Ayumi, the Boy Magnet
Kota had seen this before.
The way another boy approached him during lunch, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed—yeah, he knew exactly what was coming.
He sighed. He didn't even need to hear the words. He could already tell.
“Yo,” the kid greeted smoothly, flashing a confident grin. “Name’s Yoshi.”
Kota slowly lifted his eyes. “Let me guess.”
Yoshi smirked. “I wanna be friends with Ayumi.”
Kota facepalmed. *Here we go again.*
This was starting to feel like a terrible romcom plot.
—
Yoshi wasn’t like Toru. He wasn’t nervous or awkward. He didn’t fumble over his words or make a fool of himself.
Nope. Yoshi was the cool kid.
The type who walked with an air of confidence, who never looked flustered, and who probably already had a dozen admirers despite being a literal child.
Kota rubbed his temples. “Dude, I don’t get why you need *me* for this.”
Yoshi shrugged. “I saw you hanging out with her. Figured I should ask first. Y’know, ‘cause I’m respectful.”
Kota stared at him. “She’s not my *property,* dude.”
“I know, I know,” Yoshi said, waving a hand. “But it’s weird to just barge in on a duo, y’know?”
Kota squinted. “So… what do you want me to do?”
“Introduce me. Make it smooth.”
Kota sighed, picking up his lunch tray. “Nah, man, you can handle it yourself.”
Yoshi blinked. “Wait, what?”
“I mean, you clearly don’t have problems talking to people, right? Unlike *someone*—” Kota glanced at Toru, who was not-so-secretly peeking at them from the other side of the cafeteria.
Toru gasped and quickly turned away, pretending to look at the wall.
Yoshi chuckled. “Yeah, true.”
“Then go talk to her yourself.” Kota started walking away.
Yoshi stared for a second, then nodded. “Fair enough.”
—
Kota returned to his seat, where Ayumi was already munching on her rice.
“What was that about?” Ayumi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kota sighed dramatically. “Another one.”
Ayumi blinked. “Another what?”
“Another boy who wants to be your friend.”
Ayumi tilted her head. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
Kota groaned, resting his forehead on the table. “You don’t get it.”
Ayumi frowned. “Get what?”
Kota lifted his head and pointed at her. “You’re like… some kind of *boy magnet.*”
Ayumi blinked. “Huh?”
“First Toru,” Kota muttered. “Now Yoshi. Even the class president was staring at you earlier.”
Ayumi frowned, glancing around. “What are you talking about?”
Kota discreetly pointed. “Look.”
Sure enough, Toru was pretending to read a book, but his eyes kept flickering toward their table.
Yoshi was casually leaning against a wall, but Kota *knew* he was waiting for the right moment to slide into their conversation.
And the class president? He was seated at his own table, but his eyes occasionally darted toward Ayumi, like he was analyzing something.
Ayumi blinked. “Oh.”
Kota sighed. “See what I mean?”
Ayumi slowly chewed her food. “Well… maybe they just think I’m nice?”
Kota narrowed his eyes. “Or maybe you have some kind of hidden power that attracts dumb boys.”
Ayumi pouted. “Are you calling yourself dumb?”
Kota nearly choked. “I— NO. I meant *them.*”
Ayumi smirked. “Sounds like you included yourself.”
Kota glared. “I take it back. You’re just annoying.”
Ayumi laughed. “And yet, you’re still sitting with me.”
Kota rolled his eyes but didn’t leave.
Despite everything, Ayumi *was* his first friend in school.
Annoying or not… he wasn’t about to abandon her to these lovestruck fools.
—
Meanwhile, across the cafeteria, Toru clenched his book tightly.
Yoshi smirked. “Tough luck, huh?”
Toru glared. “Shut up.”
Yoshi chuckled, watching Kota and Ayumi tease each other.
He had to admit… this was going to be fun.
YOU ARE READING
THE FIRST TIME DADDY
RomanceMax never imagined his life would turn out like this: a single father raising a lively two-year-old while working at a quiet bookstore. Far from the successful man his wealthy parents hoped he'd become, Max is still finding his footing after years o...
