Chapter 17
By the next few days, the cafeteria had accepted defeat.
There were battles ANHS could control. Special exams, point systems, rankings, club politics, rumors, class wars, Crown Hearts influence. The school had a machine for almost everything.
It did not have a machine for Kiyotaka Ayanokōji eating lunch.
That problem had grown legs, bought peach tea, adopted a penguin, and started attracting girls from different classes with the consistency of a scheduled school event.
The table was already infamous.
Honami arrived every lunch from Class B with that sunlit smile of hers, which looked warm enough to melt winter until Kikyo tried to sit close to Kiyotaka. Then the warmth became suspiciously precise, like sunlight through a magnifying glass.
Kikyo guarded her Class D advantage with angelic sweetness, as if being Kiyotaka's classmate gave her sacred cafeteria rights written somewhere in the school handbook. Nobody had found that handbook. Kikyo behaved as if it existed anyway.
Maya came with Pengu, her repaired penguin plush, who had become a mascot, witness, emotional support animal, and possibly a political consultant. Kei came while claiming she was only accompanying Maya, even though her crescent necklace kept catching the light every time she glanced at Kiyotaka.
Their friends had formed a second table nearby because sitting too close to the main table required emotional insurance.
Mako called it "the less doomed table."
Chiaki preferred "the observation deck."
Chihiro called it "the table where nobody gets stabbed by smiles."
Everyone agreed Chihiro's name was the most accurate.
That day began like the others.
Kiyotaka sat at his usual seat with his tray in front of him, looking calm enough to be innocent and amused enough to be guilty.
Honami stood on one side of him, smiling at Kikyo.
Kikyo stood on the other side, smiling back with the elegance of someone politely deciding where to place the blade.
Maya hovered near the opposite seat with Pengu tucked in her arms, while Kei pretended to inspect the cafeteria menu even though everyone knew she had already bought Kiyotaka's usual peach tea.
Honami placed a container near his tray. "Kiyotaka-kun, I brought something from Class B's side of the cafeteria. It tastes better than the version here."
Kikyo leaned closer with a bright smile. "Honami-san, you've started bringing food now?"
Honami's eyes curved. "It's normal to share with friends."
"Very generous," Kikyo said. "Almost like you planned it last night."
Honami smiled more sweetly. "Kikyo-san, do you think about Kiyotaka-kun's lunch at night?"
Kikyo's angel face held perfectly, but her eyes betrayed the tiniest spark.
Mako, from the support table, nearly dropped her drink. "She countered in under five seconds."
Chiaki nodded. "Honami's reaction speed has improved."
Chihiro looked worried. "Should we time them?"
Mako pulled out her phone. "Already doing it."
Kei placed the peach tea beside Kiyotaka without looking at him. "Here. You forgot to buy one."
Kiyotaka looked at the bottle. "I didn't go to the vending machine yet."
"That's the same thing."
"It isn't."
"Drink it before it gets warm."
"It's bottled cold tea."
"Then drink it before it emotionally warms."
Maya blinked. "Kei, drinks can emotionally warm?"
Kei turned red. "Don't start with me, penguin girl."
Maya hugged Pengu. "Pengu says your excuse is getting worse."
Kiyotaka took the peach tea and opened it.
Kei's eyes flicked toward him.
He took a sip.
"Good choice," he said.
Kei's face lit up for half a second before she crushed the expression under a scowl. "Obviously. I bought it."
Mako whispered loudly enough to be rude, "She's improving her wife energy."
Kei snapped her head toward the other table. "Mako!"
Chiaki leaned back with a lazy smile. "She didn't say girlfriend energy. Interesting escalation."
Kei's face went redder. "Eat your lunch before I throw this bottle at you."
Kiyotaka glanced at her. "You bought that for me."
Kei froze.
Maya gasped. "He defended the tea."
Honami's smile cooled. "Kiyotaka-kun seems attached to Kei's drink."
Kikyo's voice remained gentle. "Or Kei's effort."
Kei buried her face behind one hand. "I hate all of you."
Kiyotaka looked pleased. That was the problem. He always looked most pleased when someone said that.
Then the cafeteria entrance shifted.
A hush moved across the room, not dramatic enough to stop everything, but sharp enough that students began looking toward the doors with the same instinct used for incoming storms.
Arisu Sakayanagi had arrived.
