Friday. 6:48 pm.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRihu9Ofc5w
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHclVDWNx6
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeXgXQpbRH
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I was just reading.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp3YLuRdsN
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I was just solving.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbragTNNizq
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I was just listening.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKGGyRJfQj
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But it was getting exhausting.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutZNty2pxg
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Mundane and familiar.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nEggLXoyx
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Familiar?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4oAN5k92z
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Yes, starting from the beginning every time I made a mistake, every time I asked, every time I struggled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM0uRHOR1W
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnPf7YY38T
Over and over and over and over and over.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GbAxMOUVp
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap0GshlfuR
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I heard Kuroiwa close the notebooks he had.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw7xiCIUbl
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“Let’s take a break,” he said.1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCTGQhDJcU 尼

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Finally? Finally!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHViNS4CVwo
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I checked the clock automatically, hanging above the TV. Six forty-eight.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjHq5ACPjy
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Was it this late already?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqO8Ih9FJc
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I stared at it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXugVryKmpK
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I tried to move the longer clock hand backwards. With my eyes.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahct4ViKUA
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No. It did not move.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7QyoRcdBq
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“It’s just a break?” I asked to confirm.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKnT5VgfJx
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“We still have at least one more to cover.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQi0yB9Pms
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“But it’s late.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKemVHy0Ul
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He looked at me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQneqHYt15G
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“You can go home if you want. But exams are in five days.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5HgYHcgfJ
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I opened my mouth.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajxZyPNlzI
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Seriously, this guy.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NDTlDp5I
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“Do I have a choice?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbH3kTZfXh
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“I just gave you one.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHaX2ozMNA
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“How much longer?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapxPKPIfU6
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“About an hour more. It depends on you, though.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMraB9FZPzn
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I heard a stomach grumble.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXSEUPhZTN
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I checked myself for a second. It wasn’t me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwfdg1Tt6u
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I looked at him. He stared at me. Seriously. Stern. Unbothered.1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm3TyHQT8c 尼

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Was it him?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSb6B1VIlm
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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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8DDZbWWSm
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So it was him. I muffled a laugh and turned my head briefly so he wouldn’t see.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5jKiL4Skj
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF24Xq6Hq2h
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I heard my phone buzz inside my bag. I carefully searched for it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZalQkfJX1Q
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebCjq0DDJP
It was Mika, calling.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREueQ4MPrB
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“Hello, Mika?” I answered.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNirWMc0mml
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“Runa, are you going back home now?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjKx0Xc6P
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmMzCODjZW
“Umm… not yet, he said we still need an hour more.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuSaCm5s6L
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhHNIGmBp4
“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?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiolVfQEnp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU1LCEV4Ct
“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something inappropriate, we’re just studying.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLDYTNTgbB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWl8vvyWWM
“Uh, hello, it’s common sense.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2WgukZx12
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“It’s also common sense not to jump to any conclusions.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oT77nmzNg
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“Your mom would not acknowledge such common sense.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCuIsHI6EQ
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… She was right.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT1nhJ0aod
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“Fine, but don’t be too late. I’ll wait for you at the station later,” she continued.1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyx782jzCl 尼

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“You don’t have t—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcYuQ8h1uh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU28ldCvnw
“I have to and you don’t have a say in it.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl4QSgsScA
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“Okay, mom.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosa7rj6lqi
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“Stop calling me that…”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJKfIl5J1y
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I smiled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJeZnhJQUY
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“By the way, where are you right now?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKaGAMFUOZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ145Is1DfVJ
