Prolonged sitting was never a good habit.
Back when Ryan worked as a manga artist, he had even developed mild cervical spondylosis from sitting too long.
Although he had now transmigrated into a much younger and healthier body, if he didn't take care of himself, he might end up repeating the same mistakes.
Aside from the first two breaks—when many students from other classes came by to satisfy their curiosity about the new transfer student from the U.S.—Ryan had answered almost every question anyone could think of.
So, by the next break, the initial excitement had already faded. He was no longer surrounded by a large crowd the moment class ended.
After all, his current identity was just that of an ordinary fifth-grader—at most, a transfer student with an interesting background, not some kind of celebrity.
Schools in Japan typically followed a full-day schedule, with students staying until late afternoon. Lunchtime was usually spent resting and eating with classmates.
Since it was Ryan's first day attending school here, he hadn't known that students were expected to bring their own lunches.
So, when everyone began pulling out their neatly packed bento boxes and eating, Ryan suddenly realized—rather awkwardly—that he hadn't prepared one for himself.
With his former adult mindset, missing a meal or two didn't seem like a big deal.
He had gone through worse back in the U.S., living on a tight budget and sometimes skipping meals just to save money.
But now he was a fifth-grader again—at an age where proper nutrition actually mattered.
If he ate well, his body would grow stronger. And in any world, a frail body was a problem.
Still, today was special. He'd just have to endure the hunger for now.
Just as he was thinking about how to improve his finances and ensure he could afford decent meals in the future, a lunchbox suddenly appeared in front of him.
The soft aroma of freshly made rice drifted through the air. Ryan turned his head—and met a gentle, smiling face.
"Um, Ryan, you haven't eaten lunch yet, have you?" Shizuka asked softly, holding out the lunchbox. "My mom packed an extra rice ball this morning. Let's eat together."
"My name is Shizuka Minamoto. As classmates, please take care of me from now on."
Her tone was warm and kind, matching her polite smile. This was the first time Shizuka had spoken directly to Ryan since that morning.
Earlier, when everyone crowded around to ask him questions, she had simply sat quietly at her desk, watching him with calm curiosity.
From his manner of speaking and the way he handled questions, she could tell that Ryan was friendly and easy to get along with.
That's why, when she saw him looking embarrassed about not having lunch, she didn't hesitate to lend a hand.
After all, it wasn't a big deal—just sharing food with a new classmate. And Shizuka had always been kind-hearted.
"Then, thank you, Shizuka," Ryan said with a grateful smile as he accepted the rice ball.
Since they were deskmates and would probably become good friends, there was no need to be overly formal. He could always repay the favor later.
He took a bite—and his eyes lit up. The rice was soft and sweet, perfectly seasoned, and wrapped in crisp nori. It was simple yet delicious.
"How is it, Ryan?" Shizuka asked, giggling as she watched him finish the rice ball almost instantly.
"Mmm, it's great," Ryan replied, smiling. "Thanks for sharing, Shizuka. Your mom's cooking is really good."
He was genuinely thankful. After an entire morning without food, that rice ball was a lifesaver.
Some Japanese customs had caught him off guard, but now that he knew about the lunch situation, he could easily prepare something for himself tomorrow.
Back in his previous life, Ryan had lived mostly on instant noodles—but that was only because drawing manga left him no time to cook.
In truth, he had decent cooking skills, learned from his mother when he was younger.
At the very least, he could take care of his own meals just fine.
"I'm glad you like it," Shizuka said happily. "I was a little worried that since you just transferred from the U.S., you might not be used to the food here."
Ryan smiled and nodded, warmth filling his chest.
For the first time since arriving in this world, it felt like someone genuinely cared.