"W... Wait, you haven't had a single drop!" Eugene calls out, getting up in shock as the woman is on her way out. Not a single sip of green tea, just- because it was too hot for her to pick up?
"Apologies. It's simply... not for me," Kuroiwa explains.
"A-Alright, b... but... uhm- don't you want to stick around, know about what you're delivering?" Eugene calls out. "Like, what's in 45?"
Kuroiwa shakes her head. "Not particularly."
"Well, it's a rare and limited-edition Sweet Bot, its box in perfect condition and all. Top of the line," Eugene begins to explain as he follows after Kuroiwa. Entering the garage with her, watching her get into the pickup truck. "Worth quite a lot of money, y'know? ... right, you do know that. But-"
"Please, open the garage door," Kuroiwa instructs, showing absolute indifference to what Eugene explains. "I just need to know that I'm driving this to Omaha. Nothing more, nothing less, Eugene."
"... b... but- uhm. It's an interesting marketing pitch! The salesmen at the company's-"
"Eugene, you're stalling," Kuroiwa bluntly states, calling him and his incessantly rambling self out. "Are you trying to keep me from leaving? ... you have been, for a while, actually."
Eugene... stares at Kuroiwa for a bit, before sighing.
"I... I just didn't want you to go," he truthfully admits. "Not until... n-not until-"
"Until what?" Kuroiwa asks, glaring at Eugene. "What could you possibly-?"
"I- I wanted to find a way to s-say you're welcome back here, anytime!" Eugene exclaims, blurting out to interrupt Kuroiwa.
Kuroiwa loses her glare as her eyes... widen slightly, looking to Eugene. "... uh... thanks? I-"
"I-It's just- listen, I... I heard about the funeral. Then the news said you disappeared, presumably died, and- and here you are. I'm in front of the girl who, who I just- it's- I'm- I just..."
Eugene... takes a deep breath to collect his thoughts. "... I... I feel- I feel sorry, y'know. For all that all happened..."
"..."
... Eugene covers his face, sighing. "... a... alright? T... That's all. I- I'll... I'll let you go now. Good luck with the delivery..." He walks to the garage door switch, letting the garage door open for Kuroiwa.
Kuroiwa stares at Eugene, speechless for a bit.
"... Eugene. What was- what was his name again?"
"...?" Eugene looks back to Kuroiwa, eyebrow raised. "Huh?"
"His name. The inventor's. The one who made Vanilla," Kuroiwa idly continues.
Eugene blinks in astonishment, looking at the garage door as it opens. "... h... have I not been saying his name? That's- oh, wow, I haven't. It's- huh. Why am I just calling him 'my friend' instead of his actual name?"
Kuroiwa shrugs. "I have no idea. Well, then." Putting the car into drive, ready to leave.
"..." Eugene narrows his eyes. "Wa... wait, don't you want to know his name? He-"
"Save it. It will be a mystery that we will discuss when I come back," Kuroiwa responds.
"I- but- why would it be a mystery if-"
"Eugene."
Looking to see an... earnest... smile. One meant to be given to a friend, one meant to express pleasantries rather than discomfort. "Thanks for the tea. I'll be happy to have a chat again sometime."
YOU ARE READING
Revenge Fantasy
Mystery / ThrillerKuroiwa. A known name throughout the black market, belonging to a figure that has gone unseen. Every job they post, regarded in the highest demand by countless criminals and mercenaries. Every job they take, carried out with a terrifying and inevita...
