"This dessert selection is way too small. Though, it does taste pretty good…" Eriri Spencer Sawamura commented as she forked a piece of cake into her mouth, a faintly satisfied expression crossing her face.
"Your standards are way too high. This isn't some fancy restaurant," Kanade Natsukawa retorted.
Taking a sip of his coffee, his expression softened with contentment. "The coffee is excellent, though. I heard the chefs and patissiers here were sent from Shuuchiin Academy itself. I thought that was just a rumor…"
Typically, students were expected to prepare their meals themselves during the forest school to develop practical skills. At most, some staff would provide minimal assistance for special circumstances.
But Shuuchiin had gone above and beyond, not only providing a cafeteria but also dispatching their own chefs to ensure students wouldn't go hungry due to a lack of culinary ability.
As a result, except for the first day when students tried cooking out of novelty, most meals had been eaten in the cafeteria. Any "training" was purely theoretical.
"Sure, it's tasty, but I'd like to try something else for a change. Eating the same thing gets boring…" Eriri hinted, her eyes glued to the dessert on Kanade's tray.
"How's yours?" she asked, feigning casual curiosity.
"It's pretty good, not as sweet as I expected." Kanade nodded, giving his approval.
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
"…Aren't you going to say anything else?"
"Huh?" Kanade blinked, confused. Wasn't this just a dessert? Did she want him to write a whole review?
"Well, if you insist… The interior is moist and vibrant green, the exterior fluffy and light. When I take a bite, the matcha flavor unfolds across my tongue, leaving a refreshing, enchanting aftertaste…"
"…"
Watching Kanade describe his cake with poetic flair, Eriri was at a loss for words.
He's changed. He really has.
In the past, Kanade wouldn't have needed her to hint. He would have cheerfully said something like, "Mine tastes great too. Want to try it?" Even if she responded with an exasperated "I don't want something you've already eaten," he'd persist with a smile.
But now? The roles seemed reversed. She lacked his confidence and boldness, unwilling to take the risk of being rejected.
She couldn't bear the thought of failure.
Still, there was a certain charm in their current dynamic. While she didn't get the intimate gestures she longed for, just being able to sit with him and share a moment was enough.
And if I throw a tantrum, he might even try to cheer me up. That's not so bad, is it?
But… what if she got too used to this? What if Kanade's patience wore thin, and one day, he found her exhausting?
Her adolescent heart swirled with these doubts, as teenage girls often do, especially when they're in love. While she overanalyzed every interaction, Kanade remained blissfully oblivious.
I wonder if my description made her taste it in her mind, Kanade mused. He was pondering how to make his words resonate better, completely unaware that Eriri's thoughts weren't on dessert at all.
His musings were cut short when a familiar trio of girls approached their table.
"I have to admire how carefree you are, lounging here with dessert, President Natsukawa."
Hearing his name, Kanade looked up and immediately recognized the "I'm here to pick a fight" trio.
"Uh… is there something you need?"
Despite their accusatory tone, Kanade remained composed. As student council president, it was his duty to maintain decorum—even when faced with unreasonable complaints.
More importantly, he recognized these girls as Shiina Mahiru's rare group of friends.
Mahiru, someone Kanade cared deeply about, had always seemed lonely to him. Despite being adored by many, she lacked close companionship. Even her family couldn't provide solace; they dismissed her feelings with callous indifference.
Her parents, locked in a loveless business marriage, treated her as an unwanted byproduct of their impulsive union, leaving her in the care of a nanny and little else. Their only words for her were cruel: "It would have been better if you'd never been born."
Kanade had always felt protective of Mahiru. Lately, however, seeing her interact with these friends had been a relief. He'd discreetly looked into them to ensure they were trustworthy, and once satisfied, he encouraged Mahiru to spend time with them.
Seeing Mahiru gradually brighten, her smiles becoming less formal and more genuine, filled him with quiet joy.
That's why he avoided interfering when she was with them, giving them space to bond.
But today, they had sought him out.
The reason was obvious: it had to be about Mahiru.
Realizing this, Kanade's expression turned serious. "Did something happen? Is Mahiru alright?"
The girls exchanged awkward glances before their leader stepped forward, her face unreadable.
"If you care so much, why are you being unfaithful?"
"…Unfaithful?" Kanade blinked, following her gaze to Eriri, who was still nibbling her cake. He sighed, understanding the implication.
"You've got it wrong. Eriri and I are just close friends."
"'Close friends,' huh…" The girl didn't seem entirely convinced, but she also had no grounds to push further.
"Fine, I won't say more." She handed him a bag. "This is Mahiru's. Take it to her."
"Now?" Kanade asked, puzzled.
"She was sitting with us over there," the girl said flatly.
"…" Kanade pieced it together.
Mahiru and her friends must have been nearby when they saw him and Eriri together. Her friends, suspecting him of "cheating," had likely dragged Mahiru into confronting him. Unable to dissuade them, Mahiru had probably run off in embarrassment.
But… where was she now? Why had she left her bag behind? And how had their relationship been mistaken for something romantic in the first place?
Have high school girls always had such sharp instincts?
Kanade felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of questions swirling in his head.
Thankfully, the trio made the next move for him.
"Why are you still sitting here? Go find her!"
"She's probably in her room," one offered.
"We're her roommates. Room 2108," added another.
"And don't bother knocking. Just go in," the third chimed in.
"…" Kanade nodded automatically at their synchronized insistence.
As he stood to leave, he remembered Eriri was still sitting across from him.
"Sorry, Eriri. Something came up. I'll catch you later."
"Ah…" Eriri opened her mouth to respond but faltered.
The presence of the trio made her hesitant to say anything embarrassing. Their bold, gyaru-like demeanor intimidated her natural shyness.
So she could only watch helplessly as Kanade, carrying Mahiru's bag, disappeared out the door.
Her thoughts spiraled. What are they going to do in her room? That's so… improper!
Her cheeks burned as her imagination ran wild. High schoolers shouldn't be doing such indecent things! This is unacceptable!
But Kanade couldn't hear her internal protest, nor would it have mattered.
With a forlorn sigh, Eriri curled into the corner of the sofa, casting a longing glance toward the door. Meanwhile, her mind screamed internally:
Help! I don't want to fall behind!