Lunchtime.
The hallways were filled with laughter and footsteps echoing everywhere.
Meanwhile, I was just sitting in the classroom, staring at my lunchbox like someone who just got ditched by his friends.
“Finally… peace and quiet,” I muttered as I opened my lunch.
“Without that annoying girl around, life feels calmer—and lonelier… but whatever.”
Just as my spoon was about to touch my mouth, the voice I least wanted to hear came from behind me.
“Who exactly are you calling annoying, new kid?”
I nearly choked.
Inohana was standing there—hands on her hips, her expression sharp enough to cut glass.
“Geez! Can you not sneak up like that?!”
“I didn’t sneak up. You’re just jumpy~” she said casually.
Plop!
Without permission, she sat right on my desk.
I could only glare at her in disbelief.
“Can you not just sit wherever you want?!”
“There are plenty of seats, but this one’s the best. It’s close enough to annoy you~”
She smiled mischievously.
I sighed through my nose. “Then maybe I should just find another spot.”
“Why bother? It’s not like you know your way around yet~” she teased, leaning back casually.
I exhaled deeply.
Why can’t my life be normal for once?
After lunch, the classroom grew quiet.
Some students went to the courtyard, others to the cafeteria.
I decided to stay here—to finally enjoy the peaceful blessing that God had given me—until…
“Let’s go outside.”
That voice again.
“Huh? For what?”
“Just come on. Sitting too long makes you fat~”
“I don’t gain weight that easily, idiot!”
Still, for some reason, my body stood up on its own. Reflex, maybe.
She looked at me blankly, then suddenly grabbed my hand.
“C’mon. You’re really gonna let a cute girl like me get bored~?”
I almost tripped.
“Overconfident much?! And stop pulling me!”
“Oh, please~ If I didn’t drag you, you’d never come,” she grinned slyly.
“…This girl is way too pushy,” I muttered, letting myself get dragged along.
We walked to the back of the school.
The ocean breeze was gentle, birds flew overhead, and the faint sound of waves could be heard.
Not bad. At least the view was calming… even if the company wasn’t.
“Eh, it’s actually nice here~” Inohana said, smiling as she gazed at the blue ocean.
“See? Aren’t you glad I dragged you out here?”
“I was forced, not invited.”
She giggled—lightly, but annoyingly so.
“Wait here for a sec,” she said, disappearing behind a sakura tree.
Petals danced gently in the air as I sat on a stone bench, soaking in the breeze.
“Hah… at least she’s not being a pain this time.”
Before I could truly relax, a group of girls appeared from behind the tree.
“Oh, so this is the new student you were talking about, Akane-chan?”
One of them said, giving me a look from head to toe.
“I’m Mizuki Hana. Nice to meet you, Hayashi-kun.”
Polite, calm—way more civilized than Inohana.
I was about to reply when another girl suddenly leaned in.
“Waaah~ your hair looks so soft! Can I touch it~?”
“Eh?! N-no!” I stumbled back in panic.
“Jeez, Gosh, you're so stingy with girls~” she said, taking another step forward.
“Mika, don’t get too close before introducing yourself,” another girl said, this one with short white hair and sharp eyes.
“Oh right! I’m Tachibana Mika! Nice to meet you, Hayashi-kun!”
“S-same here…”
I was starting to feel overwhelmed by this sudden social ambush.
“I thought you’d be taller,” said the white-haired girl flatly.
“I’m not a sports guy, okay? I think this height’s fine enough.”
“Whatever you say. I’m Asagiri Rei,” she replied, still giving me that cold look.
“So rude…” I muttered, stepping back—
BRUK!
I bumped into someone from behind.
“Ouch~ Hayashi-kun, you should watch where you’re going~”
A small girl with brown messy hair looked up at me sleepily.
“S-sorry! I didn’t see you there!”
“Nao-cchi, stop napping everywhere,” Hana said, helping her sit up.
“Hehe… but the grass is comfy…”
We all ended up sitting under the sakura tree.
Inohana plopped down next to me, wearing a smug grin—clearly proud of herself.
…Annoying girl!
Hana offered me a canned juice.
“You look tired~ Here, drink this, Hayashi-kun.”
“Ah, thanks… finally, someone sane.”
“Hehe~ sanity’s relative, you know.”
She chuckled softly, and the mood felt lighter.
“Uh oh, here she goes again, Hana-chan! You’re gonna scare him off,” said Mika, laughing.
“I was already trying to escape,” I said.
“But I guess… I can’t really run away that easily.”
Everyone laughed.
Even Rei smiled faintly, brushing her hair aside.
Inohana glanced at me, then puffed out a small huff.
“Hmph… they sure got friendly fast.”
“You say something?” I asked.
“N-no! I’m just… enjoying the view!”
Her face turned slightly red, and she quickly looked away with a pout.
For some reason, when she pouts like that… she actually looks kinda cute.
Her cheeks puff up and turn pink whenever she gets annoyed.
“You’re such a weirdo!”
“What? What did I do this time?!”
“Nothing! Ugh!”
She turned away sharply—but her ears only got redder.
God… is this girl bipolar or what?
“Oooh~ Hayashi-kun~ She’s blushing~” whispered Mika teasingly.
“Maybe she’s a bit jealo—”
“SHUT UP!”
Inohana snapped, steam practically rising from her head.
The bell rang—lunch break was over.
We stood up, ready to go back to class.
Mika waved at me cheerfully.
“Let’s hang out again tomorrow, Hayashi-kun~!”
“Do whatever you want,” I said—
…but somehow, I didn’t really mind.
As I walked back slowly, I looked out toward the sea.
The light shimmered across the waves.
“Hayashi! What are you doing? Class is starting soon!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!”
I smiled faintly.
I hoped this moment could happen again.
Because honestly…
I really enjoyed it.