Several days had passed since then, Renji scribbling something on his notebook, all the thing he experienced back then in simpler phrase, engrossed in the comfortable silence, until it snapped—
*Clack—blam.*
"H-holy! What??"
He snapped in surprise to the backseat, Reika is already inside, limping into the seat as if the weight from months of routine finally overwhelmed her. She tossed handbag aside and lands beside her without care.
"R-Reika-sama…? Didn't you say 3 hou—"
"Drive."
Yet she didn't let him finish his question. She just clawed her forehead with her fingers, as if holding something that barely exploding.
"Okie-do—U-understood ma'am…"
One cold word from her made him flinch, and drive quietly instead.
W-whoa… what the hell happened that she's this pissed…?
Then after uncomfortable half an hour driving nowhere without any exchange, Renji clears his throat and test the waters.
"Y-you were earlier than you… said… back there…"
"…" Reika still in silent mode, her stern face still lingers, though her posture seemingly more relaxed than when she first goes inside.
"…That wasn't even an hour… d-did something… happened…?"
"Renji… What were I doing earlier?"
"Suddenly a pop quiz…? I don't know, weren't you on a meeting earlier…?"
"…Right…" The answer comes late, like she had to pull it from somewhere far away.
They stopped at another traffic light, Renji attempt to lighten the mood under the blinking red.
"…Boring meeting much? To a point it pissed you off? Haha…"
But Reika replied with something else while looking around through the windshield.
"…You took the wrong route…"
"…W-well… you just told me to drive earlier…"
"Oh…"
"So, where do we go? Another stop? Or back home?"
Reika leaning her head slightly against the window, her gaze unfocused, watching something that didn't seem to exist.
"…Renji… what did we eat?"
"We? This morning? Are we even having the same breakfast menu?"
"…At the meeting…"
Renji shrugged, glancing at the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with genuine confusion.
"I…don't know…? I wasn't there…"
"…Right."
"Haaah… Is this your new way to poke me around, Reika-sama…?"
"Renji, you're talking too fast… could you please stop it…?"
A weird pause settled, his mind stalled. Interrupted by the green light above him, he moves the car again, yet his eyes settled on her long before answering.
"Huh…? I'm literally… talking normally…"
"It's fast… and loud."
His brows twitching with knowing thought.
Sheesh, is that your elegant way to tell me to shut up…?
"…Fine. I'll be quieter, ma'am." He says almost in a mocking whisper.
"…Okay."
Reika answers softly, despite completely mismatched with how her face still showing clear bad-mood.
Can you at least tell me whether you're angry or just what, please…?
"… You're… really out of it today."
"I'm fine… Just tired."
"Then you better sleep when you're home… wait… you haven't told me our next stop…"
"…Mm…"
That's all he gets. Then as if he can't handle it anymore, Renji turns on the blinker and ease in to the side of the road slowly. Then he turns fully in his seat, facing her, spoke slowly and deliberately quiet.
"Reika-sama… I need you to tell me where you want to go next… are you even listening…?"
Reika just stares at him as if she just realized he's there. But still, she doesn't offer any reply. The rhythm of the blinker's signal ticking through the silence like a timer. Slowly, Reika mumbles.
"…I think I'm hungry."
"Huh…?"
"Hungry…"
"…Fine… just say so in the first place… So, where do you want to eat…?"
"...I'll leave it out to you…"
"I don't mind… but you sure…?"
"…Just pick… something easy…"
"Haaah… seriously…" Renji sighed, then turn to the wheel, adjusting his seatbelt, and ease in to the main road. "…I don't even know your eating preference… so anything else other than 'something easy'?"
"…Something quick and easy… is good…"
Quick and easy, huh…?
"You're cool with Astro Patty, Reika-sama…?"
"…Okay…"
"Okie-dokie…"
He switched lane, driving to a route to a familiar destination he hasn't take in quite a while.
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Another half an hour, they finally arrive at the crowded place, with several cars lining up.
Bright signage cuts through the dark, the familiar glow of a fast-food joint buzzing with quiet energy. Renji glanced back and called to her.
