Chapter 268 (1/2)

When she checked the time on her watch, she found that it was nearly one o’clock. As she didn’t have a lot for breakfast, she was very hungry. She decided that they should first go out to eat. She started walking towards the bus stop under the shade of the school walls.

‘He should be here soon, right?’

He had called a few moments ago that he was almost here. She tiptoed near the bus stop before going to the convenience store right behind it. After smiling at the lady that greeted her, she bought a can of milk tea. Did Maru like this though? After hesitating for a moment, she bought two. She decided to drink them both if he didn’t like them.

Just as she wiped off the droplets of water on the surface of the can, she saw the 82 bus approaching from afar. It slowed down as it approached the bus stop before spitting out some people. Maru was among them.

She waved her hand while holding the can in her hand. Maru crossed the road and came towards her.

“It’s hot. Why are you outside?”

“It’s not that hot,” saying that, she offered one of the cans to Maru.

Maru thanked her before drinking it.

“Do you like milk tea?”

“No,” he replied without hesitation.

She frowned.

“Then why are you drinking it?”

“Because you gave it to me.”

She made a hollow smile when she heard Maru replying so nonchalantly.

“Have you had lunch?”

“Not yet. What do you want to eat?”

“Let’s see….”

Was there anything more important than deciding on a menu for lunch? She thought deeply as though she was solving the last question of the English exam. Maybe some light bunsik? Or should they look around some more on high street? Did the others say that the newly opened store was good?

After thinking for a while, she asked Maru, who was just watching her without saying anything.

“Where do you think we should go?”

“I’m fine with anything. Don’t you have a place you want to go? I thought you wanted to eat pizza last time.”

“Ah!”

She clapped and nodded her head. She was reminded of the newly open pizza store on high street. According to her friends that had already visited that place, their pizza dough was thin and crusty. Since they said that the salad was good as well, so there was no reason to hesitate.

‘There might not be any seats if we’re late.’

Her friends that visited that place after school told her that they were only able to go in after 30 minutes of waiting. She grabbed onto Maru’s hands as she walked. Although she found grabbing his hand nervous just until a few months ago, it was natural to her now.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“It’s a popular place, so we might have to wait outside if we don’t go in time.”

She struggled through the students that packed the streets and entered rodeo street. Clothes stores filled this street. She entered a small alley between the clothes stores. The alley was filled with dirt, trash and air conditioner outdoor units. Although this was a shortcut she would never use, she had no choice for today.

“This is where you wanna go?”

Hearing Maru’s question, she nodded vigorously. She dragged the hesitant Maru and ran across the alley.

“Is it worth all this effort to eat it?””

“My friend told me it was good.”

Maru smiled as he followed.

After exiting the alleyway, the first thing she saw was the pizza store sign that was colorful compared to the stores on either side. In front of the store was a menu board. The menu board seemed to be hand written by the owner with pastel-tone chalk. She gave a pass about the exterior of the shop in her mind as she walked towards it.

“Welcome.”

As she entered the door, the door made a jingle sound due to the bell and a lady wearing an apron greeted the two. The counter was right next to the entrance. In front of her, she could see people at their tables eating their meal as well as the kitchen that was open for all to see. The cook that was cooking something in front of the burning oven could be seen.

“Is there an empty table?” Maru asked.

The lady tiptoed to see inside the table area before going through the memo papers on the counter.

“There’s one empty table. This way.”

The table area was quite wide with 20 or so tables and only three were empty. As two of the empty tables had the ‘reserved’ plate on it, there was only one empty table. She stroked her chest in relief after seeing some students that entered right after her. Had she not taken that shortcut, they would have had to wait.

“See that? We were almost too late.”

She felt a little proud. Taking his seat, Maru replied to her with ‘you’re the best’. She opened the menu which was on one side of the table and decided on a pizza to eat. As for spaghetti, she decided on a basic tomato spaghetti. For her drink, she chose a cup of strawberry smoothie.

She smiled when she smelled food. She could hear faint chatting noises as well as cutlery noises.

“Nice smell.”

“Right?”

She smiled as she drank the smoothie that came out first. It had just the right sweetness. She spoke as she fiddled with the straw.

“How did you do on the read-through?”

“So-so. I was a little nervous, but I think I did fine.”

“You sound confident. Oh, have you seen sir Park Taeho?”

“I did.”

“Did you get to talk to him.”

“We exchanged a few words during the audition.”

“How was he up close? Was he cool like he is in the movies?”

“He’s just a chubby middle-aged man.”

“No way.”

“He’s like that for now. He gained weight for the role.”

“...I wonder if he looks cute or not.”

“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but he should not look as good as you think he is. If you’re so curious, go watch the movie once it’s out.”

She pictured a chubby Taeho in her mind. Taeho played a lone prosecutor that fought against crime in a movie that was released last year. The lone wolf-like figure couldn’t look cooler. Although he was past 40, his handsome looks didn’t deteriorate but matured even further and he looked incredible. Such a person had gained weight, huh.

‘He’s a cool actor, so he must look cute.’

“Please be careful, it’s hot.”

The pizza they ordered came out. Just as she had heard, the dough was really thin.

“Give me your plate.”

Maru cut a slice of pizza and put it on her plate. Although he was quite mean at times, he was really caring when it came to things like these. There was a slice of pizza on her plate. Although there was a fork and a knife, she grabbed the end of the dough with her hands. Pizza was best when it was eaten with hands.

The crusty dough and the soft cheese on top. She made a happy expression as she bit into it.

‘It’s good.’

She understood why her friends had praised it so much. Although the cheese was a little salty, the button mushroom neutralized that and the taste was deepend even more. Although it seemed like a bland pizza on the surface as it didn’t have that much topping, the combination of the sauce, the cheese and the mushroom were really good and she felt that any other topping would have broken that ensemble.

“This is decent.”

Maru seemed satisfied as well. If the picky Maru acknowledged this, then it must be a really good pizza. While at it, she ate a portion of the spaghetti as well. The semi-crushed cherry tomatoes added just the right bit of sourness and she didn’t get bored of it.

‘I’m happy.’