"I was merely joking. Of course, I'll eat with you."
"Please stop with your smooth talking. It's like every time I have to put a lot of effort in order to convince you into doing something. You don't have to flatter me with words."
"Sor-, It's just that… How do I put it… I just didn't know how to talk with you back then because it felt so awkward when I was around you. But now, I don't think that's the case anymore."
I was about to say sorry again.
I've come to hate that word.
"So what I'm trying to say is…I don't hate you. In fact, it's the opposite. Thanks to you, I'm enjoying school more than before. So yeah, thank you…I guess."
"Really? So you don't…hate me?"
"It's not like I have any reason to."
"Do you really mean that?"
"I do." I replied instantly.
"Yay." Her demeanor changed back to its usual one as life regained on her face whilst she put the food on my desk.
I didn't say those words to appease her or make her stay.
That was the honest truth from the bottom of my heart.
Although, she might be annoying at times, my school life has gained some sort of vitality because of her.
Even if it feels like its double standard, it doesn't bother me that much.
Since I agreed to her proposal, it would be rude to turn back away plus I've also realized something…
I don't want to see her acting the way she did a couple of moments ago because of me.
I just don't have it in me to make people sad because of me.
It was out of the ordinary and not normal to see her like that.
Could it be maybe something irreversible is forming between us.
Only time can tell.
No need to rush things.
I went back to my seat as she unfolded the wrapping which was covering her lunchbox with a practically glowing face which earned her affectionate gazes from my classmates.
And also death glares from them directed to me.
But they don't matter.
Back to her food.
By the way the lunchbox was wrapped, it was nothing short of tender making it obvious that she always put a certain level of effort into doing her things despite being carefree.
When she unfolded the wrappings and finally opened it, I was greeted with the mixed bitter and sweet smell of Takoyaki carefully mixed and blending together in a beautiful yet unnatural twisted form. The ball shaped delectable delicacy had a slight aroma of pickled ginger, green onions, tempura scraps with the fried balls which appeared like they were batter filled along with minced and diced octopus.
As if that was not enough, it was sprinkled and topped along with the usual sweet and savory Takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, green laver and bonito fish flakes but for some reason, the depth of this food was frightening to the point that I could not help but feel my mouth watering.
I was eager to get a taste the same way an eight year old feels seeing their first magazine full of boo-.
Sniff.
Did I ever say my mouth was watering?
This aroma wafted through the whole class which made me a bit nervous as most of the eye sockets were glued to her food.
Funny enough, I was like that before.
I remember when I wore that face when she would share her food with her friends.
That aroma only she would create through her food.
It's just so tempting to your taste buds.
I would get envious every time of her friends as she was always in mixed groups.
She must be destined to be a chef and will make a good wife someday.
As of now, I am the one who gets to savor the god-like taste of this food.
Alone.
With her.
I can't lie.
I'm genuinely happy about this.
I watched her as she separated her food into two as she was across me from my desk and handed me the other half, in which I graciously accepted into my hands like I had received my first medal of gold and my thought process couldn't take the sweet reality presented to me along with the necessary utensils.
"Wow."
I could not help but mutter aloud.
"Surprised?"
She flashed me a grin.
Unfortunately for her, she wasn't my main concern right now.
It was the dish right in front of me.
I wanted to gobble it up in an instant.
With impatient hands, I sent my fork straight to the ball shaped takoyaki as those were the only things in my mind right now.
And when they entered my mouth, their juicy, crispy tips colliding against my taste buds, sending a wave of euphoria coursing through my veins.
'This tastes soooooo good.'
I was lost in bliss and the splendor that this food left in my mouth.
I was chewing slowly so as to savor every last bit of it.
Good things are hard to let go and you just want them to remain with you for a little bit longer.
"Its delicious. Where did you ever learn to make something like this?"
"Hehe~. That's a girl's secret and there's still more if you want."
Oh. Right.
"More please."
It does help to be selfish at times.
And then she took some from her share.
"Are you sure about this?"
I felt a little bit guilty and coy there.
This was just so new to me.
"Don't worry, I don't have that much of an appetite."
Don't mind if I do.
I hadn't noticed but she had already started to eat her food.
Unlike my unmannered etiquette which I was using, hers was visibly superior.
It was a stunning sight to watch the way she ate her food through her delicate small mouth.
Since we were sharing my desk, she was so close to me.
Then she peeked at me with those beautiful silver eyes of hers.
"Do I have something on my face?"
"You look like a noble."
"Haha. How sarcastic."
"I'm dead serious. You look so enchanting right now."
There was a slight tinge of red on her face.
"Thanks. But its not enough. I'm not letting you escape like last time."
To confirm with her actions, she intertwined her legs with mine as one of hers were between mine and the reverse is also true.
"The key to escaping, is to finish what's right in front of you."
What?
This is a privilege!
I didn't feel bad about this.
Her playful nature, which also a part of her, I was starting to admire it a bit.
"You want me to finish you? Then I'll gladly do it."
"Pervert."
"Yeah. Yeah."
The mood between us was so strange yet exciting, comforting and at the same time, surreal.
It felt nice.
There was no tension.
It was only the two of us.
It was like we were a newly wed couple.
We were like husband and wi-
"Yoh guys! Mind if I join you two on your lunch?"
"…"
"…"
Great.
Another one.
"Since you are both quiet, I'll take that as a yes."
The answer is no!
And then, our intruder, Sato immediately forced his way onto my desk.