The entire morning classes were uneventful for gumi, probably because Haji wasn’t present as usual. Throughout the entire morning, gumi was out of it, and Akamine-sensei noticed that her attention wasn’t in the class at all. Sohow, Akamine-sensei could tell that it’s got sothing to do with Haji— she was right on the money.
In reality, though, gumi was actually contemplating how she’d give the bento box to Haji. All morning, that’s the only thought she had, and now that the unavoidable lunchbreak has co, she was still thinking about it. She still hasn’t decided how she’d be able to give it to him.
Ding! Dong!
gumi bolted upright as soon as the school bell rang, accidentally garnering everyone’s attention. There was a pause before she looked around and realized what just happened. With her cheeks turning a nice shade of red, she led everyone to see their horoom teacher out. "Stand up, bow, thank you so much Akamine-sensei."
A sigh left her mouth, followed by a light growl as she grabbed her hair in frustration. To begin with, Haji is considered delinquent in school, and if she were to approach him, a new rumor would encircle Haji and it would include her in the fras. Nevertheless, after everything that happened the day before yesterday and what happened last night, she knew she couldn’t just go against her mother’s will. No matter what happens, she just had to go through with this— consider it her apology.
Sohow, gumi felt like Haji would co to the classroom at any ti. He usually arrives as soon as lunch break starts. Her eyes darted around, giving off the vibe that she was really nervous about the entire ordeal. Should she just put the bento on his table? No, anyone would see it and assu sothing. Should she just call her to their horoom teacher’s office and give it there? No, Akamine-sensei was sure to say sothing about their assud relationship. Should she just et him halfway and hand it to him? No, it would seem like she was waiting for him just so she could give the bento.
’How about the— that’s right!’ Suddenly, gumi’s eyes sparkled as if a light bulb turned on in her head. Without hesitation, she grabbed the bento and walked through the hallway, watching every nook and cranny just in case Haji appeared out of nowhere. She was warier of him than usual, and it was unquestionable how anxious she was with every step she took. If she were to see Haji by now, she would’ve jumped out of her skin in fright.
Since all her ideas didn’t seem to work (or it would cause an irrevocable misunderstanding) she decided to use her last resort— put the bento in Haji’s locker. Well, the only thing was, she doesn’t really know the password behind Haji’s locker. The only thing she could do was hope and pray that the locker wasn’t locked.
Wait... if it wasn’t locked, then that ans Haji wouldn’t check it, right? Nevertheless, gumi decided to just put it there and then inform Haji in private later.
A few students couldn’t believe what they were seeing. There she was, slinking through the hallways as if she wouldn’t be any more conspicuous Her eyes darted here and there and she stooped her head, thinking that doing so would make her blend in the crowd— it was doing the exact opposite. Without noticing everyone’s confused gazes, she slinked down the staircase and cautiously headed to the locker room.
.....
Exhausted.
Even though he got to eat last night, Haji still felt exhausted. It was probably because of all the excitent last night. He still couldn’t believe that he got to et gumi’s parents and at his house no less. A part of him wanted to believe that whatever happened last night was just a good dream that overlapped with his recurring nightmares.
Entering the school through the front entrance, he imdiately noticed gumi, crouching beside the row of lockers that could easily be seen from the outside. Haji couldn’t help but just observe her since she was acting oddly suspicious. Cautiously, she approached a certain locker— a locker that Haji was all-too-familiar with— his locker.
’What is she up to this ti?’ Haji scratched his head in confusion. What was gumi doing instead of eating during lunchti? The question revolved in his mind and he figured out that observing her would answer that said question.
When she finally got to Haji’s locker, she took another scan around the place to see if there are any signs of Haji in the vicinity. None. She imdiately checked if it was locked.
It wasn’t.
For a few seconds, gumi celebrated in her mind. Her plan will finally fall into place and she won’t have to go through offending one or the other. Aside from that, she’d be able to eat in peace as soon as she sets Haji’s bento in his locker. Without a shred of hesitation this ti, she proceeded to put the bento box in Haji’s locker.
"What prank are you trying to pull this ti?"
Suddenly, Haji appeared behind her out of nowhere, causing her to shriek in a split second. She covered her mouth and stared at Haji, her pale face clearly showed as if she had just seen a ghost. ’Haji? Why is he here? What is he doing here? Did he see everything?! Gah~ he saw everything!’ gumi scread inwardly in consternation.
"N-n-nothing!" gumi tried to deny it but she was caught red-handed. There was no getting out of this one.
"Nothing my foot, you were putting sothing in my locker," Haji accused— well, he didn’t really accuse her since he unmistakably saw what she did.
"No, I didn’t put anything! You were seeing things!" gumi exclaid, completely pressing her back on Haji’s locker so he won’t be able to open it. Either he had to push her away or touch her so he’d be able to confirm.
"Whatever, I don’t have ti for this." Haji sighed. "So, were you able to properly talk to your pare— "
"Ah! Haji!" Haji’s question was unexpectedly interrupted by a light cheery voice that greeted him from afar. "There you are, I was waiting for you by the front gate but I missed you."
"..." Haji stopped short, wondering who was addressing him out of the blue.
It was Kurumi Natsumi.
"Oh... um... Natsumi, right? What do you need?" Haji asked.
"Here, I cooked you lunch!" She amicably offered, handing Haji a large-sized bento box.
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