CH 18

My throat was unusually dry. It felt like the water on my body gradually dried up. Along with panic, my heart beat faster.

"...Hey, am I wrong?"

"Er...? I think it's normal that lunch boxes can become similar at times..."

I tried to make an excuse, but I couldn't think of a good one. This might be how it felt to have other people 'checkmate' me.

"No way! It's not only similar but exactly alike! Not only the dishes, but the arrangements are the same. And both of your lunch boxes aren't bought from the convenience store. It's even more unlikely!"

"Uhh..."

I sighed and looked up at the tree. Somehow, I felt like the swaying tree was laughing at me, the stupid clown.

Ahh, the wind was comfortable~ The leaves were lush green~ Hahaha...

"Are you escaping the reality, Tokiwagi-san?"

"Stop being so on point when reading my feelings. Rather, don't do it."

"It's clear in your face. But why do you have to escape?"

"Hey, look at our current situation before you speak."

"We're having a fun lunch with two other people."

"Haa... I'm suddenly very tired."

"Then you should eat today's ginger pork. It helps to relieve fatigue."

"I don't mean it like that..."

I sighed at Wakamiya's unwillingness to hide our relationship. She didn't look upset. Rather, she didn't understand why I became tired.

And the other two people were intently watching our interaction. Kenichi's eyes were shining brightly.

"Towa, I have been thinking about this, you know~"

"Hm? What is it..."

"This sounds corny, but you two are having a matching lunch box, plus it seems like you are in good terms——"

I started to eat the lunch box, ignoring Kenichi who talked a bit too much. Yes, I had fully understood the troublesome development that would appear after this.

"Are you guys dating?"

Kenichi's grinning face made me extremely angry. I stopped eating and looked at him with a glare.

"No. We're living in the same neighbourhood. That's it."

"We're not dating," Wakamiya also denied in time. Although it was the truth, she said that without a change in her facial expression. It made me feel something indescribable... But then, its better that she denied it curtly rather than having her hesitating and making things strange.

Some of the other students who were looking at us looked slightly relieved.

"Hmm. Is that really it?"

"No, I——"

I cleared my throat to stop Wakamiya from talking. "It's true that Wakamiya is sharing her food out of kindness. Kenichi... you know my apartment, right?"

"Ah, well..."

"...Kenichi, what is he talking about? Can I know?"

Kenichi glanced at me. It's like he was asking me with his eyes, "What should I do?"

"It's not really something that I can't tell other people. To put it simply, I live in a run-down apartment. It's not even funny anymore. In other words, I don't have money."

"...I see."

Fuji-san looked away awkwardly. But her reaction only made me awkward too...

"With my explanation, Kenichi and Fuji-san should've understood, right? You guys are smart after all."

"I don't understand, though?"

"...Me either."

I dropped my shoulders and took a deep breath.

"Wakamiya found out about my situation by chance... yeah, it accidentally happened, and she couldn't leave me alone. That's why she took care of me."

"Hmm... I see."

"What's with that face? You don't believe me?"

"How can I say this? Let's say you're right, then I understand about the lunch box. I also think that you're pretty similar to a pitiful little animal. So it makes sense that she wants to feed you."

"Animal... You're really rude... But you're right."

"Then how about your study? Judging from this development, it's thanks to Wakamiya that Towa suddenly started studying, right?"

I chewed the omelette. I knew that Kenichi would say that.

"Well, it comes together with the meal, I guess. Now that I think of it, I can't thank Wakamiya-san enough for her kindness. This feels like a kind angel is helping a lost pitiful sheep like me."

"You're twisting it like that, huh."

"Say all you want. I've told you the truth."

"The truth, eh~? I don't believe you."

"It's not like what you all imagined. I'm a pitiful man who is content with her nosiness. That's it. No more and no less than that. That's why——"

I took a deep breath.

"Stop making strange suspicions. You're troubling Wakamiya-san," I said. As an afterthought, I added, "You sure are persistent."

Kenichi, who had been foolishly smiling for a while stopped laughing. His expression changed to a serious one.

For some reason, Fuji who sat next to him sighed in disappointment.

"...Tokiwagi-kun, Rin is——"

Ding dong, ding dong

The bell rang, interrupting Fuji's words. I took a breath and cleared up the lunch box.

"Then, that's all for this matter."

"W-wait, Towa! We haven't fini——"

"Just leave it at that. We need to go to the class soon."

"Tokiwagi-san, later——"

I could faintly hear Wakamiya's voice. But I left that place without looking back.

Her expression, which I saw for a moment, seemed to be angry...

Was it my imagination?