MENACE

CHAPTER FIVE: Hell's Escape

After a few days, she had finally arrived at the town she'd never been to, but only heard about. Rita remembered when her co-workers invited her for a short vacation 2 years ago.

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"Oii, Rita ? Why are you spacing out?"

Cherry shook her shoulders. They were taking a lunch break while Dahlia was busy entertaining new employees.

".. sorry, I can't go." Rita didn't look at her but she could sense her disappointment.

"Ehh why not? Even though we rarely get some free time together!"

"I apologize, I still got some files to make up with."

"Ah, I told you, you shouldn't keep that Baldy manager's words too seriously. Keep it easy okay?" Cherry patted Rita's shoulders and she gave a small smile.

"Yeah, thanks."

"In case you change your mind, you can still visit this place whenever you feel like escaping from hell ! Hahaha"

She handed her a small card that contains where this place is and even though it's been 2 years since then. Rita didn't thought that one day she could get the chance to go visit this recommended wonderland.

"A place to escape from hell, huh?"

In the next moment, Rita found herself standing at this certain place called the Moriah Town.

"Though, I think hell is wherever I go. I hope I could atleast breath finely here." Rita said to herself as she observed the tall pine trees, gorgeously colored fences and decorative parks.

"Isn't it too flashy?" Rita took her time and asked for an affordable rental apartment to stay for a meantime, but...

"I'm sorry, but there's no current vacant rooms."

"There ain't no available rooms."

"The units are already full."

Rita slumped her back and sat down on a bench as she purchased some drink to calm her nerves.

This place! It's too crowded than I expected !

Rita sighed heavily and checked her watch. It's already 5 pm and every hotel or apartment she visited seems to be already full.

Is it her? Or bad luck keep tailing her wherever her destination will be?

*Growl~

Even her stomach was grumbling for Rita's circumstances. Ofcourse, Rita didn't ate any proper meal for these couple of days she travelled her way up to this town. Even though Rita didn't exactly know why her mind tells her to go there. It was her first time seeing such a lively town, everything seems full of color and every person looked very busy with their each business. Too busy, she couldn't even properly ask someone for directions, as if they were constantly moving.

"Well .. atleast no one has recognised my face yet." With her dark rimmed glasses, and peach mufflers, Rita exhaled. Even that so, she still couldn't get rid of her gut feeling that someone's been eyeing her as she arrived at the town. But this time, she felt like it's different from before. I feel no harm or negative thing. Rita thought and closed her eyes. Still, she couldn't let her guard down.

In addition, Rita has observed that people often wear traditional clothes and even saw someone rode a real-life carriage. In amazement, she got distracted.

"What the? Am I transported to another dimension or something ?" Rita humoured and suddenly her stomach made noise once more.

"Alright, I need to eat before I certainly go crazy."

As if calling her hunger, a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air and made Rita get enchanted easily. She saw a simple Japanese restaurant decorated with a series of flying fish and origami. Rita felt being drawn by the delicious smell, and immediately went inside.

"Yokousou ! (Welcome!)"

A young lady wearing a cute apron greeted Rita and led her to a table.

"???"

Rita felt overwhelmed but one thing was on her mind. I need to eat or else I may faint (exaggerating).

"What would you like to order, Okuyaku-san (customer) ?" She adorably smiled and Rita felt like her tension washed right away.

"Uhm.. Ramen, please."

"Hai! Please wait for a moment~"

Rita smiled and after less than 2 minutes, the dish finally arrived. The scrumptious beef, egg and noodles immediately melted all her senses and immediately Rita took her time savouring every last drop of it's soup.

"I am happy to be alive ~!"

Rita tearfully blurted out while enjoying the bowl of ramen. When suddenly someone chuckled in amusement.

"Haha! what a priceless reaction! there's still more if you want. "

A tall blonde haired guy suddenly sat down across her seat and directly stared at her face. In surprise, Rita almost fell from her seat and got choked by food.

'What the heck?' Rita almost yelled, but only coughed in embarrassment.

"Oh, I'm very sorry, please drink some water."

Rita immediately relieved herself and coldly stared back at the person. As if saying 'don't surprise me like that.'

"Hahaha I didn't mean to startle you, dear costumer. But I couldn't contain myself from getting curious. It's already late, are you here alone?" The blonde haired guy continued to talk as if they were old friends, even though it was Rita's first time to meet such a person who didn't get scared or judge her ever since she went out of the hospital.

"...."

Rita didn't know how to reply but looked away from his unfaltering green eyes. She felt like being pushed into the wild forest and doesn't have any idea what to respond.

"Ah, silly for me to ask. Of course you wouldn't be eating alone if you're with someone, haha-"

"........"

I feel like punching this guy right now.

Rita's innermost thoughts almost broke out when the guy kept running his mouth without even saying his point of bothering her.

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