A new day with new spirit. Aito sat neatly in his seat waiting for his seatmate to arrive. Humming quietly checking the module book for today's lesson.
While the class was getting crowded, Akibara even greeted him which made Aito scared to see the boy. Uh, but he was friendly, how should Aito stay away from him?
"Fukuda-kun, you're so diligent early in the morning already studying." The call made Aito turn his head from the book he was reading.
Finding a familiar figure, the moment when he realized who was greeting Aito nodded stiffly. "Ah ... it's just normal, Akibara-san," Aito replied avoiding the boy's friendly gaze.
"Haha, like my class rank could be threatened if Fukuda-kun is this diligent. Ah, I can't be lazy, if there are any difficult questions you can ask me Fukuda-kun." Akibara patted Aito's shoulder smiling as he sat back in his chair.
Wait ... wait, does Akibara feel rivaled by his studying early in the morning? Please even his rank is only third! That's too bad, Aito doesn't want him to be among Akibara's targets!!! That's too bad.
Although being the protagonist's friend also meant having a common enemy. It's different to become the enemy's target early. "System, system am I going to have a bad fate like the protagonist too?"
"Calm down, Host. Aren't you here to change the protagonist's fate, having a bad fate is only a small part!"
"Hello, system what do you mean 'only a small part'?" Aito wanted to laugh or cry lamenting his fate, it seemed that in the future he absolutely must not sign anything easily!
The conversation with the system stopped, Aito heard the seat next to him being moved. His eyes peeked out to see that his seatmate had come, without even looking at him. Sitting down just like that.
"Say hello to him, Host!"
Ugh, it's not that easy. Just look at how he leaned his head towards the window, as if refusing to let anyone talk to him, how did Aito muster up the courage under such a tense atmosphere?
His chest felt tight, he had never felt this pressure just to make friends. Wondering if he should greet him with a good morning? Introduce yourself ... that's already right? I guess yes.
Thinking too much makes opportunities disappear. That was what happened to Aito, the students rushed to their seats, followed by a teacher entering the classroom.
Aito's gaze was forced to turn to the front. Peeking at his seatmate who still hadn't moved, even though there was a teacher in the class he really didn't care.
Is this the power of the protagonist? Even when the lesson started, the teacher explained carefully occasionally questioning related topics to the students which made people pay close attention to him. Otherwise, any misfocus would make the absences drift.
Unlike the person beside him, he was staring outside as if bored. Moreover, the field is now empty, no class has started sports yet, there is nothing interesting to see according to Aito, but Junan is still looking in that direction.
He wanted to reprimand, but the teacher's eyes seemed to be watching him, more precisely all the children in the class. Even so Junan didn't get a reprimand at all, wasn't the protagonist's aura too strong?
He had already finished his high school, but had to go back to repeat lessons in the second year. Really, even if his memory was good, the lessons were not. Aito grumbled inwardly.
Jealous of the protagonist who didn't look serious, but he was already guaranteed to be ranked first. He slightly understood Akibara's feelings, although his treatment was still not justified.
"Host, you should study hard! Although your personality and real body are not much different, no one would notice the difference either because of his introverted nature, but it's different when it comes to school lessons. Isn't Fukuda-kun third in the class? If you don't study hard, Mr. Host, it could be bad! ¯\_ಠ_ಠ_/¯"
Being reminded by the system made him feel even worse. He had left school for almost two years, especially since his last year was a bad period, of course he didn't know the lessons well.
"Is there a special tool to make me smart?"
"Don't misuse the system, Host! That includes the host's hard work, the system will only provide helpful skills if the host has points and completed the mission!┐(￣ヘ￣)┌"
"Yes, well I understand."
Aito looked down lethargically and returned to taking notes seriously despite not being in the mood.
During the class break he felt a real sense of freedom after four hours of being pounded by brain-damaging science lessons or was it his brain that was too damaged to use. Aito felt slumped faster than when doing a bad job at his old workplace.
He was a little embarrassed after all, going back to high school, but not making up for him not-so-good grades back then. He found it difficult to improve to the same level as the original owner.
Aito cleaned up his stationery and looked to the side, Junan still hadn't moved. Whether asleep or not, he was resting his head on the table, seemingly not wanting to be disturbed.
What can it be, it looks like Aito will have to cancel inviting him to eat together in the cafeteria. No one dared to disturb Junan's sleep, how could he be so brave?
Um, chicken is still the best! No matter what kind of dish it is. Aito devoured the katsu kare with gusto, instantly forgetting how difficult he was in class and facing the protagonist. As long as the food was delicious and free, what a world!
He guessed it wasn't completely free, the original owner's parents paid such expensive tuition that the food in this cafeteria was really good. No wonder.
Not being able to be picky about food during his last life made Aito rarely eat well. He cooked vegetables at best, occasionally if there was a decent deal cooking meat. Now he could eat meat with satisfaction, of course chicken meat remained his favorite of all.
While thinking about how to talk to Junan, Aito looked around him many of them were eating with friends, almost all of them. It was rare to sit alone, both then and now Aito still ate alone, he really had to invite the protagonist to eat together next time.
His resolve strengthened after a good meal, coming up with a brilliant idea.
Entering the classroom, Aito sat back in his seat. Staring at Junan's unchanging position. His courage eroded more and more, even so Aito still called Junan to wake him up.
"Maruyama-san ... Maruyama-san, do you hear me?" Aito called out in a voice that was getting smaller and smaller, not daring to be too loud.
Seeing the head of the person next to him move, Aito exhaled in relief. Facing the eyes that peered out from behind the folded hands on the table made his heart sink. His gaze was sharp and looked angry at being interrupted.
Aito was silent for a moment before steadfastly showing his intentions. "I haven't seen Maruyama-san come out during break since yesterday, I don't know what you like, if you want, please eat."
The thin white hand held out a sandwich and yogurt. He wanted to buy more but wouldn't it be too strange to know Junan's favorite when they weren't close yet, so he decided against it.
Seeing the sandwich that had not been taken, Aito spoke up again. "Please take it, it will be lunch break soon. I hope you're not starving," he said, thrusting the food closer to Junan's side of the table. Giving a smile and pretending to be busy doing something afterwards.
Until the end of class, Aito did not see Junan eat the food he gave him. Although the food was no longer on the table, did he throw it away? Aito could only sigh, it was not that easy for Junan to accept.
. . .