Freddy took it out and saw that it was indeed broken.

He wondered if he could fix it.

The moment Freddy laid eyes on the hairpin, he thought it was beautiful and would look good on her, but never would he have predicted her reaction to rain on his expectant parade.

As Mashauva returned to him after her jog, Freddy handed her a tissue to wipe off as he forced a smile.

"You tired? Here, drink some water."

He handed her a vacuum flask.

Mashauva took a sip, and the temperature was just right. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you, Freddy."

"Anytime. You hold on to it. You've worked up quite a sweat. Rehydrate yourself."

"Okay."

As a thought came to mind out of the blue, Mashauva asked, "Freddy, is Bruno still overstretched?" "Not really. I wouldn't use overstretch."

Oh."

That was all she said in reply.

"What's wrong? You two haven't seen each other for a long time, have you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, since it's Saturday tomorrow, how about we take you hiking?"

"No, no." Mashauva shook her head and quickly refused. "No thanks."

"Why not? Is it because of me?" He assumed he was the reason she rejected so immediately. "Are you still doubting the sincerity of my words?"

"No, I believe you, I just..."

She didn't want to see Bruno yet, not before her weight loss plan worked wonders.

"Anyhow, it's good that Bruno isn't too busy. Freddy, I'm done with my jogging. You should head back."

She waved goodbye and ran off.

stood rooted to the spot until the dark

felt as if centuries had passed when

thing about it

was and if he brought Mashauva out

mind, and after some thought, Bruno dropped his work and

the door, it was pushed

alcohol wafted

the smell, Bruno took a few reflexive steps back, far away from the person behind the

"Ugh!"

alcohol. He staggered and

Bruno grabbed him by the collar and

"F-F*ck off."

drunk and being grabbed by the collar,

was usually strong while

Mashauva's school today,

wild. "Yes, I went looking for her. But so what?

Rejected?

within

did you say to her? Freddy, did you

forgotten, of course,

why were

that Freddy might have said something he shouldn't have to Mashauva

in mind, he

out as he

free

to wake

tell me you've forgotten she still hasn't reached legal age. What the

he fought

I remember. That's why... I didn't have the guts to say anything. I foolishly thought... everything would

the

guess

might have

what,

something."

She had sensed something?

asked me if

did you say?" Inexplicably anxious, a wild thought came to Bruno. "He didn't admit to

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