Chapter 7

Chapter 7 – "Why Do You Smell Like Other Women?"

Ding-dong-dang-dong.

The bell rang, slicing through the dull hum of the classroom like the long-awaited chime of freedom.

First lunch break.

Kazumi was on his feet before the echo faded. No hesitation. No dramatic anime farewell to his classmates.

Just a single goal: escape.

Console? Secured.

Bag? Slung over his shoulder.

Social interaction? Avoided.

While Minami and Hanami were still engaged in a lively conversation with a group of girls—who were definitely whispering about him—Kazumi made a clean getaway through the classroom door like a seasoned ninja.

He didn't need to eavesdrop to know the conversation topic. It was probably one of three things:

"Why were you hugging Kazumi this morning?"

"Are you dating him?"

Whatever it was, he didn't want any part of it.

Right now, he had more important priorities.

Lemon bread.

That sweet, fluffy, golden miracle. Citrus heaven wrapped in plastic.

It was always gone by the time the lunch crowd descended like vultures.

So he rushed. Swift. Efficient. Focused.

Like a warrior chasing a rare drop before someone else claimed it.

Kazumi arrived at the cafeteria and made a beeline to the bread shelf.

And there it was....his treasure.

Only one left. Glowing faintly in his imagination like a JRPG item drop.

His hand reached out. Grasped. Clutched.

Victory.

But then…

A presence.

Not loud. Not obvious. Just… there. Close.

Too close.

His instincts flared.

A chill tickled his neck.

Someone was standing right behind him.

Close enough to hear his heartbeat.

Kazumi slowly turned, already bracing for disappointment.

"…You."

A soft eye peeked through long bangs. That neutral, unreadable face. Her head tilted slightly, like a curious owl observing prey.

Yuino.

"…Hi," she said in her usual whisper-tone, standing far too close.

Kazumi let out a sigh that could've passed for a silent scream.

"Do you know what personal space is?"

Yuino blinked. "No."

"…Figures."

He stepped aside slightly to give himself breathing room.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

Yuino followed him like a magnet. "Being close to you."

"…You can do that from a distance."

"I am distant," she replied flatly.

Kazumi squinted at her. "You're breathing on my neck."

"That's normal range for friends."

"No, it's not."

Kazumi pinched the bridge of his nose, already regretting coming to the cafeteria.

"There are people around. This is how rumors happen," he said.

Yuino glanced around like she had just now realized other humans existed. "I see."

Then she stepped back.

Half a centimeter.

Kazumi stared. "…That's your idea of distance?"

Yuino nodded solemnly. "Yes."

"…Forget it."

He paid for his lemon bread and turned to leave. Naturally, soft footsteps echoed behind him.

He didn't even have to look.

"You're following me."

"I want to eat with you," she said.

"No."

"Yes."

"I said no."

"I'm persistent."

Kazumi stopped walking and turned slowly. Her expression hadn't changed. Still neutral. Still expressionless. Still terrifying in its quiet resolve.

He stared at her.

She stared back.

The silence between them dragged out like a staring contest with a ghost.

"…Fine," Kazumi relented.

Yuino gave the faintest smile—a tiny uptick in her lips that was somehow more unsettling than any wide grin.

They walked together behind the gymnasium, slipping into the quiet shade of the backlot. The trees rustled lazily in the breeze, sunlight dappling the concrete path like a lazy afternoon painting.

No students.

No noise.

No teachers.

Just silence.

Kazumi took his usual spot on the low concrete ledge and unwrapped his lemon bread.

The first bite was divine. Citrus, soft, slightly sweet.

Peace.

Yuino sat beside him, pulling out her bento with her usual eerie calm. It was perfectly organized—rice shaped into little hearts, vegetables aligned by color. A lunch so precise it was probably designed using a ruler.

Kazumi glanced once, then turned away before she could catch him.

They ate in silence.

Until...

"…Where did you find this place?" Yuino asked, still chewing.

Kazumi paused mid-bite. "This? Behind the gym."

He swallowed. "This place is kind of famous."

Yuino tilted her head. "Why?"

"Confessions."

"…Love confessions?"

"Yeah. People like to confess here since it's quiet. Out of sight."

"I see."

"…They usually get rejected."

Yuino stared blankly for a moment.

Then said, "I love you."

Kazumi choked violently on lemon bread.

He turned. "No!"

Yuino blinked. "Ah. I've become one of the rejected girls."

"You used that as a setup?!"

"Now I'm part of history."

Kazumi deadpanned. "You're the first girl ever rejected right here, you know."

Yuino nodded, gazing down at the concrete beneath them like it was a holy site.

"Can you accept me so I don't become the first?" she asked.

"No."

"Okay."

She returned to eating.

Like the conversation had never happened.

Kazumi stared at her for a long moment.

She was like a robot.

An affectionate robot with zero emotional processing delay.

Then—

Yuino leaned sideways.

Rested her head gently on his shoulder.

"…Again?" Kazumi muttered.

"I'm digesting."

"I'm not a pillow."

"Shhh."

Kazumi looked up at the sky.

At least no one could see them here...

Sniff.

Kazumi twitched.

Yuino sniffed again.

Then slowly turned to him.

Expression blank.

Aura unsettling.

"…What?"

"You smell," she whispered.

"…Thanks?"

"Like someone else."

Kazumi froze.

"Like perfume."

Still frozen.

"Like… a woman."

He stayed quiet, gaze locked on a tree like it owed him money.

Yuino leaned closer. "Who?"

"…No one."

"Who hugged you?"

Kazumi clenched his lemon bread tighter. "No one."

"Who touched you?"

"Can't I just have a normal lunch!?"

Yuino narrowed her eyes. "Did someone kiss you?"

Kazumi turned sharply. "No!"

She stared.

He scratched his cheek, muttering, "…Someone hugged my arm. That's it."

Yuino nodded slowly. "…A girl?"

"…Yes."

Yuino tilted her head. "I see."

The air changed.

The temperature didn't drop—but the atmosphere did.

Yuino's eye didn't blink. Just stared.

"...How many girls have hugged you like that?"

Kazumi took another bite. "No comment."

Silence.

Sharp silence.

Yuino slowly chewed another rice ball, never breaking eye contact.

Kazumi didn't dare look back.

She didn't know about Minami.

Or Hanami.

Or Rino.

Yet.

He prayed she wouldn't dig.

But this was Yuino.

She was the type to dig, write a report, cross-reference it with school attendance logs, and submit it in triplicate.

Kazumi exhaled, staring at his lemon bread like it was the only stable thing in his life.

It was sweet.

But somehow…

It tasted like the last peaceful bite he'd ever get.