“We’re at a karaoke box.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS19Yque7bd
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J2alhDlLy
“Eh!? Really? Aw, I would’ve come too!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbAKEgTS56
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNjk8vX5iR
“And ignore studying?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo3dLI2X4h
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“...No.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWiBfxqTxz
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“Besides, we’re mostly just studying here too, me and Hina at least. Yui sings from time to time.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN4M9XaXCI
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5gEdK2h4t
“How did you get there? I thought you went home after I left.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ezKbOnQ66
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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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavXl0BeUJL
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xVdxZ5BnN
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“Hey don’t—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVONHSeUG2
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“Give me, I want to talk to her too.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGVP8ODuTm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSHAguz45W
“Stop, you’ll drop it—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd95HarlSS0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdQ37kB4P5
“Just for a second!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA8K7v4qFO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVtQzzNKDB
“Give it back.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAUQVImJt7
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4kYlbnkrq
“Hello~” Yui was the one on the phone now. I guess she won. “So how was your date?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KezTP62lb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bPV9ZtfPv
“I want my phone back if you are just going to say ridiculous stuff like that.” Mika protested.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkxc9IjZDO
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“Oookay,” Yui said reluctantly, “so how is your STUDY… SESSION.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKM5k9wgkW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIwMRBFE1X
“Fine,” I replied. Although it did not start fine, she didn’t need to know.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ENeZPpqtb
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“So how long are you still going to be there?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb7ywpUBXf
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“About an hour.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJN4m4MY8r
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“Oh, so it means we’re going to have to extend for another hour!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUI0lCwcWQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGkK6nAytp
“Give me my phone!” Mika’s voice sounded faint but I was still able to hear her.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFfgPHj30P
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiw0suZLHQ
“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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJCtPWDmk0
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“Hey! Give me back my phone!” Mika’s voice faded from the phone.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCbqZZTM15
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The call was cut off abruptly. Then, after five seconds, my phone rang again.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ959RX21pBD
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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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Vxypd0l2
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“Okay.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBNVeJu1Tz
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“Message me when you’re about to go home, okay?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NqiIexz3
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“Okay.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHAQXa00kY
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“I’ll wait for you at the station, then we walk home together.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVKJJNWqIR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx1YEvc7uj
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2nQbwehX5
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“Don’t you dare.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvbp0p6pty
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I giggled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebnM1VtLuV
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“Alright, bye.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dqurwntcP
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“Bye.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOpIEu4P8b
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27Cb7gyQ8t
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It was Kuroiwa staring at me. I stepped back a little.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1hcGu53NY
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“Why are you standing there?” I asked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdLRBGDiEz
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“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo3N1FccdF
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You could’ve at least announced your existence, you know.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IrIX7UC0q
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“Anyway, it’s been five minutes. We should go,” he continued.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk20pezFvoH
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I immediately wanted to check my wallet if I still had enough cash left.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w1u0NikOA
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“Don’t worry,” Kuroiwa said. “I’ll pay for it.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUiHBjcPT7
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I blinked at him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQw6XwxcZv
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“You don’t need to do that.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkjhBnphB8
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“You’re in my care at the moment, so I have to take responsibility for feeding you.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRmaL6ev2W
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I blinked twice. My eyebrow lifted up.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sgM4Gsy1e
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Did he think I was his pet?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKCV6L41RF
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“Fine,” I said, “but don’t complain if I ordered something expensive.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXEaRSUt9P
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He nodded.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9nsSDBfZc
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Really? Is it really okay?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ig7mt1H6k
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“Let’s go,” he said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrdMO5qehl
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE0hZAzmFf
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I took a few more steps then I heard him finally walking behind me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0lgBzNbJz
