"Yonekura-kun, you seem tired today."
It's lunch break and I get ready to go eat Rin's homemade bento when the class president, Hashimoto-san, approaches.
"Huh, you think?"
"Hmm, I mean you have shadows under your eyes."
"Really?"
I start rubbing my eyes. My eyelids do feel heavier than usual today. Well it makes sense given that I spent the entirely of last night writing
"It's probably a lack of sleep."
"Yeah, I get you."
With a clap, Hashimoto-san puts her hands together.
"You know, staying up so late all the time is bad for you."
She's scolding me like some misbehaving kindergartner. She's even sticking her index finger in the air. However, her face softens after.
"So, how are things with Rin lately?"
"What do you mean 'how are things'?"
"You know what I'm talking about."
Hashimoto-san gives me a wide, pure smile.
"Nothing much, it's pretty much the usual."
"Hey, don't start looking away!"
Easy to read as ever, Hashimoto-san gives me a wry smile.
"Why are you asking me all of this all of a sudden?"
"Oh, no reason. I was just curious."
Having said that, Hashimoto-san gives me another one of her smiles.
"Well, lately you seem to be having a lot of fun, so I thought it was because things were going well with Rin-chan."
What exactly does she mean when she says things are going well? Well, I have an idea but I won't delve deeper into it. I'll just respond to the first part of her sentence.
"It looks like I'm having fun?"
"Yeah, you definitely look quite lively."
I put my hand on my jaw as I think things over. Well, maybe she does have a point. Lately, I've been feeling more positive more often. Suddenly, an idea pops into my head.
"Hey, pres."
"You can call me Yuumin."
"Okay, I have a hypothetical question."
I know the situation I'm talking about isn't hypothetical, but I go on anyways.
"So... if a girl makes a bento for a boy... invites him on a date... bring him to her house... that's normal, right?"
Hashimoto-san thinks about my awkwardly phrased question for a moment before clapping her hands together like she had an epiphany. She then puts her index finger on her chin and makes some unnatural noises.
"Of course it's normal. Well, each person is different so I can't really say for sure."
She has a devious smile on her face as she says that.
"Well, at least for me... it'd be something I'd do for the person I like."
As she said that, I felt a stroking sensation on my chest.
"Is that so..."
I scratched my head with the back of my hand. She basically told me what I already knew, I'm not that stupid.. At this point, I just wanted some proof either way, even though it's already too late to ask.
"Thanks Hashimoto-san."
"Oh, you're finally calling me by my name."
"So pres it is, I guess."
"You're going back to that again..."
Hashimoto-san starts laughing.
"Alright, I'll be going now."
"You're eating lunch with Rin again, aren't you."
"Of course you would know."
"Well, of course."
I detect a hidden meaning behind her smile. Well, Rin and Hashimoto-san do hang out a lot, so it makes sense if she does know. Not like I really care or anything.
"Anyways, I'm off."
I stand up from my desk and take my leave.
"Yonekura-kun!"
I turn back and see Hoshimoto-san with her smile as always. She has her fist out in front of her chest.
"Do your best!"
I don't reply to her yell, but I give her a nod as I leave the classroom.