章節 51: Caught Red-Handed

Fortunately, Hajime managed to react in time. "Megumi?" He let out, hoping that Megumi wouldn't realize that he had known about her stalking ever since they left the school. "What are you doing here?"

Being a proficient stalker was one thing, but being caught while stalking is a different matter altogether. As expected, Megumi wasn't prepared for the sudden event that she panicked, or rather, made a blunder. Instead of facing Hajime and Natsumi head-on, she inadvertently turned her head away from them, cleared her throat, and continued sipping on what remained of her float. As if such actions would hide her identity when she was already recognized by the other party.

"Oh, Hajime, what a coincidence? Hahha~" Megumi forced a laugh out of her system (everybody could tell that she was forcing a laugh out) while she patted Hajime on his arm. "I thought you don't usually go out? Why are you eating out today of all days?"

Somehow, Megumi managed to pull herself together and she asked a question that removed all the suspicions of her stalking Hajime and Natsumi. Giving herself a pat on the back, she heaved a sigh of relief since she was pretty confident that her purpose wasn't found out.

"Ah, Megumi, right?" Natsumi asked. "Are you eating out alone? You can join us,"

Megumi couldn't tell whether Natsumi was trying to provoke her or she was just asking a genuine question. Nevertheless, she didn't take it to heart. Right now, she had to keep up the facade that she was just eating alone, nothing more nothing less. More so than ever, she didn't want Hajime to find out that she was actually stalking him with the sole purpose of interrupting their date.

"Yes, I like this restaurant a lot." Megumi unconvincingly answered. "Don't mind me and just enjoy your date or something."

Even though Megumi's act was spot-on, Hajime could tell that Megumi was out of character. There was no way that the usual Megumi would speak so calmly like that, he didn't want to believe it. Once again, Hajime felt a chuckle coming out of his mouth and he immediately restrained it.

Since Natsumi's offer was cut off, she decided to head back to her seat, signaling for Hajime to resume eating with her. However, Hajime didn't promptly follow her. Instead, he leaned in front of Megumi, whispering something in her ears.

Whatever few words Hajime relayed to Megumi, it definitely did the trick as Megumi uncontrollably blushed and even her ears reddened in embarrassment. Her eyes darted here and there as she desperately avoided Hajime's gaze. Before Megumi could give him a piece of her mind, Hajime turned around and headed towards his and Natsumi's table— a safe haven that barely enabled him to avoid Megumi's outburst.

And while all that transpired right before everyone's eyes, Franz watched from afar, taking down notes just in case he learned something from their interaction. Not only did he find the entire situation eye-opening, he also found it enlightening and entertaining as well. It's as if he was watching a soap opera but in 3d.

'He knew?! Kyaaaa~~~ he knew! Why didn't he tell me sooner? Wait, how did he notice? Since when did he know? Aghhh, this is so embarrassing! How am I supposed to face him now? What do I do? Do I just leave? No, that would leave a bad impression. But there's no use, Hajime knows... what do I do?!' Even though Megumi wore a straitlaced expression, she was panicking like a fish out of water. Her legs were shaking, not to mention her heart quickening its pace without her permission. One thing she knew was that she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself underground. The pure embarrassment she was experiencing right now was unbearable, so much so that she wanted to scream her heart out or apologize to Hajime out of desperation or both.

In the end, she managed to rein her emotions and regain her composure. Slowing down her breathing, she got back to her senses and continued eating her meal as she constantly glanced at Hajime who seemed to be enjoying Natsumi's company. They were only talking about the movie though, and it's not like Hajime was openly flirting with Natsumi. In fact, Megumi even wished that Hajime would flirt with Natsumi just a little bit so she could interrupt their date and be done with it. She was ready to act out the role of the homewrecker in front of everyone if it meant interrupting Hajime's date. She would still consider the scenario her victory, even though her reputation will be completely shattered if it were to play out that way.

Then again, it's not like something of that gravity would happen. After all, Franz was within earshot of her, and he was ready to interrupt if something were to happen. While his job was only to monitor Megumi and watch over her from afar, he also brought it upon herself to protect her reputation, that's why he wouldn't think twice about dragging Megumi out of there before she does something irreversible.

Nothing really happened, much to Franz's reassurance and a few minutes later, Hajime and Natsumi stood from their seat, leaving the fast-food restaurant. Megumi immediately simultaneously stood up with them, and once again she was noticed by everyone. Ashamed, she covered her face with her hair as she waited for Hajime and Natsumi to exit the premises before she followed suit. There was no way she was letting them out of her sight, even after Hajime had already caught her red-handed.

"I'll take you home," Hajime offered. To his surprise, Megumi was closer than expected and she heard what he said. When he turned around, his gaze the fury within Megumi's irises.

"I'll be staying over at my friend's place... and she's coming to pick me up." Natsumi gently declined. "But... thank you for the offer, Hajime,"

"No, thank you for the movie, and the dinner. I enjoyed it."

"I... I'm glad," Natsumi's lips curved upward, glad that Hajime enjoyed their time together. After bowing down slightly towards him, she waved her hand and parted ways with him.

Megumi froze in place. Now that Hajime was alone and she was also alone, she dreaded looking forward to what would happen next. At the very least, she anticipated that Hajime would tell her off about her actions. She was caught red-handed, and now she must suffer the consequences.