Time quickly passed and lunch break arrived.

Like yesterday, I decided to eat with Satsuki and Aya in the classroom. This time I brought a lunchbox made by Miwa-nee. Because of that, the attention to us was minimal since I also invited Sakuma to join us.

However, before we knew it, Chii and her gyaru friends joined us. Furthermore, after coming back from the cafeteria, Nami, Hina, Saki with Kikuchi tagging along also crowded around us. Naturally, the trio of Ogawa, Tadano and the silent guy couldnt rest easy in their seats and also joined the crowd.

The original small square created from our tables gradually became a circle with more and more members joining us for lunch, even those classmates that I probably knew the names of but was too lazy to remember one by one.

Well, not everyone joined to eat their lunch. Some had already finished eating and they just thought it's interesting to join the crowd. Soon enough various discussions sprang out with various gossips being put out on the table.

At one point, the matter of who my girlfriend is got brought up again. And like that time at the gym, I answered as vaguely as possible, I told them that shes in our class. It was narrowed down from last time. Instead of being there with us inside the Gymnasium, shes now specifically in our class.

Upon hearing that, the girls who were clearly intrigued looked at each other, scrutinizing each others expressions to see if the one in front of them was my girlfriend.

Well, it didnt last long though.

Kanzaki, our diligent Class President, objected and called me out for misleading them, saying that whoever my girlfriend is... shes surely not in our class.

With that kind of statement, all eyes gathered on her. And when asked to further clarify her claim, she fixed her glasses and abruptly closed her mouth. She then retreated quietly without saying anything else.

Under their confused expression, the girl sent me an apologetic gaze.

Due to that gesture, its like shes confirming that shes telling the truth and shes apologizing for her blunder.

Their eyes returned to me. But I only slightly smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

Following that, I put back my empty lunchbox and stood up from my seat, leaving the room right after leaving an excuse. Sorry guys, I have an interview for my Student Assistant application.

With their curiosity peaking like that, its a lot better to escape than to ignore it. Good thing I had an excuse.

About Kanzaki though... Ill deal with her later.

Thats her unintentional outburst. Probably.

Hows it going with that wimp of a boyfriend of hers anyway? Are they still getting along? I dont know. Although we got a new connection in the form of Misaki, were acting like classmates all this time even though I knew her secret of being into a relationship and shes holding onto mine.

That secret of mine was where she pulled her outburst.

On the third day of the school year and the day of Club Recruitment, she witnessed me and Kana kissing on the stairs.

Thats what she used to have me teach her how to kiss. However, because she only wanted tips and not an actual practical lesson, I soon gave up on making a move on her or stealing her from that unknown boyfriend thats too wimpy to level up their relationship and kiss her.

Although there were few instances where shes looking at me helplessly as if shes deliberating whether to ask me for help again, whenever theres a chance that I would pass by her, Id offer her those few bits of tips and inquire about the state of her relationship.

Anyway, with that outburst, doubts began to cloud my classmates minds, those who were unaware at least. That Kanzaki was telling the truth and my girlfriend might not be in our class.

Whatever conclusion they reached, at least, theyd start to look outside first rather than check the girls close to me in our class.

In a way, that somehow helped our situation. Its not like Ill let them catch me seeing Kana, Haruko, Himeko or Mina and Serizawa-senpai.

In fact, I hadnt been to the second floor and third floor of the School Building for a while now. The last time I went there was when I looked for Ishida-senpai to excuse myself when I went to meet my girls at Akanes school.

A few minutes later, I didnt immediately go to the Administration Building like I said in my excuse.

I went to a secluded place where theres little to no students. I already have a lot of those marked in my memory so it's easy to find one now.

I opened my girls messages, replied to them and checked how theyre doing.

Lastly, I messaged Hina and asked her if she wanted to come and spend time with me after I returned from Shios room.

Its no surprise that the girl happily accepted and told me that shed wait for me right outside the School Building so we could go somewhere together.

Once thats done, I returned a videocall that I missed.

Mom, dad... I forced a smile as soon as their face showed up on my phones screen.

Theyre still inside a moving car and seated on my moms lap is none other than Minoru.

Before greeting me, shes dotingly patting the boys head who seemed already close to her even if thats supposed to be the first time they meet.

Naturally, Miwa-nee was on the wheel.

Whats that fake smile? Are you not happy to see us, son?

Thats my dad. He truly looked like me except, hes sporting a professional cut and silver-rimmed glasses often worn by intellectuals. Hes wearing a business suit with a plain red tie.

However, despite how professional he looked, that smile on his face made him look like an idiot.

Well, thats one of the reasons why Aunt Akemi was calling them an 'idiot couple. They always have this happy-go-lucky air around them.

Surely, theyre only like this in front of me or us.

Whatever their job is... theres no way they could go on by having this kind of attitude.

Why will I not be happy? After who knows how long, youre finally coming home. Anyway, thanks for the help these past few months. Especially with the thing with Akane.

Dear, are you hearing this? Our son is thanking us!

I do so stop grinning like an idiot. Be like our Ruki.

Is thanking them too big of a deal now?

Ah. Right. I was probably too disconnected from them during the time when my desire was running rampant. I probably took everything they did for me for granted and never thanked them for how they looked out for me.

Its even a wonder why they didnt send me to an institution to be checked and cured of my desire. Although they sent me to a psychiatrist, I couldnt remember how many times that was.

Furthermore, given that I still had my desire even to this day, they gave up on curing it.

I dont know. I cant think of anything else why they let me do everything I did when they had long noticed my abnormality.

Lets talk later. Tell Miwa-nee to take care with driving and... can I see her?

Upon hearing what I said, my mom and dad had differing reactions. My mom squealed like a young girl while my fathers grin froze.

I could understand dads reaction, my words probably came off as me caring more for the woman driving for them.

Oh, before I forget. I missed you, mom, dad. I added.