"Food, Friends, Foes: Short Hair Girl"
After the afternoon class montage, the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Sachi and Fuyumi invited me to join them, but I hesitated as I noticed Fuyumi's bothered expression. Changing my response, I explained, "On second thought, my brother must be waiting for me, so I should also get going," expressing uncertainty.
Sachi, disappointed, said, "Oh well... maybe next time?" with a sad face. I replied, "Yes :)," and Sachi added, "Get home safely, Shiriku!" We exchanged waves and goodbyes. However, as I parted ways, a strange feeling overcame me, as if someone was watching from behind.
Slowly turning my head, I encountered someone rushing toward me, extending a handshake. With an energetic greeting, the newcomer exclaimed, "Hi, hello, how are you? (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧" Puzzled, I responded, "Hello?" The person introduced themselves as Junichi Kaneko, preferring to go by Junichi or Neko.
Before I could finish my sentence, Junichi draped his arm around my shoulder, declaring, "You're gonna ask why I also prefer to be called Neko, right?! It's because I love cats (≧▽≦)." Lost in his feline adoration, he continued, "I love cats so much; they're so fluffy that whenever I see a cat, I lose control." Trying to regain his attention, I interrupted, "Umm, Junichi, excuse me, but what do you want?" conveying uncertainty.
Unfazed, Junichi explained, "Oh, I noticed that you and Sachi didn't get to leave the class together because of Fuyumi, so here I am! I'm gonna be with you and be your best friend." My response, a bewildered "Whaaatt?" portrayed the unexpectedness of this sudden friendship proposal.
As Junichi and I strolled through the hallway, he remained immersed in his own thoughts. Eventually, we reached the terrace on the second floor of our high school building. While I gazed down and awaited my brother, Junichi received a call, signaling that he had to depart. Before leaving, he requested my number. Initially hesitant, I decided not to be rude and shared my number with him.
Junichi smiled and waved goodbye, expressing, "Hey Shiriku, if you have the time, we should go to a manga store next time. You seem to be the type who likes to read manga and watch anime." With a happy face, he shouted his suggestion. In response, I agreed, "Yeah, let's do that ^_^,"
After waiting for about 10 minutes, I observed a girl standing beside me, also peering down at the school.
**ENVIRONMENT VIEW**
As the slanting rays of the setting sun painted the sky with a warm orange tinge, the gentle to moderate breeze caused by warm air rising added a soothing touch to the atmosphere.
Observing her, I noticed her short hair as white as snow mix with slight of blue, her cute face radiating elegance and a dazzling beauty that could melt someone's heart. As I contemplated, "Wait, a beauty that can melt someone's heart? Is she...?" The girl interrupted my thoughts with a confident remark, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Confused, I responded, "What?" She clarified, "The view. I'm talking about the view from here, especially at this time," her smiling face indicating genuine admiration. While the wind gracefully tousled her hair, I looked at her and agreed, "Yeah, it is beautiful." I added with a slight blush, "^_^ I meant the view, yes! The view."
The girl laughed and introduced herself, "I'm Ayaka Kazahana. You can call me Ayaka. And you are?" I replied, "Oh, I'm Shiriku Kami. You can call me Shiriku." Ayaka, intrigued, started to say, "Shiriku Kami, huh? You must be—" Suddenly, a shout from below caught our attention, and I noticed my brother waving at me.
Realizing the need to leave, I said to Ayaka, "Well, Ayaka, I guess I have to go now. Let's meet up here sometime." My expression portrayed a sense of bewilderment. Ayaka responded warmly, "I'd love that, Shiriku. Get home safely ^_^." I reciprocated, "You too, Ayaka. Oh, and be careful on your way down the stairs." Ayaka laughed, ensuring me, "I'll keep that in mind."
As I entered the car, Shiroe turned to me and asked, "So, how's your first day?" His inquisitive expression showed genuine interest. Responding with a cheerful tone, I said, "It's nice."
Shiroe continued the conversation, "Well, did you like it?" I nodded and replied, "Yeah, I think this year would be fun," my happy face reflecting my positive outlook on the upcoming days.
"That's good," Shiroe said with a warm smile. His expression conveyed approval and reassurance, marking the end of the day's experiences as we drove away.
THE NEXT DAY:
Shiriku's enthusiasm bubbled up as the math class concluded, thinking, "Finally! Math is done, and it's already time for lunch." Eagerly, he called out to Sachi, "Hey Sachi! Let's go over to the cafeteria. My body is completely craving for some meat!"
However, his excitement was short-lived as he noticed Sachi and Fuyumi seemingly already deciding to head to the cafeteria together. Fuyumi gave Shiriku a skeptical look, and he realized the plans had already been made. Shiriku hesitated, "Oh, Sachi, it seems you and Fuyumi have already decided to go to the cafeteria."
Not one to be deterred, Fuyumi declared with a smirk, Shiriku immediately says "Well, me and Junichi will go to the cafeteria too, hahaha." Junichi, taken aback, questioned, "We are?" Shiriku's assertiveness won, and he exclaimed, "Yes! Now, let's go, bro!"
Without further ado, Shiriku and Junichi promptly left the room. Frustrated, Sachi muttered, "Darn, and I was hoping to invite Shiriku with us so that the both of you would get along," her face expressing a mix of disappointment and annoyance.
At the bustling cafeteria, Shiriku's eyes gleamed with hunger as he surveyed the food options. "Hmmm, let me have one of these and this." Junichi, observing Shiriku's voracious appetite, commented, "Wow, Riku, you sure are in a mood to eat all of that." Unfazed, Shiriku asserted, "Yeah, I'm in the mood, and a bad one." Junichi sighed, acknowledging, "If you say so."
Curious about Junichi's food choices, Shiriku inquired, "Say, Junichi, you haven't ordered yet. What's on your mind?" Junichi, holding a juice box, nonchalantly replied, "Oh, I already have mine. See this juice box? I just need this to recharge. I don't really feel like eating anything right now." Shiriku nodded in understanding, accepting Junichi's preference.
Shiriku, now laden with his food selections, suggested, "Well, let's go find some seats," a happy face accompanying his words. As they navigated the cafeteria, a familiar voice rang out, "RIKUUUUUU!" Confused, Shiriku turned to see Sachi waving energetically, seated with Fuyumi at a nearby table.
Recognition dawned on Shiriku, and he chuckled, Making their way to Sachi and Fuyumi's table, Shiriku greeted, "Hey, Riku, we really should sit. You've been holding that tray for quite a while now." Shiriku and Junichi joined Sachi and Fuyumi at the table, ready to share a meal in the lively cafeteria environment.