Lunch Time With Her

The cafeteria was a chaotic mess of voices, clinking trays, and laughter that bounced off the walls. Even as they walked past, Rin could feel the occasional glances in their direction.

Some students paused mid-conversation, whispering when they saw who Anko was walking with.

But Anko didn't seem to care.

She walked at a steady pace, hands tucked in her pockets, completely unfazed by the stares.

Rin, on the other hand, felt the weight of every single glance.

Why was Anko doing this? Why her?

They climbed the stairs, reaching a door marked Rooftop – No Entry.

Anko didn't hesitate. She pushed it open like she had done it a thousand times before, stepping outside into the open air.

The sun wasn't too harsh, a light breeze rustling their uniforms.

Rin looked around. The rooftop was surprisingly clean, with a few old benches placed against the railing.

Anko casually sat down on one, stretching her legs out. Then she patted the spot next to her.

"C'mon, sit."

Rin hesitated.

"…Is this allowed?"

Anko grinned. "Nope."

Rin stared.

"…Then why—"

"No one comes up here. Teachers don't check, and students don't bother. It's peaceful." Anko tilted her head slightly. "You like quiet places, don't you?"

Rin felt her breath catch.

How did she know that?

She had never spoken about it. Never told anyone. Anko had been watching her.

Still, she said nothing, slowly sitting down a little further from Anko.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Rin hesitated before opening her lunchbox. The meal inside was simple—homemade rice, vegetables, and a small rolled omelet.

It wasn't much. It wasn't anything special.

But next to her, Anko had pulled out something from a convenience store bag—two sandwiches, an energy drink, and a pack of cookies.

Rin expected her to eat in silence.

Instead, Anko tore open the cookies and held the pack out to Rin.

"…Want one?"

Rin blinked. What?

"I don't bite," Anko added, smirking. "Unless you want me to."

Rin looked away instantly, ears burning. What was that supposed to mean?!

"…No thanks."

Anko just shrugged and popped one into her mouth. "Your loss."

They sat there, eating in comfortable quiet.

The wind was gentle, the noise from the school below distant.

It was… nice.

For the first time in a long time, Rin didn't feel on edge.

She didn't understand why Anko had invited her here. She didn't know what this meant.

But as she sat there, listening to the faint sounds of Anko munching on her cookies and staring at the sky…

She realized she didn't mind it.

Not at all.

The quiet stretched between them, filled only by the soft rustle of wind and the occasional sound of Anko chewing.

Rin should have been enjoying the peace.

But she wasn't.

Because her mind was racing.

She had been trying not to think about it—about why Anko was doing this, why she had suddenly decided to sit with her, why she was acting like they were… something.

But the more she ignored it, the stronger the questions became.

Finally, Rin set her chopsticks down and stole a glance at Anko.

She was leaning back against the bench, one arm lazily draped over the backrest, looking completely at ease.

Rin swallowed.

"…Why are you doing this?"

Anko didn't look at her immediately. She took her time, finishing a bite of her sandwich before finally turning her head, eyes locking onto Rin's.

"Doing what?" she asked, like she didn't already know.

Rin's fingers curled slightly over her lunchbox.

"…This. Sitting with me. Talking to me. Acting like we—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "You've never done this before."

Anko hummed, tapping her fingers against the bench. "Guess I haven't."

Rin frowned. That wasn't an answer.

She waited for more, but Anko just watched her, like she was figuring something out.

Then, just as Rin was about to push further—

"I noticed something," Anko said, tilting her head slightly. "You always eat alone."

Rin stiffened.

"…So what?"

Anko's gaze didn't waver. "You always sit at your desk. You never go to the cafeteria. You never join anyone."

Rin felt a lump form in her throat. Why was she saying this?

"Maybe I like eating alone," she muttered, looking away.

"…Do you?"

The question was so soft, so careful, that it caught Rin completely off guard.

She hesitated, gripping her skirt slightly.

Did she?

Or had she just gotten used to it?

She wanted to argue, to say that it was normal, that it didn't matter. But when she looked at Anko, really looked at her, she saw something strange in her expression.

Something gentle.

Like she already knew the answer.

"…I don't need your pity," Rin said, voice quieter than before.

Anko blinked. Then, to Rin's absolute frustration, she smirked.

"Who said I pity you?" she teased, tilting her head. "Maybe I just wanted to eat with you."

Rin's heart skipped.

What…?

The wind blew gently, brushing through Anko's dark hair, and suddenly, Rin felt like she couldn't breathe.

She wanted to believe it was a joke, that Anko was just being playful. But the way she was looking at her—like she was actually interested, actually paying attention—

It made Rin's chest feel too tight.

"…You're weird," Rin muttered, looking down.

Anko chuckled, resting her chin in her hand.

"Maybe," she admitted. "But you didn't say no."

Rin blinked, confused. "…Huh?"

Anko smiled—a slow, knowing smile.

"If you really wanted me to leave, you would've told me by now."

Rin froze.

Her mind scrambled for a response, something to deny it—but nothing came.

Because Anko was right.

Even though she had so many chances to walk away, to tell Anko to go back to her usual group…

She hadn't.

And that realization made her stomach flip.

Anko stretched her arms, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Well, guess that means I'll sit with you again tomorrow."

Rin's eyes widened. "Wha—"

"Unless," Anko added, leaning slightly closer, a teasing glint in her eyes, "you really don't want me to?"

Rin felt her throat go dry.

Anko was way too close.

The warmth of her presence—it was all too much.

Rin swallowed hard, willing her face not to turn red.

"…Do whatever you want," she muttered, turning away.

Anko grinned. "I will."

And for some reason—

That made Rin's heart race.