A Not-So-Simple Lunch Break

The two classes after the first math class passed quickly, and the bell rang throughout the entire Ouran Academy, signaling lunchtime.

The audio system echoed the bell's chime, and my classmates wasted no time. They left the classroom in a hurry, heading to the cafeteria to gather and eat together.

In our classroom, a few of my classmates decided not to join the rush to the cafeteria. Instead, they chose to stay behind.

They pushed their student desk chairs close together to create a little gathering area where they could chat and eat together, savoring the contents of their bento boxes.

Now, it was my turn to decide what to do during lunch. Approaching Luna and Kaori was out of the question; it would only draw me closer to becoming a named character.

Plan B was to join my background character friends, as any typical high school student would do. But to my surprise, Renjiro and Kenta, my fellow background characters, were nowhere to be found.

I wondered if they had left me behind as soon as the bell rang, abandoning me.

But there was no need to worry because someone like me, who had mastered the art of being a background character, always had a trick up their sleeve.

Plan C: Blend in like any other background character. It was my last and final card to play.

Plan C was simple: to remain inconspicuous and unimportant, just as any background character would do.

As I left the classroom and descended the stairs leading to the academy building, making my way to the cafeteria, my heart was set on blending seamlessly with the other students.

I finally reached the bustling cafeteria, where I saw a line of students waiting with trays in hand.

The process was simple: get a tray, pick your food, pay for it, and then find a table. I followed suit, grabbing a tray and joining the line.

I contemplated what food to choose—something typical for a background character. Curry rice seemed like the perfect choice, and I added a bottle of water.

As I moved forward in line, observing the tables filling up with students, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever find an available spot.

Would I be left standing alone, or worse, become the center of attention? I needed to blend in, not stand out.

When I reached the food section, I made my selection and continued to the cashier. After paying, I ventured further into the cafeteria, searching for an unoccupied table.

It proved more challenging than I expected. Every table was filled with students from different year levels, leaving me with limited options.

As I explored the left side of the cafeteria, my efforts were in vain. No tables were available.

Just as I was about to turn and try my luck on the right side, someone touched my shoulder from behind. Should I turn and see who it was? The voice that followed came from behind.

"Follow me, Ced Nakano."

Nervously, I asked, "Who are you?"

"Just follow me."

With little choice but to obey, I turned to find a tall woman in her twenties with black hair.

She was noticeably taller than me, at around 6'0", while I was a mere 5'6". She was dressed in black attire, resembling that of a personal guard or security personnel.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I need to have lunch. I can't just follow you," I protested, my gaze fixed on my tray with curry rice and the bottled water.

Lunch can wait, Ced. This will be a quick chat," She insisted.

Feeling unsure and curious about her intentions, I finally conceded, "Okay, lead the way, then." I had no other choice but to follow her.

I couldn't help but notice the strength in her touch when she had initially grabbed my shoulder. The mystery deepened.

We walked away from the cafeteria, and I followed her, carrying my tray, expecting a short chat. To my surprise, that wasn't her intention.

In the open space outside the cafeteria, she suddenly halted. I puzzled over her actions.

Perhaps she wanted to talk here. But before I could react, she grabbed my tray, and I tried to retrieve it.

"Give it to me!" I demanded, attempting to grab the tray back.

I attempted to get it back, first with my left hand, then with my right, but she effortlessly avoided my grasp each time. It was as if she were playing a game with me.

She eventually declared, "It's futile," her patience wearing thin. She turned her attention to the nearby trash can, instantly discarding my entire tray, including my precious curry rice.

Frustration and anger welled up within me. Clenching my fists, I made my move, ready to take action.

I'd read enough manga, light novels, and watched enough anime to know what to do.

I planned to initiate a left feint towards her face and then change the trajectory mid-attack to strike her in the stomach, aiming for a body shot. I could feel that familiar dark aura once again swirling around my vision.

But she seems ready, and she didn't move an inch from her place, and her body is full of openings with no sign of wanting to dodge.

Did she somehow know about my intentions? My feint style? It seemed impossible for her to predict my attack.

