THE END OF THE WORLD:

Lunch time!


Right, so I'm meeting Ayu in the courtyard. Apparently she's made lunch for me today.


She's such a good friend!



EMMA: "Akihiko?"


AKI: "Hm? Emma? What are you doing here? This is a second-year political psychology classroom."


EMMA: "I know, but I wanted to ask you for a favor."


AKI: "Sure, what's up?"



EMMA: "I was thinking of volunteering at the daycare on Sunday. Would you come with me?"


AKI: "Isn't that where Shioriko volunteers?"


EMMA: "Yeah, that's the program Kasumi and Shizuku told us about."


AKI: "Sure, but on the condition that I don't have to listen to Shioriko's condescending comments."


EMMA: "Okay..."


AKI: "But why are we volunteering, though?"


EMMA: "I saw some flyers for volunteering on the notice board. I like kids, so I figured it would be fun to go play with them, but I would be less nervous if you came with me."


AKI: "Ah, I see. You want to play with kids. Are you homesick, by any chance?"


EMMA: "Oh, no, it's not that. I video chat with my brothers and sisters all the time, so I'm okay. I talked to them last night, actually."


AKI: "That's good to hear. Then we're all set for Sunday!"


EMMA: "Yup! Looking forward to it!"


...


AKI: "Time to eat. It's nice to have lunch out in the courtyard for a change."



AYUMU: "Yeah. The weather's perfect, and the breeze feels great."


*RIIING*


AYUMU: "Oh? That's probably my fan club. Give me a sec."


*Sigh* Again...?



KANATA: "There you are... Help... I can't take it anymore."


AKI: "Kanata? What's wrong?!"



KANATA: "I can't go on living! Waaaah!"



AYUMU: "C-Calm down, Kanata! You look like it's the end of the world!"


KANATA: "Because it is the end of the world! I can't bear the agony of living one day longer!"


AKI: "I'm sure it's not a global pandemic or a nuclear war. Tell me what happened!"



KANATA: "Well, Haruka..."


AKI: "What about Haruka?"


KANATA: "Haruka didn't take the lunch I made for her this morning!"


AKI: "Oh, well now I get it, she didn't take your...lunch?"


KANATA: "The lunch I made for her. This has never happened before. My whole world's been consumed by darkness."


AKI: "Hasn't she refused them before? What about the day you gave me one instead?"



KANATA: "She was going out to eat with friends that day, she's never refused my lunch before!"


AKI: "Maybe she's going out to eat with fri-"


KANATA: "NO SHE'S NOT!"


AKI: "Oh come on, Kanata. It's not a big deal."


KANATA: "Not a big deal...? Not a big deal?! If anything else happens, I swear, I'm gonna die!"



AYUMU: "Don't be dismissive, Aki. It's clearly a big deal to Kanata. If I made you lunch and you refused it, I'd feel the same way!"


AKI: "Wh-What?! Why are you taking her side? I'm not being dismissive, she's being hostile!"



KANATA: "I'll show you hostile!"


AKI: "N-No thanks!"


Geez, usually she looks harmless when she's sleeping. But when she gets angry the fangs are out like some kind of demon!



AYUMU: "Did you two have a fight, Kanata?"


KANATA: "No, we didn't. We always get along."


AKI: "I wonder why she didn't take it, then. Can you give us more details?"



KANATA: "Well, it was a normal morning for me. I got up early and made her lunch, lovingly as always. The rolled omelet turned out perfect, too. It was a ten out of ten.
But then, Haruka said she'd make her own lunches from now on and that I didn't need to anymore. She made a giant rice ball all by herself and went straight out the door."


AKI: "Hmm, maybe you did something to upset her without even realizing?"



KANATA: "Are you accusing me of upsetting my Haruka?!"


AKI: "I-I'm just suggesting that..."



KANATA: "But I love her so much. I would never."


AKI: "I get that, I really do, but..."



KANATA: "Maybe she's in a rebellious phase? Or maybe she just plain hates me? I couldn't bear to live another day with her hating me.
All that positive energy I've had looking forward to the joint solo event is gone.
Seriously, what should I do? I don't feel up to being a school idol anymore."


AKI: "Things sound pretty bad."


KANATA: "What on earth's gotten into her? Maybe I really did do something to upset her.
She didn't really seem angry this morning, either. I'm totally confused."


AKI: "Uhh..."



KANATA: "I give up. I don't feel like doing anything today. Sorry, but I'll have to skip practice this afternoon."


AKI: "F-For real?! That's a little too drastic to do over a boxed lunch."


KANATA: "I love her so much it hurts, but I don't think she'll ever notice..."


AKI: "But you can't skip practice over a boxed lunch!"



AYUMU: "I know exactly how you feel, Kanata. Just try not to dwell on it too much."


KANATA: "Right. Thanks, Ayumu. I'll take a break today."


AKI: "Oh come on! It's a boxed lu- Oh, nevermind, I give up..."


Geez, thanks Haruka, for passing up a gourmet meal.

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