Boys Were Like That

Li Yu's words left Kato Megumi feeling a little helpless. "That's right, Li Yu. That's why I'm so troubled."

As she spoke, Kato Megumi looked at Li Yu in surprise. "I just didn't expect you to notice me, Li Yu. No one else in class has."

It was unbelievable. She had been paying attention to everyone in class, but when she introduced herself, none of her classmates had even looked her way.

In fact, everyone had acted as if she didn't exist. Aside from the homeroom teacher, Li Yu was the only one who had looked at her. He'd looked at her like he'd seen a ghost, but at least he'd noticed her.

"My situation's a little unusual, so that's why I reacted. Kato, I hope we get along!" Li Yu smiled and formally introduced himself to her.

At Li Yu's words, Kato Megumi kept her expression calm, though the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Likewise."

She was a little happy. There was actually someone in this new class who noticed her. At school, apart from the teachers, hardly any of her classmates ever did.

At least maybe she wouldn't have to be so lonely anymore! Li Yu was also the first classmate to approach her and start a conversation!

While Li Yu and Kato Megumi were talking, Yukino Yukinoshita heard them from the seat in front. She turned around. She hadn't noticed Kato Megumi before.

But she'd heard everything Li Yu said, and only then had she paid attention to the person he was speaking with.

Yukino Yukinoshita was just as astonished as if she'd seen a ghost. What kind of talent was this? Her presence was so faint! If Yukino hadn't focused, she really wouldn't have noticed Kato Megumi.

Although Kato Megumi was sitting right there, some peculiar force made people unconsciously overlook her.

After greeting Kato Megumi, Li Yu brought their conversation to a suitable end. When he turned around, he noticed Yukino Yukinoshita watching him.

"Hello, Yukinoshita." Li Yu nodded to the aloof Yukinoshita.

At his words, Yukino Yukinoshita snapped back to her senses and nodded at him. "Hello."

After that, she turned back around without saying anything else. Li Yu didn't mind.

Unless something unexpected happened, she was probably just like she was in the anime. It would be difficult to get more than a few words out of her.

So Li Yu wasn't about to make a fool of himself by rushing over and clinging to her like some lovesick puppy.

Their corner fell quiet again. Li Yu took out his phone and started watching videos, continuing to learn whatever he could online.

The rest of the class chatted among themselves, getting to know their new classmates.

A few boys also went over to strike up conversations with Yukino Yukinoshita, but she ended each one after just a few words.

That made it clear to everyone that the girl before them wasn't very easy to get along with.

Time passed, and noon soon arrived. When the lunch bell rang, Li Yu stood up and headed to the cafeteria.

As he got to his feet, he glanced at Kato Megumi, then couldn't help asking, "Kato, since you just started at this school, would you like me to show you to the cafeteria?"

Kato Megumi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Li Yu to ask. She'd planned to find her way there herself, but it seemed she wouldn't have to now.

"Sure. Sorry for the trouble, Li Yu." Kato Megumi didn't refuse. She really didn't know her way around the school yet, so having Li Yu show her would make things easier.

"Then let's go. What about you, Yukinoshita? Want to come with us? I noticed you've been paying attention to Kato, too. You're both from the Sakura District, so you could get to know each other."

Kato Megumi looked at Yukino Yukinoshita in surprise when Li Yu said that. Yukino had noticed her, too? She hadn't really paid attention to that.

Yukino Yukinoshita's heart stirred at his suggestion. She glanced at Kato Megumi, then nodded. They were the only two people from the Sakura District in class, so they ought to get to know each other.

"Then I'll come with you." Yukino Yukinoshita quickly gathered her things, then got up and left the classroom with Li Yu and Kato Megumi.

The cafeteria wasn't far from their classroom, and the building itself was quite unusual.

For example, Li Yu's classroom was on the second floor, while the first floor was a vast, open training arena for duels.

It was a place for training. The third floor was for meditation. In a sense, the whole building was for Li Yu and his classmates.

Their class was the only one in the building. Unless anything unexpected happened, they'd have all their classes there from then on.

When they came downstairs, Li Yu led the two girls toward the cafeteria. He walked in front, with Yukino Yukinoshita and Kato Megumi following behind.

The two girls drew close and chatted quietly, while Li Yu in front served purely as their guide.

He didn't shamelessly push in and try to talk to them. After all, the three of them weren't close enough for that yet.

Once he'd brought them to the cafeteria, Li Yu had done his part. There was no need for him to get involved in what came next.

They'd been studying here for a while, so they should already know how to pay for their meals and everything else.

After leading them to the cafeteria, Li Yu went his own way. He picked up a tray and started ordering food.

But not long after Li Yu had finished ordering and sat down, Kato Megumi and Yukino Yukinoshita came over with their meals.

They sat down across from Li Yu, and Kato Megumi even handed him a bottle of water. "Li Yu, have some water."

Li Yu paused at Kato Megumi's words and looked up at her. Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, he didn't refuse.

He took the drink she offered, thanked her, and went back to his meal.

Neither of them minded. They quietly started eating, too. None of the three said a word as they ate in silence.

Boys ate much faster than girls. The two of them had barely eaten anything before Li Yu had already cleaned his plate.

After finishing, Li Yu picked up the drink Kato Megumi had given him and took a few gulps. Then he stood and said, "Take your time. I'm heading out."

With that, Li Yu picked up his tray and left, not noticing how stunned the two girls were.

Watching him go, Kato Megumi couldn't help remarking, "Do boys always eat that fast?"

They hadn't even gotten started, and Li Yu was already done. He'd eaten far too quickly.

"That's normal. Besides, I think he felt a little awkward sitting with us. Maybe it's because we just met." Yukino Yukinoshita could understand.

It was common knowledge that boys ate quickly. People complained about it online all the time.

And she'd noticed that Li Yu had seemed a little uncomfortable sitting with them. She could understand that, too.