Chapter 4 - The Communication Monster
“…This feels kind of nostalgic.”
Tsukishiro-san’s murmur clung to my mind, refusing to fade. For just a moment, it felt like time had rewound—like we were back in that middle school classroom, overlapping with the present.
Maybe I’d been misunderstanding everything all along. That’s how it felt.
—Lunch break.
Should I grab some bread from the school store, or head to the cafeteria… I stood in the hallway, arms crossed, torn between choices.
Lately, I’ve been consuming way too many carbs and fats. If I’m not careful, I’ll revert back to being a sweaty blob…
Just then, a female classmate suddenly called out to me with a smile. Behind her, a small group of girls waited.
“Kanzaki-kun, wanna eat lunch together?”
“Eh… me?”
…No way.
A girl just invited me to lunch!? Me, the guy who always eats alone in the bathroom!?
What is this… a trap? If I follow them, will some scary upperclassman show up and yell, “You think you’re hot stuff, huh!?” and beat me to a pulp!?
I didn’t know how to turn them down, so I just stood there trembling.
And then—like a dazzling savior, he appeared. His glossy hair swayed as he turned his perfectly crafted face toward the girls.
“Shun…!”
Tachibana Shun, my classmate, smoothly stepped between me and the girls and spoke in a voice so natural it was unreal.
“Sorry! I promised to eat with him today. Ask him again another time, okay?”
He pressed his palms together in front of his face in an apologetic gesture. That smile of his was devastating—instantly turning the girls’ cheeks bright red.
“O-okay… then, see you later.”
The girls waved goodbye, clearly reluctant to leave.
From the far end of the hallway, I could hear their hushed voices.
“Kanzaki-kun’s eating with Tachibana-kun today.”
“Eeeehhh…”
—Just moments ago, I felt like I was being attacked by thugs. Now, it was as if a prince on a white horse had come to my rescue. Somehow, Shun looked exactly like that prince. I couldn’t help but admire the way a real extrovert carried himself.
“Shun… you’re seriously cool…”
“Fufu, don’t fall for me, okay? Choro-in-kun.”
“W-who are you calling Choro-in!?”
I raised my voice instinctively, and Shun smirked.
“Come on, I saw your face. You totally went ‘kyun,’ didn’t you?”
“I did not!?”
“Sure, sure. No need to act tough.”
“I’m not acting tough!”
Grrr… The more I deny it, the more suspicious it sounds. That’s not fair!
But still—if I were a girl, I’d definitely have fallen for him. I mean, this guy’s like a light novel protagonist…
No, no! I shook my head to clear the nonsense.
“C’mon, Tsubasa. Let’s go! I’ve got something to talk about. Let’s hit the cafeteria.”
“O-oh…!”
Talk!? What talk!? Is he gonna confess to me!?
With anxiety bubbling inside me, we dashed down the hallway side by side.
—Cafeteria.
The cafeteria at lunchtime was packed with students. The buzz of chatter and the mouthwatering aroma made it feel like a battlefield over seats.
“Tsubasa, you look like that but you’re not used to girls, huh? You into guys or something?”
Shun said something gross while stuffing his mouth with the daily karaage lunch.
“Of course not. …I just haven’t had many chances to talk to girls.”
I slurped my soba, trying to sound tough. Soba’s great. It’s rich in protein, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals—perfect for supplementing nutrients during a diet. I used to be all about ramen when it came to noodles, though.
“So hey, Tsubasa.”
Shun wiped his mouth and suddenly hit me with the real question.
“You interested in Tsukishiro-san?”
“Huh!? No no no! Why would you think that!?”
My chopsticks on the table rattled. So that’s what he wanted to talk about!?
Ignoring my desperate denial, Shun grinned.
“Because… you’re always looking at Tsukishiro-san.”
“Ugh…!”
At that moment, a shadow moved at the edge of my vision. From the cafeteria entrance—Tsukishiro-san walked in.
“See? You’re looking again.”
I couldn’t even hear Shun’s teasing anymore.
My eyes were fixed on the girl walking beside Tsukishiro-san.
“Oh! Tsukishiro-san’s with Takase today, huh. Those two have been hanging out a lot lately.”
Shun said her name first. Yeah, that long blonde hair—
Takase Ai.
Her shiny, waist-length blonde hair swayed in a ponytail. Her figure was off the charts—and as a guy, there’s one part you just can’t help but stare at.
…Huge.
No, wait, that’s not my fault. It’s a biological reflex. No guy can resist.
And more than anything—she’s got insane communication skills. Just one smile and she lights up the whole room, instantly clicking with anyone.
But to me, Takase Ai is the ultimate nemesis. The apex predator of extroverts… a gal.
And now, Takase and Tsukishiro-san were walking straight toward us.
Whoa, crap! They’re coming closer! Why!?
My heart started pounding like a drumroll.
“—Hey, mind if we sit here?”
Takase pointed to the seat next to us and flashed a grin.
Please no… I’m not ready to sit at the extrovert table yet…
While I was too flustered to respond, Shun answered instantly from across the table.
“Of course! You’re more than welcome!”
In that moment, Shun’s face sparkled. He welcomed them like they’d been friends since birth.
I screamed in my heart.
You damn communication monster!
***
“Whoa~ the cafeteria’s packed. What do you think, Rei?”
Ai scanned the area, holding her tray with the daily lunch special, eyes darting around for seats.
“Ah! That spot’s open!”
“Ohh~ you’re right! Lucky!”
I—Tsukishiro Rei—followed behind Ai, heart pounding. The closer we got to the seats, the louder my heartbeat echoed like a drum.
Th-th-th-this is bad. Kanzaki-kun is here—! What do I do, I’m so nervous…!
He was sitting with Tachibana-kun from our class. The seat I pointed to… was right next to them.
I looked around for any other open seats, but the lunchtime chaos only made me more frantic.
I mean—those boys over there, if you’re done eating, hurry up and leave already!
“Oh! Isn’t that Kanzaki-kun and Tachibana-kun from our class? I’ve always wanted to talk to them~!”
No good… Ai’s totally interested in those two. My inner screams went unheard as she cheerfully called out.
“—Hey, mind if we sit here?”
I was on the verge of tears, but kept a calm face and screamed in my heart.
You damn communication monster!