A few years ago in Silangan High, Hinata was with his big circle of friends in the hall of one of the school buildings during lunch, their numbers almost blocking the entire path as they discuss what to get in the cafeteria.
"I wonder if they have macaroni spaghetti today?"
"You're gonna buy that thing again, Gilbert?"
"Of course. It's so good."
"Only you would say that about Ms Inday's cooking, all right."
Among those people surrounding Hinata were Mina Minana and the three other girls who were always with her.
"What are you getting, Hinata?" Mina asked, taking a foot forward, cutting the distance between the two of them ever so slightly.
Hinata subtly took one step back as he turned to the blonde girl, maintaining the space between him and the girl. "I'm getting the usual."
One of their classmates and friends, a girl, modestly entered the space between them.
"Hinata, are you getting the usual?"
Mina watched the young man focus his attention on the other girl besides them, a small grin on his face as he answered his friend.
"Moka. Yeah, I'm getting tuna bread today."
"I see," Moka replied, her face bright and slightly flushed. "I want to get it, too. I kind of fell in love with the taste after trying it the first time."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Do you have any other lunch food you can recommend to me? I'd like to hear them."
"Sure. Let's see. How about..."
As the conversation between Hinata and the girl named Moka continued, Mina found herself becoming an observer in the space that was once hers and Hinata's alone. Her gaze fell onto the girl who had completely taken Hinata's attention in her grasp, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"Hey, Hina, Moka, you should talk some sense into Gilbert and help him get a healthier meal."
"Ms Inday's macaroni spaghetti is good! These guys simply don't appreciate how good it is. Right, Moka, Hina?"
"A spaghetti lacking in sauce is never a good spaghetti. Say you agree, Hinata, Moka."
"I haven't really tried Ms Inday's macaroni spaghetti, so I have no idea if it's good."
"You haven't tried it, Moka?"
"Sorry, Gilbert. Me neither."
Moka was nothing compared to Mina Minana, who was revered by many in Silangan High for her beauty and intellect. Everyone always talked about how good Mina was at sports and how approachable she was. Moka had nothing to make her stand out on the same level as Mina or Hinata besides her pretty face, which was barely above average compared to the blonde girl.
"Hey, Mina! What do you think of Ms Inday's macaroni?"
"Sorry, Gilbert. I haven't tried it yet."
"Seriously?! You three are really missing out big time."
"No, they're not, Gil."
And yet, Mina couldn't help but feel irritated every time she watched Moka interact with other people or their friends, especially Hinata. Moka was nothing but an ordinary girl in an ordinary family living a modest life, so how could she command such attention as flawlessly if not more than Mina, who was supposed to be the most popular girl in Silangan High?
Mina Minana hated how Moka made her feel inferior when she was supposed to be the perfect girl everyone admired, without even trying. Ever since then, Mina wished that Moka would just stop coming to school. She wished the girl, who was oblivious to her disdain, to just disappear entirely.
* * *
A few years ago that same day, Hinata and the group left the cafeteria after buying their lunch. Mina continued being the observer as the group discussed where they should hang out.
"Should we go to the track field?"
"Or we can just go back to the classroom."
"The classroom's boring. I was thinking about the rooftop, but..." The guy paused for a moment to look at Hinata as if seeking permission, only to see the young man shoot a bitter smile at him. "It's a no-go. What about the covered court?"
Hinata's friend looked at him once again, seeking approval.
"Sure, we can go to the covered court."
After that, everyone started expressing their agreement with the idea, including Moka and Mina.
"Yeah. I'd like to go there as well."
"Me too."
"It's settled then. Let's go."
Their stroll towards the covered court was filled with chatter and shared laughter. Mina wasn't just an observer now but was part of the conversation. But even so, before the others pulled her back to the discussion, her gaze would always land on Hinata's back, watching him as he interacted with the rest of the group.
"..."
No person is born perfect, though Mina Minana strongly believed she was the sole exception. She was the most popular girl in Silangan High after all.
Hinata may be one of the popular students in Silangan High, but he wasn't born perfect like Mina. Though he was good at sports, he would occasionally fumble a kick in a soccer game or miss a free throw in a basketball match. His intellect was said to be exceptional, deemed to be Mina's greatest competition in academics.
In fact, ever since their junior year, they've always rivalled each other for the top. However, Hinata doesn't always get the right answer to every question.
Hinata also had things he liked and didn't like. Hinata would buy a piece or two of tuna bread most of the time every lunch break. He loved it so much that it was always his number one recommendation whenever someone asked what to get for lunch. On the other hand, Hinata refused to go to the school rooftop no matter what.
No one knew the reason why Hinata disliked the idea of going to the top of the building so much. Everyone who befriended him was curious about it at some point, much like Mina. But eventually, everyone came to the consensus that going to the rooftop with Hinata, no matter the reason, was a no-go.
They all agreed that they didn't need to know the reason and simply respected his decision not to go there.
So then...
***
"Why..." Mina muttered to herself in thought, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion as her gaze locked onto Hinata, who had just entered the roof of the building. She could see the way his eyes widened as he turned in her direction, though his eyes weren't looking at her directly but at the silver-haired girl besides her. "Why are you here?"