Chapter 17: It’s Her!

Suzuki kept on sniveling. His tears fell into the broth. "Delicious." He managed to say through all his tears and snot.

Laughing, the old shop owner continued cleaning his dishware.

"Oh, what a meal." Suzuki expressed with content. "How much do I owe you, old man?" Asked Suzuki as he got off of the chair.

"It's on me, plus it's your first time here, so I hope you'll come for more after this kindness I showed." Then, finally, the shop owner spoke, and Suzuki felt the warmth in his tone.

"Hmm, thanks, old man." Suzuki still placed the money down and headed out of the shop. Sad but refreshed, he wanted to go home as soon as possible.

Walking back toward the train station, he found himself stuck in human traffic. "Oh, nice. Humans," he said as he got sandwiched and pulverized between bypassers.

The people filled the street, making sure to use their few last hours of free time to their content.

Ding*

{The Train has Arrived} Informed an automated voice in the station.

"Ah, my ride!" He said to himself with excitement. But, on the train, Suzuki couldn't help but feel the sadness in his heart. So, he started thinking positively, something with money, no? Well, it seemed his thought rampaged on how little he interacted with Nagisa this weekend.

"She must've found another partner to play with now." He said, exhausted from the idea.

"There goes all the gold pieces I could've gotten with her." Then, he facially expressed his discontent as he scowled.

Walking back home was now bothersome for him. Frightful of the incident involving him getting beaten up close to his house, he watched his surroundings and always paid close attention to the people in the area.

Unfortunately, luck has never been on his side, and neither is it today. "Shit, it's her. It's Emiko-san." He spotted her several feet away, walking towards him, able to tell it was her. He hid his face into his hoodie and hoped she hadn't yet noticed him.

"Please don't notice me." He repeated that phrase several times until the pair got closer.

Then, looking down, he started saying it faster. "Please, don't notice me!" He screamed inwardly.

They both walked past one another, not caring to look. That is until Suzuki felt a pat on his shoulder. "Hey, you." He heard someone speak behind his back.

Unable to turn and face that person, he felt as if they breathed onto his back. "H-Hmm?" He moaned nervously. "M-Me?" He slowly turned around.

"Yes, you. Who else?" The unidentified individual said.

Turning around, he faced them, trying to cover his face, but that sadly didn't work too well. He was too tall. He looked down with his eyes and finally noticed who was holding him.

"It is her. It's fucking Emiko-san. Well, of course!" He screamed inside of his head. "Damn you, fate!" He continued his cries within himself.

Until She caught his attention, "You look familiar." She said while frowning. Trying to figure out who Suzuki was, made veins pop out of her forehead.

"M-Maybe your thinking too hard?" Asked Suzuki as he slowly looked at her. The memories of the incident started flooding his head.

Her getting ravished in front of him caused a massive shock to his body and mind. Unable to hold back the tears, he let loose and started crying.

"I-I'm sorry." He apologized to Emiko as he placed his hands on his knees. "I-I don't know why I'm crying." He kept on the endless stream of tears.

Finally, he returned and found that she was genuinely worried for him. Her hand by her mouth, she asked him. "Are you okay?" To which he replied shortly and with a smile.

"Hmm."

His soft and soothing smile caused her to grin and flush red. Flustered by this handsome, tall man, she pardoned her leave by bowing down and walking away with a red face as quickly as possible.

"Oh, ah. Hmm," murmured Suzuki in an unknown language as he reached out his hand. He turned around and walked the opposite way while he held his face, still crying.