*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
The bell rang, signalling that lunch had just started. I grabbed my bag and headed for the roof. It was the place where Yu, Luna and I usually spent lunch together.
Surprisingly enough, it wasn't that popular a spot—at least not at this time of the year. When the new school year starts, and new first-years arrive at school, the roof is usually packed. But once the novelty of it all dies down, people don't come here anymore. It's simply more convenient to eat in a classroom or the cafeteria.
I opened the heavy door. The fresh summer breeze washed over me, messing up my hair and uniform. The thought of fixing my hair that I had spent the morning styling annoyed me, but there was nothing that could have been done about it.
The sky was bright and cloudless, the very definition of what other people would describe as a 'beautiful summer day.'
But I didn't pay it much mind. It was just a sky.
Without wasting any time, I jumped up, grabbed the edge of the rooftop cubicle, and hauled myself up.
"Yo! You're a little late!" Yu, who had already arrived at the cubicle, said as he called out to me.
I stood up, dusted off my pants, and spent some time fixing my dishevelled hair before turning to Yu. "Yeah, I had a few things holding me back."
That was a lie. The real reason was that I slept during class and didn't wake up until a couple of minutes after lunch had already started. But he'd make fun of me if I told him that, so I left that part out.
I glanced around the rooftop. I thought I was a bit late, but surprisingly, I was the second one to arrive.
"Where's Luna?" I asked.
A loud *pop* echoed between us as Yu opened a bag of chips. "I'm pretty sure she's getting Sora and Remi."
I couldn't help but be just a little surprised. Not that I minded or anything, but it was the first I'd heard of it. "They're coming?"
"I think so?" he replied as he stuffed his mouth with chips. "I'm not really sure. I mean, I invited Sora, but he said he'd let me know."
"Did he not contact you or anything?"
"Nope."
Huh, for someone so put together, he's surprisingly negligent when it comes to planning. I guess everyone has their flaws.
With nothing left to do, I sat down on the floor, opened my bag, and pulled out my lunch. I don't really get hungry, nor do I need to eat much, so my lunch was just a few sesame balls. Yu, on the other hand—aside from the bag of chips he was currently eating—had four other snacks and two lunches.
We talked about a few things here and there as we ate our lunch. By the time I was halfway done with mine, he had already finished everything.
"Ah! Now I'm full," he said, wiping his face as his expression shifted into something more competitive. "So, what events are you participating in?"
This was clearly his way of probing to see if we had any matching events. Sadly, he wasn't going to get the answers he wanted.
"Three-legged race, and relay," I responded half-heartedly as I snacked on a sesame ball.
Yu's brow furrowed into one of confusion. "Really? That's it? I thought you would've joined more. I thought for sure you were doing the sprint and high jump. You're good at those things."
I simply shrugged. "Originally, I wasn't going to do anything. But one thing led to another, and here I am."
"Is that so…"
His voice trailed off, his eye contact wavering for a split second before a wide grin spread on his face, and he playfully smacked me on the back.
"Well, since you asked, I'll tell you what I'm doing!"
"But I didn't ask," I said between slaps.
"Hahaha, I don't care. Anyway, I'm doing sprint, high jump, long jump, and relay."
"So we're doing relay together, then?" I asked, as if delighted by the surprise.
With the flow of the conversation thus far, it was only natural that I'd follow up with, "Are you going to be the anchor?"
Yu scoffed, puffing out his chest. "Of course I am. What else would I be? The first runner? Who do you think I am?"
"Good point," I replied, suppressing a small smirk.
Looks like it's your time to shine, Luna. I believe in you.
Suddenly, the rooftop door creaked open, followed by a soft sneeze.
"Achoo!"
Both Yu and I peered over the edge of the cubicle. Luna and Remi were standing below.
Seeing our shadows looming over them, they looked up, and all four of us made eye contact. Seeing us on top of the cubicle, Remi's face paled; meanwhile, Luna crossed her arms with a disgruntled frown.
"What are you doing up there?! You can't do that!" Remi screamed.
"How could you start without me?!" Luna cried.
Remi froze, her head snapping at Luna. Seeing Luna stretching her arms and rolling her shoulders, Remi staggered back, staring at Luna in shock.
