“That we’ll become good friends. Get through things together.”

It had been days since Aya said it, but the words were still stuck in Raveena’s head like a broken record. No matter how many blueprint layouts she stared at or how many workshop drills she went through during her free times, those words from a bunny-folk who smiled too much for her own good kept sneaking back in.

It was Monday now, P.E. had just ended, and Raveena had changed back into her Foxcut uniform in the changing rooms before she returned to her classroom.

She was already preparing herself to eat alone again. Maybe behind the building. Maybe under a certain cinnamonwood tree—if no one had already claimed it.

Maybe... if fate felt cruel, she'd bump into Aya again.

"Or kind. Whatever."

But then, she was halfway to her desk when a strange murmur caught her ears.

Her classmates were all crowded near the door on one side of the classroom, chattering lowly like something interesting was going on. All grouped up, whispering and craning to peek out through the narrow hallway glass.

Raveena slowed down, then frowned.

"A commotion, but probably none of my business," she thought.

She was already pivoting to head toward the other, other door when someone called out—

“Hey, Vesper!”

Raveena turned her head lazily. “Hm?”

“Someone’s here to see you.”

Another one of her classmates added. “What did you do?”

“Tsk... I didn’t do anything,” she said with a click of her tongue, unamused. “What is it this time?”

But the murmuring only grew.

She stepped closer to the door. And as soon as she got within range, the crowd of students parted—like a school of fish sensing a predator’s shadow.

One of the boys whispered under his breath as she reached for the handle. “Seriously, what the heck did you do to have her come find you?”

Raveena raised an eyebrow. “I don’t even know what you’re talking abou—”

Then she opened the door, and was petrified. Because standing just behind it, with pastel ribbon in her hair, eyes as bright as ever—and of course holding a basket—

Was the rabbit-folk, Aya Ribbuns.

“Hi, Raveena~!” she beamed. “Would you like to have lunch together today?”

Raveena’s brain was having trouble functioning. No words, not even a noise. Only a surprised look on her face. Oh, and her tail, it was dead stiff.

Because Aya had to just come to her classroom, during peak hallway activity, smiling like her coming to see Raveena out of nowhere wasn't surprising enough to turn eyes.

So many eyes.

From her own class.

From the classroom across the hall.

From a group of second-years pretending to drink from the water fountain.

And possibly the student news club somwhere, lurking like hungry pigeons by the stairwell.

“Is... that okay?” Aya asked.

Raveena had no idea what her face looked like right now. But internally? She wanted to scream her lungs out.

“…How... how did you find me?”

“Mm—wasn’t hard! I just asked around.”

"You what?"

“Yup! But even if it was hard, I still would’ve found you.”

As soon as Aya said that, a new wave of whispers moved through the students watching nearby. From behind Raveena, some were whispering louder now.

"That's the bunny from Culinary, right?!"

“She’s here for Raveena?”

“Is this a prank—?”

The air around them was starting to feel too much for Raveena's comfort. “Tsk...,” then she looked back at Aya. "Wait here a second.

And without another word, she slipped back inside. Then she grabbed her bag quickly, smoothly, no eye contact with anyone whatsoever, and exited through the other door.

Some students were gathered there too, somehow, but it wasn't as bad. Then as soon as she stepped out, she turned her head—and there was Aya, right on cue, skipping lightly over.

“Does that mean I can take that as a yes?” Aya asked sweetly as soon as she was right in front of her.

Raveena stared at her, then exhaled.

“…I’m here, aren’t I?”

Aya’s ears perked. "Yup!"

Raveena looked past her, to see that people were still watching.

She muttered. “Besides, I’d really like to get away from all this now.”

And Aya nodded happily in response, “Very well, then! Let’s eat somewhere nice. A little relaxing. You know… like that one spot.”

Raveena gave her a side glance as they finally began walking. “That one spot?”

Aya giggled behind her hand. “Oh, you know where it is.”

“…I do?”

"Yup!"

"Oh."

Sure enough.

That one spot turned out to be exactly what Raveena thought it would be.

The cinnamonwood tree.

The same one where she first met Aya, scone-in-hand with smile too bright for that kind of afternoon.

