Chapter 55 - Lunch

Jay-Jay's POV

"…Class, the day after tomorrow, you will present a report! I want you to work in groups so that you don't have to take it home!" Ma'am announced.

"Okay…" the students responded, sounding bored.

They should at least show a little enthusiasm. It's embarrassing for the teacher—he might think we're not listening.

But, in reality, we aren't.

"We're in a group with David, right?" Ci-N asked me.

I turned to David to ask if he was okay with it, but he was talking to someone else.

I faced Ci-N again. "I guess so."

Ci-N suddenly smiled mischievously. "Just the two of us?"

I gave him a sharp look. Why is just us the only thing on his mind? This guy is really weird.

"Get ready… You won't like me when I'm serious," I warned him.

The idiot just laughed. He really is like a child. But I'd rather have him like this than be an annoying burden to everyone.

Kkkrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg!!!!

Finally! Lunchtime! Time to make my kids laugh—charot!

I pulled out the lunchbox of the King of snakes from my bag. His lunch is special, of course—at 150 pesos, it better be worth it.

It would be embarrassing otherwise!

As if he couldn't wait any longer, the King himself approached me and snatched his lunchbox.

"That's it?" Keifer asked.

"Yeah… What did you expect? A bag the size of my backpack?"

"Tss. Just confirming," he said and took the lunchbox from me.

I was about to leave for our usual hangout spot, but Keifer grabbed my arm.

"Eat here," he ordered.

"I don't want to," I answered, shaking my head.

"Why do you still eat separately?"

"Because we want to."

Keifer glanced to his side and gestured for someone to come over.

He whispered something to them, and they immediately left. I just looked at him, then at his hand, which was still gripping my arm.

He's owning me again!

Suddenly, David and Ci-N walked in. They were the first to stop by our table. Yuri followed, carrying a paper bag. Mica and Calix entered after them—still all holding hands while walking!

"Why did you call us?" Calix asked Keifer.

Keifer let go of my arm and turned to them. "From now on, no one eats on the second floor. Everyone eats here—including you."

Yuri looked at me as if asking, Did something happen?

Although surprised, David and Ci-N sat beside me.

"Did you fight with Keifer again?" David asked.

"No! I have no idea where this is coming from."

"Let's just eat," Ci-N said.

We set the tables aside and made space. We even called Mica to join us. It was obvious that she felt out of place.

The snakes around us stared like vultures, waiting to pounce. Some were even drooling—ugh! Do they have rabies?—joke! But really, it must be because of the food in front of us.

Our lunch looked poor compared to Mica's. She had chicken fillet with a unique sauce, and it smelled amazing.

I saw Yuri hesitating in his seat, too shy to join us.

"Yuri! Over here!" I called, patting the bench next to me.

He looked at Keifer first before approaching us.

I handed David and Ci-N their lunchboxes.

It felt like a picnic! Let's go!

"W-what's in your lunch?" Yuri asked.

"Here…" I showed him my lunchbox.

Fried chicken with vegetables on the side. I had no idea what the vegetables were since the maids cooked them—I was just the one eating.

"Want to trade?" Yuri offered, taking out a pack of sushi from his paper bag.

My eyes widened. Sushi!

I quickly handed him my lunchbox, and he gave me the sushi.

Woooooooohhhhhh!! Sushi! Sushi!

"Uhmmm… Shouldn't we invite your classmates?" Mica asked.

The snakes immediately reacted.

"Invite us!"

"Yes, right!"

"Come on! Invite us!"

"We won't refuse."

Calix shot them a sharp glare.

"Shut up."

They looked like kids who didn't get their candy. Honestly, we looked like we were eating at a restaurant while they looked like beggars.

I love this! I'm so mean!

Suddenly, Keifer shoved his chair between Ci-N and me. Now, I was sitting between him and Yuri.

Admit it… He was feeling lonely.

We exchanged glances. Everyone looked equally confused. Even the snakes, who had been eyeing our food, noticed the change.

"Jay! I'm stupid!" Ci-N broke the silence.

"Later," I replied.

Keifer started eating, so we followed suit. I'd deal with this problem later.

Though, it was really annoying to have people watching us while we ate. Was it really necessary to guard us like that?

Someone approached me. I looked up—it was Denzel. He held out his hand.

"Give me some… even just a little," he whispered.

I hesitated. Eren was already eating from Ci-N's lunchbox. Calix was busy fending off people trying to take Mica's—her food was already gone, stolen by those vultures.

Kit, Edrix, and Rory were hovering around David, hoping to grab a bite. They thought they were being sneaky.

My eyes landed on Felix.

He just stared at us, and when our eyes met, he quickly looked away, put on his headset, and drummed his fingers on the table.

Why was he avoiding me?

"Jay… I'm stupid," Denzel repeated.

Since I had already eaten a lot, I handed him the rest. The others immediately swarmed him.

"Why did you give it away?" Yuri asked.

"It's fine. I've eaten enough."

"When you give to one, you have to give to all," Keifer interjected.

"How am I supposed to give food to everyone?"

"If you can't give to everyone, then don't give at all," Keifer said.

Wow, heartless much?

"Can't we just cook for them?" Yuri asked.

"No! There are too many of them," I replied.

"We could cook, but…" Yuri hesitated.

"You can't use the equipment here," Keifer interrupted.

"Someone owns it," Yuri added.

"Who?"

"Superman," Yuri said.

I laughed—Superman?! But I stopped when I saw that Keifer and Yuri were serious. Ci-N and David also looked at me.

"Jay… We have a classmate named Superman," Yuri reminded me.

Wait—what?

Here's a grammatically corrected and polished version of your passage:

"Wow?"

"Not that?"

I looked at David, and they both nodded.

"Is there? I'll actually list their names. I've been here for so long, yet I still can't remember."

"Are you serious?"

"Stupid! He only comes in two or three times a week!" Keifer said.

"Others call him Eman," David added.

"Give? Give? Give? Give it!"

I remember now! He was the one who scolded me when he found out I used the electric frying pan. I didn't pay attention to him because I was preoccupied with a problem.

"Do you remember?" Yuri asked.

I nodded. "Is that his?"

"Yes... Because he used to cook here. That's why he's lazy—no one helps him," Ci explained.

I rolled my eyes. As if he even comes in anymore. He's always absent. We're not even worried about whether he'll show up or not.

"He didn't come in, if that's who you're looking for," Keifer said.

"I'd like to talk to him."

"Maybe he's at their restaurant," Yuri replied.

Get rich! They own a restaurant?

"When will he come in?"

"Maybe he won't," Calix muttered. We both looked at him. "...I heard their restaurant is going bankrupt, and he's the one taking care of it."

"Why him? Doesn't he have parents?"

"His mother never took it seriously. His father had an accident—he burned his arm right there in their restaurant," Calix explained.

Poor guy. Even though his name is Superman, that doesn't mean he's as strong as Superman.

"Do you know where their restaurant is?"

"Why?" Yuri asked.

"Let's visit him."

Keifer looked at me as if to say I was just doing this to get on someone's good side.

I'm just concerned.

"I'll join you later," Yuri suddenly said.

"Me too! I'm coming!" Ci-N shouted.

"I'll come too," David added.

"We're together, baby," Mica said to Calix.

Calix had no choice but to agree.

"We're coming too..." said another voice.

Keifer was the only one who hadn't answered, so all our eyes turned to him.

"Hey... What's with the stares? I'm coming!" he shouted at us.

Alright! Operation: Visit Superman!