Day 10 of The Accidental Relationship™. Lunchtime. Same classroom. Same battlefield.
Yuuya (narrating):I had a plan. A clean break. A gentle letdown.
What I didn't plan for……was grilled salmon, matcha pudding, and a girl who smiles like she already knows she's won.
Yuuya:Nanami. We seriously need to talk. I'm not joking this time.
Nanami:Okay. But first—today's lunch has a theme.
Yuuya:You gave lunch a theme?
Nanami (placing a bento in front of him):"Apology Bento: For When Your Girlfriend Brings Lunch Instead of Letting You Break Up With Her."
Yuuya:...This is psychological warfare.
Nanami:Also, I made matcha pudding for dessert.
Yuuya (staring at it with deep betrayal):You know I can't resist matcha. You're playing dirty.
Nanami:I'm just playing smart.
Yuuya:I'm serious, though! We're living a lie! I'm a fraud boyfriend! A fake BF! A relationship imposter!
Nanami:Do fake boyfriends usually eat every bite of their girlfriend's lunch and then text her a food review at night?
Yuuya (blushing):That… was just me being polite!
Nanami:You gave my omelet roll "9.2/10 – criminally fluffy." That doesn't sound like politeness. That sounds like admiration.
Yuuya (melting into his chair):Please stop using my words against me...
Meanwhile, 2 desks away
Kai (watching with popcorn):This is better than drama club.
Riku:He's trying so hard to escape love… and failing harder every day.
Kai:We should start a betting pool.
Riku:Already did. I got "Confession of genuine feelings by midterms."
Kai:Put me down for "He proposes by mistake during Sports Festival."
Back at the Bento Battlefield™
Yuuya:Let me just ask—why are you doing this?
Nanami (tilting her head):Doing what?
Yuuya:Being so… into this. Into us. I don't get it.
Nanami (quiet for a moment):Because I like you, Kanzaki-kun. That's it.
Yuuya:But why?! I'm awkward! I overthink everything! I once texted you "good luck" before a history test I was also taking!
Nanami (smiling):You're honest. You're thoughtful. You're weirdly specific about food texture. It's endearing.
Yuuya (groaning):I can't win against genuine affection AND pudding...
Nanami:You don't have to win. Just eat.
Yuuya stares at the bento. The rice is shaped like a little bear. The salmon glistens. There's even a tiny flag that says "Good Job!"
Yuuya (narrating):She's scary.She's sweet.She's... perfect.
And I'm starting to think the real problem……might be me.
After school. Rooftop. Yuuya sits alone, staring at the sky. His best friend Kai joins him.
Kai:Let me guess. You tried to break up again.
Yuuya:I was close. I even had a speech prepared. It had sub-points and everything.
Kai:What stopped you?
Yuuya:She made pudding with a tiny spoon. Do you know how hard it is to stay mad while holding a tiny spoon?
Kai:You're doomed, man.
Yuuya (quietly):…Am I the villain here?
Kai:No. But you're definitely the comic relief.
Later that night. Yuuya sits in his room. The empty bento box is on his desk. A note is tucked inside.
Note from Nanami:"You seemed tired today. I'm proud of you for trying to say what's on your mind.PS: Tomorrow's theme is 'Comfort Food.' Please come hungry. :)"
Yuuya (narrating):I still don't know how to say what I'm feeling.But maybe… tomorrow, I'll try again.
[To Be Continued.]