***

Hello.

My name is Yuna, I am nine years old, and I am currently attending the Blooming Flower Elementary School.

Right now, I am in the middle of the first semester of the school year, now entering the second quarter.

It was just like every other day, except that my brother actually forgot to give me my allowance for today.

But that wasn’t honestly a big deal. Really. After all, I have my own savings~ And plus, I’m gonna get it later once I bring this up anyways~

Anyways, forget all of that. What matters the most right now is that I haven’t done my homework at all!!!

Like seriously?!? There was homework?!?!!!

That piece of news made me flabbergasted.

Man! What a great way to start the day!!! Am I right?!

So anyways, here I am, sitting at my desk, with my elbows on the table and my chin on my hands.

I was seriously in deep thought and… in danger as well.

Fortunately, the subject that we supposedly have homework was still after recess, so it was at least good that I wasn’t told this after recess.

One can only wonder what the consequences were…

Anyways, it was really mind-blowing on how I did not know there was homework.

As I was lost in my thoughts, a classmate of mine suddenly approached me and said, “What’s up Yuna? What are you thinking so deeply about?”

It was Grey Landshert, a classmate of Yuna and also one of her friends.

“Grey!!~ Great timing!!!” Yuna said with a look that says ‘help’.

“Huh? What’s wrong?” Asked Grey.

“Well, you see…”

Yuna explained the entire situation to Grey.

“Oh, so that’s what happened.”

“So Grey… Can I copy your homework?” Yuna shyly asked Grey with her fingers touching.

“...Sure, but on one condition” Grey said with a cunning grin on his face.

Hearing this, Yuna gulped, “What condition?”

“Hehe…”

“...What? You’re scaring me!”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Grey cleared his throat, “It’s simple, in return, attend my birthday party this upcoming October 28th.”

“...”

“...”

“...Huh? That’s all? You scared me for nothing!” Yuna heaved a sigh of relief.

“Yeah, that’s all. Simple right?” Grey smiled.

“If that’s all, then I can do it. Now give me that homework! Fast!” Yuna reached out her hand.

“Wait, let me get it first.”

“Hurry, hurry!”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you.”

***

Around the time that Yuna was in deep thoughts, Laden, however, got kicked out of school.

‘I wasn’t able to get any parking space at all!’

Of course, he wasn’t really practically kicked out of the school grounds.

It was more like he was forced to move out there because he was really causing traffic there…

Anyways, he was planning to enter the school grounds again after there wasn’t much of a crowd now. But, when he tried to enter again, he was refused entry and told to enter again later.

“Hmmm… So, what should I do now…?”

“Well, let’s get some snacks first then.”

He drove towards a nearby mall to stay there and buy some snacks to give to Yuna later.

While he was wandering around the mall, looking for tasty snacks for his little sister and also for him, he heard someone call out to him.

“Huh? Laden! Is that you?”

He turned around to see who called out his name.

It was a young woman, with long black hair, wearing a white t-shirt with a doraemon design on it, and jeans for pants. She was also holding bubble tea in her left hand and her cellphone in her right hand.

“Oh… I was wondering who it was, but it was you, Jean.” Laden calmly said.

“Long time no see, Laden. How are you?” Jean asked with a smile.

“I’m fine.” Laden gave a short reply.

“Hmm… I see, you’re still the same as ever.” Jean crossed her arms.

“What? Were you expecting something else?”

“Not really, but I was curious if you had at least changed since the last time I saw you. After all, the last time we saw each other was three years ago, am I right?”

“I don’t know. I don’t usually track the time of who, what, or when I meet someone.”

“...Geez. You and your personality”

“Anyways, if you’re done, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Ok, see you next time.”

Laden waved his hand in response as he quietly left.

“Sigh… That guy is still so cold-hearted and indifferent.” She put her one hand on her cheek as she looked at Laden slowly walking further away.

“But anyways~” She went back to minding her own business.

While Jean went back to minding her own business, Laden went to a bakery shop situated in the mall.

—Ding!

“Welcome— ah! It’s Laden! What brings you here?” The shopkeeper was surprised.

“Huh?! Laden is here?!”

Hurried footsteps could be heard scurrying in the back of the store.

Bang!

The door burst open.

“What are you doing here?” The person who burst the door open asked him with excitement in her tone.

Laden smiled, “Hello Kei, I came here to buy some bread and pastries.”

“Kei, you’re not supposed to open the door like that. Oh, hey there Laden.” A tall muscular person came out of the back of the store.

“Hello Max, is the store doing alright?” Laden asked.

“You bet it is,” He grinned. “You should visit our store more often, it’s quite popular you know~”

Laden laughed, “I see. I’m glad to see it’s doing alright.”

“Hey, Laden, take a seat~ What pastries do you want? I’ll bring it to you!” Kei enthusiastically said.

“It’s ok, I will just take out a few pastries and bread.”

“That won’t do! Wait there, I’ll pack a lot of delicious bread and pastries for you!!”

“But, that won’t be nec—” But before he was able to finish his sentence, Kei had already left to pack some bread and pastries.

“Hahaha, just accept it Laden, you’ve done us a lot in the past after all, even if you try to reject it, we won’t allow you to.” Max grinned.

Laden laughed in response to what he said.

“Thank you for the bread and pastries, then.”

“No problem, it’s a small matter,” Max waved his hand.

“While you wait, how about you take a seat, it’ll take a while.”

“Ok.”

Laden took a seat situated near the window.

Clang.

Suddenly, a cup of coffee was served on his table. He looked up to see who it was and it was the shopkeeper.

He gave his thanks in response, “Ah, thank you.”

The shopkeeper smiled, “Enjoy, it’s on the house.”

Laden also smiled in turn and nodded his head.