Lunch at Yamada High wasn't chaos exactly—but it had *potential*.
By the time the bell rang, half the first-years were already power-walking to beat the rush, either carrying pre-packed bentos or hunting down the shortest line at the cafeteria counter. Some looked lost, turning their schedules around in circles. Others already walked in casual packs, like they'd always belonged here.
Ren Fujiwara strolled down the corridor like he'd just emerged from a commercial for high-end bottled water.
"No hurry," he said confidently to Akari. "We arrive when the time is *right*."
Akari, a step behind him, adjusted the strap of her bag. "You say that now. Just wait till we end up with cafeteria curry that tastes like it lost its will to live."
"I've already made peace with mystery meat."
"You'd probably compliment it for trying its best."
"If it looked up at me with the right angle, I might."
They rounded the final hallway and entered the cafeteria, a wide, sunlit space filled with the low hum of chatter, clinking trays, and the scent of fried chicken, miso, and burnt toast.
Ren's eyes swept the room automatically. The layout was simple: rows of long rectangular tables in the center, smaller circular ones near the windows, and a hot food line snaking against the back wall. Students were already grouped in twos and threes, cliques slowly forming like condensation on glass.
Akari squinted. "Middle table's already half full. Should we grab food first or lock down seats?"
Ren narrowed his eyes with the focus of a general plotting siege. "Seats. Then food. We're not amateurs."
Akari raised an eyebrow. "And you're okay with eating *after* the good chicken karaage is gone?"
He straightened his blazer like he was accepting a challenge. "I'll charm my way into a fresh batch if needed."
They claimed a two-seater near the corner, half-shadowed by a pillar. Not too visible, but not tucked away like loners. Strategic positioning.
Akari dropped her bag beside her seat. "Alright, superstar. Go grab your tray."
Ren gave a mock salute. "Wish me luck on the battlefield."
She watched him weave through the cafeteria, confident without looking cocky, smooth in a way that made it *very* easy for people to like him—even if it was just a two-minute interaction over chicken cutlets.
She didn't realize she'd been staring until a voice broke through beside her.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Akari turned—and blinked.
It was Kaito Minami, the boy who'd been seated next to Ren in class that morning. He had a plain bento box in his hand and an expression that hovered between polite interest and quiet caution.
"Oh—uh, sure," Akari said, motioning to the open seat across from her. "Go ahead."
He sat down with the same calm energy he carried everywhere. Nothing showy. No unnecessary movements. Just… neat.
"I figured you and Ren would be surrounded by now," he said after a moment,unwrapping his chopsticks.
Akari scoffed lightly. "Give it time. He's still calibrating the charisma."
Kaito smiled faintly. "He's definitely got a… presence."
"Yeah. He likes to think of himself as the sun."
"Blinding and unpredictable?"
"Exactly."
They both laughed, and the awkwardness thinned slightly. Akari glanced at Kaito's bento—homemade, clearly. Rolled omelet, rice shaped into tiny triangles, vegetables arranged too neatly to be accidental.
"Yours?" she asked, nodding at it.
"My sister," he said. "She's in culinary school. This is her practice canvas."
Akari grinned. "Must be nice. I got my mom's 'I had ten minutes and no energy' special."
Kaito looked up. "And Ren?"
"He's probably seducing the lunch lady as we speak."
As if summoned, Ren returned, tray in hand—somehow balancing karaage, a small curry bowl, and a carton of milk like a waiter in a five-star restaurant.
He paused when he saw Kaito.
"Oh. Reinforcements," he said, sliding into the seat beside Akari. "Minami, was it?"
"Kaito's fine," he said calmly. "Hope you don't mind."
Ren set his tray down carefully, flashing a tight, neutral smile. "Of course not."
Akari caught the slight tension but said nothing.
They ate in silence for a few moments—until a voice rang out from two tables away.
"*Oi!* Tanaka! Fujiwara! New guy with nice hair!"
They all looked up.
It was Daichi Morita, waving like he was flagging down a rescue helicopter. He was standing on the bench seat, tray in hand, grinning like a Labrador.
Beside him sat Rio Hayashi, who had one earbud in and was smirking up at him like a babysitter indulging a hyper kid. Nagi was already seated at the same table, hood up, earbuds in, stabbing his mashed potatoes with chopsticks.
"I saved a spot!" Daichi called. "Come sit with us next time!"
Rio gave a little finger wave. "I told you they'd sit together. Pay up."
Daichi groaned. "Fine, fine, you win!"
Nagi didn't look up. "Someone hand me a sock so I can stuff it in his mouth."
Ren blinked. "Was that… aimed at us?"
Akari looked amused. "Looks like they made a bet."
"About what?"
"About *us*, probably."
Kaito nodded. "They seem friendly."
Ren watched the trio for a second longer, unsure what to make of the sudden invitation.
He turned to Akari. "Are we… joiners?"
"Maybe not today."
"Right."
---
By the time lunch was winding down, students were starting to shuffle back toward the halls, some tossing wrappers into bins, others still chatting as they packed up.
Akari leaned back slightly in her chair, stretching her arms behind her. "Honestly, that wasn't too bad."
Kaito stood, tucking his bento back into his bag. "Thanks for the seat. I'll see you guys in class."
Ren gave him a polite nod. "Likewise."
Once he was gone, Ren turned to Akari.
"He's… polite."
"You sound like you want to say *suspiciously* polite."
"Because he is. No one's that calm on day one."
"Some people are just normal."
Ren poked at his curry with his chopsticks. "You're going to replace me with him, aren't you?"
Akari snorted. "You're replaceable?"
"Never. But hypothetically."
"Relax. Your ego's safe."
He grinned. "Thank god."
---
As they stood and started walking toward the exit, Rio intercepted them halfway.
"You two *are* interesting," she said cheerfully, falling into step beside them.
Akari tilted her head. "We're not that interesting."
"Maybe not yet. But I'm pretty good at spotting good storylines."
Ren blinked. "Are we in a TV show?"
Rio smiled. "Wouldn't that be fun?"
Before either of them could respond, she gave them a small wave and drifted away.
Akari watched her go. "Okay, that girl is trouble."
Ren sighed. "Beautiful trouble. The worst kind."
They left the cafeteria in a loose stream of students, returning to the warm corridors of Yamada High—where rumors were already forming, alliances subtly brewing, and the first cracks in Ren and Akari's comfortable rhythm had barely started to show.