Usagi's POV :
Next day ...
I woke up extra early today… just to make lunch!? Ahh, what am I even doing? Maybe—just maybe—if I make a meal good enough, I can cheer up Okami-kun's dead eyes… Ahh, wait. What the heck am I even thinking? Am I being a creep right now? No, no, no! This is totally normal! I'm just trying to befriend him. Yeah… that's all.
---
"EHHH!? You made lunch for him!?" Mei practically shouted, making me jump as she stared at the lunchbox in my hands.
"Shhh! Shhh! Lower your voice!" I whispered frantically, feeling my entire face go red. Ugh, this is so embarrassing!
Mei grinned mischievously. "That's so bold of you, Usagi~!"
"I-It's not!" I stammered, hugging the lunchbox defensively. "It's just my hobby, okay?! I… I just wanted to test my skills! To see if my food can bring someone joy!"
Mei smirked. "Yeah, yeah~ Keep telling yourself that."
I groaned. Why does this feel like a terrible idea now…?
"Usagi-chan, that's not like you…" Hina said, her eyes searching mine. "Are you sure all you want is to befriend him? Nothing else?"
I met her gaze firmly, not letting any hesitation show. "Yes, I'm sure, Hina-chan." My voice was steady, filled with determination.
Hina studied me for a moment before nodding with a small smile. "Alright, then."
---
As soon as my lecture ended, I grabbed the lunch box and made my way to the literature department. My heart was beating a little faster than usual. Why am I nervous? It's just food… right?
As I approached the hallway, I spotted Rentarou-kun walking toward me. He noticed me too and gave a small wave.
"Ah, hi!" I greeted him. "Is Okami-kun here?"
Rentarou scratched the back of his head, looking a bit hesitant. "Oh… about that." He sighed before continuing. "He said he doesn't want to meet you… and that he doesn't remember meeting anyone in the library either."
"Huh?"
My eyes widened in shock. I stared at Rentarou, trying to process his words.
He doesn't… remember?
That can't be right. We did meet. We did talk. I saw his reaction when I handed him that book.
So why is he saying this?
Rentarou sighed, crossing his arms as he studied me. "I get that you might've really met him, but you should know—he won't meet anyone."
I frowned, gripping the lunch box a little tighter. "But… why?"
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Before I answer that, can I ask you something first?" His eyes sharpened slightly. "Why do you really want to meet Okami-kun? I assume you've heard the rumors about him too."
I exhaled slowly, looking down for a second before meeting his gaze again. "Yeah… I've heard the rumors."
"Then why?" Rentarou pressed. "Aren't you disgusted by what people say about him?"
I shook my head. "I… I'm not disgusted because I don't know the truth. I don't know if those rumors are real or not, so I don't feel anything like hatred toward him."
Rentarou raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you just want to hear a spicy story? Something thrilling to gossip about?"
"No! No, I don't!" I said quickly, shaking my head. I clenched my fists, trying to put my feelings into words. "It's just… his eyes."
Rentarou's expression changed slightly—just for a second—but I didn't stop.
"When I saw his eyes… they weren't the eyes of someone cold or toxic." My voice softened. "They were the eyes of someone who had lost the will to move forward… someone who had lost everything."
Rentarou sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "And what will you do if those rumors turn out to be true?"
I hesitated for a moment but then shook my head firmly. "I… I don't believe in those rumors!"
He raised an eyebrow. "That's a bold statement."
I clenched my fists, my grip tightening around the lunch box. "I don't know why, but something tells me those rumors are exaggerated. And more than that…" I exhaled, looking straight at Rentarou. "There's no way I read his eyes wrong."
Rentarou studied me for a moment before chuckling softly. "You're a strange one, Takahashi Usagi."
Rentarou's gaze shifted towards the corner of the hallway, his expression unreadable.
---
Present Day
"Usagi! Usagi!!"
Okami's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Oi oi, bunny shouldn't be off guard while sitting with a wolf," he smirked, leaning close to me.
"Ahh, baka~ Okami! We're in a café, have some shame!" I whispered, feeling my face heat up as he caught me off guard.
He chuckled. "Btw, what were you zoning out for?"
I smiled, resting my chin on my palm. "Oh, when you said, 'It's just like when we first met'—it reminded me of our first encounter. Hehe, never thought it would bring us to this point," I giggled.
I leaned in closer, just enough for only him to hear, and whispered, "I love you! Hehe~"
His entire face turned red as he immediately leaned back, flustered. Even his ears were burning.
Grinning mischievously, I tilted my head. "Hehe, seems like the wolf shouldn't be off guard in the bunny's presence either."
I flashed him a teasing smile, showing my teeth playfully. "Hehehe~"