Ever since Megumi became self-conscious of Hajime, it became more difficult for her to approach him even though she didn't have any ulterior motives at all. Before, she was so comfortable with him, so much so that she even managed to stay overnight at his place due to some unforeseen circumstances. Right now, however, she felt something weird in her gut, and that feeling blocked her every single time she tried to approach Hajime.
"Hajime, are you going to do something tonight, I'm fr— no, that sounds way too casual. How do I even invite him? How did I even invite him before? Ah, right, I sort of threatened him back then... I wonder how he thought about that event. Do I bother him?" Megumi started voicing out what she was going to say when she invites Hajime for another dinner at his place. Since she couldn't really find the right answer she was looking for about her weird feeling, she decided not to think about it. The reason why she was especially conscious of Hajime was that this was her first experience at making a friend— or so that's what she assumed the reason was behind her weird notion. She continued practicing what she was going to tell Hajime. Still, she couldn't find the right timing nor muster the courage to actually invite him out. Her mind kept repeating the word 'date' in her mind and she wanted to pull her hair out in frustration.
Just as the saying goes, the early bird gets the early worm.
While Megumi was trying to perfect her way of asking Hajime out, Natsumi burst into their classroom out of nowhere, straightforwardly walking toward Hajime without averting her gaze from him. A warm smile appeared on her face as her eyes sparkled. "Um, Hajime, are you free this afternoon, by any chance?" She questioned, her eyes laser-focused on Hajime since that would increase her chances of getting a 'yes'
"Why?" Hajime felt out of place when Natsumi approached him. Currently, he was contemplating how he'd be able to return the bento boxes to both Megumi and Natsumi. He was still thinking— and then Natsumi just had to show up out of nowhere. 'What does she want with me this time?' Hajime couldn't help but wonder since Natsumi's gaze spoke to him.
"Um... I have a pair of movie tickets. My friend isn't available and the ticket expires today... I was wondering if you would accompany me. The food's my treat." She offered, giving Hajime no leeway to say no— that is, if he was free in the first place. If he wasn't, then everything that Natsumi planned would go down the drain so fast she won't recover from it. Furthermore, the movie tickets she bought for today would go to waste.
Meanwhile, Hajime tried to think about Natsumi's current invitation after he put his prior thoughts at the back of his mind. First, Natsumi's friend won't be able to make it and Hajime assumed that she only had one friend, which was a pity and he somehow could relate to her. Second, the movie expires today— while she could go alone and waste the other movie ticket, Hajime was perfectly aware of the importance of company and how it is much more enjoyable doing something together instead of doing it by oneself. Third, not only did she give him lunch, but she also willingly offered to buy him food.
With those thoughts in mind, Hajime safely concluded that she badly wanted to go with someone to the movies. Unbeknownst to him, however, he was the main reason why Natsumi wanted to go to the movies. In retrospect, her invitation couldn't be any more obvious.
However, Hajime was as oblivious as a swan pruning its feathers. He didn't even notice the conspicuous signs that Natsumi was blatantly showing him.
"Sure, why not, and um... thanks for the bento, it was delicious," Hajime muttered.
'Yes!' Natsumi inwardly let out a celebration in her head as she got Hajime's approval. "Well then, let's meet at six pm or something? I'll be waiting at the park."
With a skip in her steps, Natsumi headed out of the classroom while waving gaily at Hajime. Her smile couldn't be more obvious and somehow it got straight through Megumi's nerves. She couldn't tell why she felt that way, however, but somehow she felt slightly irritated towards her.
Even though it was her own fault that Hajime was invited first, Megumi didn't want to blame herself. Instead, she shifted the blame on Hajime for accepting an offer so easily. With flames coming out of her eyes, she glared at Hajime as if she had every intent to kill him on the spot.
Hajime felt the heat on his forehead and he could instantly pinpoint that it was Megumi who was giving him the stare. He decided to ignore her— not because he impulsively felt like it, but because he still was unable to look her straight into her eyes. After what happened this morning, it was only normal for him to feel awkward.
Without further ado, Hajime grabbed his bag, mustered up the courage to say goodbye to Megumi (but he couldn't do it), shook his head, and then headed outside without saying a single word. It didn't even occur in his mind that Megumi might be glaring at him because she was going to the movies with another girl. Well, that wasn't really the case, but there may be a possibility of something like that happening... or so that's what the general consensus would assume.
'I guess I should thank her properly tomorrow. I'll wash the bento box and return it to her tomorrow. Why was she mad though? I ate everything, and it's not like I didn't accept what she gave me.' Hajime asked himself, shaking his head for the second time before heading back home.
As for Megumi, she immediately pulled out her phone and contacted Franz-san. "I'm going to the movies," She simply announced as soon as Franz answered her phone call.