[Work experience 1]

The next day, Nishino went to school as usual.

There were already many students in the classroom. After his routine morning greeting, he went to his seat. There was no response to his greeting today. He set his bag down on the table and stuffed his books and notebooks into his desk.

Then he heard something.  

"Ogino, you did the homework already, aren't you? I usually failed at math."

"Before, I was planning to get a job, so, you know, it's kind of like ......."

Takeuchi talked to the class’s joker.

 Ogino-kun, like Nishino, was taking his textbook in and out of his seat.

Standing in front of him, a handsome man was talking to him about something.

The topic of conversation was about the midterm exam scores that had been posted just a few days ago.

"Are you going to college?”

"That's the plan, anyway.”

"Huh. What college do you want to go to?”

"...... I'm actually thinking about applying to medical school."

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"What? Seriously?"

"I had given up before because of financial problems, but now that those problems have been solved, I thought I'd give it a serious try. Of course, I'm not as good as Takeuchi, but I've only got one life, so I thought I'd give it all I've got.”

"That's good. Ogino, you're cool."

"I-is that so?"

"But then it's the same as me."

"Takeuchi's in med school, too?”

"My dad wouldn't let me do anything else.”

Takeuchi said with an attitude that said, ‘Good grief.’

I'm not sure what to make of it.

"Where are you going to college?"

"I haven't made a concrete decision yet, but I'm going to set my baseline at the next mock exam at the cram school. I haven't really thought about going on to higher education, so I'm just starting to prepare for exams.”

"I see, then we might be rivals."

"No, no, I'm not good enough to compete with Takeuchi-kun.”

“You don't know that, right? I have to do my best, too"

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"Take it easy on me."

It wasn't just Nishino who was listening in.

Most of the students in the classroom overheard the joker's announcement that he was going to medical school. Not a few of his classmates were surprised to hear him say that he was going to medical school, since he was looked down upon by most of the students, at least academically. How could Ogino be in medical school, they wondered. At the same time, they began to get impatient. They began to wonder if their lives were really going to be okay. 

Everyone was more than a little upset, partly due to the fact that there had been a tripartite interview the day before. Slowly but surely, the outside world is approaching beyond the framework of the school. It was an exchange that made everyone really feel that.

"Oh, that's right. In that case, Ogino, will you come to our hospital for work experience?"

“Eh?”

"You see, the work experience training starts next week, right? It's an event for people who want to get a job, but if you want to become a doctor, I think it's a good idea to visit the hospital. Every year, we have a number of students from this school. I'm planning to attend this year, too.”

"...... Are you sure? I mean, is Takeuchi's house that big or a hospital?"

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"Or, more accurately, the general hospital where my dad is on the board.”

"Oh, really? Isn't that amazing?"

"No, no, no, my family is just a general practitioner. My father always says he's been working his whole life."

"Even so, that's awesome."

"I heard that they are actually going to hold a lottery for applicants, but since we are the ones who are going to accept them, I think we can make some arrangements now. As a friend of the director's son, I think I can at least make room for you.”

Perhaps it was because he was happy to have a classmate who was pursuing the same career path as him, but Takeuchi-kun was more talkative than usual. The expression on his face was an honest smile that he would never have given to any of his male classmates.

"In that case, can I ask you a favor?"

"What? Don't worry about it.”

Takeuchi-kun responded with a light-hearted nod. Until the other day, the two of them didn't seem to have much in common, but at this moment, they seemed to be getting along very well in the eyes of their classmates. Naturally, they attracted attention. Perhaps that's why, as he was looking at this, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

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"Takeuchi-kun, can I have a word?"

Yes, it's Nishino. Perhaps it was because he had more opportunities to get to know him these days, but he was becoming more and more friendly to him. He seemed to have a friend-like attitude. On the other hand, when he was called by his name, he was a little reluctant, partly because he had recently started to think about keeping his distance. When he thought back to the incident with Rose, his face tensed naturally. 

