Chapter 2: — “Gassed up!"

Mika’s living room was cozy, the late afternoon sun streaming through the windows. The Nakayoshi trio was sitting cross-legged on the floor, sandwiches spread out on the coffee table, and Riku was perched on the sofa, arms crossed, expression unreadable as always.

He had made the sandwiches himself, a rare gesture that made Mika beam. Sakura and Mika had eagerly accepted them, sitting down in anticipation.

“These look… really good,” Mika said, picking up a sandwich.

“Thanks,” Riku said flatly. “I made them fresh.” He didn’t smile, didn’t fidget, just cold, calm, and unbothered. True to form.

Sakura took a bite cautiously, trying not to show how she usually dreaded anything too heavy in someone else’s house. “Mmm… yeah, they’re good,” she said softly, nibbling on the crust.

The girls ate quietly for a while, Mika chatting endlessly about random things, Riku responding in his usual monosyllabic way, and Sakura nodding politely, trying to focus on the sandwiches rather than overthinking her body’s reactions.

An hour later, however… things began to go wrong.

Sakura shifted in her seat, her stomach giving an ominous, low rumble. She froze. Not now… not here… She pressed a hand to her abdomen, hoping the sensation would pass.

Mika glanced at her. “Uh… Sakura? Are you okay?”

Sakura forced a smile. “Yeah, yeah… I’m fine. Just… uh… a little… full, that’s all.”

Mika narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. “Are you sure? You’re kinda squirming over there.”

Sakura laughed nervously, trying to act casual. “No, really! I can… handle it.”

Another rumble, louder this time, echoed through the room. Sakura’s eyes widened. She could feel it building—a gurgling, twisting sensation in her stomach that she knew meant trouble. Oh no… oh no no no…

Finally, she whispered, “Um… Riku… what exactly was in these sandwiches?”

Riku didn’t even look up from the manga he was reading. “Ham, salad, cucumbers, and cheese.” His tone was flat, almost accusatory, as if that simple statement contained the judgment of the universe.

Sakura’s eyes went wide, and she put a hand over her mouth. Cheese… oh no. Lactose… oh no. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks, not just from embarrassment, but from the unmistakable feeling in her stomach: she was in trouble.

Mika tilted her head, trying to hide a grin. “Wait… you didn’t tell him you’re lactose intolerant?”

Sakura’s jaw dropped. “I… I… I didn’t think—”

“Exactly,” Mika said, patting her shoulder. “Totally your fault. You’re gonna have to deal with this.”

Sakura groaned, curling into herself slightly. “I… I can handle it. It’s… fine.”

Mika wasn’t buying it. “Nope. You’re not fine. Look at you! You’re sweating, squirming, and honestly, I can hear your stomach growling from over here.”

Sakura shot her a desperate glare. “I said I’m fine!” she insisted, voice cracking slightly. “I can… totally handle this!”

Riku, meanwhile, continued to stare at her blankly from the sofa. Cold. Unbothered. Silent. And that was somehow worse.

Minutes ticked by. Sakura was trying to act composed, pretending to enjoy the conversation Mika was rambling about, about school, summer plans, and the ridiculous new manga series she had discovered, but every movement made her stomach protest louder. Oh god… oh god… just a few more seconds…

Then, suddenly, a faint, but unmistakablek, sound escaped.

Sakura froze. No. No no no no no.

Mika’s eyes went wide. “Uh… Sakura?”

Sakura’s face turned crimson. “I… I’m… fine!”

The rumbling grew louder, and it was clear to everyone that “fine” was not an accurate description. Mika leaned closer. “Come on, Sakura. Just… go to the bathroom. You don’t have to suffer in silence.”

Sakura shook her head, biting her lip. “No! I… I don’t… I can handle it. I just… I don’t want to… use the bathroom here. It’s… embarrassing!”

Mika blinked. “Embarrassing? It’s your body. You’re literally in pain right now. It’s way more embarrassing if you keep suffering and… you know…” She gestured vaguely at the air.

Riku finally spoke, his voice cold and cutting through the room like ice. “I can smell it.”

Sakura froze. “You… you… what?”

“I can smell your silent farts,” he said, standing up suddenly, arms crossed. “It’s stinking up the living room. You have to go use the bathroom instead of continuing to fart here.”

Mika blinked. Sakura’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out.

Riku didn’t budge. “Now. Go.”

Sakura exhaled shakily. “O-okay… but… you all have to promise…” She glanced at Mika and Miyuki “Promise you won’t laugh… if you somehow hear anything from the bathroom.”

Mika waved her hand enthusiastically. “Promise! We won’t laugh! Right, Naka-chan?”

Miyuki grinned. “Absolutely not! Totally serious!”

Sakura took a deep breath, rose from her seat, and hurried toward the bathroom. Each step felt like an eternity. Her face burned with embarrassment, but her stomach was finally getting some relief.

From the living room, Mika leaned back on the couch, snickering softly. “Wow… Sakura is handling it like a champ. I’d be dead by now if that was me.”

Riku, as usual, remained silent, sitting back down and picking up his manga again. Cold. Uncaring. The absolute embodiment of stoic judgment.

Sakura returned a few minutes later, cheeks flushed, hair slightly disheveled, but looking, if she said it, relieved. “I… I’m back,” she muttered, sitting down carefully.

Mika clapped her hands together. “See? That wasn’t so bad!”

Sakura muttered something inaudible, probably a string of curses in her head, but she smiled faintly.

Riku barely glanced at her. “Better.”

Mika grinned, nudging Sakura. “Don’t worry, Naka-chan. We’ll survive your stomach attacks. It’s just another day with the Nakayoshi trio!”

Sakura groaned, burying her face in her hands, and Mika laughed so hard she nearly fell off the couch. Riku, meanwhile, went back to reading, completely unbothered by the chaos around him.

It was exactly the kind of ridiculous, embarrassing, and oddly heartwarming afternoon that only life with friends like these could provide.

And Sakura silently vowed… next time, she’d check the ingredients first.