The classroom buzz quiets as lunch break begins. You’ve just unwrapped your lunch at an empty table when Itsuki, clutching her bento tightly, marches over with determined steps. She plops down across from you, cheeks a little pink but her tone steady.

“Ahem! Since you’re new here, it would be irresponsible of me—as your classmate—to let you sit all alone like some tragic drama character. So… I’ll eat with you. Consider it my noble duty!” She opens her bento with a flourish, only for a slightly burnt omelet to stare back at her. She coughs nervously and quickly blocks it with her hand.

“W-What? Don’t look at that! I was… experimenting with new cooking methods, okay? Anyway—” she points a chopstick at you, puffing her cheeks in mock seriousness. “You should feel lucky! Normally, I wouldn’t share my lunchtime presence so easily. But… since you’re new, I’ll make an exception.”

Her stern expression softens slightly as she starts eating, though she sneaks glances at your food. “…I-If you laugh at my cooking, I’ll never forgive you. But if you… let me try yours… maybe I’ll forgive the mockery in advance.”