The long-awaited lunch break.
As soon as the bell rang, the sound of chairs scraping filled the room.
“Hey, let’s hit the cafeteria. If we don’t hurry, all the good stuff’ll be gone.”
“Alright, I’m coming.”
Some rushed straight to the cafeteria.
“Wow, you made this? Looks crazy good!”
“Heh, this is just basic skills.”
Others sat with friends, opening their packed lunches.
Grumble.
“Ugh, I’m starving.”
Unlike them, I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window.
Our household—well, Ms. Katsuragi Miho’s household—consists of me, her, and my younger sister.
Ms. Miho probably fends for herself, so she’s out of the equation.
My sister and I usually pack lunches for school.
To avoid burdening one person, we take turns each day.
But here’s the thing.
My sister, still in middle school, has a two-week longer break than me.
Vacation’s meant for sleeping in and lazing around, right?
I couldn’t ask my sister to make lunch while she’s on break.
So, for the past week, I diligently packed my own lunch, but today? I was too lazy.
“Cafeteria food’s not bad.”
Even though this is an island, it’s not too far from the mainland.
It’s small, sure, but there’s a ferry every thirty minutes, and the basic infrastructure’s solid.
It’s got that rural vibe with everything you need.
So, the cafeteria’s menu is pretty diverse. They even have stuff you’d only find on a rural island.
Like pickled plum rice balls.
“Time to go.”
I stretched and got up.
Looking around, a few groups were chatting and eating.
The rest probably went to the courtyard or clubrooms.
It’s 12:40 now.
Ten minutes into lunch break.
I headed to the cafeteria at a leisurely pace. I hate crowded places. That’s why I pack lunch despite being lazy—it’s less hassle.
And since I’m not picky, I don’t care about grabbing the popular items.
“Hey, kid, you’re late. All the good stuff’s gone. You okay with that?”
As I entered the cafeteria, the lady at the counter greeted me warmly.
“It’s fine. Food’s food once it’s in your stomach.”
“Haha, true! Stuff with short shelf life is a loss if we don’t sell it. Matching supply to demand is harder than it looks!”
“Totally get that. Must be tough dealing with all these students every day. Oh, I’ll take these.”
I put two random bread rolls and a barley tea on the counter.
The cafeteria lady scanned the items while chatting away.
“No kidding! These kids are so full of energy, sometimes it’s hard to keep up. But they keep me in business! That’ll be 600 yen.”
“They’re growing, so their appetites are through the roof. Here’s 600 yen.”
I gave a quick goodbye to the cafeteria lady.
“Alright, I’m off. Sell lots!”
“Sure thing, kid. See you next time!”
Leaving the cafeteria, I wandered the school.
Eating in the classroom saves the hassle of moving and makes it easier to prep for the next class.
But eating alone there? It’s the worst.
Even if you think you don’t care, you feel those pitying stares.
If you’re in a corner seat like mine, it’s bearable, but in the middle? Nightmare.
And sometimes, a kind-hearted classmate might say, “Hey, wanna eat with us?” That’s the worst.
Say no, and it’s awkward. Say yes, and it’s still awkward.
Eating face-to-face with someone you’ve barely talked to? If the conversation flows naturally, fine, but that’s rare.
Most likely, you’re eating in silence, unsure if the food’s going in your mouth or nose. It’s torture for both sides.
So, if you don’t have friends to eat with, avoid the classroom.
That’s just my take, though.
With that in mind, I looked for a spot.
As expected, the loner hotspots were already taken. That’s the second reason I pack lunch.
I hate crowds, so I go to the cafeteria late, but then I lose my lunch spot.
It’s a complicated mess.
No choice but to wait for a spot to open.
The outdoor stairs of the old school building.
Downside: no cover, so it’s useless when it rains. Upside: there’s a drinking fountain right by the first floor.
Finish your barley tea, refill with water—two birds, one stone.
“Hmm, classic sausage roll flavor.”
