First Lunch Break

Koshiro was lounging on the short stairs. He was almost done with his Anpan when he noticed a sudden movement.

“Huh?” the boy looked at the inflatable bear wearing nothing but a ribbon on the head, right beside him.

“…”

Koshiro continued to eat his lunch.

“Hey.” it was a female voice.

“Kuma-chan...?” he turned to her again.

“…”

“I must be crazy talking to a bear.”

“You are not crazy.”

“I’m not?”

“No.” the voice was like the one of a child.

“I’ve got a feeling that I’ve heard this voice before…”

“What’s your name, boy?”

“Hmm… my name is Koshiro Koike.”

“Koike-kun?” 

"Uhum." the boy nodded. 

“I’m Kuma-chan, hehe.”

“Okay…”

“What are you doing here alone? Where are your friends?”

“My friends?”

“Yes, those two looking through the window before. Aren’t those two your friends?”

“Hmm…” Koshiro hesitated, wondering where he had heard that voice, “Well, we know each other from before high school… since six months ago, more or less… so I guess you could say that.”

“Ohh, I see. You don’t think that’s enough time to get to know them?”

“Well, I...”

“But you fell on me once and told me you loved me.” she interrupted him.

“Hehe…” Koshiro scratched his head as he finally managed to remember from whom the voice was, “I got caught up in the moment… because you kinda pressured me, Senpai.”

“Hmm… that’s right! I’m Kuma-chan-Senpai!”

“C’mon, I’m serious here, I can see your feet and your hair from behind the be… from behind Kuma-chan.”

"Hmm... maybe the fall damaged your brain?"

"Just get out of there."

A girl appeared from behind Kuma-chan, and now Koshiro could finally take a good look at her. She was the one that “advised” him before: a short girl with long dark hair, scarlet eyes (with a mole under the left one), and slightly brown skin.

“What are you doing playing like this?”

“I was just taking care of Kuma-chan since you said some disturbing things before… and because you entered the girl’s bathroom.”

“Wait, don’t tell me that other girl told you about it too?”

“Not exactly.”

“How come?”

“I am ‘that other girl.’” she sulked.

“Oh.” Koshiro got up and started to bow “I’m sorry about that, it wasn’t my intention…”

“It’s okay, I was just messing with you.” the girl lifted the sides of her skirt and bowed elegantly: “Nice to meet you, Koshiro. I am Umiko. Umiko Sawada.”

Koshiro was puzzled, not only because of the girl’s movement but also because she didn't appear to be a second-year student for him. She looked like a child. “Hey, are you sure you are my Senpai?”

“Of course. Why are you even asking?!” she scowled at him. “Don’t tell me it is because I look like a little girl.”

“Well…” Koshiro smiled awkwardly.

“Koshiro you idiot! Idiot, Idiot, Idiot, Idiot!” she started to shout.

“Hey, why are you so angry?? I didn’t say anything!”

“Yes but I’m sure you thought of it!”

“That part is true.”

“Just like all the others, they’re always telling me that I look like a child, that I’m a loli.”

“You’re a bit short but…” 

“UNLESS you are actually falling for me… s-so you do like lolis!” her eyes were wide open as she took a step back.

“Aargh.” Koshiro sighed, “What I said before was more to the readers than for you, okay? I was just clearing a misunderstanding! People should know that they are important to the industry, IN-DUS-TRY, this has nothing to do with me.”

The girl seemed to compose herself a little. “I’ll believe in your word for now...” 

“That was actually pretty easy.” the boy returned his focus to the Anpan: “Now I can finally end my lunch.” he gave it some more bites until nothing was left, not noticing the starving gaze directed at his food.

“But hey.” the girl shook her head, “You didn’t answer my question before. About your friends.”

“Oh, Yasutake-san and Hirata-san are probably eating with those two girls. Shimizu and Takayama.”

“The perfect woman and her friend?”

“Yeah.”

“I see…”

“What about you?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you here alone?”

“I’m not alone, you’re here too.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Well… I like being alone.”

