Chapter 52

When Rinyo sat down next to him, she took the bento box that had been left untouched and extended it towards Yuki.

From the almost finished bento, Yuki casually picked up the remaining octopus wiener and popped it into his mouth.

Seeing Yuki eat with apparent satisfaction, Rinyo smirked and said,

"Hmph, you ate it... Now you're in the same boat as me... In a sense, you're an accomplice. If you act up again, I'll spread the word that you were eating alone in secret."

"It's fine with me."

No matter who said it, it wouldn't bother him at all.

In fact, Yuki thought, wouldn't Rinyo be the one treated as a weirdo for suddenly saying something like that?

"Should I tell Eri that you were eating alone?"

"That, just don't do it! Gah, what a monster..."

Rinyo glared at him like a captured knight.

Yuki had only thought to suggest that she eat with someone else.

(Actually, she could just eat with someone...)

But, it's true that once you've formed a group in the same class, it's hard to join in.

If she likes eating alone, there's no need to interfere.

Yuki felt he had found a pretty good spot and was quite pleased.

Ignoring Rinyo, who was eyeing his every move suspiciously, Yuki took out an onigiri from the bag he had brought, opened it, and started eating.

As he chewed, Rinyo, who was staring at him intently, seemed dissatisfied and said,

"Munching away so carefree... Do you even understand the situation?"

"It's delicious. I'm in a happy situation."

"Huh? You're happy eating in secret here?"

"Pretty much."

Compared to his noisy seat in the classroom, this was like heaven and earth.

The temperature was comfortable, and the occasional gentle breeze felt nice.

"Eating lunch here and then taking a nap would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"Then I'll take your wallet from your pocket while you're sleeping. Wouldn't that make you unhappy?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you're being ridiculous. You're trying to convince yourself that you're happy, right? I hate people who lie to themselves like that."

Rinyo said this firmly.

Despite her words, Yuki thought this person often lies, but he didn't say it out loud.

"If you say so, why don't you eat with someone instead of being here? Didn't you have someone who acted like your subordinate before?"

"That was... not that kind of relationship. They just made fun of me by pretending to be a strict character and asking me to scold them more."

Rinyo bit her lip in disgust.

It seemed there was a bit of a misunderstanding between the "broken boy" and the "breaker."

"But you are that kind of character, right? The 'breaker' in the next seat."

"What is that? Stop giving me weird nicknames! I'm just a bit strict, nosy, and a bit quick to anger."

"That's already a bad person."

It seemed she wasn't aware of it.

Rinyo put the last piece of tamagoyaki in her mouth and started to pack up her bento box.

"Because of that, I ended up being feared by everyone and labeled as a certain type of character... That's why I stopped taking roles like the discipline committee or class representative. I'm just worried, you know. When I see guys who don't study and act silly, I worry about their future. By the way, I'm quite worried about Nago-kun, more than anyone else."

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?"

"No, I'm serious."

Her eyes were serious, and it felt like she was about to lock onto him.

Even though he wasn't in the next seat, being "broken" by her would be a problem.

"But because of that, you can't make friends? That sounds like my sister."

"Don't compare me to that! First of all, I have a... a best friend..."

She stuttered, as if she had something to hide.

If Yuki had to guess, it was probably...

"Is that Eri?"

"Y-Yes, what's wrong with that?"

Despite calling her a best friend, Eri had never mentioned Rinyo's name until the day before the test.

After all, Yuki, who sat next to her, had never seen her face.

"Yet you don't seem to hang out much? You don't go home together or anything?"

"W-Well, we have different schedules..."

"Hmm..."

But in the current situation, it had no credibility.

Seeing Yuki's face, which suggested he shouldn't push too much, Rinyo averted her gaze and looked thoughtful.

After a moment of silence, Rinyo's shoulders began to tremble.

"Y-Yes! I'm just someone who gets called when it's convenient! I'm just one of Eri's many friends! Last time, she even canceled our study plans..."

She was still holding a grudge.

Yuki found it hard to blame himself for that.

But Eri herself had been quite relaxed about it, saying, "Cancellation? It's okay, it's okay with Rinyo."

"Well, Eri has her own issues, so you don't have to be so fixated on her..."

"Y-You stop saying bad things about Eri! Eri is different from the others! We happened to sit next to each other... Eri's smile healed me! I really want to spend more time with Eri. Going home together, chatting at night, hanging out on weekends..."

"Then do it."

"But! She always initiates the conversation, and I end up saying, 'Oh, well...' I can't just say, 'Let's hang out, let's hang out!'"

"Ha ha ha!"

"What are you laughing at!"

"I just found it amusing to imagine."

He thought she looked cute saying it, and if he said it honestly, she might play along.

But Yuki, who had burst out laughing, seemed to have upset her, as she was now on the verge of pouncing in anger.

"Why are you so twisted, Rinyo? You're beautiful and smart."

"So what if I'm beautiful and smart? Eri is cuter, brighter, always energetic and shining, and loved by everyone..."

"I think you're idealizing her too much."

He also felt she wasn't as loved as she thought.

The other day, when a group was talking, Eri was told, "Eri, can you be quiet for a bit? The conversation isn't moving forward." He wondered if she was being bullied.

Yesterday, she had a tantrum over losing a game and carried it over to the next day, a truly elementary school-level mentality.

"That's not true. Besides, I don't understand why someone like Nago-kun is even friends with Eri."

Suddenly, she started to criticize others.

This was a typical "broken" person's mysterious Eri worship, influenced by the "next seat killer."

Rinyo, who had finished her onigiri, suddenly put on a serious face and said to Yuki,

"...Um. Swallowing my pride... I have a request for Nago-kun."

"What is it?"

"...Can you tell me how to become friends with Eri?"

Another sudden request.

What happens when you playfully try to "break" the person in the next seat.

Yuki thought he needed to make Eri take responsibility for what had happened to this girl.

Including the aftercare of the victim, he felt it was his duty to watch over Eri.

"In other words, you're too embarrassed to make the first move, right? Got it. Next weekend, I'll invite Eri to hang out with us."

"Wh-What?"

Surprised by the unexpected offer, Rinyo's eyelashes fluttered, and she quickly flailed her hands.

"B-But, I appreciate it... D-Don't mention my name! If they think I'm trying too hard, even though I act like it's nothing, I'll be embarrassed!"

"I understand, I understand. So, the plan is..."

There was no real fear of being overheard, but Yuki instinctively lowered his voice.

Rinyo, her cheeks slightly flushed from excitement, leaned in and pressed her ear to Yuki's mouth.