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHg8hCotFp
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7:02 pm65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb82bYxeW1
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd23dSF978
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMG7jkwnZ0
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYr6xF9B4w
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I stopped. Three seconds… ten seconds… twenty-two seconds…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusoV4nphFH
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSSRmKcVAy
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I composed myself. I tried.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYUsMaB7Db
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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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDJm0aATrq
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He stared for a moment.1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FLInsXcBP 尼

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“Sure,” he said and began walking. Slow.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C8AUz0U2E
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Why!?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ypuqTDVfV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfQ63BN6Tm
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGPlBsRRQQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ5WdYHXxI
And there you go. He was in front of me. This is better than him walking behind me with that weird amount of distance.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSXVUMNxrO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpBECzqpPP
That was creepy, but I should’ve expected it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5KIGBefy0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoMJaBtBwh
I let out a long breath.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxodsbjt6ld
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQJGjPcXRL
“So that’s what it feels like to have a stalker,” I muttered to myself.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrHPFM1D7G
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyMDKCFfaZ
Finally, we entered the ramen shop.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sGVChSJPE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGG80VAtFg
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMzV4VtmNG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz6GaJcqB3
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNkq03uNhh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYvGAn7Tn0
A faint aroma suddenly hit my nose. It smelled so good that my stomach finally noticed its hunger.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoDvR0oSZ1
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Rhjpvt2I
I looked around.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbMgKKIGRc
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiC0BdM1R4
The place seemed empty. And I didn’t see anyone by the counter.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt9N54rkIg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDjNlfFsJd
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?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmokfJgdHQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31HRjDh2z6
“This place is mostly not crowded during this hour,” Kuroiwa said, “they have more customers during the day.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90zDn01u3P
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlogProyjsG
I see…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kzgx38WPN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV7EbezMRO
He led me toward the table.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX55563IqE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z6Jjxpyty
He stopped at the third table from the entrance and then looked at me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEWmOcrsnY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIuMj1M4ag
“Sit here.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfO6vZ8oHJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXs1v52Dd5
“Okay.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UXHRbTtEs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YAnAg0K4G
I sat down and gently slid myself toward the corner. Then he kept walking.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOam02nCQP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVx3vE1X3m
I watched him. My eyes widened.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHTKyEpuqB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYow2yrcGp
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKFeRD5FUE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifsZMrZrYB
Between us. Two tables. And a pinch of awkwardness.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKKThVXJ6x
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiFYljzzK0
My hands covered my face. I placed them on the table along with my head. And then I started shouting internally.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELob36LZ5q
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikcBx95bnn
Why!?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6wWLOPtU9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwk0di7C2c
I waited for a few moments and then I slowly lifted my head. I looked at him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrOdhSQZwk
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8BsoK2AFM
Him. Eyes. Windows.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1qd1Pht8A
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYRwTaOJ7L
Ugh…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheDm7y3yzW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9H0TZFqZV
I hated this…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivsmmv92pi
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29L6mFnFXI
This felt too awkward…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdc7rl1X9C
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kbR8JI5bg
I hurriedly slid myself out, stood up, walked, and sat in the seat across from him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs8r6neOO0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2U1hZmQH2
“One table is enough,” I said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUKPppod9n
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJl6XE1czQ
His eyes turned to me, taking his time.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglrDjPD4nY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI2JUn2Vlk
“What?” he replied.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCGRDZwyp4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizH3w6S9ay
“Nothing... but one table is enough.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ESJzgbflD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SvWrIY46i
He looked up for a second.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcfwUD7Mmw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwqzqf8nI
“Sure,” he said and continued to stare at the windows again.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j3TEDt3AA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtatomvZPVs
“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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde8HzxBUcs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlsArPQByV
Hmm?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32wkVSfr22
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDVV1UPKDO
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYawSB8L8r
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK405X7MjZM
“Yes, dad!” The reply came from the other side of the doorway beside Kuroiwa.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZojS919F10
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv87vgTUgYO
Then a girl appeared from it. She was holding a menu.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8hh1p7P5h
