"Is Senior He Yuqing interested in joining our club?"

"Although I really want to join, I'm sorry, but I've already joined the tea club."

Once seated, Wen Xiaojing started chatting with He Yuqing as usual, always enthusiastic about recruiting new members into the club.

"Youjie Senior, is Zhiye Senior not coming?" Shi Taoxiang asked me.

"She should be on her way, I just messaged her on my phone," I replied, looking at my phone. Zhiye had replied that she was on her way to the activity room.

"What are you having for lunch, Youjie Senior?" I looked up and saw Shi Taoxiang putting one hand behind his back.

"I'm just waiting for Zhiye's cooking. I don't know what it will be."

"Oh, I see..." Shi Taoxiang put the hand that was behind his back back on the table.

"What's wrong?" I couldn't help but feel confused by Shi Taoxiang's sudden change of actions.

"It's nothing, Youjie Senior," Shi Taoxiang said with a smile.

Just as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Wen Xiaojing replied.

Zhiye entered, holding a lunch bag in her hand.

"Jie, I'm sorry for being late. Did I keep you waiting for too long?" Zhiye sat down in a chair next to me, with an apologetic expression on her face.

"No, but I will trouble you to cook for me," I said.

"I should be the one... I mean, it's something I should do," Zhiye said with a smile.

"You've really worked hard, Zhiye." Although I've heard that phrase countless times, why did Zhiye leave out the words "fiancée" this time?

"Jie, I thought you might be confused. I followed the advice of Teacher Zhong Meiya, not to deliberately disclose my identity at school. It's better for you this way, as it could be troublesome if it affects your studies or if I can't stay here," Zhiye whispered in my ear. I didn't expect Zhiye to consider so much for me.

"What are you two whispering about, Seniors?" Wen Xiaojing gave us a mischievous smile.

"What can we say? Anyway, let's enjoy our lunch," I said, looking forward to what Zhiye had cooked for me.

Zhiye opened the lunch bag and took out a bento box. When she opened the lid, I saw four rice balls inside, decorated with broken nori seaweed.

"I don't know if it suits your taste, Jie. I originally wanted to stir-fry a dish for you, but they learned how to make rice balls in today's home economics class, so this is the result," Zhiye seemed worried.

"It looks delicious," He Yuqing couldn't help but speak up.

"I know it's going to be delicious, of course," no matter what, Zhiye's cooking would never be bad, even if it was just a seemingly ordinary rice ball.

"I want to try it too, the dish Zhiye made," He Yuqing said.

"Is it okay, Zhiye?" I sought Zhiye's opinion.

"Jie will decide..." Zhiye gave me the decision, looking at He Yuqing who really wanted to try it. Looking at He Yuqing's lunch, which was a pineapple bun and green tea, the same combination I had before when I didn't want to eat the school cafeteria's food at noon, as fellow outsiders, I gave one to He Yuqing.

"I've never actually eaten a rice ball," He Yuqing took one and started eating it eagerly. "It's delicious. Suddenly, I feel like pursuing Ziye too." It's better not to say such dangerous things in front of Ziye, didn't you see the killing intent in his eyes? Even if I'm not the target, I still feel chills running down my spine.

"Senior, I want one too," Wen Xiaojing said without hesitation and took one rice ball.

"Don't you have your own bento?" I glanced at the bento box on Wen Xiaojing's table.

"Eating the same thing every day can get boring. Sometimes you have to try something different." Wen Xiaojing took a bite and revealed a contented expression.

There were only two rice balls left. I gave one to Ziye and was prepared to eat the remaining one myself, but Shi Taoxiang was looking at the rice ball in my hand, seemingly wanting to eat it as well. Maybe he was influenced by He Yuqing and Wen Xiaojing.

"Shi Taoxiang, you should try it too." I handed the rice ball to him.

"Is it okay? That means Youjie Senior won't have any left to eat." Shi Taoxiang said so, but his eyes were fixed on the rice ball.

"Of course it's okay. Here you go." I put the rice ball in Shi Taoxiang's hand. The rice ball was wrapped in food-grade oil paper, so there was no need to worry about getting sticky hands. Ziye really considered everything carefully.

So... all four rice balls were taken, what should I eat now?!

"I didn't expect Ziye's rice balls to be so delicious."

"Yes, his skills are extraordinary."

"When will I be able to have that level of skill?"

Ziye received praise from He Yuqing and Wen Xiaojing, even Shi Taoxiang felt a sense of frustration. He really is impressive. These rice balls are so delicious, but I didn't get to taste them. Not only did I miss out on experiencing how good they really are, but my stomach also didn't get any nourishment.

"I'm sorry. Youjie, I made you unable to eat. Here, you can have my pineapple bun and green tea." It seemed like He Yuqing noticed my unbearable hunger and pushed his pineapple bun and green tea towards me.

"I'm sorry, but I really can't eat that anymore. I've had enough of it every day." I've developed a dislike for pineapple buns from eating them every day.

"Senior, although I also wanted to give you my bento, but I had already eaten some before you arrived. Even though I know you wouldn't mind, just the thought of it makes me feel nauseous. But if you really want to eat, then..." Wen Xiaojing revealed a mischievous smile.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I'm not as perverted as you think!"

I firmly retorted, that was my attitude. No matter what, I wouldn't eat someone's leftovers, even if she is a beautiful girl.

"So you'll go hungry then, Senior," Wen Xiaojing said sulkily.

"Well, I guess I'll have to rely on you."

She was the one who took away the rice balls without permission, causing me to have none to eat. Moreover, her words were a bit too harsh.

"Jie, I should have made more," Ziye said remorsefully.

"It's not your fault, Ziye. On the contrary, I should thank you for putting so much effort into cooking for me. It's alright even if I skip a meal or two..." I thought about it and felt resigned. After all, I used to save money for things I liked, skipping a meal or two was not uncommon.

"Youjie senior... If you don't mind, I have another bento box here," Shi Taoxiang suddenly spoke up from across the table.

"Of course, I didn't touch it. I just made an extra one, and I don't know what to do with it," Shi Taoxiang added, taking out a bento box from his bag and placing it in front of me, his face showing a puzzled expression.

"Can I eat it? That would be a great help," I couldn't find a reason to refuse the junior's bento, especially since I was really hungry.

"If Youjie senior doesn't mind..." Shi Taoxiang smiled.

"Well, thank you," the need for food is a basic human instinct, and I was regretful that I didn't get to eat a delicious onigiri, but Shi Taoxiang's bento was also very good. Based on the last time I had it, it was definitely worth a solid 90 points, although Zhiye's cooking couldn't be measured in points. I don't know why I had such thoughts, but it was indeed the case.