Chapter 37: Remember...

"Does your daughter have a problem with you Neru?" Rariso asked

"Well... You can say that... After all, she hates being treated well, just a rebellious phase." Neru just laughed.

Later on, Neru was called by one of our employees, maybe it's about the hangout service.

"Just find me here Neru!" Rariso spoke

Neru just nods.

He looked at him for awhile before looking at me

"You two seems become close huh."

"Oh, Reika, well, we have some topic we agree to each other, oh- can i sit down in this side? You can just move beside your friend seat, can i?" Rariso asked me with twitching smile as if he thinks he's a wingman.

I just did what he said and peek somewhere, it looks like Neru's daughter didn't leave.

I sat down beside Miru who's still looking cold.

Beneath the table, i wrote a text on phone without looking and tap her knees to look below.

[Please, brighten up your face.]

When i look at her face again, it became more focus than brighter, she is still a stoic girl eating her cake.

"When did you meet her Reika?" Rariso asked

"In school." I replied

"Yeah, but where?"

"In a classroom."

"What classroom?" Rariso's face starting to twitch

"Why."

"Hooo, look at this little kid."

"Want to say something old man." It's a question without a tone

"..... Tsk, whatever, Aragi-san how's this guy doing? He spend more time in the other class than their own."

Rariso didn't use the word 'lower' it seems that he is also conscious of what is happening in school.

"He's a pervert and a narcissist." Miru just ate another piece of cake with close eyes

"I agree." Rariso nods seriously

"Why are you two calling me like that, is this some dirty joke i'm too innocent to understand?"

Rariso just giggle and laugh.

"Reika, your humor and nonchalant attitude is the one that makes you look like a innocent, you are famous among girls, everyone in the restaurant likes talking to you."

It's because i'm training them to defend their selves and become more strong to acknowledge their past and move on to their new present life.

"Even Miyaki just flirted with you, do you think i didn't see it"

"...."

Man, this onee-san attitude isn't really good to experience in real life.

"In front of other girls? Reika, you need to be conscious of their feelings."

Wait, now you've gone too far.

"What do you mean? I apologized to them because i know what they are thinking, do you think i want a harem? Look into my eyes, do i look like a guy who would want harem?"

I mean it, harem is only good when you are not a diverse reader or when you are just newbie because of the fanservice.

"No, but you are a guy that make girls cry."

"Miss Erisa, Miyaki... Aine.... Right, but those are tears of joy."

".... Fine, you win, you're really clever guy." Rariso said it in a monotone voice.

"Thank you."

"Miru, you're Reika's friend so take care of him in my stead in school, you know... This brat can make everyone annoyed and happy, this little boy can solve everyone trouble except his self, so accompany this guy to at least have someone on his side to carry his own burden, after all, that's what friends are."

After what he said, Miru stopped her movement for awhile.

"... I understand." Miru ate another cake but she's slower than before.

Rariso.... How observative huh... I don't know what are you implying about 'cannot solve my own trouble' but i like being alone.

But maybe it is true for my old self.

He can save anyone but cannot save his self.

No friends to rely with, all memories we've once treasured, warmth of experiences we hope we never forget, food we shared, struggle that we overcome, hardships we've proudly endured, happiness we've created.

Are just a lonely leaves falling in the trees outside, buried beneath the cold soil.

"...."

Rariso continue to look at my face.

"Oi, Reika, what's the problem? Are you offended?"

"Of course no, i'm just pondering what you said, also she's not my friend, i treat her like a senpai."

"Oh, both of you have same age right?"

"So what, i'm just a transferee."

"Oh well, you must be too close to hangout together, isn't that just being friends now? Fine then... I look so corny, goodbye, i'm going to Neru, but i actual mean it."

Rariso stood up and left us.

I looked at Miru who's eating the last piece of the cake.

What is your judgement about us Miru? How will we look like at your reports? You've seen it with your eyes.

That we care for people.

My old self must be jealous now, as he died long ago so that his wish would come true, and that wish is me and the life i am living right now.

A place of happiness can be produced, a place where memory can be preserved, a place where hardships are witnessed, a place where food warms up every heart.

Your wish came true, now it's time for me to make my wish came true...

To protect all of the following.

I smiled at Miru who noticed my gazr once again.

"I'm sorry about that Class president, old man is weird today, did you enjoy the food?"

"Hmph, it's good." She ignored my face and look outside while being tense, it's like she wants to say something.

Maybe she got moved by Rariso's words that it is affecting her, she will think of this words later.

"Do you want to say something? Are you feeling unwell?"

Are you emphatizing with me now?

"How much carrots did you put in it."

"....."

So it's just carrot cake, and so i thought it's something.

"..In carrot cake? I think you just want a recipe."

"A reference, i would like to learn it." Her voice staggered a bit

She's getting shy without even showing any embarrassment.

"Fine i will send, i'm the one who made some modification to make it our own Rose Garden exclusive carrot cake so be thankful."

After sending the recipe on phone, i spoke to her.

"We have nothing to talk about now, will you stay or shall i escort you home?"

"I can manage myself."

"Well then, goodbye, see you tomorrow."

She left without saying a word.

As the only one who's remaining, i have nothing to do, i saw the 3 girls are still eating.

Yes, i will also talk to them

These girls needs some lesson too on how world won't revolves around them.

"Hello." I smiled

"Uhh, hello Reika."

Shara became more respectful while Kris is embarrassed and stay silent, Anami is still eating.

They have a different juices, Shara has apple, Kris has Mango and Anami has orange.

All of them are freshly squeezed.

They also have a light Tonkatsu with lively designs.

"Girls, i will say this to you, ignorance is indeed a bliss but foolishness isn't, tricking people for fads like these, self satisfaction, those are selfish happiness, happiness and pleasure are different things, find a true friends that can lead you from the happiness you would like to last..."

All of them stopped from eating but i still continued and didn't hold back with my cold voice.

"... Everytime you successfully trick somebody, you will grow arrogant, Buddha teach about Karma, a person's nature would be shaped by their actions, those will mold us to what we will become soon, these bad and good things we did will magnified and it will become habits..."

They started to became ashame and held their uniforms tightly, except Anami who's still silent.

"...If you succeed, you will grow more arrogant and continue to look down, you won't be able to measure people true worth, bu if these actions you did backfire to you, you would be helpless, as you realized that people you looked down before actually holds more authority than you thought they don't."

The 2 closed their uniforms but didn't button it

"Go on girls, button up your uniforms" I encourage them by changing the tone of my voice

They followed what i said and put their hands on the table.

I smiled with relief.

They are still innocent and little girls, they need to enjoy the real happiness than entertainment like this.

"Our deal on hangout service is still open, you can invite friends and enjoy an amazing day, it's for free i tell you."

I waved a goodbye on them, i don't want them to feel comfortable with me as i need to teach them how to analyze people.

I walked outside and take a breathe on this hot fresh air, i have a craving of doing skates suddenly.

What a day...