHz
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“Hey,” I said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkMIGU8DA4
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He looked at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa9r61jU3m
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“Do you really think I can pass the midterms?” I asked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT1vJHLZEv
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“Sure,” he answered. Casually.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTyM7pr3op
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But that wasn’t enough for me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPeFfQAL3H
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxrtPiiPEV
“All we’ve been doing was just starting from the beginning over and over. It’s true that somehow I am making progress, but—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwwojzdGHu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXkiSx12wk
“You were, and you were better than I thought.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7iYnIYOh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yMZcF4K4i
I blinked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERsf6Xn98I
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBALwyqOjx
“I am?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnMWPIxMgT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCAL1bd7E8
“Are you tired of the repetition?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ0mh5vhVd
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGEerGeLmv
“A little bit.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJWH1XF7mc
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhaZvNP6X0
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YFn8qni4k
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ3ryc0ZIn
“How about you then? Aren’t you getting tired?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJkCxtkMf4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUVWrccTM2
My eyes met his eyes when I said that. And more details about him appeared in front of me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvanjEwUDb
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNVNQWnfZ
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09iwWAK9OJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kmnCOsEDH
Dark but soft. Sharp but gentle.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzm2RAR6QF
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It was so strange. He was so strange.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRXlyvj9io
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“No,” he said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42CqQRTUSg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI9QgvK5xI
Blunt.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXwVTkTOX8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp0URBX5IN
I smiled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9FbQDtgGR
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaLHhGpM9I
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtpXoQjDKT
I stared at him again.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMxu5SkVg9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdU6eUHoAq
“How did you even think about teaching like that?” I asked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcONam1KCIL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzT2WMczHb
“Because it’s the most efficient way to learn.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ167A4mWqHn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3CGXH6Q0S
“Is it?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkyzqnBpU1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmZy4WXjMP
“Let me ask you some questions then. How do you learn to play the guitar?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZX0hFVmzG
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T1J74QNJO
I blinked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdVGrGQ7MJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoAUxMLFAb
“Practice?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJTCEWX9pA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cBgmYG1x4
“How do you learn to drive?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CeQCTwm0c
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzhEHb56hY
“Umm… go to driving school? And also I guess practice.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWk5HV7Dqq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UGI2PiHkl
“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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqfziItRmK
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjyjhsboHO
My eyes widened as I listened.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡholErExtN3
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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.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUFFUrKXs6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIBNAlQc5l
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUGF0gW27W
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgagTLEB9KT
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…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfCyOiG1Bo
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCsZnmcsgC
Strict… but honest…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB9239RZon
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl62qpZZg2
Cold… but thoughtful…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRiUmuOMZF
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWiqZjhrYL
Precise… but generous…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB7MWGgvmQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovBhVtGbrF
I had asked myself why multiple times since we started this break. Maybe this is why. Maybe this is the answer.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYYxZwjhds
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8FA5T8c3n
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ALmbv968
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVq2UoyWle
“You really do like math, huh?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA7Hg6zzg4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sqQZ5gtfs
“Not really.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkri7jGu35b
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ0p0cWtRU
“Eh? Then… you hate it?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KKdS92t8F
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpmxwBQDr8
“No. I don’t particularly like or hate math. To me it’s just math.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqU8f0oxLf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFWbDDmjsF
That was unexpected.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBXEEKIHMU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YyNAjsflw
But kind of something I should have expected.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR1Q37Q2tz
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I sat up properly this time but my eyes never left him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTnf2ffE4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbXdQmCTWQ
“Since when were you practicing this way, your way of learning?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AlBtJ3mU7
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsARGRyjXLT
“Since back when I was in elementary school.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJcS4TnZhc
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEZIsryQC2
“I—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaKNqiTqE4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEbFPZkyFK
“Excuse me, here’s your order.” The waitress from before came back. “Pardon me, pardon me.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiNgf1ZzKk
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa8RjBiwcZ
She put down the bowls of ramen from the tray she had been holding.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9fGYVdkJa
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FP5zR2FGh
“Chashu-men for the lady, and Tonkotsu ramen for you,” she said, and gave him a quick wink, then disappeared into the doorway.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrSjxxvIr0
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdG5tGpj3H
I pouted.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOygHNfsTo
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJCxVGUKu6
Why?130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SVBL2YJRh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4z7YQJ1yw
I unpouted my lips.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfW3LY8FzP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhnp5sUfNA
“Let’s eat,” Kuroiwa said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYPxlh8b2I
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcgikzkGAj
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0MMyadKne
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaI86wmhPh
“It smells good.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfRB0rmtOP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QIsbMV0Yp
I held the ramen spoon, scooped some broth from the bowl, blew on it a few times, and then took a sip.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDPDScDUxP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7PpckRrNE
I held on for a second as I tried to savor the taste.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufDsvmz63o
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0qRL5a2dj
“Wow,” I said, “It’s delicious.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mOLmh1Vi4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCGCcHbjMS
“It is,” Kuroiwa replied.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7iYFDW7CR
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6etrVD0PM
Behind me some noise just exploded. I just let Kuroiwa enjoy his meal while I looked out of curiosity.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErM0ydBRNg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZIW7WvIl6
The chef was standing proud while the two other customers were clapping.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWPp1mAQZS
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX8NxGHHPm
I rolled my eyes. I felt like I just wasted my time.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOtOaxOokQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lOqIFZuLR
Traitors…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6wEPI1RMA
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAalrMHz1Np
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7:45 pm.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFX0wSRh69
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXVYT7fwVf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw4hCXvp6c
I didn’t really want to lie… but…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gx56PxJu1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaB5rwgnxz
I looked at Kuroiwa…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ssPZvtY6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QK9eO6hSj
Then my phone buzzed…130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxyU48l92B
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4eW2vdtmh
Mika called.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnf7fe6ubu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb7H70b35U
