Haji couldn’t tell what expression he wore when Natsumi gave him a bento box out of the blue— sothing that he’d never experienced in the past. For the first ti, he experienced sothing a normal high-schooler got to experience at least once in his life. "Oh um, thanks," The thought of him saving Natsumi occurred in his mind so he straight away assud that she didn’t have any ulterior motives and that she was doing this out of benevolence. He couldn’t reject such a thing when it was being offered to him so straightforwardly.
"I should be the one thanking you," She gently said before turning around and shyly heading back to her classroom. Unbeknownst to gumi, Natsumi was also waiting for Haji to co to school. And just like gumi, she was also aware that Haji cos to school in the afternoon. She had been watching him for quite so ti though, and today was the day when she managed to muster all her courage to return the favor.
"Yes, food," Haji whispered to himself. "Wait... do I return the bento once I’m done eating or do I get to keep it?"
"Of course, you give it back, so bento boxes co in pairs and they’re expensive, stupid." gumi’s cheeks flushed red as she flared off, stomping her foot as she got out of Haji’s way.
"What’s wrong with her?" Haji asked himself in puzzlent before taking a peek inside his locker. "Oh... well, this is awkward."
.....
A couple of minutes passed before gumi regained her senses. By then, she was already sitting in her seat, contemplating why she had to go off at Haji like that when he didn’t do anything wrong. Anyone who was in his shoes would’ve done the sa and accepted the offer. After all, who says no to free food especially when one is short on money. Even though she doesn’t know the reason behind Natsumi’s goodwill, she shouldn’t have acted as such.
’Why did I do that?! Gah~ what will Haji think?! What should I do? Is he angry at ?" She couldn’t help but overexaggerate her assumptions since she didn’t know how Haji would react to her sudden outburst. And it didn’t help that she had been bothering him lately. What if he already ran out of patience? What if he starts ignoring ? Does he still consider a friend? All those questions plagued gumi in her mind to the point that she got the urge to apologize to Haji even though she didn’t do anything wrong.
Slide.
gumi impulsively stole a glance towards the door to their classroom since she heard it slide open along with everyone. There, Haji stepped in, ekly walking towards his seat as he awkwardly carried two bento boxes. Since the two bento boxes were enormous, Haji couldn’t really hide them. Wherever he goes, everyone kept on looking at him. Even though he didn’t want to, it seed like he was showing off his two bento boxes. As he tried to keep a low profile, he couldn’t help but garner the attention of everyone. This was the first ti he ever brought food to school. With the gazes that landed on him, he felt like he was smuggling sothing illegal in school.
When he got to class, he saw gumi dart her face towards him, and then she averted her gaze. Haji couldn’t look her straight in the eyes either since he didn’t know how to react to her gesture. Instead, he headed to his seat and started opening the bento boxes. "Which do I eat first?" Haji asked himself as his stomach growled, telling him to just dig in and worry about the backlash later. In the end, he opened both boxes but he opted to it from the bento box that gumi handed him. She was the one present nearby so he figured he should at least do that out of courtesy.
Unbeknownst to gumi, Haji looked in her general direction, catching her briefly smile when he ate from her bento. ’What the—’ Haji couldn’t help but think. Regardless, that didn’t stop him from eating. All the construction work he did this morning made him famished. He began to dread the fact that his body might get used to eating a lot and that would ss with his unhealthy eating schedule.
There’s food in front of him though, so what could he do but eat to his hearts’ content? He didn’t even notice the sowhat jealous stares of his classmates as they eyed the tonkatsu’s, mixed veggies, egg rolls, and the onigiri’s that filled his bento to the brim. That was the power of food— you don’t see anyone around you when you’re hungry, just the food.
Seeing that Haji was eating heartily, gumi also started eating, recalling the dinner she had last night with Haji and her parents. Just like Haji, she couldn’t believe that such a thing really happened. It even seed like her parents were okay with her befriending Haji but that’s beside the point. That night was one of the morable nights she had with her parents for the past few years, and sohow Haji was mixed in it. There was no denying that Haji was already a part of her life, as much as she hated to admit it. What started as monitoring duty turned into curiousness, then into a budding friendship?
Friendship? gumi grimaced at the thought.
An exhale left Haji’s mouth as he finished eating. His body encouraged him to take a nap, but he’s got afternoon classes to attend to. Akamine-sensei had been lenient with him and there was no way he would abuse that kindness. No matter what, he had to do everything he could to fully concentrate on the classes ahead. One thing he didn’t want was for Akamine-sensei to call her again in her office— not after he just enjoyed a nice al during lunch. No way. That’s why he couldn’t afford to be distracted, let alone doze off during her lectures.
That resolve didn’t help. He still fell asleep midway through afternoon classes.
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