The next day... Lunch Break.
As Kaiser prepared to head to the cafeteria, he locked eyes with a familiar young man whose green eyes screamed 'Someone invite me to lunch!'
Suppressing a sigh, he spoke to him.
"Kuramoto, right? Would you mind joining me for lunch?"
The boy seemed to suppress a relieved sigh then nodded.
"Um, of course."
Just as the two were about to leave, their neighbor gave a snarky remark.
"Pathetic. Two recluse comforting themselves."
Immediately, Kuramoto's expression turned downcast as if the words had hit his sore spot. Kaiser meanwhile, turned to look at her.
"Is that a problem, Hazel? You don't seem to be in a better position."
Hazel had already placed her own lunchbox on the table, ready to eat alone.
"Hmph! It seems you're unable to differentiate between loneliness and not needing companions."
Scowling, she retorted calmly—emphasizing her bias about friendship.
Kaiser's lips curled slightly.
"Is that so? Perhaps you should enlighten me on what it means to be a lonely girl."
Hazel scoffed, ready to refute him when he suddenly interrupted her.
"No need. I have better things to do than argue with a kid."
Leaving the annoyed and fuming girl behind, he left the class with Kuramoto.
On their way to the cafeteria, they exchanged a few casual talk before falling silent—Kaiser from laziness, and Kuramoto from lack of topics.
"I'll go reserve a seat. Just get me a simple meal."
Kaiser said, transferring points to Kuramoto while he went to scout for vacant seats.
However, before that, he had something to do.
"Hey there, senior."
Casually sitting opposite a female second year with charming orange eyes, Kaiser spoke.
"Hmn? A first year? Is there something you need?"
The young lady smiled softly, curious.
"Indeed. I was just wondering why you're eating free food. It doesn't really taste good. Don't tell me, you've run out of points?"
Instantly, the girl was shocked. Her eyes widened in alarm as she paused eating. Then, her expression eased—a hint of admiration crossing her face.
"You've figured it out that much? It's unbelievable." She muttered vaguely, "Still... I won't be answering your question."
Kaiser nodded, already anticipating the reply.
Picking the senior's phone, he transferred 15,000 points to her, then quietly left.
"Ah~"
The girl opened her mouth slightly, shocked. Then she lowered her head, blushing as she felt her heart pounding in her chest.
'A-am I... in love?'
...
"You're late."
Kaiser said flatly when Kuramoto arrived.
"Ah, the queue was quite long."
Kuramoto said dejectedly, probably embarrassed—though he didn't show it.
"No qualms. It was just an observation."
Ending the conversation there, the duo began eating. After minutes of comfortable silence, Kuramoto spoke.
"Your eyes. They're special."
'Oh?'
Kaiser raised a brow, mildly intrigued.
"You noticed?"
"Yes, haven't been uncomfortable under someone's gaze in a while." Kuramoto replied.
'Aren't you always uncomfortable under people's gaze?'
Kaiser wanted to retort but kept his comment to himself, only humming slightly.
"Well, it's not that special. Just slightly more... observant."
Kuramoto regarded those vague words heavily, because he could sense it—that was the same excuse he'd give if it were him.
Before long, lunch break was over and the two returned to class a minute before the next teacher entered.
Kaiser and Hazel merely exchanged a brief glance before they ignored each other.
As the class started, Kaiser began to notice something—nothing particularly odd, but an unexpected behavior. Students started whisper-chatting in class, playing games on their devices under the table, and the teacher, expected to reprimand them, did nothing.
As several classes progressed, Kaiser noticed this behavior worsening. Logan lay his head on the table, fast asleep while some girls were engaged in casual talk—not even bothering to keep their voices low.
'This is abnormal.'
A normal school, aiming to cultivate disciplined and strong Awakened wouldn't neglect such set of behavior.
So that was it!
Under his bored expression, Kaiser's lips curled slightly.
"It's eerie."
Hearing the harsh voice from his side, Kaiser turned his exasperated gaze towards Hazel.
"Ah, give me a break. Would you mind your own business?"
"Hah? You have no right to influence what I do. So I'll say what has to be said." Hazel retorted sharply.
"Suit yourself."
Too tired to argue, Kaiser turned away—ready to leave the class.
"Uh, should we go check the clubs?"
At that moment, Kuramoto suddenly spoke—attracting their attention.
Hazel was the first to reply, frowning.
"For what reason?"
Kuramoto's gaze seemed to say: 'I wasn't talking to you.' but he didn't say that and earnestly replied.
"Uh, I was just curious. Should there be any other reason?"
"Tch, a waste of time."
Hazel clicked her tongue, losing interest in the topic.
Kaiser meanwhile, smiled slightly, then tilted his head.
"Hmn. I'll go. We don't know what kind of secret school rules we might uncover."
Kuramoto was slightly perplexed. School rules? Wasn't it just a club scouting? Suddenly, his eyes narrowed—he realized.
"Ah, that's true. We don't know much about the school anyway."
Inwardly, Kaiser's smile widened. Since Hazel had shown the aloof queen act, it was effective turning her into a tsundere.
Sure enough, it worked.
"Change of plans, I'm coming." She declared without any ounce of shame.
"Is that so? I thought it was a waste of time." Kaiser smirked—amused.
"I just have nothing on my to-do list for now. None of your concern."
She said, her cold eyes glaring at him.
Truly! A high ranking tsundere!
The three left the class, earning a few suspicious glances from the others.
"Hey, is that what I'm thinking?" Jose yelped, eyes widened.
"The legendary threesome?!" Joshua shuddered in excitement, his expression clouded in envy.
Immediately, all the girls in the class gazed at them with palpable disgust since they didn't even bother to lower their voices.
"Bah! Disgusting perverts!"
Kiera sneered, displaying her dislike for the perverted duo.
Logan sensed the shift in the girls' gaze and smacked the two—signalling them to talk silently. Though his attitude was praise-worthy, he did it at the wrong moment, which made the girls lump him with them—becoming the perverted trio.