She walked with Masumi Kamuro at her side, cane tapping against the floor in a rhythm so soft it still somehow sounded like authority. Hashimoto followed behind with Kito, his expression already carrying the exhausted shape of a man who knew Arisu had not come for a peaceful meal.
Masumi saw Kiyotaka's table and laughed once under her breath.
"So this is the circus."
Arisu's smile did not change. "A circus implies disorder without elegance. This is closer to an unfinished board."
"Which means you're here to move a piece."
"Naturally."
Masumi looked toward the support table. Mako, Chiaki, Chihiro, Kokoro, Nene, Kayano, Mei-Yu, Yume, Kozue, Sayo, and Yuki were all watching with the hunger of people who had abandoned food for drama.
Masumi walked over and pulled out a chair.
"Kamuro Masumi," she said. "I'll be sitting here. Your table looks like the place people survive."
Mako immediately made room. "Welcome to the less doomed table."
Chiaki gave her a nod. "You came with Arisu?"
Masumi sat down. "Technically. Emotionally, I'm fleeing from her."
Chihiro glanced at Arisu. "Is she upset?"
Masumi picked up a spare pair of chopsticks. "She's smiling. With Arisu, that means she's either amused, annoyed, planning something, or all three in a fancy coat."
Mako looked delighted. "You're going to fit here beautifully."
Arisu stopped beside Kiyotaka.
"Kiyotaka-kun."
Kiyotaka looked up. "Arisu."
Honami's smile became brighter and less safe. "Sakayanagi-san, are you joining lunch today?"
"I am."
Kikyo folded her hands neatly. "Unfortunately, the seats are already arranged."
Maya raised Pengu. "Pengu confirmed the table is full."
Kei muttered, "Stop making the penguin an official."
Maya whispered to Pengu, "Ignore her. She fears your authority."
Arisu looked at the table, then at Kiyotaka's seat.
"There is a simple solution."
Honami's eyes narrowed. "What solution?"
Kiyotaka leaned back slightly, already smiling in the exact way that made Kei feel an incoming headache.
Arisu looked at him. "Kiyotaka-kun, may I borrow your seat?"
That was not what anyone expected.
Even Kiyotaka blinked once.
Then his smile turned gentlemanly, which somehow made the situation more suspicious.
"Of course."
He stood and pulled the chair back for her.
Arisu's smile flickered.
For one brief second, she looked almost caught off guard. She had clearly expected amusement, maybe resistance, perhaps a clever reply. Instead, Kiyotaka gave her the seat like a prince surrendering a throne to a queen, and the softness of the gesture landed before she had armor ready.
Masumi pointed from the support table. "Princess froze."
Hashimoto sighed from near the aisle. "She did."
Kito remained silent, but his silence felt like agreement carved in stone.
Arisu recovered quickly, though the faint color in her cheeks betrayed her. She sat in Kiyotaka's seat with perfect posture.
Which placed her directly between Honami and Kikyo.
The cafeteria inhaled as one organism.
Mako whispered, "She entered the danger sandwich."
Chiaki corrected her. "No. She became the filling with political immunity."
Chihiro covered her mouth. "That sounds worse."
Kiyotaka took another chair from a nearby empty table and sat slightly back, close enough to the table to be included, far enough to watch the chaos like a spectator who had bought front-row tickets to his own trial.
Kei stared at him. "You gave her your seat?"
"I'm a gentleman."
"You're a menace in uniform."
Maya looked at Arisu in the middle seat. "Pengu says this is unfair."
Arisu glanced at the plush. "Pengu should admire proper strategy."
Maya hugged him. "He admires kindness too."
Kiyotaka looked at Pengu. "He has broad standards."
Kei groaned. "Do not encourage Pengu diplomacy."
Arisu placed her cane neatly beside the chair and looked from Honami to Kikyo, now positioned on both sides of her.
"I must say, the view from here is excellent."
Honami smiled. "You mean Kiyotaka-kun's seat?"
"Yes."
Kikyo's smile stayed sweet. "You seem very comfortable borrowing it."
"I intend to use it responsibly."
Kei's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't sound believable."
Arisu turned toward her. "Kei-san, you say that while holding the drink Kiyotaka-kun praised."
Kei's cheeks flared. "That has nothing to do with this."
Honami looked at the drink.
Kikyo looked at Kei's necklace.
