Sweet and Salty (Chapter 15)

While Katia and Liom were entering the noisy market together, their forms quickly blended in with the crowd that was already there. In the meantime, I made my way to the parking lot while watching them disappear from view. Under the light of the sun, my motorbike had a subtle shimmer or shine. After swinging my leg over, I started the engine, and then I started driving in the direction of the flat.

In contrast to the traditional market, the roads in this country were peaceful. They extended out in a broad and open manner, with only the occasional motorcycle or few small cars passing beside them. Because there were no traffic lights in this area, the movement of pedestrians and cars was achieved through a straightforward dance of mutual understanding.

In the course of my trip back, my mind suddenly kept going back to buying Yahurt and Borgaru. I have always been fascinated by the salty tang that Yahurt, which is a fermented fruit drink, possesses. This is a striking contrast to what one would anticipate from a beverage. From squeezing the fruit, fermenting it, and then chilling it to a temperature of five degrees Gelsius was the straightforward treatment that was performed. Borgaru, a meal that combines Boti Gundam and meat and is served with Teme peanut sauce, showcased a flavor profile that was equally daring in terms of its combination of sweet and salty elements.

Even if they weren't my favorites, sometimes they brought back fond memories. There were moments when I simply desired to indulge in something unusual in order to break away from the monotony of eating school lunches and meals at my apartment.

I quickly arrived at Gib Ezis, the hypermarket that is located close to the city center. In honor of its founders, the brothers Egib and Ezis, who were wealthy business magnates whose empire was on par with that of Mr. Dickey, the company was thus named. Following the parking of my motorcycle, I went inside the store and purchased a Borgaru with additional Teme peanut sauce as well as a Yahurt Pinkberry. Pinkberry, as its name suggests, was a rare berry that had a pinkish tint and was highly sought for its distinctively sour flavor.

As I rode back to the flat after leaving Gib Ezis, the sun began to set, significantly extending the amount of time it took me to get there. With the exception of the odd sound of children playing in the distance, the countryside enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere.

Despite the fact that the parking lot of the apartment complex was located underground or in the basement, I was able to reach the elevator by going through the lobby entrance. Before entering the lift, I took a quick look at the garden that was located in front of the building. Nako was sitting there, on a bench in the park, alone.

Meskipun Nako, sang idola setengah manusia, terkadang bertemu dengan beberapa orang, beberapa orang tua berjalan lewat dengan sikap acuh tak acuh. Sikap apatis orang-orang seperti itu sangat kontras dengan pujian yang diterimanya dari banyak pendukungnya. Mungkin saja tabu dan mutasi peristiwa yang terjadi sepuluh tahun lalu menjadi penyebabnya.

"I've promised to Katia," I thought, a feeling of uneasiness roiling in my chest. On the other hand, I think, "What is Nako doing here by herself? Is she holding out for someone to come? Could it be Liom?"

The lift bell rang, leaving me unsure of what to do. Despite the fact that I was burdened by the promise I had made to Katia, I was presented with the opportunity to talk to Nako, who is my idol. My heart was pounding as I started having a debate with myself:

Are you going to break a promise for this? It is not correct. On the other hand, what if I fail to seize this present moment? Will I lament it for the rest of my life?

With a sigh, I exited the area where the lift was located. Each step I took towards the garden was weighed down by a sense of indecision. "No matter what happens, I will lose," I whispered to myself.

Now as I was finally getting closer to the park seat where Nako was sitting, I thought to myself, "This is the most stupid choice I've made all year."

At first, it appeared as though she was not paying attention to me, as her eyes appeared to be lost outside of the garden. Although the sun shone on her antlers, it did not appear that they were able to attract the attention of the elderly walkers who were walking past. They didn't even bother to give her a glance, which is a striking contrast to the fact that her followers would probably be begging for her attention.

"Hey, Nako," I murmured, attempting to maintain a steady tone of voice despite the pounding that was occurring in my chest. "Doing well?"

She gave a slight jump and turned her head to look at me with her eyes wide open before a gentle smile appeared on her face. "Oh! Miko?!" She makes sure. It was me, Miko. "It was not anything I anticipated—wait, is that really you?" An uneasy chuckle came from her. "For a second, I thought a fan or a total stranger was calling me."

At the same time that I scratched the back of my head, I responded, "Uh, yeah, it's me. Likewise, I was taken aback to see you at this location. Wouldn't you say that this is a touch too rural or countryside for someone like you?"

She laughed once more, but this time it was a quiet one. "Yeah, I receive that rather frequently. It is not the kind of place that you would anticipate an idol to like to hang out." At that moment, she halted, and her laughing gave way to an expression of thoughtfulness. "Actually, I've been living here for a long time... same building as you, Miko."

I was about to lose my breath. "Wait, what?"

"Yeah," she responded, her tone becoming more light and laced with humor over time. "That is... make... We were neighbors from a long time ago, weren't we? However, I am perpetually preoccupied, which is why we have never had the opportunity to meet. And there, we are living on different floors, however. To be honest, I'm comfortable living in here because mostly in here are older people who do not care who I am."

It was as if a brick had been dropped on my head. During this entire period, she had been so close—closer than I could have ever dreamed she would be.

I was taken aback by her remarks. Nako is someone I'd always assumed only existed in movies and on major stages; I had no idea she lived so close by. My confusion and amazement were heightened by this idea, and I'm daydreaming again, thinking many things.

As if attempting to alleviate the uncomfortable situation that had developed between us, Nako grinned gently. Attempting to make sense of everything, I remained standing close to her. Even at the park, where I frequently strolled, her presence prompted a plethora of new inquiries.

Unbeknownst to me, this day marked the start of a more convoluted tale involving Nako, Katia, and myself. A new chapter full of mysteries has opened in my life because of this connection. Sharing an apartment with Nako brought an unexpected new dimension to my everyday life, and I started to worry about how it would impact my relationship with Katia. What started off as a straightforward matter suddenly threatened to escalate into an emotional conflict, which required my utmost caution.

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