Hours had passed since that morning’s massive explosion sent shockwaves through the classroom. It was finally lunch break.
I was slumped on a bench tucked away in the shadows behind the school building, nursing a profound sense of exhaustion.
With midterms looming, my classmates—a group primarily composed of overachievers—had mostly managed to stay quiet and focused during lessons. But the moment the bells rang for break? All hell broke loose.
As if determined not to let a single ten-minute interval go to waste, the class had subjected Akise-san and me to a relentless, high-pressure interrogation.
Thanks to her natural charm, Akise-san’s side of the room had remained relatively peaceful. My side, however, was a disaster.
A pack of hulking guys, radiating every conceivable negative emotion—jealousy, rage, despair—had formed a tight scrum around my desk. I felt exactly like a side character in a zombie movie who had failed to reach the extraction point in time.
Perhaps the jealousy-crazed zombies still possessed a shred of rationality, as no one had resorted to actual violence. But the problem remained: I wasn't used to being the center of attention. I had no idea how to handle a crowd.
Naturally, I denied everything. I told them there was no truth to the rumors of us dating.
Of course, they weren't buying it. "Then what’s the deal with that photo?" "What did Akise-san mean by her reaction?" Their questions were perfectly reasonable, and unfortunately, I didn't have any answers for them.
I couldn't exactly tell them the truth, so I exercised my right to remain silent and simply endured the siege. The moment lunch started, I bolted from the classroom and sought sanctuary here.
Halfway through the school day, I already felt several times more mentally drained than usual.
"Sigh... What on earth is she thinking?"
I unwrapped a convenience store sandwich and let my thoughts drift toward the person responsible for this mess.
The "Tatsumi Yanagida and Haruka Akise Dating Scandal."
The source of the photo was still a mystery, but since it had already gone viral, there was no point in trying to find the culprit. The real issue was the fallout. I had to find a way to let everyone know it was a hoax.
The problem was my total lack of social standing. As a loner, I had no influence and even less of a right to speak up. Besides, there was physical evidence—that damn photo. To be blunt, the situation was hopeless.
All I could really do was keep denying it and wait for the rumor to die out on its own.
"But why didn't Akise-san deny it...?"
That was the question gnawing at me more than the unwanted attention.
The Akise-san I knew should have shot the rumor down immediately, photo or no photo. Instead, she had flashed that mischievous smile, dodged the question with a playful "It’s a secret♪," and carefully avoided a clear answer.
"Hmm..."
From the perspective of her perfect honors student persona, being associated with a social bottom-dweller like me was nothing but a net negative.
Or maybe she was going for some kind of philanthropic angle, showing she was kind enough not to abandon a loner? No, that was a bad thought. I was being way too cynical, and it was disrespectful to her.
I shook the thought away. What was the actual benefit of letting the rumor stand?
Considering her position... maybe she wanted a "man-repellent"?
As the chaos in the classroom proved, she was incredibly popular. She was cute, had a great figure, and was kind to everyone. I’d heard she’d already turned down over a dozen confessions in the two months since we started school.
Exasperated by the constant attention, she’d decided to use me—the guy who happened to be there—as a shield. That seemed like a plausible theory. I had even told her this morning that I’d be her shield. I wished she’d consulted me first, but a small part of me didn't mind being relied on.
"Wah!"
"Whoa-aaaah!?"
A sudden shout and a slap on my shoulders sent me nearly leaping off the bench.
I spun around, heart hammering, to find Akise-san standing there with a look of mild surprise, her hands still resting on my shoulders.
"I only touched you lightly... but I guess I scared you more than I meant to. Sorry about that."
"N-No... I just had my guard down..."
I tried to calm my racing heart as I looked up at her.
"What are you doing all the way out here, Akise-san?"
"I wanted to eat lunch with you, so I came looking. I asked around the classroom, but nobody knew where you went. I figured you’d be somewhere secluded, and I hit the jackpot on my first try. Mind if I join you?"
"O-Oh. Go ahead."
"Thanks," she said, taking a seat beside me. She was carrying a lunch bag with a cute design.
I still didn't quite understand why she had gone through the trouble of tracking me down just to eat, but something else was bothering me more.
"Um, Akise-san?"
"Yes?"
The way she tilted her head was dangerously cute. No, focus.
"...Aren't you a little close?"
"Really? This is how close I sit when I eat with Miki and the others."
She wasn't just close; there wasn't even space for a second person between us. We were separated only by the plastic bag holding my bread and drink. If either of us moved an inch, our arms would brush.
"Maybe that's because they’re girls."
"I don't mind."
"...What if someone sees us?"
"I’ll move if you really hate it, Yanagida-kun..."
We were out of the way, but if anyone stumbled upon this, it would only fuel the fire. I tried to point that out, but Akise-san didn't seem to care. She looked up at me with pleading eyes, and my resolve crumbled.