Maya looked at Pengu, possibly asking him for legal advice.
The support table leaned in.
Masumi chewed calmly. "Arisu drew first blood."
Mako nodded. "Elegant, but ruthless."
Chiaki smiled. "Kei's defenses are weak when the necklace is involved."
Kei stood halfway. "I can hear everything from there!"
Mako waved. "That is why we speak clearly."
Arisu folded her hands on the table.
"Since I have joined, I will be direct. I am declaring a lunch claim."
Honami's smile became very still. "A claim?"
Kikyo's eyes curved. "How dramatic."
Maya blinked. "Can people claim lunch?"
Kei pointed at Kiyotaka. "No. They cannot."
Kiyotaka took another sip of peach tea.
Kei glared. "Do not drink while being claimed."
"I'm not accepting the claim. I'm hydrating."
"That's worse somehow."
Arisu smiled. "I am not claiming Kiyotaka-kun as property, of course. That would be crude. I am claiming my proper place in this little arrangement."
Honami tilted her head. "And what makes it proper?"
"History."
Kikyo's smile sharpened. "Childhood?"
"Chess," Arisu replied.
Honami's eyes narrowed. "Games don't decide lunch rights."
Arisu looked amused. "Daily visits don't either."
Maya lifted Pengu. "What about shared penguin history?"
Arisu studied the plush with mock seriousness. "That is admittedly stronger evidence than expected."
Maya's face brightened. "Pengu got acknowledged."
Kei muttered, "The penguin has better footing than us."
Kiyotaka nodded. "He has survived scandal."
Kei pointed at him. "Stop strengthening the penguin's case."
Honami leaned slightly forward, smiling at Arisu. "If history matters, effort should matter too."
Kikyo nodded. "And proximity."
Maya added, "And emotional healing."
Kei crossed her arms. "And basic common sense, which all of you lost."
Arisu turned toward Kiyotaka. "What do you think?"
All eyes moved to him.
Kiyotaka looked at the five girls surrounding the table, then at the support table that had now become a gossip council with trays.
"I think Arisu fits well in my seat."
Honami's smile cooled.
Kikyo's eyebrows lifted.
Maya pouted.
Kei's mouth opened in betrayal.
Arisu's cheeks colored again, but her smile immediately turned victorious.
Kiyotaka continued, calm and cruelly amused. "It causes the most efficient argument formation."
Kei slapped the table lightly. "You did that on purpose."
"Yes."
Kikyo sighed sweetly. "At least he admits it now."
Honami looked at him with a pout tucked behind her smile. "Kiyotaka-kun, making us argue should not be your hobby."
"It's becoming one."
Maya hugged Pengu. "That's a dangerous hobby."
Arisu rested her chin lightly on one hand. "I approve."
"Of course you do," Kei muttered.
Kikyo leaned toward Arisu. "Since you've declared a lunch claim, what exactly are you claiming?"
Arisu smiled. "Priority conversation rights."
Honami's eyes flashed. "Denied."
Maya raised her hand. "Pengu seconds the denial."
Kei nodded. "Denied again."
Kikyo smiled. "Unanimous."
Arisu looked at them calmly. "A four-to-one vote lacks authority without Kiyotaka-kun."
Everyone turned to Kiyotaka again.
He smiled.
"I abstain."
Kei stared. "Coward."
Kiyotaka looked at her. "You're cute when you're annoyed."
Kei's face went instantly red. "Don't redirect me with that!"
The support table erupted so violently that Mako nearly knocked over Chihiro's drink.
Mako gasped. "He used direct compliment defense."
Chiaki nodded like a scholar. "Brutal technique."
Chihiro covered her face. "Kei is losing."
Kei pointed at all of them. "Nobody is losing because there is no match!"
Maya looked at Kiyotaka. "Then what about me?"
Kiyotaka turned to her. "You're cute when you defend Pengu."
Maya hugged the plush and sparkled. "Pengu heard that."
Honami's smile tightened. "Kiyotaka-kun."
He looked at her. "You're cute when you try to sound calm."
Honami's cheeks turned pink, but her smile softened anyway.
Kikyo leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "And me?"
"You're cute when your halo slips."
Kikyo's angel smile twitched into a real blush. "That is not fair."
Arisu lifted her chin. "Kiyotaka-kun."
He looked at her sitting in his seat, composed and pleased. "You're cute when you pretend you didn't freeze earlier."
