Lunchtime arrived, Most people had brought their own prepared boxed lunches and were off to find friends to share a table with.
However, perhaps due to the presence of Kawasaki Saki, everyone seemed to unconsciously avoid this particular spot when choosing where to sit.
For Tanaka Masao, this was an unexpected boon. Their reluctance to approach meant he didn't have to give up his seat.
He recalled his predecessor's routine—how he would always retreat to a corner to eat alone, either because someone claimed his spot or because his mere presence felt like an intrusion on the lively groups around him.
So, in a strange way, he had Kawasaki Saki to thank for this small patch of tranquility.
Taking out the bento box his mother had prepared, Masao began to eat.
'The rice is a little hard now that it's cold,' he mused. 'But the side dishes are good—fried chicken, little sausages and fresh lettuce. All things that taste fine at room temperature. Maybe the main staple should be something like bread or a wrap instead?'
His thoughts drifted. 'Though around here, bread usually means butter and jam, or sandwiches. I remember from anime, every school convenience store seems to sell yakisoba bread, and it's always a hit. I've never tried it. The idea of hot, savory fried noodles with sauce wrapped in a soft bun sounds pretty good. But if it's gone cold and the noodles are all soft and sticky… that sounds pretty awful, actually.'
—
The lunch period ended, and the afternoon dragged on in a drowsy haze.
Masao fought to keep his eyes open through two more classes until, finally, the bell signaling the end of the school day chimed at three o'clock.
The campus erupted with a new energy.
The majority of students streamed out towards their various club activities. Those not in clubs gathered friends for shopping or karaoke, while a diligent few, like the girl who sat in front of him, had other priorities.
Kawasaki Saki packed her things with efficient motions and left the classroom without a backward glance—probably heading to a part-time job.
Masao watched her go and let out a quiet sigh of frustration. The entire day had passed without a single natural opportunity to speak to her.
He'd spent hours watching the floor around her desk, hoping that she would drop a pen or a stray eraser giving him a chance to pick it up and start a conversation.
'Well, no use dwelling on it,' he thought. After packing his own bag, he stepped out into the hallway.
There was no time to lament the failed mission with Kawasaki Saki; his next objective was to locate Yukinoshita Yukino.
—
Throughout the day, his observations had confirmed the presence of other characters from the story, the bubbly Yuigahama Yui, the queen-bee Miura Yumiko, the angelic Totsuka Saika…
But the most crucial piece, the protagonist Hachiman Hikigaya, was nowhere to be found.
Then he remembered the underclassman, Isshiki Iroha, and the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
The original narrative took place during their second year. They were all still first-years. That explained why he was sharing a class with Kawasaki Saki.
According to the plot, Hikigaya had been hit by a car—the Yukinoshita family car, no less—while saving Yuigahama Yui's dog on the first day of school. A month had already passed.
If Hikigaya was still missing, he was likely still in the hospital.
Which meant the path was clear. He had to find Yukinoshita.
—
His initial search of the main club building proved futile. The Service Club's room was nowhere to be found.
"Maybe it hasn't even been officially established yet," he muttered to himself, feeling discouraged.
He was almost ready to give up and head home when his eyes landed on the faculty office building. It was five stories tall, far more space than the teaching staff required.
The upper floors were rumoured to be mostly deserted.
"It's a long shot, but…"
Driven by a final shred of hope, Masao entered the quiet building.
He bypassed the bustling lower floors where teachers had their offices and headed straight for the fourth floor.
Room after empty room greeted him. It was on the fifth floor, in the farthest, most secluded corner of the hallway, that he finally found it.
A simple placard beside the door that read "Service Club."
"Unbelievable," Masao breathed, a weary but genuine smile touching his lips. "I finally found it."
He understood why every single client in the original story had been personally escorted here by their teacher, Ms. Hiratsuka.
This location wasn't just out of the way; it was practically hidden. Had the club been in the main building, curious students might have wandered in. But here, with no reputation and no foot traffic, it was a miracle if anyone found it at all.
Though he supposed it made sense—a one-member club wouldn't be high on the list for prime real estate.
This forgotten room was probably a favour from Ms. Hiratsuka.
Masao took a deep, steadying breath, pushing all extraneous thoughts from his mind. He raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door.
The sound echoed faintly in the silent corridor.
Ten seconds passed in absolute stillness. He was beginning to suspect the room was empty when a voice, as clear and cool as ice, came from within.
"Please enter."
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