Chapter Text
She skipped and tossed, picking up fresh oranges to make Garu’s favourite orange-radish meat dumplings. She carefully inspected each orange before plucking it from its stem. Her heart was fluttering in joy. Oh, how happy he would be when he tasted those yummy dumplings!
"Pucca!" Ching yelled from afar. "Uncle Dumpling called you back for lunch!"
Pucca smiled happily. At the right time, she was hungry after all the work. She lifted the heavy baskets with one hand, the other one waved at Ching, and gave her a nod. "Okay, Pucca, I’ll see you there!" She shouted back.
She seems to be super cheerful today. I guess she must be up to something for Garu. How sweet!
Ching thought.
Pucca slowly made her way to Goh Rong.
I wonder what Garu is up to. Fighting Tobe? Picking fresh vegetables? Training? So cool!
The grass rustled somewhere. Her eyes lit up immediately. She turned over, hoping to see her favourite person. Ah, it was really him. Garu was out of a nearby blueberry bush, stuffing a handful of blueberries into his basket.
This isn't really necessary for Goh Rong’s main dish, but I guess I can let the chefs experiment with it.
She laughed happily, skipping her way towards him. There he is! I missed—
Garu was startled when he heard Pucca's laugh. His shoulders stiffened before he slowly looked over his shoulder. Oh... He quickly packed everything up and made his way up a tree, then slipped to another one. She immediately ran after him, jumped to reach for one of the tree branches, and climbed up the tree. Her hands slipped, and she accidentally dropped her basket before she could start to chase him.
Oh well… She thought. Pucca landed near the oranges. She looked up again, but Garu was already gone.
She knelt to pick up the oranges scattered across the ground.
I can see him later at Goh Rong. Gah—!
A sharp pain shot through her palm.
Oh... It's bleeding. I must've accidentally injured myself with the branches.
She felt her hands shake whenever an orange was picked up. When her hands touched the oranges, a stinging pain ran through her palm. By the time she'd gathered them all, her fingers had begun trembling from the pain.
She carried the baskets and slowly walked towards the roadside. She clutched her injured hand, rubbing the area near the wound, trying to soothe the piercing pain.
Her gaze drifted toward the trees Garu had disappeared into.
He ran away again. I can remember the day we started dating. He sent me a simple love letter acknowledging my love in short sentences. Yet, I don't really see the difference. He doesn't fight it as much as before when I try to get close to him, but... I get it. I'm always around, chasing and being affectionate with Garu, although it’s clear he doesn’t like it. And I am never considerate of how he feels about it.
She walked, her footsteps getting sluggish and heavier with each step she took.
She thought things would change after the small confession.
Maybe he wouldn't run anymore.
Maybe they'd spend time together.
Maybe he’d adore her the way she does.
But...nothing really changed between them.
She bit her bottom lip at how desperate she sounded to herself.
Pucca looked down at the ground beneath her feet. Her smile had disappeared without her noticing.
Will he feel better if she leaves him? He no longer has to worry or be cautious when he's heading out. Ring Ring would be very happy... If I don't like Garu anymore. She would definitely treat Garu better than me. Does Garu like her?
She bit her lower lip as her heart ached at the thought of that.
Should I give up…?
"Pucca! Then you are!" Ching greeted Pucca happily when she pushed the main door open. Pucca gave her a soft smile and headed towards the kitchen.
"Hello Pucca, are you here to make your dumplings for-, no?"
Uncle Dumpling was happy to see her back with the oranges, but he immediately frowned when she wasn’t acting normal. His gaze stopped at the deep cut on her hand, but he didn’t want to push the upset Pucca further.
She shook her head and left the kitchen. There's no need for the dumplings anymore.
There’s no point in trying.
When she pushed open the curtains to the dining area, Garu turned over to the noise and trembled when he saw her. He quickly chugged down his food while Abyo laughed at him. He panicked when Pucca reached towards her usual seat, next to him, with a bowl of black bean noodles ready.
As much as she hated doing this, her hands picked up the bowl, walked past him without doing anything, and moved to a seat next to Ching.
Everyone froze in place as she dined on her food; Abyo's eyes darted between Garu and Pucca.
"Uhm Pucca..." “Pucca, why aren't you sitting next to Garu?"
She gave them a smile and nothing else. Then she picked up her chopsticks and began eating. As if nothing had changed. The rest of them exchanged eye contact, none of them dared to speak up. Garu had no idea what happened as he sat there silently, rewinding whether had he offended Pucca.
What has gotten into her? This is so odd…
Their lunchtime continued in uncomfortable silence. Usually, Pucca's laughter filled the restaurant. Garu would spend half the meal trying to dodge her affection while everyone else laughed. But today…
Nothing happened.
Pucca simply ate quietly.
Everyone knew something was wrong, but none of them knew what.
In the meantime, Pucca finished her food. She got up from her seat, gave Abyo and Ching a wave, then proceeded to leave, left the restaurant. The doors shut with a creak behind her.
"Garu! What did you do!?” Garu quickly shook his head and stared at the main entrance where Pucca had left.
"Did Pucca have amnesia again? Let's get some black bean noodles!”
"No, Abyo. I don’t think it’s amnesia. She still remembers the rest of us!”
Ching said, rubbing her temples in confusion. Meanwhile, Dada appeared out of nowhere and spoke up.
"Pucca? She's weird today. She spent the whole morning getting ingredients to make dumplings for Garu. But when she came back, she said she didn’t want to do it anymore.”
"Garu? Did you interact with Pucca just now?" He nodded.
'He must've upset her!" He immediately shook his head hard.
The three of them continued to discuss, but Garu wasn't listening anymore. His eyes fixed on the doorway Pucca had walked through.
What happened to her? Why isn’t she clinging to me today?
The realisation suddenly hit him. He'd spent years avoiding her, hoping for her to stop following him everywhere.
…No.
Wasn't this exactly what he'd wanted?
Then why...did the restaurant suddenly feel so empty?
Without another word, he stood. "Hey, man. Where are you going?" Abyo called.
Garu paused, but continued moving shortly after, barging outside. Unconsciously, he gripped his sword tighter, the wooden texture digging into his hands.
I’ll figure it out.