“... what is it? "

"I'm sorry, but would you mind if the chairwoman and I joined in on this conversation?”

It was also a sudden request. Moreover, it was a request involving not only himself but also the chairwoman of the class. Naturally, Shimizu was surprised when her name was brought up.

"Hey, hey! What are you saying out of the blue, Nishino-kun?"

"What, you don't want to go to Takeuchi-kun's place?"

"No, that's not what I'm talking about!"

"So what's the problem? Whether you're going to college or getting a job, these opportunities are valuable. It's not so bad if it's through a friend who knows you well, right? Experience the medical field. It will be a valuable time for your future life.”

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“……..”

It was too aggressive. The people in the classroom could not hide their confusion. "What is he trying to do?" The eyes of the students were directed at Nishino from all over the classroom. In the past, the futsumen had repeatedly said and done things that were incomprehensible, but today's behavior was even worse. He was the only one in the classroom who could understand his true intentions. Nishino glanced at Risa-chan so that others would not notice. She quickly raised her voice when she realized the futsumen's intentions.

"Takeuchi-kun, would you mind doing the same for me?"

A lively voice echoed through the classroom. It seemed that Cupid Nishino, the Cupid of Love, had started his work immediately.

"Well, I think I can handle it. ......"

"Really? Thank you, Takeuchi-kun!"

Because the way he worked, he was so forceful that no one noticed his intentions. At best, they treated it as if Nishino had said something strange again. The classmates would never have dreamed that Risa-chan was in love with the chairwoman in the first place.

However, there were still exceptions.

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“……..”

It was the chairwoman himself. After witnessing Nishino's forceful words and Risa's raised voice, the smart Shimizu immediately understood the situation. She realized that the unexpected intervention of the futsumen was an attempt to mediate between her and Risa.

Shimizu didn't expect Risa to team up with Nishino.

"Hey, Takeuchi-kun. I'm ......."

If she get to join Takeuchi-kun, she would be happy. Because Takeuchi-kun is so cool. However, if Risa was with him, the story would be different. 

'I had to do something about the confession I had put on hold. I knew from my past experience that I would be approached at least once or twice during my work experience.'

So the chairwoman opened her mouth to say no. But as if to interrupt her, Risa-chan said.

"I'm looking forward to the work experience!"

"...... Uh-huh."

At this point, she couldn't think of a good response. It was hard to ignore Risa's invitation in a classroom with so many students watching.

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If it had been to a factory or some other unknown place, she would have been able to say no because she was going to school. However, the venue was a hospital where Takeuchi's father was on the board of directors. If she was not careful, she would not only be disliked by Takeuchi-kun, but she would also make enemies with all the female students. Shimizu was well taken advantage of by Nishino.

◇ ◆ ◇

At lunchtime that day, the chairwoman called Rose to the roof. 

"What's going on? Unlike you, I'm busy."

"That's the line of someone who always does the same thing? I'm going to go back to class if I don't have to. If there's no need, I'll just go back to class, okay?"

There was no sign of anyone else in the roof.  As the temperature began to drop, it seemed that few people were willing to go outdoors during their breaks. The girls were conversing with each other, feeling the chilly wind that reminded them of the end of autumn.

"Yeah? Then why don't you just tell me what you want?"

“……….”

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The two of them are still on the same page. Rose's attitude toward Shimizu is that of a nobody. On the other hand, Shimizu's feelings toward Rose are deteriorating as well. The way they face each other is tense, as if they are about to start a scuffle.

"Nishino-kun, I heard he's participating in a work experience program."

"Work experience? He said he was going to college."

"I don't know anything about that. I'm just telling you what I saw and heard in the classroom."’

“Is that so?”

The chairwoman decided to keep quiet about Risa-chan's involvement with him. She didn't want her relationship with her friend to be compromised by her getting involved in the matter. It was Shimizu's desire to graduate with an harmonious relationship if at all possible, leaving aside the other person's affection.

