Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

Being a single mother, she had to take care of everything from house expenses to everyday needs. She wanted to study more and become a doctor. But the money she had saved since childhood was all used on me.

She didn\'t have a penny left to continue her study. Even if she had taken a student loan, she couldn\'t possibly have completed her studies, given she had to raise me. I destroyed her future beyond repair.

It was her dream to become a doctor and help others… but when she needed help, no one came to her aid… except one person. Miss Eleanor… She is a goddess.

Mom told me Eleanor came into her life when she was at her lowest. We lived in a rented house, and the rent wasn\'t even that high. But… mom didn\'t have enough money to pay the rent.

The landlord was an elderly lady who was kind and never came to claim rent unless mom herself went to her and gave her the money. Once she hadn\'t paid the rent for six months, but the landlady still didn\'t come.

However, when she died, her son took over and increased the rent. Still, it was cheaper than the average rent price. But he came to claim the rent on every first day of the month.

That time, mom hadn\'t paid rent for three months, and the landlord had asked her to empty the house. Mom had lost all hope, but Eleanor came and saved her.

She bought the house from the landlord and gave mom a job at one of her stores. That was thirteen years ago, and nothing has changed since. Eleanor always cut the rent from mom\'s pay before giving her the salary.

She pays well, too, and gives an unlimited day off. She also took care of our medical bills and school expenses. It\'s not just mom, but all the people who work for and under her are the ones who had once lost their hopes in living.

She gave life to all of them and saved them from doing the worst. She also gives out bonuses to random employees every month. And they also conduct a wheel of fortune every 15th of the month.

Even the rewards are crazy. This month, one employee got a car. Truly, Eleanor is a Goddess. I wonder why she does all that. No one has any reason. Had she not saved mom and me, we might already be dead by now.

I won\'t call my life perfect, as I mess things up whenever I need to try my best. Rudy is the only one I don\'t want to lose. I have loved him since kindergarten, even though he has never noticed me.

I know he doesn\'t even remember that I considered him my childhood friend. We used to play often whenever his mom brought him to the store. I used to hate it when mom took me with her to her store so she could watch over me.

But after Rebecca started bringing Rudy with her, I was always in a hurry to go to the store. At that time, mom used to do the day shift as she couldn\'t possibly leave a kid home alone at night.

Everything has changed now. I have changed… and so has Rudy. He gives off a strange vibe sometimes, and… he looks sad. Even when he is smiling… his eyes don\'t shine like they used it.

This… race… what am I even doing? I have already lost. Everyone is ahead of me, and they are about to take the flowers. Even if I get up, I am not sure I can run. I didn\'t notice until now, but my knee hurts.

It\'s bleeding, and it\'s burning. I don\'t know what to do. Rudy is standing there with a flower in his hand… waiting for me…\'

"He is… waiting for me. I shouldn\'t keep him waiting. I may never get another chance."

Janet placed her hands on the ground and pulled herself up. She slowly got up while stumbling on her feet and glanced at her bleeding knees.

"It\'s okay, Janet. You can still run."

Janet took one step, then another, and slowly began to walk. After a few steps, she increased her speed and started running, but her speed was no different than what one would have while walking.

Meanwhile, the other contestants had already reached the end of the lane.

"I have to hurry!"

She increased her speed and barely managed to reach Rudy. She looked at him in the eyes and took the flower from his hand.

"Good luck," he said to her.

Janet nodded and turned around.

\'I don\'t care about winning or losing, but I will at least complete the race, even if I come last!\'

Janet started running without caring about her injury. Her wound ached every time she took a step forward, but her pain was acting as fuel to her strength.

She caught up with the other contestants, but she was still the last.

\'Come on, Janet! You can do better! Is this the extent of your love for Rudy?\'

Janet pushed herself to run faster, and she got ahead by two positions.

\'More!\'

Jane tried to run faster, but she ended up tripping. She stumbled for a few meters, but she didn\'t stop running. She managed to stop stumbling and got ahead of three more contestants.

\'I don\'t want to be greedy, but I will! If…\' She panted, seemingly out of breath.

\'If I manage to get into the top three, I will confess my love to Rudy!\'

Janet ran, holding a thin thread of hope and courage that could either snap or strengthen depending on her will.

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Thanks, @Jeffery_Holley, for the gift!