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewkvntJEeY
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..65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf9uAQzIlU
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBl6rxAnnz
I wasn’t really envious. It was just that this girl standing beside us was really pretty.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50eNGm8XiJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVujLXVudo3
“Here’s the menu,” she said, her voice gentle.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpreePdGZgw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsavW3FI6jk
She turned toward Kuroiwa.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUn2nTGEqt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWjrETPPD5
“The usual?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8lTT3t8TY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefbqLUuJNB
He nodded.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqPWs24PDJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXylxREfNA
I stared at them for a bit, and then she stared back at me with a smile.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdyCmm6bQB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyfsFZNpIq
I gripped the menu and snapped my eyes back to it. Right, I needed to order as well.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ji3hhmk9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBixwhjSyI
But wait. She looked into his eyes earlier. And she was standing near him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2WtdBAUL1
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZJ9vREEmH
Before I could finish my thought, I heard her.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08qHKMYYkW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASTweDxNrP
“Your order?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWKFqSEiEa
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5uYOaA91M
“S-sorry, I haven’t decided yet.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vSZW0SHhC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGes3lUzS6
“Take your time.” She smiled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygMBXQpBA0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvSod1Ohn9
I took a short breath. Okay, I have to focus.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKOfA72WqW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M6rnfjuPu
…If I remember correctly, he was fine with me buying something more expensive.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNF2gCavqP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyhrzZ4Hjt
Alright… this is payback.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF2k1kQ5Tl
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcQ9UBXlnI
“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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExIsSZYINC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIRlBxX1jy
“Good,” he said, “eating a lot is good for the brain.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxKjnByeVU
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78iRC5SEjU
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpi4D2qo39
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZZKf5OzC3
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZYMeOriUt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSHorUc3fs
Eating a lot.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsqPBp5xBS
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0AXSJ6XRS
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHoyHeUuve
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnRXdfa2sa
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf7Fs9cVhf
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhRIBGnY8M
When he says it like that… then…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xhSmWyJfP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdxTnM8KGk
“Is that all?” the girl said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWasDRYV1KS
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dUsXVdFKq
“Um, sorry, I’d like to take back the extra chashu and no more dumplings on the side, thanks.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0FknLn4pH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVIH3izxw2
“Okay, so a bowl of Chashu-men for you." She looked at me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5C46YwzaP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hfQiWgdqL
“Yes,” I replied to her eyes.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxXiFwTP1i
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6ZoInJQEg
"And the usual for you." She looked at Kuroiwa.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErXg0IT5vj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZdHF5RyIT
He nodded.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCRVVRYhrg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCArzWjAFQ
“Then just wait here for your order. Thank you.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfB4U7Y5tD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUu1BfsG83
She smiled, then disappeared by the doorway beside our table.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym9EfjJArl
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y5Tg7o4fl
And it seemed like Kuroiwa went back to watching the windows again.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiMmGeg4y9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaXo1pKXj1
What’s so special about those windows?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDrvRpghT3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh00MF0goh
I turned my head to look at them too. I mean, what do I do at this point?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA67Vumxe0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNzYIHbVdC
Then the man at the counter almost shouted.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGJijSdbws
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQ1KvjMSR
“Akehiko! Yama-san!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkD0By12aZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutqaPMl60G
I looked in his direction. He was now wearing a chef's hat.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q9u7cV5gZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdpQ6DSRFa
I tilted my head slightly.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq7QJSBJne
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywPDQ0lS0L
But he wasn’t before.Maybe he is the chef too? Not just the owner.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h69GEWrq0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyxXZhjxNf
I followed the chef with my gaze. And when he reached the other end of the counter, there I saw two middle-aged men.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2fMVxscQD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UU2XxMX8E
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c2lCOunlF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD0U9cHebk
“This place can be loud sometimes,” Kuroiwa suddenly said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYNT6Nh0ea
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi2DgnuTg9
“Haah! What did you say there, punk!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz37GKb5F5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt1xItaNBT
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7hKB98Nqh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVjnR2IoRf
“Say that again!” This time I knew who said it. It was the man in a suit but with no tie.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQpieKhHlV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LGo1tGjkX
I held my breath.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgmzblhQCQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMdNFj0tvM
That shout was definitely for Kuroiwa. Why did he have to offend some adults instead of just staying quiet!?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYnLAL2Q6H
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOViqKRM3x4