Risa, along with Rose, is one of the top students in the school. Her influence on the female students in particular is enormous. The chairwoman thinks that if she were to rank the girls only, she would surpass the blonde loli in front of her. Of course, an harmonious relationship with such a person is an essential part of school life. At the same time, the chairwoman considers Risa to be a very important friend, both now and in the past. That's why she was puzzled by her friend's confession of love.

"Where do you think he’s going?”

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"...... The hospital where Takeuchi's father is a board member.”

"Hmm?"

Unable to gauge Nishino's true intentions, Rose's thoughts wandered. What came to her mind was the tripartite interview that was held the other day. The other day, she had a tripartite interview with the students, and she wondered if there had been some kind of change in their minds. This would require her to change the course of her future plans. 

The chairwoman didn't think that he was just forcing her to join in takeuchi's work experience program as a result of being excited about playing Cupid in love. The chairwoman of the class looked at her and said.

"I want to be paid for this work."

Recently, she started to earn some money using English at the request of Francisca. She was asked by Francisca to correct a message in English that she had sent to Nishino. According to him, she had to make the text more suitable for his taste.

They want me to make changes without changing the intentions. After the money exchange she experienced in the process, she realized that it's not enough to be told one way or the other.

It was Shimizu who's mind began to change. As a result, a little bit of Nishino-esque dialogue was pouring out of her mouth. she had been influenced by a little bit of money making.

"Compensation? For you?”

"I'm spending my time with you, so why shouldn't I?"

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“……..”

Having won a victory once before, the chairwoman's attitude toward Rose had changed, albeit only slightly. She was no longer just treated as she was. Chikako is now able to express her own opinions, and she is a girl who can do it. However, it was also a useless suggestion. She d didn't think that the blonde loli in front of her would nod in agreement with her words. That's why the chairwoman was surprised when she heard Rose's words.

"Yeah, I don't mind.”

"...... It's rare that you listen to me."

"Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be friends with you in the slightest. Rather, i don't want to have a fool around me who doesn't ask for it."

Shimizu was implicitly ridiculed for her actions up to that point. Thanks to this, she did not feel good. However, it was obvious that she would receive an unpleasant response when she expressed her displeasure in words. She swallowed down the complaint that had almost reached her throat and held it in.

"What do you want? Tell me.”

“…….”

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And when it comes to this, Shimizu is the one who is worried about the opposite. 'What should I do now?'. There was no way she could retract her proposal at this point. So she decided to take a chance.

"I would like Rose to support me in my love life.”

“……..”

“Takeuchi-kun likes you, right? And I like Takeuchi-kun. If Takeuchi and I were to get together, I think you'd be able to move around more easily than before. It's in your best interest, right?"

"...... Hmm?”

"If you don't like it, I'm not saying you have to.”

In the end, it was the chairwoman who proposed an equal relationship, including the interests of the other party. In the end. Seeing this, Rose's opinion of Shimizu's character was raised just a little bit. She has been upgraded from a position where it doesn't matter whether she is present or absent, to someone who can be of some use.

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"Okay? I'll cooperate with you in that case."

"Really?"

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"However, when my interests conflict with yours, I will put myself first.”

"That's the same with me ..."

"Then let's determine the reward."

"Uh, yeah."

What the chairwoman is really trying to do is to avoid Risa's favor by getting involved with the opposite sex herself. If Takeuchi is her boyfriend, Risa will give up, right? It may seem that the means and the goal are reversed, but she thinks it's a good idea to kill two birds with one stone. This is how Rose and Shimizu decided to cooperate to fight against Lisa.

                                                                                 ◇ ◆ ◇

While Rose and the chairperson are forming an alliance on the rooftop. In the back of the school building. In the same location, Nishino and Risa-chan having a meeting.

It was Risa-chan who called Nishino.

"Nishino, you're really good! That was great."

