Chapter 4

The evening had finally started to settle, I was still inside the bar with Mera when I saw the sun go down completely. Polarity's bright lights shined through the windows giving me a sense of weariness. How much longer was I going to need to finally have this view through my own window. Letting out a deep sigh, I continued to read through Morris' work.

Most of the problems with Morris' novel is that it delves too deep into the plot to the point it's just exposition. Most of the time, people would value character development rather than it's plot when it comes to harem novels. This is what I meant about him being able to do more. I respect what he has to do to earn some money but if only he allocated his resources to something better. I'm sure he'd be able to be a top writer in Polarity if does.

Mera: You're real serious about this stuff huh, Mako?

Mako: I guess you could say that. Though I don't remember asking for your fucking opinion.

Mera: I'm sorry, it's just that I don't really understand you. I want to know more about you and why you're like this. We've been sitting here for almost two hours now after all.

Mako: Not interested, cinnamon roll.

Mera: Then at least let me be your venting ear. You can abuse me all you want!

Mako: What the fuck did you just say?

Mera: I'm saying you can do all the things you want.

Mako: Yeah, I know what the fuck you said. I meant to say why?

Mera: It's just that you look like you looked really relieved when you were venting all of your frustrations on me. And since I don't really like it when I'm alone doing nothing… I might as well be useful to you.

Mako: You want to be verbally abused?

Mera: If it means that I could be closer to you somehow. I don't want to be a burden to you more than I already am. Looking at you work, I can tell you're doing this seriously and I'm just sitting here… Right now, I'm useless aren't I?

My head was in a blank state because I couldn't believe what I just heard. However, before I even realized it, I had slapped Mera across the face. Her surprised look snapped me out of my trance.

Zeke: Mako!

Mera: Huh?

Why did I do that? Her eyes were dead. A part of me must've knew that wasn't something anyone should say. Was this chick crazier than I thought? I stood up then darted out towards the employee's bathroom. My heart felt tight and I couldn't help getting even more frustrated at that girl. Does she even have an ounce of self respect? This isn't fun when she makes me feel like that. No girl should do that to herself but… I hate Mera.

After washing my face, I returned back to where she was. She still had her head down. I looked at the old man then gave a small nod. That usually meant it was a signal to bring something for the guest or customer. I sat back in my seat while Mera just kept her hands together. Clearly feeling much worse than how much she already does.

Mera: You came back… I thought for sure I chased you off or something.

Mako: Did you do that on purpose?

Mera: Which one?

Mako: Did you just say that to mess with me or something? Be fucking honest with me or I'll make sure I'll make your life a living hell.

Mera: I… meant it… I didn't think it would freak you or something. I just thought it would mean keeping you around.

Mako: Keeping me around? Are you a masochist or something?!

Mera: Masochist?

Mako: Nevermind that. But you actually want me around? I thought for sure that you hated me.

Mera: I do kinda hate you. You make my life a living hell but you're still the only one that's around. And sir Morris was right that you really do say what's on your mind. Hearing you talk about how you hated those kinds of novels made me think you weren't so bad. Even if you do like to curse a lot and slap me. A part of me feels like you won't leave me alone.

Mako: You really are weird.

Mera: That's coming from you!?

I pulled back on my seat again, looking right back at her. Those innocent eyes of her are now just filled with a strange expression. I wasn't sure on how I could describe them which was odd. Normally I had a way of putting things into words but that look on her face was an outlier. Tapping on my cigarette on the ashtray, I lit up another. This girl is going to regret this.

Mako: Fine, I'll take you up on your offer. Remember, I'm the protagonist here.

Mera: Protagonist?

Mako: Geez, how is your english that bad that you don't know what "protagonist" means? You need to start reading a dictionary, cinnamon roll.

Mera: I guess…

Mako: Just so you know. What you just asked is for hell. Being with me only means that you've accepted the fact you can't do any better to make friends.

Mera: Well, I don't know how to make friends anyway.

Mako: That is true, nobody wants to say anything wrong to the daughter of a Gouldy.

Mera: That's why I'm so surprised that when we met, you straight up verbally assaulted me and basically murdered me with your eyes.

Well she wasn't wrong. I could almost remember when that happened. Though now not the time to remember the past. This girl just agreed to be my slave, then so be it. I'm going to have fun making sure Mera regrets every second of this. Looking at my papers, maybe this shouldn't be so hard but this will do.

