Contrasting to Yukio’s group which was full of life and harmony, Chisato’s group was more of a volcano waiting to explode. They were deciding on who should be the leader. Hatano, who was the only boy in the group, was brave enough to volunteer.
“Since I am the only boy here, I should be”
With a slow head turn and piercing glares from Kaede and Ayaka, Hatano received massive damage and no longer had any voice to speak. Chisato bit her lip, trying to defuse the tension.
“Maybe you want to be the leader Aya-chan? You were a class rep before. It’s not a bad thing to have an experienced person leading us?”
Kaede scoffed at Chisato’s suggestion
“Please, Sanada-san. I’d rather take Hatano rather than miss ‘meat’ here to lead me.”
Not missing a beat, Ayaka shot a glare before replying to Kaede’s remark.
“So I am ‘meat’ now? Quite frankly Narita-san, I don’t want to lead you nor do I want to be led by you. That being said, I will still have to reject you, Hatano-san. No disrespect.”
Their calm, snarky replies were just making the tension even worse. Chisato rubbed her temples. She knew it would be like this. She then reluctantly took the position of the group leader.
“Okay...I guess if I am the leader, nobody would mind right?”
She was greeted by silence. She then clapped her hands as if making the decision final with a forced smile that represented worry.
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After school, Yukio’s group was brought by Rena to a family restaurant she frequently visited.
“I like this place, so I hope you will too.”
They got in a pretty packed restaurant which supported her opinion. Ranging from children, adults, and students from different schools including theirs picked Yukio’s interest. They were able to spot an empty table for four. Yukio and Rena sat next to each other across Kunihito and Makoto. Kunihito scanned through the menu list which was on the table and they could call the waiter to order by pressing the button on the table.
“Look at this selection. So many to pick.”
Kunihito was busy checking different sections of the menu like a kid choosing ice cream flavors. Suddenly, Rena bowed apologetically to Kunihito.
“I am sorry if this place doesn’t suit your taste...”
“Are you kidding? I have always wanted to try eating in places like this.”
His sincere response put Rena at ease.
“Well at home, the only person who can cook these kind of food is sitting next to me.”
Kunihito jerked his finger at Makoto, who looked to be smiling even just a bit.
“Kunihito-sama has a different palate than master and madam, so I was given the duty to cook for him whenever he asks for specific food.”
“That’s incredible, Makoto-kun! How long have you been cooking for him then?”
Makoto put his finger on his chin as if trying to recall the specific time, before blinking and answering Rena’s question.
“Roughly since 7 or 8 years old. Kunihito-sama said he wanted an omurice one day, and I was the only one there. I did have experience from helping my mother before, so I believed I could recreate the dish. However, it was not similar.”
Makoto’s mouth turned to a frown, but Kunihito tapped his shoulder.
“Your food is special, Makoto. They are only for me, by you.”
He winked at his servant whose cheek turned pink. Kunihito then casually steered the conversation.
“Yes, we do have our chef who can cook at a fancy restaurant level, but sometimes you just want to try something different, you know what I am saying?”
Rena and Yukio looked at the two boys in front of them. There was a feeling of closeness that more than meets the eye, but right now there was no need to talk about it.
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“I choose this curry burger set. I hope it is like the picture.”
“Oh! That is a recommended menu in this place. Then I take the spaghetti. What about Yukio and Makoto-kun?”
Yukio was still looking for his choice before picking omurice thanks to the story from Makoto. Makoto chose the same set as Kunihito but was stopped by him.
“If you want to try the taste, I will share mine with you. Just pick another food.”
“I...understood.”
The group then awaited their food and the food was better than expected. As they ate, Rena then started the conversation about Yukio’s relationship with Chisato, Ayaka, and Kaede. Yukio chewed his omurice before giving a brief summary of his past with them, and why the argument between Kaede and Ayaka happened.
“I see...It’s tough since you are the reason, but you are a good person Yukio! You want to bring the group back together. I can see it when you stepped in.”
“I told him to start. My only childhood friend is Makoto, but we never had something happened similar to yours my man. Still, that doesn’t mean we can't offer you support. I meant it last time, and I still mean it now.”
“You would probably think I am helping you out of obligation to Kunihito-sama, but as someone who also has a childhood friend, I want to help you as well.”
Rena, Kunihito, and Makoto all voiced their support for his cause. Yukio felt relaxed now that he was not alone in this not-easy journey.
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After finishing the meal and the conversation, they began discussing school assignments before Kunihito received a call that the car to pick him up had arrived.
“Well, our ride has arrived. Shall we call this a day and continue later through calls if we need to?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“No problem for me!”
As they made their way outside. Yukio and Rena’s jaws were about to drop when they looked at the sleek, elegant, black sedan that was parked next to the restaurant.
Yukio muttered to Rena, “This car alone could cover me and my sister’s living expenses for a year.”
“For real? My dad and mom don’t need to juggle jobs if that’s the price.”
Kunihito cheerfully waved goodbye to Yukio and Rena while Makoto bowed politely. The car drove away in an instant.
“Wow, that car is fast.”
“You tell me. Where do you live, Rena?”
“Around 3 stations from here. How about you, Yukio?”
“I am not that far from here, but if it's okay can I walk you there?”
“Such gentleman! I am in your care then.”
Rena did a mock curtsy, earning a chuckle from Yukio.
The walk to the station was quiet and peaceful. It was the first time Yukio got home with someone else for a long time and with a girl no less. He sneaked a glance at Rena. Cheerful, positive, and high-spirited. She reminded him of Chisato.
“You are lucky, Yukio.”
“Eh?”
“You have such special bonds with your childhood friends. Even though it’s fractured now, it’s not a lost cause. Perhaps they also wanted to be reconciled with you again, with the rest as well. I never have that special connection with someone, so I am kind of envious of that.”
Yukio took her words deeply. She spoke just what he needed to know to reaffirm his resolve.
“Thanks, Rena, that means a lot to me.”
“Hehehehe, you’re welcome. That’s what groupmates are for right?”
“Haha, I suppose.”
They parted ways at the station, with her yellow headband flashing when caught a light, as if giving Yukio a sense of hope. As he continued his walk home, his phone got a message from Chisato. The message was a crying emoji.
Yukio smiled at the message and silently pitied Chisato. He replied, “How was the group today, leader Chisato?”
Chisato’s reply came almost instantly.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Yuki-chan. No, it was worse. Kae-chan and Aya-chan were not in the mood to be near each other.”
“More banters?”
“Just banters so far...but we know it will only need a single trigger then BOOM.”
“Sending my prayers to you, Chisato. Also, how is Hatano? They both shut him up quickly.”
“D’aww thank you. Poor Hatano-kun, he would definitely ask Hide-nii to swap. How about yours, Yuki-chan?”
“Going well for a start. Rena is a really nice person, Kunihito is a fun guy to hang out with, Makoto...is a bit different but at least he is friendly.”
“So lucky!”
The chat fell silent for a few minutes before another message from Chisato popped out.
“I missed talking like this again, Yuki-chan.”
“So did I, Chi-chan.”
“Kyaaaa, you call me Chi-chan again. You miss me that much huh?”
Yukio chuckled at the thought of imagining Chisato saying those words directly in front of him.
“Well, I’m gonna clean up a bit. Let’s talk more soon, okay?”
“Sure Yuki-chan! Rest well!”
Yukio put down his phone. After a long time, he could feel the burden on his shoulders lifted a bit. One step at a time, progress by progress.