There’s a Risk in Feeding

"That's right."

The corner of Nino's mouth lifted. "Anyway, you're healthy. Even if it gets worse, you won't have trouble eating it!"

"That's all. I'm going to the cafeteria."

After saying that, Nino glanced at him before rushing off.

Haruto twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. He looked at the bento in his hands and then at Nino's back with a subtle expression.

He wasn't some foolish male protagonist from a drama, so he couldn't just believe Nino's words.

It made no sense for her to say it would be a waste if he couldn't finish it.

Suddenly bringing him a lunchbox was too suspicious. He had to be more cautious!

Could it be that the massage from last night made Nino realize the taste of marrow and forget it, and then she was conquered by him in one move?

So, now she wanted to experience more?

In other words, had constantly teasing Nino made her fall for him?

Haruto found that last guess more reliable.

Does this mean bullying a girl could actually work in his favor?

Something felt wrong.

Haruto recalled that when he teased the girls, he was always careful and never did anything disgusting.

For instance, the first time he pinched Yotsuba's cheek.

In fact, that was because Haruto felt very close to Yotsuba and knew she wouldn't mind, so he pinched her cheek.

Of course, sometimes there would be a sudden impulse.

Like when he hit Ichika.

But even so, it's unreliable to think that bullying a girl would win her over!

Yet, he enjoyed this feeling.

It was strange.

Haruto was lost in thought.

He walked up to the rooftop.

At that moment, Haruto was still thinking about Yukino's bento.

It was just an extra lunch; it wasn't a big deal. Even if he had a few more servings, he could still eat them.

❀❀❀

The Rooftop.

Yukino sat quietly, with a novel still resting on her lap.

She gently flipped through the pages of the book, her expression serious and focused.

Haruto walked lightly and approached her, sitting down.

Yukino turned to look at him, her gaze shifting slightly and landing on the bento in Haruto's hands. "Kuromori-kun, what's that?"

"A bento."

Haruto didn't hide it. If Nino didn't admit it, he wouldn't say anything either.

Yukino raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "How could someone send you a love lunch?"

"It's just a bento. Why would you think it's a love lunch? Besides, it's not strange for a girl to give me a bento full of love."

Haruto spoke in frustration. "I don't look that bad, do I?"

Indeed, he didn't.

In fact, he looked quite good.

On top of that, he had excellent skin and a great figure. Honestly, Haruto had always been popular among girls.

Unfortunately, he often skipped Sobu High in the past, and there were rumors that he was a delinquent, so people tended to avoid him.

But since the new semester started, Haruto had been attending Sobu High every day.

During this time, people no longer feared him.

In fact, many in the class had started greeting him.

Yukino turned her face away and calmly said, "Kuromori-kun, it's not good to be too narcissistic."

Haruto corrected her, "This isn't narcissism, it's a fact."

"Ha~"

"Yukinoshita, I suspect you're mocking me."

"As expected from Kuromori-kun."

Haruto put on a serious face. "Yukino-chan, I feel like the reward for that night wasn't enough."

Yukino's face flushed slightly. She placed her hand over her chest and looked at him with disdain. "You're making me feel like my innocence is at risk."

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "I meant you should make me an extra week's worth of lunches, not that you should kiss me again."

Yukino suddenly bit her lip and looked at him, embarrassed.

Haruto quickly turned his face away.

'What are you looking at! Just because you're pretty doesn't mean I'm going to want to kiss you!'

After staring at each other for a moment, Yukino was the first to give in.

She turned away, lifting her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, and calmly said, "Alright, I understand. Besides, I didn't kiss you that time, so don't overthink it."

"I'm not overthinking it."

After that, Yukino handed him her lunch box and then ignored him.

"Mad?"

"Kuromori-kun, please don't talk to me while you're eating."

"…"

Was she really mad?

There was no way to appease her, but distracting her might work.

Haruto thought for a moment, then took a piece of pork and placed it in Yukino's lunch box.

Seeing her glare at him, Haruto calmly said, "I told you, you're too thin. You need to eat more meat."

Yukino turned her face away and silently ate the pork.

Then, Haruto gave her a piece of fried chicken wing.

He said seriously, "One piece isn't enough. Here, have a fried chicken wing as well."

Yukino glanced at him, still not saying a word, and quietly ate the fried chicken wing.

After she finished eating, Haruto handed her another piece of pork belly.

Lunch was over.

Haruto left the rooftop feeling quite pleased.

Feeding Yukino was unexpectedly fun.

It just came with a bit of risk.

But Haruto could completely overlook the risks Yukino posed.

Back in the hallway, he walked towards the classroom.

As he passed the next door, he unconsciously looked inside and saw Miku lying on her desk, staring blankly out the window.

Haruto paused.

From the looks of it, Miku hadn't gone to the cafeteria today. With her introverted nature, it was impossible for her to go buy bread in the cafeteria.

"Hey!"

Suddenly, a figure blocked Haruto's view.

Miura Yumiko crossed her arms and said impatiently, "Yui's been in a bad mood lately. Did you upset her?"

"Hm?"

Haruto raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes landing on Miura. "Sorry, who are you?"

"Huh?"

Miura's forehead twitched. "How dare you say that, you idiot!"

'Why wouldn't I dare? You can slander people, but they can't ignore you?'

Haruto continued, "Sorry, I suffer from prosopagnosia. I really forgot. If you don't mind, please introduce yourself."

"So annoying!"

Ebina Hina quickly grabbed Miura, who was about to rush forward. "Yumiko, you're being too impulsive."

After that, she looked at Haruto and apologized softly. "Sorry, Kuromori-kun. Yumiko's just really worried about Yui."

"Mhm, I understand."

Haruto thought for a moment and asked, "Yui's been in a bad mood lately. Is there a reason?"

"Hmm~"

Ebina frowned slightly in distress. She glanced at the crowd around them that had taken notice and said, "Kuromori-kun, if you don't mind, let's go downstairs and talk."