Lunch Time With Her

The day moved forward, slow and steady. Classes dragged on, the same lectures, the same routine.

Yet, something felt different.

Rin couldn't shake the thought of how quiet the day was. No stares. No whispers. No Sakura.

It was strange. Almost unnatural.

She didn't know what she expected. Maybe she had braced herself for more attention. Maybe she thought people would continue watching her after what happened yesterday.

But no.

She was invisible again.

Just like before.

And yet, it didn't feel the same.

Her fingers tapped lightly against her desk as she stared at her notebook, barely listening to the lesson. Her thoughts kept drifting.

Because even if everyone else seemed to have moved on…

Anko hadn't.

Rin noticed.

During breaks, Anko wasn't surrounded by her usual crowd as much. She still talked to others, still laughed, still had people around her—but not like before.

She wasn't letting herself be.

Rin wasn't sure why she noticed this. It wasn't like she was watching Anko on purpose. But her eyes kept drifting to her.

She caught moments—subtle ones.

Anko looking her way once or twice. A glance in her direction when passing by. A second too long before she turned back to whatever conversation she was in.

It made Rin's stomach feel weird.

She didn't know why.

And then came lunch break.

The usual scene played out—students rushing, some joking, some trying to secure their spot with Anko.

A routine that had probably been going on since the very first day of school.

But Rin already knew what was about to happen.

Just like yesterday—

Anko turned them down.

Rin wasn't close enough to hear her exact words, but she caught the general tone—lighthearted but firm. Anko excused herself, smiling as she spoke, but never stopping.

Never waiting.

She was already heading somewhere else.

A presence beside her.

Rin's hand tensed slightly against the edge of her desk.

Anko.

She was standing right there.

Leaning slightly, voice lower than usual.

"Wanna eat together again?"

Just like yesterday.

But this time—

A little softer.

A little more careful.

As if she was waiting for something.

For Rin to accept.

For Rin to say yes.

Rin stared at her for a second, heart skipping the same way it did earlier that morning.

She didn't know why it felt like such a big deal.

But it did.

And somehow, she found herself nodding.

Anko smiled.

"Great. Come on."

And just like that, she led the way.

This time, Rin followed without hesitating.