I turned my eyes to him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27axptvuCS
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UOXr7dShI
Windows.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3juevZgsQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYOCduL9OT
Why!?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9HsaeQRXi
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACJPKZEiCQ
My head snapped back towards the other customers.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG96hh95NR3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN3Lo9ORG5
“Damn, I didn’t get his attention this time,” the man with no tie said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGPf6Nhj8A
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJWAwEexkO
“Well, better luck next time,” the man wearing glasses consoled him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8O30Bmzjq
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB6AJ1bLNt
“Haha! I’ve tried for weeks but he just loves the look of my windows.” The man behind the counter laughed at him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63UmknlBci
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ezOsYT45A
…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H3L4Os3Q8
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mwTLQhs6P
My face went blank.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZbluGALKw
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9O8k6cvsh
What is going on?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3p9PT3yD5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3iQxQcrsq
The atmosphere was getting awkward, so I tried to talk to Kuroiwa.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetjs5mOc6l
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhlwVZqqMs
“Do you come here often?” I asked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYwhuvNRjs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VvfBLE0Fw
“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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0HwvCD5OI
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5pNH91E0D
Oh no. Did I just ask the wrong question?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZyY0YrZVL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhId9PQlNu
“Say that again, you punk!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJkYIdfGdS
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ev4VUooaX
I did, just ask the wrong question.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lGmRvKOz6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbozzjKA74z
Sigh.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw5RpqiDk1
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3xPo7fWSM
This time I could tell by the voice that it came from the chef.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OOgXgE38g
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAErHcJquKs
Kuroiwa?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyFmBZs1ii
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM63Uc3c3U
Windows.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kOPQDZA8s
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGa6btcdmg
Of course…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU72jo2gfG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx7cuxXUbD
“Well, better luck next time?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5WebAEibP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLyonHA9PC
“Hah! Serves you right.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fSR1aE7IP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZua550RIuT
The one who consoled the chef was the man wearing glasses, and the man with no tie laughed.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiFfGyQQeR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDw6ttTScG
Both my hands met my face. This was stressing me out.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatHYlmqIP1
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93cJmBvsRp
Did they really want his attention that much?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfM3fiThFh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvvld0mEnE
“Kuroiwa… san…” I called him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSKSBt2vsJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxOmVdFrXK
He turned to me and stared at me for a second.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyw5ZKlXlH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4VCVAiib2
“Did you not notice at all?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEQVWxDDqX
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ3hma2Dd9
“About?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULovWC4q6d
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrayrWr5LOF
“Those guys at the counter.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4i1glMubH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREc1vbhZwt
“Why?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVVttFsNpV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdRJ8DQHIM
“It seemed like they were trying to talk to you.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLtz4mtwqX
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjaxMC9nGA
“Really?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51rT3MEESA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzREb9OMYtj
We both looked in the direction where the chef and the other two customers were.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCns8dx1krY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSfu2uxHqv
The chef… whistled while looking at the ceiling.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bv2IJWYI9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuckgPWyeBG
The man wearing glasses… held the menu upside down while reading it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv3i0SzgIq
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcpBumtToi
The man with no tie… was… nowhere to be found.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqQ22aFSzR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphcGcImOuP
“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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpEzvwYmvN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4uuhRIANM
This is ridiculous!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtMPEDVJh4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPs6aTT1qL
A few seconds later, I heard them laugh from behind me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Mpoc6WjRa
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj55YJ9B1D8
I looked at them. Stared at them menacingly. As menacing as I could get.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbrUYv7jtP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9OiPuu1ri
They flinched and stopped laughing.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADxbXsfXf5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90lIIwPaOd
Traitors.1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81chdeGCo2 尼

65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwklvitUdq7
Hmph!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0HeRXF91b
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsVnR4uQvU
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HDxuqPZp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh68ITwnBa
Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rPwki55e4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oDeorMtjD
“Our order is taking a bit longer than usual,” Kuroiwa said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GVsPdhwwk
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLxOYDTqLJ
“Oi, Matsuda. Their orders.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x0u8ftWF6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmtBqTQxUt
“Oh yeah!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTEbMiqXig
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX770tYAxz
I didn’t even bother to look at who said what at that point. I didn’t care.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn1cJHIsz0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3huszWMmz
