“If I hadn’t used that method…” Sora took a sip of milk and smiled.
“Would Senpai have been willing to come meet me on the rooftop?” Looking at him, Eriri felt that this kouhai was different from the other boys at school.
She still remembered meeting the first boy who had confessed to her during her first year.
His face had been red, and he had been so nervous he could barely speak properly.
This kouhai in front of her, however, had only shown a bit of curiosity when he first looked at her.
After that, he maintained polite eye contact and didn’t let his gaze wander all over her body like other boys often did.
That respectful attitude gradually calmed her down.
Perhaps he really was telling the truth.
Maybe he only wanted a small favor.
Taking a deep breath, Eriri answered honestly.
“I probably wouldn’t have come.” She didn’t have the time or patience to personally reject every confession she received.
Sora nodded.
“I figured as much.
After all, you’re one of the school’s unattainable flowers.” Eriri nearly choked.
Hearing that phrase from someone who knew her secret identity felt incredibly awkward.
What kind of unattainable flower spent her free time drawing doujinshi?
Just as she was about to respond, her stomach suddenly let out an unmistakable growl.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Sora looked at her.
“You haven’t eaten lunch yet?” Eriri’s face instantly turned red.
“Whose fault do you think that is?!” Ever since receiving the letter that morning, she had been overthinking everything.
She hadn’t even felt like touching her snacks.
At lunchtime, she’d refused her friends’ invitation to eat together and had secretly slipped away once the classroom had mostly emptied.
Where would she have found time to eat?
Sora looked embarrassed.
“Sorry.
Let me treat you to some bread.” Eriri glanced at the half-eaten bread in his hand and frowned.
“I don’t want that one.
You’ve already eaten it.” “Of course not.
You’re getting a little ahead of yourself there.” As he spoke, he casually moved his hand behind his back and pulled out a brand-new package of bread from his inventory.
“!” Eriri’s eyes widened.
“W-Where did that come from?” “From a mysterious interdimensional pocket.” “…You definitely hid it behind your back.” Sora simply smiled without answering and held out the bread.
Eriri hesitated.
“Don’t worry.
I didn’t put any drugs in it.” His comment instantly exposed exactly what she had been thinking.
Her face grew even redder.
“Hmph.
We’re at school.
You wouldn’t dare.” Nevertheless, she accepted the bread.
Sora didn’t deliberately try to brush their fingers together.
There was no rush.
Even so, after receiving the bread, Eriri carefully inspected the packaging first.
Only after confirming that the seal was intact did she open it and begin eating.
The bread tasted pretty good.
A little dry, though.
After swallowing a mouthful with some effort, she glanced at Sora again.
He was drinking milk.
Noticing her gaze, Sora smiled.
“Want some milk too, Senpai?” Eriri narrowed her eyes.
“I want one that hasn’t been opened.” “Of course.” Sora reached behind his back again and produced a fresh carton of milk from his inventory.
“Here’s your milk.” Eriri accepted it and immediately inspected the packaging.
After confirming it hadn’t been tampered with, she inserted the straw and started drinking.
The two of them leaned against the shaded rooftop wall, quietly eating bread and drinking milk.
Since Sora had already eaten half of his meal earlier, he finished first.
He gathered up the trash and set it aside before turning to look at the distant sky.
Eriri unconsciously sped up her eating.
She didn’t have a large appetite.
After finishing, she felt pleasantly full.
Touching her stomach, she glanced at Sora’s profile.
Although he could be annoying, he had actually been quite thoughtful.
He had even prepared bread and milk for her in advance.
She had originally thought he was more mature than most boys.
Yet he had said things like “interdimensional pocket.” Turns out he was still a bit of a chuuni after all.
With that thought, she spoke up.
“Hey, Kouhai.
I’m done eating.” Sora turned back.
“Good.
Then let’s discuss business.” His expression became more serious.
“First, let me formally introduce myself.
My name is Sora Harumi.
I’m a transfer student in Class 1-E.” “I’d like you to promote a light novel using Eri Kashiwagi-sensei’s account.” Eriri blinked.
“What light novel?” “A school romance.” A strange expression appeared on her face.
“You’re asking a doujin artist to promote something like that?
Do you really think my followers would be interested?” Sora smiled meaningfully.
“I do.” As contradictory as it sounded, the people who enjoyed reading doujinshi the most were often the biggest fans of pure romance stories.
Eriri rolled her eyes.
“Whatever.
I’ll help you advertise it.
What happens afterward isn’t my problem.” Sora nodded.
“That’s enough.
As payment, I’ll continue keeping your secret.” Eriri glared at him.
“If anyone else finds out, you’re dead.” Then she impatiently waved her hand.
“Now hurry up and tell me the title already.” Sora shook his head.
“It’s not time yet.” Eriri froze.
“…Huh?” Taking out his phone, Sora explained, “I still need to make a few preparations first.
Once everything’s ready, I’ll tell you.” He smiled.
“Why don’t we exchange LINE IDs, Senpai?
It’ll make future communication easier.
Besides, I doubt you want me showing up in your classroom every time I need something.” Grinding her teeth, Eriri reluctantly pulled out her phone.
“You’re such a pain…” The two exchanged LINE information.
Satisfied, Sora put away his phone.
Then he stretched out his hand in front of her.
His palm was empty.
“Senpai, want to see a magic trick?” “Huh?” Sora closed his hand.
When he opened it again, two pieces of chewing gum rested in his palm.
“Here, Senpai.
Have some candy.” “!!” Eriri stared at his hand.
This was the third time.
And unlike before, there wasn’t even a blind spot this time.
How was he doing that?
“If you don’t want it, I’ll just eat it myself.” Sora slowly began withdrawing his hand.
Perhaps because she had already eaten the bread and milk he provided earlier, Eriri was much less suspicious now.
She quickly reached forward and snatched one piece of gum from his palm.
Their fingers brushed against his hand.
The next instant, a crisp and pleasant notification sounded inside Sora’s mind.