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Chapter 32. Suo-senpai's Melancholy

-Suo Daiki's POV-

"Suo-senpai, let's go to the cafeteria~"

Lately, I've been getting strangely attached to a junior.

Kamiya, a junior who can enter the upperclassmen's floor without hesitation or restraint, has become quite famous in my year.

"Don't you usually eat with Toraho and Hinora?"

"Mina and Kotomi got caught by Hayami-sensei playing around with VR goggles or something in the clubroom and got lectured."

"What are they up to...?"

Even though they're considered top performers in this year.

Especially Kohou, who used to exude an intimidating aura in my first year and seemed to avoid crowds, but now there's no trace of that image.

Just watching her chase after junior boys calling "Yuu-kun, Yuu-kun." seems to have improved her impression among the female students.

Meanwhile, the guys from our year who secretly harbored feelings for Kohou gathered on weekends and indulged in all-you-can-eat buffets, causing almost all the menu items to run out due to the rush of growing boys, making the buffet restaurant the biggest victim.

"Ah, I went to get Suo-senpai, so the cafeteria is crowded."

After ordering the daily special at the cafeteria counter and settling the bill, I looked around with my tray. But couldn't spot any vacant seats at a glance.

"Should we split up and eat separately?"

"That would be boring, right?"

Kamiya immediately rejected my suggestion as a senior, but I tolerated his attitude because I lost to him in our duel and am now under his command.

However, I'm not forced to do anything unreasonable or menial.

At most, I got treated as a prize during the duel with the student council.

Hmm, scratch that. This guy really is a pain.

"Oh! There are two seats diagonally across from each other over there. Shall we sit there, Suo-senpai?"

"Alright."

In any case, I have no position to refuse, so I obediently follow Kamiya.

Before Kamiya and I could take our seats, the surrounding students quickly grabbed their trays and left the table, leaving the seats empty with half-eaten dishes and rice still on the trays.

"The seats... are empty now."

Now, I can sit face-to-face with Kamiya.

"Hey, Suo-senpai..."

"What?"

"It seems like you got disliked by everyone."

"I think it's more that they fear you than me."

"Oh, come on~ You're kidding, right senpai?"

Ignoring the junior who was desperately trying to deny something with a pained expression, I sat down in the empty seat.

It's strange.

I had many followers when I got backed by the civilian faction and had high expectations.

But, after getting defeated by this lowerclassman in public, I lost my standing in the school, and subsequently, the civilian faction abandoned me.

While people quickly disappeared from around me like the tide, for some reason, Kamiya, the culprit who put me in this situation, approached me.

Because of that, I started interacting more with powerful students like Kohou, the top student from the second year, and Hinoura, a student council member from our year.

And it was immediately clear that Kamiya, who must have gone through considerable trials, was a formidable person.

Though my pride took a hit, looking back, I'm almost grateful for this encounter.

A promising future after graduation was guaranteed when I got favored by the civilian faction. But for some reason, I was always irritated and frustrated back then. It's strange.

"Was it a burden after all...?"

"Suo-senpai, are you going to talk like a tired office lady about love while eating the daily special?"

"You bounce back quickly; I envy that about you."

While just moments ago he seemed downcast from being avoided by other students, he's happily eating his meal now.

"I want to eat quickly and take a nap in the clubroom. Are you coming, Suo-senpai? It's a bit cramped on the tatami though."

"Can non-members use it?"

"It's okay because I'm the club president."

"You're really free and enviable."

It's a sarcastic remark, but it's also true.

Brrrring!

My phone in the pocket of my uniform jacket rang, and as I looked at the screen to see who was calling, my heart rate shot up.

"Sorry, I have to go first."

I quickly stood up with more than half of the daily special still left on my tray and rushed out of the cafeteria, leaving Kamiya's distressed voice.

"Wait, Suo-senpai!? This makes me look like a complete loner!"

Ignoring Kamiya's distressed voice behind me, I hurried away from the cafeteria and pressed the call button on my phone in a secluded spot.

"Hello..."

"It's me. Come to the usual place."

The caller didn't bother with pleasantries or asking for my convenience, just stated his business, and before I could respond, he hung up.