10 10. First Day Of School? (5)

Time stood still as Haruki looked at her in a daze. He couldn't believe it. The idea that he had an ex hadn't even crossed his mind.

"I see that you're still the same as ever."

Megumi smiled at Haruki. Even though she was surprised by Haruki's change, she was a little glad that he was still the same person.

"It's nice to see you again, Megumi."

Haruki was surprised to see her here.

"I didn't think you went to this school."

"I could say the same to you."

They had never caught a glance of each other at school. Perhaps it was because they were both so ordinary.

While Haruki just appeared plain to everyone around him, Megumi lacked any presence. It was extraordinary that they had even begun dating in the first place.

"How have you been?"

Megumi took a seat on the bench as she opened up her own lunch.

"I've been good. At least nothing I can complain about."

Haruki felt weird. He didn't know what to do in this situation. His heart raced as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Oh? Your lunch is different from what I remember?"

"I made it myself."

"Really? Can I have a taste?"

"Sure."

Haruki felt a little anxious. This was the first time he had let someone try his cooking other than his parents.

"It's good."

"I see."

A breath of relief escaped him as he smiled. These emotions felt so foreign to him.

"Would you like to try some of mine?"

"Can I?"

"Of course."

Megumi held out her lunchbox for Haruki. He took an onigiri and bit into it under her gaze.

"Tuna Mayo..."

"Yep."

"It's good."

Haruki didn't know what to say, and so he responded the same way she did. It didn't help that his cheeks began to redden as she looked at him.

"By the way..."

"Hmm?"

"What made you decide to change the hair?"

As far as Megumi had remembered, Haruki had never tied up his hair. It seemed as if he was hiding away from the world.

"I guess I just wanted to try something different. What do you think?"

"You look good."

"Thanks."

Haruki smiled at the compliment. He didn't know if he still liked her, but he was happy to hear her thoughts.

What Haruki didn't notice was that Megumi was also having a hard time reigning in her feelings.

It was hard for her to ignore the lingering feelings she had for Haruki. The subtle glances she cast his way spoke volumes about how she felt.

"What class do you have after lunch?"

"I think I have P.E. Now that I think about it, I should get going."

"Alright. It was nice seeing you again."

"I feel the same."

Haruki was getting ready to leave, but a thought came to mind that he couldn't get rid of.

"Wanna have lunch tomorrow?"

"...I'd like that."

"Cool. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Bye."

Haruki left with a little bit of pep in his step. He walked along the hallways a little absent minded as a giggle left his mouth. Haruki would later come to find out that his expression had been made into a sticker.

Haruki quickly packed up his lunch box and headed to the locker rooms, his vibrant expression catching his classmates off guard. Before they could ask him anything, he slipped out of the room as if he was never there.

"What do you think is up with him?"

"I don't know. Do you think something happened?"

"Did you see his smile?"

"I know, right? He looks so handsome."

Haruki changed into his gym uniform and headed to the field. He could see some of his classmates up ahead.

Soon, the bell rang and everyone quickly gathered as the teacher approached.

"Alright, everyone. Stretch for five minutes. We're gonna do five minutes around the field."

The class groaned as they partnered up to stretch. Haruki had no idea who he was going to partner up with.

"Hey Kirisaki-san. Do you mind if we partner up?"

A few people were surprised that Haruki had taken the initiative to talk to Chitoge.

"Sure."

Chitoge was also a little surprised, but she didn't mind.

"Thanks. It's a little harder to talk to the others."

Haruki said this as he sat in front of Chitoge. He tried to reach his toe and Chitoge helped him into the stretch.

"Why is that?"

"I think they aren't used to me acting like this..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've always been a little withdrawn. I'm not really used to the attention I've been getting."

"Attention? Oh..."

Chitoge could understand what Haruki meant. She just felt like he was exaggerating.

"You're telling me that no one has told you that you're handsome?"

"Well, no. But no one outside of my family."

"Are you serious?"

"I have no reason to lie."

Haruki smiled as he looked at her. He wasn't lying. While he had been popular in his past life, it was always for his academic ability.

"Is it that surprising?"

"Well yeah."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Don't get ahead of yourself now."

Chitoge smiled as she bantered with Haruki. It felt refreshing to talk to someone like this.