Feeding

Watanabe Hayabara returned to his dormitory on his own and fell fast asleep.

The next morning, after washing up, Watanabe Hayabara headed to the classroom for his lessons.

Since it was the first day, the classes mostly consisted of explanations regarding study policies and the like. The teachers were so cheerful and friendly that it didn't feel like a preparatory school at all; they didn't manage the classroom during lessons, ignoring everything from talking and tardiness to playing on phones or sleeping.

"Ayanokoji, don't you think the class management is a bit too lax?"

"Indeed, Horikita."

Watanabe Hayabara listened for a long time, but Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune didn't come to any real conclusion—one was incapable of deep thought, and the other was unwilling to think.

The morning passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for lunch. The students left their seats, pairing up with acquaintances to head off for a meal.

Watanabe Hayabara noticed that Yosuke Hirata was surrounded by a group of girls; it seemed he had extended an invitation for lunch.

"Let's go, Hirata-kun."

Watanabe Hayabara heard that call quite clearly.

He looked over and saw a girl with long yellow hair and a gyaru style grabbing Yosuke Hirata's arm.

Moving fast, aren't you, Hirata?

Watanabe Hayabara didn't know the gyaru who had grabbed Yosuke Hirata; he had left when self-introductions were happening, and he saw no need to learn who she was.

After glancing at the pair, Watanabe Hayabara stood up and walked toward the back door alone.

However, his path was blocked by a figure.

"Is something wrong, Kushida-san? Do you need something?" Watanabe Hayabara flashed his signature smile.

"Actually... I have something I want to ask you. Um... although it's just a small thing." Kushida Kikyo looked quite conflicted.

"Go ahead and say it."

"Ah... yes. Well... I want to get along with everyone in the class as soon as possible, right? So I've been asking for contact information one by one. But... Horikita-san refused me."

"So you want my help, Kushida-san."

"Yes, I noticed you seem to have some interaction with Horikita."

"I'd be happy to help, but it would be better to ask Ayanokoji-kun about this matter. After all, he's been trying to become friends with Horikita-san all this time." As he spoke, Watanabe Hayabara pointed toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Is that so? Thank you, Watanabe-kun."

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to go eat, Kushida-san."

Kushida Kikyo looked a bit bashful. "Is Watanabe-kun eating alone?"

"Yes, I didn't manage to find a lunch partner on the first day."

"Then, would Watanabe-kun like to join me for lunch?" Kushida Kikyo asked softly with a smile, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

Watanabe Hayabara looked at Kushida Kikyo in surprise, hesitated for a moment, and replied, "This... I think Kushida-san shouldn't be lacking for lunch partners."

Kushida Kikyo seemed to have anticipated that Watanabe Hayabara would say this. She chuckled and explained, "Of course not, but I turned them all down because I noticed that Watanabe-kun didn't seem to find a suitable lunch partner on the first day."

Hearing Kushida Kikyo's words, a warmth welled up in Watanabe Hayabara's heart. He said gratefully, "Then thank you very much for joining me for lunch, Kushida-san."

"Let's go then, Watanabe-kun." Kushida Kikyo's lips curled into a sweet smile, and she leaned in closer.

Watanabe Hayabara caught a faint, delicate fragrance that left him feeling somewhat intoxicated. He couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as he followed Kushida Kikyo, the two of them walking out of the classroom side by side.

Along the way, they attracted many gazes. Some people looked at them with curiosity, while others whispered to one another. Kushida Kikyo seemed accustomed to this; she continued to greet people they encountered with enthusiasm and introduced them to Watanabe Hayabara.

Through Kushida Kikyo's introductions, he met quite a few people, which made him feel a sense of novelty and excitement.

Opening up a social circle on the first day? Not bad.

Watanabe Hayabara and Kushida Kikyo were delayed on the road for quite a while before reaching the cafeteria.

"Let me treat you to lunch today, Kushida-san. Consider it a reward for helping me meet so many classmates," Watanabe Hayabara said with a sincere expression.

"No need, Watanabe-kun. Helping you meet more classmates isn't a big deal, right?" Kushida Kikyo replied with a smile as warm as the spring sun.

"Then... could I trouble Kushida-san to agree to one thing for me?" Watanabe Hayabara scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"What is it, Watanabe-kun? As long as it's something I can do, I'd be more than happy to help!" Kushida Kikyo leaned her face toward Watanabe Hayabara, her large eyes blinking with curiosity.

"It's just... it's just that I'd like you to accept my request to treat you to lunch." Watanabe Hayabara finally gathered the courage to say it, his voice trembling slightly.

"Haha, so that's it. Alright then, since Watanabe-kun is so enthusiastic, I can't really refuse." Kushida Kikyo agreed readily, her laughter as crisp and pleasant as silver bells.

Even I'm starting to feel sick. This so-called mask of yours... I'll have to tear it off sooner rather than later.

Watanabe Hayabara looked at Kushida Kikyo with a smile and said to the waiter, "Please bring us two of the most expensive set meals in the shop." The waiter quickly noted the order and left.

Before long, two exquisite set meals were steadily placed on the table by the waiter. The presentation was beautiful, making it look very appetizing.

"Let's eat," Watanabe Hayabara and Kushida Kikyo said almost simultaneously. They picked up their chopsticks at the same time and began to taste the sumptuous meal.

"Mmm, delicious! This really is the most expensive set meal!" Kushida Kikyo chewed her food, squinting her eyes to savor the taste, a satisfied smile on her face.

Pretty average.

Watanabe Hayabara smiled and echoed, "It is indeed delicious; it's well worth the price."

Kushida Kikyo felt a pang of guilt after hearing Watanabe Hayabara's words, so she said, "Watanabe-kun, you really shouldn't have spent so much. I insist on treating you to a meal next time."

Watanabe Hayabara hurriedly waved his hands and said, "No need, Kushida-san. I just think that girls might have more daily expenses than guys, so you should save those points for yourself."

"But... um... ugh..." Kushida Kikyo seemed to want to say something more, but the words caught in her throat. She widened her eyes, staring at the Watanabe Hayabara before her in utter shock, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Watanabe Hayabara didn't give Kushida Kikyo much time to react; he quickly brought the untouched food on his plate to her lips with a gentle yet decisive motion.

Kushida Kikyo's face turned as red as a ripe apple in an instant, the flush visibly spreading across her skin. Her lips trembled slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, she ate the food he had offered.

Watanabe Hayabara simply stared at Kushida Kikyo's flushed little face and smiled faintly.

"May I interrupt?" a gentle female voice rang out from nearby.