Well, if she was fine with it, I guess I had to be too. Even if it made me incredibly nervous. Being this close, I could catch a faint, pleasant scent. Was this just how girls smelled? Thinking that felt a little creepy, so I buried the thought.
"It’s nice and cool here. Do you always eat here, Yanagida-kun?"
"Yeah, usually. It’s covered if it rains, and eating alone in the classroom is... awkward."
"I see. It is cozy. Maybe I’ll start eating here with you sometimes."
"............"
It seemed my private sanctuary was officially under new management. Not that I could complain; it was a public space, after all.
I glanced at the bento she had spread across her lap. It was a modest portion, but beautifully arranged and looked perfectly balanced.
"...That looks really good."
"You think so? I was running a bit late this morning, so I had to rush it."
"You made this yourself?"
"Yep. I’m actually a pretty good cook, believe it or not."
She gave me a boastful grin, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"So, Yanagida-kun, what’s your take on girls who are good at domestic stuff?"
"In what sense?"
"In terms of your type. Do you like it?"
"Well... I think anyone would be happy to have a girl cook for them."
In this era of gender equality, I knew a wrong answer here could lead to social suicide. I navigated the minefield as best I could, and Akise-san responded with a "Huuuuh?" and a smile that looked—if I wasn't imagining things—a little relieved.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief. And then—
"Okay then. Say 'aahn.'"
"Eh?"
My brain stalled out.
Akise-san was smiling at me, holding a piece of fried chicken with her chopsticks. She even had her other hand cupped underneath it to catch any crumbs.
...Wait, was she actually trying to feed me? Like a couple?
As I sat there frozen, her expression shifted to a pout.
"Yanagida-kuun. My arm’s getting tired. Hurry up and eat."
"No, but... this is a bit much, don't you think?"
"You’re the one who said you’d be happy to eat a girl's cooking. Do you not want to eat mine?"
"I’d be honored to..."
"Good♪. Now, say 'aahn.'"
There was no escaping this. I opened my mouth, taking the chicken while being pathologically careful not to let my lips touch her chopsticks. Once she pulled them away, I chewed.
It was... incredible.
"This is amazing..."
"Really?"
"It’s so juicy and tender. I don't really have the words for it, but it’s seriously good."
"Ehehe, you’re exaggerating..."
She looked genuinely bashful at my clumsy praise.
It was honestly one of the best pieces of fried chicken I’d ever tasted. I almost didn't want to wash the flavor away with my bland convenience store sandwich.
But lunch break was ticking away. I had to eat if I wanted to survive the afternoon, so I finished my sandwich in silence. Naturally, I finished before she did. I sat there sipping my tea, waiting for her to finish. The thought of leaving her there and heading back early didn't even cross my mind.
When she was about halfway through her meal, Akise-san spoke up again.
"...Yanagida-kun, is that all you're having? Just a sandwich?"
"I didn't want to get sleepy during class. Usually, I buy another roll."
I lived alone and couldn't cook to save my life, so my diet was mostly convenience store food or supermarket pre-made meals. I kept up my workout routine from middle school, so I wasn't out of shape yet, but I knew I needed to fix my diet. Even my stepmother was starting to get on my case about it.
"True, fifth period is math with Mr. Miyawaki. I might have a hard time staying awake today too..."
"That’s a surprise. I figured you were immune to that kind of thing."
"You know the real me, don't you? I just hide it behind a lot of hard work."
Calling that level of effort "just" felt like a massive understatement.
Because I knew her secret, Akise-san seemed to feel comfortable being herself around me. The way she teased me and poked fun at me was a far cry from the "perfect class representative" who was polite to everyone but kept them all at arm's length. The girl the rest of the class knew would never act this way.
"...Hey, Akise-san."
"Hmm?"
She probably just felt she didn't need to put up a front because the cat was already out of the bag. It wasn't that I was special; she’d probably treat anyone the same way if they were in my shoes.
The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I pushed it down. I couldn't afford to get ahead of myself.
"About this morning, when you called our relationship a 'secret'... I was wondering if you said that because you wanted to use me as a shield to keep other guys away."
"...A shield, huh?"
Even if I was totally beneath her, if she needed me for something like that, I wanted to help. That was what I’d intended to say.
But her hand stopped. She looked at me with a smile, but her eyes were cold.
"I’m not criticizing you or anything! If that’s why you’re doing it, I’m happy to help. If someone like me can actually be useful, I’ll do whatever—"
"Yanagida-kun."
"Yes!"
My name was spoken in a tone so dry it made me sit bolt upright.
Seeing my reaction, she let out a long, weary sigh.
"Why do you always go there? Do I really look like the kind of person who’d do that? ...Actually, I shouldn't be mad. I’m the one who started this without explaining anything."
