"Is that so?" as she let go.

For a moment, I felt the strong urge to sniff my hand which was released just mere moments ago as it was still warm, but I overcame as I knew how creepy that was.

Plus, I'm tired of being teased by her.

I took the food which I had ordered and miraculously reached to where my friends always sit. At least this way, she would find a group of her many friends to associate with, and I'd be free for the time being.

"Yoh!" I called out to both Mitsuki and Senki.

"What are you doing here?" Senki as usual.

"Don't pretend as if you didn't notice me? You were literally staring at me as I entered." I said as I took the edge seat.

I couldn't describe the reason why, but I felt safe there.

"Was I?"

"Urgh."

And for some weird reason, Mitsuki was unusually quiet this time. Its like they had switched roles…

Of sausage!!!

Ok that wasn't funny but you get the point.

In fact, I doubt he even noticed me.

I took my seat beside Senki and started munching on my food. And as always, my food always tastes better. ALWAYS!

But then some dumb girl who doesn't know the ethics of personal space had to ruin our lunch. I won't get into detail as you already know who it is.

"That wasn't very cool of you, you know!"

"Why should I be? You've been-"

'FUUUUUUUUCKKKK! What is this?'

I couldn't help but notice the glint in Mitsuki's eyes as he looked at us. I mean, I almost peed in my pants at the sight of that.

No to be a bad friend or anything, but I almost forgot that the dude had the hots for this broad.

Since we walked in literally holdings hands in his presence, but which I know that he must have noticed, it was at this moment that I knew, I had fucked up!

"You know what, never mind. Just sit down."

"Are these your friends?"

'Huh?'

Is she being sarcastic?

I'm pretty sure she is one of the top contenders in the whole school for people who have a broad network of everything that happens here!

"Beside me is Senki and across him is Mitsuki. Senki, this is Sayumi. Mitsuki, this is Sayumi."

Stop, why am I introducing them as if we are dating? Why am I even introducing them in the first place?

"Nice to meet you. As he said, I'm Senki…"

"Nice to meet you too, Senki." And then she looked at HIM with her charming silver sparkling eyes.

"…"

Hey Mitsuki, say hie!

Say hie!!

GREET HER DAMNIT!

What're you doing?!

Why're you looking at me?!

What're doing with your eyes?!

Stop that!

Are those signs?!

Are you pleading for help?!

From me?!

But…

She's there!

She's literally standing beside you!

What a wuss!

"Despite how he looks, Mitsuki is more of a shy type. Especially around girls."

I know that last line wasn't necessary, but I hate playing cupid.

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"Nice to meet you Mitsuki. Don't worry, I don't bite."

"N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-ni—. N-n-n-n-n-n-ni-…N-n-n-n-n-ni-… N-n-n-ni…"

Dude lost his language?

I know I'm not any better, but I think I'm better than him at approaching things.

"NICE TO ME TO YOU TOO!!" whoa! He said with enthusiasm.

Heh! What a rare sight to relish indeed.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha. Sorry… Sorry, I… ha-ha ha-ha. That was ha-ha, you're just so hilarious I can't stop myself. Ha-ha…"

And she continued laughing.

To tell you the truth I felt the strong urge to laugh too as I felt my lips curling upward.

Argh! They are not listening to me!

And my eyes, argh!

Stop bringing out tears!

I could literally burst any moment now!

I mean, imagine a big guy losing his cool feeling all nervous all because of a girl. A big guy!

I only saw it in movies but I didn't know it was a different experience altogether in real life.

After she finished making the guy die of shame.

"Sorry for laughing at you, I didn't mean in it in a bad way. Nice to meet you too, Mitsuki."

Luckily for me, she sat across from me meaning that she was seating besides HIM.

Yes, beside HIM!

There's a subconscious reason why I took the edge seat. And now I know the reason why.

If there was a free seat beside me, I'm ninety-nine percent plus one definitely sure that that was going to be the chosen seat.

Heh! See what I did there? I repeated the same word making it make sense.

Thank you fate!

Speaking of Senki, I think he must've connected the dots already as his serious face was filled with disbelief.

Since the balance between us three was diabolically changed by a fourth member, it was pretty awkward.

And with a popular member, attention was once again to where we were.

What a strange group dynamic.

A few awkwardness later…

"So are you guys by any chance dating?" Senki asked the bomb.

Way to hit a nail on the head.

Plus. Senki, what's wrong with you today. Were you always this talkative?

Is that seriously the first thing you have to ask?

At least he broke the ice though!

"Maybe we are, maybe we aren't." she replied as she showed me a mischievous grin once again.

