Although a storm of emotions is running through me, I can’t tear my gaze away from Kyashii at the moment, yet it caught me off guard when they all looked at me.

Wha–! Now, Kyashii knows I’m right here!

Did Ezaki-san say something weird to them?

Wait...

Who cares if they know I’m here? I’m a student council member, I should be here, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

“. . . .”

Yeaahh, right...

A student council member who fought shy and sent another student to carry out their duty instead. Who am I kidding?

This is Minori’s fault! Hmmph!

Eventually, Kyashii and the guy rose to their feet and bowed to Ezaki-san.

Hmm... Ezaki-san’s surprisingly handy when the chips are down. It might be a good idea to invite him to join the student council as well.

“Shibasaki-san, I’ve already informed them, and they apologized,” Ezaki-san came back with a smile.

“Thank you so much, Ezaki-san. You’ve been a huge help. ...So, how about we go to the cafeteria right now for that lunch you mentioned earlier?” I asked while glancing in Kyashii’s direction.

It seemed like she was looking our way as they moved away from the area and made their way toward us since this was the closest route back to the school buildings.

“Don’t you want to eat here?”

“I’m sorry, but no.” I looked up at Ezaki-san. “Eating lunch together in this place after reminding our fellow students that campus isn’t a dating spot doesn’t sit right with me.”

Plus, the most irritating part is that I have yet to get my lunch. This ridiculous situation made it impossible for me to eat lunch in peace! It just ruined my lunch break!

Gaah!

“Why is that? What difference does it make if we’re in the cafeteria or around here, Shibasaki-san?” Ezaki-san’s smile held a glint of humor.

Is he messing with me or what? Sheesh...

I uttered a sigh. “The cafeteria is a public space, Ezaki-san. In comparison, this area feels like a place for a date because it’s quiet and sort of private. If we eat here together, it will appear that we are doing what those two were doing earlier. And I still need to grab my lunch.”

My eyes keep darting between Ezaki-san and those two nearing us. It was then that I noticed Ezaki-san staring intently at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing, Shibasaki-san. It wasn’t clear to me whether you were sarcastic or just being reasonable.”

“How could that be sarcastic? I made a good case for what I said, though. Anyway, we’ve got to go.” I wanted to beat a hasty retreat before Kyashii and the guy got any closer.

Something in me tells me that I can’t handle the thought of confronting Kyashii with that guy. The way things stand, I doubt I’ll be able to look either of them in the eye. This sudden feeling of uneasiness takes over me as if I’m doing something wrong that even I have no idea what it is.

Arrggh! My mind is a jumble of confusion.

“After you,” Ezaki-san smiled at me, then turned his eyes for a moment to the pair behind us and gave them a friendly smile.

This guy...

I wonder if that constant smiling face doesn’t wear him out. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t call his smile phony.

Welp!

Let’s just go to the cafeteria right away.

I picked up my pace as I started walking. The last thing I want to do right now is catch up with Kyashii. Something about this incident makes me feel like she has turned her back on me.

Sigh…

“Yuyo-senpai~! There you are!”

No, no, nooo! Not this time, please!

With a beaming smile, Takashi-san makes her way to us while waving her hand.

“. . . .”

Seriously... How could I possibly run into Takashi-san here?!

Haaah…

“Is there anything I can do for you, Takashi-san?” I’m getting antsy.

“Aww~ You seem to be in a terrible mood today, senpai.”

“I guess you could say that. So, what is it?”

“Ehh?! Hmm… But anyway, would you like to eat lunch with me, senpai?” she eagerly asked.

Huh? I’m sure she realizes I’m with someone, doesn’t she?

“I’d like to, but I already agreed to Ezaki-san.”

Takashi-san turned to look at Ezaki-san with surprise. It was almost as if she had been unaware of his presence the whole time.

“Ohh... I’m sorry, senpai.” Her smile quickly wore off.

“It seems you like Shibasaki-san, right?” Ezaki-san asked Takashi-san with a sympathetic smile on his face.

“I do like Yuyo-senpai, senpai!” Takashi-san put on a cheerful tone.

At that exact moment, Kyashii and the guy walked right past us. I made a conscious effort to avoid eye contact and focused my eyes elsewhere.

Haah... 

I can't believe I'm in this kind of situation with Kyashii. It's so distressing...

Ezaki-san retained his smile. “Isn’t that great, Takashi-chan. By the way, I’m Hiro Ezaki.”

Ahh! 

I gave my own forehead a light slap. Where have my manners gone? I even forget to introduce them to each other!

“Nice to meet you, Ezaki-senpai. I’m Ayumi Takashi.” Takashi-san returned Ezaki-san’s friendly smile.

“It was nice to meet you as well, Takashi-chan. Why don’t you join us for lunch instead?”

Haah?!

If he’s cool with more than one person, he should have invited Minori too! How could he ask Takashi-san when they had just met but not Minori? Ezaki-san’s really weird.

