Bento box(es)

The entire morning classes were uneventful for Megumi, probably because Hajime wasn't present as usual. Throughout the entire morning, Megumi was out of it, and Akamine-sensei noticed that her attention wasn't in the class at all. Somehow, Akamine-sensei could tell that it's got something to do with Hajime— she was right on the money.

In reality, though, Megumi was actually contemplating how she'd give the bento box to Hajime. All morning, that's the only thought she had, and now that the unavoidable lunchbreak has come, she was still thinking about it. She still hasn't decided how she'd be able to give it to him.

Ding! Dong!

Megumi bolted upright as soon as the school bell rang, accidentally garnering everyone's attention. There was a pause before she looked around and realized what just happened. With her cheeks turning a nice shade of red, she led everyone to see their homeroom teacher out. "Stand up, bow, thank you so much Akamine-sensei."

A sigh left her mouth, followed by a light growl as she grabbed her hair in frustration. To begin with, Hajime is considered delinquent in school, and if she were to approach him, a new rumor would encircle Hajime and it would include her in the frames. Nevertheless, after everything that happened the day before yesterday and what happened last night, she knew she couldn't just go against her mother's will. No matter what happens, she just had to go through with this— consider it her apology.

Somehow, Megumi felt like Hajime would come to the classroom at any time. He usually arrives as soon as lunch break starts. Her eyes darted around, giving off the vibe that she was really nervous about the entire ordeal. Should she just put the bento on his table? No, anyone would see it and assume something. Should she just call her to their homeroom teacher's office and give it there? No, Akamine-sensei was sure to say something about their assumed relationship. Should she just meet him halfway and hand it to him? No, it would seem like she was waiting for him just so she could give the bento.

'How about the— that's right!' Suddenly, Megumi's eyes sparkled as if a light bulb turned on in her head. Without hesitation, she grabbed the bento and walked through the hallway, watching every nook and cranny just in case Hajime appeared out of nowhere. She was warier of him than usual, and it was unquestionable how anxious she was with every step she took. If she were to see Hajime by now, she would've jumped out of her skin in fright.

Since all her ideas didn't seem to work (or it would cause an irrevocable misunderstanding) she decided to use her last resort— put the bento in Hajime's locker. Well, the only thing was, she doesn't really know the password behind Hajime's locker. The only thing she could do was hope and pray that the locker wasn't locked.

Wait... if it wasn't locked, then that means Hajime wouldn't check it, right? Nevertheless, Megumi decided to just put it there and then inform Hajime in private later.

A few students couldn't believe what they were seeing. There she was, slinking through the hallways as if she wouldn't be any more conspicuous Her eyes darted here and there and she stooped her head, thinking that doing so would make her blend in the crowd— it was doing the exact opposite. Without noticing everyone's confused gazes, she slinked down the staircase and cautiously headed to the locker room.

.....

Exhausted.

Even though he got to eat last night, Hajime still felt exhausted. It was probably because of all the excitement last night. He still couldn't believe that he got to meet Megumi's parents and at his house no less. A part of him wanted to believe that whatever happened last night was just a good dream that overlapped with his recurring nightmares.

Entering the school through the front entrance, he immediately noticed Megumi, crouching beside the row of lockers that could easily be seen from the outside. Hajime couldn't help but just observe her since she was acting oddly suspicious. Cautiously, she approached a certain locker— a locker that Hajime was all-too-familiar with— his locker.

'What is she up to this time?' Hajime scratched his head in confusion. What was Megumi doing instead of eating during lunchtime? The question revolved in his mind and he figured out that observing her would answer that said question.

When she finally got to Hajime's locker, she took another scan around the place to see if there are any signs of Hajime in the vicinity. None. She immediately checked if it was locked.

It wasn't.

For a few seconds, Megumi celebrated in her mind. Her plan will finally fall into place and she won't have to go through offending one or the other. Aside from that, she'd be able to eat in peace as soon as she sets Hajime's bento in his locker. Without a shred of hesitation this time, she proceeded to put the bento box in Hajime's locker.

"What prank are you trying to pull this time?"

Suddenly, Hajime appeared behind her out of nowhere, causing her to shriek in a split second. She covered her mouth and stared at Hajime, her pale face clearly showed as if she had just seen a ghost. 'Hajime? Why is he here? What is he doing here? Did he see everything?! Gah~ he saw everything!' Megumi screamed inwardly in consternation.

"N-n-nothing!" Megumi tried to deny it but she was caught red-handed. There was no getting out of this one.

"Nothing my foot, you were putting something in my locker," Hajime accused— well, he didn't really accuse her since he unmistakably saw what she did.

"No, I didn't put anything! You were seeing things!" Megumi exclaimed, completely pressing her back on Hajime's locker so he won't be able to open it. Either he had to push her away or touch her so he'd be able to confirm.

"Whatever, I don't have time for this." Hajime sighed. "So, were you able to properly talk to your pare— "

"Ah! Hajime!" Hajime's question was unexpectedly interrupted by a light cheery voice that greeted him from afar. "There you are, I was waiting for you by the front gate but I missed you."

"..." Hajime stopped short, wondering who was addressing him out of the blue.

It was Kurumi Natsumi.

"Oh... um... Natsumi, right? What do you need?" Hajime asked.

"Here, I cooked you lunch!" She amicably offered, handing Hajime a large-sized bento box.