To Hajime, lunchtime was one section of the day that he hated most. For one, this was when people eat their sumptuous meals and a whiff of it would almost always cause his stomach to grumble and complain about its emptiness. Secondly, there was nothing for him to eat, and that gave him a sense of downheartedness. Thirdly, it makes him a subject of pity because those who saw him would feel bad for him. Some would even offer him food out of goodwill, while a good chunk of others offer him food just to slap it into his face that he was poor.
Today was slightly different though. Somehow, he found himself looking forward to lunch.
When the bell rang, Hajime didn't stay on his desk and pretend to doze off just like how he usually does. Instead, he picked up his bag and headed to the cafeteria with the fifteen thousand yen on hand.
"Where is he going now?"
"Hajime's acting strange isn't he?"
"Did he finally lose it?"
"Maybe he's going to ditch his afternoon classes?"
"Haha! Maybe!"
Amidst the gossip that went in Hajime's ear and out the other, Akamine-sensei got out of the classroom as well, this time catching up to Hajime, locking her arm on his neck. "Lunch's on me," She widely smiled as she reminded Hajime.
"I didn't forget," Hajime remarked, trying to suppress the redness that he was sure would appear on his face. His expression was stiffer and more awkward than when he was at the coffee shop with Megumi's mom. Akamine-sensei was too close for comfort.
And she smelled nice.
Hajime held onto the fifteen thousand yen. 'I guess I won't be using this for now... will Mr. Kikuchi get mad at me for not using it? Whatever, I'll just save it up for my sister's treatment.
"Hajime!" Someone called behind him in a cheerful manner, causing Hajime and Akamine-sensei to turn around. "Oh, sensei's here." She stopped in her tracks, but she decided to catch up to them and join them en route to the cafeteria.
"Um, Natsumi, right?" Akamine-sensei confirmed, to which Natsumi nodded. "And what business do you have with our delinquent here." She smirked, nudging Hajime to the side.
"I packed lunch." She simply responded. "And I packed way too much so I thought maybe Hajime could... have some?"
Hajime's face lit up. He was a simple man, and the offer of food was not something he'd outright reject. Besides, this wasn't the first time Natsumi benevolently gave him some food so he knew that she was sincere about it, unlike other people who'd give him food out of pity or just to tease him.
"Thanks, but... I've got nothing to give you in return." Hajime reached out his hand just when Natsumi handed him the oversized bento.
'She wasn't lying, that is way too much food.' Akamine-sensei thought, eyeing the oversized bento before stealing a glance toward Natsumi. She didn't want to jump to conclusions but judging from her actions, it was a clear sign that she has a thing for Hajime.
"No need, that was thanks for saving me back there," Natsumi nervously replied. Honestly, she was running out of reasons but Hajime was still oblivious to why she kept on acting that way towards him.
"But you already treat me to the mov— and she's gone." Hajime muttered, seeing Natsumi catch up with her group of friends. Fuyumi was in the group as well, and she waved at Hajime before turning around.
Hajime waved back. He remembered her back then since she was with Natsumi when he stood up for them.
"Heh, so that's how it is, huh," Akamine-sensei teased.
"It's not what you think it is," Hajime muttered back. "They were being hit on by a bunch of college kids and things got a wee bit forceful. I just stepped in, that's all."
"Seems to me that she likes you though, how about it? Is she your type?" Akamine-sensei's voice was more silent than usual. "Want me to help you?"
"No thanks, and how would you even help me when she's not even in your class." Hajime was curious as to what tactic Akamine-sensei could cook up.
"Don't underestimate your homeroom teacher." She twirled her index finger in front of Hajime. "You do know that the school trip's coming soon, right? I can schedule a day with both her class and our class together. How about it?"
"Maybe I should tell the principal about your favoritism?" Hajime bit back, smirking at her. He couldn't tell why their homeroom teacher was acting close to him but he didn't dislike it in the least. 'Well, she was probably just happy because I finally attended her morning classes. Between her right now and her usual angry self, I'd rather choose the former than the latter.'
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Hajime, Megumi was actually nearby and she saw the whole thing, like a spectator watching a movie unfold in front of her. There was Natsumi giving him a bento, then another girl who gave him a nice coquettish wave, and then there's sensei, still wrapping her arms around Hajime. Megumi couldn't believe her eyes. Out of frustration, she gripped the wooden pencil she was holding until it cracked. It only took one day for Hajime to turn himself around and at the same time be popular with the ladies.
'In hindsight, Hajime's above average in the looks criteria, his bangs just get in the way of his looks. But still, grrr~!' Megumi growled as she rushed towards Hajime.
"Megumi, our class representative, are you heading to the cafeteria as well, why don't you eat with us?" Akamine-sensei offered, much to Megumi's surprise.
"Why don't you go back to being a delinquent!" Megumi blurted out of the blue before going ahead of them. For a moment there, she lost her composure, and she even ignored their homeroom teacher because of that. 'Eeh?! I've really done it. Wahh~ this is so embarrassing.!' She inwardly regretted her actions.
"That's a surprise," Akamine-sensei exhaled after a long pause. "Did something happen between you two? Did you get in a fight again? You know, the two of you lovebirds should minimize your lover's quarrel in school, you know."
"Lover's quarrel?!" Hajime almost raised his voice, fortunately, he managed to get a hold of himself.
"The two of you came to school together, right? I wouldn't be surprised." Akamine-sensei went on the offensive.
"Enough about that, time for lunch!" She patted Hajime on the back, completely navigating the topic out of the fire.
"That's right... no wonder she was acting strange." Hajime said to himself, reading the situation a step too late.