Budding Friendship

Hajime couldn't tell what expression he wore when Natsumi gave him a bento box out of the blue— something that he'd never experienced in the past. For the first time, he experienced something 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 assumed 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 Megumi, Natsumi was also waiting for Hajime to come to school. And just like Megumi, she was also aware that Hajime comes to school in the afternoon. She had been watching him for quite some time though, and today was the day when she managed to muster all her courage to return the favor.

"Yes, food," Hajime 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, some bento boxes come in pairs and they're expensive, stupid." Megumi's cheeks flushed red as she flared off, stomping her foot as she got out of Hajime's way.

"What's wrong with her?" Hajime asked himself in puzzlement before taking a peek inside his locker. "Oh... well, this is awkward."

.....

A couple of minutes passed before Megumi regained her senses. By then, she was already sitting in her seat, contemplating why she had to go off at Hajime like that when he didn't do anything wrong. Anyone who was in his shoes would've done the same 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 Hajime think?! What should I do? Is he angry at me?" She couldn't help but overexaggerate her assumptions since she didn't know how Hajime 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 me? Does he still consider me a friend? All those questions plagued Megumi in her mind to the point that she got the urge to apologize to Hajime even though she didn't do anything wrong.

Slide.

Megumi impulsively stole a glance towards the door to their classroom since she heard it slide open along with everyone. There, Hajime stepped in, meekly walking towards his seat as he awkwardly carried two bento boxes. Since the two bento boxes were enormous, Hajime couldn't really hide them. Wherever he goes, everyone kept on looking at him. Even though he didn't want to, it seemed 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 time he ever brought food to school. With the gazes that landed on him, he felt like he was smuggling something illegal in school.

When he got to class, he saw Megumi dart her face towards him, and then she averted her gaze. Hajime 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?" Hajime 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 Megumi handed him. She was the one present nearby so he figured he should at least do that out of courtesy.

Unbeknownst to Megumi, Hajime looked in her general direction, catching her briefly smile when he ate from her bento. 'What the—' Hajime 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 mess 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 somewhat 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 Hajime was eating heartily, Megumi also started eating, recalling the dinner she had last night with Hajime and her parents. Just like Hajime, she couldn't believe that such a thing really happened. It even seemed like her parents were okay with her befriending Hajime but that's beside the point. That night was one of the memorable nights she had with her parents for the past few years, and somehow Hajime was mixed in it. There was no denying that Hajime 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? Megumi grimaced at the thought.

An exhale left Hajime'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 meal 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.