Arisu went silent.
Masumi burst out laughing at the support table. "He caught you."
Arisu's cheeks tinted. "Masumi, eat quietly."
"I am eating loudly in spirit."
Hashimoto whispered, "King, you're going to get us killed."
Kiyotaka smiled. "By who?"
Hashimoto looked at the five girls.
"Statistics."
The table settled into laughter, blushing, and mild threats for a few minutes. Food was eaten, though not efficiently. Kiyotaka received bites from different sides, drinks were rearranged with suspicious intent, and Maya had to remind everyone twice that Pengu was not a napkin holder.
Then Kiyotaka decided peace was boring.
"You know," he said, looking thoughtful, "I have a problem."
Honami immediately looked concerned. "What problem?"
Kikyo's eyes sharpened. "This sounds planned."
Maya hugged Pengu. "Pengu is nervous."
Kei narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like I should stop him?"
Arisu, still in Kiyotaka's seat, smiled. "Let him speak."
Kiyotaka set down his drink.
"I'm looking for a girlfriend."
The table fell into a silence so complete that even the support table froze with chopsticks halfway lifted.
Honami's smile stayed on her face, but the warmth vanished like someone had turned off a lamp.
Kikyo's angel expression became dangerously polished.
Maya's arms tightened around Pengu.
Kei's hand flew to her necklace.
Arisu's eyes narrowed with the calm focus of a chess player seeing a threat on the board.
Kiyotaka continued with a perfectly innocent expression.
"As friends, you should help me find one."
The cafeteria section detonated.
Kei stood. "Are you stupid?"
Maya gasped. "Kiyotaka-kun wants us to help?"
Honami's voice remained soft, which made it scarier. "Who exactly are you considering?"
Kikyo smiled sweetly enough to worry her friends. "Yes, Kiyotaka-kun, please describe your ideal type."
Arisu rested both hands on the table. "This search committee requires strict screening."
Kiyotaka tilted his head. "Committee?"
Honami smiled. "For safety."
Kikyo nodded. "For quality control."
Maya lifted Pengu. "For emotional compatibility."
Kei crossed her arms, cheeks burning. "For preventing you from making a terrible decision."
Arisu smiled elegantly. "For ensuring no unworthy candidate approaches the board."
Kiyotaka looked at the support table. "They formed quickly."
Mako stood slightly from her chair. "Witnessed. The Girlfriend Search Committee was born at 12:41 p.m."
Chiaki raised a hand. "I volunteer as secretary."
Kei spun toward her. "You are not joining."
Chiaki smiled. "I already recorded the name."
Chihiro looked panicked. "Are we really making another committee?"
Masumi leaned back. "Arisu is involved. Of course there will be committees."
Hashimoto rubbed his temples. "Why is every lunch turning into governance?"
Kito silently watched, which somehow made the entire thing feel official.
Kiyotaka looked back at the five girls.
"So you'll help?"
Honami smiled with terrifying gentleness. "Of course. We are friends."
Kikyo's smile was equally bright. "Naturally. Friends help each other."
Maya nodded too quickly. "Yes. We can help. Right, Pengu?"
Kei looked away. "I'll help only because your taste is obviously dangerous."
Arisu smiled. "I will supervise the process."
Kiyotaka's eyes glinted.
"Then what kind of girl should I choose?"
They all answered too quickly.
"Kind," Honami said.
"Honest," Kikyo said, though the irony made Kei snort.
"Someone who likes penguins," Maya said.
"Someone not annoying," Kei said, while looking directly at him.
"Someone who can challenge you," Arisu said.
Kiyotaka looked thoughtful. "So a kind, honest, penguin-friendly, non-annoying girl who can challenge me."
Mako whispered, "That person does not exist."
Chiaki smiled. "Or they all think they're describing themselves."
Chihiro's face warmed. "That's embarrassing."
Masumi nodded. "And accurate."
Kiyotaka leaned forward slightly.
"What if I choose someone outside this table?"
The reactions were immediate, but everyone tried to disguise them.
Honami's smile became fixed. "Outside?"
Kikyo tilted her head. "That depends who."
Maya hugged Pengu tighter. "Pengu needs to inspect her."
Kei's face turned red with irritation. "Why would you ask us if you already have someone?"
Arisu's eyes sharpened. "Then the committee would reject her."
