"What was that, Garu? Huh? What exactly do you want?!"
Garu slapped his own face in frustration. Abyo, who was doing push-ups nearby, stopped mid-count, grabbed a chair, and sat beside him.
"You know what, man? If you—"
"Quiet, Abyo."
Abyo immediately raised both hands in surrender, whistling as he observed Garu glare at the papers he was reading.
"Pucca problem?" Abyo whispered, only for Garu to unintentionally tear the paper. Both of them froze in shock.
"..."
"...oh."
Without a word, Garu stood up, grabbing his bento box. Abyo glanced at the wall clock—it was almost lunchtime—and quickly followed. The two were alone in the student council office; the rest of the members were out preparing for the upcoming Academy festival.
"So, it is a girl problem, huh?" Abyo teased, smirking.
Garu ignored him and kept walking, but when Abyo leaned in closer, Garu pushed his face away with one hand.
"Come on, you can tell me," Abyo said arrogantly. "I mean, I do have a girlfriend." He winked at Garu, making Garu grimace in disgust.
"Let me guess… You're confused by your own actions. Am I right?"
Garu halted in his tracks.
"..."
He turned to Abyo, frowning deeply, then stood silent for a moment before continuing his walk.
"Aha!" Abyo grinned, unbuttoning the top of his uniform shirt.
Why are you unbuttoning?!
"Listen, man," Abyo began, draping his blazer over his shoulder. "I know you're all about honor, discipline, loyalty, blah blah blah. But why not just… give things with Pucca a shot?"
Garu stopped again, this time facing Abyo fully with a frown.
"..."
"Whoa, whoa. We can't spar here," Abyo said backing away and taking a defensive stance.
"I…" Garu finally spoke in a low, serious tone. "I'm already trying."
And with that, he walked away, leaving Abyo behind, stunned. With his mouth formed into an 'O' while still in a defensive stance.
"Wait, wait a minute!" Abyo yelled, snapping out of his shock. He fished his phone out of his pocket and quickly dialed. Ching answered almost immediately.
"What is it? Did you tear your uniform again?" she asked flatly.
"No, baby. I've got some tea." Abyo glanced in the direction Garu had gone, but his friend was already out of sight.
"Spill it!" Ching demanded, her voice lighting up.
"Garu finally made his move."
"Kyaaahhhhhh!"
Abyo winced at her shriek, pulling the phone away from his ear until it was safe to continue.
"Anyway, Garu's ahead of me. I'll find him in a bit. Let's all eat together."
"Huh? Garu? Oh my gosh—he just picked up Pucca from class! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Abyo!" Ching squealed again.
"Yo, chill, girl. Damn," Abyo muttered, laughing. "I'll grab lunch and meet you instead. Wait for me."
"Okay, but hurry."
"But seriously, did Garu climb into your class through the window? He's so fast." Abyo laughed at his joke.
"Actually… yeah. The whole class was shocked."
"Pfft! pwahahaha! He really did? Hahahaha! Crazy...he's crazy." Abyo is now laughing with amusement.
The call ended after a few more cheesy exchanges.
"Took you long enough, Garu." Abyo thought and flashed a smile, flexing his biceps on a glass pane.
---
The weather was nice today to eat at the rooftop, it was cloudy so the sun would be covered at times but there's a shed on the corner, so Pucca and Garu sat there to avoid the sun's direct heat.
Garu awkwardly pushed a bento box toward Pucca. The bento he made was good for two people and he made it in reflex. Well, Pucca was on his mind since morning.
"I… uh… I want to share this with you," he said, blushing but looked Pucca in the eyes.
Pucca smiled brightly and leaned forward in anticipation.
Garu opened the box—and froze. He was then filled with embarrassment.
"..."
The food was a mess. He remembered when he had to set aside his bag and uniform because of his fight with Tobe.
"I'm sorry. I'll go buy something else—" Garu started to stand, but Pucca picked up a piece of the bento using the chopsticks and took a bite.
She nodded enthusiastically, encouraging him to eat as well. Relieved, Garu hesitantly took a bite and found it still tasted fine.
"Does it suit your taste?" he asked.
Pucca nodded again, beaming as she held up a piece of salmon to feed him.
Garu went along, taking the bite, and smiled when she handed him a banana milk from her bag.
"Thank you," he said softly, feeling a warm flutter in his chest as they continued eating together.
Pucca occasionally fed him bites, and he found himself starting small conversations despite his usual awkwardness whenever she's around.
---
After lunch, Garu waited outside the restroom while Pucca went inside. He stared at the empty bento box in his hands, smiling to himself, when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Garu?"
He looked up to see Ring Ring approaching.
"Ms. Ring Ring," he greeted, his smile fading as his usual stoic demeanor returned.
"I went to the office to ask you to lunch, but you weren't there," she said, flipping her hair. "How about dinner at my place instead?"
"I decline," Garu replied bluntly.
"Are you that busy? Then how about another time?"
"Ms. Ring ring, I simply don't want to eat with you." Garu said it directly.
"What? Why?!" Ring Ring snapped.
"I don't owe you an explanation," he answered, unbothered.
"You—! Just you wait, Garu. I'll make you mine!" she shouted, her temper flaring.
Garu raised an eyebrow at her words but chose not to respond. "It's useless." He thought.
"Hmm?"
His attention shifted as Pucca stepped out of the restroom. Without a second glance at Ring Ring, Garu walked to Pucca and took her hand, leading her away.
Ring Ring stared after them, seething with rage. "Pucca?! Again?! What does she have that I don't?!" she shrieked, grabbing a microphone out of nowhere and breaking into an impromptu song.
Microphone?!
"OoooOooOoooooOOOO!!!" Her high-pitched voice echoed through the hallway.
Garu stopped and turned back briefly. "I'll confiscate that! ...Later." he said with a tired expression.
"Just try! My father's on the board of direc—!"
But Garu and Pucca rounded a corner. Before they completely disappear, Pucca stuck her tongue out at her before leaving Ring Ring to fume alone as the nearby students scurried away to avoid her tantrum.
(╬☉д⊙)⊰⊹ฺ