When we stepped into the cafeteria… it was overwhelming.

A spacious floor lined with rows of long tables and round tables—simple in design yet clearly brand-new.

Also, since it’s a cafeteria, I’d imagined queuing at a ticket machine to buy food, but…

“At Shoutei Academy, there are touch panels at each table, so you can order from your seat.”

Shizune-chan, walking beside Minato-kun, told us this with a soft smile.

Most likely, because her older sister is the student council president, she knows the ins and outs of Shoutei Academy.

“Wow~ You know a lot, Usano-san.”
“Thank you for saying so, Amakasa-sama.”

Shizune-chan smiled when Minato-kun said that.

And… every time she talks, her chest does a gentle jiggle. Incredible.

The four of us took seats by the window at the far end, but… my eyes kept wandering restlessly.

Minato-kun seemed to feel the same; he glanced around cheerfully, taking it all in.

“Whoa… what an amazing cafeteria. Right, Reito-kun?”
“Yeah, it really is.”

As I echoed Minato-kun’s words… I noticed Shizune-chan, seated across from me, looking at me.

“Hm? Do I have something on my face?”
“No, nothing at all… It’s just that you’re surprised as well, Hazumi-sama. I assumed you’d be used to this sort of thing.”

“Huh?”

Her comment snagged oddly.

We’re meeting for the first time.
And yet she spoke like she already knew me…

Well, maybe she saw the daimyō procession from yesterday.
If I’m surrounded by a dozen maids and security, anyone would guess my family’s wealthy.

“It’s nothing, Hazumi-sama. Fufu.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes.”

Shizune-chan closed both eyes and smiled sweetly.

If she says it’s nothing… better not press her now.

I checked the touch panel to see the menu.

Steak, seafood rice bowls, mapo tofu, fruit sandwiches… Japanese, Western, Chinese, plus desserts.

It’s more like a food court than a cafeteria.

Facilities are top-notch, we have support partners, and the cafeteria is comfortable… what a livable environment.

This academy is the best.

If this comfort spreads, maybe we’ll get more male students?

By next year, the number of boys should go up.

Anyway… I’m getting hungry.

That said, first…

“You two can choose first.”

I slid the touch panel toward Minato-kun and Shizune-chan.

“Really, Reito-kun?!”
“Yeah, take your time.”
“Thanks, Reito-kun! Ehehe, what should I pick~”
“What kind of food do you like, Amakasa-sama?”
“Um, I…”

Minato-kun and Shizune-chan were glued to the dishes on the touch panel.

In the meantime… I decided to talk with Nako-chan.

“Sorry to drag you along, Nako.”
“N-no!”

She shook her head as if to say “it’s fine”… but it’s her first time meeting Minato-kun and Shizune-chan, so she must be nervous.

I’ll start the conversation to help her relax.
And maybe I’ll learn something new about her too.

“What menu items catch your eye, Nako?”
“For me… the desserts.”
“Desserts, huh. Nice.”

Oh? So Nako-chan likes sweets.

Come to think of it…

“I’m Nijou Nako. My hobby is making sweets.”

She did say during introductions that she bakes as a hobby.

“What kind of sweets do you like, Nako?”
“Let’s see. There are so many to choose from, but… cake, I think. Especially shortcake with lots of strawberries and whipped cream!”

Her voice sounded a shade brighter.

Yeah, that’s good.
This is a topic she can keep going with.

“Shortcake with lots of strawberries and whipped cream… that’s gotta be delicious.”
“It is!”
“Maybe I’ll have some for the first time in a while.”

In my original world I went to an all-boys school, so my friends were all guys.
When guys detour for food, it tends to be greasy, heavy stuff like burgers or ramen.

Thinking back, I barely ate cake outside of Christmas and birthdays.

“Do you like sweets too, Reito-san?”
“Yeah. I like sweets, and I basically eat anything without being picky.”
“I-I see. I-if it’s okay… would you eat a cake if I made one?”
“Yeah, sure. I would.”
“!! Really?!”

Nako-chan’s face lit up.

If she’s going to make it, of course I want to eat it.
She’s probably talking about baking at the estate.

I’d be thrilled if it showed up as dessert after dinner or for tea time.

“You two are close, huh.”

Suddenly, Minato-kun’s voice reached my ears.

He wasn’t looking at the touch panel, but at me and Nako-chan in turn.

“Are we?”
“Yup! Keeping a conversation going with a girl is proof you’re close!”

Huh? Is that how it works?

Even at my old all-boys school, people called it a rare experience—or the realm of the normies—just to hold a conversation with a girl.

“Well, I do want to get closer to Nako.”
“!”

I need to raise Nako-chan’s favorability, so getting along is basically the first gate to pass.

I glanced at her… and she was gazing slightly downward.

Huh? What’s wrong?
Well, even if I asked, she’d probably say it’s nothing.

“So, have you decided on your menu, Minato?”
“About that… I’m torn between omurice and katsu curry.”

Saying so, he showed me the touch panel.

Both looked delicious—and both were a steal at 450 yen.

“I can’t finish both, but I want both… ugh…”

Minato-kun tilted his head, troubled.

“Then you should get the omurice. I’ll order the katsu curry and you can have some.”
“Are you sure, Reito-kun?”
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
“—! Thanks, Reito-kun! You’re so kind!”

Minato-kun flashed a bright, glowing smile.

Shizune-chan settled on the grilled fish daily set, and the touch panel came back to us; Nako-chan and I browsed.

Not only was there a huge variety, but for an extra 50 yen you could swap miso soup for udon, soba, or ramen, plus petite desserts came bundled… yep, this academy is the best!

A few minutes after ordering, the touch panel pinged that the food was ready.

Seriously, what a convenient school~

“We’ll go pick up the dishes. Shall we, Nijou-sama?”
“Y-yeah. Um, can I call you Shizune-san…?”
“By all means. Then I’ll address you as Nako-sama.”
“…You don’t have to ‘-sama’ me, okay? We’re classmates.”
“That has to do with my family’s customs. I’d be grateful if you didn’t mind it.”
“I see. Then, nice to meet you, Shizune-san.”
“Yes. Pleased to meet you, Nako-sama.”

Nako-chan and Shizune-chan exchanged a warm little dialogue.

The two of them started toward the pickup counter, but…

“Wait, you two. We’ll go too.”

I stood up.

Even if they’re our support partners… I can’t very well make the girls carry our meals.

“Coming, Minato?”

Well, if it’s just his portion, I could grab it for him too.

Still, I’ll ask.

“Y-yeah. If you’re going, Reito-kun… I’ll go with you!”

Minato-kun rose slowly.

I shifted my gaze from him to Nako-chan and Shizune-chan… both looked a little surprised.

“Reito-san, are you pushing yourself?”
“Huh? Pushing? Not at all.”

At Nako-chan’s question, a big question mark floated in my head, but that’s what I said.

Next, I looked at Shizune-chan.

“If that’s what you two wish, I have no objection. However…”
“However?”
“When Amakasa-sama and Hazumi-sama move, you do stand out.”
“Hm? Stand out?”

Tilting my head at her words, I casually glanced around.

Just a moment ago, there were tons of empty seats… but now the place was packed with girls.

Come to think of it, the bell rang.

In other words, the whole school just went on lunch break.

Naturally, people gather in the cafeteria.
And… it becomes mostly girls.

No, no, the reason to come here is just to eat.

Everyone’s hungry and here to fill their stomachs.

So after a while, it’ll be nothing to worry about… right?