Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139838626691253/episodes/822139839595405414
Ding-dong-ding-dong…
Fourth period ended, and lunch break began.
“I’m starving~”
“Let’s hit the cafeteria~”
“Afternoon practice is such a drag~”
While students scattered in their own directions—some heading to the cafeteria, others spreading out their boxed lunches, or heading to club practice—Nanase came over to me as usual.
“Kurose-kun. Want to eat lunch?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Today, I packed lots of your favorite karaage chicken.”
“Oh? That’s something to look forward to.”
“Yeah. Eat up.”
As usual, I borrowed the desk in front from Aiba and sat across from Nanase to start eating our boxed lunches.
“Oh well… How enviable… Well then, I’ll just disappear since I’m in the way…”
Just as Aiba started leaving the classroom muttering something like that, the entrance suddenly became noisy.
“Kyaa, Hoshikawa san!!”
“Hoshikawa san, what’s wrong!?”
“Are you eating in our classroom!?”
The girls let out shrieks of delight.
The boys left in the classroom started fidgeting.
It seemed Hoshikawa had come to visit our class during lunchtime.
“Yeah, is it okay if I join you for lunch today?”
“Of course!!”
“You’re more than welcome, Hoshikawa san…!!”
Hoshikawa entered the classroom, followed by a crowd of girls.
All the classmates’ eyes instantly focused on Hoshikawa.
“Excuse me. I’m Hoshikawa Rino.”
“H-Hoshikawa-san…!”
“I saw your MV the other day!”
“I’m rooting for your idol activities…!!”
“H-Hoshikawa-san is always welcome here…!”
Boys who seemed to be Hoshikawa’s fans said such things in nervous voices.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m so happy so many people support me.”
Hoshikawa responded with a smile to them.
“I thought about eating in the cafeteria today… but I guess I’m in the mood for the classroom after all…”
Aiba, who had been about to leave the classroom, had quietly slipped back in without anyone noticing.
“Ku, Kurose-kun…!”
“Huh…?”
“You’re staring too much…!”
Caught off guard, I couldn’t take my eyes off Hoshikawa, earning me a scolding from Nanase.
“I, I get that Hoshikawa-san is cute… but… right now, I’m eating with you…”
“Ah, yeah. Right.”
“I… I wish you’d just… look at me… maybe…”
Nanase said this while fidgeting nervously.
“S-sorry about that. I was just startled because she came over so suddenly. I’ll be more careful.”
“I-it’s nothing… I’m not mad or anything…? D-don’t think I’m a… troublesome girl…?”
“I-I don’t think that…”
“Well, that’s good then…”
I tried my best to find the right words to dispel Nanase’s unease.
After finally calming Nanase down, I started eating lunch as usual.
But even then, I kept stealing glances at Hoshikawa, trying not to let Nanase notice.
Hoshikawa seemed to be looking for an empty seat.
“Where wouldn’t be in the way?”
“H-Hoshikawa-san… if you don’t mind, there’s space around me…”
“H-Hoshikawa-san…! Would you like to eat with our group…?”
“Hmm, I wonder… There are a lot of us over here, I wonder if everyone can fit?”
While Hoshikawa’s group wandered, politely declining invitations from the boys, a bold individual charged forward alone.
“H-Hoshikawa-san…! Would you like to eat with my group?”
“Eh…?”
“I-I’m Aiba…! I’ve been following H-Hoshikawa-san for a while now… Ah, I-I’m not a stalker or anything!? I mean, I watch all your MVs over and over, and I watch every single show you’re in…!”
“Ah, thanks?”
“So… if you haven’t decided on a seat yet, would you like to eat with my group…? My best friend Ren really wants to eat with you too!!”
“…Huh!?”
Suddenly dragged into this, I nearly spit out my food.
“Eh, Kurose-kun?”
“Yeah..!! My best friend, Kurose Ren!! He’s an even bigger fan of Hoshikawa san than I am!! I’m basically inviting her on his behalf…!!”
“Hey, Aiba!?”
What the hell is this guy saying!?
“So, please, come eat with us!! We’re both huge fans of Hoshikawa san, so it’ll be totally chill…!!”
“R-Really…?”
Hoshikawa glanced at me.
I shook my head at Hoshikawa and glared at Aiba.
“Hey, Aiba, I…”
“Ah, you don’t need to listen to this guy. It’s all just him covering up his embarrassment. The truth is, he’s dying to get closer to you, Hoshikawa san!! Come on, look… I’ll just move the desks over…”
Aiba started moving the desks around without permission.
“What do you say, Hoshikawa-san?”
“Eat at Aiba’s place…?”
Asked this by the girls around her, Hoshikawa nodded slightly, her gaze lowered.
“Y-yeah, I guess so. Might as well… Can I sit here…?”
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