socalfunplaces Page 276
Page 276
The girl maintained an indifferent attitude, as if it were a protective shell, hiding her true feelings inside.
"It's okay, I sometimes lose control of my emotions too."
"Really? I don't quite see it coming."
Maria looked somewhat surprised when she heard Kanzaki Teru say that.
"But that was ten years ago."
"Isn't that just a child crying and fussing?!"
A sense of amusement welled up in their hearts, and the two of them looked at each other and laughed without prior arrangement.
"Come and eat, or the food will get cold."
Oh no! Haven't you eaten?
"Of course, it's more enjoyable to eat together."
5.1 "Together...? Hmm, that makes sense."
Maria picked up the bowl and chopsticks again, and at this moment, it seemed as if a genuine smile had finally appeared on her face for the first time.
"What's wrong?"
Maria felt a little shy seeing Kanzaki Teru staring at her face.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Why are you so serious? Just ask!
Still speaking in a flippant tone, the girl didn't seem to care about what Kanzaki Teru said.
"I hope you can answer my question seriously."
She repeated it again, and seeing Kanzaki Teru's serious expression, the girl also stopped smiling.
Chapter 467: The Witch
"Okay, go ahead and ask. It's the last time anyway."
However, his tone remained very relaxed, as if he were trying to please Kanzaki Hikaru.
He showed absolutely no intention of taking it seriously, but even so, Kanzaki Teru was already mentally prepared.
Although saying those words might change their relationship, Kanzaki Teru still has no intention of giving up.
Moreover, Kanzaki Teru was also very concerned about what she really meant by "the last time".
"What are you hiding? Have I been found out?"
If that's the case, you don't need to hide me anymore; I'll just leave.
Upon hearing Kanzaki Teru's words, Maria also stopped eating, her eyes somewhat dazed.
“Maria?”
"Ah...it's okay...don't worry, you weren't discovered, it's just..."
Seeing her hesitant expression, Kanzaki Teru didn't rush her, but waited quietly.
"Never mind, it's alright now..."
"How could nothing happen?!"
Seeing that she still wasn't going to say anything at this point, Kanzaki Teru grabbed her arm.
"Do you think I didn't see your injuries? And if nothing was wrong, why would someone have that expression all the time!"
If it were someone unrelated to him, Kanzaki Teru might not have been so enthusiastic, but the person in front of him this time could be considered his savior.
If nothing is done, Kanzaki Teru will definitely have a knot in his heart.
"Kanzaki-kun...you're hurting me..."
"Ah...sorry...wait a minute! What did you just call me!?"
Hastily releasing Maria's hand, Kanzaki Teru didn't know what to say.
However, upon hearing how she addressed him, it was as if something was about to burst forth from his mind.
However, neither Maria's identity nor her inner thoughts remained unclear to Kanzaki Teru.
It's not that it's impossible to know, it's just that Kanzaki Teru is escaping reality.
Deep down, he always wanted to live a peaceful life, but now he could no longer run away.
"Ugh--"
With a long sigh, a smile appeared on Maria's face.
But the smile seemed so forced, as if it were for someone else.
Empty, powerless, yet so sorrowful, it would make anyone who saw this smile feel a pang in their heart.
"Actually, I already knew your name... but let me tell you something else first..."
She put down her bowl and chopsticks, even though she looked only fifteen or sixteen years old.
But the hands looked so old, covered in countless calluses; it was hard to imagine that these were the hands of such a lovely young girl.
Do you know what I'm called here?
Although he phrased it as a question, Kanzaki Teru knew he couldn't answer it.
Maria was well aware of this, and simply smiled self-deprecatingly.
"【Witch】, that's what everyone calls me..."
At this moment, the protective shield shielding Maria seemed to be gradually falling away.
Her expression lacked its usual vitality, as if it were all an illusion.
"You see, I have no parents."
My parents both died in an accident ten years ago, when I was with them.
Only I was unharmed, and then the villagers all said that I had brought death to my parents, that I was a witch.
His tone was devoid of any emotion, as if he were narrating someone else's story.
"My parents did everything they could to save me, and yet I'm being talked about like this. It's really ridiculous."
As she said this, tears welled up in Maria's eyes.
"After that, everyone avoided me as if it were an agreement, and everyone in the village ostracized me."
Afterwards, in order to eliminate people's prejudices, I started studying medicine, hoping to change other people's opinions of me in this way. However, Kanzaki Teru greatly admired her idea, because many people who are thrown into the abyss find it difficult to climb out again.
It's like being drawn to the darkness of an abyss, a strange loop like a Möbius strip.
Such people can only survive in the depths of despair, and even if their surroundings change, they themselves find it difficult to adapt.
However, Maria did more than just get up; she wanted to become a respected person.
This belief cannot be achieved simply by saying a few words; it requires a complete change, or even a transformation.
Only a complete transformation can achieve this, although the specifics of their abilities are unclear.
However, judging from the skill level with which she bandaged and treated Kanzaki Teru herself, she has become the person she wanted to be.
Even after I became a doctor, the opinions of those around me remained unchanged, and everything I did seemed futile.
Chapter 468: An Empty Life
Her emotions were gradually getting out of control, and the labels that originally belonged to Maria were slowly peeling away.
“No one has sought treatment from me. Even the person you met yesterday had the same opinion of me.”
People's rumors and opinions cannot be changed simply by hard work, even if things are superficially reconciled.
But you have no idea how others might laugh at you behind your back, no matter how hard you try.
Once people's opinions are formed, it is difficult to change them; preconceived notions are the same for everyone.
Although people often say that opportunities are equal, this is just a prejudice.
No one is born equal; everyone is born with prejudice.
This child is so cute!
This child will definitely be very successful when he grows up.
This child will definitely be happy.
From the moment you are born, it seems as if others have already set the course of your life for you.
If you deviate even slightly from their expectations, they will attack you with sharp words.
She is a witch.
Don't get too close to her.
[You'll be unlucky]
Even with efforts, prejudice still cannot be eliminated.
"That's when I happened to run into you. You gave me the opportunity to showcase my medical skills. Actually, I also wanted to use you to let others know about my abilities, but..."
"Outsiders aren't allowed in your village, right?"
According to her, she actually had her own reasons for leaving him here.
However, the purpose and the result were completely opposite.
"Well, I've been really struggling with what to do, but at this moment..."
He took out a piece of letter paper from his pocket. The envelope was decorated with gold foil, making it look very luxurious.
Such letter paper seemed so out of place in such a simple room, but even so, Kanzaki Teru didn't say anything.
He simply took the letter quietly and then opened the envelope.
The above content did not surprise Kanzaki Teru, which explains why Maria said this was the "last time".
“There was a family in the east that was looking for a husband, so they sent my photo over.”
According to the regulations, I belong to the village chief's family, although he has never taken care of me.