When Max stood up straight, he saw the hot pink–colored card visibly disappearing from her hand. Her face showed a flicker of confusion. In the next second, the card vanished completely, as if it had never been real at all.
She froze. To make sure she wasn't hallucinating, she immediately turned her head toward the counter employee, who was busy scanning Max's items without even looking up. No reaction. No pause.
Only Max and she had seen it.
"T…That was a magic card. It's supposed to disappear after getting into human contact."
Max said stiffly, his voice coming out faster than he expected. Even as he spoke, his gaze stayed locked on her face. He was still shocked himself. He never thought that forbidden card would activate exactly the way he had predicted—and here, of all places.
"Is that so?"
Jennifer blinked, then let out a small, awkward laugh.
"I thought it was some kind of cheap escort card. There are men out there distributing that kind of stuff to young people…"
She looked away, her cheeks flushing as the weight of her words sank in. Suddenly self-conscious, she remembered her outfit—a low-cut dress, a size too small, that she'd borrowed after her shirt was drenched at her sister's house by her niece.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to waste your magic card."
She added quickly. She looked genuinely ashamed now, as if she had accused an innocent boy of something disgusting. Seeing Max still staring at her in disbelief, she probably looked like she had just turned into a predator in his eyes.
Damn it. What was I thinking? Policing others—he's not even my student.
"Sigh!! It's alright. I can manage without it."
Max, seeing there was no abnormality in her, sighed. He didn't understand that card very much. Seeing that it didn't have any effect on her, he was very relieved. Jennifer, on the other hand, seeing him sigh sadly, felt very regretful. She just wanted to do some good.
"Here, sir. Your total is €78.01."
Max nodded his head, then tapped on the payment terminal. As he was about to pick up his bag and walk out of the store, he felt a little tug on his new coat. When he looked back, he saw a red-faced Jennifer on the verge of crying.
Jesus Christ!! It has begun.
Max swallowed hard. It would be a lie to say he was not scared—he felt really scared. Women in general confuse him too much, and it was his fault that she might be feeling what she was feeling. The whole thing had become a mess. He didn't know how to deal with women in general, and this was an older, extremely beautiful one.
"Y… yes?"
When Max opened his mouth, a dry voice came out. He wanted to know if he was getting a wife today. The system was very powerful, so there was no doubt that the card had done something, while Jennifer also felt guilty for making a young boy scared of her.
"Do… you live in the Blueberry Residential Area?"
Hearing her question, Max didn't know how to answer it. His palms were sweating a lot even in this chilly weather, but he resolved himself to take responsibility. Whatever came his way, he would take it head-on.
"Yes, I live in the Blueberry Residential Area. Why do you ask?"
"I… I forgot my purse, which had my phone and card. I don't need much, just this milk for a little baby. If you can pay for me right now… sniff, sniff… I'll return it when I reach home. I also live there with my sister and niece."
Her tears started to fall on the ground. She felt ashamed and vulnerable for some reason. The store was closing, and her little niece needed some fruit and milk. Max understood that all she wanted was to borrow some money for a baby.
"Sure, take the fruit as well. I am all for helping babies and children in need. D…don't cry."
Max agreed in a heartbeat. As a person who had suffered his whole childhood, he didn't want to let another kid suffer even for a second. If he were wealthy enough, he would have made food and medical care free for kids all over the world.
"N...No, just the milk is fine…sniff. I don't know why I am crying."
"It's alright. I insist you take the fruit as well."
Max took her bag and scanned it for €12 at the payment terminal on her behalf. She didn't look like someone who usually asked for help, and Max also got a chance to redeem himself. He felt like it was a win-win-win—for him, her, and the baby.
Taking his own bag, he walked outside while Jennifer followed behind. Her mood looked visibly better. The cold wind that came with the high-speed cars made her shudder, but she still smiled.
"My name is Jennifer Gaskill. I am from America, a lecturer & research staff at LMU Munich."
"Maximilian Weber."
Max looked at her with a shocked face. He was tall and hadn't bothered to wait for her, but now he slowed down to walk by her side. He was still processing her words—she was actually a teacher at his future university.
"You look like you've seen a ghost?"
Jennifer smiled. Finally, she was seeing some normal expression on Max, which felt good. They had started off by helping each other, then things took a weird turn.
"I am actually a Doctor of Nutritional Sciences. That is why I suggested those fruits back then—they are better for you than the normal ones."
"Oh! I understand. It's just that I will attend LMU Munich this year. That is why I got a little surprised."
As she talked, her eyes never left Max for a second, and hearing that he was going to attend her university, her eyes sparkled with interest.
"Oh? Which department?"
"Medicine."
"Great!!"
She looked very excited and interested in talking with him as they entered the silent road where their apartments were. There were a few couples jogging outside. Other than that, the whole area looked extremely calm.
"I live in that apartment. I can give you the money if you come with me. I might be one of the weirdest women you've ever met. I promise you, I am not like this usually."
Jennifer looked at Max with a smile, then her eyes lingered on his face. Max scratched his head. He was not sure what she was usually like, but she seemed like a genuinely kind person.
"It's alright. I live in the opposite building from you. Don't worry about it. We are neighbors, so give it to me some other time."
Jennifer nodded her head gently, then offered her hand. Her intention was to shake Max's hand. Max smiled and extended his hand. Her hand felt cold—maybe she was cold because she was wearing an exposed dress.
"Maximilian, thank you for today."
After thanking him, she stared at him for three whole seconds, then she turned and walked towards her building. Seeing her leave normally, Max sighed with relief.
She didn't go crazy. That's a big load off my chest. I can sleep peacefully now.
Shaking his head, he entered his building. All this while, there was only one thing that made him curious—his skin was very white, almost pale, because he was used to being indoors mostly, but Jennifer's had a soft pink glow to it. Her palm looked as pink as a delicate wild rose.
I wonder how she achieved it even as a doctor. Whatever, time to use the Palladium Card.
She should be alright, right?