“Hello? Mika?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDMbTd9qyq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCkP9TQAk1
“Runa, it’s late! And it’s almost an hour since I last called you. Where are you?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFViGy6gt6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqpG7xNx18
“We just finished eating, we’re still heading toward Kuroiwa-san’s apartment.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYhhQF9OJ4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CKRjxbwrM
“What!? You just ate?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhH1gm1DFh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd53avtsHoP
“Sorry.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lUKNd5NQl
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pN3fvgzhz
“So how much longer?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9zK3CnMf8
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“About an hour more.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwgcCbZPDn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfBG01CAwn
“Shh, quiet Yui.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsN7P8jQiE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxm2XppKkx
I blinked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zuCq9hRo1
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“Yui’s there?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPgrVxHwki
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPvMvw0fIT
“Yeah, I scolded her earlier but she is still trying…to… get… YUI!”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkC7rEncWm
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4glZp3llFn
“You okay?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpgjKp7jRg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXHtItEgOE
I giggled.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb7SzhlsM3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg860AIJLKI
“It’s not funny Ru— Fine, Yui you can extend us for another hour.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhup2F0jHX
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGLkVtdkVK
“Yay.” I finally heard Yui’s voice shouting in joy.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw41paYZpxj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVJN1n2Ajg
I heard Mika sigh.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJUbu7HpRu
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“Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for another hour.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYmmE1uMIY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrXS7tR53n
“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpLpxB8jnf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHvpgaLy3M
“Not really, I’m with friends and you’re with a stranger.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug4NR8vwMv
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dqajsRwPJ
“Hmm… I don’t know.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2TF9lhdqT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBm9LB0xK2
“... Runa, it’s barely been a week since you started talking to him. He is still a stranger.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoBD5rdxEV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh1RjtAsiZ
“Yeah, I guess.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwUvm6ULx3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH6twUUIul
I laughed.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLRIKSvupz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEkO4mOScR
“It’s not funny.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrGmNj7C8k
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bMUMiuh3w
“I know.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPz9yCFBCH
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Another sigh from Mika.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIGi7iwen1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR5EF0jDzb
“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?”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGgyBaIWWW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P78Mu6aIL
“But—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHIKbLe1I4
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewsk7mL1YO
“No buts, you don’t get a say in this.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5zGoWI575
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIvMsu7W4z
“O—”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyCK3HuGAL
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“And don’t you dare call me mom.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSMhrLFDV6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW2jDvU1di
“Alright.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyyoKPtsVL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qFdOLfqze
“Well then, message me.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs6aeNOYdR
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“Okay.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXulfZElbF
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ043PLzVlNy
“Bye.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLndUfhQWm2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDDhz3hnK1
“Bye.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiSNTKTf2Q
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTsVKrACIO
The call ended.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkprHUbH0sR
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Stranger.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbK50ytkig
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRlExVq0mg
I sat with that word for a moment.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡautB302ZZf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMauVzwsQk
Technically, Mika was right. And I guess it was just not technical. I really didn’t know anything about this strange guy.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsC3KZQiTn
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHbDlY5BTg
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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHSX295aoJ
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He was closer.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH65o3GTei
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Just a few steps away.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZhYYVDf9f
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I stared at his back while he walked. Slow, like always. Unhurried.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTARYWy7Uvo
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfsp7MYH1l
At our pace, there were still four minutes left before we reached his apartment.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfSjKsYPFu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBTEuF4LMG
“Hey,” I said.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1PPowDbck
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He stopped and turned.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxGh1n4Tdz
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“Walk with me,” I continued.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBU2oq2U2p
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He stared at me for a second. And gave me that look that I presumed was him asking for permission.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ycol69uL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSRGyj4b1l
I smiled… internally.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKjNkP2WX
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“It’s fine.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV7HTwjJrK
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“Okay.”130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa0XNnRWwi
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I walked toward him, beside him. Then he walked.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmRX1I4HGL
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He matched my pace and I matched his.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiBX5sZDFI
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Until we were completely… in sync.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4flhpZ2ije
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVUwNGcmEY
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And that’s enough.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZQKeNLAZj
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidGPbeQY32
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They don’t show a picture of him at all.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm0ID5m6h8
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Different.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYTzemKo6E
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In many ways.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRY4uPBKEb
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Similar in some ways.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwOUOWGipa
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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.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuQbf3IikC
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If there is a struggle, then I start from the beginning.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZy003Zh8E
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5xR0G2RMC
I wouldn’t fail. Even if his condition was ridiculous. He doesn’t even think about it. So I knew I wouldn’t fail.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYmiNCp83b
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I knew he wouldn’t fail me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ424ZP9inL
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At school everybody avoided him. Out here he was the one avoiding.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAne9cLCJn
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The chef, the two customers… That waitress seemed fond of him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8NhPdNcy4
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And I want to know why. As I have been asking why.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dgWthU7mA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV9JKFFrUZ
I thought about the waitress. How she casually talked to him, smiled at him, and even winked at him.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ694ivBoN1M
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatzcX3yd6O
I, on the other hand. Him, as well.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaL6RfraJr
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FtSOjGpEb
There was still distance between us while we walked back to his apartment.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8stge9yoB
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Two minutes left before we arrived.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQgsl0JeG4
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And I started to wonder.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UiI5OAsv
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcnz2SAuez
I wonder when my turn will come… to be familiar with him…
and then Add to home screen.