70話 新しい日常① - I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me

The second lecture of the day is nearing its end. Despite being an elective course open to all departments, there are only around forty students in attendance. This could be due to its lack of popularity, or perhaps the absence of attendance points is a factor. The lecture hall, which seems to be able to accommodate about two hundred people, feels somewhat deserted. The professor, whose hair is thinning, drones on with a lecture that resembles a chant, and it seems that not even half of the attending students are barely keeping up. I'm also taking notes only half-heartedly, repeatedly surfing the web on my phone. Why is it that even articles I wouldn't normally read online seem interesting when browsed during a lecture? "I've reserved a seat in the cafeteria for you, senpai!" A notification from Shinohara appears, interrupting my scrolling. Once lunch break begins, the campus brims with people, making it a real struggle to find a seat in the cafeteria. I'm grateful for Shinohara's initiative to save seats, but the timing is poor. Today, I already have plans with Todo for lunch, which I had confirmed earlier. I am somewhat looking forward to having lunch with Todo after a long time, so I don't hesitate to reply: "Sorry, I have prior plans today." After sending the message, a reply arrives immediately. "I'll be waiting!" Attached to the message is a photo. Checking the photo, I can't help but exhale softly. It’s not Shinohara’s out-of-context response that surprises me but the presence of Todo in the background, flashing a peace sign at the camera. "Guess I have no choice but to go..." It may be the first time outside of our club activities that I'll be conversing with Shinohara, Todo, and myself all together. As soon as the professor announces the conclusion of the lecture, I rise and head to the cafeteria. ◇◆ As expected, the cafeteria is teeming with people. At my university, there are various locations to eat, such as the cafeteria, campus restaurants, cafeterias, open terraces, and even convenience stores. However, the appeal of this cafeteria is its low-price range, which allows you to fill your stomach for just a single coin. With its diverse menu offering balanced meals, it is a valuable facility for students, especially those like me who live alone and don't cook. Without someone inviting me, I tend to shy away from restaurants and cafeterias that lead to unbalanced meals. Typically, this cafeteria provides the most proper meal of the day for me. While wandering through the cafeteria—a student’s best friend in solitary living—my eyes finally meet the person I’ve been searching for. Todo is waving at me. As I approach, Todo's well-defined face breaks into a crinkled smile. "Hey Yu, been a week?" "Yeah. I'm envious of you, pulling off any hair color." Todo's hair had transitioned from a dark brown to black, accentuating an artificial sheen. Dyeing his hair black at the salon gives it a distinctly different vibe than natural black hair. "I decided to go back to black for a while, and it's great. Goes with any outfit." "I see. I've never dyed my hair, though." "You should try it once, Yu. Depending on your job, you might not get another chance to dye it." "I don't want to think about jobs yet..." "It's about that time for us, isn't it? So, what do you say? Dye your hair?" Recently, I've been spending more time considering my post-graduation plans. Being a third-year university student now, such reflective moments are sure to increase. Although I've mostly been escaping reality, adulthood is quickly approaching. Having spent the majority of my life as a student, entering the professional world is uncharted territory for me. Leaping into society without having found a specific ambition is quite terrifying. However, I'm not bold enough to consider failing a year just to delay the inevitable. There’s scant time remaining in this student life, and it's arguably a precious opportunity to challenge myself to experiences only possible during this period. "Well, I'll think about it." "Oh, that's surprising. I thought you'd decline without hesitation. Someone must have influenced you." ...That would be you. I swallow these words back and scan the surroundings. "Where's Shinohara?" I ask while glancing at the seat beside Todo. Although Shinohara's bag is perched on the table, she herself is not present. "She’s in line for food. It's quite a long queue so it'll be a while before she returns." "I see. Why is Shinohara here? I thought it was going to be just the two of us today." I hang my tote bag on the chair and settle into the seat opposite Todo. After taking a breath and looking up, I find Todo watching me with a smug grin. "So, you've begun to take notice of Shinohara-san after all." "That's not it. It was just an innocent question." I pout in response. Suddenly, a loud voice surprises me from behind. "Boo!" "Whoa!?" Spinning around, I come face-to-face with a mischievous junior. I almost bump my elbow into the tray she is holding. "Careful, that's dangerous!" "Oh no, I'm being scolded!" Feigning a dramatic cry, Shinohara sets her tray on the adjacent seat. She moves her bag from beside Todo to my next seat and takes a seat herself. "What are you doing here, senpai?" "You called me over, didn't you?" "Hehe." "You little—" I can't help but let out an exaggerated sigh. I’m not actually mad, but I wonder how Shinohara would react if I were to pretend to be angry. The thought crosses my mind briefly, but I would rather not be perceived as someone with such a petty disposition. "I’ll hold onto our seats, so you two can go queue for food." "That helps, but…" Seeing my uncertain demeanor, Shinohara smiles happily. Why the heck is she so pleased? "Hey Yu, come on. That line is only going to get longer." Todo stands up, indicating the end of the line. In the few seconds I hadn’t glanced over, it appeared three more people had joined, snaking back to the service counter. "Yeah, let's go." "Make sure to choose something nutritious, okay?" "I know, the cafeteria is perfect for that." Laughing lightly at Shinohara's interjection from the side, I proceed to join the lengthy line with Todo. From behind, I can hear her shout, "Today, the vegetable stir fry is a must-try!" which prompts Todo to snicker softly.