"...... Really?"

"I didn't think you would start working so soon"

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"I'm glad you're pleased."

There, after the morning's incident in the classroom, The futsumen received a word of thanks from Risa-chan. He responded without hesitation, but inwardly, Nishino couldn't help but be happy. For him, it was the best reward he could have asked for. Risa-chan, on the other hand, seemed to be in a good mood, having unexpectedly gotten the chance to attend the same event as the chairwoman and spend time together. She had always looked unhappy in front of the other girls, so it was easy for even the communicative Nishino to guess what she was thinking.

"No other girl would ever use Takeuchi-kun as bait."

"No, I didn't mean to make it out to be ......”

"If it's a job experience at a hospital, do you think we'll get to see the chairwoman as a nurse or something?"

"...... I don't know about that."

"Chiako has big boobs, so I think she will look absolutely amazing wearing it!"

“……..”

Risa was full of energy as she prepared for her work experience with the chairwoman. Even her chatter was full of energy.

Nishino, who had only ever had negative words directed at him, couldn't help but wonder if the person he was talking to in front of him was really Risa.

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At the same time, he understood that her feelings for the chairwoman were genuine.

"If I ask Takeuchi-kun, he can lend me at least one dress, right?"

"You're right, that's true. I think I'll ask him!"

"Yeah, that'd be good."

"By the way, Nishino has changed after all."

"What?”

"You didn't back down at all when you heard what I had to say.”

Risa said, staring into the futsumen's eyes.

‘I could reach out and touch her, and she was so cute looking right at me. She was the most adorable girl in the school before Rose came to the school.’

So, Nishino decided to be cynical about it.

"People's hobbies vary widely. If we are talking about love, then homosexuals, who make up nearly 10% of the population, can be said to be the majority. It is calculated that there are three or four homosexuals per class. There is nothing strange about that.”

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"...... You really think so?”

“Yeah.”

“……..”

If the chairwoman had heard about it, she would have made a snide remark, saying that it was just something he read on the Internet. The same must have been true for Risa just a few days ago. Today, however, the situation was a little different.

"That means the chairwoman is a possibility, right?"

"...... If I had to guess, I'd say it's possible, but not likely."

"Nishino, you have a good point.”

"But you can't force it.”

"I know that.”

The achievement of participating in the work experience with the chairwoman had raised Nishino's profile in Risa's mind. Therefore, a little cynicism did not seem to bother her. She is still a beautiful girl with a smile on her face.

"If i get along with the chairwoman thanks to Nishino, can I introduce you to a girl from another school as a thank you? I don't think I can do it at this school, but I might have a chance elsewhere.”

"...... Are you sure?"

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"Don't be so sure, okay? Only if it works out with the chairwoman, okay?"

"Got it.”

The unexpected proposal filled the hearts of the futsumen with warmth. The idea was to revive the introduction system that he had tried unsuccessfully to get Rose to introduce him to the girls at the school festival. He was a virgin who never dreamed that Risa-chan, the leader of the girl's group in the class, would propose it to him.

"Keep up the good work, okay?!”

“Yeah, I'll help you as much as I can."

Risa turned on her heel with an exceptionally attractive smile on her face. The short skirt is soft and fluffy, revealing her tight thighs.

Her body overflowed with a healthy charm as she worked out every day at the track and field club.

Looking at them, Nishino felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking that this was quite adolescent. He was a simple futsumen.

                                                                                        ◇ ◆ ◇

After school on the same day, Takeuchi was stopped by Rose. He had taken today off from club activities and was thinking of checking his physical condition at home.

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He left the room and was on my way to the elevator when he was approached in the hallway. She asked him to follow her for a while. The destination was a coffee shop located in an office district in Tokyo.

The sky was getting darker and darker, and there were no customers in the store. The two of them walked to a seat in the back. It was a table for four. They settled down there, facing each other.

