CLASSROOM OF THE ELITE X QUINTS: Complicated Feelings

Shadows Dancing Under the Moonlight

The night fell into the land. Its darkness curtained the vast horizon, a lone porcelain, dust of stars, accompanying those shadows below.

The humming sound of the freezer echoed through the store. Students come and go. Most of them had grabbed anything-too tired-after their group study.

A brown-haired boy stood before a shelf. His appearance, rather fresh with unkempt hair, eyes looking before the variety of cup noodles.

Ayanokouji, who just woke up, dragged his feet here. He couldn't help it as his stomach kept growling for food.

Picking up a couple of cup noodles in his basket, he turned his heels for the counter.

It had been around a week since his class suspension; he mostly remained in his room-not meeting anyone-only to cross paths with one of the people he avoided the most.

"Hello," Ichinose said with a smile. "Ayanokouji-kun."

Her classmates who had heard about their relationship, quietly left their side. Ichika took one last glance at them before disappearing.

Ayanokouji simply nodded.

An awkward silence followed as they recalled that moment inside his room.

Ichinose's smile slowly faltered, eyes darting everywhere, and her gaze landed over his basket.

"Is... is that your dinner?"

Following her gaze, Ayanokouji lowered his head. "Ah! Somehow."

His casual tone made her face sink.

Before things turned awkward between them, Ichinose had once cooked something for Ayanokouji when she knew he had eaten nothing but junk foods.

Coincidentally, a similar situation was happening right now.

Ichinose stepped over him, taking away his basket and putting it beside the shelf.

"Pick something else," Ichinose said. "My treat."

Ayanokouji glanced at his side. Guilt gnawed at him every time he looked at her.

"No need-"

She cut him off.

"I insist."

Her voice left no room to argue.

"Fine..." he sighed, and turned to her. "Then you."

Though it was cold inside, Ichinose suddenly felt hotter. Her mind went blank, at the same time her cheeks flushed pink.

"You can pick whatever. I'm good with anything."

Hearing the rest of his words, Ichinose felt she was splashed with a cold bucket of water.

Shaking her head, she felt silly.

"A warm meal would be nice," she said, her composure returned. "But it's already late, so let's go with a bento."

Looking at Ichinose, Ayanokouji couldn't help but admire her. This girl was always resolute, always facing any problems head-on. Unlike him, who preferred to run away.

"Sure,"

Then the two of them went to the food and beverages area. Though they had stopped talking-a comfortable silence wrapped around them. After picking two bento boxes, Ichinose paid, and they settled in a nearby bench, under the moonlight.

•••

The moon lazily watched over the two students. Its soft glow scattered around them, enough for them to see each other.