"This… this is amazing," Matthew said, scooping another bite of beef stew into his mouth. He leaned back slightly, chewing with real satisfaction.
"God, I missed this." It has been so long since he had something so good!
He sat alone at the far end of the cafeteria, a full tray in front of him—steamed rice, grilled chicken, beef stew, dumplings, and a side of roasted vegetables. It was too much food for one person, but he didn't care. He picked up a fried spring roll and bit into it without hesitation.
"In the end… I really died without eating anything I actually liked," he mumbled to himself. "All those restrictions. Boiled vegetables. No salt. No red meat. Nothing spicy. Couldn't even drink soda." What's the use of money if you are too sick to even eat the food that you like?
He took a gulp of iced tea and exhaled.
"Being young and healthy is definitely a good thing."
He paused for a moment and stared at the tray. Then he reached for a second helping of rice and dumped the rest of the beef stew over it. There were a few students looking his way, mostly because of how much food he had, but he ignored them. He had no intention of eating like some well-mannered heir today.
He picked up the chicken leg, tore into it, and muttered, "You really don't appreciate what you have until it's gone."
His hands didn't tremble anymore. He didn't need help holding utensils. No more nurses spoon-feeding him or watching his sugar intake. No more IVs. No more pills.
He grabbed another dumpling, dipped it in soy sauce, and popped it into his mouth.
He was genuinely enjoying himself. After years of counting calories and swallowing bitterness, this was the first real meal he'd had in decades. The cafeteria staff hadn't changed much, either. Same seasoning. The same soft bread rolls on the side. The same slight overuse of garlic that he remembered complaining about back then. "Should I reward them for their cooking?" he mumbled.
He looked down at his tray again. There were only scraps left.
"I used to hate school food," he said as he picked up the last spring roll. "Now I'd kill for another tray."
He leaned back again and rested both hands on his stomach.
"This life might not be so bad," he said quietly. "Not if I can do it right this time."
Then he stood up, picked up his empty tray, and headed for the return station. He was about to ask the cafeteria lady for more food when he heard a voice behind him.
"Hey, Matthew, how dare you block our way!?"
Matthew looked behind him. Catherine stood there with May and Elisa, her phone in hand, eyes fixed on the screen like he didn't exist.
"Great," he muttered. "Of all the people in the universe... bad luck really doesn't change, does it?"
He turned back to the cafeteria lady. "Can I get another tray of beef stew? Two spring rolls. And that garlic chicken too. Thanks. Right, a cup of rice is good enough."
As she started scooping food, May stepped forward and bumped her shoulder into his. Not hard, but enough to get his attention.
"Why are you acting like you're the one who's been wronged?" May asked. "You insulted Catherine. You should be begging for her forgiveness, not walking around like you don't care."
Matthew didn't look at her. "No, thanks," he said as he pointed to the fried dumplings behind the glass. "And one more of those too. Two servings, please. Thanks"
Seeing this, May blinked. "Excuse me?"
He took the new tray and moved it to the side to let the next person order. He didn't want to deal with this. He just wanted to sit and eat again. But May followed.
"What is your deal, Matthew? Seriously. Why are you acting like this?"
He sighed, still not facing her. He looked down at his tray, then slowly turned to meet her eyes.
His gaze shifted to Catherine, who hadn't looked up once. She stayed glued to her phone, completely uninterested in the scene happening next to her.
Of course. That was always how it went. Back then, too. Catherine likes to let her dogs bark while she stands by looking like a saint.
He looked at May. "Move."
"No," May said. "Not until you apologize. You embarrassed Catherine earlier. You threw money at her like she's cheap. Say sorry."
Matthew set his tray down on a nearby counter. "Apologize for what?" he asked. "For giving someone a gift?"
"You humiliated her," May shot back.
"I offered her something, a fucking card with no limit. She didn't want it. That's not my fault," Matthew said plainly. "How is that humiliation?"
May opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
Catherine finally spoke. "May, leave it. Let's go."
"But Cathy—"
"Just leave it. He's not worth it."
May huffed. "You're too nice, Cathy. If he ever comes crawling back, don't forgive him."
Matthew rolled his eyes, picked up his tray, and was about to walk back to the corner when May suddenly called him. "Oi, why are you leaving?" she asked.
Matthew paused and looked at her. "Are you stupid or something? Do you want me to eat here?"
"You—" May's eyes widened. Then she huffed. "Aren't you supposed to pay for our lunch?"
"Huh?" Matthew tilted his head and recalled that since the year started, he had been paying for Catherine and her friends' lunch. "Why would I?"
"You—" May started again, pointing a finger at him. "You made Catherine cry earlier. After that kind of scene, the least you could do is pay for her lunch."
Matthew blinked. "Why would that be my responsibility?"
Elisa crossed her arms. "Because you embarrassed her in front of everyone!"
Matthew stared at the two of them. "So let me get this straight. I gave her a gift, she slapped me, humiliated me in public, and I'm still supposed to pay for her food?" He tilted his head. "Are you both stupid or something?"
May's face turned red. "How dare you—!"
"Elisa, May. It's fine." Just as Matthew expected, Lenox's voice cut in from behind them. He stepped forward, hands casually tucked in his pockets. He looked at the girls and gave them a small nod.
"I'll pay for your food today," Lenox said. "Don't worry about it."
May instantly relaxed. "Thank you, Lenox."
Lenox turned to Matthew next. "Stop acting like a brat, Matt. Catherine's not feeling well. She didn't even have breakfast today."
Matthew shrugged. "Then good thing someone like you is willing to feed her."
He walked past Lenox without another glance and returned to his seat in the corner. He sat down, picked up his spoon, and dug into the new plate like nothing happened. However, just as he thought that was the end of trouble, he saw Lenox walking his way.
"Troublesome…" he sighed. He just experienced death. Can he just eat in peace?