"Don't worry, as long as I'm around, no one will be able to hurt you."
....
Fu Lin walked out of the office, his eyes quickly locking onto Kiana☆, who was standing at the punishment station not far away. He walked over and said,
"All right, it's been dealt with. Come back to class with me. But I didn't expect you to actually get physical—honestly, keep it up... pfft, I mean, don't do it again."
Hearing this, Kiana☆ scratched her head awkwardly and mumbled in defense,
"Those girls were too much. What they said was so awful, I got angry and just couldn't hold back."
---------------------------------------
A few days later, on the floor where Kiana☆'s class was located, Mei☆ was currently standing in the corridor, holding a delicate bento box tightly with both hands, pacing back and forth.
Her face showed a trace of nervousness and hesitation, and her eyes occasionally glanced into the classroom, but she never dared to take that step forward.
At that moment, the sharp-eyed Kiana☆ noticed Mei☆ standing at the door and immediately lit up with a surprised smile.
So, Kiana☆ quickly walked out of the classroom, came up to Mei☆, and asked with concern,
"Oh, it's you! Senpai, what's wrong? Did someone bully you again? Tell me quickly!"
Mei☆ gently shook her head, her silky purple hair swaying slightly with the movement.
Then, Mei☆ slightly raised her head, a charming smile at the corner of her lips. She lifted her hand and held out the tightly gripped bento box in front of Kiana☆, speaking softly,
"....I'm Raiden Mei☆. Thank you so much for stepping in to help me without hesitation last time.
I've been wanting to find a chance to thank you in person, but I didn't know how to express my gratitude.
After thinking it over, I finally decided to make this bento for you myself. I just hope you'll like it."
Faced with Mei☆'s sincere smile and gratitude, Kiana☆ was momentarily dazed.
A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and she smiled happily, her eyes turning into curved crescent moons, forming a beautiful arc.
Then, Kiana☆ reached out, cheerfully accepted the bento, and responded with a smile,
"Haha, sure! I'll gladly accept this kind gesture."
Next, Kiana☆ opened the bento. Seeing the plentiful lunch inside, her eyes immediately lit up as she exclaimed,
"Wow! What a feast! Mei☆-senpai, you must be really good at cooking. I wish I could cook too!"
Mei☆ subconsciously nodded, but her gaze didn't remain on Kiana☆ for long. Instead, she occasionally looked over Kiana☆'s shoulder, as if searching for something.
But that familiar figure, the one who haunted her thoughts and dreams, never appeared in her view.
Disappointment gradually crept into Mei☆'s heart. Her brows drooped slightly, and her once-bright eyes dimmed a little.
However, just a moment later, Mei☆ quickly adjusted her emotions, turned her gaze back to Kiana☆ in front of her, and softly asked,
"Um... Kiana☆, would you like to eat lunch together on the rooftop today? Usually, there aren't many people up there."
When Kiana☆ heard Mei☆'s invitation, she was clearly startled for a moment, obviously surprised by the sudden proposal.
But soon, after thinking for a moment, Kiana☆ nodded firmly and responded in a loud, cheerful voice,
"Of course, Mei☆! But... you don't mind if one more person joins us, right?"
Upon hearing Kiana☆'s reply, Mei☆ couldn't help but smile, her lips curving into a gentle, captivating arc.
"Of course I don't mind. I'll wait for you two on the rooftop at noon then."
With that, Mei☆ turned around and walked away with light steps, her goal achieved.
However, at that moment, the Herrscher of Thunder inside Mei☆ frowned and called out in a suspicious tone,
"Hey, what the hell are you up to?
You actually invited someone who might be your love rival to have lunch with you?
Aren't you even a little worried that she might steal your Fu Lin?"
Upon hearing this, Mei☆ slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Kiana☆ who was cheerfully waving at her. Her lips curled into a scornful smile, followed by a disdainful snort as she responded,
"Hmph, after observing these past few days, she's just a naive idiot whose mind is always filled with food and play, not even knowing how to cook.
Other than being pretty, she's just an airhead."
The Herrscher of Thunder nodded thoughtfully, secretly reflecting that she might have been overly sensitive and paranoid.
So, the Herrscher softly agreed,
"Mm... that's true. That girl really does seem like a silly airhead."
