Chapter 7 - The Lunch Experiment

Rei Hoshizaki had entered a new phase of his life.

A very dangerous phase.

Operation: Become Friends with the Neko Kanojo.

So far…

Progress had been minimal.

Kuro Akamine still looked at him like he was a walking disaster.

But she hadn’t told him to disappear yet.

Which meant things were technically improving.

Probably.

Rei walked into the classroom during lunch break and immediately spotted her.

Kuro was sitting at her desk near the window.

Just like always.

A small lunch box sat on the desk in front of her.

Her long black hair fell neatly over her shoulders…

And her tail swayed slowly behind the chair.

Rei took a deep breath.

Alright.

Mission step two.

He walked over.

Kuro didn’t even look up.

“…What.”

“You knew it was me?” Rei asked.

“You walk loudly.”

“I do not.”

“You do.”

Rei pulled the empty chair beside her desk and sat down.

Now she looked up.

“…Why are you sitting there.”

Rei placed his lunch on the desk.

“Because we’re eating together.”

“…No we aren’t.”

“We are now.”

Kuro stared at him.

“…You’re unbelievably persistent.”

Rei smiled.

“I’m committed to the mission.”

“What mission.”

“…The friendship mission.”

Kuro sighed.

“…Idiot.”

But she didn’t tell him to leave.

Rei opened his lunch box proudly.

Inside were rice, vegetables, and a small piece of grilled fish.

The moment the lid opened—

Kuro froze.

Her ears stood straight up.

Her tail puffed slightly.

Rei blinked.

“…Uh.”

Kuro was staring at the fish.

Not casually.

Not normally.

But with the intensity of a hunter who had just spotted prey.

Rei slowly looked at her.

“…Kuro.”

She didn’t respond.

Her eyes were locked on the fish.

Her tail flicked.

Rei carefully moved the lunch box slightly away.

Kuro’s head moved with it.

“…You’re doing it again.”

“…Doing what.”

“That.”

She immediately looked away.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her ears were red.

Rei laughed quietly.

“You want the fish.”

“I do not.”

“You absolutely do.”

“I said I don’t.”

Her tail flicked again.

Rei grinned.

“You’re really bad at hiding cat instincts.”

Kuro glared at him.

“…This is your fault.”

“Technically the god—”

“Your fault.”

“…Fair.”

Rei picked up the piece of fish with his chopsticks.

Kuro’s eyes followed it immediately.

Then she realized what she was doing and looked away again.

“…Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing.”

“…You’re definitely teasing.”

Rei chuckled.

Then he held the chopsticks toward her.

“Want it?”

Kuro froze.

“…What.”

“You want it, right?”

“…No.”

“You’ve been staring at it for thirty seconds.”

“That proves nothing.”

Rei shrugged.

“Alright.”

He started bringing the fish back toward his lunch box.

Before it reached—

Kuro grabbed his wrist.

Both of them froze.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Her tail had wrapped loosely around his arm.

The two of them stayed like that for a moment.

Then Kuro quickly let go.

“…I changed my mind.”

Rei raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“…I’ll take it.”

Rei handed it over.

She took the fish carefully.

Then ate it.

Very quickly.

Rei blinked.

“…You didn’t even chew.”

“I did.”

“That was two seconds.”

Kuro looked away.

“…Don’t comment on it.”

Rei laughed.

“You’re really becoming a cat.”

Her tail flicked at him.

“Say that again and I’ll hit you.”

“Noted.”

Kuro finished the fish and quietly placed the chopsticks down.

Then she said something surprising.

“…Thank you.”

Rei blinked.

“For the fish?”

“…Yes.”

Rei smiled.

“No problem.”

For a moment the two of them just sat there.

The classroom buzzed with students talking around them.

But the atmosphere between them had changed slightly.

Kuro glanced at him.

“…Hoshizaki.”

“Yeah?”

“…You’re strange.”

“I know.”

“…But.”

Her tail slowly moved behind the chair.

“…Maybe being friends isn’t the worst idea.”

Rei grinned.

Mission progress.

Small.

But real.

And somewhere deep inside—

Kuro’s tail swayed just a little more than usual