That response leaves so many messages to be answered.

And to answer to her flow, both Mitsuki and Senki looked at me for clarification.

"The second one."

"Oh, is that so?" Mitsuki said.

"I'd have died of heart attack if I knew that was true."

Little did anyone know he would have for real, for real.

"But when you walked in, you were holding hands. How do you explain that?"

"Is it wrong for people who are close to each other to hold hands?"

What exactly is she implying here?

"I see, so that's how it is."

I see?

I see?!

What did you see?

"I'm pretty sure you already have the wrong idea in your head." I said to him.

"What wrong idea? Can you read my mind?"

"Despite being so intelligent, you are like an open book."

"So, you want to go there? Should I start showing you whose an open book?"

"Bring it on."

"Remember that time when you had feelings for-"

"Okay, you win! You win! Just shut up!" I stopped him before he went any further.

Geez, don't you know how to read the room?

Wait, he doesn't?

"Senki, please continue. I'm genuinely interested." Sayumi said.

"Well, you heard the guy. If he says he doesn't want to then I can't say anything regarding the matter."

"Pretty please?"

"I think you know who to direct that gaze at, not me."

He failed to falter at that gaze?

What is he, a machine?

Then she shifted that gaze at me.

Does she know how weak I am at these things?

"No!" I straight up denied.

"Killjoy." She commented.

Dude, thanks a lot, man!

I didn't realize how or when it happened but with Senki being Senki, had already munched all of his food.

"I'm heading out first." Then he stood up and left.

How smooth.

Now it was just the three of us.

"Pretty diligent guy, huh." She noted.

"Yeah, don't worry about him. He's always like that."

"Ye-yeah! Like that!"

How natural.

Why did I see myself in him for a brief moment?

Am I always like that?

"So anyways, how'd you guys become friends?"

"How'd you become friends with everyone?" I didn't waste time.

"I asked first so answer me first."

"That's a hella primitive way of thinking, don't you think?"

"Look whose spouting intelligent nonsense now."

"Who ever said anything about intelligence? You are just dumb."

"Sorry. I failed to hear that last part. Could you repeat it again?"

"Wow. I'm finding it hard to believe you even failed to understand that."

It didn't even take time for us to start bickering and what's worse, Mitsuki was watching this whole scene unfold right before his eyes.

"Urgh, fine. Hey Mitsuki, since he doesn't want to talk to me, would you be my friend and spend some time with me?"

'WHAT?'

I know she's quick making friends but that was fast as hell.

"Yo-you want to be friends with me?" he asked with a speck of delight in his eyes.

Why am I cringing?

"Yes I want to. Or is it you don't want to be friends with me?" And then she stared at him fully utilizing her gift as a woman.

"N-No, I'd be happy to be your friend. If that's what you want."

With that, they started to chat about many miscellaneous things whilst leaving me out.

Seeing this sight, I felt very glad to see these two chatting and making up. At least he's adapting to her better than I thought.

And better than I do too.

But simultaneously when I least expected it, I felt a slight pang in my chest as if something is being taken away from me. And I didn't like it one bit as I know exactly what it meant!

I'll repeat it once again, I'm not dense.

And I just couldn't bare to see this sight anymore.

Making me hate myself even more.

Its at times like these that I should just relent and walk away. I mean, just look at the guy.

He looks so happy. And he's my friend to boot. A good one at that. I can't be selfish with this.

"I'm heading back to class." I said as I was done.

"What? You finished eating already? Are you a monster?"

'How couldn't I have finished fast as I was eating quietly while you both left me out.'

"Maybe I am."

"Yeah, see you dude."

Now I don't matter anymore huh?

"Wait, wait for me!"

"Look, you're half done. Do you expect me to wait until you're finished?"

"Yeah, as a good friend."

'Good friend?'

I don't like the sound of that.

"Isn't he also a good friend? Why don't you finish lunch with him?"

"Come on. Can't you at least do something like this for me?"

My gaze wandered at Mitsuki and with a single glance I knew I'd wake up tomorrow dead.

"Maybe later not now."

Forget waking up dead, I need to find a way to stay alive today.

"How can I be sure you're not lying?"

"You're free to believe anything you want to."

"How about you promise?"

In front of HIM?

Have you no remorse for me?

"It's okay. He can go."

That was way TOO direct.

"But I want him to stay with us."

Why do I feel like she's doing this on purpose?

"Uhh, well…" he was lost about what to say.

"I promise, can you let me go now?"

"What if you're lying to me?"

"That's your own problem."

As I said that, she held out her pinkie to me.