Kiyotaka smiled. "Without meeting her?"
Arisu replied smoothly, "Preventive judgment."
Kei stared. "That's not fair."
Arisu looked at her. "You agree with me."
Kei clicked her tongue. "I hate that I do."
Kiyotaka looked delighted. "You're all very strict."
Honami leaned slightly toward him. "A girlfriend is important."
Kikyo's voice softened with a teasing edge. "She should be chosen carefully."
Maya nodded. "And she should be nice to Pengu."
Kei muttered, "And not weird."
Kiyotaka looked at Kei. "You'd reject yourself?"
Kei's face flared red. "I walked into that."
Mako slammed both hands over her mouth at the support table.
Chiaki said, "He got her again."
Kei glared. "Stop keeping score."
Kiyotaka looked at Honami. "Would you pass the screening?"
Honami's cheeks colored, but she smiled. "I think I would be very supportive."
Kikyo's eyes narrowed. "That sounds like a campaign speech."
Honami looked at her. "Would you pass?"
Kikyo smiled. "I have excellent social skills."
Kei muttered, "And hidden knives."
Kikyo glanced at her. "Metaphorical ones."
Maya raised Pengu. "I bring emotional support."
Arisu added, "I bring intellect, history, and strategic compatibility."
Kei crossed her arms. "I bring common sense, apparently, because none of you have any."
Kiyotaka smiled. "Then the committee has diverse strengths."
Honami blinked.
Kikyo stared.
Maya smiled without understanding the trap.
Kei narrowed her eyes.
Arisu's lips curved as if she understood exactly what he had done.
Kiyotaka continued, "Maybe I don't need to look outside."
All five girls went still.
The support table stopped breathing again.
Mako whispered, "He dropped a bomb and dipped his chopsticks in it."
Chiaki's eyes sparkled. "He's not searching. He's baiting."
Masumi looked impressed. "That was elegant damage."
Kei's voice cracked slightly. "What does that mean?"
Kiyotaka picked up his drink. "It means my friends are helpful."
Honami's smile trembled. "Friends."
Kikyo's angel smile returned, but her cheeks remained pink. "Yes. Friends."
Maya hugged Pengu and looked down. "Very helpful friends."
Arisu leaned back in Kiyotaka's seat, smiling like the board had become more interesting. "Then the committee shall continue its work."
Kei stared at her. "There is no committee."
Chiaki called from the support table, "I already wrote the title."
Kei turned. "Delete it."
Mako peeked over Chiaki's shoulder. "Don't delete it. Add minutes."
Chihiro whispered, "This is getting official again."
Masumi nodded. "Lunch bureaucracy is undefeated."
Kiyotaka glanced at Arisu in his seat.
"You seem comfortable there."
Arisu smiled. "I am."
"Should I let you keep it tomorrow?"
Honami immediately leaned forward. "Kiyotaka-kun."
Kikyo smiled brightly. "That would be unfair."
Maya raised Pengu. "Pengu objects."
Kei's face reddened. "Why are we discussing tomorrow's seating already?"
Arisu placed a hand lightly over her chest. "Because tomorrow matters."
Kiyotaka looked around. "Then should the Girlfriend Search Committee meet daily?"
Everyone reacted at once.
Honami said, "Only for supervision."
Kikyo said, "Only because you clearly need guidance."
Maya said, "Pengu says yes."
Kei said, "No, but also I'll be there to stop Maya."
Arisu said, "Naturally."
From the support table, Mako raised her drink. "To the committee that doesn't exist."
Chiaki lifted hers. "To the girlfriend search with no outside applicants."
Chihiro raised hers shyly. "To peaceful lunches someday."
Masumi smirked. "Peace has been expelled."
Hashimoto muttered from the aisle, "Can I transfer to another cafeteria?"
Kito remained silent.
Hashimoto sighed. "Denied by silence."
Kiyotaka finally began eating, looking entirely too pleased with the storm he had created.
The Crown Hearts had their fanclubs, polished smiles, and carefully arranged popularity.
Kiyotaka's table had five girls denying a committee they had already joined, a support table turning into an administrative council, a repaired penguin with inspection rights, and Arisu sitting in his seat like a queen who had conquered the middle square.
By the end of lunch, no girlfriend had been found.
Officially.
But something had absolutely been born, and everyone at the table knew it.
They just planned to deny it until tomorrow.