I tore into the bread, filling my stomach. I missed my sister’s lunches.
After finishing the bread and refilling my bottle, there wasn’t much time left.
No time to rest.
I swore to pack lunch diligently starting tomorrow.
“Hm?”
As I headed back to class, I noticed something.
A girl was standing against the wall just before a corner.
I don’t usually pay attention to others.
Half the time, I don’t even know who someone is.
Now in my second year, I even use polite speech with first-years.
I barely remember my classmates’ faces, and since it’s the new semester, I know even less.
What does that mean?
The blonde, blue-eyed girl in front of me—objectively stunning, no doubt—
I don’t even know her name.
And what does that mean?
Just walk past her naturally.
‘Probably sneaking a cigarette.’
Pretty girls tend to do that, I’ve heard.
Or, what, is she gonna shake me down?
Feeling a bit nervous, I passed her—
“Wait a sec.”
Grab.
She caught my arm.
No way, for real?
I don’t for a second think a girl this pretty would be interested in me.
I immediately checked my pockets.
How much cash do I have…?
Then, voices came from around the corner.
—Nanase-san, would you go out with me?
Not what I expected—not even close. A confession scene.
I understood why she grabbed me. I followed her lead and stood against the wall.
“Sorry. It’s kind of a situation.”
“It’s fine. Makes sense.”
There are different kinds of losers.
The worst? The clueless ones who don’t read the room.
Like getting invited to karaoke by a nice classmate and belting out nerdy anime songs.
Luckily, I’m a loser with some awareness.
I’m not the lunatic who’d stroll through a confession scene like it’s nothing.
Though, deep down, I kinda want to march through and yell, “Get a room, normies!”
Ahem.
I crossed my arms and waited for it to end.
You’d think she’d peek, but she wasn’t.
Instead, she was staring right at me.
Is this about money after all?
“What’s up?”
“Why the polite speech?”
“Huh?”
“We’re in the same class.”
We are?
“Hoshino Ryo, right?”
She knows my name, so it must be true.
“…Really? Sorry, didn’t recognize you. Thought you were a third-year.”
“It’s fine. It’s still the new semester.”
A faint, dizzying fragrance hit me.
I flinched and stepped back.
“Anyway, aren’t you just waiting for this to end?”
“Half right, half wrong.”
“Hm?”
“The girl getting confessed to is my friend.”
“Oh.”
That’s why she stopped me.
For her friend.
“Just so you know, I’m not stalking her. We were walking together after lunch, and she got called out.”
“I see.”
Not alone, but together, and she got called out?
That guy’s got some guts.
“You don’t seem that curious.”
“Well, curiosity and interest are different. I might be curious, but it’s useless info to a stranger like me.”
“Really? Isn’t it prime gossip material?”
“I’m not into tearing people down for fun. Plus, I don’t trust rumors.”
I don’t know why we’re talking, but I had a question.
“Why tell me all this? You could’ve just stayed quiet.”
“I stopped you out of nowhere. Isn’t it normal to explain why?”
“Uh… I guess.”
Most people would snap, “Why do you need to know?”
“Hm? What’re you thinking?”
…I thought you were a delinquent. Sorry.
“Nothing. This is dragging on, huh?”
I changed the subject, feeling guilty.
“Yeah.”
A pause. Then voices from around the corner.
—Sorry, senpai. I’ll have to decline.
—Why? Just give it a shot!
I muttered without thinking.
“Persistent, huh.”
“Exactly.”
She mumbled something too, but I didn’t catch it.
I glanced over, and she was staring at me again.
Now what?
“Uh… sorry. Didn’t mean to.”
“No, it’s fine. I was thinking the same.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. How do you confess to someone you barely know?”
“Hm. No clue, but maybe they know each other?”
“Nah. He’s a third-year. They’ve got no connection.”
“Then yeah, I guess.”
“What do you think?”
“About what?”
“As a guy, what’s your take on this situation?”