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"And that's about it. The school is the best I could find, and it also seemed much more secure, it had recently installed anti-monster signals, and several barrier monoliths, I guess that's why it is quite expensive." I explained. "The world has changed a lot, so large places like these preparing some sort of protection against monsters is vital…"
"Hmmm…" Julietta, Anna's mother started thinking about it as she was running on the gym's bicycle, checking the high school's page in her phone. "I mean, it would be better if we went to take a visit there first and all… But it is really expensive."
We were discussing things regarding the girl's new high school while doing some exercise in the gym. Turns out Anna's mom already had a subscription, as she came occasionally, mostly at night, so it was ideal to invite her over here. Mark, Lily, and Rita also came along, my daughter, Monica, Anna, and Elisa as well.
"But that's where I want to go mom, if Elena's going there, then I HAVE to go there with her! My grades are better now too! I've been studying a lot lately, so for the last semester I've improved quite well!" Anna said. "Though, Elena is the one that's been helping me study…"
"That's no problem to me." Elena smiled gently, making Anna blush a bit.
"If money is the problem I can pay for her scholarship." Elisa said, sighing. "I also want my friends with me! I used to not like Anna that much… But she has grown on me."
"What? There's no way I'll accept someone else's money, Elisa, dear." Julietta sighed, turning off her phone and concentrating on the exercise. "Alright… I think I can manage, my job's doing well, and I'm earning fine too! But still, we need to go take a look at it first, Elayne. Let's not blindly do things."
"I know, don't worry." I nodded. "How about we go after having lunch?"
"Oh, sounds good." Julietta smiled.
"Rita, Lily, want to come along?" I asked my friends.
"Nah, I need to go back home to cook for my hubby." Rita said. "Sorry."
"I would gladly go but I got a date with someone today…" Lily giggled nervously. "He's really handsome!"
How many young handsome men has Lily had sex with by now? I think I've lost the count at this point… Well, it's her life, and I'm glad she's enjoying it.
"W-Well, I guess I'll be going with Mark." I sighed.
"Yeah, count on me. I can bring you there quickly with my car too, no problems." Mark gave us a thumbs up.
"Alright, it's decided then." Julietta said. "I'm really thankful and glad my daughter got herself such a nice friend, and also that her friend's mother is so nice and thoughtful too. Elayne, thanks for taking care of my girl."
"A-Ah, it's nothing, really." I smiled. "You're also a hardworking mom, so I can understand how you feel, we are quite similar, I think… I was thinking we could meet up from time to time. Like coming to my house to have some tea whenever you're free?"
"Oh? I hadn't thought about it, but we are really similar in that regard." The red-haired tomboyish mother of Anna giggled, her short red hair and sharp emerald eyes really made her resemble a handsome man sometimes… Though I better not tell her that or she might get angry.
"Sure thing, Elayne, I had been considering that but… Your lifestyle is still so different than mine, so I thought you might not be interested in being friends and all." She sighed. "Just stupid thoughts of mine. I haven't had a friend in… so long, since high school actually. A lot has happened, honestly… I'm just recently trying to get back to how I once was, after my divorce and all."
"I can understand, even if our circumstances are slightly different, I'm sure we've gone through similar pains, the lost of our daily routine, to be able to slowly get back up, to somehow earn enough money to maintain the whole family… It's harsh." I nodded. "But I'm glad things are going better for you, Julietta!"
"Hehe, are you always such a gentle and nice person? It's honestly rare to find such good-mannered people out there." Julietta laughed a bit.
"E-Eh? Is it weird?" I asked, feeling embarrassed.
"No, no, it's cute." She said, giggling. "I'll give you my number later, so we can keep contact. I didn't knew you came to the gym, aside from some annoying guys here and there I mostly do it all alone, but time sure goes flying when you talk with someone while exercising, much more bearable too, phew…"
"Right?" I nodded. "How about we do some heavily lifting now?"
"Oh? You also do those?" She wondered. "Ah, now that I look at you better, you sure got strong muscles! Those abs are divine! I'm still getting myself into shape, so mine aren't as strong as yours, wow. Your appearance sure doesn't tell how strong you might be, hahaha!"
"E-Eh? Is that so?" I giggled. "I'm sure you'll get as good as me! Let's keep working hard, Julietta!"
"Yeah!" She was really fired up.
Like that, I ended making a friend I wanted for a while now… Rita and Lily were talking in our backs, perhaps about Julietta's friendliness, Mark melded with the background, trying not to bother us, he was so thoughtful sometimes, I love him.
"PHEW… Hah, now that hits the spot. I always feel so nice and strong after doing a lot of exercise, this kind of feeling I never had before, especially with my asshole of a husband." Julietta said, looking at her strong, muscular arms. "You know why I'm getting so jacked now, Elayne?"
"Huh? Why?" I wondered, as we walked out of the bath after taking a quick and warm shower.
"Well, isn't it obvious? So no asshole ever gets to hit me again…" Julietta said. "I'm tired of being a weak girl that gets tossed around… That bastard always abused of me. If we ever meet again, I'm going to punch his face until he bleeds out, for all the shit he did to me, plus some more."
"A-Ah… I see." I said, feeling slightly intimidated by her murderous aura. "I'm sure it's good to get in shape, and be strong enough to defend yourself, but… Is that… really what you truly want?"
"Hm?" Julietta asked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean…" I sighed. "No, nothing. Sorry."
"…" Julietta looked at his own hand for a bit, sighing. "I get what you're trying to say… I don't even know if I'll ever do all I just said. I guess its just my way of coping… Sometimes I wish I could just go back to the past, to confront him… But these things, they keep lingering, I guess you can relate a bit with that, no?"
"Yeah…" I agreed, as I patted her shoulder. "But you're not alone on this, Julietta. You've got your cute daughter and… Well, you've got me, your new friend! If you need to talk or anything, I'm here for you."
"You…" She suddenly blushed a bit. "Are you trying to make me fall for you or something? Sorry but I'm still into men. Hahahaha! You sure are a funny girl, Elayne! I don't think anybody would ever say such an embarrassing thing out of nowhere."
"Geez! That wasn't my intention!" I felt even more embarrassed.
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