"Reika-sama, do you—"
Want dine in or drive-thru…? Damn… she's that tired…?
But when he catches her figure leaning at the window with eyes half-closed and snoozing quietly, he let out a wry smile.
"I did read somewhere that when you're way too tired you'll be sleeping like that…"
Renji mumbles while watching over her, then thought—
But she said she's hungry…
"Well… drive-thru it is…"
The car rolls forward slowly, until reaching the counter, he rolled down his window, then the harsh crack of the clerk shot through the speaker.
"Good evening, welcome to Astro Patty! what's your order?"
"Ah! Mnn! What is this? So loud!" Reika jerks upright in the backseat, groaned and clasped over her ears.
"S-sorry Reika-sama!" He flinched, and about to rolled the window closed, but stopped before pressing the button. "Wait... is it that loud though…?"
Reika gradually regains her consciousness, then looked around.
"Renji…? Where are we…?"
"…Uhhh… Astro Patty…?"
"… Why are we here…?"
"…For food…? Duh…"
"…?" This time, Reika is the one looking at him with confusion, like trying to piece together a puzzle she doesn't remember starting, then—
"Excuse me, sir. What's your order?" The speaker cracked once again, and Reika face winced as she frowned her brows deeper.
"A-ah, sorry, Ummm, 1 set A please."
"Would you like to upsize?"
"Yes, and I'll have zero-soda."
"Understood, anything else, sir?"
Renji turned back and looked at Reika urgently.
"H-hey, Reika-sama, what do you want?"
"Huh…? What…?" Lowering her hands slowly—rubbing her ears, she glanced at the menu, then as if learning the situation, she said. "Just… same as yours…"
"…Alright…" Then Renji leaned to the speaker and spoke. "Make that two, that's all."
"Please proceed to the next window."
The line moves again, Renji glance back once more, this time with actual concern.
"Sheesh Reika-sama… You okay…?"
"I'm fine. Just headache…"
"…Well, looks like it… you're way too tired ma'am…"
"I'm not tired… no… maybe just a bit."
Reika rubbed her forehead, and her tone of response is back as usual albeit a little.
Could've fooled me…
Then she looked around once more, slowly this time, finally registering where she is.
"…But seriously… You craving junk food that much, Renji…?"
"…Huh…? We're here because you said you hungry…"
"I said I was hungry…?"
"…Look, are you just messing with me today…?"
"Uh... no… never mind…"
Then their conversation come to a halt as they arrive at the next window. Renji makes the payment, and receiving the order.
As the paper bags sits inside the car, the smell of classic burger and fries filled the interior almost instantly.
"Whoa, smells divine… haven't had this in a while…" Renji muttered with nostalgic smile, then handing one bag to Reika casually. Which she takes it like she's not entirely convinced.
"Heh… it does smells intense…" She hummed, then opened the bag. Taking out one fries, holds it between her fingers like she's inspecting something foreign.
Starting the car again and drive out from the lane, he asked once more.
"Reika-sama. We're heading back to the mansion?"
"Yes."
Another silence, then Reika muttered.
"Hey, Renji… what time did I leave earlier…?"
"…Time…? You left… around 6.30-ish I think…"
"Oh…"
"What? Did you forget or something?"
"No, just making sure you're aware of your surroundings." Reika replied curtly, then put back the fries inside the bag without even taking a bite.
"…Damn… don't tell me all of that today is your new way of testing me…?
"Heh, stay sharp, Renji…"
Reika let out a chuckle, then folds the paper bag and setting it aside.
"Anyway… I got you the basic set. Don't complain if it's too simple for your taste…"
"It's alright."
"So, do you like it?"
"This…? No… You can have mine when we get back."
"Huh…? What the heck… you said you were hungry…"
"On second thought… I lost my appetite…"
"…Ooookaaay… dully noted… junk food a no for you…"
"Hehe, yes."
Welp, lucky me… guess I'll watch a movie with double happiness tonight…
The car moves steadily through the night traffic, the city lights stretching ahead.
Behind him, Reika sinks back into her seat—quietly thinking about something still turning over in her mind that she hasn't put into words.
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