I've always tried to avoid going to the cafeteria. It's a chaotic cesspool of hungry people all vying to get their hands on the good stuff. Of course, I can't possibly compete in a shoving match so I'll be left with the scraps made up of boiled eggs and flavorless onigiri. That's why I always buy packed lunches before going to school.
"Too bad that glutton ate it all."
I angrily mumble as I step foot inside the cafeteria. As expected, the place is packed with students busy either eating or talking. And upon arriving at the counter, there's nothing but some snacks left. Not even an onigiri left in sight. The kitchen staff seriously needs to up their supplies, because it feels like we're living on post-war rations right about now.
Well, what else can I do except let out an exasperated sigh and make my way back to the classroom.
"Daiki, you gotta taste this! It's so yummy!"
"This too Dai-bro, it's legit fire!"
"Stupid Tatsu! Why can't you just wait for me to finish feeding Daiki first!"
"Whoa! It's cool, right Dai-bro?"
So, the king and his entourage are here too. Looks like Sakakibara Daiki has his hands full with keeping his subjects in check, all the while trying to eat the growing pile of food in front of him. Being popular has its downs as well, I suppose… No, not really. I'd kill someone if it meant people would just lay food out in front of me for the remainder of my life.
As I walk past their table, I catch Sakakibara Daiki looking at me; his smile turning into an ever so slight frown and his eyes turning serious for a fraction of a second before turning his attention back to his friends. I guess I really rubbed him the wrong way back then at the gym. But not that it matters. He served his purpose.
"Maybe I'll just get some tea at the vending machine."
I say to myself as I exit the cafeteria and make my way to the back end of the hallway where the vending machines are located. There's three vending machines, all of which have their own selections. One has a bunch of tea choices, the other coffee, and the third one has juices. I can't help but appreciate the order and tidiness at play here.
Standing in front of the tea vending machine, I glance at the green tea display. Strangely enough, it makes me think of Kurebayashi. Maybe because her poised and elegant demeanor is like green tea? Okay, now I'm turning into a poet of some kind.
"Hmm… On second thought, I think I'll have some orange juice instead."
"You really seem to have a fondness for fruit. Sugiyama-san."
I hear the refined voice of Kurebayashi from behind, making me turn around to immediately face her.
"Oh my, did I surprise you? My apologies, Sugiyama-san."
"N-no, you didn't. I was just thinking of you that's why–"
I bite my lip to stop myself from finishing that sentence. Damn it, why'd I have to go and say that?! And I meant it as a pseudo gesture, but I actually bit my lip hard enough to make it bleed. Great, I'm not just an idiot. I'm now a bleeding idiot.
"Goodness! Are you okay? Wait just a moment please."
Kurebayashi rummages through her pocket and pulls out a white, intricately designed handkerchief.
"Here, Sugiyama-san. Press this against the wound to stop the bleeding."
"Eh? No, it's fine. Don't worry about it. I'm just stupid."
I couldn't help but flinch a bit from the slight stinging pain after saying that. Looks like she noticed too as she is now bringing the handkerchief closer to me.
"If you would excuse me, this may hurt a little."
Before I could protest, she already placed the handkerchief on the top of my lip and gently pressed down on it.
"What are you–"
"Hush now, Sugiyama-san. Try not to speak until the bleeding has stopped."
With her handkerchief being so close, I could smell the scent of vanilla and a hint of tropical fruit from it. Is this what Kurebayashi smells like up close? Thinking back on it now, this is the closest she's gotten to me physically. My eyes dart to the creases on her sleeve, there's quite a few of them. The side of her hair is slightly covering the corner of her eyes, which are looking at me with such compassion. Okay, I can feel the heat building up in my cheeks.
Time to put a stop to this rom-com cliche scene before anyone sees us and gets the wrong idea.
"T-thanks, Kurebayashi! I got it now. I'll hold on to it myself."
"Oh, yes of course. My apologies for being so forward just now."
"It's fine, really. No harm done. Except for what I did to myself. But that's just idiocy taking over."
Her concerned look has now shifted to laughter and amusement. I guess bland humor is the way to go for her.
"Anyway, thanks for the handkerchief. But you shouldn't have done this. It's stained now. And it looks expensive, too."
"Think nothing of it, Sugiyama-san. I have plenty of other ones at home. Keep that with you for now, in case the wound reopens."
"Are you sure? Well, okay then. Thanks, I guess."
It's a very small wound, so the bleeding has already stopped. I just need to not let my lips touch together for now to avoid the annoying sting from it getting touched.
"Still, let me buy you a drink as thanks. Take your pick."
"There is really no need. But I do appreciate the offer though."
She takes a few steps towards me until she's inches away from me. Okay whoa, what's going on here? I haven't even recovered from the earlier assault yet and now she's getting even closer. What exactly is even happening right now?
"To be honest, I was looking for you, Sugiyama-san. I was hoping to tell you something."
"Y-yeah? What is it?"
This is getting a bit dangerous. Her pleading eyes are definitely enough to evoke even a monk into committing shameful mental assault. She better thank her lucky stars that it's me she's doing this to. If this were any other guy, they'd pounce on the opportunity without a second thought!
"Sugiyama-san… If it would not be much trouble for you, perhaps I can discuss with you about the drama club's request for assistance."
"Oh, uhh… Right, sure. But could you back away a bit first?"