"Don't play around, Zade. I have work. I can't just go on a trip, that too with you."
Zade grinned.
Of course he had expected that response.
Honestly, after making up so many excuses so many half-truths and unnecessary explanations just to bring this up, he had somehow become… oddly insistent on taking Rai along.
Why?
There were plenty of possible reasons, weren't there?
But strangely, he couldn't quite pin down even one properly.
All he knew was simple.
He wanted Rai on that trip.
He had decided it on a whim… yet it didn't feel like a whim anymore.
'Yeah… I wouldn't be bored if Rai comes with me.'
That had to be it.
Right?
"It's on the 29th, Saturday," Zade continued casually, as if everything was already settled. "We'll be back by Monday. You can probably return to work by Wednesday. After all, you owe me this one, Rai."
Rai let out a short, humorless laugh. "Oh? And exactly how do I owe you?"
"Well, not exactly me," Zade shrugged. "My friends."
Rai frowned.
