Chapter 15

The grandson justified himself, "Grandpa, I promised I would come earlier, didn't I? In fact, I was on my way now." The two seemed engrossed in their conversation, completely unaware of Yuna's presence. She, however, felt it unnecessary to intrude on their family moment and began to turn away, preparing to leave. But just as she did, Grandpa Alfred's voice halted her.

"Let me introduce you two" Grandpa Alfred said, his eyes twinkling with warmth as he gently took hold of Yuna's arm.

"Yuna, this is my grandson, Norman." He presented Norman with a proud smile, as if showcasing a precious treasure.

Yuna's eyes met Norman's, and she was surprised to see a familiar face. "Norman?" she asked, her voice laced with recognition. Norman's eyes lit up, and he smiled, his specs glinting in the light.

Grandpa Alfred's eyes sparkled with delight. "Seems like you two already know each other" he observed, his voice filled with pleasure.

Norman nodded, his mousy brown hair styled in a taper fade crew cut, his average height and unassuming visuals making him blend in with any typical high schooler. "We're in the same class," he explained, his smile widening.

Grandpa Alfred beamed with joy, clearly thrilled to see his grandson and Yuna acquainted. His warm smile enveloped them, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity among the three.

"Thanks for looking after him," Norman said, his voice laced with gratitude, his eyes cast downward, revealing a hint of shyness around Yuna. His ears, slightly flushed with a shade of red, betrayed his emotions, a subtle detail that didn't escape Grandpa Alfred's notice.

Yuna brushed it off with a humble smile. "No problem, it's not like I did anything much. I just helped him fill in the logbook." She downplayed her actions, her kindness evident in her words.

Grandpa Alfred's eyes twinkled with amusement, his gaze fixed on his grandson's flushed ears. Norman, sensing his grandfather's teasing, tried to hide his embarrassment by rubbing his ears, his face growing even redder.

"We should be going now," Norman said abruptly, grasping his grandfather's arm, attempting to steer him away. But Grandpa Alfred resisted, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Hey, I still want to ask her something," Grandpa Alfred said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Dear, as I wanted to ask earlier, before we were interrupted..." He paused, his gaze fixed on Yuna, his question direct and straightforward. "Are you in a relationship?" The old man asked, his curiosity evident in his tone.

Yuna's eyes widened in surprise, her mind taken aback by the sudden question. She blinked meekly, her thoughts racing to process the inquiry. Grandpa Alfred's straightforwardness had caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Finally, she regained her composure, a gentle laugh escaping her lips as she tried to brush off the awkwardness. "No, Grandpa Alfred, I'm not in any kind of relationship," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Norman's face turned beet red as he intervened, his embarrassment palpable. "Grandpa! What would you ask that?" he exclaimed, his tone laced with a mix of surprise and chagrin.

Though he had anticipated his grandfather's curiosity, he hadn't stopped him initially, perhaps because he too was eager to know the answer. Now, however, he felt a surge of relief wash over him, accompanied by a dash of embarrassment.

Grandpa Alfred, however, was undeterred, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "That's good, because my grandson here is–" he began, his voice trailing off as Norman hastily interrupted.

"We should definitely get going," Norman laughed off, swiftly taking hold of his grandfather's arm and steered him away.

"Bye, and get home safely, dear," the old man called out to Yuna, his eyes sparkling with warmth as he willingly followed his grandson, leaving Yuna to wonder about the unexpected encounter.

"Bye," Yuna said with a chuckle, shaking her head in amusement at the playful dynamic between Norman and Grandpa Alfred.

As she watched them depart, a wistful thought crossed her mind. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have grandparents of her own, to experience the love and wisdom they embodied.

A faint sigh escaped her lips as she reflected on the fact that her own grandparents had passed away long before she was born. She had never had the chance to meet them, to hear their stories, or to feel their warm embraces. The realization filled her with a tinge of sadness, a sense of missing out on a special aspect of life.

Yuna's thoughts lingered on the brief encounter with Norman and Grandpa Alfred, grateful for the glimpse into a world she had never known. She smiled softly to herself, appreciating the joy that grandparents could bring to one's life, even if it was something she would never personally experience.