I walked to The Loser when the sky turned dusk, waited for the part-timer until closing. Most of the time, she would share dinner she made in the bar. Camel did not come back. Looking at the stain in the corner, I started to have an illusion that it looked like an old map of Western Europe. I saw Camel crawling eastward on the stain, maybe he was looking for an oasis.
The bar has been quiet, I guess it’s because there aren’t many angels getting married these days. If you attended the wedding of an angel and the groom wasn't you, you know you've always wanted to find a gloomy place to have a drink and talk to someone, about some stories with her or without her.
The Loser is a gloomy place. Almost as grim as eyes of Tony Leung.
"Hey, I heard some rumors about you at school today." Said the part-timer.
"Oh."
"You're in a relationship with a girl from our school, right?"
I thought about it for a while. "Not quite sure." I said.
"Well, I don't know if it would hurt you, if I said," she thought for a while and said. "Many guys are pursuing that girl."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTWG6gW9Sz
"Because, this is a cozy summer."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ggRp0xzNG
"But don't you mind?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVW2TVGwPr
"Didn’t you say that this was a rumor?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrDx3xdwYr
"Well, that's what I heard."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3vFy43qA6
"There is a rumor that I have two ducks as pets."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQnaiYf1lu
"Well, that's not surprising," she said with a serious look.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9wFzCGMoj
"Some people say that my left leg is prosthetic."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGSRsx2AHT
"This is not impossible," she said with a soft nod.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGRoX68IQd
"Um…" I sighed. "Then you can take it as a fact."
"If you treat her better, she will ignore those admirers."
"We are not a couple." I denial.
"Really? Not?"
"Not."
"Oh, that’s too bad."
"Hmm, why?"
"… my ex is very close to her."
"Are you worried about them getting together?"
She nodded. "A little."
"Don't worry," I soothed her softly. "She is a good girl."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0emf8tnwG3
She punched me in the face.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnh4S0KymX
"The bar won't be open tomorrow." She said when I sent her home.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzTeHbJOoL
"Uh, is this okay?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjVNQnJtx6
"Well, Camel said it’s fine."
"So, I don’t have free dinner then."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcP3m0rQ3L
"Do you have a kitchen at home?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfVY4jwPpA
"I have. Doesn’t everyone have a kitchen in their home?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxavyLDTWM
"Then I'll go to your house and make dinner."
"It’s not needed." I said. "It doesn't matter if I eat alone."
"I eat alone, too." She looked a little tired.
"Hmm..." I said. "But do you know my home?"
"How do I know? Come and take me."
"Well, that's fine." I said.
"That's it." Without saying anything else, she walked into her house.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FSFKVyAqy
ns3.21.106.239da2
