"Rod..." A heavy sigh escapes.
"Alleeeeen! I missed you!" Rod ran and immediately hugged me.
Rod is my childhood friend. We'd been friends since we were young, though we were separated since we wanted to go live our own paths and dreams. To see him again in this situation. It's frustrating.
"I see that you're still wearing those silly little goggles of yours. You haven't changed since then." I let out a sigh... A relieved one.
"I heard that you became a big shot hair stylist in the city. You were all over the news and magazines!" Rod exclaimed.
"Well, of course. I did say that I would become a prodigy hair stylist, didn't I?" I gave a smug look.
"And you still have that huge ego of yours." he laughs.
"What did you say?" my voice was cold, but not serious.
"Umm..." Her voice broke our conversation. Both Rod and I focused on her.
Rod smiled. "Oh, Dunhill told me that you were the one who built my house?! Rachelle right?! Nice to meet'cha!"
"Nice to meet you too." She smiled.
"Wait, you'll be living in this town from today on?" I ask, dumbfounded.
"Well, yeah. Didn't Dunhill tell you yesterday?" He cocked his head.
"Well..."
Right. He mentioned about 'counting on me', 'He's kinda energetic' and 'He'll be arriving tomorrow'.
"Not at all." I gave a flawless answer.
"Hmm? Strange. I could've sworn-"
"That's enough, that's enough. It's too early for this and I'm tired. You still have to unpack right?" I immediately answered back.
"Oh. Right, right! Could you help me?"
"I said that I'm tired and you ask me to help you do such a tedious task? Have some thought." I grumbled.
"Right. Sorry. Then could Rachelle help me?"
"Eh?" Rachelle and I asked in chorus.
"U-umm... Of course. I'll help." she smiled like an idiot.
I turned back.
"I'm going now. Don't bother me, okay?"
"Yeah! Let's talk again!" Rod's voice slowly faded as I walked on ahead.
It's none of my business. It's none of my business.
What am I getting worried for... Though...
I stare at the Genovese Pasta that I was holding and I unconsciously smiled since I was reminded of Rachelle's blushing face.
Though when did she find the time to build Rod's house...?
I question myself as I head back to my shop.
A few days passed, but Rachelle continued giving me either herb soup or Genovese Pasta. What a busybody she is.
The next morning, there was a restaurant right beside my store.
When does she build these things?!
But... this might be a chance to invite her out...
Huh. What am I thinking. She should be the one who should invite me out since I'm a far more superior person and a busy person at that.
When it hit 1 o'clock, I started to take a stroll around the Harvest Goddess's pond then down the bridge to take a look at the river. And there I saw Rachelle.
She had just entered from the west side. She looks a bit tired.
...
This isn't out of kindness or anything of that sort. I'm just being moody...
I walked towards her.
She must've heard my footsteps since she turned around.
"Oh, Rachelle. 'What am I doing?' You want to know what I'm doing? Isn't it obvious? I'm taking a break. You're lucky, actually, running into me right now. Really lucky!" I gave a smirk.
"I was just starting to feel thirsty, so I was going to get some tea. You don't have anything to do, right? I'm feeling pretty good today. I'll take you along with me if you like!"
Hmph. There's no way she would turn down MY invitation, but I looked back at her, who was still having that idiotic look plastered on her face.
"Come on. Hey, what's wrong? Come on, get a move on!" I turned back and started walking.
I couldn't help smiling hearing her footsteps knowing that she's following me.
We arrived at the restaurant. I opened the door for her then escorted her to her seat just as a perfect gentleman such as I, myself should do.
I took a glance at the menu, then a glance at her.
She's fidgeting. She's obviously nervous. She should be, since she's with this successful man. Hmph.
I only ordered what I wanted, not thinking about what she wants.
I asked for a lot of cuisines since I want to find out what kind of food she likes...
She's not picking up her untensils...
Hmm...
"What's up? It's my treat, so you don't have to hold back! Eat, come on."
She stared at me quietly then she muttered in a soft voice.
"T-thank you so much."
A splendid answer. I smiled.
"I invited you here. There's no need to thank me. Having a woman pay for food or drink while she is eating with me goes against everything I stand for."
"You're a kind person."
Thump.
Something opened within myself. That person's voice... The sentence I never wanted to hear...
'You're such a kind person, Allen.'
Disgusting...
I hope that that person's gone by now...
After all, that person has never done anything good for us...
A perfect example of a good-for-nothing.
"Allen...?"
...!
Not right now... I shouldn't think about that...
"You think that makes me kind? No, I'm just doing what anyone would do! Come on, let's eat."
I almost lost myself...
...
"Phew, that was great! I'd better get going, anyway. We part ways here! Looks like you had a good time. I'll invite you out again sometime.
Look forward to it!"
We exchanged a wave and went our ways...
I watched her walk away.
That person... What's the point of remembering now...?
-End of Part 3-
And so I have finally landed on a computer and will be posting faster than before!
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