The line at the canteen moved slowly.
Metal trays slid across the counter with sharp scraping sounds while the lunch lady shouted orders over the noise.
"Next!"
"Two bowls of ramen!"
"Move forward, please!"
Students packed the room shoulder to shoulder. The air was warm, filled with the smell of fried noodles, soup broth, and freshly baked bread.
I glanced at the menu board.
"Hmm…"
Himari stood quietly beside me, her hands folded in front of her.
"So," I said, pointing at the board. "What are you thinking?"
She leaned forward slightly, reading the options carefully.
"Maybe… the curry bread."
"That's it?"
"And maybe soup."
"Good choice."
When our turn came, I placed the order.
"Two curry breads and two soups, please."
The lunch lady nodded and quickly placed the food on a tray.
"That'll be 480 yen."
I paid and picked up the tray.
"Alright, mission accomplished."
Himari looked a little surprised.
"You bought mine too."
"Yeah."
"But I said—"
"You said you didn't want to trouble me."
She nodded.
"Well," I continued casually, "I ignored that."
She blinked.
"…You ignored it?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"Because you'd probably skip lunch otherwise."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…How did you know?"
"Lucky guess."
I nodded toward the tables.
"Let's find somewhere to sit."
Most of the tables were already full.
Groups of students laughed loudly, arguing over food or sharing snacks.
After scanning the room, I spotted an empty table near the window.
"There."
We walked over and sat down.
Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, casting soft light across the table.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Himari carefully picked up her spoon.
"…Thank you for the food."
"You're welcome."
I tore a piece from the curry bread.
Still warm.
Nice.
I took a bite.
"Ahh… that's good."
Across from me, Himari was eating slowly, almost cautiously.
Like she was worried about doing something wrong.
"So," I said.
She looked up.
"Yes?"
"Do you always forget your lunch?"
She shook her head quickly.
"No."
"Then today was just unlucky?"
"…Yes."
She hesitated for a moment.
"Actually… I was a little distracted this morning."
"By what?"
"…Exams."
I laughed quietly.
"Same."
"My brain is already fried."
She nodded in agreement.
"I studied all night yesterday."
"Wait… really?"
"Yes."
"What time did you sleep?"
"…Around three."
"Wow."
Then I sighed.
"Actually… same here."
Her eyes widened.
"You too?"
"Yeah."
"I finished my assignment at three."
"Then I remembered the cover page."
Himari giggled softly.
"You forgot the cover page?"
"Yeah."
"Classic mistake."
"So I slept at four."
She looked slightly shocked.
"And you still came to school?"
"Barely."
I pointed at my head.
"My mom almost knocked me unconscious this morning."
"…She hit you?"
"Just a wake-up smack."
She smiled.
"That sounds scary."
"It is."
For a moment we both laughed quietly.
The tension between us started fading.
Himari seemed more relaxed now.
She took another bite of her bread.
"…This is good."
"Right?"
"Yes."
A few seconds passed before she spoke again.
"Renji?"
"Hmm?"
"Why did you help me earlier?"
"What do you mean?"
"In class."
"You didn't hesitate to team up with me."
I shrugged.
"Well… the teacher basically forced us."
"That's true."
"But still."
She looked down at the table.
"Most people avoid talking to me."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"…Because I'm quiet."
"That's not a crime."
"…And I'm awkward."
"So am I."
She blinked.
"…You are?"
"Of course."
I gestured toward the crowded cafeteria.
"Look around."
Students chatting confidently.
Laughing loudly.
Making jokes.
"Compared to them, I'm basically a background character."
Himari laughed softly.
"That's not true."
"Sure it is."
"Then what am I?"
"…A hidden boss."
She covered her mouth to hide a small laugh.
"That's a strange comparison."
"Maybe."
For the first time since we started talking, she looked directly into my eyes.
"…But I'm glad we talked today."
"Same."
I leaned back in my chair.