The teacher on the podium droned on and on; down below, Yukio was miles away, wondering what to eat tonight.
A profoundly philosophical issue, really—"What should I eat?" often stumped the human soul.
When the dismissal bell rang he remembered that all the club-budget paperwork was finally done, so the student council was blissfully idle; he didn't have to show up for several days.
Yukio headed straight for Shiina and Ibuki. "Anything you two feel like for dinner?" If one can't think of an answer, why not ask someone else?
"Sorry, Yukio-kun," Shiina apologized airily, stepping over to stand with Ibuki. "Mio and I already planned to go shopping this evening."
Ibuki froze, turned her head a fraction, and avoided Yukio's eyes. Shiina can lie without even blushing or stammering? I'm no match for her…
"Oh? Then I'll head back to the dorm. Enjoy your outing." At the word shopping Yukio beat a tactical retreat.
He was mildly curious—quiet Shiina and shopping-averse Ibuki hitting the mall together? Odd.
Maybe they were buying underwear; that would explain two girls who normally hated shopping teaming up. Either way he'd rather return to the dorm for games and anime.
Only after Yukio was out the door did Ibuki exhale. "I thought he'd call us out—he looked pretty suspicious."
"He won't," Shiina laughed. "Yukio-kun hates shopping. We didn't invite him, so of course he escaped."
"Tsk." A twinge of jealousy hit Ibuki. Shiina really understands him better; I have to catch up!
Shiina, oblivious, linked arms like a best friend. "Let's go, let's go."
Two steps later Ibuki gasped. "Wait! I forgot to ask his favorite flavors!"
Shiina almost jumped, then patted her chest. "It's fine—I know. Let's buy the ingredients first."
Ibuki's eyes hardened. After Valentine's I have to learn his tastes too—no more lagging behind Shiina.
…
Back in the dorm corridors Yukio felt the school—more precisely, the girls—were acting strange.
Some passed by blushing "kyaa kyaa," others skipped along as though something wonderful was coming.
Puzzled, he felt his phone buzz. A message from Karuizawa:
["Hey, I just noticed you buy canned coffee sometimes. Do you really like coffee? You always pick different brands."]
["Yeah. I'm sampling until I find one I love; then I'll stick with it."]
["Ooh~ ☺️"]
["Do you prefer classic bitter or something sweeter?"]
["Sweet, but not too sweet."]
He couldn't even recall when he'd grown to like coffee—this life's habit or the last? He remembered only brewing a cup on rainy nights in the previous life, feeling the warmth melt fatigue.
Karuizawa went silent. Before he pocketed the phone another buzz—Kushida:
["Yukio-kun, I'm at Palette getting milk tea. Want me to bring one to the dorm?"]
["Less ice, half sugar, thanks."]
["Roger! 💕"]
Then Sakayanagi:
["Yukio-kun, in your hometown people argue over sweet vs. salty douhua, sweet vs. salty zongzi. Which are you?"]
["Sweet douhua. Zongzi salty—with a dusting of sugar."]
They chatted flavor wars until he reached his room. He'd barely sat when knock knock.
Ichinose stood there with a pastry box. "We over-bought for a Class C tea party—take some so they don't go to waste!"
He picked a few; Ichinose declined tea because her classmates were waiting and hurried off.
Finally Kushida delivered the milk tea. Yukio sat on the sofa, anime on screen, tea and pastry in hand—and frowned.
Why is every girl acting weirder than usual today?
...
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