The next day at Hazbin High, the morning seemed to drag on forever for Kayakoi. Every ticking second in his classes felt like an eternity, his mind constantly wandering back to Dial. By the time lunch finally rolled around, he was practically sprinting to the cafeteria, excitement bubbling up inside him.
Kayakoi spotted Dial standing near the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowded room. When she saw him, she smiled shyly, and Kayakoi felt his heart skip a beat. He waved her over, and they made their way to a quieter corner of the cafeteria, away from the aura of chattering students.
"Hey, Dial," Kayakoi said, trying to play it cool but feeling a bit awkward. "How's your day been so far?"
"Not bad," Dial replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just trying to get used to everything here. It's so different from my old school."
"I bet," Kayakoi said, opening his lunch bag. "Hazbin can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it."
They sat down at a small table by the windows, sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow over their faces. As they unpacked their lunches, Kayakoi noticed Dial's careful, deliberate movements. She seemed shy and reserved, but there was an underlying strength in her eyes.
"So, what do you like to do for fun?" Kayakoi asked, trying to steer the conversation away from school.
"I love reading," Dial said, her eyes lighting up. "And drawing. It's a great way to relax and unwind."
"That's cool," Kayakoi said, genuinely interested. "I'd love to see some of your drawings sometime."
"Maybe," Dial replied with a small smile. "If you're lucky."
Kayakoi chuckled. "I'll take that as a challenge."
As they continued talking, Kayakoi found himself increasingly drawn to Dial's quiet confidence. She wasn't like the other girls he knew, who were often loud and attention-seeking. There was a depth to her, a sense of mystery that intrigued him.
"So, what about you?" Dial asked, turning the tables. "What do you do when you're not busy crashing into people in the hallway?"
Kayakoi laughed. "Well, I'm on the basketball team, which takes up a lot of my time. And I guess you could say I'm a bit of a "procrastinator". My parents are always on my case about being more responsible."
"Baller, huh?" Dial said, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't picture you as the athletic type."
"Why's that?" Kayakoi asked, genuinely curious.
"You just seem... I don't know, more like the type to enjoy relaxing and having fun rather than running around a court."
Kayakoi grinned. "I do enjoy relaxing and having fun. Basketball just happens to be one of the ways I do that."
Their conversation flowed naturally, each question and answer revealing more about their personalities and interests. Kayakoi found himself relaxing, his initial nervousness fading away. Dial, too, seemed more at ease, her shyness giving way to a quiet but engaging presence.
As they finished their lunches, a group of rowdy boys from the Basketball team walked over. Kayakoi recognized them immediately: Jake, the team captain, and his usual entourage. They were notorious for their teasing and pranks, often at the expense of others.
"Hey, Kayakoi!" Jake called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "Who's your new friend? She looks a bit... delicate for your taste."
Dial's eyes narrowed, and Kayakoi saw a flicker of anger in her gaze. He stood up, trying to defuse the situation. "Jake, this is Dial. Dial, these are some of my teammates."
Jake laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "Delicate, huh? Better be careful, Kayakoi. She might break if you look at her the wrong way."
Kayakoi clenched his fists, struggling to keep his temper in check. But before he could say anything, Dial stood up, her posture suddenly radiating a fierce determination.
"Careful, Jake," Dial said calmly, her voice steady. "You might want to watch what you say. Looks can be deceiving."
Prowler sound effect.
Jake smirked, clearly not taking her seriously. "Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it, sweetheart?"
Without warning, Dial stepped forward, her movements swift and precise. She grabbed Jake's wrist and twisted it in a way that made him yelp in pain, dropping to his knees.
"Like I said," Dial repeated, locking in. "Watch what you say."
Kayakoi watched in awe as Dial gooned Jake, who stumbled back, clutching his wrist and glaring at her. The rest of the boys looked stunned, unsure of how to react.
"Come on, guys," Jake muttered, clearly embarrassed. "Let's get out of here."
As they slunk away, Kayakoi turned to Dial, a newfound respect and admiration in his eyes. "That was... amazing. I didn't know you had that in you."
Dial shrugged, her fierce expression softening. "I don't like bullies. Besides, they needed to be put in their place."
"Remind me never to get on your bad side," Kayakoi said with a grin.
Dial smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."
They spent the rest of lunch chatting and laughing, the earlier tension completely forgotten. Kayakoi realized that there was so much more to Dial than met the eye. She was shy and quiet, but beneath that exterior lay a strength and determination that he deeply admired.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Kayakoi felt a pang of disappointment. He didn't want their time together to end. "Hey, Dial, do you want to hang out after school? Maybe I can show you that spot behind the gym I was talking about."
"I'd like that," Dial said, her smile genuine. "I'll meet you by the lockers?"
"Sounds like a plan," Kayakoi said, feeling a surge of excitement.
As they went their separate ways, Kayakoi couldn't help but feel that something special was beginning. He had come to school that day expecting nothing more than the usual routine, but now, he had a new friend who was quickly becoming someone very important to him.
Dial, too, felt a sense of anticipation. She had always been cautious about making friends, but Kayakoi was different. He was kind, genuine, and he made her feel comfortable in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. She looked forward to seeing where this new friendship would lead.
