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"It's a bit late, isn't it?"
"Uh… you're right. I didn't think coming here would take so long. Sorry".
Rui shook his head, smiling.
"Don't mind it. I accepted when you asked me, after all".
"Well, I was going to invite Emu, but she was busy today. You were a better option than Tsukasa, though. He's too loud".
Just the previous day, a game Nene had been waiting for was released. Since it wasn't available in her usual store and she wanted to play it as soon as possible, Nene decided to check on a different one, located in a shopping mall and farther than her first option.
That, however, also meant she didn't want to go alone.
She told Rui she could buy soda candy for him, as a treat, and yet, she forgot most of the money. She was lucky she could buy the game in the first place.
Rui was kind. He told her to go ahead and buy it instead of something for him, and said her thanks alone were enough for him to gladly take her there. If they went to some shopping mall for a game and came back with their hands empty because he felt like drinking something, their small trip wouldn't accomplish its goal.
"Aren't you thirsty?"
"Huh? Maybe. Just a bit, though, I'll live".
"…Sorry. I shouldn't have forgotten my money. I could get food for us too".
As Nene let out a sigh, he smiled.
"It's okay. I have some money, so I can buy something for myself. And you too, if you're fine with that".
"No, don't worry. I'll eat and drink whatever when I get home".
"Ah, I see. Shall we walk around for a bit, then?"
"Hm? Don't you want to go home?"
"Do you? I hoped I could see some of the things sold here before we went back".
"Well, I can't say no, can I? Sure, you can go wherever you want to".
"How kind! Thank you, Nene".
He stopped on his tracks, looking around.
The place was quite big. Many different stores, as well as a cinema and various restaurants, were divided in multiple floors. At that moment, they should be on the fourth floor.
The store where Nene got her game from was right there. However, there was a tech shop on the third floor —which was, in her opinion, an awful idea, placing them in different floors—. That shop also offered various materials Rui could get for his robots, so she wasn't surprised when he mentioned he would like to go there.
He did stop before they reached the mechanic stairs. A chalkboard placed in front of a cafe caught his eye.
Apparently, that was the last day of a special promotion. If a couple went there, they would get a free dessert of their choice.
Nene looked at him, curious.
"Do you have a partner, Rui?"
"Huh?"
"You're looking at that. The offer is no use if you are not dating anyone".
"I don't. I'm just thinking… wouldn't you like to get that free dessert?"
"What?"
Nene looked at him. Her eyes slowly widened, and she suddenly stepped back, whole face red.
"Rui?!"
"Fufu. You don't have to be nervous". He shook his head. "They don't have a way to prove two customers are friends, or maybe even strangers they just met".
"Well, I don't think two strangers would look close. And it's just one dessert, how would they reach an agreement?"
"Perhaps they could split the bill in halves. Well, I guess that leaves the friends option. And, since we're actors, it should be easy to fool them".
"There's also the option where you get a girlfriend". She sighed. "Or a boyfriend, whatever. Just know I'm not going to participate in this".
"Haha. It was worth a shot".
Leaving the cafe behind, both of them walked towards the nearby stairs.
"Do you want to check the shop too? They may have something that matches your interests".
"Hm. I don't have money anyway, so I'll wait outside".
"Ah, right. That does make sense. I'll be back quickly, then".
"Take your time. I don't mind waiting".
"Thank you".
He smiled, and ran to the tech shop as soon as they got to the third floor.
The first few minutes of waiting weren't too bad. She was calm, even, looking at her phone and taking pictures of the box of her new game.
That was, however, until she felt someone getting closer. And then, a voice she didn't recognize.
"Hey. Are you here alone?"
She looked up. A group of four fairly tall guys stood in front of her with their egotistical smiles.
As she turned her phone off, Nene looked down again, feeling anxious. Unfortunately for her, there was no friend close to her, no person she could hide behind.
"No". She whispered, inaudible.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Whatever. Our friend here thinks you're pretty, you know?"
"Ah…"
"Come with us. You'll have fun. A pretty girl like you shouldn't be alone".
"Yeah. Let's go somewhere, we'll pay".
They laughed. Laughs that made Nene want to hide under a rock forever. Starting to feel uncomfortable, she gave the shop Rui was currently in a quick, nervous look. She got up, planning to go there and look for him.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"I… uh… just need to go".
"Huh?"
She froze in play. At least one of them, the only one she dared to look at before she lowered her gaze to the floor, frowned deeply.
"Being so pretty won't take you anywhere if you're this rude".
"Yeah. We told you we'd take you somewhere and you're running away without giving us an explanation?"
That wasn't good. Not only was she getting approached by strangers, they were also talking in such an aggressive manner.
"I-I'm just… busy right now… s-so—"
She quickly turned around, ready to run away, but one of the guys grabbed her wrist.
"Hey, we're not done talking!"
Just then, someone grabbed his wrist back.
"If she isn't interested, you should simply let her go".
"Rui!"
As soon as the guy let go, she looked back again, and quickly hid behind her friend.
"Why would you keep insisting after you've been rejected?"
"Eh? Who are you to talk to me like that?"
"Who are you to harass a girl you don't even know? Maybe you want to blame her for the lack of love you got from your parents as a kid?"
Nene and the guys looked at him in complete silence. He was smiling, unfazed.
"Rui, that's—"
"What the fuck, man!?" Nene gasped as he stepped towards them, grabbing Rui by the collar, definitely angry. "Who do you think you are!?"
Despite everything, he still looked calm. Still angry, even. Nene, on the other side, looked about to have a heart attack right there.
Breathing in, she was the one to grab the guy's wrist
"He's my boyfriend. So please, put him down".
This time, it was Rui's turn to look at her, completely flabbergasted.
"Huh? You're rude and have awful taste".
"Maybe. But we're on a date right now, so… please, put him down. It wasn't his intention to bother you".
He reluctantly let Rui go.
"You're lucky your girl has a nice side to her. Let's go, people here are crazy".
Slowly, all of them walked away, muttering insults and threats.
"…I didn't expect you to come up with that".
"Well, we were talking about it before. And he was probably about to punch you, so I had to say something".
"Is that so? Thank you, then. That's brave".
"Hm. Also, I'm glad he didn't actually punch you"
Rui tilted his head, grinning.
"How nice. Were you worried?"
"Kinda. But it's also because I'd feel too bad to this".
"Do wh—"
Not saying a word more, Nene slapped her friend. He touched his cheek, surprised.
"…Nene?"
"Are you stupid? Couldn't you see how many of them they were? Were you trying to pick a fight with them?"
"Ah. Sorry, I was just worried".
"Well, you ended up worrying me too!" A sigh. "Thank you for the help, but be careful the next time".
"…My apologies".
"Huh. Let's go".
"Go where?"
"To the cafe. You owe me a free dessert after jumping in like that. I already lied about it, so pretend to be my boyfriend for a while more".
"Well, I guess that's just fair, huh?"
He rushed to keep up with Nene, who had already started to walk towards the stairs.