“C’mon, that’s obviously a lie.” “Is that so?”

“Uhum.” she nodded.

“Okay” “If she doesn’t want to talk I’m not the one who’s gonna force her.”

“It’s almost time to get back. I’ll get going then, bye-bye!” she ran to the school building while dragging Kuma-chan with her.

“Hey, gir...” Koshiro tried to call Sawada, but she was already too far, and his phone interrupted his words. He took his phone out of his pocket and looked at the two notifications:

Nobu: Are you playing with us tonight?

Nyoko-chan: How is your first day at high school? * - * Let’s talk about it tonight :)

“Asking me today is a bit weird... I guess those two never change.” Koshiro murmured to himself as he typed:

Koshiro (replying to Nobu): IDK, I’ve to wait ‘til I get back home.

Koshiro (replying to Nyoko-chan): It’s kinda weird. I’ll talk to you about it later.

After answering the messages he looked at the time, “Oh crap, I have to get back to class.” and skittered to the school building.

***

After putting his desk back onto its place, Hirata walked towards Koshiro (while being followed by Yasutake), who had just crossed the door: “Hey, Koike-san, how was lunch for you?” 

“I guess it was fine...” Koshiro replied, remembering the encounter with his senior.

“Great! Did you receive Furukawa’s message?”

“Which Furukawa?”

“Nobu, of course.”

“Yes, I received… but how do you know that?”

“You see, I’m actually the one that called him! I don’t think you would’ve agreed if I was the one asking.”

“Well…”

“So when I looked through last year’s numbers yesterday I found his.”

“And you decided to talk to him, out of nowhere like that?”

“Furukawa has always been nice to me.” Hirata smiled, “And since you are so close to him, it was my best chance.”

“I don’t know why you want to play with me that much but okay.”

“C’mon, we’ll be together for the next three years, we should play sometimes! I look forward to spending these years with you Koike-san.”

“It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think?”  “Me too.”

“M-Me too!” Yasutake chimed in.

“Oh yeah.” Hirata looked at Yasutake. “You’re fine with her playing with us too, right Koike-san?”

“I don’t remember saying that I would play with you.” “I don’t remember saying that I would play with you.” “Shit, did I say that aloud?”

“O-Okay.” Yasutake stuttered with a dejected-looking face.

“Hey hey, I didn’t say it but I’m saying now! I’ll play with you whenever I have the time!” 

“Nice! So can I also have your number?” Hirata asked.

“What now?”

“Your number! So we can keep in touch out of school.”

“Oh, you don’t have it yet?”

“No, you are one of the few people from Junior High that didn’t give me it.”

“Really?”

“Really. I believe you said something like ‘I don’t remember my number and I don’t have my phone now’. I insisted on giving you mine but you told me it wasn’t necessary.”

“Oh, right.” Koshiro murmured without remembering, “So here it is.” he showed his number to Hirata.

“Thanks!” Hirata added Koshiro’s number and then looked at Yasutake: “Erity-chan, aren’t you going to add his number too?”

“Hmm.” the girl looked back at him while fiddling with her fingers. When her eyes met his, she blushed and diverted her gaze: “I-If you want me to, I’ll add him.” 

“Nice!” Hirata said while raising his right fist. “So, tonight we’ll be gaming buds!”

“I’m not sure about that ‘tonight’ part.” “What do you guys play?”

“We play a bunch of stuff! But recently we’ve been playing that Predator Legends, you know?"

“Yeah.” “Wow, talk about a bad replacement name.” “I play it with Nobu and Nyoko sometimes.”

“So, it’s settled! We’ll…”

“Hey, Hirata-san. Can you please stop yelling? It is making my head hurt.” their homeroom teacher, Sumiye Suto, interrupted the boy. She was trudging through the corridor with an awful-looking expression.

“Yes, Suto-Sensei. I’m sorry.” Hirata apologized.

“Whatever.” she turned to Koshiro: “Your big sister wants to talk to you, wait for me after school.”

“Really?” Koshiro sighed while he received the stares of Yasutake and Hirata. “Okay.”