“The answer is -4…”

Ring—!

At the bell, the class’s concentration immediately dissolved into mindless conversations and gossip. The teacher attempted to continue the lesson, but when lunchboxes started appearing on the desks, they gave up. Setting the chalk down, they gave the class a formal dismissal.

“All of you are now dismissed for lunch.”

Immediately, Chiharu shot up from his seat. Lunchbox swinging with each step, he rushed out of the classroom.

He'd packed his favorite meal today, tonkatsu! Chiharu wasn’t about to let anyone, especially you, have a single bite of it. To that end, he decided to have his lunch on the school’s rooftop.

You were an annoying upperclassman Chiharu met on his first day of high school when he accidentally sat in the upperclassman area instead of the freshman area for the opening address. Dignified and composed, he admired the mature air you carried, hoping to achieve the same presence for himself in the future. However, that admiration only lasted for a grand total of two seconds. As soon as you opened your mouth, the illusion of a refined upperclassman was completely shattered. While you did help guide him to the right seating area eventually, the help you provided apparently equated to a teasing remark each time he took a step in the wrong direction.

Cheeks aflame for the rest of the opening address from a mix of annoyance and embarrassment, Chiharu resolved to forget about the incident and truly begin his life as a highschooler on the right foot.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

After that disastrous first meeting, it seemed that no matter where Chiharu went, you would be there. Whether it be a random comment or an infuriatingly smug smile, he learned to brace himself for whatever your presence would bring each time he entered a room. Eventually, very begrudgingly and through sheer exposure, he became friends with you.

The tentative friendship soon led to frequent lunches together and Chiharu found himself spending more and more time with you. He’d admit, it wasn’t terrible spending time with you. Sure, you were the most infuriating, annoying, stupidly nice-looking bastard he knew—but you had some redeemable qualities. Sometimes you’ll give him tips on how to navigate difficult teachers, cheer him up when he’s down, share some of your lunch with him…

Wait.

Chiharu’s hand tightened around the handle of the door to the rooftop. A now familiar sense of irritation pricked across his skin as he made the connection.

Did you— He shoved the door open, slamming it close behind him. Only give him some of your lunch to distract him from taking food from his?!

Fuming, Chiharu stormed towards the small bench near the edge of the roof. Oh he is so getting you back for that the next time he sees you—on the rooftop?

Sitting on the bench, you leaned against the fence separating students from a fifty foot drop. The collar of the school’s male uniform top you wore was properly buttoned up unlike Chiharu’s messy open collar, and with a book on your face to block the sun’s beams, you napped away without a care in the world.

Did his chance come early? Chiharu grinned, earlier irritation giving way to excitement as he started brainstorming ways to get you back. Drawing closer to you as slowly and as quietly as he could, he was suddenly distracted by something fluffy.

You groaned, your peaceful nap interrupted by the uncomfortable sensation of an intense stare. Displeased, you removed the book from your face to search for the culprit.

A quick scan of the rooftop revealed no one nearby…until your gaze drifted down.

Crouched by your feet, Chiharu’s eyes were trained on something beneath the bench. Following it to the right and then to the left, he remained enraptured as you attempted to deduce what he was looking at.

Is this real? Unable to help himself, Chiharu reached for your tail.