Chapter 4 - Sweet Lunch

We had spent so much time discussing the festival that we only realized it was already lunchtime when the bell chimed.

"Anyway, Taneshima-kun, don't forget about today's meeting," Isumi said as she walked out.

As she walked out, I sighed and rested my face on the desk. "How bothersome..." Maybe I should grab some lunch. I stood up and made my way out of the classroom, heading towards the cafeteria. But just as I was walking through the corridor, I heard someone call out my name.

"Senpai!!"

I turned around to see a girl jumping towards me. "Senpai! How are you doing!?"

I immediately caught her in my arms as I struggled to lift her up. "Reina-san..." You're heavy!

This is Reina Kurose, a junior of mine. She is currently in her first year. She has long blonde hair tied with a ribbon and red eyes. While she appears calm and mature when talking to others, she becomes quite childish when it comes to me.

"Oooh~ Senpai~ You're getting stronger, i see~"

"Can you please get... off now?"

"Nah~"

"What do you mean 'Nah'?!"

"Teehee~"

"Don't 'teehee' me and get off."

"Tch, you're such a cheapskate," she muttered, getting off and pouting while looking away.

Hey, Don't pout at me, You're seriously heavy...

"Reina-chan, don't bother Taneshima-senpai," a girl said as she approached both of us.

"Rin-chan, I think Senpai thinks I'm heavy," Reina pouted while looking at her.

Because you are!

"Because you ordered too much parfait yesterday," Rin sighed and bowed at me. "I'm sorry, Taneshima-senpai."

"No worries, she's not really heavy," Sorry, I have to lie.

"R-Really?!" Reina looked at me with those sparkling eyes.

"Taneshima-senpai, You don't have to take pity on Reina-chan."

"Ahahaha~"

This is Rin Inoue, a friend of Reina and Serika's younger sister. She has above-shoulder-length light blue hair and radiant black eyes. Rin is known for her kindness and patience. However, when we're alone, she does have a playful side and enjoys teasing me.

"By the way, How was your mother?"

"Oh? She's recovering, Although I might have to take over mom's shift..."

"Oh, your mother's job is a delivery woman, right?" "Yes."

"Oh, are you going to be alright? Should I come with you?" "N-No, it's already taken care of, Senpai."

"Really? If you insist then..." I smile and pat her on the head. "You're really a hard worker."

Rin blushes and looks down. "Thank you... Senpai."

Eh..?

"Senpai, senpai! I want to get patted too!" Reina says as she gets in front of me.

"Uwaahh, are you serious..."

"Yeah! It's alright!"

I sighed and patted both of them.

As I patted both of them, a female student approached us. "Reina-san, Rin-san, sorry for ruining your lovey-dovey time, but we should go to the meeting and talk about the festival."

"Oh!" Reina then walks to her, followed by Rin.

"Just so you know, Senpai is only my Senpai!" Reina glares at her.

"Right, right." She smirks.

"Anyway, see you later, Senpai." Reina waved, while Rin bowed with a smile as the three of them walked away.

I returned the wave and proceeded to the canteen, but I soon realized I wasn't hungry anymore, so I headed back to my classroom, sat in my seat, and opened my bag.

"Hmm, I believe after lunch is math?"

I reached for the math textbook, but then I noticed a lunch box sitting underneath it. "Hm? A lunch box?" I picked up the lunch box and placed it on the table. As I did, I noticed there was a note on top of it.

I grabbed the note and read it silently: "Human, Be grateful! I cooked you some food! Now once you come back, you must tell me your thoughts on it! From: Scarlet."

There was another note behind it, so I opened it and read: "Scarlet insisted on cooking lunch for you. Sorry, Taneshima-sama. She may have burned a few ingredients, but rest assured, this time it's going to be delicious! From: Maria."

I opened the lunch box. "It's omelette rice, huh..." I smiled and reached for the chopsticks. "Thank you for the meal." Slowly, I picked up a mouthful of rice with the chopsticks and took a bite. As I chewed, a delightful sweetness spread through my mouth, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Geez, why is the omelette so sweet? Did she perhaps mistakenly think it was supposed to be savory? However, she did try her best.

As I took a bite of the omelette, Satori suddenly noticed me with the lunch box. His eyes widened, and he shouted, "GUYS! TANESHIMA-SAN HAS A BENTO!!"

All the guys looked at me as Satori's voice echoed through the classroom. I swiftly snatched the bento and made a hasty exit, running out of the classroom. "What a drag," I chuckled to myself.

"I won't share this with anyone, fools," I thought to myself, a mischievous smile playing on my lips. "After all, she made this especially for me."