I Pray That You Forget Me - Chapter 82
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“I just feel it’s a shame you’re not pursuing higher positions when you could. It’s such a rare opportunity, and we’ve let it slip by twice now.”
And I don’t understand why he would just let go of a chance to lead a more comfortable and prosperous life. I mean, having Johann is enough for me, but he had expressed regret about not being able to provide me with a life in a mansion with servants. Yet he turned away when the opportunity arose. Was it just lip service?
I don’t doubt Johann’s love, but his words do make me wonder.
“Rize, not everything in a bottle is medicine. It could also be poison.”
He said that and changed the subject.
“What flowers would you like today? I’ll pick anything for you, except those not yet bloomed.”
“So, it’s not ‘anything’ then.”
We laughed as we passed the house. There aren’t wildflowers in the commercial area.
Of course, the school’s garden is starting to sprout crocuses and daffodils, but a teacher can’t just pluck flowers from the school beds.
Since the early blooms, Johann had been walking to the end of the village on his way home, collecting wildflowers from the edge of the forest to give to me.
“Since we’re together today, you can choose the flowers you want, not just the ones I want to give you.”
“Hmm… what should I pick…”
Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, cherry blossoms. Thinking of early spring flowers, we reached the edge of the village.
“Ah, look…”
A luxury car parked by the road caught my eye. I recognized the back of it.
“Isn’t that Mrs. Hildebrandt’s car?”
Indeed, it was. As we approached, we saw Mrs. Hildebrandt and Thomas sitting in the backseat.
An officer, who should have been driving, was standing in front of the car, scratching his head, seemingly puzzled by a malfunction.
“What seems to be the problem?”
Johann asked as we approached, and the officer sighed heavily before replying.
“The car’s dead. It seems like an engine issue, but I have no clue about these things…”
As the engine compartment clattered loudly with the large pieces of metal shaking, even someone like me, unfamiliar with car mechanics, could tell the noise was unusual.
“Is there a place around here where we can rent a cart? We’ll need to call a mechanic from the bunker,” the officer asked, looking around.
In this remote mountain village where everyone used horses and carts, finding someone skilled in car repairs would be unlikely. Yet, Johann did not suggest a place to rent a cart.
“May I take a look for a moment?”
Johann can fix cars?
The officer was surprised like me and asked.
“Do you know how to fix cars?”
“I’m not a mechanic, but I’ve driven before and can handle basic fixes.”
Johann knew how to drive?
This was a continuous surprise. Johann rolled up his sleeves after taking off his coat and began discussing something with the officer in front of the car’s complex machinery. I couldn’t understand a word.
“Mrs. Renner, good to see you again.”
While I was watching absentmindedly, Mrs. Hildebrandt and her child stepped out of the car to join me.
“Mr. Renner seems to be very talented.”
“I’m surprised too.”
Since it seemed like it would be taking a lot of it, it seemed like a better option for them to step out and chat casually with me rather than sit awkwardly inside the car. Especially since the locals had started to watch us.
People pretended to be busy in their front yards or peeped through barely open windows. In the past, they would have gathered around the car, offering unsolicited advice or rolling up their sleeves, eager to help.
But now, the people had changed, especially towards those from the bunker.
When the government and command first moved into the bunker, the villagers, full of patriotism, welcomed them warmly, but what they got in return were conscription orders and searches for deserters.
Since then, the residents of Eisenthal gradually started to avoid bunker personnel.
Of course, there are quite a few people who deliberately seek out military officers for gain, especially if it’s a high-ranking family like an army general’s. But for ordinary, simple folks like the residents of this street, having such connections can be more of a burden than a benefit, often being used rather than benefiting.
‘It’s more of a poison than a medicine.’
I think I now understand what Johann meant by that. He might be worried that even helping the wife of the army general could lead to being drafted as a mechanic.
Yet, Johann didn’t hesitate to roll up his sleeves and dive in, despite being at an age that is most susceptible to forced conscription.
His nature simply won’t allow him to ignore someone in trouble. This wasn’t just about Mrs. Hildebrandt; Johann knew the villagers might hesitate to lend a cart, so he stepped up himself.
If everyone else would be put in a difficult position, he’d rather sacrifice himself. That’s the Johann I’ve come to know over the past year.
“It seems we’ve stopped you from your path.”
“Not at all. We were just out for a walk, so we’re not in a hurry.”
