After one thing led to another, the morning classes were finally over, and the long-awaited lunch break arrived.
As our classmates began getting out their lunches or store-bought bread, Hashimoto stood up with a plastic bag in hand. He looked at me, still sitting at my desk, with an expression of genuine surprise.
"Oh? You usually bolt the second the bell rings, but you’re staying in the classroom today?"
"Well, it’s too hot out today. That’s how it turned out."
"Hmm. What about your food, though? The school store is going to be packed if you don't hurry."
"Ah... well, it’s fine."
I averted my eyes with a vague reply, and Hashimoto followed my gaze.
There stood Haruka, chatting and laughing with Mukai-san and a few other friends.
"Haruka~! Let's eat together!"
"Sorry, I already promised to eat with Tatsumi-kun today."
Apologizing as she declined the invitation, Haruka held up two bento boxes.
The girls around her instantly grew animated.
"So the reason you’ve been grabbing two bentos and disappearing somewhere for lunch lately was..."
"I knew she was with her boyfriend! I thought it was suspicious when she wouldn't give us a straight answer!"
"Wait, is that bigger bento...?"
In response to Mukai-san’s sparkling eyes, Haruka gave a proud, boastful smile.
"Yep! It's a handmade bento for Tatsumi-kun!"
A wave of excitement immediately erupted among Haruka’s friends and the classmates who had been eavesdropping nearby.
At the same time, all eyes turned toward me. I got the feeling that most of them were looking at me with exasperation or a desire to tease rather than jealousy.
Hashimoto wore a blatantly mocking grin.
"Whoa, whoa, a lover’s bento? And you’re saying today wasn't even the first time? Getting treated to your girlfriend’s cooking every day... you’re one lucky bastard."
"It’s only twice a week. And I make sure to pay her for the ingredients and the labor. If you’re so jealous, why don't you have your girlfriend make you something?"
"O-Oh... You really are an upright guy, aren't you? As for my girlfriend’s cooking... well, yeah."
Hashimoto trailed off awkwardly.
On the way back from karaoke, he’d mentioned having plans to eat his girlfriend’s home cooking, so I had assumed she was quite good at it.
"...Is she not very good at it?"
"............Let’s just say her flavors are very unique."
Apparently, he had managed to finish it all through sheer willpower and love... I patted the poor, pale-faced hero on the back to console him.
While we were talking, Haruka finished up with her friends and made her way over to us.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Tatsumi-kun! ...Huh? Hashimoto-kun, you look a little pale. Are you okay?"
"I’m fine, I’m fine. I just had a bit of a flashback..."
Hashimoto replied with a still-pasty face.
I told Haruka not to press him and took the bento from her, making sure to thank her properly.
"Thanks again for today. I’ve been looking forward to this all morning."
"Hehe. You always look like you’re enjoying it so much, so it’s rewarding for me to make them."
In reality, she gave me such delicious food that I just made sure to be vocal with my praise and gratitude. However, if it made her this happy, I planned to keep doing it. It wasn’t like I could ever go back to regular food after getting a taste of Haruka’s cooking anyway.
Now then, I had the bento, but I wondered where Haruka should sit. As I pondered this, she gave me a mischievous smile.
"Maybe I could sit on Tatsumi-kun’s lap like yesterday? It would save a chair!"
"Rejected. Hashimoto."
"Hey, if you want my chair, feel free to use it."
"Muu... well, I guess moderation is important. Thank you, Hashimoto-kun!"
"No, no, don't mention it... So you really were eating lunch with her on your lap yesterday."
"............"
No comment.
Ignoring Hashimoto, whose gaze had shifted from exasperation to something bordering on awe, I opened the lunch bag. It was a size larger than usual.
As I pulled out the bento box, it felt heavier than I expected.
Haruka sat in the seat in front of me and puffed out her chest with pride.
"Since we have PE after lunch, I made sure you’d have plenty of energy!"
"Oh...!"
I opened the lid and let out a small gasp of admiration.
The only word that could describe the contents was "Meat."
