I Will Always Be By Your Side

Chapter 4

"Alright. I'll come with you."

Jurina's face brighten upon hearing those words. "Eh? Really?" She asked. Rena nodded. "Yup."

"Waahh I feel so happy!" Jurina exclaimed and then she hugged her. Rena froze on her place because of the sudden hug. All she could do was stare at Jurina who is hugging her tight. "Uhm, ano, Jurina-chan..." She finally said which made Jurina look at her. That's when Jurina realized her action, so she pulled away from her. "I... I'm sorry. I just got carried away..." She said as she laugh awkwardly. She picked up her bag and went straight to the door without looking back to hide her embarrassment. "Jurina! What do you think you are doing?" She thought as she scolded herself.

Rena stood on her place without moving. She could feel her heart pounding because of that sudden hug. She unconsciously placed her hand on her chest and she could feel how loud her heart beats. "Why is my heart beating like this?" She asked herself.

Jurina looked back when she felt that no one is following her, and she saw Rena still standing beside her desk. "Uhm, Rena-chan?" She called. "Huh?" Rena looked at her direction. "Let's go." Jurina said as she waited for her at the door. "Ah yes. I'm coming." Rena said then she walked towards her.

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Rena quietly followed Jurina as they walked out of school, occasionally glancing at her back. She then remembered what happened earlier and she could feel her face starts to become warm.

Jurina looked back at her. "She doesn't think that I'm weird because of the sudden hug, right?" She asked herself. She sighed as they continue walking until they reached their destination.

"We're here." Jurina said as they stopped in front of a ramen house.

"Welcome!" A middle-aged woman welcome them. "Oh? Jurina? Done with school already?" The woman asked. Rena looked at them with confusion. "Yup!" Jurina replied as she put down her bag on the table. "Rena-chan, don't be shy. You can take a seat here. By the way, she's my mom."

"Eh?" Rena was surprised. She didn't expect that she will be meeting Jurina's mom. "Good afternoon ma'am. I'm Matsui Rena, Jurina's classmate. Pleasure to meet you." Rena said as she bowed to her.

"Nice to meet you too Rena. I hope my daughter isn't bugging you too much. You see, she's still young and childish sometimes. But even though she's like that, please take care of her."

"Mom! Please stop treating me like a kid! I'm already in high school you know! Besides it's embarrassing." Jurina said as pouts her lips. "You're only in high school because you got accelerated but you're still practically a baby. You can't even sleep on your own without your favorite pillow." Her mother replied, teasing her even more.

"Mom! Really, saying things like that in front of my classmate? You're embarrassing me!"

Rena watched them with astonishment, but somehow she felt a little bit envious because of their mother-daughter relationship.

Jurina's mom looked at her. "Rena, right? Don't mind us. We're always like this. Anyway, please feel at home. I will just prepare your food."

"It's okay, Mrs. Matsui." Rena replied with a smile. "Sorry if I didn't ask you what you like earlier, but I assure you, you'll gonna love my mom's cooking. She makes the best ramen in Japan!" Jurina said with a wink which made Rena blush. "Jurina, do not exaggerate with your friend." Her mother said. "But I'm telling the truth!" Jurina said before following her mom in the kitchen. Rena couldn't help but smile as she watch them. Somehow, watching them makes her feel warm.

A few minutes later, Jurina's mom served them with two bowls of freshly made ramen. "That's my mom's special best seller. Aand here!" Jurina said as she lay a plate of gyoza in front of Rena. "I made that gyoza. That's the only thing that I can make so far but I hope you like it."

"Thank you." Rena said then she picked up her chopsticks. "Itadakimasu!" She said then she started eating the ramen. "Hmmm!! Oishi! Now I understand why this is your best seller." Rena said. "Try the gyoza." Jurina said excitedly. Rena picked one and Jurina watched her with anticipation as she eat it. "How was it?" She asked. "It's delicious!" Rena replied. "I'm glad that you like it." Jurina said before digging into her bowl of ramen. Her mother just watched them as they finish their food.

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"I'll be leaving now. Thank you for the food Mrs. Matsui." Rena said as she bowed in front of Jurina's mom. "Just call me auntie. After all, you are my daughter's friend. Feel free to come back anytime, okay?"

"Okay." Rena said. "Bye Rena-chan! See you tomorrow!" Jurina said with a smile. Rena nodded before going on her way. Jurina watched her as she walked away and unconsciously a smile drew on her face.