The cafeteria is the last place I want to be. It’s loud, it smells like overcooked rice, and there’s nowhere to sit where you won’t feel like you’re on display. Usually, I grab a vending machine sandwich and eat it behind the gym or not at all.

But today, I have a problem.
A six-foot-seven problem named Kai Reiner.

He drags me into line with him like we’ve been doing this every day since forever. “Curry or mystery meat?” he asks, holding two trays like I don’t get a say in the matter.

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“Your stomach said otherwise.” He slaps a tray in my hands anyway. “Curry it is.”

I sigh, tugging my hoodie strings tighter. It’s easier not to argue. He talks enough for both of us, and eventually people get bored when I don’t respond. Except Kai doesn’t.

We end up at a table near the windows. I brace myself for the stares—basketball captain and the weird loner gamer? Yeah, people are looking. But Kai doesn’t care. He plops down, shoves his blazer off one shoulder, and digs in like this is the most normal thing in the world.

“So,” he says through a mouthful of rice, “what’s your favorite manga?”

“…I don’t read much.”

“Liar. No one who games as much as you hasn’t touched manga.” His red eyes narrow in mock suspicion. “I bet it’s something dark. Lots of brooding. Probably demons.”

Against my will, a tiny smirk pulls at my lips. “…Blue Exorcist.”

His face lights up like I just handed him a winning lottery ticket. “Knew it! Man, I love that series. Okay, we’re definitely hanging out after school. My place. I’ve got the whole set.”

I pause with my spoon halfway to my mouth. “…Why would I go to your place?”

“Because I invited you,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing ever. Then, leaning closer, “And because you’re curious. I can tell.”

I look away, stabbing at the curry. He’s not wrong, and that’s annoying.

The rest of lunch is… weird. Not bad, just weird. Kai keeps talking—about practice, about his dog, about some embarrassing story where he tripped during a game and the whole gym saw. Normally, people’s voices blur into background noise for me. But his doesn’t. His is sharp, bright, and for some reason, hard to tune out.

When the bell rings, Kai stands and stretches, towering over everyone. “Meet me after practice,” he says, pointing at me like I’m already locked in.

I blink. “I didn’t agree to—”

“Cool. See you then.” He grins, grabs both our trays, and jogs off before I can finish.

I sit there, staring at the empty spot where he was.