Sitting right in the center was a portion of Teriyaki Chicken coated in a rich glaze. Beside it was Shogayaki that wafted a sweet and savory aroma, along with Asparagus Meat Rolls and Potato Salad to add some color. She had even packed a generous serving of my favorite, Kinpira Gobo.
The total volume wasn't massive, but the density was incredible. A hungry high school boy would probably devour it in seconds, but I was simply overwhelmed by the sheer pressure of the packed meat and the intoxicating scent of the sauces.
Looking at its imposing appearance, I was certain of one thing.
——This was going to be delicious.
"Let’s eat...!"
Urged on by my growling stomach, I put my hands together and picked up my chopsticks.
I went straight for the most prominent item: the Teriyaki Chicken.
I stuffed a piece dripping with sauce into my mouth. It was incredible. I’d had her Teriyaki Chicken before in a sandwich, but this was different. The juicy meat, heavily seasoned with sauce, hit my taste buds with a direct punch of flavor.
I chewed frantically and swallowed. Unable to bear the sudden emptiness in my mouth, I went for another piece, this time with a mouthful of white rice. It was almost too good.
I stared at the bento box in a state of bliss. To think the meal didn't even end there.
My excitement was so high it was almost frightening. I had been eating Haruka’s cooking for a while now, but I had clearly underestimated her. By the time I finished this, would I even be the same person?
"It’s good... too good...!"
My tension was spiraling out of control as I focused entirely on the meal.
Watching me gorge myself like a child, Haruka smiled happily as she nibbled on her own lunch.
"Tatsumi-kun, make sure to drink your tea so you don't choke, okay?"
I nodded vigorously while chewing, which made Haruka laugh even harder.
"Ahaha! You’re just like a kid. It makes me want to make even more for you. ...Oh, Tatsumi-kun. Hold still."
"?"
I stopped moving as she instructed, and her finger softly touched my cheek.
When she pulled away, there was a single grain of rice on her fingertip. I hadn't even realized I’d been eating messily enough to get rice on my face. It was embarrassing.
"............"
"...Haruka?"
Haruka stared at the grain of rice on her finger.
She seemed to be struck by a sudden idea and nodded to herself.
"Pop"
"Ah."
To my absolute shock, she popped the grain of rice into her own mouth.
She kept her index finger between her lips for a second, her eyes crinkling into a sly grin.
"Hehe... you said no kissing in the classroom, but this much is fine, right?"
"A-Ah..."
The way she licked her slightly wet fingertip was unexpectedly sensual.
In the back of my mind, which had gone totally blank, a stray thought about "indirect kisses" floated to the surface, but I couldn't find the words to say it.
Haruka gave me a look that said "I got you," then went back to eating as if nothing had happened.
"Come on! If you don't hurry, you won't have time to change for gym!"
"...Right."
I thought I was getting used to her impulsive behavior, but I clearly had a long way to go. Haruka’s desire to flirt was much stronger than I had anticipated.
Feeling the gazes of everyone around us, I realized I’d have to find a way to let her vent that energy eventually... but man, these Asparagus Meat Rolls are fantastic.
§
"Alright, Yanagida. You’re the keeper."
"What?"
The lunch break ended, and it was time for 5th Period PE.
After finishing our warm-ups and some basic shooting and passing drills, we were split into teams to play a match.
I had been standing idly in our team’s territory when the command was barked at me. Hashimoto, who was on my team and had recently made a habit of dumping impossible tasks on me, pointed firmly at the goal.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but this wasn't my idea. It's the consensus of both teams."
"...Meaning?"
"Our side thinks you should have a chance to shine. The other side?"
"The truth, please."
"The other side wants a legal way to pummel you for flirting with Akise-san in public. Our side won't tolerate a lazy performance after you got a lover's bento. So, you’re the goalkeeper. It’s the most conspicuous spot on the field and there’s nowhere to hide."
...I see.
"Can I decline?"
When I asked, Hashimoto just shrugged and looked around.
His eyes landed on Haruka, who was across the field in her gym clothes.
I tried to stop him, but he dodged me and yelled out at the top of his lungs.