She turned toward me and bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Yanagida-kun. I was selfish. I made you the center of attention and put you through a lot of trouble."
"N-No, don't apologize. I really don't mind..."
The interrogation had been exhausting, but I hadn't hated it. I’d never admit it to her, but there was a tiny, selfish part of me that felt a sense of pride being associated with her.
"Uh... so, can I ask why you did say it?"
"Well... about that."
She looked away, looking genuinely embarrassed.
"...To be honest, I just got caught up in the moment."
"Eh?"
"I was so braced for my secret being outed that when I heard the rumor, the relief was just... overwhelming. It was such a ridiculous leap that I thought it was funny, and I just went with it."
"...I see."
I could relate to that. When I’d first heard the rumor, I was so relieved her past hadn't been exposed that I’d been caught off guard too. Still, that didn't quite explain why she continued to play along.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Akise-san gave a shy, fleeting smile.
"...Besides, I didn't hate the idea."
"What?"
"What about you? Did you hate people thinking we were... you know, dating?"
"...I didn't hate it."
"Good. I'm glad."
She smiled in relief, leaving me frozen and speechless.
She didn't hate people thinking we were together.
Did that mean...? No, there was no way. Haruka Akise would never feel that way about a loner like me. We’d only started talking yesterday. My mind spun in circles, my heart refusing to even consider the possibility.
Akise-san broke the tension with a bright, energetic voice.
"Oh, right! Yanagida-kun, have you thought about your reward yet?"
"............Reward? Oh, right. The favor."
It had been such a long morning that I’d completely forgotten.
"I was thinking... maybe you could help me study for the midterms? I know you're busy with your own work, but if you could just point me in the right direction..."
"Hmm... Rejected."
"Eh?"
Since when was that an option? Well, she was a busy girl. I started trying to think of something else.
"I’ll help you study anytime," she continued, cutting off my thoughts. "It’s a waste to use your favor on that. Besides, I want to study with you! I’ve got plans with Miki today, and tomorrow there’s a committee meeting... are you free this weekend?"
"Huh? Yeah... I don't have anything going on."
"Perfect! Then we’re having a study session on Saturday. Just the two of us."
"U-Understood."
The plans were finalized before I could even blink. Saturday?
"...Akise-san, the school isn't open on Saturdays."
"I know. I was thinking the library, but we can't really talk there. And we can't exactly camp out at a cafe for hours..."
"My sister said she uses the study room at the Civic Center."
"The Civic Center? I’ve never been there. Let’s do that, then! Saturday, at the Civic Center."
"...Okay."
The momentum was so intense I’d ended up making the suggestion myself. Was this really okay? Well, she was doing me a favor by teaching me. I shouldn't overthink it.
"So that’s the study session settled. Now, what do you want for your favor?"
She leaned in close, expectant.
I’d spent all night trying to think of something and came up empty. I certainly wasn't going to have a better idea on the spot. My eyes wandered as I searched for inspiration... and landed on her empty bento box.
It was a long shot... but she did say anything.
"Can I... really ask for anything?"
"If it’s within my power, yes!"
I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing.
"I’d... I’d like you to make me a bento."
"...!"
Her eyes went wide.
Crap. I’d overstepped. A homemade bento was way too personal.
"S-Sorry! That was too much. Forget I said anything—"
"—Of course I will! I’ll pull out all the stops. You’d better be looking forward to tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow? You don't have to rush. After the midterms is fine."
"I can handle both! I’m highly motivated right now!"
"...Thanks. I’m looking forward to it."
I was a little intimidated by her sudden intensity, but I managed to thank her.
Pulling out all the stops? Even her "rushed" lunch was incredible. I couldn't wait to see what she could really do. I felt bad making her work in the morning, but I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity.
"Any requests? Nothing too crazy, though. Oh, and do you have any allergies? Anything you hate?"
"No allergies, and I’ll eat pretty much anything. As for a request..."
I crossed my arms and thought. This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I had to choose carefully.
How long had it been since someone made a meal just for me? My mom passed away five years ago. What was in the lunches she used to make?
Sweet tamagoyaki, crispy chicken, mini hamburgers... and there was one thing she always made, no matter what.
It was...
"...Kinpira gobo."
"Kinpira gobo? That’s all?"
"Yeah. My mom used to put it in every bento she made me. It was the kind with lots of meat in it. I loved it."
I didn't tell her I wanted to taste it again. Akise-san wasn't my mother; there was no way she could replicate a memory.
But she just gave me a warm, gentle smile.
"Request received. I’ll make you the best, meatiest kinpira gobo you’ve ever had. Just you wait."
"...Thanks. I’m looking forward to it."
Her voice was so kind I felt a lump form in my throat.
I had the feeling she saw right through me, but for once, I didn't mind at all.