"So, Rose, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Trying his best to remain calm, Takeuchi-kun spoke to the person sitting in front of him. Inwardly, his heart was pounding painfully hard. Her hands, which had been sore from the poison secreted by his bodily fluids just a few days ago, were now exposing her beautiful skin as if that fact had never happened.

He can't even see the inflammation on the tips of her fingernails. The glossy fingertips were probably making the handsome man impatient. Normally, he would have checked this point first. However, Takeuchi-kun had already noticed. The person in front of him was somehow out of the ordinary. And the handsome man here was not stupid enough to say this out in the open.

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It was the same as when Nishino went on a rampage in the yakuza's office. The wise Takeuchi-kun knew. He knew that there were many things in the world that he could lose by pursuing them.

"You're still doing it, aren't you? Does it matter as long as he doesn't find out?"

"...... What are you talking about?"

Rose's intimidating comment made Takeuchi winced. The incident at the back of the school building flashed through his mind. He was tall and strong, and had no small amount of confidence in his strength. He had been pushed to the ground and almost strangled to death, even though he had been caught off guard. he couldn't believe that the person in front of him was just an ordinary girl.

"What is your purpose? It's a big deal if that woman can't get her tail between her legs."

"Huh?"

By that woman, she meant Francisca.

However, Takeuchi-kun had no idea what she was talking about. His body was tense  because he was being shaken by the person who had almost killed him just the other day. he was not sure what to make of this.

When he was in a high mood, his body fluids turn into poison. In combination with such an incomprehensible condition, Takeuchi's heart was finally about to scream.

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If he were to spread the poison in public, he would endanger himself and even his family's hospital.

"I'm going to ask you straight out. What is your purpose?"

So he decided to tell them honestly.

"Did you not notice? I thought I was trying pretty hard."

He was trying his best to be nihilistic. He had done so in the spirit of Tarosuke's recent trip abroad. He was a handsome man who did not think that the source of the problem would be Nishino. The way he spoke, reminiscent of a futsumen, also touched Rose's nerves.

"I may have told you before, but my goal is to go out with you, Rose.”

The blonde-haired Lolita finally became angry when she heard the words that followed.

A drop of blood fell to the floor from her clenched fist under the table.

"... Oh my. Was the target me, and not him?"

"No, no, no. Me with Nishino? Don’t be joking. I'm not into that kind of thing."

“…..”

They’re to talking of the same subject.  At this, Rose also noticed that something was wrong.

"Just to be clear, who is the client?"

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“Huh?”

"As much as it pains me to say this, there are very few organizations that can match us in organizational strength. and even in terms of ability, you are no longer a useful pawn once your identity is known. It would be more profitable for you to tell us everything you know and come down to us quietly.”

"...... Um, Rose-chan.”

"Otherwise, I'm sure your client would have taken care of you.”

In the meantime, Takeuchi-kun also realized. He realized that the person he had fallen in love with might be even more dangerous than he had imagined. The serious look on her face as she looked across the table did not seem like she was lying or joking. The next moment, he felt as if she was about to step up to the table.

"If you want to live a long life, you might as well throw it up now."

“…….”

The handsome man heard the complaint and thought. It sounds like Rose is being serious. With the help of the events behind the school building, Takeuchi was finally convinced.

Then he made a decision.

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"All right, all right. I don't know what to do, but I'll do what Rose says. I don't mind if you do whatever you want with me. But if possible, could you please do it in an amicable way so that I can take over my father's hospital?"

"Oh, you're so naive, aren't you?"

At this point in time, Takeuchi-kun had no sense of honesty. He knew he was in trouble, but still had no idea what was going on.

However, even if he falls, this handsome guy doesn't just wake up. He has the ability to turn a bad situation into an opportunity. It's a far cry from some of the other guys who are constantly turning chances into opportunities.

In order to make this conversation fruitful, Takeuchi-kun continued his words.

"By the way, I have a suggestion for you.”

"...... What is it?"

