the dining hall

The central dining hall bustled with life, its long, sturdy tables inviting shared meals and spirited discussions; the scent of hearty dishes wafted from the adjoining kitchen, where skilled student cooks worked tirelessly to provide nourishing fare. 

Students clustered in small groups, each surrounded by familiar faces, their expressions betraying an underlying tension; as Kenji entered the dining hall, every gaze turned toward him, and a spectrum of reactions flickered across their faces. Ignoring the attention, he strode confidently to the serving area, picked up a plate and tray, and went directly to the waitstaff.

The waitstaff was flanked by two students, seemingly offering her protection. She was a female student who flinched when she spotted Kenji approaching, instinctively lowering her head to avoid his gaze as she served him. Kenji received a bowl of "tamago kake gohan," a comforting breakfast dish of rice topped with a raw egg and a drizzle of soy sauce.

As he turned to find a seat, the waitstaff said softly, "Thank you for saving me," bowing her head in appreciation.

Kenji couldn't quite recall her face but replied with a gentle smile, "Sure." He then continued his search for a place to sit.

Seeing Kenji's smile brightened her day, she felt delighted. However, as Kenji glanced around the dining hall, he noticed every table seemed filled. 

Kaga sat alone in the corner of the bustling cafeteria, his presence starkly contrasting with the chatter around him. He raised his hands, gesturing for Kenji to join him at the vacant seat nearby. As Kenji approached, he couldn't help but overhear the whispering among the students.

"They said he killed more goblins—more than Kato. Some of the group with him said it was around fourteen kills," a girl murmured, her eyes wide with excitement.

"That's a lie! It's just a rumour. I bet he was scared shitless when he saw a goblin and pissed his pants," a male student scoffed, his voice dripping with scepticism.

"I was there, man. I saw it with my own eyes," insisted another, his tone defensive.

"Then you must be delusional. You probably started seeing things," the first boy shot back, rolling his eyes.

"No, man, it's real," the second student insisted, his voice firm.

The murmurings swirled like a storm, but Kenji seemed unfazed; Kenji slid into the seat beside Kaga. He sensed the weight of the whispers but chose to ignore them, comfortable in his skin, as if the opinions of others were mere background noise.

As Kenji began to eat his meal, he noticed Kaga's expression shift from satisfaction to dissatisfaction. Kaga glanced around, then zeroed in on Kenji's plate, his eyes gleaming with longing.

"Wow, yours looks like a lot," Kaga said, his voice a mix of admiration and envy.

Kenji, focused on his meal, ignored the comment. After a while, feeling about 80% complete, he couldn't help but notice Kaga's unwavering gaze, practically drilling holes into his food. With a sigh, Kenji dropped his spoon onto his tray and nudged the remaining portion toward Kaga.

"Thanks, man," Kaga exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he didn't hesitate to dig in.

Despite the lingering stares from nearby students, Kenji had anticipated something like this would happen, especially with the number of students who had come in with Kaga, all whispering about him. However, for Kenji, sharing a meal was more important than the chatter surrounding them.

Kenji didn't just give Kaga food for no reason; it was a calculated move to gain more info. Leaning back in his chair with arms crossed, he began to ask questions about the stars, his voice steady and inquisitive. The room buzzed with conversation, but his focus was laser-sharp.

Kaga used his gaze to point out a tall, bright-skinned student with a yellow headband nestled between two girls who leaned into him, practically offering him their attention. Remi was his name—an 11th grader, standing at an impressive 6 feet. With a blend of ambition and charm, he excelled academically and athletically, navigating the ups and downs of high school with a playful smile. It was easy to see how he attracted the girls.

"That there, the boy with the yellow headband, is Remi. He killed a goblin protecting those girls," Kaga said, his mouth full, pride tinged with awe.

Kenji observed several students around him, mentally marking their faces—those affiliated with the Kato Circle and those who weren't. He studied their behaviour, especially the girls, noting the dynamics at play. The stars were seated together in the dining hall, having a camaraderie evident; while Remi was in another seat, his attention remained fixed on the girls, who hung on his every word. Amaya was notably absent, and Kenji couldn't help but wonder about her.

"Where is Amaya?" he asked Kaga, who seemed to have no information about her whereabouts.

"don't know," Kaga said.

As Kenji surveyed the room, his gaze collided with Ryu's. They held eye contact for a moment, tension hanging in the air before they both broke away, the weight of unspoken words lingering. Kato, seated beside Ryu, observed the exchange, his interest piqued.

"It seems you were right; he didn't die despite getting poisoned by something unknown to them," Kato remarked to Ryu, recalling the earlier chaos when Kaga brought in unconscious Kenji. Kato had thought it best to leave Kenji outside, seeing the green veins surrounding the area. He had a cut, but Ryu had insisted on bringing him in, a choice that stirred unspoken tension between them as Kato thought it was a decision based on emotions; even if their relationship wasn't on good terms, they were still brothers.

"If you think about recruiting him, don't even consider it," Ryu warned as he rose from the table, the finality in his voice leaving no room for argument. He headed toward the exit, leaving Kato to mull over the implications.

