CHAPTER 13:

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I moved away from him, I peek and I saw him talking to the cashier. Is he going to buy me a present?

I hope.

 

I went outside. Surprises are much better. I stood on the street then I saw him looking at my direction, I waved my hands at him. He nodded and smile.

 

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“So what did you bought?” I asked as he slowly walked closer to me. He was busy organizing the plastic bags on his hands.

 

“Oh… something…”

 

I blushed. Surprises are really much better.

 

“Ah!” suddenly, he yelled. I shrug. “Yuri, can you hold this? I forgot to get my change.” He said, and hand me over those bags.

 

Out of curiosity, I opened the bag.

 

I in a lungful air as I wanted to apply the phrase, ‘don’t expect on something’ to my life.

 

To my dismay, it wasn’t Badtz Maru. It’s Kero Keroppi. Ae Sook’s favorite.

 

I heard his footsteps. I immediately close the bag.
 

“Sorry…” he muttered and gets the bag from me.

 

“It’s okay… by the way, to whom will you give that?”

 

He didn’t reply instantly.

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

“… It’s for someone.”

 

Once again, I felt something on my heart.

 

“Key, let’s go home.”

 

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After I escorted Yuri at her place, without delay, I went home. It was almost dusked when I got there. I saw Ae Sook sitting on the porch again, with her feet swaying on the air. There was sadness on her face again. Sometimes I want to find courage to ask her what’s wrong, but she would always ‘we had arrangement blah bah.’

 

Sometimes, I wonder why I did those stupid arrangements.

 

“Don’t stare blankly, you looked stupid.” I said as I passed by the entrance door. I waited for her reply, but she didn’t say anything. I’m already inside our house, still no response. I decided to go back and check her; still, she’s looking at the indigo sky.

 

Weird.

 

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Dear Diary,

 

Gad. Another tiring day, I suddenly wished that we could have class even on Saturdays. Cause every Saturday day is hell day! I’m so tired cleaning this place! I washed the dishes and I even pulled the weed! Ugh. My body hurts! I wanted to go to sleep early.

 

So this will be the entry for now. We’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Goodnight!

 

Signed,
Ae Sook

 

I closed my diary and hid in inside the table. I closed the lights and crawled to my bed.

 

Knock knock.

 

Grr!! I’m going to kill that person who knocked on my door! Ugh! I wanted to sleep now! Reluctantly, I crawled out of my bed and went to my door. I opened it, to my surprised I saw nobody but a paper bag. I picked it up and looked around outside my room, but nobody is there. I slam the door in front of me and stood by there.

 

I unstapled the paper bag and unfurled the content.

 

Aww… it’s a kero keroppi apron. It’s so cute.

 

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“Thank you, jerk.” I heard her say, as I stood silently in front of her door.

 

I smiled and whispered, “You’re welcome cheeky… by the way, starting from now, I’ll pull the weeds for you.”