?


    Maria was furious at Rudy after she read the report. Her shock had quickly transformed into a storm of emotions, and anger was at the forefront. The revtions contained within the report had caught herpletely off guard, and she felt a mixture of betrayal and hurt. As she looked at Rudy, still lost in conversation with Kaguya, her mind raced with questions and emotions that she struggled to process.


    The conflicting feelings swirling inside her were overwhelming, and she grappled with the decision of whether to confront Rudy immediately or allow him the chance to exin himself.


    Rudy and Kaguya finally decided to head back to the car, not wanting to keep Maria waiting for too long. Rudy opened the backseat door for Kaguya, a warm smile on his face that made her cheeks flush. The gesture was simple, yet it held a certain charm that Kaguya found hard to resist. She thanked him softly, feeling a mix of gratitude and awkwardness.


    As Rudy opened the driver''s side door, he turned to Maria with a cheerful expression. "Would you like to take the wheel for a bit more, Maria?" he asked, trying to engage her in their outing.


    But Maria''s fury was palpable, and she ignored Rudy''s question, not even acknowledging his words. Rudy assumed she was just upset about being kept waiting in the car, unaware of the storm that had been unleashed by the contents of the report.


    With a sigh, Rudy took the driver''s seat and started the car''s engine. The vehicle smoothly glided onto the city streets, the atmosphere serene and beautiful. The sounds of the city outside created a calming ambiance within the car, but there was an underlying tension that Rudy couldn''t quite put his finger on.


    He nced at Maria, her profile rigid and her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. Rudy''s concern grew, but he didn''t want to push her if she needed some time to cool off. Kaguya, sitting in the backseat, also sensed the unease and remained quiet, unsure of how to navigate the situation.


    Kaguya shifted her gaze back and forth between Maria and Rudy, her mind racing with thoughts and worry. She reyed the animated conversations they had on their way to the restaurant in her mind, contrasting them with the palpable silence that now hung in the air. It was almost surreal how the atmosphere had shifted so dramatically within such a short span of time.


    She recalled the intimate moment she had shared with Rudy, the warmth of his touch on her cheeks, and theforting reassurance he had offered her. And now, looking at the two of them sitting side by side, she couldn''t shake off the feeling that she might have inadvertently caused this change.


    Kaguya was convinced that Maria had seen their interaction and interpreted it as something more than it was. She wanted to apologize, to exin that it wasn''t Rudy''s fault and that she hadn''t intended to cross any boundaries. But the tension in the car made it difficult for her to find the right words, and the words seemed to stick in her throat.


    However, Kaguya soon realized that her assumption wasn''t urate. Maria''s silence seemed deeper and more inward-focused than being simply upset over their interaction. Still, she couldn''t shake off the guilt that she might have added to the difort between the couple.


    In an attempt to break the tension and lighten the mood, Kaguya decided to initiate a conversation. She asked them about their dining habits, inquiring if they frequently visited such luxurious restaurants. However, her efforts were met with silence from Maria. Kaguya''s heart sank, feeling more like an intruder than a friend at that moment.


    Feeling Kaguya''s unease, Rudy intervened, trying to offer some exnation. "Don''t worry, Kaguya. Maria is probably just having one of her regr mood swings," he said, trying to downy the situation. "She gets upset over the smallest things sometimes. It''s not your fault."


    Kaguya''s relief was mingled with guilt as she realized that Maria''s silence wasn''t because of her actions. She wished she could somehow bridge the gap between them and ease the tension that had settled in the car. But for now, she decided to respect their space, hoping that the atmosphere would lighten eventually, and the cheerful camaraderie they had enjoyed earlier would return.


    =


    As the car continued its journey, the silence persisted, weighed down by unspoken tensions. Kaguya mustered up the courage to break it, her voice soft but resolute, "Actually, Rudy, I''ll get off at the next pick-up station. It''s more convenient for me."


    Rudy nced at her, surprised by her request. "Are you sure? I can drop you off at your house."


    Kaguya smiled gently. "Thank you, Rudy, but I have some other things to take care of before heading home. It might take a while, and I don''t want to trouble you."


    Rudy shrugged lightly, offering a reassuring smile. "It''s not a problem at all. But if you insist, I understand. Let me know if you change your mind."


    As the car approached the next pickup station, Kaguya readied herself to get out. She gave a genuine smile to Rudy and Maria, "Thank you for the lovely dinner, both of you. It was nice spending time together."


    Maria smiled back and waved in return. "You too, Kaguya. It was nice meeting you."


    Rudy nodded, "You''re wee, Kaguya. Have a good evening."


    Kaguya stepped out of the car and gave a final wave before heading into the station. Rudy looked at her retreating figure for a moment before adjusting his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze following her for a moment before he turned his attention back to the road.


    Once they were at a safe distance from the station, Rudy nced at Maria, his expression thoughtful. He didn''t look directly at her as he spoke, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "So, something happened back there. Mind telling me what''s bothering you?"


    Maria''s silence stretched for a moment before she sighed softly. "It''s nothing, really."


    Rudy''s lips quirked into a half-smile, though he still didn''t turn to look at her. "Maria, you know you can''t fool me. I can tell when something''s bothering you."


    Maria shifted ufortably in her seat, her gaze fixed on her hands. "I... I read the report."


    "Oh… I suspected as much…" he let out a soft sigh.