C3 Ridiculousness

My mind keeps on thinking about what happened today. After saying something that was like a dream, Luigi walked me home. I'm grateful because Mom is still working and doesn't see my messy appearance. If Mom sees it, I don't know what answer to give her. So far, I have never told my mother how my friends at school treated me. I didn't want her to be sad or worried. Whenever my mother asked me about my relationship with my friends at school, I always lied to her.

I can't believe what Luigi said earlier. I'm sure he's joking with me. A trendy guy at school and a very naughty student in my eyes, how could he possibly offer to be my protector? This sounds absurd to me.

"Excuse me, Miss. Hello."

Instantly, I was shocked, and everything that filled my mind dispersed when I realized someone was calling me. A man was standing before me with some groceries on my table.

"I'm sorry," I begged while repeatedly lowering my head. The man just smiled at my panic. I immediately continued my work after I had time to relax until I daydreamed because of the quiet conditions. No customers came to my table to pay for their groceries.

To help my mother, I work part-time at a mini market near my house every time after school. I work as a cashier in this mini market. I've been working here for about a year. Yes, since I was in senior high school. I didn't want to bother my mother too much, so I thought I could hold pocket money from my salary. With this salary money, I can also buy school supplies.

"Looks like you've been daydreaming since earlier?" asked the man kindly. I have often met this man because he shopped at my work's mini-market.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

He just smiled in response to my apology. After he finished paying for his groceries, he left after flashing a friendly smile. Hah, say I'm lucky to be caught daydreaming by a kind-hearted customer like that guy. I can't imagine what would happen if a curt customer grabbed my daydreaming activity. Maybe he would scold me.

"Why, Serena? What did Dante say to you?"

A woman whose appearance showed she was more mature than me suddenly approached. She's my co-worker here. Her name is Bianca Vedetta, and she is two years older than me. I'm pretty close to her. I've even often told her all my problems. Compared to friends, I think of her more as a sister.

"Nothing," I replied, simply shaking my head repeatedly.

Sister Bianca snorted, "Liar. I saw him talking to you earlier. He also smiles at you. Come on, tell me what he said just now?"

I just smiled, listening to her words that seemed sulky. I know that Sis Bianca admires the man I knew earlier named Dante Xaverio. I found out the name of the course from Sis Bianca. The man named Dante does look mature and friendly. He always smiled at me every time he met me. Even though he always seems to be nice to everyone. He is also quite handsome, though not as handsome as Luigi. Luigi, his name and face always pop up in my head today.

"Hey, answer me, Serena."

Sis Bianca looks starting to get annoyed with my residence.

"He just asked if I was daydreaming."

"Then what do you answer?" Asked Sis Bianca so enthusiastically. Her eyes twinkled as if she couldn't wait for my answer.

"I said I wasn't daydreaming. That's all we talked about, Sis."

Sis Bianca looked at me questioningly, leaving me speechless for a moment.

"What do you think, Serena? I also noticed that since coming here you've been daydreaming."

I fell silent again, a dilemma between having to tell her what happened today or not. But I remembered that all this time I couldn't tell my problems to my mother, who was too busy at work, that's why it was to Sis Bianca that I usually complained about all the issues I faced. Ultimately, I chose to tell everything that happened to me today at school, including Luigi's strange words.

"Wow, I think that guy named Luigi likes you, Serena."

Those were the first words left Sis Bianca's mouth after I finished the story.

Instantly, I was nervous and embarrassed. "That's impossible. A man as popular as him, how could he like me? After all, he could get whoever he wanted. Even at school, many beautiful women idolize him," I muttered, dismissing all of Sis Bianca's impossible thoughts.

"You're beautiful too, Serena. I'm sure he likes you."

I shook my head firmly repeatedly, "Impossible, that's impossible. Even if what he said was true, he must only feel sorry for me."

My thinking is what makes sense. For a man as handsome as Luigi, it's impossible to like a woman like me, who is utterly incomparable to the beautiful women who idolize him.

"You always put yourself down, Serena. I still believe he likes you. Want to bet?" Asked Sis Bianca while winking one eye, which made me quickly shake my head, rejecting her offer.

"Have you thanked him yet?"

Sis Bianca's question made me realize something. True, I have yet to thank him earlier.

"Surely not, right?"

I nodded. "Y-Yes."

"Then, tomorrow you meet him. Thank him for saving you today, and ask him what he meant by that earlier, OK?"

Sis Bianca just walked away after patting my shoulder hard enough, leaving me before I could respond to her words. No! I can't possibly ask that of Luigi. But I was determined to meet him tomorrow, not to ask what he meant but to thank him for all his kindness today.

***

Early in the morning, I arrived at school. Unlike usual, I would go straight to class when I got to school. Today, I deliberately stood close to the gate. The gate was almost closed, and I have yet to see Luigi's figure. He may not have come to school today. I, waiting near the gate, finally decided to walk to class. There are only ten minutes until class starts.

Even though I'm in the classroom, my gaze is still fixed on the school gate, which can be seen here. I'm still disappointed because I didn't see Luigi appear. I'm increasingly sure he's not going to school today because the bell, signaling the start of lessons, just sounded. The class that had been busy before suddenly fell silent when one of the teachers was seen entering our class.

My gaze was straight in front of the blackboard when, for some reason, I wanted to turn my head back towards the gate. And how relieved I was when I saw someone wearing a red jacket and helmet had just entered the school gate riding a red sports motorbike. I wondered if that person liked red because everything attached to his body was only red.

There's no mistake. That person must be Luigi. However, a strange thought stuck in my head. It is written on the bulletin one of the school rules is that students who are late will not be allowed to enter. Once the gate is closed, it will only be opened again if it's time to go home. Students who are late three times will be expelled from this school. But earlier, I saw the school guard open the gate as soon as Luigi came, even though he was late. This is weird.

Trying to ignore all the weirdness, I looked back at the blackboard and decided not to think about this weirdness for now. But I may someday investigate, and I'll meet Luigi at lunchtime. I'll follow Sis Bianca's advice to thank him. Yes, I'm just saying thank you, nothing more.