Mako: Alright then, let's start with this. I want you to take everything from this pile and rewrite them into these sheets of paper then compile it together on this brown folder. Simple enough.

Mera: Alright then!

As I reached over towards the get my pen, she reached for it first then handed it to me. However, she brushed over my hand. Mera recoiled back quickly from that small exchange. She started to reach over to her purse, taking out a band aid with a cute design.

Mera: You have a cut, Mako. You need to put on a band aid. Here take mine.

Mako: Oh? This? This is just a papercut. It doesn't matter.

Mera: You still need to take care of yourself y'know.

Mako: Shut the hell up. Just get to work already! Damn it, slowing down the work just for something small like that.

Zeke: Just accept a band aid will you?

Mako: Shut it, old man!

My body must've ignored the pain of the cut because now I could feel it stinging. I just placed it in my mouth to give it a few sucks to make sure it wouldn't bleed or something. I don't know how that actually works. People like me just need to do it our way. Now wouldn't be a start to accept things from girls like Mera.

Mera: So… Do you like writing?

Mako: I don't like writing. I love it. There's a difference. People don't understand what it means to write and it shows how fucking shallow they can be when you read their novels.

Mera: Shallow?

Mako: It kind of a play on word that means that they're only interested in the top parts of an ocean of knowledge. It just kinda pisses me off sometimes.

Mera: Have you written anything yourself? I'll gladly read it for you?

Mako: No. That part of my life is private. I'm already taking liberties telling you these small things but anymore and I'll make sure to make your life even worse.

Mera: Yes, of course. I'll respect your boundaries.

Mako: Let's just finish this up already. It's already getting late and I have to get back home. I don't want to miss out on much my much needed rest. We also have school tomorrow, wouldn't want to be late for that.

Zeke placed us some snacks on the table along with some non alcoholic drinks. It was a peaceful session which was something I also long for wherever I'm not. Just reading Morris' trash was already tiring but editing it was even worse. I want to support him in one way or another because he's a fellow writer. However, his books are just something that I want to chuck in a bin and burn then burn those ashes too. He can do so much better than write these things, I hate it.

After a couple more grueling hours of reading this janky shit, I could see the multiple stacks of papers with their sides crumpled. I really am a monster when it comes to editing huh. Everything tiny just pisses me off beyond belief because I know I can do better. Though I shouldn't be saying that, in the end he's a published author and I'm not.

I gathered up my things then stacked some of the papers I haven't finished into my brown folder. Yawning a bit, I took a peek at how Mera was doing. She was completely focused on copywriting the load she had. At least she's worth something.

Mako: Anyway, that's off for me. It's quitting time for me.

Mera: What about the rest of this work?

Mako: We can just do the rest tomorrow. I have to get home. Nothing is going to stop me from getting my fucking beauty sleep.

Mera: Then I'll just bring this home then! Let me do the rest at my house!

Mako: You want to work at home? That's not even something I do y'know.

Mera: I just want to be useful to you, Mako.

Mako: Huh… Fine with me then. Anyway, I'll see you then. I'm outta here.

Mera: I'll see you tomorrow at school, Mako!

She shot me a timid smile as I turned around. Though her smile was a bit creepy. Was she thinking of messing my work up or something? Is she going to ruin everything to get back at me? Part of me wanted to be naïve by entrusting it with her but I just couldn't. Now matter how many scenarios played in my head, I just couldn't trust her with anything!

Mako: Actually no, just give it to me. I'll do the rest at home.

Mera: You don't trust me, do you?

Mako: No, I don't why would I?

Mera: At least give me a chance to prove it to you!

Mako: I can't.

Mera: Please just trust me, Mako.

Mako: No, no, no...

Mera: Huh?

Mako: No! You could mess it up on purpose I can't fucking afford that! I'm doing this for money for god sake! I can't just trust anyone! I don't want to just trust anyone! Why the fuck would I want to do that anyway!

Mera: Mako, calm down! I'm not trying to accuse you or anything. I just…

Mako: No, just give it to me already! You can do the rest tomorrow in the morning if it bothers you that much. There's just so much riding on this stuff and I can't afford to mess things up. Why are you such fucking dense damn it!

I took the rest of my things quickly from the table then went change at the employee room. I didn't even bother saying my goodbye as I sneaked through the employee escape. I lit up another cigarette as I walked home to calm myself down...