At school, during lunch break, in the club classroom.
"Hmm hmm hmm♪~"
"You look like you're in a good mood, Sawamura-san."
Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke to Eriri, who was humming an unknown melody.
"Did something good happen?"
"It's not really anything good, I just suddenly feel in a great mood."
Eriri's words didn't match her feelings.
Although yesterday's visit had some minor complications, overall the results were quite perfect.
Not only had she repaired her relationship with Murakami Yuu, returning them to their former intimacy, but she also received a lunch carefully prepared by him early in the morning.
Although the cost was embarrassing physical contact and the awkwardness of having her underwear style seen, compared to what she gained, these were nothing.
That guy Yuu—she had always thought he was good at taking care of others, but now it seemed he wasn't just good at it, his caregiving ability was maxed out. His housewife power was practically overflowing.
"Is it okay for me to eat lunch here?"
Eriri took out the lunch she had brought from the classroom from the desk drawer.
Since Aki Tomoya and Kato Megumi hadn't arrived yet, Eriri wanted to solve the lunch problem while waiting for them.
This was a reasonable way to manage time.
"As long as you wipe the table clean afterward, it should be fine."
Kasumigaoka Utaha gave her answer while looking at the lunch box Eriri had taken out.
"I see, then I'll start eating."
Eriri clapped her hands lightly, showing anticipation on her face, and opened the lunch box.
The side dishes included fried shrimp, meatballs, and mixed vegetables. The main food was several small rice balls wrapped in nori.
Eriri began eating, her slightly squinting eyes and unconsciously curving mouth corners showing she was in a very good mood.
However, she also noticed something.
Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to be continuously watching her. Was she hungry because she hadn't eaten yet...
Looking at her lunch box—made personally by Yuu for her—she didn't really want to share.
But since they were companions in the same club, and considering Kasumigaoka Utaha's proud personality, she probably wouldn't go after someone else's lunch, even if I actively invited her...
I should still be polite about it.
Having made up her mind, Eriri swallowed the food in her mouth.
"Um, Kasumigaoka Utaha, if you haven't eaten, would you like to join me?"
"Sure."
"Haha, that's right, how could you... Eh!?"
Eriri was laughing and speaking halfway when she suddenly reacted. If she hadn't heard wrong, she had just answered "sure"?
"What's wrong?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha had already stood up from her original seat and came to Eriri's side.
"No... nothing. Let's eat together then."
Eriri slowly pushed the lunch box toward Kasumigaoka Utaha.
The lunch Yuu made for me personally...
She wailed in her heart.
"Then I won't be polite."
Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up a rice ball and took a bite, chewing carefully.
The taste is as wonderful as always...
"Thank you for the meal."
After thanking her, Kasumigaoka Utaha returned to her original seat, wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, picked up her book again, and turned to the page where the bookmark was inserted.
"Don't mention it..."
Eriri felt she was somewhat strange, but she couldn't say exactly what was strange. She just inexplicably felt that when she was eating the rice ball just now, her face seemed to show... a nostalgic expression?
It was probably her imagination.
...
In the classroom.
Murakami Yuu helplessly covered his forehead.
"So, Takeya, you lied to Setsuna yesterday saying I was called back by relatives?"
"That's right! Great excuse, isn't it? Not only did it not disturb your good thing yesterday, but it also indirectly helped you cover it up."
Iizuka Takeya smiled brilliantly while giving a thumbs up.
"What are you talking about? Why don't I understand at all?"
Torizuka Reita was slurping yogurt on the side. He wasn't there yesterday, didn't know about Murakami Yuu's leave, and didn't know about Iizuka Takeya's encounter with Ogiso Setsuna.
"It's natural that you don't understand. Here, take this and be quiet for a while."
Murakami Yuu took a rice ball from his lunch box and stuffed it into Torizuka Reita's mouth.
"Don't stuff it so hard!"
Torizuka Reita protested dissatisfiedly, then belatedly said:
"But... the taste seems pretty good..."
Withdrawing his attention from Torizuka Reita, Murakami Yuu met Iizuka Takeya's proud gaze again.
Although this guy had told a lie, fundamentally his purpose was still to prevent things from going wrong on his side.
A competent comrade, a qualified wingman.
In modern society where green hats fly everywhere and relationships are incredibly chaotic, such good brothers are rare.
"I roughly understand the situation. Anyway, thanks."
Murakami Yuu thought for a while.
"A new family restaurant recently opened near school. If we have time, let's go eat together. I'll treat."
"Eh!? Really!?"
"Yeah, really. Please swallow what's in your mouth before talking—rice grains are spraying on me."
Disgusted, Murakami Yuu distanced himself from Torizuka Reita and patted his shirt.
"Then it's settled. You decide the date—Reita and I are basically always free."
Iizuka Takeya put his hand on Murakami Yuu's shoulder, not being polite with him.
Originally, their trio was like this—the three took turns treating each other to meals. If you pay this time, then I'll pay next time. There wasn't really a situation where anyone would lose out.
"Yeah, this Saturday or Sunday. We'll talk about the specific time later. How about it?"
"Fine."
"I'm okay too."
"Then it's settled."
Murakami Yuu made the final decision.
"Murakami, someone's looking for you!"
A male classmate shouted from the front door.
"Oh! Coming!"
Murakami Yuu stood up. He had a rough guess about who was looking for him.
"I'll go out for a bit."
Saying this to the two, he walked out of the classroom door.
As expected, it was Ogiso Setsuna.
"Murakami-kun!"
Seeing Murakami Yuu come out, Ogiso Setsuna's eyes lit up and she took two steps closer to him.
"Great, I finally got to see Murakami-kun today."
"Ah, good afternoon."
Murakami Yuu smiled.
"Yesterday I had some private matters at home so I took a day off, but they're already handled.
Takeya said you came looking for me at lunch yesterday. Was there something you needed?"
"It's not really anything special."
Ogiso Setsuna hesitated, her gaze somewhat evasive, slowly holding the lunch she was carrying to her chest.
"If it's possible, how about we talk while eating lunch?"
...
"Let's eat it."
Iizuka Takeya pointed to the lunch on Murakami Yuu's desk.
"Eh? Then what will Yuu eat when he comes back?"
"He has a specially made love bento."
When he saw Ogiso Setsuna and Murakami Yuu walking past through the front door, Iizuka Takeya roughly understood.
"Yuu's previous actions weren't for nothing. He finally succeeded."
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