Kushida, Lunch Buddy

Kikyo Kushida's reply came with a crying emoticon and obvious signs of stress-induced fatigue:

"Lin Mu, are you here to borrow points too? (;′д｀)ゞ"

Lin Mu looked at the message, his brows knitting slightly. He typed quickly:

"No. I just saw you surrounded by people and wondered if you had enough points to last until next month.

You're barely scraping by like this. Aren't you worried they won't pay you back, or that they'll come asking for another loan next time? It's a bottomless pit."

After he sent the message, the other end fell silent for a while before she replied:

"It's okay, Lin Mu. I... lent them the points willingly. We're all friends, after all. I'm happy to help however I can. (′▽`)"

Lin Mu stared at the screen at this classic "Kushida-style" response. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

He had never understood this kind of people-pleasing generosity with seemingly no limits. To him, it seemed both foolish and exhausting.

(Kikyo Kushida's people-pleasing personality... no, no, that's not it.)

But he didn't really know. Maybe this was just Kikyo Kushida's personality, the way she survived and found a sense of security. It wasn't something he could change with a few words.

He sighed and thought it over before sending what, to him, counted as a heartfelt expression of concern:

(A heartfelt message for everyone... hahaha.)

"Fine, as long as it's what you want. But if you don't have money for food, you can come to me. The cafeteria's free meals really are awful and have no nutritional value.

As your... friend, I don't mind buying you a few meals.

But don't ask to borrow money. If I lend it to you, you'll just turn around and lend it to someone else. I'd basically be indirectly supporting a bunch of people I don't even know."

He had never been good at getting along with girls, and he was even worse at saying things like this. Putting together a message like that had taken all the effort he could muster, and even felt a little awkward.

On the other end of the phone, Kikyo Kushida sat at her desk, looking at Lin Mu's message. Her fingertips paused slightly.

Deep in her heart, a warmth she couldn't put into words quietly welled up, instantly washing away the irritation and hurt she had felt from being surrounded by people asking to borrow money.

Compared to those who only flocked around her, using all kinds of sweet words to borrow money without even giving her a definite repayment date—and who looked at her with a hint of...

"You're easy to talk into it" in their eyes... Lin Mu's concern was so direct, even a little clumsy, yet so sincere.

He was only worried she wouldn't have enough to eat, not trying to get anything from her.

That pure, unmotivated kindness felt especially precious when her heart was already struggling to breathe under the weight of "friendship" and "taking."

The difference was clear.

She bit her lower lip and hesitated. Then her fingers danced across the screen as she sent a message with a cute, aggrieved sticker:

"Then... Lin Mu, could you treat me to lunch? I'm... really almost broke, and there are still so many days left this month... (′?皿?｀)"

Almost as soon as she sent it, Lin Mu's reply popped up:

"Sure."

Brief and to the point, as always.

The moment the lunch bell rang, Kikyo Kushida, who was sitting in the middle of the classroom, sprang up from her seat.

Her trademark, lively smile returned to her face, and she walked briskly toward Lin Mu's seat in the back.

"Lin Mu!" she called brightly. "Let's go to the cafeteria together!"

Kikyo Kushida was full of energy, as if she had a little sun shining around her. Standing beside her was Lin Mu, still as languid as ever, so slow to get up that it seemed to take him an extra beat.

His eyes clearly said, "This is such a hassle, but I already agreed." The contrast between them was striking.

One was like a leaping flame, the other like a still pond. Yet somehow, they seemed strangely harmonious and complementary.

Quite a few students in Class D watched them, privately thinking that the two looked good together and complemented each other's personalities. They seemed like a perfect match.

However, several boys who had just managed to borrow points from Kikyo Kushida weren't happy to see this "harmonious" scene.

They exchanged glances and came over with grins.

"Kushida-chan, Lin Mu, are you going to get lunch? Bring us along! It's more fun in a group!"

"Yeah, exactly! Food tastes better when you eat with a bunch of people!"

Their little schemes were clicking away in their heads: if they could eat with Kushida and Lin Mu, maybe one of them would treat them.

Or at least Lin Mu could help cover the cost. They had to make the points they'd just borrowed last, so they might as well get a free meal while they could.

Kikyo Kushida looked at the boys crowding around them, and her face immediately showed her unease.

She didn't want to ruin her carefully maintained image, so she instinctively looked to Lin Mu and left the decision to him. "Well... it depends on what Lin Mu thinks."

At that, Lin Mu didn't even raise his eyelids. He just let out an almost inaudible sigh, privately grumbling, What are they butting in for?

Trying to guilt-trip their way into a free meal? He looked up and glanced at the smiling boys with indifferent eyes. His voice didn't rise or fall:

"No."

Three words. Direct and decisive, leaving no room for discussion.

The boys' smiles froze instantly, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over them. They stood there awkwardly.

They looked at Lin Mu's impassive face, then at Kikyo Kushida, who looked apologetic but was clearly relieved. In the end, none of them dared say anything more.

They could only slink away and look for someone else to approach. After all, if they kept pestering the two, they might end up being ostracized by the class.

Then Lin Mu and Kikyo Kushida walked out of the classroom side by side, crossed the corridor, and headed for the cafeteria.

Once they got there, Lin Mu had planned to order two of the most expensive meals—he had money to spare, after all.

But Kikyo Kushida quickly stopped him.

"You don't have to order something that expensive, Lin Mu!"

She waved her hands, her voice gentle but firm. "A mid-priced meal is fine!

I'm already really happy that you're treating me. It's still much better than eating the free salad set!"

She knew Lin Mu might have plenty of money, but she didn't want him to think she was taking advantage of him.

Lin Mu glanced at her. Seeing how serious she was, he gave in and ordered two mid-priced meals.

The two of them found a relatively quiet corner and sat down.

The food wasn't particularly fancy, but compared to the free meals, it was on another level.

They chatted as they ate. Kushida did most of the talking, sharing little bits of inconsequential campus gossip—which teacher had interesting lessons, what new shop had opened on the commercial street.

Funny stories about everyone after the club recruitment drive... The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, with no forced friendliness or heavy burdens.

After this, the two of them seemed to grow closer without either of them noticing.

During the day, Kikyo Kushida would occasionally bring Lin Mu some cookies she had baked herself or candy newly stocked at the academy's convenience store.

And whenever Kushida was surrounded by a group of "friends" asking to borrow money, looking troubled, Lin Mu would help her out by using "I need to talk to her" as an excuse.

Time passed at an unhurried pace.

Class D's general anxiety and struggles continued, and the pressure of midterms hung over them like a dark cloud.

But Lin Mu's life went on as orderly as ever.

He just had someone new by his side: a lunch buddy who was always full of energy, sometimes a little noisy, but somehow comfortable to be around.

This... didn't seem so bad. Lin Mu would sometimes think that, then go back to focusing on the lollipop in his mouth and the clouds outside the window.

(Activity period: May 1 to May 5)