Chapter 19 – Obvious Hierarchy
With the sound of the bell signaling the end of the fourth period, the atmosphere in the classroom immediately lightened up.
Some people rushed straight to their clubs, some moved their desks to prepare lunch, while others headed to different classrooms.
Today's lunch break was just as lively as usual in Class 2-F.
However, for someone like Hikigaya, a rainy day meant there weren't many places he could go. What's worse, it was hard to even go out and buy food in this kind of weather.
"Here, I'll share half of mine with you." Sitting behind him, Duan Shiji seemed to notice his dilemma and offered kindly.
"Eh? Ah…" Hikigaya turned his head, looking at Duan Shiji with surprise.
"What? You don't like mainland-style food?" Duan Shiji asked, seeing him hesitate.
"Ah, no, that's not it…" Hikigaya muttered. "But, you know… sharing a bento box, isn't that something only close friends do?"
"Huh? Are you saying we're not friends?" Duan Shiji frowned, squinting his eyes and stared at him sharply.
"Ah, no… I mean, aren't there other people you usually eat with?" Hikigaya quickly explained.
"Why would you think that?" Duan Shiji seemed even more confused.
"Don't you always go find someone else to eat with during lunch?" Hikigaya asked, also puzzled.
"…Do you really have to do this?" Duan Shiji went quiet for a moment.
"Huh?" A question mark practically popped out over Hikigaya's head.
"Do I really have to say it out loud: I just think eating lunch in the classroom is kind of awkward, so I always go find a quiet empty room to eat?" Duan Shiji said with a blank expression.
"Oh, so you're also a 'solo eater'…" Hikigaya muttered under his breath.
"You sure talk a lot…" Duan Shiji's face twisted under his mask.
Not bothering with Hikigaya anymore, Duan Shiji opened his thermal food container.
In an instant, a delicious aroma spread out, drawing the attention of everyone in the classroom.
"Whoa… April's cooking really is something else…" Hikigaya couldn't help but comment.
"Nope, I made it myself." Duan Shiji replied casually as he quickly laid out the compartments of the food container.
"You… what?" Hikigaya looked at him, stunned.
"I said I made it myself." After clearing the desk, Duan Shiji suddenly realized a crucial problem. "Did you bring chopsticks?"
Hikigaya: "…"
Duan Shiji had made shredded potatoes, broccoli stir-fried with shrimp, and steamed buns today.
If Hikigaya didn't have chopsticks, he'd basically have to just sit there and watch Duan Shiji eat alone.
"…Forget it." Duan Shiji sighed and pulled out a fork from the thermal container's bottom layer. "You can use the chopsticks. I'll use the fork."
"Oh… thanks." Hikigaya accepted the chopsticks and thanked him.
…
Let's put that small duo aside for now. On the other side of the classroom, a group of students radiated a glamorous aura—one look and anyone could tell they were the upper class of the class.
By the way, Yuigahama was also part of that group.
Two members stood out the most. One was the group's central figure, the ace of the soccer club and candidate for the next captain—Hayama Hayato.
The other was Miura Yumiko, with her long, curly golden hair.
"Aww~ I can't today. I have to go to club," Hayama shook his head as he declined.
"Skipping one day won't hurt, right? Today the ice cream shop has a two-scoops special! I want chocolate and cocoa flavor." Miura didn't let up.
"Aren't those both chocolate? Haha."
"Ehh~~ they're totally different, okay? Besides, I'm starving here." Miura Yumiko protested loudly.
"Sorry, I really can't go today. Also, Yumiko, if you eat too much, you might regret it later," Hayama replied again with a smile.
"I don't gain weight no matter how much I eat. Ah~~ I'm definitely eating ice cream today! Right, Yui?"
"Mm~ yup, yup. Yumiko's figure is really good! But, um, I've got something going on today…" Yuigahama followed up with a compliment, while gently hinting at her own plans.
"Exactly~ today's the day for a feast." But Miura only heard the compliment and interrupted before the rest.
As the center of attention, Hayama smiled and said, "Just don't eat so much that you get a stomachache."
"I told you already~~ I don't get fat no matter how much I eat. Right, Yui?" Miura tossed the topic back to Yuigahama again.
"Mm~ Yumiko really does have an amazing figure, and such pretty legs. But today I…" Yuigahama offered more praise, and again tried to bring up her own matter.
"Ehh~ really? But that Yukinoshita girl looks hotter though?" Miura casually interrupted again.
"Ah, true. Yukino is super pretty—" Yuigahama blurted out.
"...…" Miura went silent and turned her head to look at Yuigahama.
"...Ah! No, I mean, I think Yumiko is more glamorous!" Yuigahama realized something was off and quickly tried to patch it up.
Unfortunately, a servant's flattery wasn't enough to soothe the queen's displeasure. Miura narrowed her eyes unhappily.
"Well then. If you guys wait until my club ends, I'll go with you." Hayama, sensing the awkward atmosphere, offered a cheerful suggestion to ease the tension.
The queen finally smiled again, replying happily, "Okay! Be sure to text me later!"
Yuigahama, who'd been shrinking back, also looked relieved.
At the other end of the classroom, Duan Shiji and Hikigaya, still eating, had also taken notice of the scene.
Actually, with how loud they were, it was impossible not to notice…
Duan Shiji let out a sigh.
Aren't you working a little too hard there? Does the class hierarchy have to be this obvious?!
Just then, Yuigahama looked up and locked eyes with Hikigaya.
After gazing at him for a moment, she seemed to make a firm decision, took a deep breath, and said:
"Um… I need to go somewhere during lunch…"
"Oh, okay. Then grab me a lemon tea on the way back, would you? I forgot to bring a drink today, and I'm eating bread for lunch—without tea, it's just impossible to eat." Miura naturally gave the order.
"Eh? B-but, I might not make it back before fifth period starts… I mean, I'll be gone for all of lunch, so maybe…" Yuigahama weakly tried to refuse.
At that, Miura's expression instantly stiffened:
"Huh? Wait, what's going on with you lately? Yui, didn't you say something similar the other day, then left as soon as school ended? You've been really busy, huh!"
"Uhh… how should I put it… I've got some personal things going on… I really can't help it… I'm really sorry…" Yuigahama fumbled through her words.
But that only made things worse. Miura lost patience and slammed her hand on the desk.
The sudden outburst silenced the whole classroom. Hayama and the others awkwardly looked away.
Only the sound of Miura's long fingers tapping the desk echoed in the room.
"I don't get what you're trying to say. If you've got something to say, just say it clearly, okay?! Aren't we friends? Are you hiding something from us? That's not okay, right?!"