3:55 p.m., Taimadou Academy, Main Campus Hallways
While waiting for Mihiro, Rin roamed around the campus as he had told her. Walking along the hallways, he noticed that the school is comparatively more silent than during the mornings. He didn't know why. Even though the number of people at the two different times was similar, there was less bustling than usual. Even when he walked across some people, they were less likely to murmur his name amongst themselves.
For Rin, this treatment was way more appreciated as he personally liked the solitude it brought. In the end, he concluded that it was simply that his peers were exhausted after the magic course as consuming mana is physically and mentally draining. Even though Rin isn't exactly a morning person, he still felt that it should've been busier than usual.
Trying to prevent further thoughts, he decided to look outside the window, looking at the campus surroundings. Looking around, he noticed several things. One of them was that there was a group of senior students moving as a group and the other was that Fuka was currently standing in front of a vending machine unmoving. This behavior was weird which made Rin decide to approach her.
After exiting the school building, Rin walked towards the direction he spotted Fuka and made his way. Eventually, he was within talking distance and asked her.
"Hey Fuka, is there a problem?"
Upon hearing Rin's voice, Fuka slightly jumped in surprise, before calming her nerves. Although, her face had a tint of pink to them, which Rin didn't seem to notice.
"Not really, just that I forgot to bring extra change."
Fuka was presumably saying that she didn't bring coins to exchange for a vending machine drink. So, Rin took a step in front of her and inserted coins into the machine, enough for three drinks.
"What drink do you want Fuka?"
"Thanks, Rin, I'll have coffee milk."
Rin decided to just buy three coffee milk, as it didn't result in any spare change.
"Sprunk."
The vending machine sounded three times. Rin took the drinks from the machine and passed one of them to Fuka, to which she slightly nodded and took it. While Fuka was drinking her coffee milk, a look of satisfaction appeared on her face. On the other hand, Rin simply held the two drinks each in one hand.
"You aren't going to drink it Rin?"
"No, I'm going to drink it with Mihiro when she's done changing."
Hearing this, Fuka lowered her face and drank more of her coffee milk. Rin didn't seem to notice this abrupt change in her expression, which Fuka felt was good. She didn't want to make Rin feel bad over something that wasn't his fault. She only could blame herself, for not being decisive enough, as harsh enough to say.
Perhaps, it was like coffee milk. The way how it tasted bitter, sweet, and mild simultaneously.