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..."
------------------------------------------
Kiana☆ kept chewing her food, her cheeks puffed up, and spoke unclearly while eating,
"I see, Mei☆-senpai is not only beautiful but also incredibly kind-hearted.
Sigh, it's such a pity that little kitten didn't show up. Otherwise, it could have tasted this delicious food. I guess it's just not lucky enough."
Hearing Kiana☆'s generous praise, Mei☆ smiled slightly and gently shook her head, seemingly unwilling to talk much about herself.
Before long, the two finished their lunchboxes completely, and Mei☆ took the lunchbox from Kiana☆ and put it back in her backpack.
After that, Kiana☆ followed behind Mei☆ and walked down the stairs together.
When they reached the stairway where they would part ways, Mei☆ stopped, turned around, waved at Kiana☆, and softly said, "Goodbye, Kiana☆."
Kiana☆ responded with a bright smile,
"Goodbye, Mei☆-senpai."
With these warm parting words, the two brought their brief lunchtime to a perfect close.
After saying goodbye to Mei☆, Kiana☆ quickly returned to her classroom. As soon as she stepped in, her eyes went straight to the seat by the window at the back of the class.
Sure enough, Fu Lin was quietly lying on that desk.
Seeing this, Kiana☆'s eyes lit up instantly. She tiptoed and jogged over to Fu Lin, careful not to make any noise that might disturb the sleeping boy.
Fu Lin lay quietly on the desk, his cheek gently pressed against the cold surface. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a peaceful glow on his face.
His gray-blue hair shimmered with a golden hue under the sunlight, slightly messy, with a few strands gently falling beside his cheek, adding a touch of gentleness and laziness.
His long eyelashes cast faint shadows under his eyelids, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, as if he was having a happy dream.
The slightly open collar of his white shirt revealed his delicate collarbone, and the black tie loosely hung around his neck, giving off a casual vibe.
Only his breathing and the occasional chirping of birds from outside the window intertwined, forming this peaceful afternoon moment.
Secretly observing Fu Lin, Kiana☆ couldn't help but swallow, feeling as if Fu Lin before her was like a delicate cake exuding an alluring aroma.
His smooth skin, thick eyelashes, and gently trembling breath all made one salivate, making her want to pounce and take a bite.
Time ticked by, and Kiana☆ stared blankly at Fu Lin's sleeping face, completely forgetting everything around her.
No one knew how much time passed, when suddenly a voice broke the silence,
"Is it nice to look at?"
The sudden question snapped Kiana☆ back to her senses. She subconsciously nodded and blurted out, "Yes."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Kiana☆ realized what she had said, her face turning bright red as she hurriedly looked up.
Fu Lin had already slowly opened his eyes, his deep, clear gaze fixed on her, a faint, ambiguous smile at the corner of his mouth.
Seeing that Fu Lin had woken up and caught her peeking, Kiana☆'s heartbeat quickened dramatically, as if it were about to jump out of her throat.
Kiana☆ stammered, "W-when did you wake up?"
Fu Lin sat up unhurriedly, reached out to fix his loosened tie, then propped his cheek with one hand, smiling helplessly,
"Isn't it because someone kept staring at me? I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to. I thought I was being looked over from head to toe as if I were naked."
Kiana☆ rolled her eyes at him and quickly changed the subject,
"Hmph, Fu Lin, tell me, why did you sneak away during lunch and not accompany me to the rooftop?
Also, are you avoiding Mei☆? Do you know her? What's your relationship with her?"
As she spoke, Kiana☆ stared intently at Fu Lin.
Hearing this, Fu Lin looked a bit surprised. He didn't expect Kiana☆ to think that way.
However, thinking about it, all these years of teaching weren't in vain — at least Kiana☆ had learned to observe and think.
Thinking of this, Fu Lin's lips curved slightly as he countered, "Oh? You really want to know?"
Kiana☆ glared at him impatiently and urged, "Cut the nonsense! Spill it!"
Seeing Kiana☆ getting anxious, Fu Lin stopped teasing and innocently spread his hands, saying,
"The reason is simple... because I helped her before. You even asked me about it back then."
Upon hearing this, Kiana☆ was momentarily stunned. After a few seconds, her eyes lit up with sudden realization, and she exclaimed,
"I see! So the girl you saved heroically that day was Mei☆-senpai! No wonder you asked me to help her. Now everything makes sense!"
Fu Lin calmly nodded, lying without hesitation and shifting all responsibility onto Kiana☆,
"Hehe, exactly~ So I've always been obediently following your advice.
And to avoid Mei☆-senpai clinging to me endlessly, I've been doing my best to avoid her."
Fu Lin showed an innocent and helpless expression.
Kiana☆ scratched her pink cheek awkwardly and quickly defended Mei☆-senpai,
"Oh come on, Mei☆-senpai isn't like what you say. She's gentle, considerate, understanding, and a great cook.
You, on the other hand, stop thinking all this nonsense. You're not worthy of her, and I won't allow you to have any bad ideas about Mei☆-senpai!
But it's fine, as long as everyone meets tomorrow and explains everything properly, it'll all be good."
Fu Lin looked at Kiana☆ in surprise. After just one meal, she was already siding with someone else. He suddenly understood how Raiden Ryoma must have felt.
But refusal was still necessary. Fu Lin said seriously,
"I refuse..."
Upon hearing this, Kiana☆ slammed both hands onto the desk in front of Fu Lin, leaning forward, her face drawing close to his.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly?"
Then Kiana☆ angrily continued,
"I've already promised Mei☆-senpai to formally introduce you! One must keep their word! That's something you taught me about how to behave!
If you dare to break your promise this time, hmph, don't blame me for being ruthless!
Even if I have to knock you out with a baseball bat and drag you over, I will keep my word and won't hold back!"
Faced with Kiana☆'s aggressive stance, Fu Lin leaned back slightly, a helpless expression appearing on his face. This was the first time he had seen Kiana☆ like this.
Could this all be the choice of Steins; Gate?
Fu Lin sighed lightly, then quickly waved his hands and said,
"Alright, alright, I'm scared of you. I'll go, okay? But you really like Mei☆, don't you?"
Without thinking, Kiana☆ replied,
"Of course."