The next day, things got worse.
Or better?
It really depended on who you asked.
---
"Guess what?" Hinata whispered as we walked to class.
"What?"
"Aizawa Rei is throwing a welcome lunch tomorrow."
I blinked. "A lunch?"
"Yeah. Like, he reserved the back courtyard and everything. Says it's his way of getting to know people."
"That's… fancy."
Hinata smirked. "He specifically asked if you were free."
I froze mid-step. "Me?"
"You have such main character energy and you don't even try."
---
By the time we reached the classroom, the chaos had already begun.
Girls were huddled around Rei's desk, giggling like their lives depended on it.
Boys were either trying to impress him or pretending not to care.
I walked to my desk beside Shinbou.
Sat down quietly.
Rei, sitting just behind me, leaned forward.
"Morning, Kenyu."
I turned slightly. "Morning."
"I was wondering…" he continued smoothly. "Would you come to the welcome lunch tomorrow? I made sure there's extra strawberry cake."
I blinked. "Why strawberry cake?"
"Because you mentioned it yesterday when Hinata gave you that snack."
I had no memory of this. At all.
But now I was flustered.
---
Shinbou, beside me, dropped his book. Loudly.
Rei looked at him. "Everything alright?"
"Fine," Shinbou muttered, picking it up.
He didn't say another word the rest of the period.
---
Later, in PE, Hinata ran up to me with a mischievous grin.
"You broke him."
"I didn't even do anything."
"You exist. That's enough, apparently."
I glanced toward the gym bench, where Shinbou sat alone, quietly tying his shoes… and glaring across the court.
At Rei.
Who was surrounded by people and still managed to wave at me when he caught my eye.
Shinbou looked away immediately.
---
After class, I caught up with Shinbou outside.
"Hey."
He didn't answer.
"Are you mad at me?"
"No."
"Then why are you walking like the ground personally insulted you?"
He stopped.
Took a deep breath.
Then said, "Why do people like him always show up and act like they belong in everyone's lives?"
I blinked. "You mean Rei?"
"I mean guys who smile like they've already won something."
"Won what?"
He looked at me.
And for a second… I thought he might say something honest.
But then he muttered:
"I don't know. It's stupid."
And walked off.
Leaving me there, heart pounding in a way I couldn't explain.