74: Peeking

"This might sound a bit exaggerated and cheesy, but there's no doubt that cooking is infused with the love of the person who made it."

"Huh?"

"So every day, with a heart full of gratitude, I make sure to eat every grain of rice in this love-filled lunch."

"Uh-huh..."

"You might not fully understand what I'm saying now, Chisato, but when you have someone in your life who makes lunch for you, you'll understand how I feel."

"Even if I don't, it's fine. But after all that talk, who exactly makes your lunch?"

"My mom."

"..."

Chisato struggled to resist the urge to flip him off and instead took a bite of the bread in his hand.

Satoshi chuckled.

"Just kidding. But seriously, eating bread for lunch every day isn't good for you. You'll end up with an unbalanced diet. If you don't mind, I can share some of my fried chicken and broccoli."

"No need. You said this lunch is filled with your mom's love, so I wouldn't dare take even a bit of it. I'll stick to my cold, machine-made food from the assembly line, thank you very much."

"Now that you put it that way, I'm even more worried."

"Don't worry. I eat well otherwise. Just last night, I had a huge bowl of katsudon."

Appearing disinterested, but actually eavesdropping on the conversation to her right, Kazusa finished her pudding in two bites. 

She got up, tossed the container into the trash at the back of the classroom, and then left.

Chisato let out a small sigh.

"What's up?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look like something's bothering you."

"Maybe... Also, today, you seem a bit... different."

"In what way?"

Chisato glanced down at himself. Same uniform, neatly buttoned, no weird stains.

"I'm not trying to be weird here, but you've always had nice eyes. Today, though, you've got this aura... it's like you've suddenly become a movie star or something." 

"There's this magnetic vibe about you. You get what I mean?"

"..."

Chisato suddenly remembered the reward he received last night.

He also realized why so many people had been staring at him all morning.

Even the teachers couldn't help it; he got called on in every class, leaving him no time to nap.

And Kazusa... she'd been sneaking glances at him, thinking she was subtle, but he'd counted at least ten times by now.

She even stole another glance at him before leaving.

Is this what the "Noble Aura" effect is like?

"You're imagining things."

Chisato denied Satoshi's accurate observation without showing any reaction. He crumpled the bread wrapper in his hand.

"Take your time eating. I've got something to do."

"Going to see Kazusa?"

Satoshi grinned suggestively.

Chisato smiled but didn't answer, tossing the trash and walking out of the classroom.

He didn't plan on seeing Kazusa. Even though the school nurse had asked him to walk her home yesterday, they still didn't talk much in class unless he initiated it. 

They were still stuck in the same place.

Today, he was going to meet Gotoh Hitori, the lonely girl with no friends who seemed a bit pitiful.

They had agreed yesterday that she would bring her guitar to school and perform for him during lunch.

The meeting spot Hitori had sent via LINE was the lawn behind the club building.

Occasionally, members of the orchestra club would practice their double bass or tuba there, but it was lunchtime, the sun was blazing, and he doubted anyone else would be around.

Choosing such a secluded spot showed how careful Hitori was about not bothering others.

In contrast, the two people he'd connected with in his simulated life were entirely different—complete go-getters with unmatched drive.

As Chisato headed to the meeting spot, he looked at the information displayed on his phone.

Private Toyosaki Academy... Just a half-hour train ride away.

He thought back to what Satoshi had joked about earlier.

"Cooking is filled with the love of the person who made it, huh..."

He whispered the words to himself.

And then he thought about the meals those two had made for him in the simulation.

Whether it was a simple home-cooked meal or seafood dishes, everything was incredibly delicious... maybe even too delicious.

If those two were acting on their own will in the simulation, then he couldn't just stay in the background, pretending nothing had happened.

Maybe the bloodless solution he had initially thought of wasn't the best approach after all.

He needed to meet them, talk things through. Maybe that was the best way to resolve this, he thought.

Chisato put his phone back in his pocket and rubbed his eyes, sore from lack of sleep.

Once he confirmed what was important, his steps became lighter.

He quickly reached the club building and moved around to the back.

From a distance, he saw her—wearing a pleated skirt over her pants, looking safe from behind, not giving off any approachable vibes.

He raised his hand to greet her but then noticed something odd.

Why was Gotoh Hitori, holding her guitar, crouched against the wall, looking so sneaky?

She was clearly peeking at something.

Chisato quietly approached, careful not to startle her, and when he got close, he heard her audibly gulp. 

He also noticed the silly way the ahoge on the side of her head bobbed, unsure whether it was because of the wind or something else.

He stood behind her without making a sound and peeked over her shoulder, imitating her.

The answer to his question wasn't surprising: a couple was making out passionately in front of them. 

Their lips were pressed together so intensely that strings of saliva glistened in the sunlight, and they made loud smacking noises.

No wonder Hitori was so engrossed in watching.

Chisato was about to tap her on the shoulder to let her know he was there when...

The guitar that Hitori was holding in her right hand slowly got wedged between her legs.

"???"

Chisato looked puzzled, like he was making a confused face.

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