Going out of her house, Angel was already met with stares from her neighbors.
「Well, this is to be expected. It's not every day you get to see someone who can really carry what they wear」
Angel couldn't help but sigh to herself as she began walking toward Maria's house.
Now, Maria's house isn't exactly near—nor is it far.
It's across a few streets from her own place. Compared to the distance to the ukay-ukay, Maria's house is much closer.
Angel continued the walk, and the stares... continued to persist.
In fact, they were increasing.
Some of the kids were even pointing at her...
Should she not have worn a skirt?
It's not like it's rare for women to wear one, but... ugh.
Just thinking about it makes her head hurt.
She kept walking, hands behind her back, keeping that slightly fast pace. After a few turns and a bit more walking, she finally arrived at Magnolia Street.
There were some sari-sari stores here, a few padyak on the road, and noticeably fewer kids playing around.
Angel looked around as she walked, keeping note of the houses.
「If I remember correctly, her house should have a second floor」
She looked around—there were about five houses with second floors.
She glanced at the sky, trying to remember the color of Maria's gate. And then—
"Ah! I remember. Blue gate?"
Angel muttered as she slowed down. Bit by bit, she came to a halt. To her side—yep. A blue gate.
She looked at the house.
Yeah.
Second floor.
This should be it?
Angel looked for a doorbell—it was on the left side of a wall near the gate.
She remembered this doorbell used to be pristine and clean when she was a kid.
Now? It had a bit of moss on it.
Just generally dirty. But alas, nothing escapes the clutches of time.
Angel took a deep breath.
"Here goes nothing."
She placed her index finger on top of the doorbell and pressed it.
Ding dong~
She did it!
But... is no one coming?
Well, it's not like they have to answer right away.
Just that...
isn't it taking longer than normal?
"Sandali~"
A mature, feminine voice rang through the house.
Must be her mother?
After a few minutes, the door opened—and Angel's eyes widened.
『She looks like she barely aged』
Angel thought to herself.
If Maria got older and aged like fine wine, she'd look exactly like her mother.
That's what Angel thought.
She couldn't help but stare as the woman slowly approached her, her dark brown hair bouncing slightly, her black eyes looking directly at her.
"Who are you, iha?"
The woman leaned forward, tucking her hair behind her ear to hear Angel better.
"Ah! Uhm, I'm Angel... Joseph's little sister."
Angel averted her gaze. Her voice was soft—almost whispery.
"Ohh?? Little sister you say? I never knew Joseph had a little sister."
Maria's mother observed her.
How could she be Joseph's sister?
Silver hair, blue eyes, and honestly—really pretty.
Kinda unfairly cute.
Maria's mother opened the gate to get a better look.
Once satisfied, she crossed her arms.
"I see. Little sister, huh... well, why have you come here?"
Angel nodded and looked at her.
"I wanted to meet Maria po..."
Angel blushed a bit.
"You wanted to meet her? Sure. But why?"
Angel rubbed her own arm.
"I wanted to ask her something."
"Ask about what?"
As if on cue, another voice entered the scene.
It was Maria—peeking through the front door. She began walking toward her mother and Angel. Today she was wearing a simple white tank top and black dolphin shorts, her hair let down.
Maria's mother looked at her.
"Ah, this cutie wanted to ask you something. Says she's Joseph's little sister. I didn't know!"
"Right?! It's almost hard to believe."
Maria laughed as she responded, then looked at the girl who came all this way to see her.
"So, what's it about?"
Maria looked at Angel with a gentle smile—though her eyes hinted at mischief.
"Ah, uhmm..."
Angel looked at Maria. Then her mother.
Now that it had come to this...
Angel was suddenly feeling very shy.
"I'll leave you two here to talk."
Nice!!! Thank you, Maria's mother!
Angel wanted to leap for joy.
Cry tears of happiness.
But alas, she couldn't bring herself to do either.
The moment Maria's mother closed the front door, Angel started fidgeting.
She didn't know why, but eye contact with Maria suddenly became very difficult.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Maria chimed, helping Angel re-ground herself in the moment.
"I... uhm... c-can you go out with me?"
Angel looked away, face bright red.
Maria raised her hand to her mouth.
「She's so cute~ So easily flustered」
Maria thought to herself, smirking.
"Go out?? Like... on a date?"
Angel's eyes widened.
"N-No! What are you saying?! A date?! No no never!"
Angel panicked, shaking her hands wildly.
"Aww, do you not like me?"
"I do but—"
Angel slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh~? Ohhhhhh~? What was that?"
"Forget ittt! It's not a dateee! I just wanna go out—to a cafe or something... with you..."
Angel pouted, face as red as a tomato.
Maria couldn't help but smile even more. Angel was just too adorable.
"Pfft. You're so cute."
Maria pinched Angel's cheeks, then stopped.
"Sure, I'll go out with you. Right now?"
Angel rubbed her cheeks, still pouting.
"That... would be nice."
Maria nodded.
"Okay, wait for me! I'll get dressed real quick. I can't wait for our date~"
Maria winked, teasing Angel as she headed back into her house.
"N-No matter what you think, this isn't a dateee!"
Angel squealed.