I opened my eyes. And stared at Kuroiwa looking at his beloved windows for a second.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcCUKodXNu
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokXkPBuWzB
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJdOgXzNil
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPXKQ5sk8R
Back in his apartment, there was still a lot of work to be done.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QMkho4177
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fZJdFVerY
“Hey,” I said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu82vGy7RlX
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxmj1OT5fP
He looked at me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwqy08orMQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXmAA6uPR
“Do you really think I can pass the midterms?” I asked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuFTWgXuKg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4VK0X9Ovv
“Sure,” he answered. Casually.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdlhXhGn70
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXHMpMp44x
But that wasn’t enough for me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXYc3IHKSj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Ms8zD8Vd
“All we’ve been doing was just starting from the beginning over and over. It’s true that somehow I am making progress, but—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijhaI1rIVb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9jcUYI5C7
“You were, and you were better than I thought.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCB9lgbVfs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpH1ovb8vm
I blinked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohy8EP4xRf
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn52CPCtDX
“I am?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbzcsURlh4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrRRTnE9Pw
“Are you tired of the repetition?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbA9gk8kBH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2q5TwG5eT
“A little bit.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabURb6FEyl
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7txSy9KLW
“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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWAZRD7IrH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg5X3SLSJE
“How about you then? Aren’t you getting tired?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV9e6wlQyR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5nL8P5xDU
My eyes met his eyes when I said that. And more details about him appeared in front of me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMqKvCpCi4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyfAYuXi0X
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtelQHtaEo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLVwvowZbj
Dark but soft. Sharp but gentle.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwue4bp1g1V
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbTyfBZ2Ff
It was so strange. He was so strange.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rviNU0hsp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0jTrmNu5W
“No,” he said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymQdwDdGNW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbyyad4HsU
Blunt.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RHzhjYRpR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3sX24wEHI
I smiled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF0TUy3oin
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNt8rWDAQU
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgB1568EeA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkd1VqhQD7
I stared at him again.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArg4ariRq4
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFXd0gcgnC
“How did you even think about teaching like that?” I asked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRyq3GscLD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1zlRc98uF
“Because it’s the most efficient way to learn.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcZIfuotuI
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4tugVj4EV
“Is it?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT9wliPZeo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlSt7Fl67G
“Let me ask you some questions then. How do you learn to play the guitar?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYluVdDs6M
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqi2EA9SKW
I blinked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZKFKjiqSK
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QnqsHj39d
“Practice?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNF0ijCkl8
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5UYPSJnT4
“How do you learn to drive?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLHYsLiH5V
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0L8PNLSNu
“Umm… go to driving school? And also I guess practice.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJN1if6Gy7
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdraAbBzIP
“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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV3g38fse8
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kh1k0sq8v
My eyes widened as I listened.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwjGV0Gey3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoH2RV3zEV
“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.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg54Sq075dQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE5Csc2MjX
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmok6sJ4j0Q
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChNKuW0IMA
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…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisMm2KmVDE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyboRoM9xwT
Strict… but honest…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fQLi4PDts
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCotVSEHqV
Cold… but thoughtful…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkFTPFJljd
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAf8AUhJa0
Precise… but generous…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuOTtVMtAX
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgSPY2293u
I had asked myself why multiple times since we started this break. Maybe this is why. Maybe this is the answer.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcAQmZipKG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS14m3NiRkj
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWljfLWXR3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXdZpEdBBL
“You really do like math, huh?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMVTxfW91W
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYehnrCtkAO
“Not really.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN13Xj4GZji
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbU4NolDhl
“Eh? Then… you hate it?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nDt1IktxN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2bDOHYpoG
“No. I don’t particularly like or hate math. To me it’s just math.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPUxytYY7O
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJvUrI4ZIR
That was unexpected.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEPbuR4UD0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnjmf7rcrH
But kind of something I should have expected.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL50E3FHYyM
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPIsWevIkh
I sat up properly this time but my eyes never left him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yQptKPW2f
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDtoTRlq7v
