Chapter 12 - A Nonsense Question

“Stop being grumpy.” Ari said, looking at me.

“I’m not. What are you talking about?” I said back, frowning while looking at the hallway.

“Look at that. You kept on frowning.” she pointed out.

“How else should I control my face then?”

“You could… keep it simple?” she said, placing a hand on her chin.

“It’s simple for me to this this.”

“That’s the way it is when he is hungry.” Ren said, joining in. “We shouldn’t poke him too much.

“I thought that’s how he is usually.” she said, taking a glance. “Or it might be because I haven’t paid for half of his chips the last time.”

Ren laughed. “That might’ve been the case. He always eats chips whenever he goes home, so it might not be the best idea to do that.”

I continued walking, with both Ari and Ren on my side. They kept on talking about me and some other things that doesn’t matter.

“You wanted some chips?” she asked, looking at me.

“Are you going to give it for free.” I asked back.

“If you don’t want it free, it’s fine by me too.” she said, chuckling softly. “How about you… what’s your name again? It’s my first time seeing you.” she continued.

“I’m Ren. I know every girl in the school.” he introduced, feeling proud. “If you want to know someone, don’t hesitate to ask me about it.”

“Really?” she asked. “That’s kind of weird though.”

“He meant to say that it only applies to the first years. He doesn’t know anyone above our grade level.” I said.

“You don’t have to input that.” he said. “Well, he is right about that. If you want to know anything about the first years, don’t hesitate to ask me about it.”

Ari looked at me amused. “Kind of interesting, huh?”

“I’m more interested in getting the chips you are talking about.” I said.

“It’s lunch and you wanted some chips?” she asked, her eyes wide open.

“It’s still a food no matter what you say. If you are going to give me some chips then tell me right now.”

“I will, I will. So should we go outside and go to the same shop?” she suggested.

“I think it would be too far.” Ren said, looking outside the window. “It’s a bit hot too.”

“You’re right.” she nodded once. “Are there other places we could buy some chips?”

“Other than the canteen… I’m not too sure…” he muttered. He then turned around to me, “You know?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think there’s other place for it other than the shop near the school.”

“Well then…” she paused and stopped walking. “What are your suggestions?”

Ren pointed himself. “I’m included too?”

“Sure, why not?” she said.

“It’s probably better to ask him.” he said, turning to me. “What do you think?”

“Hm…” I pondered, it took me 30 seconds to think of something. “I’ll let the two of you decide for it.”

“Oh…” she muttered, unsure what should she feel. “I thought you were going to suggest something.”

“Don’t worry about the chips, it’s not like I’m going to be angry at it.” I said.

“I’m not saying that! I wanted to know if there’s something you wanted to eat.” she said back.

I turned to Ren.

“No.” he said. “I’m not going to suggest it.”

I pondered for a while before asking. “It can be anything?”

“Yep.” she nodded.

“Let’s get some bread then. Do you mind?” I suggested.

“No, it’s perfectly fine. It’s my treat.” she said.

I looked at Ren. “You’re okay with it?”

“Of course. I’m just tagging along, I’m fine with it.” he said.

“Then let’s get something. I knew a bakery near the school, they have the best tasting breads over here.” she suggested.

Then we are still going out in the heat anyway.

As we decided on the thing to do, we all continued walking and made our way to exit the school, aiming for the bakery near the school.

——————————

“It’s actually good. I’m surprised.” I said as I bit on the bread. It is a bread filled with coconut meat. It is sweet and tasty, which is my type of bread.

“I told you.” Ari said, chewing on the bread. “I always go in here for some bread, and it doesn’t miss.”

Ren remained silent, biting on the bread with a smile on his face.

“Could you hold this bread for a second?” she said, giving her bread to me.

I grabbed the bread and held onto it with my right hand.

“Don’t you dare eat it.” she said, turning to the vending machine just near the bakery.

“Why would I even do that?” I said frowning at her back.

She chuckled softly. “Don’t be too serious.” she said, looking at the machine. “What do you want?” she asked.

“Sprit—”

“Okay, water then.” she said, choosing the water.

“How about you Ren?”

“Can I have a Co—”

“Sprite, okay.” she said, choosing another wrong drink.

She went back and handed us each our drink correctly. “Can I get the bread now?” she said, opening her hand.

I gave the bread back to her while I held onto the Sprite. I noticed she was only holding a water bottle and no soft drinks.

“Only water?” I asked, wondering why she didn’t get any soft drinks.

“I only do water when I’m eating bread.” she said, biting into the bread. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Hm…” I didn’t press about it anymore and just continued eating the bread in one bite. “It was worth it coming in here.”

“You’re right.” Ren said, nodding. “It’s cheap and tasted good. No wonder a lot of students go here. You’re not lying when you said it tasted good.” he continued, looking at Ari.

She drank from the water bottle and swallowed the rest of the bread. “It was worth it coming here then.”

“Right.” he paused and looked around the area. “On a serious note, I just want to ask something.”

Ari raised an eyebrow. “Question for me?”

Ren nodded. I looked at him, noticing he looked a bit too serious.

“You’re not a student from our school, are you?”