Chapter 72 - Mashiro’s Cheerful Bento
The opening ceremony proceeded without a hitch, and before we knew it, lunchtime had arrived.
At Kio Academy High School, where we go, classes resume in the afternoon even on the day of the opening ceremony, so now we’re about to eat lunch in the classroom.
Normally, Reo eats lunch in another classroom, but today he came all the way to my seat.
“Ryusuke, are you feeling okay? You shouldn’t push yourself—catching a cold early on is the most important time to rest.”
“Thanks for worrying, Reo. But it’s not like I’m feeling that bad.”
“Glad to hear it. Mashiro-san’s worried too. Take care, alright?”
Reo’s really a kind and good guy—he’s eating lunch with me just because I’ve caught a cold.
Even now, he’s sitting in an empty seat, opening his bento and checking on how I’m doing.
His silver short hair is neatly styled, and his gentle gray eyes shine with a dignified light. He gives off a calm and composed aura—a beautiful boy.
He’s athletic, smart, and basically flawless. And on top of that, he’s kind and dependable.
Right next to him, stuffing his cheeks full of rice like a squirrel, is Nishikawa Kyoya. He’s another friend who rushed over during lunch break because he was worried about me.
“Man, seriously. Ryusuke was so full of energy over summer break, and now he’s suddenly got a cold? That’s wild.”
“Nishikawa, I feel the same. Up until last week, I was totally fine.”
“I’ve never had a cold in my life, you know. Not bragging or anything!”
Nishikawa strikes a smug pose, thrusting his thumb up proudly.
Reo looks at him and shrugs with a weary sigh.
“Kyoya… That’s what people usually mean when they say ‘idiots don’t catch colds,’ isn’t it…?”
“Hey, Reo. That makes it sound like I just don’t notice when I have a cold. That’s not it, okay? I seriously have never caught one!”
“Sure, sure. I’ll just assume I was mistaken when I saw you running around in middle school with a bright red face and snot dripping down your nose.”
(Middle school Nishikawa… Yeah, I can totally picture that.)
I couldn’t help but smile as I imagined Nishikawa running around, laughing loudly with a flushed face from a fever. He probably really didn’t realize he had a cold.
Nishikawa shovels rice into his mouth, chewing and swallowing with obvious delight.
Just moments ago, he was frowning from Reo’s teasing, but the deliciousness of the rice seems to have reset him. That carefree nature is so Nishikawa.
Warmed by the kindness of these two, I decided to eat lunch with them—but then I was struck by a sudden realization: my bento wasn’t in my bag.
“Crap… I totally forgot to pack it this morning because I wasn’t feeling well.”
“That’s rare. Ryusuke forgetting something?”
“For real. You’re usually flawless—textbooks, gym clothes, everything. And now you forget your bento?”
Their teasing made my ears burn with embarrassment. Even if I was foggy-headed from the cold, forgetting something as important as lunch is a major blunder. I even left behind the bento Mashiro usually prepares for me.
If I go without lunch, it’s not just me—Mashiro will be affected too. I guess I’ll have to quietly head to the school store… Just as I braced myself—
A loud thud echoed as a large two-tiered bento box was placed on my desk. The desk creaked under the weight—it definitely wasn’t my imagination.
Eyes wide, I looked around in shock. Reo and Nishikawa, seated nearby, also stared in surprise.
I slowly lifted my gaze—and there she was. A beautiful girl with an angelic smile: Mashiro.
“Tadaaa! I made a super cheerful bento for Ryusuke! It’s Mashiro’s special two-tiered lunch!”
“Uh, um… Mashiro. What is this…?”
“When you’re not feeling well, you need to eat something nutritious to get your strength back!”
“No, I mean… why did you make a bento for me?”
“Didn’t I say it yesterday on RINE? Ryusuke, you looked sick, so I said I’d make lunch for you today.”
“S-Sorry… Honestly, I don’t remember at all. I was so out of it, I probably thought it was all a dream.”
“Geez, Ryusuke. But it’s okay—when you’re sick, it can’t be helped. Ehehe, I’ll take good care of you today, okay?”
“Mashiro…”
“So? Are you happy?”
“I’m ridiculously happy… I could catch a cold every day if it means this.”
“Nope! You need to get better soon. I’m worried about your health, Ryusuke.”
“Yeah. I’ll eat Mashiro’s cheerful bento and beat this cold in no time.”
I was so touched that Mashiro made this for me, I nearly cried.
Thank you, foggy-headed morning me. If I hadn’t forgotten my bento, we’d have had my usual two-person lunch plus Mashiro’s special two-tiered bento—a total disaster.
Mashiro borrowed a chair from an empty seat and brought it over to my desk.
Then she opened the bento box and revealed her homemade dishes to us.
Inside were colorful meat rolls, fried chicken, tamagoyaki, rice balls—an incredible variety of side dishes packed to the brim. There were two pairs of chopsticks and even small plates for sharing. She really went all out.
Mashiro poured warm tea from a thermos and handed it to me with practiced ease. I was truly grateful for the kindness of my angelic childhood friend.
“Reo-kun, Nishikawa-kun. If you’d like, please have some too? I got a little carried away and made too much.”
“H-huh!? M-Mashiro-shan’s homemade food… C-Can I really… eat it…?”
“Hey, Nishikawa. You’re shaking like crazy. You okay?”
Nishikawa pinched his cheek to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, then broke into a goofy smile, looking absolutely blissful. You’ve been completely tamed, Nishikawa.
“There’s no way I’d turn down such a generous offer from Mashiro-san. I’ll gladly accept.”
“Yup, I knew Reo-kun would say that. Thank you!”
“No, no, thank you. It looks so delicious, I might end up eating too much.”
“Reo-kun’s quite the foodie, huh? I know you actually ate more than Nishikawa-kun at the summer festival.”
“Ahaha… I can’t help myself when there’s tasty food in front of me. I usually watch what I eat—really, I do!”
“But today, Reo-kun doesn’t need to worry. We’re all part of the Glutton Alliance! Ehehe, let’s all eat lots together!”
Reo scratched his cheek with a bashful smile, and Nishikawa grinned mischievously at his reaction.
Mashiro and I exchanged smiles too, and the four of us put our hands together and said “Itadakimasu.”
As we enjoyed the supreme luxury of Mashiro’s homemade cooking, the four of us spent a joyful lunch break together.
None of us noticed the girl watching us enviously from the hallway, gazing longingly at our radiant scene of youth.