And now?

Now she was sitting beside that very rabbit-folk, under that same tree, watching her unpack lunch like they were having a very casual weekend picnic.

There was a soft checkered blanket, pale pink with a few mint-green lines, that the rabbit-folk spread neatly. They were now then seated on their knees, with Aya adjusting containers like arranging display samples for a bakery window.

"It really is a picnic," she realized. "She even packed a blanket."

Aya looked up, snapping Raveena from her thoughts. “So! What are you having for lunch today?”

Raveena, though a little startled for a moment, pulled her own lunchbox out of her bag. “I didn’t have time to cook this morning,” she muttered. “Just grabbed something off the cafeteria's breakfast menu that’d keep warm.”

She opened the lid, and inside were a few rolled omelets, some roasted tubers, and a small rice triangle wrapped in paper.

Aya peeked, eyes lighting up. “Oh! That looks nice!”

“It’s kind of not,” Raveena replied, poking at one of the tubers. “But at least it's edible.”

Aya tilted her head. “Is it the vegetables?”

“Uhh…”

Then Aya gasped. “Ohh~! Are you a picky eater?”

Raveena immediately shook her head. “What—no. It’s not that," then she scooped at a bit of rice with her spoon. “I like vegetables. The cafeteria’s just… kind of a gamble. Ever since I got here it’s been a hit or miss.”

Aya giggled, poking at her own lunch with her fork. “Mmn, I know what you mean, I once got a sandwich that tasted like it forgot it was supposed to have a filling.”

Then, without hesitation, she scooped a small portion from one of her containers and nudged it toward Raveena.

“Would you like to try some of mine, then? Just a little?” she asked sweetly. “I brought extra. Maybe it’ll balance out the misses!”

“You don’t have to—I’m not sure I should impose.”

"Impose?" Aya pouted. “But we’re friends, aren’t we? Just a taste. Please?”

Raveena exhaled softly through her nose. Then after a bit, she hovered her lunchbox closer. “…Fine. But just one bite’s worth.”

At that, Aya cheerfully dropped in two pieces of her dish.

Today’s special? A butter-basted mushroom quiche with tiny layers of spinach, folded egg, and cheese between delicate crust triangles—plus a small cube of sweet carrot mochi with a honey-glaze finish.

Raveena squinted at the two additions. “This... is two.”

“Yup!” Aya replied, utterly unrepentant with her cheeks puffed with pride.

"This is two, Aya."

"Yup! Indeed, it is!"

Raveena sighed. “Sneaky you.”

In response, Aya only grinned and took a bite from her own food, with Raveena quietly starting to eat hers as well.

And as Raveena was working her way through her lunch—starting with the eggs, then the tubers, then finally, what Aya shared her.

Aya watched carefully as soon as Raveena reached the ones she shared, lowering her spoon slightly.

The panther-folk ate the quiche first, and then, the carrot mochi.

She chewed.

And swallowed.

And then that same look returned. Aya saw the way Raveena's eyes lit up again, one that she remembered all too clearly from that first scone moment.

Pleased to see this reaction, Aya leaned in just slightly. “Soo~?”

Raveena looked at her.

Then down...

Then back again.

“…It’s really delicious.”

Aya’s entire posture perked up really happily. “Really?! Oh, I’m so glad—!” she beamed, practically bouncing in place. “I tried something new with the glaze this time—just a little lemon extract so it’d pop more without overpowering—”

Hearing Aya ramble, Raveena couldn’t help it.

A small laugh slipped out, and her shoulders even shook a little as she tried to keep it in.

Catching this, Aya stopped mid-ramble, blinking fast. “Hmm? What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head. “Did I say something funny?”

Raveena cleared her throat, looking away briefly as her ears twitched once.

“…Nothing,” she answered as she scooped up her spoon again. “It’s just… I’ve never met someone who gets this enthusiastic over food.”

Aya playfully puffed her cheeks in protest. “I am a Culinary student, you know!”

Raveena gave her an amused glance, then quietly popped the last bite of roasted tuber into her mouth.

Then nodded, smiling at the rabbit-folk.

“…I suppose you are.”