Lunch break.
Haruto left the classroom and headed toward the cafeteria.
Waking up early to prepare lunch was a hassle and time-consuming, and he didn't like eating cold food.
Even if he reheated it in the cafeteria microwave, the taste wouldn't be as good.
Therefore, he usually went to the school convenience store to buy bread or directly to the cafeteria for a meal.
Less worry, less effort.
As he passed the adjacent classroom, Miku happened to come out.
Their eyes met, and Haruto greeted her, "Miku, want to go together?"
Miku's cheeks flushed slightly, and she puffed her face a bit, "Reckless!"
Haruto replied expressionlessly, "Alright, I'll go ahead then. See you, Miku."
Miku: "😐"
As he walked downstairs, a girl with waist-length hair and two black swallowtail bows tied in her hair stood quietly.
Hearing the footsteps, Nino put down her phone and looked up, "Miku, let's go together…"
After pausing briefly, she raised her hand to brush her hair and greeted Haruto indifferently, "Oh, it's you, Kuromori-kun, good day."
"Good day." Haruto responded, hesitating for a moment, and decided not to invite Nino to join him. Miku was right behind him, and inviting Nino now didn't feel appropriate.
'Why should I feel guilty? It's not like I'm dating Miku.'
Haruto cleared his throat and was about to invite Nino along to ease the uncomfortable atmosphere.
What he observed so far seemed consistent. He decided to clear the tension first, then continue observing.
Only Nino and Ichika were left now.
"Nino, do you want to…"
But the next moment, a surprised scream echoed. Haruto instinctively turned and saw Miku falling down the stairs with a terrified expression.
Without thinking much, Haruto turned around and reached out, catching her phone mid-air before catching Miku herself, all in one swift motion.
With his skills, it was naturally impossible for him to miss.
In fact, Haruto's body had been enhanced by superhuman strength many times. If he chose not to remain human.
He would become a monster far scarier than the Void Demon.
As Nino stepped forward, she stopped because Haruto had caught Miku securely.
"Phew…"
Nino sighed in relief and quickly walked up, "Miku, be careful when walking!"
"Yeah, I'm sorry."
Miku sat on the floor, her heart still pounding. If Haruto hadn't caught her, she would've ended up in the hospital.
Just imagining that outcome made her face pale, and her legs felt weak.
"Stand still."
Haruto helped her up and couldn't help but complain, "Don't play with your phone while going down the stairs. Even elementary school kids know this."
"Kuromori-kun is right."
Nino grabbed Miku's arm and supported her, angrily scolding, "Miku, you're not allowed to play with your phone while walking anymore. Luckily, Kuromori-kun was here; otherwise, you'd be in the hospital!"
Miku bit her lip and lowered her head sadly.
Seeing this, Haruto tried to comfort her, "Alright, alright, it's fine. Just be more careful next time."
After saying that, he raised his hand to pat her head.
Miku's face turned red, and she grabbed Haruto's hand, glaring at him in embarrassment and anger, "What are you doing? Seppuku!"
Haruto had casually touched a girl's head without a second thought.
Reckless!
Guilty!
Haruto coughed awkwardly, "Sorry, my right hand has a mind of its own."
Miku looked upset, and for some reason, she wanted to take advantage of it, and before she realized it, her right hand had already reacted.
Miku almost turned into an angry hamster, puffing her cheeks, "Guilty!"
Nino put her hands on her hips and angrily said, "Don't go too far! You're bullying Miku right in front of me!"
"I'm not."
Haruto denied it, knowing he had only patted her head. If he really wanted to bully Miku, he'd lock her in a basement and do this and that!
"Hmph!"
Nino pulled Miku away and grumbled, "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you saved her. Miku, let's go!"
As they passed by, Miku clutched her headphones tightly to her chest and softly said, "Reckless Kuromori, thank you."
"…"
It seemed like the nickname "reckless Kuromori" wasn't going away anytime soon.
Haruto shrugged and followed behind.
Lunch break was only fifty minutes, and it took ten minutes to get to the cafeteria. Considering the time to order, eat, and return, there wasn't much time left.
After buying a pork cutlet bowl and a cup of Coke, Haruto headed to a corner.
At school, he was always alone.
Not by choice, but because everyone kept their distance from him.
Even though he looked good and performed well academically, it didn't change the outcome of being feared and isolated.
But Haruto didn't care.
He enjoyed the peaceful days like that.
But today, his quiet lunchtime was disrupted.
Not long after he sat down, someone suddenly sat next to him. He turned to see a mature-looking girl with short hair, who looked like the girl-next-door type, tilting her head and smiling at him charmingly.
"Kuromori-kun, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"
Just as Haruto was about to reply, another voice chimed in, "There are plenty of seats here; he can't take them all."
"Nino?"
Haruto looked up, surprise flashing across his face, "Miku, Itsuki, Yotsuba… why are you all here?"
"I heard Kuromori-kun just saved my poor sister, so I came to thank you."
Ichika picked up a piece of fried chicken wing and smiled playfully, "Kuromori-kun, open your mouth. This is my gift to you, ah~~~"
"Ichika, what are you doing!"
Nino immediately grabbed Ichika and angrily said, "You'll be misunderstood if you do this!"
Ichika pressed her finger to her lips and smiled mischievously, "But I heard boys love getting thank-you gifts like this."
She tilted her head and winked. Even Haruto had to admit she was incredibly beautiful, enough to make anyone's heart race.
He could feel the envious and jealous stares from some of the boys around him!
But— Is this girl a bad person?
If Ichika really wanted to thank him, why not give him something more practical instead of teasing him like this?
Miku wasn't pleased, "Ichika, please don't joke around!"
Yotsuba grabbed a fried shrimp and placed it on Haruto's plate. Seeing him look at her, a cheerful smile appeared on her face, "Kuromori-san, this is my thank-you gift for you."
"There's no other way but to accept it next time."
Then, Ichika also placed a fried chicken wing on Haruto's plate.
Then Nino and Miku did the same.
Finally, only Itsuki was left.
Haruto subconsciously glanced at Itsuki, who had been silent the whole time, and noticed that her plate was almost empty.
Itsuki's face flushed slightly, and the ahoge on her head swayed a bit, "W-Would you like me to go buy more?"
"No need, thank you."
Haruto declined without hesitation.
Why buy more? Itsuki clearly hadn't eaten enough, and the anticipation in her eyes was almost overflowing.
But in the end, Itsuki still went and bought two desserts, giving one to Haruto.