Chapter 220 (1/2)

“I’ll be off, then,” Maru told his classmates as he left the classroom.

He put his bag on before climbing down the stairs. Drifting past the crowd of students after school was over, he left the front gates and walked straight towards the pedestrian overpass right in front of the school. His girlfriend told him that she’d be waiting in the fruit juice store on the other side of the overpass. He crossed the overpass and arrived in front of the store. He entered the store as he watched her, who was sitting by the window.

“You’re early,” Maru spoke as he sat down.

He thought she’d be wearing her school uniform, but she was wearing casual clothes.

“Today’s our school’s founding day. Didn’t I tell you that before?”

“Wouldn’t I remember if you told me?”

“You could have forgotten.”

“Unfortunately, I take pride in my memory. If you told me, I would never have forgotten.”

“Fine, fine, you’re awesome, I get it.”

“Did you just realize how great your boyfriend is?”

“I should just…,” She raised her fist as she said those words.

“Want to drink something?” Maru asked as he put his bag on the chair next to hers.

She replied ‘strawberry juice’ in a small voice. Maru soon went to the counter to order the drinks before returning to his seat.

“So your interview is tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“You should be nervous.”

“I’m fine with the interview, but I’m pressured by everyone who has expectations of me.”

“Should I not have come today?” She asked, with all of her smile gone. Maru just shrugged.

“The ring I gave you, you put it on.”

Her finger had the rabbit-shaped ring he gifted her last year. She covered her ring with her hand, but he had already seen everything.

“It suits you.”

“.....It doesn’t look childish?”

“It looks cute on you.”

“I, is that so?”

She removed the hand that covered her ring. Maru went to the counter to get the drinks. The weather was getting warm. The droplets condensed on the outside of the glass felt good to touch.

“So you’re here to cheer me on?”

“No, not really, “ she spoke as she made a happy expression after drinking a sip. A smile of satisfaction blossomed on her face.

Maru felt his daily fatigue disappear just from looking at her. Feeling Maru’s gaze, she frowned a little.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Why?”

“It’s strange.”

“What’s so strange about me looking at my girlfriend?”

“Urgh.”

“Let’s leave once you’re done,” Maru heard these words just as he thought that he found a nice place.

She put her handbag on her legs and was getting ready to get up.

“You finished it already?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

The 400ml glass was definitely almost full when it first came out and she drank all of it in just one gulp. This was very unusual of her since she usually spent an hour chatting over a glass of drink.

“I still have this much left,” Maru said as he showed her his glass that was still almost full.

“Then finish it quickly,” she frowned as she spoke.

“Why are you in such a rush today?”

“Don’t talk back to me and finish it already.”

She poured half of his glass into hers and gulped it down again in one go. Maru wanted to ask why she was doing that, but he had no choice but to drink down his own portion once he saw her pressing eyes. As soon as he finished his glass, she stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“Follow me.”

As soon as Maru grabbed his bag, he felt her hand pulling on his clothes. Maru looked at her confusedly since she seemed like she was being chased by something.

“Did something happen?”

“N, no.”

‘Oh?’ She even started stuttering now. A panicked expression could clearly be seen on her face, yet her footsteps did not stop. They crossed the street and entered high street. This was where high school students from around the area all gathered around. Maru quickly followed her as she drifted through the crowd wearing school uniforms.

“Where are we going?”

“We’ll be there soon.”

Not telling their destination, she kept walking. Maru subconsciously smiled since she was like a girl overjoyed with knowing a secret. Going past the food stalls, she arrived at a street with shops and looked around before walking towards one of the stores gleefully. She went through the automatic door. Maru raised his head to look at the name of the store. This store was one that sold casual-style suits.

‘Suits?’ Maru wondered.

Heading inside, she hesitated a moment before being guided by one of the store attendants to one corner. Maru had a look at the array of suits on display. A strange smile appeared on his face since it reminded him of when he first entered his company in his previous life. The nervousness, fear and excitement from back then appeared in one corner of his heart.

“What are you doing?” She asked as she approached from behind.

“Can I ask you to fit me with a suit if I get employed by a good company in the future?”

“What are you talking about? That’s random.”

She pulled on Maru’s ears. Maru turned around where he saw a display of neckties.

“Come here.”