The school campus buzzed with students chatting, laughing, and sharing their lunch. Amidst the lively atmosphere
Her right leg bounced anxiously, her fingers clenching the hem of her skirt every time a student walked past her. She avoided eye contact, lowering her head as though trying to make herself invisible.
Ayase Aoi sat alone on a bench in the school courtyard, her small hands gripping!ith students chatting, lau the bento box on her lap.
Her right leg trembled uncontrollably.
Every time a student passed by, her body tensed, her shoulders jerking slightly as if she expected to be scolded for simply existing.
She lowered her head, hugging her bento closer to her chest.
"Kage-Senpai, please come quickly," she thought shyly, her heart thudding.
The minutes stretched on, and she began to worry.
Inside her mind, she was screaming.
Where is he?
What if he forgot?
Kage-Senpai, please come soon…
She swallowed hard and glanced around nervously.
And then—
She saw me.
Running toward her with a smile, my messy hair bouncing with every step.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Her anxiety melted away, replaced by a rush of euphoria so intense she almost forgot how to breathe.
She shot up from the bench, raising a shaky hand.
"K-Kage-Senpai!" she called out, her voice filled with joy.
I waved back with a bright grin. "Ayase Aoi-san!"
Her face flushed a deep shade of red.
Still, even with dark circles under her eyes, her happiness made her glow. She looked adorable.
I finally reached her, panting heavily. My hands rested on my knees as I tried to catch my breath.
"Sorry... I ran all the way here. I didn't want to keep you waiting," I said between pants.
"N-no! It's alright! I'm just… j-just glad you came!" she stuttered, clutching her bento box tighter. Her voice was filled with so much happiness that I felt my heart ache.
I plopped down on the bench beside her. She immediately stiffened, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. Her legs kicked slightly, her shoes tapping against the ground.
She was too cute.
She held her bento box close to her chest before slowly opening it, revealing a neatly arranged meal.
Then I remembered something.
"...Oh crap."
She flinched. "W-what happened?"
I scratched the back of my head, laughing nervously. "I left my bento in class."
Ayase Aoi blinked.
Then, she looked at me.
Then, she looked down at her bento.
Then, back at me.
A faint gulp escaped her lips. This was her chance.
"A-ah… umm…" Her voice trembled as she hesitated before extending the bento box toward me, her hands visibly shaking.
Aoi blinked.
Her fingers twitched slightly.
She gathered every ounce of courage in her trembling soul.
Her lips parted slightly—
And then she hesitated.
Her heart pounded violently.
Would this be too bold?
Would he think she's weird?
She shook her head, cheeks burning furiously. "N-Never mind! F-Forget it!"
Ito, confused, blinked at her. "Forget what?"
Aoi squeaked.
But before she could bury herself in embarrassment—
Her hands moved on their own.
"H-here… Y-you can have it," she stammered, her face burning red.
I blinked at her, surprised. "T-thank you, I guess?"
Reaching for the chopsticks, I picked up a heart-shaped omelet and popped it into my mouth.
The flavor exploded on my tongue.
My eyes widened in delight.
"This is amazing!" I exclaimed, mouth still full. "Did you make this yourself?"
She gave a tiny nod, hiding her face behind her hands. "Y-yeah… I'm g-glad you l-like it…"
I chuckled and glanced to the side.
And that's when I saw them.
Behind the school building, at the very edge of the wall—
Aisha. Hana. Mei.
Peeking.
The three of them huddled together, fighting to get the best view of the scene unfolding.
Aisha was trying to push Mei aside. Mei was aggressively shoving her back. Hana stood behind them, nervously rubbing her arms.
When I locked eyes with them, they immediately ducked behind the wall.
I sighed.
They're not even trying to be subtle.
Soft whispers reached my ears.
"Move, let me see!" Aisha hissed.
"No! I wanna see first!" Mei snapped back.
"I-I think we should j-just go…" Hana murmured weakly.
Meanwhile, Ayase Aoi had no idea they were there.
She nervously twiddled her thumbs, staring at her bento box.
I picked up another bite of He od and looked at Aoi.
"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked.
Aoi stiffened.
Shhe clutched the hem of her skirt, eyes darting away. "N-No… I'm fine."
I smiled.
Then I picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with the chopsticks, holding it out toward her.
"Here. Say ahh~"I said gently.
Aoi's brain short-circuited.
Her face turned scarlet.
Her soul left her body.
In the distance, Aisha and Mei's jaws dropped.
"He… he never fed me before!" Aisha whispered, her voice filled with betrayal.
"Mei, that idiot— I'M GONNA KILL HIM!" Mei clenched her fists.
Hana just let out a nervous laugh.
Aoi, still stuck in an adorable meltdown, hesitated.
Aoi immediately felt like she had ascended to heaven.
"Is this… an indirect kiss?!"
Her heart exploded.
She chewed slowly, savoring the taste—not of the food, but of the moment.
Her head swam with dizzy thoughts.
Her cheeks were hot, her mind blank.
She had never felt this happy before.
*Every second with him fells like time had stopped.*
*Every moment with him makes me feel like I am the most special person in the world.*
And then—
The Soul Stats appeared.
---
[TIME IS UPON US]
*OBJECTIVE : INSTIGATE HER TO CONFESS
*WARNING: FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS MISSION WILL RESULT IN A PUNISHMENT
---
I tensed.
My gaze flickered toward Ayase Aoi.
She was still staring at me, her eyes filled with so many emotions I couldn't even begin to describe.
I took a deep breath.
"Ayase Aoi—"
She suddenly flinched, her whole body tensing up.
"I-I'm your junior, so please don't use 'San'!" she blurted out, her voice high and frantic.
I blinked, then chuckled. "Then what should I call you?"
Her lips trembled slightly.
For a moment, she just fidgeted, struggling to find her words. Then, barely above a whisper—
"Maybe… Ayase-Chan…"
The second the words left her mouth, her eyes widened in pure horror.
SHE IMMEDIATELY REGRET SAYING THAT!
She squeaked, slapping her hands over her burning face.
I grinned. She's way too adorable.
Leaning in slightly, I let my voice drop to a teasing whisper.
"Ayase-Chan."
Her breath hitched.
Her entire face went crimson, her big, expressive eyes staring at me like I had just reset her entire existence.
I smiled softly.
"Ayase-Chan… is there someone you like?"
END OF CHAPTER : 25 : SHE IS ADORABLE!