TPCF 97

CHAPTER 97………………………………..

Anita glanced subtly at Rutger, who was standing next to her. He, in turn, was looking down at her. No words were exchanged, yet she could feel a sense of reproach in his gaze.

“W-Well, it wasn’t that bad…”

“Oh, that’s just something you’d say out of ignorance. Was it last year? A worker fell down a metal staircase. He survived, of course, but they said he’d have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.”

Avoiding the piercing gaze beside her, Anita turned her head and muttered in defense.

“There weren’t any signs or anything.”

“You had to see that… sigh… never mind.”

Was a sigh really necessary?

“You’re the one who refused to go to the hospital even when your palm was torn.”

“So are you saying I’ll never be able to use my hand? I don’t think that’s the case.”

Having grumbled in vain, Anita finally managed to speak.

“Who says I’ll fall and end up in a wheelchair for life?”

“You just have to fall to learn, don’t you?”

Her lips shut tightly like a clam. Anita didn’t think she was usually bad at speaking up, but somehow, she always lost to Rutger.

“Fine. I’ll take care of the metal staircase—whether I dismantle it or put up signs—so just… stop.”

“You should’ve done that earlier. What’s the point of doing it after an accident?”

Liliana waved her hand in annoyance.

“Why are you taking it out on me? A worker fell while going down for demolition, didn’t he?”

Hearing her words, Anita shivered. She had just been standing where someone had fallen. Goosebumps rose on her skin. It was a relief that it ended as an injury—if the person had died, Anita would’ve spent nights awake for days.

“Where were you headed?”

After a while, Anita noticed Liliana was dressed in something she hadn’t seen before: white pants that looked a bit like riding pants and a red jacket. Curious about the contrast to the chiffon dresses Liliana usually wore, Anita asked.

“Oh, we were on our way to a fox hunt.”

“Hunting?”

“You were coming too… well, no.”

Liliana’s cheerful chatter suddenly turned serious.

“You can’t let a beginner into the forest. That’s absurd. Now, go to the shooting range and practice a bit. I’ve seen it before—your shooting skills are terrible.”

Feeling overwhelmed by Liliana’s energy, Anita nodded before she realized it. Liliana patted her shoulder a couple of times, perhaps as encouragement, then headed into the forest.

If she had the chance to learn now and regret not trying later, it was better to just do it. So, Anita made her way to the practice shooting range.

“Your shooting’s that bad?”

Feeling guilty, Anita stared intently at a small stone on the ground.

“….”

“Can’t hurt to learn.”

When Liliana didn’t respond, Rutger changed the subject. He picked up a rifle resting on a stand. While he inspected the chamber and magazine, Anita watched him. She still couldn’t believe he was right there in front of her.

Just last night, he had been in his hometown of Rohen. Without a phone call, she wouldn’t have even heard his voice—he had been that far away.

“Not done yet?”

“No, almost.”

He walked toward Anita, holding the rifle.

“We need to attach the magazine here.”

“I know how to load it.”

Not wanting to seem incompetent, Anita quickly replied.

“Really?”

He handed her the ammunition and the rifle. As she prepared to load it, she looked up, and their eyes met.

“You really have to keep staring…”

He was watching her intently, arms crossed. The excessive attention made Anita uncomfortable, so she tried to hint that he look elsewhere, but he seemed not to understand.

“Why?”

“….”

“What if there’s an accident with the gun?”

Now that she thought about it, he had a point, and Anita looked back at the gun. Before the semester ended, she had at least learned how to load a gun in the shooting club. In fact, the rifle she loaded worked fine. But her hands kept slipping on the barrel as if greased, and all the bullets she tried to load fell to the floor.

Anita glanced up slightly. Sure enough, he was raising one eyebrow, giving her a disapproving look.

She felt unfairly treated. Even if he hadn’t stared so insistently, half of today’s mistakes wouldn’t have happened. Yet, with years of experience, she knew arguing with him wouldn’t make a difference, so she just forced an awkward smile.

“You said you knew how to load it?”

“I did… but…”

Rutger, arms crossed, observed her clumsy movements leisurely before stepping closer. He gently supported her right hand holding the bullet from underneath.

“What are you doing?”

The instant his hand touched hers, it was as if her soul had left her body. She barely returned to reality to answer his question. The bullet slipped from her limp hand and settled into Rutger’s palm.

“….”

“Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.”

He calmly handed the bullet back to her hand, gently guiding it into the chamber.

Click.

Without even realizing it, the bullet was chambered by her own hand.

She should’ve said she could do it herself, but before she could speak, Rutger repeated the action—placing a bullet in her hand and guiding it into the chamber. And before she knew it, she was holding a loaded rifle.

But… wasn’t he too close? The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly pushed it away. Following her new life motto, she decided not to think too much.