"Wait… don't tell me you planned this from the start," she muttered exasperatedly. "I respect your decisions, but don't try to corrupt me!"
"Oh, stop being so overdramatic. God forbid that we students have fun."
Luna jumped up, grabbed the ledge of the cubicle, and pulled herself up with athletic grace.
"Anyway," she said, glancing down at Remi. "Hurry up! Lunch will be over soon, y'know!"
Remi's eye twitched. "I… I can't do that! And it's NOT because it's against the rules. I physically cannot make that jump!"
Luna reached down, offering a hand. "It's okay! I'll pull you up!"
Remi clutched onto herself tightly, as if anchoring herself to the ground. "No! I don't trust you!"
What a scaredy-cat...
Before the two could start bickering again, I nudged Yu. "You're up. Work your magic."
"...Fine."
He let out a resigned sigh and jumped down. Before Remi could retreat, he scooped her up in a bridal carry and lifted her toward Luna. Luna hauled the terrified girl onto the cubicle, and Yu joined us a second later.
Remi lay flat on the concrete, panting violently. "I-I feel like throwing up..."
Luna laughed, waving her hand dismissively while pulling a container of noodles from her bag. "Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud. You're going to be perfectly fine."
Uh, no, she isn't. Have you seen her? There's drool leaking out of her mouth. She looks disgusting. Get her out of here.
I decided to give Remi some space and continued the conversation I was having with Yu beforehand.
"So you're the anchor? Luna's our anchor."
At the mention of her name, Luna turned to us, noodles dangling from her mouth. Yu covered his eyes. "Luna, please, eat before you join," he said.
She blinked, then quickly sucked the noodles into her mouth and swallowed them with terrifying speed.
Seeing her do all this, he shook his head, trying his best to ignore it. Then he looked back at me, his smile turning a little solemn. "Really? I thought you or Mei would've been the anchor."
"Oh, originally, she was," I stated. "But she's participating in everything, and we didn't want to overburden her."
Even though everyone was technically running the same length, it was more of the mental burden that I was worried about.
"Jesus Christ… she's insane."
Even though we were talking about Mei, for some reason, there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"What was that about?" I asked.
He understood what I meant right away. "Nothing," he said, trying to be as happy as he always was. "It's just… I was kinda hoping to race you."
The corners of my lips twitched ever so slightly. "What do you mean?"
He took a deep breath as he broke eye contact with me and looked up at the clear blue sky above.
"Well… the biggest reason I joined the relay and demanded to be the anchor was that I thought you were going to do it. I figured you knew I was going to be at the end, so you'd try to be there too."
He slowly lowered his head until he was looking at me once more. It was like his eyes reflected the clear, pure sky above as he studied my face.
But no matter how much he searched, he wouldn't find anything. Still, it wasn't right to just leave things here. I had to say something.
After finishing the remainder of my sesame balls, I quietly set the container against my lap, finally returning his gaze.
"Well," I said slowly, "After the basketball game with Kevin, my legs have kind of been hurting." I let out a faint chuckle as I hung my head. "...I guess that's what happens when I try to push myself too hard."
I'd rather not mention Kevin again—much less use him as a reason as to why I couldn't do something—but if I had to, then so be it.
Yu, who was an athlete himself, seemed to understand and accept my reason as he didn't say anything else.
We both remained silent for a second. But only a second. Suddenly, Luna let out a loud, bubbly burp. "Ahhh, that felt good!" she said as she rubbed her stomach satisfactorily.
Yu turned to her in disgust. "Dawg, have you ever heard of covering your mouth?"
"What? Are you saying a lady can't burp?" She snickered while wagging her finger. "That's kinda sexist, Yu."
"That's literally not what I'm saying at all."
I pitched in, a thin smirk creeping up my face. "Wowww, I see how it is. I didn't know you discriminated like that."
"See what what is?!" he screamed, swinging his hand in the air. "Why are you both ganging up on me?!"
Luna and I teased Yu for the remainder of lunch while Remi remained passed out in the background. To anyone outside, it looked like a normal, enjoyable lunch between friends.
Except... Luna's eyes were constantly darting between Yu and me as she kept up the conversation.
Yu's laughter was just a little less loud.
As for me...
I was the same as ever.