However, as I closed in for the strike, something extraordinary happened. Just before my fist could reach its target, a powerful force stopped me in my tracks.

And in that instant, my dark aura dissipated.

"Stop it!" came a stern voice, its authority cutting through the tension.

"Geez, Yurina, can't you just dodge Ced's punch?" added another voice, chiming in from behind me.

Startled by the voices, I quickly turned around to see who was speaking. I was met with the sight of a beautiful young woman, appearing to be in her twenties. Her short pink hair framed her face, and her features exuded an air of elegance.

This mysterious pink-haired woman was as captivating as the black-haired Yurina, who had so casually discarded my lunch. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and I couldn't help but wonder what was happening.

"Sazane, it's just that Ced is mad, after all, and it's just a coincidence that I let my guard down."

"Guard? You don't know how to guard, just like your lady master, who can't charm Ced."

"What did you say, Sazane?! My lady master could charm Ced!"

"Yurina, it's impossible. My lady master would win because Ced would be on his heels, kneeling for my lady master."

"Sazane, you're delusional!"

"Yurina, you're the one who's delusional!"

The two of them faced each other, eyes locked in a tense standoff, exuding powerful auras, as if they were rivals fiercely defending their respective lady masters.

But who were these lady masters they were talking about? I found myself quite involved in their conversation and decided to intervene before the situation escalated further.

"Umm... what do you want to talk to me about?" I interjected, attempting to ease the tension.

"This isn't the place for our discussion, Ced. Just come and follow us," Yurina instructed.

"Alright, lead the way, then," I replied, not quite sure what I had gotten myself into.

With that, I followed Yurina and Sazane, and they led me to a large black car in Ouran Academy's parking lot.

Yurina and Sazane opened the car doors, revealing none other than Luna Hoshizaki and Kaori Sato inside.

Yurina bowed to Luna, saying, "Lady Luna, I've brought Ced to you."

Sazane, on the other hand, bowed to Kaori and stated, "Lady Kaori, I've brought Ced to you."

Kaori and Luna nodded in acknowledgment but didn't offer a verbal response. Yurina and Sazane appeared pleased with their mission's success, taking the nods as a form of praise.

I reluctantly entered the car, taking a seat beside Kaori and Luna. They sat side by side, across from me.

The car was spacious and equipped with a table, a TV, and a clock for keeping track of time.

At the front seat, a partition shielded the driver, and there were two remotes, one for the TV and another to mute the sound from the backseat for privacy.

"I will be guarding outside the car, Lady Luna," Yurina informed.

"Thank you, Yurina. Keep up the good work," Luna replied.

"Your praise is enough for me, Lady Luna," Yurina added, clearly appreciating Luna's acknowledgment.

Sazane also pledged to stand guard, saying, "I'll be guarding outside the car as well, Lady Kaori. Your safety is my utmost priority."

"Thank you, Sazane," Kaori responded.

"I wish for your victory, Lady Kaori," Sazane added.

Yurina, however, couldn't let it go and voiced her opinion, saying, "Lady Luna, your beauty outmatches anyone. You are the epitome of grace. I hope for your victory, Lady Luna."

"Thank you, Yurina. It'll be just a walk in the park," Luna replied, turning her attention to Kaori, her competitive spirit evident. Kaori, in turn, seemed visibly irritated by Luna's confidence.

"Thank you, Sazane. A defeat is not in the Sato family's vocabulary. This match will be a breeze," Kaori retorted, her words challenging Luna.

With that, Yurina and Sazane spoke in unison, "Then we will take our leave," and closed the car doors. The two of them left the scene, leaving me alone with Luna and Kaori.

I could feel the intensity of their gazes on me, like two predators sizing up their prey.

They reached for their luxurious lunch boxes and asked me, "Choose, Ced... which lunch would you like to eat? And, um... which girl... I mean, which food would you like to try first?"

This was turning into a lunchtime competition between Luna and Kaori, and I found myself caught in the middle. As a background character, how would I handle this intense lunch battle?