125. So She’s a Rival in Love!

The process of ordering food was uneventful: select, pay, and hand the ticket to the staff. However, on his way back, Kanade Natsukawa ran into someone entirely unexpected.

"Good morning... what a coincidence to meet you here," came a familiar, frosty voice from behind him.

Turning around, Kanade found himself face-to-face with none other than the ever-elegant Yukino Yukinoshita.

"..."

Today, the "Snow Maiden" was back to her usual composed and graceful self. It was hard to reconcile this dignified girl with the flustered and shy figure from yesterday's bathhouse incident. Perhaps the impression from that event wasn't strong enough, or maybe her demeanor simply made such moments feel out of character.

Kanade couldn't help but recall that fleeting image of her from yesterday. Compared to her usual air of aloof perfection, her rare display of vulnerability had left a lasting impression.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Yukino frowned slightly, her tone betraying a hint of annoyance.

For someone like her, initiating a conversation in such an awkward way was already pushing her boundaries. To be met with silence was particularly irksome—especially after the events of yesterday.

The situation made her feel strangely abandoned, as if she'd been "used" and then discarded.

"Uh, maybe it's because I'm not fully awake yet," Kanade lied with a forced chuckle.

There was no way he could admit the truth: that he'd been momentarily distracted by memories of her flustered state. If she caught even a hint of his thoughts, his social standing would likely plummet to the level of pond scum.

"Good morning, Yukinoshita. Are you here for breakfast as well?"

"..."

Yukino didn't answer. Instead, she stared at him with an expression akin to observing a peculiar specimen.

Though she said nothing, Kanade felt increasingly awkward. You started this conversation! Isn't it polite to follow through?!

"If there's nothing else, then—"

"What, I can't come talk to you unless I have something to say?" Yukino countered sharply.

"N-no, that's not what I meant... uh..." Kanade stammered, thrown off balance.

Unlike him, Yukino found his flustered reaction oddly satisfying. She knew she was being a bit unreasonable, but the memory of him "taking advantage" of her yesterday and acting as though nothing had happened was infuriating.

Kanade, oblivious to her inner turmoil, assumed she was upset by his hesitation. Unable to say no to someone he'd once promised to support, he could only stand there dumbly, awaiting her next move.

"..."

"..."

After an awkward silence, Yukino finally broke it. "Do you have time? I think we need to talk."

Her tone was calm, but it carried an undertone of insistence.

While she was somewhat bothered by the incident in the bathhouse, that wasn't the main issue. What truly concerned her was the possibility that Hiratsuka-sensei might have told Kanade about her personal matters.

She understood the teacher's intentions, but why did it have to be him? They weren't even particularly close.

"Can I say no—" Kanade began but immediately stopped when Yukino's icy glare pierced through him.

"Hmm? What did you say? I didn't quite catch that," she asked, her voice frigid.

"Uh... I meant—of course, I can't refuse," Kanade quickly corrected, his tone filled with mock sincerity.

Kanade prided himself on being reasonable. Even when dealing with girls he'd failed to win over romantically, he always tried to accommodate their requests within reason.

"Where's your seat?"

"Over there..." Kanade pointed instinctively before realizing his mistake. Wait, does she mean to sit down and have a proper conversation?!

Sure enough, Yukino turned and began walking toward the indicated table. Glancing back, she called out, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up."

"..."

There was no escaping now. Kanade resigned himself to his fate, silently following her.

Because he'd only given a general direction, Yukino soon allowed Kanade to take the lead. When they reached the table, only Eiri was there, sitting demurely with her gaze fixed longingly in one direction like a modern-day Stone of the Waiting Husband.

"What are you staring at?" Kanade asked curiously.

The question startled Eiri, causing her to jump to her feet.

"Wh-why are you coming from that direction?! Didn't you go the other way?!" she exclaimed, flustered.

Eiri was genuinely panicked—her earlier posture, reminiscent of a loyal puppy awaiting its owner's return, had been anything but dignified. She couldn't let Kanade see her like that!

"That's the ticketing area. The food pick-up is over here," Kanade explained.

The cafeteria was quite large, designed to accommodate an entire grade of students. Their table was tucked in a corner, and the ticketing and food pick-up counters were separated by a wall. It made sense that Eiri hadn't noticed his movements.

What didn't make sense was how she'd failed to grasp the cafeteria's layout. Didn't she pay attention during the staff's orientation?

Then again, given it was Eiri, Kanade thought it wasn't entirely surprising.

"You're always so scatterbrained. One day it's going to get you into trouble," Kanade teased.

"Hmph... isn't that what you're here for?" Eiri muttered under her breath. Her cheeks flushed red as the boldness of her words hit her.

She regretted her statement immediately but, seeing no reaction from Kanade, felt both disappointed and relieved. Ah, the rollercoaster of a lovesick girl's emotions.

Before Kanade could respond, a familiar frosty voice interrupted.

"Someone you know?"

Kanade suddenly remembered Yukino's presence. Turning back to her, he quickly introduced the two girls.

"This is Yukino Yukinoshita... uh... a member of the Service Club, where I used to be a member as well. She was also the club president."

"And this is Eiri Spencer Sawamura, a former clubmate of mine and the ace of the Art Club."

He thought his introductions were neutral enough, but the tension between the two girls was palpable.

Eiri, in particular, could only think of one thing:

She's a rival in love!