....
Time flew by, and the end-of-class bell rang like heavenly music...
Under the surprised gazes of her classmates, Mei☆ picked up the bento box she had carefully prepared, stood up swiftly, and walked cheerfully toward the rooftop with joyful anticipation in her heart.
As she walked, the scene of meeting Fu Lin soon emerged in her mind. Her once-calm heart began to pound like a startled deer.
When Mei☆ finally reached the rooftop, the first thing she saw was the empty bench, and a sense of disappointment welled up in her heart.
But thinking she might have arrived too early, she took a deep breath and tried to calm her excitement.
Then, Mei☆ sat quietly on the bench, her eyes occasionally drifting to the stairwell, patiently waiting for Kiana☆... no, to be exact, waiting for Fu Lin to appear.
Time ticked by slowly, with every minute feeling extra long.
Just then, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps approached, breaking the rooftop's tranquility.
Soon after, Kiana☆ appeared in Mei☆'s view.
Kiana☆ was slightly bent over, holding the bento in one hand and bracing herself against the wall with the other, panting heavily and stammering,
"Mei☆, sorry, I... I'm not late, right?"
Mei☆ gently shook her head, forcing a smile as she replied,
"No, I just got here too.
By the way, where's that friend you mentioned earlier? Why hasn't he come?"
As she spoke, Mei☆ looked past Kiana☆ toward the stairs, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Kiana☆ scratched her head awkwardly, then sat down beside Mei☆ and explained,
"Ah, I'm really sorry! He had something come up last minute, so he couldn't join us for lunch. But it's okay, it'll just be the two of us enjoying this delicious meal today."
Upon hearing this, the corners of Mei☆'s mouth, which had slightly lifted, slowly drooped, and even the bento box she held tightly seemed to grow heavier.
However, Kiana☆ appeared completely unaware of Mei☆'s emotional shift, eagerly opening the bento she had longed for.
With a soft "clack," the bento box was gently opened, and an enticing aroma wafted out.
Kiana☆ couldn't wait and grabbed a pair of chopsticks, quickly picking up a colorful piece of food and putting it into her mouth. After chewing carefully, a satisfied smile bloomed on her face as she praised,
"Wow~ Mei, your bento is absolutely delicious! I wish I could eat this every day!"
Hearing Kiana☆'s enthusiastic praise, Mei☆ stared blankly at the girl who was devouring the food, forcing a faint smile in response,
"Hehe... really? Someone once said the same thing to me. If you like it, I can make it for you every day."
Hearing this, Kiana☆'s eyes lit up and she looked at Mei☆ with excitement, softly saying a little shyly,
"Really? But wouldn't that be too much trouble for you? Cooking isn't exactly easy."
Mei☆ lowered her head slightly, like a shy girl, and murmured,
"It's no trouble at all. I'm already very happy and content just to have you as my friend."
At that moment, Kiana☆'s mouth was stuffed with food, but she still tried to swallow and said,
"Mm! Next time, I'll definitely find a way to bring Fu Lin along so he can be your friend too."
Upon hearing that, Mei☆ tilted her head slightly, a bright smile blooming on her face as she cheerfully replied, "Okay, it's a promise!"
As Mei☆ watched Kiana☆ almost finish off the bento, she gently pulled out another carefully prepared one from her bag and softly asked, "I made an extra one. Want to try it too?"
Kiana☆, who still wasn't quite full, was overjoyed at the sight. After popping the last bite of the first bento into her mouth, she mumbled excitedly, "Wow! Of course, I do. Thanks, Mei☆!"
However, in the next second, as if suddenly recalling something, Kiana☆ froze, raised her head, and looked at Mei☆ with curiosity,
"Mei☆, how come you made so many bentos? Were you planning to share with someone else too?"
Mei☆'s face showed a trace of disappointment at that question, but she quickly hid it.
She gently opened her lips and slowly replied,
"Actually... this bento was originally meant for feeding a cat, but for some reason, he didn't show up today..."
As she spoke, Mei☆'s gaze unconsciously drifted into the distance.
At that moment, Fu Lin, sitting on a bench outside the convenience store, chewing on bread, looked up toward the distant rooftop and muttered,
"Ah~ I really wish I could eat Mei☆'s bento too..."