After the fourth period, the bell for break rang. Everyone was leaving with their friends and I, still being friendless, was left alone–no one even approached me.
However, Ito looked at me for a while and was about to call me, but he was surrounded by friends—specifically girls, so he couldn't do anything.
He happened to still see me so I gave him an intense stare trying to send a message.
Invite me to come with you! Please!
He already wanted to call me so this was sort of my way of saying, "Yes, I want to come with you." Unfortunately, he didn't get the message and left shortly after.
"Heugh."
I sighed at my predicament though I suppose there was nothing to be done
I guess I'll just head out on my own, again. Luckily, there's always the trustworthy and always reliable Hiro.
I was on my seat arranging my books as I was leaving for lunch until—
"Nakamura."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna have lunch together? I wanted to ask that in the morning but we had class," Suzuki said casually.
So that's what she wanted to ask? Also, how can she say it so casually? Like it's nothing.
Come on, how could I say no? I definitely can't say no. I will say—
"No," I managed to squeeze out.
"Huh? Why?"
"The thing is, my best friend and I have lunch together."
I would have still said yes in a heartbeat–sorry, not sorry Hiro–but I happened to watch a video recently that said bros before hoes.
Not that I'm not implying Suzuki is a hoe but…
"Why do you look like you're thinking something rude?" she asked.
What kind of Godly intuition is that?
"Trust me I'm not…Not like I have the gall to," I said that last part under my breath.
Why would I mess with a gyaru? Do I look like a madman? I hope I don't.
"Wait, don't you're shy," Suzuki smirked. "Nakamura-kun, are you shy? Yes or no."
More scared than shy.
"N-No, I'm not."
"I totally heard you, you said yes didn't you? Nakamura-kun~ just tell the truth," she smirked.
"Uh—Um, I, uh—Fine then just forget what I said."
"Nope. I won't," she grinned.
"Heugh," I sighed.
"Anyway, that's enough teasing. I mean, I don't want you to try and change seats. Also, if you ever change your mind about lunch, head over to my table. See ya."
Suzuki left to the cafeteria—swaying her hips, left and right in a rhythmic motion, seductive actually.
I was looking with my tongue out like a happy dog but stopped myself because people were staring.
I stood up to leave, however, on entering the cafeteria all I could see were long lines.
Come on man.
After getting a meal ticket, I got on a long line and just managed to get to a meal though I got a cheaper lunch set than last time.
It cost 5,000 Rp, even though the price difference between this and the last one was quite small—being just 3,000 Rp, I was at least saving.
However, even when I got a meal and went to Hiro's table something unexpected happened.
The table was full of girls and had no free tables. How could it be so full in less than 5 minutes?
The girls on the table looked pleased with themselves, most being unable to hold their laughter.
It seems the girls are barely holding back their laughter. I don't think it's presumptuous of me to deem them the suspects.
I silently accepted defeat and left—I could see Hiro's face of disappointment directed at the girls but even he was powerless in the face of the girls.
He couldn't just chase them away though I still would have preferred for him to do something but I supposed it was fine.
I walked around looking for Suzuki's table but all to no avail but of course I kept looking around because I didn't particularly enjoy standing and eating.
And here I thought I could depend on 'the trustworthy and always reliable Hiro.'
"Hey, why the hell are you cutting?!"
"Why would I wait for an extra to get his lunch?"
"Huh? What kind of BS is that?"
"It seems you lot have forgotten your place."
I might be wrong since I haven't seen everyone yet, but it seems students from my class are fighting people from another class.
Wait a minute. That boy from the opposing class, he's the one I helped yesterday.
"Our place? Our place?! Whether you're in Class Beta or not that doesn't mean you can't cut the line," said the representative for the people from my class that were in the line.
"Even students from Class Gamma and Delta are quiet, so why are you angry?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"I don't have the energy to speak to an idiot like you so can you quiet down."
"This is—"
Before he could finish, his friend, Miyamura, or so Suzuki said yesterday, came and held him back as if to say it was not worth it.
My classmates were backing down until—
"So, you'll let them boss you around like that, huh? Maybe you really are an idiot. Well, you are in Class Epsilon so no shock there."
A lone voice spoke—not commanding, not demanding, just enough to throw fuel at the fire.
There was silence for a while until Miyamura, still trying to calm himself down, spoke up.
Looks like it's about to go down.
"Fuck this shit," Miyamura swore, punching the Class Beta student that talked to his friend.
Instigation.
It's a dangerous thing, a form of gaslighting or rather gaslighting in its truest form.
If you're in a calm or normal state of mind, it's useless but if you're even a little agitated then it's like matches that start a forest fire.
To a viewer not paying attention, this is completely random, however, it was planned.
Whoever did that probably did it intentionally.
It turned into a full-on fight though it was mostly one sided. Punches and kicks were thrown on each side or so it seemed.
On closer inspection it wasn't one-sided–it was a beatdown. Class Beta didn't attack back or even try to block.
It wasn't like they were capable of handling it because they didn't complain as their faces were bruised severely from being a punching bag.
It was almost like Class Beta were allowing themselves unless—
Is this part of some plan? Though unlikely, everything now feels too easy, almost intentional, however, I can't conclude anything now and must wait and see.
After some time, my classmates stopped to catch their breath.
"Switching to violence, huh? Typical for Class Epsilon, I mean you are a bunch of idiots," a student from Class Beta managed to speak, his mouth severely bruised.
"It seems your brain needs more rattling. Just keep quiet or you might end up in the hospital," Miyamura's friend voiced his exasperation.
"I will—"
"You won't be doing anything of the sort. If you guys continue then I will call a teacher."
The student from Class Beta was cut short by a student, one not from my class and not from Class Beta.
It was Hayashi, the girl from the train—a student from Class Alpha.
Why is she intervening? I suppose it's because of the fight but is that her only reason, or is there another one?
No, there probably isn't an ulterior motive or it isn't yet visible, perhaps it's because she wants to apply for the student council.
Anyway, the fight created by Class Beta is very clear to see that it's a ploy but why…
After Hayashi spoke confidently both Class Beta and Class Epsilon left quietly.
I lost my appetite and left my food on a table. I went back to class, though on the way I saw a vending machine that had a QR scanner.
Since I didn't get lunch and would most likely get grumpy later, I got a canned drink. It was called Mitsuya Cider.
I stood by the wall and cracked open the drink, I was curious on how it tasted.
Gulp, Gulp, Gulp.
"Eugh!"
I took a deep sigh.
"Damn, it's way too sweet."
Anyway, you gotta love the point system of this school, or so your average high schooler would say.
Its structure makes it way too easy to spend, which should be counter-productive considering its government owned.
If every student got 100,000 Rp like I did, then they would be spending 75,000,000 yen for just expenditures, not to mention living expenses and other miscellaneous expenditures.
This school is—
"Heugh," I sighed, throwing my can in the trashcan.
I don't know what they are planning, and I probably won't be able to find out so it's better if I just let it go.
After all, it's best to leave the exceptional cases to the exceptional, and the average cases to the average.
***
Author's Note:
Heyo! What did you think of this chapter? A case is brewing, I can feel it–well, I wrote it so it's less of a feeling that a case is brewing, and more of I know that a case is brewing.
At any rate, the next few chapters are where the volume actually gets good–I promise.
I know I said that for the Satou chapter too but this time I am sure.
Also, please comment and share because it really helps and motivates me–because look at it from my perspective, I edit a chapter I wrote a while ago, and after I post it I wait till it's getting late before checking for comments and views.
I know I'm just beginning and all that but still…Anyway, enough with my rant.
Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.