The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 143~♫

An hour later, Aiyoku, who was advertising their stall among visitors, had found Ueno, standing under a tree. It seemed she was watching the crowds of people. He approached her from the side, leaning against the bark. He folded his arms, not engaging in the conversation.

"Students are gossiping," she said after a while.

"Like always," he replied.

"You should get away from me."

"You will need more than a silly talk to stop me."

"It's you who has an excellent reputation. Why tarnishing it for a silly girl?"

"Because this silly girl isn't half bad as everybody thought." He let out a deep sigh. "And I would hate myself if I abandoned a person seeking a redemption."

"How do you know I won't turn into my old self?"

A small smile played on his face. "Nobody knows that. We have to see it through to find out."

She hid her face as the redness spread. Was she really in love with Aiyoku? Didn't she pick him to be his new toy? Somebody to boost her status? Was there something at the start she overlooked?

She stepped away from the tree, offering no answer. Her steps turned lighter.

He didn't hate her.

It echoed inside her mind.

Perhaps she still had time to fix her evil deeds.

\\_(''>_<'')_//

"Freya-chan!" a voice, she didn't expect, called her as they took another photograph.

So many people had gathered around them. Freya didn't have time to see if there was anybody familiar. Her head snapped back and forth, standing on her toes to see who it was.

"Freya-chan! Here!" the second voice called her, and only now she realized she should have looked directly around the stall.

Her eyes widened as she had seen Satos.

"Surprise!" they called as her eyes had almost fallen out of her sockets.

"You won't believe what had happened!" Mrs. Sato-san clenched her fists, yet her eyes shone.

"We have a generous sponsor!"

"Yes! Yes!" His wife nodded. "This mister Kamini had paid for all the repairs without asking for any advertisement! Buddha bless him! I have to bake him my goodies!"

"Don't be silly. Postmen don't deliver food or meals."

"Maybe not them, but I can." She put her arms akimbo. "I shall deliver him whole baking tray by foot if I have to."

Freya listened to their banter, needing a few minutes to proceed with everything. 'It seems Mr. Kamini-san had a few other stops in the city.' A bit of a silly smile spread over her face.