30. If I Leave

Concluding someone's life based on one's conversation with strangers was not a wise thing to do. However, Adro couldn't help but conclude that Grace's social and romantic life wasn't going well.

It seemed that Grace had been dumped by a man who took advantage of her kindness and innocence. Suddenly, Adro remembered their previous conversation when Grace mentioned that the men in his world were not good. And those women were other evils who deliberately used Grace's situation to make her the subject of their jokes.

Every word those girls threw made Adro have to restrain his legs from bringing him out of the fitting room. He itched to stop them, but he had to think twice. He knew very little about this world, and he wasn't sure if Grace would be happy if he interfered in her private life.

In silence and with clenched fists, Adro stood there, waiting for those disrespectful women to leave. Not long after, Adro finally heard their annoying goodbyes. Then, their voices faded away.

Adro pondered for a few seconds. How was Grace feeling now? Surely, she felt devastated. If he were in her shoes, he would teach those rude women a lesson. However, Grace just remained silent all along. Was she scared? Or was she trying to hold back for a reason?

Taking a deep breath, Adro adjusted his facial expression before stepping out to find Grace still standing in the same spot where he last saw her.

Standing in front of that weak back, Adro unconsciously held his breath. Then he cleared his throat a little, making Grace startle. "I'm done,"

Wiping her eyes in a hurry, Grace turned her body to face Adro while chuckling. "Oh, you are done?" she asked, keeping her face down. "I'm very sleepy. We should go back soon. Do they fit your body?"

Andro stared at Grace in silence for a few moments. Then he nodded once. "They do."

"All right. I'll pay for them now. You can wait over there," Grace pointed to the waiting area near the cashier.

"The clothes," Grace gave her palm.

However, Adro didn't move and said, "I'll take care of it. Remember that you're using crutches."

"O-oh... Okay," Grace mumbled as she walked toward the cashier, leaving Adro behind.

"Do you know that your eyes are a little red?" Adro said, when he got to Grace and walked beside her.

"Ar-are they?" Grace immediately rubbed her eyes while chuckling. "I yawned so much that my eyes even watered. And of course, I'm fine."

Adro was silent. He didn't remember ever asking whether this lying girl was fine or not.

***

Those blue eyes shifted to stare at the girl sitting next to him, looking out the window in silence. Since meeting the three disrespectful women, she has been quiet, and he could feel the gloomy atmosphere surrounding her.

Grace had lied to Adro, or more precisely, covered up what had happened to her. Therefore, because she seemed unwilling to share about her private life, he decided not to ask. Nevertheless, what he had witnessed and heard generated a considerable amount of sympathy for her. It seemed that her sweet smile was just a cover for the bitter life she led.

Adro looked out the window beside him to see the streets still somewhat busy, and the bright lights made the night in this place as lively as in the daytime.

'I can't believe I have spent several days in this strange world. How do I go back? No. Why don't I miss anything or anyone from my home?'

***

The sunlight illuminated the apartment through its windows. Adro watched Grace get ready to go to campus. However, just like last night, her face still looked gloomy.

Grace placed a box of cereal and milk beside two white bowls on the counter table. She smiled briefly at Adro before turning around to grab two spoons. "Sorry for making you wait. You can eat now," She said as she sat on a bar stool.

"I feel bad for letting you cook for me every day. If only I could cook pleasant meals to repay your kindness, at least. But I'm used to cooking unseasoned game meat," Adro said as he poured milk into his cereal bowl.

Grace smiled thinly, then shook her head while her eyes were still fixed on her cereal bowl. "You don't need to feel burdened. I'm glad you're here."

Glancing back at Grace, Adro cleared his throat a little. "Are you okay?"

Adro's question made Grace blink in surprise. She immediately nodded. "Of course, I am."

"I don't want to offend you or intend to interfere in your affairs, but you seem a little down today, as if you don't want to go to school."

"Am I?" Grace raised her eyebrows high and continued, "Well, I am a bit less enthusiastic because it turns out my foot is making it a bit difficult for me on campus." She laughed a little while rubbing her arm.

Adro smiled thinly. He knew Grace was lying again. "It might be difficult, but believe that you're stronger than you think. Believe that you can get through it well."

Contemplating for a moment, Grace turned her head to him and found a sincere smile that sent a squeezing sensation in her chest.

"Stay spirited," Adro said.

With teary eyes, Grace nodded once. "Thank you, Adro," she said. Then she wiped the corners of her eyes while chuckling. "Oh my... I'm such a crybaby. It's just an injured ankle during class. Why should I cry it out? Please forgive me."

"I won't judge your problems. Everyone has a reason to shed tears, even for small things." Adro replied.

"That's a wise quote," Grace said. Then she made a long exhale. "It seems you'll make my day,"

"I'll be glad." Adro smiled.

"Anyway, Adro, this is just unimportant information for you. But I feel like telling you that Sarah will move in a few days. And I will take her to the airport." Grace said.

Adro furrowed his brow. "All right... And the airport is?"

"Oh, that's a place we have to go if we want to take a flight by airplane. An airplane is a sky transportation that can carry dozens to hundreds of people and goods to distant places," Grace explained.

"That sounds amazing. So, do you have a reason for telling me this?"

"I just thought you looked bored just staying at home all this time. And that day is my day off before my schedule gets busy later. If you are interested, you can come to look around the city on a holiday," Grace explained.

"Oh, is it evident from my face?" Adro touched his chin.

Grace nodded. "A little. But I did guess,"

Adro chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Well, I should control my face better."

"It's okay," Grace replied before taking another spoonful of her cereal. "Staying alone can sometimes feel boring, even for a quiet person like me. It seems my ankle will heal soon. If I can walk more smoothly, I will go to the city library to find more clues to send you home."

Adro was silent for a moment, then replied, "If I manage to go back, doesn't it mean you'll be alone here again?"

Stopping her eating, Grace slowly turned to Adro. "Wh-what?"