"Hey, Akise-san! Yanagida’s going to be the goalie! Give him some cheers, would ya!?"
"Wait, really!?"
Haruka’s eyes lit up, and the rest of the class turned to look at us.
Ignoring the attention, she waved her hand vigorously, her ponytail swaying as she shouted.
"Tatsumi-ku~n! Good lu~ck!!"
Her bright, bouncy voice rang across the field.
My cheek twitched as I felt the bloodlust from the boys on both teams hit a boiling point. Meanwhile, the girls were all gathered around Haruka, giggling. It was literally heaven and hell.
Hashimoto, the man responsible for this, was grinning like a maniac.
I had a lot to say to him, but I couldn't let Haruka down. I gave him a firm slap on the shoulder as a protest and sighed.
"...I have zero experience as a keeper."
"Don't sweat it. You’re tall and have a long reach. Just throw yourself at the ball like you did during basketball."
Hashimoto laughed to try and ease my nerves. I appreciated the sentiment, but I couldn't ignore that he was the one who caused the problem in the first place.
As we were talking, another student walked over.
"Don't be too nervous. We’ve agreed that Soccer Club members aren't allowed to shoot, and Hashimoto and I will be playing defense to back you up."
"Thanks. Uh..."
"I'm Moriyama from the Soccer Club. It hurts that you don't know your own classmate’s name."
He gave me a gentle smile.
I took the keeper gloves he offered and bowed my head in apology.
"I’m really sorry. I’m just not great at socializing..."
"Tell me about it. It's been three months; you should at least know the people in your class."
"I know, I know..."
"Haha. Well, I’d be happy to be friends from now on."
Moriyama laughed at our exchange.
I had a bit of a prejudice that everyone in the soccer club was a flashy extrovert, but maybe I wasn't entirely wrong—he was certainly friendly.
Regardless, the rule about Soccer Club members not shooting was a relief. I couldn't relax entirely, but it was better than facing a pro’s shot.
I headed to the center of the court for the pre-match greetings.
When I saw the faces of the opposing team, I couldn't help but groan.
"Heh... Well, Yanagida. I didn't think we’d meet on the court again so soon."
"Kuriyama..."
"In basketball, Hashimoto got in the way, but not this time! I’m going to slaughter you right in front of Akise-san!"
I wondered if he even knew the rules of soccer. Despite his villainous laughter, his handshake was surprisingly firm and polite.
Next to the laughing Kuriyama stood another person I felt awkward around.
It was Oka from the Track and Field Club. We had a bit of a history... or something like it.
He gripped my hand tightly and looked me straight in the eye.
"Just so you know, I don't hate you. And as for Akise-san... I haven't fully accepted it, but I understand. I can't say anything when she looks that happy."
"...Right."
"But that’s a separate matter. I don't want to lose to you. This is my own personal competitive spirit. I’m making you my rival regardless of whether it’s a nuisance to you or not."
Oka was unusually talkative, and his words were full of fighting spirit.
I was a bit baffled, but being called a rival didn't feel bad at all.
"The honor is mine."
I gripped his hand back, and he seemed to give a faint smile.
With that surge of adrenaline, the match began.
As I adjusted my gloves in front of the goal, I looked at Haruka.
Since I’d met her, my life—and the world around me—had changed completely. Even my own personality felt like it had shifted. Whether you called it change or growth was debatable, but I knew it was something valuable.
"I have to work hard enough to earn that bento."
I watched Haruka running around the girls' court with a smile on her face and chuckled to myself.
I closed my eyes for a second to clear my head, then focused entirely on the game.
After twenty minutes of intense play, the match ended 3-1. Our team lost.
The reason was simple: Kuriyama and Oka had played like men possessed, fueled by jealousy and rage. Our team had started with low morale for the same reasons. Although Hashimoto and Moriyama managed to pull the team together in the second half, it wasn't enough to turn the tide.
Still, despite the loss, I had managed to block a few shots and had a genuinely good time.
...I was just glad we had shortened classes today. If there had been a 6th period, I definitely would have been out cold at my desk.