“I’m home.” I entered our house with a long face. I could barely put up my usual smile as I change into my indoor shoes.

“You look so sad, what’s the matter, Eri-chan?” A soft voice waddled inside the house, and that voice belong to my mother. Her black hair was laced, resting on her shoulder. My mother was a bombshell, to be honest, I hope to grow up like her someday.

“Nothing…” I grunted. “Haaaa…” I could feel my soul leaving my body.

“Hmm… Do you want to eat something? I brought ice cream from the convenience store earlier.”

“Yes please.” It was always like this. Whenever I return home feeling depressed, my mom would offer me ice cream. It works though.

Our home was simple and nothing out of ordinary. I buried my body on the sofa and opened the tv. It was a run-of-the-mill ‘comedy’ show with washed-up celebrities.

Tsk, I’m way cuter than her. I thought to the new uprising star faking her reaction on the tv. How on earth can she get a job when I am here, stuck modeling for unknown brands.

My judgments continued to get darker and darker until I felt a cold sensation on my head.

“There you go again, being rude to celebrities. Are you one of those ‘haters’ I’ve heard in the news?” She worryingly said. How could she even tell?

“Mom, I’m not like those haters who spend their life on the internet.”

“You aren’t?”

“Mom, I’m an Instagram model, it’s different when I do it.”

“I’m worried about you. Last time I saw you laughing at a banana with some music. I don’t get it.”

“Mom, it’s called ironic humor, you wouldn’t get it.” I grabbed the ice cream and opened it. I took a spoonful before stuffing it in my mouth. The cold vanilla flavor spread throughout my tongue, down to my throat.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said.

“Hehe, anything for my sweet girl.” She then patted my head before heading to the kitchen.

I know he means no harm, but I’m a little angry with Hinabi-kun. I thought, eating another spoonful.

After he ‘saved’ me from Senpai, he walked me to the train station and we depart from there. Tomorrow is Saturday… I can’t meet Senpai for two whole days.

That was the reason for my misery. He doesn’t have a social account, I don’t know his address, I don’t know his number—what if I ask some random drug pusher, would they know him?

I entertained the thought until I finished the ice cream. Keeping the spoon inside my mouth, I looked at the ceiling. What will people think if they learned that a beauty like me is struggling in love?

They probably wouldn’t believe it. If some beauty told me that they were having trouble with some guy, not only I would feel superior, I would also laugh at her face.

Ding dong~ The sound of the doorbell echoed.

“Eri-chan, it’s probably the dinner I ordered,” Mom exclaimed.

“Wait, you didn’t cook? Is that the reason why you gave me ice cream?”

“That’s not all the reason! Anyway, don’t keep the delivery guy waiting!”

“Hmph! It’s probably because of that Korean drama, hmph.” I grunted. What was the name of the actor she always watched? Yik So Yung? Lee Tae Park? Kim Jong Un?

I run through all the Korean names I could think of until I reached the door.

“Takahashi resi-dence…?” Opening the door, I was greeted by a familiar face.

Though he wasn’t wearing his rugged uniform, his prominent tough lookin’ face still catches my eyes. He wore a white t-shirt, pants, and a bandana tied around his head.

“Senpai?” Right, it was no other than my thug slayer Senpai. He’s the delivery guy!?

We crossed eyes, and a moment of silence had passed us. Truthfully, it was kind of awkward… While I was thinking of what to say, Senpai moved his lips.

“I didn’t lose my job. I’m just taking a shift for a friend.” On his side was a moped motorcycle with a barely working side mirror. Was this about our conversation about his job?

“Okay…? Are those paid already?” I replied, still not sure how to interact in this situation. I mean, seeing Senpai here in the wild!?

“Yeah.” He said, taking out the hot food from the box of the moped. “Still, I didn’t expect you to live in a fancy house like this.”

“Fancy? Compared to the cave you are living in, yeah.”

“Ugh… You rascal…”

“Oh, is that how you treat your valued customer?”

“Cheeky as always.” Senpai… He wasn’t really annoyed like always. Senpai gave me the food and I received it gently as I could.

The sky had turned dark, yet few stars could be seen. I guess that was the cost of living here in the city. Separated by the gates of our home, I couldn’t get close to him like I generally do.

“Enjoy your meal, ma’am.” He said, and then I followed with a small chuckle.

I observed him start the engine, he was having trouble, perhaps because of the age of the moped. After this, he would leave, then I had to wait another two days before I could see him again… That’s fine, isn’t it…?

I couldn’t be greedier… That’s right… If I ask for more, he might get mad… I thought, but something inside me was pounding my chest. Something… Something…

“Senpai!” Without thinking, I exclaimed. Immediately, I covered my mouth, but it was too late as he was already looking at me with a raised brow.

What a pressure! “I, are you, um…” Are you free tomorrow? That was what I wanted to say. Slowly, I stumbled on my words. My face felt hotter and hotter until finally, I what I had in mind. I was too scared to utter it.

“Haaa… Nothing,” I smiled wryly.

“Is that so? I thought you’ve got something to whine about.”

“Nah,” I casually waved my hand. “See you on Monday.”

“Yeah.” And with that, he hit the gas and I was left drowned in the sound of the engine.

I watched him as he goes away until he changed into a silhouette—until he was gone. Then, I remembered the countless men who confessed their love to me, of how they bravely asked me on dates, knowing well that their chances were slim.

“What the hell… Being in love sucks sometimes.” I wiped the edge of my eyes before going back inside.