016. Noon in the Moon Forest

Mathematics class had ended, and everything at Tsukinomori Girls’ Academy proceeded as usual.

Sachiko Toyokawa held a book in her hand and turned to look at Uzuki Nagumo, who was seated behind her, with a hint of surprise.

She had originally thought Uzuki’s claim that “math is pretty good” was just modesty. After all, someone who introduced herself as able to play guitar and write novels didn’t seem likely to excel in the sciences.

Yet earlier in class, the math teacher had casually singled out Uzuki several times, even posing some tricky problems that felt like a test of the transfer student’s abilities.

To everyone’s astonishment, Uzuki walked up to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and solved the problems swiftly and effortlessly.

The whole process was fluid and graceful. Then, turning to the teacher, Uzuki said, “It should be like this, right?”

The teacher’s expression faltered for a moment, clearly unprepared for such a high level of mathematical skill from a transfer student. Adjusting her glasses, she fell silent briefly before nodding slowly. “Very good.”

“That was way too fast…”

“I didn’t even understand the question, and he already solved it?”

Murmurs of amazement rippled through the classroom.

Sachiko finally believed that Uzuki’s claim of being “pretty good at math” was no exaggeration.

———

With math class over, lunchtime arrived.

The atmosphere in the classroom instantly lightened, much more relaxed than during the lesson.

Most students at Tsukinomori brought their own lunches and gathered in small groups to eat, rarely sitting alone.

At the back row, Mutsumi Wakaba sat alone as usual, taking out her bento box.

She deftly opened the lid to reveal neatly arranged food.

She didn’t seek out company nor wait for anyone to join her; instead, she quietly began eating.

In the past, the only one who occasionally joined her was Sachiko Toyokawa.

But today, after the bell rang, Sachiko was whisked away by other classmates, and Mutsumi kept to her usual habit of eating alone.

At that moment, Uzuki Nagumo took his own bento box from his bag.

He didn’t return his chair to his original spot but moved to sit opposite Mutsumi.

———

Mutsumi glanced up slightly to look at Uzuki.

Without a word, Uzuki casually placed his bento on the desk.

Mutsumi silently shifted her own lunch aside, making room for him.

Uzuki smiled, opened his box, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating alongside her.

From this angle, he had a clear view of Mutsumi’s face, especially her eyes.

Her gaze was calm and still, like a tranquil lake’s surface, showing no sign of disturbance.

It seemed that the golden eyes he thought he had glimpsed that night in the basement were only his imagination.

Uzuki’s eyes lingered for a few seconds to confirm there was nothing unusual, then he lowered his gaze.

But as he took a bite, he sensed Mutsumi had noticed something. She looked up slightly, puzzled, meeting his eyes.

Uzuki’s heart tightened. He quickly pretended to focus on his food, shifting his attention to his bento, while his peripheral vision scanned Mutsumi’s lunch.

Her bento was a two-tier lacquered wooden box, the top layer holding the main dishes, the bottom layer rice, all meticulously arranged, much like herself—quiet and composed.

The meal was cucumber-themed: pickled cucumbers, cucumber tempura, cucumber tamagoyaki...

Even the rice had a few green garnishes. Alongside it was a cup of mango juice, lending the entire meal a fresh, refreshing tone.

She really liked cucumbers, it seemed, even carrying this preference into lunch.

Uzuki thought quietly, no wonder she grew cucumbers at school.

But then he reconsidered. The Wakaba family was a prestigious household in the arts and culture, with parents whose fame brought them immense daily income.

They had maids and cooks at home—so why would their only daughter be allowed to eat only this?

Even if it was Mutsumi’s personal choice, it didn’t seem likely she’d eat so plainly.

Moreover, Uzuki had attended a dinner at the Wakaba residence recently and seen plenty of rich dishes.

The Wakaba family did not have the long-standing vegetarian habits of some other entertainment figures.

His own cooking was far more appetizing.

Perhaps sensing Uzuki’s gaze, Mutsumi looked over at his bento.

His box was elegant, far from an ordinary student meal.

Opening it released a subtle aroma of yuzu mixed with grilled fish.

Yuzu-grilled salmon, its surface slightly charred and sprinkled with white sesame seeds;

Sakura shrimp tamagoyaki, the egg infused with bits of sakura shrimp, showing a gradient of pink and gold;

Several small side dishes, artfully arranged with harmonious colors.

———

Uzuki glanced at his own bento, then at Mutsumi’s, and gently pushed his box toward her.

“Try some. Thanks for showing me around campus this morning. Consider it a token of gratitude.”

Mutsumi’s hand paused mid-air as if caught off guard.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze flickering between Uzuki’s face and the bento before her.

In the end, she didn’t refuse and used her chopsticks to pick up a small piece of the grilled salmon.

Uzuki watched her and smiled faintly.

He was confident in his culinary skills—the system had rated his cooking at Level 3, which was quite impressive for an ordinary person.

After all, in his previous life, he had spent his days writing novels and playing music. Eating takeout was too expensive, and if he hadn’t learned to cook, he would have starved in his rented room.

Mutsumi chewed slowly. The salmon was tender, infused with the fresh scent of yuzu pepper, perfectly seasoned—not too salty—with a slightly crisp exterior that hinted of subtle charcoal fragrance.

She paused as if savoring it, then gave a small nod.

Uzuki smiled again and said nothing more, returning to his meal.

Between them, there was little conversation, yet the atmosphere was unexpectedly natural.

Meanwhile, at Sachiko Toyokawa’s seat, a few girls gathered, chatting and eating.

Sachiko’s attention was clearly elsewhere, her eyes drifting repeatedly toward Uzuki and Mutsumi, filled with surprise.

“Did Mutsumi really make a friend this quickly?”

A nearby girl noticed her distraction and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Sachiko replied, withdrawing her gaze and continuing to eat.

They finished lunch quickly.

Uzuki packed away his bento, and Mutsumi quietly closed her lacquered box, tidying it carefully.

There was still time left before the next class.

Uzuki moved his chair back to his original spot, then stretched his arms while leaning against the chair’s backrest.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mutsumi had already opened a book and begun reading.

He lay his head down on the desk and closed his eyes to rest.