---- been clinging to Stella for five years, as if she were my only hope in this world. Even though she was clearly always annoyed with my presence, I would always come up with excuses to stick around. But now, from where I was standing, she was like the devil himself. As I continued ahead, a cool voice called out, "John!" I stopped, and seeing that my lips were pursed, the secretary gestured at the MPV again. I straightened myself as much as I could while fighting the pain in my left leg, and limped slowly into the MPV even though the secretary had clear things to say. Inside, Stella looked up from the documents she was reading. Despite my sorry state, she didn't show concern, instead frowning and demanding in annoyance, "Are you cosplaying the homeless? Don't you feel embarrassed wearing that?" ---- I felt no sting despite the sharp comment, nor did I feel disappointed that she had failed to see my wounds. Instead, I just kept my head down and apologized quietly.