The noon bell echoed through the school corridors, a sharp metallic sound that spread from classroom to classroom like a shared sigh of relief.
Inside Class 2-B, chairs scraped, bags opened, and conversations quickly filled every corner. Lunchtime always changed the mood completely.
Hina was the first to stand, stretching her arms above her head.
"I think I'll grab an anpan today."
Aoi opened her bag.
"Ah... I'll go with you. I forgot my bentō to—"
Her fingers touched the wooden lid inside her bag.
She paused.
Blinking, she slowly pulled it out.
"...Oh. I did bring it."
She let out a small, awkward smile.
"I'll just wait here then."
"We'll be right back!" Hina said.
Mio was already standing, and the two of them left the classroom chatting.
Aoi stayed seated, pulling out her phone to pass the time.
Across the room, Souma watched her quietly. He leaned back slightly, hands resting on his head, and let out a slow sigh.
"...Haa..."
His gaze dropped to his desk, as if he was trying to gather the courage to do something.
A little further away, Hanae Kurosawa observed everything in silence. Her eyes moved from Souma... to Aoi... and back again.
A small group of girls sitting near Aoi stood up and left, leaving a few empty seats behind.
A few seconds passed.
Then Souma finally stood up.
Step by step, he walked over to Aoi's desk.
"H-hey..."
Aoi looked up, a bit surprised.
"Oh... hi. Do you... want to eat with us?"
Souma lifted his bentō slightly.
"Y-yes... Sakamoto-san."
Nearby, Matsuda stood up as well.
"I'm going to grab a melonpan."
"I brought a bentō," Yamada replied from his seat.
"Alright, I'll be back."
Before leaving, Matsuda glanced briefly at Misaki Arai. He let out a quiet sigh... then walked out.
Taking the chance, Souma sat down beside Aoi. He opened his bentō, still a little nervous.
"S-so... should we eat?"
Aoi smiled softly.
"The others went to buy anpan."
At that moment, Yamada turned around in his seat.
"Can I eat with you guys? Matsuda's getting melonpan too."
"I don't mind," Aoi replied naturally.
Souma looked at him.
"...Are you okay, Yamada-kun?"
Yamada stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed awkwardly.
"O-of course! I'm fine... just forget it, man."
Aoi watched quietly.
Yamada was slightly red... but smiling.
Suddenly, the classroom door opened.
Three girls stood there.
The entire room fell silent.
They clearly didn't belong to the class—and they weren't the kind of people you could ignore.
Dyed hair. Heavy makeup. Skirts shorter than school rules allowed.
Classic gyaru style.
Loud. Confident. Intimidating.
Their eyes locked onto one person.
Misaki Arai.
The girl in front frowned slightly.
Misaki sighed... and stood up without a word.
She walked toward them and left the classroom with the trio.
The moment the door closed—
Whispers filled the room.
Takumi, the class representative, leaned toward Hanae.
"...What do those delinquents want with Misaki-san?"
Hanae crossed her arms.
"I don't know... but I'll keep an eye on it."
She picked up her bentō and stood up.
"See you later, Takumi-kun."
Aoi blinked.
"...What was that?"
Souma answered quietly,
"Good question."
Meanwhile, in the cafeteria area, Hina and Mio were looking at the bread shelves. Matsuda stood behind them, scrolling on his phone.
"Mio-chan."
"Hm?"
"Have you noticed Yamada-kun getting closer to us lately?"
Mio blinked.
"Really?"
"He even came to the hospital with us."
Mio thought for a moment.
"...Oh. That's true. I kind of forgot."
She shrugged.
"So what?"
"I just think it's a bit strange."
Mio pointed at the shelf.
"Well... I appreciate the concern. But we're not that close or anything. Which one are you getting?"
"I think I'll take this melonpan."
When Hina and Mio returned, they paused for a moment.
Aoi and Souma were sitting side by side.
Yamada had turned around in his seat, laughing and talking with them.
Mio walked over and sat down.
"Yamada-kun... I'm going to eat now."
Yamada immediately turned.
"Ah! S-sorry, Kanzaki-chan!"
Mio narrowed her eyes slightly.
"...You're too close."
"B-but I'm just in my seat!"
Souma spoke up.
"Do you want to sit here in front, Yamada?"
Mio nodded calmly.
"That sounds better, right?"
Yamada started sweating.
"Y-yeah!"
He quickly stood up and switched seats.
Right then, Matsuda came back.
"...Alright, I'm eating."
He glanced at Misaki's empty seat.
"...Where's Misaki? She's always here..."
While they were eating, Mio muttered,
"...I forgot to get something to drink."
Yamada immediately reacted.
"Hey, Ren-kun, bread tastes better with something to drink."
Matsuda looked at him.
"I didn't bring much money today."
Yamada stood up.
"I'll get it for you. What do you want?"
Matsuda blinked, confused.
"...Huh? What's gotten into you? Don't think this pays off any favor."
Yamada scratched his head.
"Can't a friend help you out? Come on."
Matsuda thought for a moment.
"...Orange juice."
"Got it."
Yamada turned to the group.
"I'm going to the vending machine. Anyone want something?"
They all looked at each other.
Hina raised her hand first.
"Melon ramune!"
"I'm good, thanks," Souma said.
"I don't need anything either," Aoi added.
Yamada then looked at Mio.
"A-and you, Kanzaki-chan?"
Mio lifted her gaze slowly, half-lidded.
"I don't want anything. Thanks."
She went back to eating.
Yamada stood there for a second... then left quickly.
Hina giggled.
"What a gentleman."
Matsuda chuckled.
"...Yeah."
"What?" Mio asked.
"Nothing."
Aoi spoke up.
"Are you going to the hospital after school?"
"To see your mom?"
Mio nodded.
"Yeah. My dad should be back from overseas in a few days."
A little later, Yamada returned with the drinks. Matsuda and Hina paid him back despite his protests.
Mio finished her anpan and picked up her phone.
"Do you girls want to hang out on Saturday?"
Aoi hesitated.
"...I might go to the beach. My mom wants to spend some time together."
"The beach? Which one?"
Hina immediately raised her hand.
"I need to get some sun."
Aoi got flustered.
"D-do you want to come too?"
Mio laughed.
"You didn't have to insist that much, Aoi-chan. Now I have to go."
"I wasn't insisting!"
Souma casually added,
"Hoshinami Beach is about an hour from here. It's near my hometown."
Mio looked at him.
"Really? Then you're coming with us too, right?"
"Mio-chan!"
"I'm kidding, haha."
Suddenly, the classroom door opened.
Misaki walked in.
Her hair was slightly messy... and there was a faint bruise on her arm.
She walked slowly to her desk, sat down, and stared at the table.
Her bangs covered her eyes.
No one could see her expression.
Matsuda's eyes widened.
"...Misaki? What happened?"
No answer.
"Misaki-san...?" Hina called softly.
Aoi frowned.
"...Was it those girls?"
Yamada shrugged.
"Who knows? Maybe she caught their attention."
Mio looked confused.
"...What girls?"
Aoi answered quietly.
"Three girls came and took her."
Mio murmured,
"...That's unsettling."
The bell rang again, signaling the end of lunch.
Sasaki-sensei entered the classroom.
"Alright, let's begin the afternoon classes."
Misaki sat there, fists clenched, staring at the board.
Her eyes were still hidden.
Aoi watched her in silence.
Then, under her breath—
"...I need to talk to her."