After his class finally ended, lunchtime began.
"Yo, dude, come on! I heard they've got curry bread today!"
"Oh shit—I'm coming!"
Nozomi watched as two boys bolted down the hallway toward the cafeteria.
(Curry bread?)
The words echoed in his head, instantly pulling up memories he hadn't thought about in years. His mom's curry—thick, rich, just spicy enough to make his nose tingle. She used to make it on rainy days, humming softly while he waited impatiently at the table.
His stomach growled.
(Oh shit. I really need to hurry.)
He broke into a run, joining the flood of students rushing toward the cafeteria.
—
The moment he arrived, he stopped dead in his tracks.
It was packed.
"Hey! Two curry breads!"
"Watch it!"
"I said three!"
The room was chaos—voices shouting over one another, bodies pushing and shoving, hands reaching out like claws.
(This is a warzone.)
There was no order. No mercy.
(Every man and woman for themselves…)
Nozomi swallowed and pushed forward.
"I-I'm sorry… excuse me…"
He squeezed through the crowd, getting bumped from every direction. Each time he reached for a curry bread, it vanished just before his fingers touched it.
(Damn it!)
The basket was nearly empty now.
Then—by pure luck—
His hand closed around one.
(Yes! I got it!)
Relief flooded through him as students began dispersing, some cheering, others groaning in defeat.
"Damn it, I didn't get one! Bro, give me yours!"
"Nope." The guy stuck his tongue out and ran.
Nozomi couldn't help but smile.
(I'm going to enjoy this.)
He turned to find a place to sit—and that's when he noticed him.
A boy stood off to the side, shoulders slumped, head hanging low.
"Damn it… I missed it…"
His voice was quiet, heavy with frustration.
Nozomi slowed.
He looked down at the curry bread in his hands… then back at the boy.
(…)
Before he could overthink it, his feet moved.
"U-Um…"
The boy looked up.
"You can have this."
Nozomi held out the curry bread.
The boy blinked. "Huh? N-No, I can't. You probably fought like hell for that."
"It's fine," Nozomi said quickly, smiling awkwardly.
"…Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
After a moment, the boy accepted it.
"…Thanks, man."
He walked away, waving over his shoulder.
Nozomi waved back.
"Grrrl…"
His stomach protested loudly.
"Ah… man."
He sat outside the school, staring at the anpan bread he'd ended up with instead.
"Maybe… that was the wrong decision."
He sighed.
"But I can probably survive the rest of the day…"
Another growl.
"…Hopefully."
He slumped forward, sinking into his thoughts—until footsteps approached.
"Mmm?"
He lifted his head.
"Hello, Nozomi ❤️"
Uzuki stood there, smiling warmly.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Ah—uh—just eating lunch." He held up the anpan bread.
"…Is that all you're eating?" she asked.
"Y-Yeah." He opened the wrapper quickly. "See?"
He took a bite.
"Munch It's really— gag —good."
His face twisted in misery.
Uzuki giggled. "You don't look like you're enjoying it."
Tears welled up in his eyes as he forced himself to swallow.
"You know," she said casually, "I brought my own lunch today."
She pulled a bento box from behind her.
"Huh?" His mouth was still full. "N-No, you don't have to—"
"Who said I was giving it to you? ❤️"
His face instantly turned red.
"Hehe… I'm joking."
She opened the bento, the smell making his stomach cry out in betrayal. She picked up a piece of egg with her chopsticks and brought it toward him.
"Huh?!"
"Say ah."
"Y-You don't have to—"
"But I insist ❤️"
He leaned in hesitantly.
"A-ahh—"
"Nopeee ❤️"
She pulled it away at the last second.
Nozomi froze, then turned away stiffly, face burning.
"Hahaha! I'm sorry—I couldn't resist."
"W-What is your—" He was about to snap—
—but she suddenly pushed the egg into his mouth.
"Hehe… sorry. You're just too cute ❤️"
Nozomi couldn't speak, chopsticks still between his lips.
His face was red like a blood moon, sweat pouring down his temples.
(W-What is wrong with this girl?! Is she doing this on purpose?!)
She gently pulled the chopsticks away.
"Do you want another, Nozomi ❤️?"
"I-I can take it myself!"
"But with what? ❤️"
"U-Um…"
She grabbed another piece of egg.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of ❤️"
"…You're not going to move it again, right?" he muttered.
"No. I promise ❤️"
He leaned in.
"Munch."
"Good, right?"
"Y-Yeah…"
Then—
Uzuki took another bite using the same chopsticks.
"W-Wait!" Nozomi yelped. "Those were in my mouth!"
"I know ❤️"
She ate it without hesitation.
Nozomi stared at her, stunned.
(That was my first… indirect kiss.)
They sat together, quietly eating lunch as the noise of the school faded into the background.