When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 5.1: Bumping into someone unexpectedly at a supermarket just before closing time. Part -1.

Bumping into someone unexpectedly at a supermarket just before closing time. Part -1.

Classroom during lunch break.

Though her eyes are lifeless, a kind-faced girl extends a bento.

“Here.”

It’s been a week since I started receiving bentos from Sajou-san.

I can’t say I’ve gotten used to it. The piercing stares from around, whispers behind my back, and jealousy accompanied by teeth grinding.

The event of receiving bento from a woman, something I’ve never been familiar with before, never becomes routine no matter how many times it happens.

I intended to refuse from the second time onwards…

Feeling nothing but apology, I consider making it the last time every time I receive.

However, without sentimentality, in a strictly business-like exchange of just receiving the bento,

You don’t have to make these anymore? There was no room to gently interject a refusal. It’s hard to say.

“It’s inconvenient to have it delivered every time. At least, can I pick it up in the morning?”

Really, at least.

A small resistance to lessen the burden on my heart even a little.

If so, the guilt of making her go out of her way just to deliver bento would decrease. At the same time, I wouldn’t be subjected to curious gazes.

I thought it was a mutually beneficial suggestion.

But Sajou-san, adding shadow to her already dark expression, emits an even gloomier atmosphere.

“…Mornings are impossible.”

With a voice that sounds like it’s being squeezed out with pain from a throat parched dry, he replied.

“Well, if that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do.”

Feeling like I’ve touched a wound that hasn’t even scabbed over yet, I feel guilty.

Surely, in this atmosphere of “there’s something wrong but I don’t know what,” there’s no way it’s just because mornings are tough. But then again, I kind of want to see it. Sajou-san rubbing her eyes like a cat waking up… Sounds nice.

“Well then.”

Without even a token of gratitude, she turns on her heel and leaves as usual.

What I feel from her back is her lack of interest in the outside world.

No matter how different her actions are from the norm, she remains unperturbed by others’ opinions.

However, she seems indifferent even to herself. It’s as if she’s only acting to stay alive because her heart is beating.

So, are the bentos I hold in my hands necessary for her to survive?

Sajou-san says she doesn’t want to create debts. Perhaps it’s her own defense mechanism to avoid forming connections with others.

Even if that’s the case, if debts should be equal, then my debt to her is already heavy.

A day’s shelter from the rain doesn’t compare to a week’s worth of bentos.

Or maybe…

Was that event so valuable to her?

No matter how much I, not the person herself, think about it, I can’t find an answer. It feels like trying to decipher the thoughts of a person from the past through relics.

But well, there’s one thing even I, who knows nothing, can assert.

“Hey? Are you like, really not dating Sajou-san?”

“Nope.”

Nope.