Urgh! It seems that oddballs surround me. Is it just me, or do I attract weird people like a magnet?!

“Would that be okay, though? Are you sure I won’t spoil your date, Ezaki-senpai?’ Takashi-san reluctantly smiled as she asked Ezaki-san.

“Don’t call this a date.” My brows creased in objection. This whole dating thing is getting to me! “There are rules against dating on campus. How many times do I have to remind you, Takashi-san?” I asked agitatedly.

“Ehh~… But, senpai, we just had our date around here a few weeks ago~.”

“That’s not a date. Anyway, let’s just get over this group lunch. It’s getting late.” I sighed and kept walking.

Ezaki-san simply smiled and nodded.

“So, Yuyo-senpai, are we going on a group date now?” Takashi-san draws closer to me until there is hardly any space between us.

It seems like she doesn’t have a clue what personal space is.

“Call it anything you want.” I simply replied, not caring about the distance between us. A lot of thoughts are going through my head right now, and I’m running out of energy to focus on something so trivial.

Takashi-san flashed a goofy grin. “But I’m glad I can sit with you for lunch now, senpai.”

I shake my head. “There’s no doubt that if you were my classmate, you would constantly try to get me to eat lunch with you.”

“Ahaha! Of course, senpai. I’m not about to pass up an opportunity like that.” Takashi-san smirked and squeezed her fingers as if she were trying to win a prize or something.

Hmm...

I noticed Ezaki-san’s eyes were fixed on Takashi-san the entire time with an enigmatic smile on his lips. I saw that same look and smile when I was in the shopping district with Kyashii.

Hold on…

Back then, I thought he liked Kyashii because of that smile, but now that Kyashii is dating someone else, I doubt that’s the case. Did he quickly switch to another love interest after learning that Kyashii is already dating? 

Isn’t that what makes a player?

Hmm... But it’s too early to make such sweeping statements.

Even so, I’ve always wondered why he keeps approaching me. Unlike Takashi-san, he doesn’t seem interested in hanging out with me, but I can tell he’s keeping an eye on me.

Uhh... I might as well ask him if I get a chance.

For the time being, I need to move past this group lunch even though I really don’t feel like eating anymore.

What a drag… 

In all honesty, it seems as if I’ve hit rock bottom with what I’ve just learned about Kyashii and that guy.

Having finished lunch with Takashi-san, Ezaki-san and I walked back to the classroom in complete silence.

I have to say that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, but I chose not to initiate small talk since he seemed deep in thought. Besides that, I don’t feel like talking right now, as there’s still a black mood creeping over me.

My immediate reaction when I walked into the classroom was to look for Minori.

And there she is…. flashing all those smiley eyes at me.

I leveled a murderous glare at her. Tch! Minori-chan, you're in for a surprise later!

As I walked towards my desk, I happened to catch Kyashii staring intently at Ezaki-san, who was smiling at her in return.

Oh well... I’m not exactly sure what’s going on between them, but whatever!

“Yu-chin!” Tomoka rushed over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck shortly after I settled myself into my seat.

“Ack!”

“I see you didn’t come back after getting some drinks, huh?”

I tapped her arms a few times before she let go of my neck. “What are you doing?! Are you trying to kill me?” I shot her a glare and frowned.

Tomoka grinned as she leaned forward. “So you fled just to have a date with that hottie Ezaki-san, Yu-chin? I see you’re cheating on me again.”

“. . . .”

Again, with all this dating stuff?!

I’ve lost count of the number of times this word has entered my ears in less than an hour. There is something about this word today that boils the blood in me!

“It’s not what you think it is! When will students here realize that school grounds are off-limits to dating?!” I snarled in response, taking a glance out the window.

“Hmm... Yu-chin, are we not in a good mood right now?”

 “Maybe.” I turned my eyes at her again.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to yourself for now, Yu-chin.” Tomoka smiled down at me.

In a flash, I regretted having snarled at her. “I’m sorry, Tomoka.” I tried to smile back at her.

She simply smiled and gave me a quick pinch on the cheek before returning to her seat. I kept my eyes on her as she walked back to her seat.

This is what I appreciate about Tomoka. Even though she can be annoying at times, she can definitely read my mood, just as how she let me get away from their group earlier. But with the way things are right now, I think it would have been better if I hadn’t escaped in the first place.

My eyes accidentally drifted into Kyashii's desk, and I caught her staring at me.

I don’t know what expression I’m making right now, but I can tell she’s upset by how she looks at me.

Why do you have that look on your face? That sort of expression should come from me, Kyashii-chan.

I gave up on our little staring contest and turned my eyes out the window once more.

I find it difficult to approach or talk to her right now. If I don’t calm down and consider my feelings first, I might say something I can never take back, which could ruin our friendship. I seem to have this pent-up frustration, but I can’t say for sure if it’s warranted.

Let me collect my thoughts for now. I’ll talk to Kyashii once I get my feelings in order.