Haikawa High Training Academy had a long, proud history. The classes were typically clear and easy to follow, but today the room was anything but quiet, especially during lunch.
Shimizu Ken wanted to say that out loud, yet there was one big problem. It always came with the bell.
The moment the lunch bell rang, the problem arrived again, just as he guessed.
"Ah! That's the 'once in three thousand years' beauty! She's even cuter in real life than online! I want her LINE (chat app)!"
"I've never seen a girl that cute! Let's ask her to eat with us!"
Every day at this time, boys from other classes, and even other grades, rushed into the room to talk to Amamiya Iori, who sat in the front row.
Because of the internet, the train incident spread everywhere. Now, Iori's presence at school was almost like that of a national idol.
Of course people wanted to get close to a star like that.
They came to ask for her contact or tried to become friends, and soon the classroom turned loud.
Even if Iori refused them politely, more boys kept coming.
Meanwhile, not a single person stood near Kondo Yuuichi, the male lead of this story. The difference was clear.
Since he was close with Iori, many people disliked him. Even though Iori often spoke up to stop the bullying, his dark and quiet nature kept him alone in class.
From a moment ago, Yuuichi, sitting in the first row, watched Iori in the crowd. He clearly wanted to invite her to lunch, but could not find the courage.
To give him a happy ending this "second round," Shimizu Ken stepped forward, ignored the stares, invited both Iori and Yuuichi to eat together, then planned to pretend to feel sick and leave halfway.
With angry eyes burning into his back, Shimizu Ken led them out.
"Sorry, Yuuichi, Iori... you two go first. I don't feel well. I'll go to the nurse," he said.
"I see. Alright," Yuuichi replied at once.
But in that moment, Shimizu Ken caught a change in Iori's eyes as she looked at Yuuichi. They were empty, not shining like before. It made Shimizu Ken unsure.
After they split, he went alone to the vending machines in the first-floor hall. The school had bought them not long ago.
He bought a can of "tea" coffee like he had in the morning.
The taste was better than he expected, and the first sip today had really surprised him. It was a shame this was a virtual world and he couldn't take it back to reality.
Just as he felt sad about that—
"Shimizu-kun~"
Iori's soft, sweet voice came at his ear. A cold shiver ran down his back.
"Shimizu-kun, didn't you go to the nurse?" she asked.
She rose on her toes and peeked over his left shoulder. He could even smell a light scent from her hair.
"W–why are you here? Weren't you eating with Yuuichi?" he asked, shocked.
"Yes~ and now I'm here to eat lunch~"
Her body pressed against his back, as if she meant to lean in closely from behind.
"Hey, Shimizu-kun, didn't we meet somewhere before?"
Her words hit his head like a hammer.
Did she notice something from yesterday's train?
"It must be your imagination," he tried. "We're in the same class and friends, so it's normal to see each other a lot."
"You're right. Maybe it's just my imagination. Still, it feels like I've known you for a long time."
Her chest moved against his back, soft and warm even through her shirt. He didn't touch her, yet he felt it clearly.
A man was a sad creature. Even without wanting anything, his body grew hot at warmth like this.
"Iori, do you want a drink? I can buy you one," he said.
"Hmm~ yes~ or no~?"
Her sweet voice brushed his ear, and she blew a small breath. Shimizu Ken's skin rose in goosebumps.
The air around them began to feel strange. He quickly drank all the tea coffee and used throwing the can away as a reason to step aside.
"Shimizu-kun, are you trying to avoid me?" Iori asked.
Her voice suddenly lost its warmth, becoming flat and heavy, pressing on him.
She felt like a different person.
"No, of course not," he said, though he feared she already saw through him.
Was she always this sharp?
"Why? Why are you avoiding me!?" she cried.
She stepped closer and grabbed his shoulders hard. Her voice echoed through the hall.
"N–no, I would never avoid you," he said.
Her sudden emotions confused him. He felt her body shake, and the trembling passed through her hands.
"But you wanted to leave me with Yuuichi, right?"
Her face showed pain, as if she might cry. Her lips were tight, as if holding back her emotions.
He did not think she would notice that too.
So he had been right — this Iori was not exactly the same as the one from the first round.
"You got it wrong. I only worried about Yuuichi being alone. If I could, I also wanted to stay with you," he said, carried by her emotion.
"Really?" she asked.
Iori looked straight into his eyes. Seeing her serious face, he nodded.
"Then... I want to eat with you every day from now on. Is that okay?" she asked.
Her cheeks turned red, and she looked away, waiting for his answer.
"Sure, if you want that," he said.
"Great."
Her smile finally let him breathe again. At the same time, he began to think about why she was acting so warm this morning and now. What was the reason?
"Shimizu-kun, do you want to try the bento I made?" she asked.
Looking slightly more relaxed, Iori played with the end of her soft hair, glancing at him occasionally before looking away.
"You made a bento?"
"Yes. I made too much this morning, so I want you to eat with me."
"Well... okay," he said. It was better than staying here with the tension between them.
Notes:
• Amamiya Iori - JK heroine; targeted; her mother is the hostage. Long-haired and busty.
• Kondo Yuuichi - Original main protagonist; timid; Iori’s childhood friend; freezes despite push.