"There's a work experience event at school next week. Would you like to join us, Rose? One of the sites is a hospital that I know, and some of Rose's friends are going to be there too."

"And what's the point of me being in it?"

Well, well. It was Takenuchi who still hadn't lost his passion for Rose.

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"By the way, I heard that Nishino will be participating in this.”

‘I'll give her the name of a futsumen to try.’ It was a possibility that was inherently unlikely for him.

If he had followed the handsome man's theory, this would never have happened. However, in the fuzzy consciousness of the past, it would clearly denied the theory.

And indeed, the response from her was remarkable.

"I'm in."

"Really?"

"Yes, I do.”

She answered immediately. He remembered what he had heard from the chairwoman during the lunch break. This gave the handsome man a new understanding.

"Then Rose-chan will also participate."

On the same day, for Takeuchi-kun, Nishino became a rival with whom he had to compete at all costs.

                                                                                ◇ ◆ ◇

179

After finishing the conversation, Takeuchi-kun left the coffee shop ahead of her. Rose was left alone in her seat. A few minutes had passed since then, and the coffee in her hand was getting cold. There was a figure walking up to her. She was wearing a short skirt suit and a shirt with an opening at the chest.

It was Francisca, a woman with an impressive long blonde hair that reached down to her waist.

Without saying a word, she sat down next to the seat where Takeuchi-kun had been sitting, diagonally in front of Rose. As soon as she took her seat, she skipped the greeting and spoke to Rose.

"Apparently you really don't know anything."

"Yeah, I guess so.”

She was the one who had been watching and listening to the exchange from elsewhere through the camera. The person answering began to answer as a matter of course.

"I never thought I'd see your kind here.”

"No need to talk. So what are we going to do about it?"

"If I follow Rose's story, it's kind of subtle. ......”

"Doesn't sound very useful.”

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"As for the poison, I can't say for sure until I see what it is. I can't say anything about poison without checking the ingredients. If that's the case, it would be safer to bring in our own gas or something.”

"So do we just leave it? Or get rid of it?"

"Oh, how terrible. Don't you feel sorry if you leave it alone?"

"It's none of my business."

"Rose is a terrible woman, even though he likes you."

Francisca said playfully.

"Is that all you have to say?”

Rose responded in a condescending manner. She usually gives her boss a hard time, but today she seemed to be in a particularly bad mood. Thinking it would be best not to play any more, the crotchety old lady decided to wrap things up.

"I'll give it a few more days, just to be sure."

“Is that so?”

"If there is no contact in the meantime, we'll call it white. But you and I seem to be a good match. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.”

"I get it.”

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"Oh? You're more honest than ever."

"Do you know how many poisonous insects are wriggling around near him? I don't feel like living."

"...... That's definitely something to keep in mind."

As the girls had said, Nishino had not noticed any change in Takeuchi. Today was no different from any other day. It was not unlikely that he would be touched by the poison at some point.

"If you're going to get rid of it, I'd prefer it be sooner rather than later." 

"It's a lot of trouble to get rid of him."

"Is it really that big of a hospital?"

"You know, houses with a lot of history can have unexpected connections. And what's more, that boy is not Nishino's classmate. If he finds out, you and I won't be safe.”

"...... Right."

"Well, it's nothing short of ironic that you, a living legend of history, are cheaper than everyone else. I've always wondered if you could have made better connections.”

"There are plenty of ways to hurt people without killing them."

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"Just kidding, just kidding. I hope you don't take me seriously."

“…..”

Francisca spoke in a light tone. Rose stared at her with distaste, and told her to tell the other.

"I don't know what you're going to do, but you have to make sure he's safe.”

"Yes, I'm very aware of that."

"If anything should happen to you, you won't have an easy death, will you?"

Rose mumbled nonchalantly and left her seat without waiting for the other person's reply. She left the coffee shop without looking back. She was not sure how long it will take, but she was sure it will be a long time.

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