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.