“Since when were you practicing this way, your way of learning?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexK8f59Uqm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdr5OXYbWh
“Since back when I was in elementary school.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2tU5ZeWOr
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J72zluKnC
“I—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cKd3CJqkQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOcJLQgLoj
“Excuse me, here’s your order.” The waitress from before came back. “Pardon me, pardon me.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxrlviKzl6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjLRwGSuRQ
She put down the bowls of ramen from the tray she had been holding.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgesK3Wq6MR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIgAIEi118
“Chashu-men for the lady, and Tonkotsu ramen for you,” she said, and gave him a quick wink, then disappeared into the doorway.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6rE2gkOTE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEvtNOioas
I pouted.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar8qova9VQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWNUQBmn5x
Why?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YIknwfeu5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw2CJ88Ec0
I unpouted my lips.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbxu3KZVXC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeuWGn5agV
“Let’s eat,” Kuroiwa said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIPq7IahXi
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDTx91MhEL
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4stEOrp2IG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8YEVc96zF
“It smells good.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FNY37mn8r
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7oRJQOBn0
I held the ramen spoon, scooped some broth from the bowl, blew on it a few times, and then took a sip.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPveabZxhf0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWpTHMT01R
I held on for a second as I tried to savor the taste.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOyYJHyfth
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQx8mcA0i1
“Wow,” I said, “It’s delicious.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M4iXhFRiy
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKlWYV4I6Z
“It is,” Kuroiwa replied.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgLVSCKdqC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFh7VMzu0r
Behind me some noise just exploded. I just let Kuroiwa enjoy his meal while I looked out of curiosity.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHJa0Ezkpt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5KuaOwOOW
The chef was standing proud while the two other customers were clapping.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV31wcOQtv
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEyoYL3c3A
I rolled my eyes. I felt like I just wasted my time.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlvkRKl6YS
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YdGhrGcPZ
Traitors…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35xF03U4ee
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HuoGOOD2Z
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YHzZ6izpO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8R1apTxaQ
7:45 pm.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqk63nJSK7
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kjBtguIoy
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yyMbwqJWE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc9S53cpqf
I didn’t really want to lie… but…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAzugavGYN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13I7MdbnD1
I looked at Kuroiwa…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTXE64l9Q9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCes2WgBp8q
Then my phone buzzed…65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUcdQjmiOY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerKMuUWzXG
Mika called.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfX8nBMKjk
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bz0BQhGp
“Hello? Mika?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mlvO8LvKl
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9nPgz7O42
“Runa, it’s late! And it’s almost an hour since I last called you. Where are you?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XULRqeIYM
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFRnXPAAss
“We just finished eating, we’re still heading toward Kuroiwa-san’s apartment.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQOHpAR6pU
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCbrsaKBRp
“What!? You just ate?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgpZ7f5iTb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMbYH3yeSF
“Sorry.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdThEHDgGgA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7abf22Dp1
“So how much longer?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJPN70Dsmm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQYum5vb28
“About an hour more.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8eWTVGPg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jIDXMZqeA
“Shh, quiet Yui.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Ll9LYpKb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln6smWil4i
I blinked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKb0fJJzUt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF68PEMN1Ri
“Yui’s there?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqoMoHKn02
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XIMpLC8KW
“Yeah, I scolded her earlier but she is still trying…to… get… YUI!”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4eh6fLox6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr76ICrMBB
“You okay?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1nCk44u0W
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2BSyVPE1F
I giggled.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeFpEFbBfm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXtiKhnrHh
“It’s not funny Ru— Fine, Yui you can extend us for another hour.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbUyPF4Ql
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hC6LONsDL
“Yay.” I finally heard Yui’s voice shouting in joy.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg77qPRAD8Y
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyNEuiiUI9
I heard Mika sigh.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIenJ4u1hls
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qhnBszIuK
“Well, I guess we’ll be staying here for another hour.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSO5rkX7ie
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XXcAVtt04
“Well, I guess we’re in the same boat.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1WaqbWnEF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDyH2LDWlK
“Not really, I’m with friends and you’re with a stranger.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFDRD7IVJG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCyqNhnPf7
“Hmm… I don’t know.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl67CD81nG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SdOb3jc1b
“... Runa, it’s barely been a week since you started talking to him. He is still a stranger.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOTTscV0tr
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn1ijdc8oL
“Yeah, I guess.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUetnhGYRA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIoQtfPAbY
I laughed.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ELW5dwW1F
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJLUtL789K
“It’s not funny.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk2egiB24U
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJJRTEzFv3
