The Rose Among The Thorns || Reverse Harem (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Chapter Three: Doughnuts And Tea After Class

Here's the edited and (hopefully) better version of the third chapter.

Enjoy reading!

copyright © by SmashAshxoxo

Chapter Three: Doughnuts And Tea After Class

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It was finally lunchtime and I decided to bring my bento to the school cafeteria. As I was on my way, I spotted a group of girls all packed in an area near by the men's bathroom. I reduced the speed of my pace to check out what the fuss was all about and to my surprise, the girls were actually swooning over a male student standing right in the middle of the crowd.

"Sato-senpai, are you going out later?"

"Tsubasa! We should really hang out some more!"

"Sorry ladies. But you all know I can't." The man who was crowded by screaming girls shrugged and sighed. Then unexpectedly, our gazes met. He smiled and gave me a friendly wave of a hand. I felt my cheeks redden. I now understood why all those swarming girls were going crazy for him. I had to be honest, he was handsome. I quickly returned the friendly gesture and started walking again.

The cafeteria was packed when I arrived. A lot were still lining up for food, so I had to find a place to sit before all the tables will be taken. I was thankful to find an empty table by the vending machines.

Well, I thought it was empty. But there was actually someone who was sitting peacefully by the corner of the table.

It was either sitting here, or not sitting at all.

"Umm, excuse me? Do you mind sharing the table?" I asked politely. The girl looked up at me and beamed a gorgeous smile.

"Don't mind at all! Please help yourself." She offered me the seat across her. She had this impression that somehow made me feel light and happy. "I didn't think anyone would want to sit with me though."

"Why wouldn't they? I'm Akira by the way. Shinohara Akira." I introduced myself to her as I took out my bento and opened it for me to eat. "Let's eat!"

"Yes, let's eat..." We shared a comfortable moment of silence to take a bite of our food.

"Well, I guess they have their reasons for you know, not wanting to." She sighed, answering my question about no one wanting to sit with her. "You're the new girl from class A, correct? I'm Hidemitsu Ayumi, from class S."

Our conversation went on and on from our interests on food and books, all the way down to the latest trends on social media. Ayumi was such a nice person. I didn't understand why not a lot of people wanted to be with her. If only I had all the time in the world, I truly wouldn't mind spending a lot of it with her.

Then a thought came up to me.

"Hey, Ayumi. There was this guy who was like, mobbed by a bunch of girls by the men's bathroom. Who was he?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Oh, Tsubasa? Sato Tsubasa... He's from my class. He seems nice." She said nonchalantly. "But I recently heard that he's been having trouble with his parents. I don't know how true that is though."

I nodded my head and dropped the topic there. I didn't want to intrude into someone else's business.

The vending machine clicked all of a sudden and I turned to see who was nearby. It was Takahashi Ken holding some kind of strawberry milk. After our eyes met for a couple of seconds, he approached our table wearing a friendly smile.

"Hey, Akira! It's so good to see you again!" He greeted. "Sorry I didn't get to acknowledge you earlier."

"It's fine! Here, have a seat." I chuckled.

Ayumi blushed at the sight of Ken. Maybe she wasn't used to having more than one person eat lunch with her? I took the responsibility to introduce them to each other and moments later, the three of us were all having fun.

The nearby vending machine clicked once again but this time, it was someone whom I was unfamiliar with. I could've sworn I've seen him somewhere before. I just couldn't pinpoint when and where.

"Keita, care to join us?" Ayumi invited the boy whom I believed was in the same grade as the three of us. But he just lightly shook his head, smiled, ruffled Ayumi's hair, and left. I didn't even think he noticed me or Ken.

After a while, Takahashi decided to invite the both of us for doughnuts and tea after class. Sadly, Ayumi declined and said she couldn't join us because she already had other plans. But I didn't, and I was happy to go with him.

"Awesome. I'll see you later by the gates then?"

"Sure." I smiled.

* * *

After classes, the two of us went downtown to a cafe which was known for their doughnuts. I ordered myself the good old glazed doughnuts while Ken got himself a triple-chocolate one. We sat by the window and chatted for a while.

"Your hair's different. It looks shorter than the last time. I like it!" He complemented.

I felt a blush crawl up to my cheeks. I guess I wasn't used to sudden complements, even if it was from someone I knew for quite some time. Ken and I actually went to the same middle school for a few years, until my parents decided to have me transferred to another school because of their work. But even then, we barely hung out because we had different circle of friends. He use to hang out with musically-inclined people while I preferred going with the girls. But once in a blue moon, we would acknowledge each other.

It was only during the entrance exams for Skywest Academy's junior high that we actually got to talk.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." I smiled, holding the ends of my hair. He chuckled at my counter-compliment and we sat in silence moments after that.

"So," He started again. "What're you doing after this?"

"Get some rest I guess. I mean, we still have school tomorrow." I shrugged. I looked at him through the edge of my mug while sipping my drink. He looked really peaceful, and I just felt happy that he was somehow enjoying my presence.

This was only the first day school and so far, everything was going well.