Chapter 21 - Worried for the Boy

The lunch bell rings and the teacher dismisses the class.

- Maybe if I got some food I wouldn't feel so tired stayed up late last night. Skipping breakfast this morning sure didn't help but I had to or I'd be tardy.

Kazu: "I brought us all a lunch."

Noa: "Oh right, I had forgotten about that. Thank you Kazumi. Should we head to our usual spot?"

Hiro: "Go on without me I gave to get something settled then I'll meet up with you guys."

Noa: "Settled? You're not in any trouble are you? We can wait for you."

Hiro: "Nah, go on without me. I'll be fine."

Noa: "Ok, well be in the courtyard."

Kazumi: "We'll be waiting."

Noa and Kazumi walk to the courtyard. There's an awkward silence as they walk.

Noa clears his throat.

Noa: "Kazu?"

Kazumi: "Hmm?"

Noa: "I am truly grateful that you brought lunch today. I skipped breakfast and was feeling a little hungry."

Kazumi: "Well, I hope it's to your liking. We should sit over here."

Noa and Kazumi open thier bento and say thanks before starting.

Kazumi anxiously blurts, "I-is it ok?"

Noa: "It's tasty."

Kazumi silently sighs in relief. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."

Noa: "Why wouldn't I, I practically never get homemade lunches at school. Then again in some American schools kids look down on you for eating home lunches."

Kazumi: "Yeah, I used to get people staring when I would bring my bento. It made me so self conscious, I had to start eating my lunch in secret."

- That reminds me, didn't Hiro say he had to get 'something settled,' wonder what that was about.

Noa: "That kind of thing would make anyone self conscious. It feels weird when everyone's eyes are on you."

- However, it might have just been curiosity or admiration in her case. Her lunch is nothing like the sack lunches I'm referring to.

Kazumi looks a bit distracted as they continue to chat while waiting for Hiro.

- Lunch is half way through and he's not back yet.

Noa: "I think I'm going to check on Hiro and take him his lunch."

Kazumi: "Yeah I'll go with you. He's taking too long."

Noa: "Maybe it's best if you wait here."

Kazumi: "Why's that?"

Noa: "I mean what if he comes back? There should be someone here in case he takes a wierd route."

Kazumi: "Are you sure it's ok?"

Noa: "Yeah it's no problem, I wouldn't want him to miss his lunch."

- What ever it is it seems that Hiro doesn't want to get Kazu involved.