Chapter 1138
Misato: I hate friends with high IQs!
Miri rushed to her doorstep in a great hurry, her forehead still damp with sweat, her chest heaving violently from running all the way.
She hurriedly pulled out her key, her fingertips trembling slightly. Just as she was about to insert it into the lock, she caught sight of Ritsuko Akagi leaning against the wall by the stairwell, waiting for her. Ritsuko was carrying a plastic bag filled with the snacks and drinks they both loved when they were in school, clearly having made a special trip to see her.
Seeing this, Ritsuko stood up straight first, took a few steps forward, and glanced at Misato's flushed cheeks and flustered expression. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone was full of doubt: "Miri, what's wrong with you? Why are you running so fast, like you're being chased?"
As Misato's best friend since childhood, Ritsuko knew Misato's temperament all too well. Even when Misato was in a hurry, she would never lose her composure like this. Looking at her friend now, she felt that there was something strange about her, as if she was hiding something or anxious about something.
Misato's mind was filled with images of Zeppelin and Choi Myung alone at home. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. She had no mind to deal with Ritsuko's concern. Frustrated, she scratched her hair, her tone filled with barely concealed urgency and annoyance: "Don't bother me, a thief broke into the house! And a big one at that! Damn it!!!" The thought that Zeppelin might have already succeeded made her furious, and she wanted nothing more than to rush into the house and find out what was going on.
"..." Ritsuko looked at Misato speechlessly, her lips twitching uncontrollably. Ever since Misato recovered from her aphasia, her mouth had been like a permanent switch, chattering incessantly. Once she got into a mood, she would chatter on and on, never quieting down for a moment.
Despite her complaints, Ritsuko's gaze sharpened. She crossed her arms and stared at Misato's face for a long time, increasingly convinced that something was amiss—Misato's demeanor suggested more than just being bothered by a "thief." It seemed as if she harbored a secret, and even her overall aura had subtly changed, losing some of her usual carefree spirit and gaining an indescribable charm.
Ritsuko took a half step forward, her tone becoming more serious and authoritative, and softly called out, "Miri."
Misato was already feeling anxious and agitated, so she didn't even look up and replied perfunctorily, "What is it? Speak quickly, I have things to do." Her mind was entirely on the room, and she just wanted to get Ritsuko out of there as soon as possible.
“Something’s wrong with you.” Ritsuko’s tone was certain, her eyes filled with even more scrutiny as she stared intently at Misato. “Ever since I saw you at the stairwell, I’ve felt something was off. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you’re just very different from the person I used to be.”
"Huh?" Misato paused for a moment, her heart skipped a beat, as if someone had touched a sore spot. She subconsciously suppressed the anxiety on her face, forced herself to remain calm and avoided Ritsuko's gaze, her tone somewhat unnatural: "What's wrong? You're overthinking it. I just ran in a hurry."
Ritsuko didn't believe her explanation at all. She stepped forward and got closer to Misato, staring at her face and scrutinizing her repeatedly, examining her expression and demeanor one by one. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, as if she had discovered a major secret. Her tone was full of surprise and disbelief: "That's right! How come I only noticed now? You... You actually! When did you become so mature? Both your demeanor and your demeanor are completely different from that impulsive girl you used to be!"
These words struck Misato like a thunderbolt. She froze on the spot, her entire body still, her face filled with astonishment, her mind screaming: No way! How could you be so perceptive?!
She'd been discovered! How could Ritsuko be so perceptive, noticing even this slight change?! She instinctively raised her hand to cover her face, trying to hide her flushed cheeks, but then realized it was inappropriate and quickly lowered her hand, standing there helplessly, her cheeks instantly turning bright red, even her ears blushing—Ritsuko had actually seen through her change! How was she going to explain herself if she were to question her about it?!
Misato panicked after being exposed, her mind racing as she tried to cover it up. She quickly forced a stiff smile, her tone deliberately casual and even a little coquettish: "Haha! Ritsuko, what are you saying~ What do you mean by mature or immature? You must have misjudged me. I'm still the same as before!"
As she spoke, she subconsciously took a half-step back, her eyes darting away, afraid that if Ritsuko continued to press her for answers, she might accidentally expose Zeppelin and Choi Myung's affair.
Ritsuko, however, was not buying it at all. Staring at Misato's flustered appearance, she became more and more suspicious. Her eyes became more inquisitive, and her tone was firm and unyielding: "I'm going to your house today!" She wanted to see for herself what secrets Misato's house was hiding that could have changed her so much.
"No!!!" Misato's voice rose instantly, her smile vanishing completely, her hands waving in utter resistance. She couldn't let Ritsuko see the current situation at home; if she discovered Zeppelin and Choi Myung's affair, she'd be too ashamed to face anyone!
Misato tried her best to stop her, taking a step forward to grab Ritsuko, but Ritsuko had already seen through her intentions. She dodged to the side and pushed Misato toward the door without saying a word.
As a close friend, Ritsuko knew Misato's personality inside and out. She knew that the more Misato resisted, the more it meant she had something to hide. Looking at Ritsuko's determined expression, Misato knew that she couldn't persuade her otherwise. In the end, she could only reluctantly let go and agree.
"Seriously... I give up." Misato muttered dejectedly, slowly inserting the key into the lock, her heart pounding with anxiety as she prayed that the two inside would get ready quickly and that Ritsuko wouldn't catch them in the act.
Misato stood at the door, clutching the key, silently praying that the house would return to normal as soon as possible. She secretly planned how to get Ritsuko out of the way once the door was open, so that Ritsuko wouldn't notice anything amiss. She was very thoughtful, but she forgot one crucial thing—Choi Myung was, most of the time, an extremely family-oriented and good man.
He never let Misato deal with trouble alone, and he was more accustomed to taking the initiative to keep track of her whereabouts, especially in this unfamiliar and special timeline.
Just as Misato took a deep breath and was about to turn the key, a familiar car horn sounded from the stairwell. Her heart tightened, and she turned her head sharply to see Choi Myung leaning against the car, his gaze fixed on her, his expression natural and gentle.
Misato froze on the spot, most of the color draining from her face, her hand gripping the keys trembling slightly. When she saw Choi Myung arrive in his car to pick her up, only one thought crossed her mind: We're doomed! We're completely exposed now! (End of Chapter)