"We still have much to discuss," Kato said, but Ryu waved his hand dismissively, exiting the dining room without a backward glance.

Kato stared at Kenji, intensely focused on the new player in their midst, showing no intention of heeding Ryu's warning. 

"You're still going, right?" Akio chimed in with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Kato remained silent, his gaze unwavering as he observed Kenji. The tension in the dining hall was palpable, thick with unspoken possibilities and hidden agendas.

Kenji and Kaga were engrossed when a new presence interrupted the moment. Hana got up from her seat and walked over to Kenji. Hana was a striking young woman, and her undeniable beauty was accentuated by her long, shiny black hair cascading down her back, framing her bright, radiant face. She was dressed in a rose-high skirt and an oversized blue T-shirt, showcasing a unique style that balanced playfulness and sophistication. Her confidence and poise gave off an air of privilege, indicating that she came from a good family.

Hana was Kenji's classmate, but they had never spoken for years. Though they attended the same classes, they inhabited entirely different worlds. Hana moved through the social circles of the elite, her life filled with privileges and expectations, while Kenji preferred to keep to himself.

Kaga greeted her with a welcoming smile, eager to engage. But Hana brushed him off, her tone sharp as she directed all her attention to Kenji. 

"Scram, Kaga," she said, not even glancing his way. 

The dismissive comment stung, and Kaga felt his enthusiasm wane as he slowly stood up, defeated.

"Where are you going, Kaga? I think you're the one who should scram, don't you think?" Kenji shot back, his eyes narrowing at Hana. There was an edge to his voice that hinted at his irritation.

Kaga hesitated, feeling torn, but eventually slumped back into his seat. 

"Fine, do whatever you want," Hana said, her tone now dismissive as she turned her focus back to Kenji.

"I would like to get to know you," Hana said, her voice smooth as she gently touched Kenji's right hand resting on the table. Her confidence radiated from her, and though she was undeniably attractive, she knew she couldn't quite match the goddess-like aura of the other girls at Rose High [Amaya, Sara]. Yet, with her charm and seductive tactics, she had never encountered a "no" for an answer.

As she began to talk about herself, her fingers lingered on Kenji's hand, a calculated move that seemed designed to draw him in. Kenji responded with polite smiles and nods, but in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the thought: "Scouting for students with the potential to increase your survival chances." A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he observed her tactics.

In the 24th century, relationships operated on a strict currency of value. Women like Hana sought out those who could elevate their status, while men without perceived worth faded into the background. Mutual growth was the game's name, and Kenji wasn't interested in playing by those rules.

Then came the big question. "Why not stay with me and my companions? We can help you recover; seeing you like that when you got brought in made me sad," she said, her expression shifting to one of faux concern.

"Sad? Don't make me laugh," Kenji thought, stifling the urge to respond to her theatrics.

"Besides, you need to stay with people on your level," she added, shooting an irritated glance at Kaga, who was still processing the unfolding drama.

Kaga felt a pang of frustration and sadness as he listened to Hana. Despite their years as classmates, she had never acknowledged him in such a way before. He couldn't shake the feeling of being overshadowed by her social influence, a power he didn't possess. 

Even with his excellent background and wealth, Hana had a way of using her charisma and status to command attention, while Kaga often felt like an afterthought. Her dismissive attitude toward him during their interactions stung, especially now when he saw her fawning over Kenji, who didn't fit the typical Mould of popularity. 

Desperation gnawed at him; he wanted to be seen and valued, not just as a reflection of his family's wealth but for who he was. Watching Hana effortlessly navigate social situations left him feeling inadequate, as if her beauty and charm were weapons he couldn't compete with. It was a bitter reminder that sometimes, even those with advantages could feel lost in someone else's spotlight.

"I think I'll pass on your offer; I have better things to do," Kenji said firmly, withdrawing his hand from hers and standing up. Without another word, he left the dining hall, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

Kaga trailed behind him, shock evident, but excitement bubbled up beneath that shock. Kenji's rejection of Hana, a girl who wielded social power like a weapon, felt like a bold statement—a defiance against the norms that governed their world. Kaga couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. At that moment, he considered Kenji a friend. Maybe there was more to Kenji than he had realised.

Hana sat in stunned silence, her mind racing to process Kenji's outright rejection. For someone who had always gotten what she wanted, the sting of his refusal was more painful than anything she had experienced before. It blew her confidence that she couldn't easily brush it off.

Fury bubbled up inside her as she remained seated, grappling with a mix of humiliation and disbelief. How could he reject her so quickly? At that moment, it felt like the world had flipped upside down. She could hear the whispers and muffled laughter from some students nearby, their amusement only adding to her frustration. It was as if she had walked into the dining hall ready to conquer, only to leave feeling like a fool.

Finally, unable to contain her emotions any longer, she stormed out of the dining hall, her heels clicking angrily against the floor. The laughter followed her, echoing in her ears, a reminder of her uncharacteristic misstep. The familiar power she wielded seemed to slip through her fingers, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. 

As she left, she vowed to reclaim her sense of control to ensure this embarrassment would not define her. But deep down, the rejection lingered, a crack in her polished façade that she would have to address.