“I know.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8RERl1rD0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS32K4hs1T
Another sigh from Mika.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMLZJCm0MV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjgqKQkcF2
“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?”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkf7uXay2V
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xbckZvgpG
“But—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKTULuJq0v
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJmv7oOcyz
“No buts, you don’t get a say in this.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU5Osif1lA
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOaPtA9P38
“O—”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Xj1OtZ3A
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE23gPPqEA
“And don’t you dare call me mom.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgs28jZste
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAANTV7LjWU
“Alright.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJSacoyTR0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWnVGCWjur
“Well then, message me.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnc8XoRmh6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkgvaBk9mE
“Okay.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ekfMnyG18
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH0SaAGEYZ
“Bye.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwuHW73aHn
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDdBwOO4fz
“Bye.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsWTWyxZXB
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFU5p9OHuK
The call ended.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5fy50kSQF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ0GXwYLer
Stranger.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6IPzdIhKD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aS95jLIpz
I sat with that word for a moment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4qEBvs7U
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqj7xb0g1Z
Technically, Mika was right. And I guess it was just not technical. I really didn’t know anything about this strange guy.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMWXKPEags
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrMM328GHL
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡher0oAxLOm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKjBONP6eO
He was closer.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94J2uEI44f
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Just a few steps away.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gaV1buq9u
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoCwLg89wd
I stared at his back while he walked. Slow, like always. Unhurried.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvpl2g67Jh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRpbBd4JuS
At our pace, there were still four minutes left before we reached his apartment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDHY1otRv
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgx84XxXHa
“Hey,” I said.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ax7TM2dna
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc7qUMuI7y
He stopped and turned.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MKGmOlJ5X
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48vrD5m3HG
“Walk with me,” I continued.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSDvpmeNQp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqfuHvru9I
He stared at me for a second. And gave me that look that I presumed was him asking for permission.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY7RMRSRpp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QxqkkbXcB
I smiled… internally.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW6I6OsYKJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUuWbvM18i
“It’s fine.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP4Zz7yLWo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1sXxZ1PPd
“Okay.”65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoMGEyfz3u
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrevKNgiEu
I walked toward him, beside him. Then he walked.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtov8oWqPJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuIhM5Q9zV
He matched my pace and I matched his.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wh6UCw0NL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02BagWjZQs
Until we were completely… in sync.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazu1f9mr6j
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBf5DZZTAF
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToD39IkZYV
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And that’s enough.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpTjhfPfq7
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SYR53Bxi0
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugZkqYBlBK
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsbqArFTCQ
They don’t show a picture of him at all.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMwChX6Ru0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiZsLPtNiP
Different.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04t6GlcS55
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI540sbBKN6
In many ways.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvyE4Vpt54
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleg50XRjaD
Similar in some ways.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgoD8B5FGT
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGC6Tb7dJE
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.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQprAgFbH2F
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeCIeS39nE
If there is a struggle, then I start from the beginning.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5DUlth5bM
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hnoqzRCcm
I wouldn’t fail. Even if his condition was ridiculous. He doesn’t even think about it. So I knew I wouldn’t fail.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2XR2Vk0tG
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbfNa0cZof
I knew he wouldn’t fail me.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYdM9jko1d
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGFnTEULoA
At school everybody avoided him. Out here he was the one avoiding.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVelquwlRc
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFGna5Y5eg
The chef, the two customers… That waitress seemed fond of him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLp2B52Yes
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9UbMAup4J
And I want to know why. As I have been asking why.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyVJyeatMY
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvOxVN9YHN
I thought about the waitress. How she casually talked to him, smiled at him, and even winked at him.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQceimceW88
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXzI3z9Ysx
I, on the other hand. Him, as well.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC69fmM24v
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKztWRKO4x
There was still distance between us while we walked back to his apartment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlhVZwYDZC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEAs4tp06G
Two minutes left before we arrived.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgErDkbbAmn
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj95CIxnGGm
And I started to wonder.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGHVjzYI5v
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAmmCbY7Ds
I wonder when my turn will come… to be familiar with him…1234 copyright protection61ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMTURcrAI6 尼

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