Sora shrank back the hand holding the bowl and looked embarrassed.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Sorry, Ryuto."

Sora bowed to Ryuto in apology.

What's going on? Ryuto was now the one feeling puzzled.

"Huh? Is something wrong? Why apologize?"

"Because... I didn't realize the porridge had gotten cold."

Sora said, with an almost tearful expression.

Later on.

"Sorry, Ryuto, I'll take it to the kitchen to heat it up again."

With that said, she turned and left.

However, Ryuto stopped her before she could go.

"No need, it's too troublesome to go back down, and besides, I'm feeling a bit warm right now, eating it cold will be better."

"Really?"

Sora lifted her head and asked, tears in her eyes.

"Yes, of course, I wouldn't lie."

How should I put it? If anyone saw this situation, it would probably be misunderstood. Even though I don't mind eating cold food, truth be told, I'm not feeling warm at the moment.

"Yes, Ryuto never lies."

Seemingly accepting this explanation, Sora muttered with her head down.

Hmm... Why do I feel a strange sense of guilt?

"Well then, I'll just eat in the hallway since someone's still sleeping inside."

"Uh... Sure."

Sora nodded in understanding.

After receiving the bowl from Sora, Ryuto sat down by the wall in the hallway, and Sora sat down beside Ryuto.

This experience of having breakfast at half past six is quite rare.

But I couldn't resist.

"Huh? What's wrong? Why keep staring this way?"

Ryuto asked.

Being stared at like that is painful, especially for Ryuto, who is usually ignored at school.

"Oh, sorry."

Apologizing, Sora quickly looked down.

...Even though I don't understand what's going on, should I just ignore it?

So Ryuto turned back to prepare for breakfast, but...

Stare...

Soon he felt the gaze shooting over from the side.

So Ryuto naturally turned to look at it.

"Oh, sorry."

Being seen, Sora lowered her head again, apologizing repeatedly.

This situation is weird. If you have something to say, just say it. I don't understand your reaction, I'm not in the mood to eat with you staring like that for no reason.

Unable to voice it out loud, Ryuto could only grumble inwardly.

Forget it, let's just ignore it.

Although he clearly felt the gaze coming from the side, Ryuto resisted the urge to look back. If he did, he would end up in the same awkward situation as before.

But it seemed like the other party thought Ryuto hadn't noticed this time, as their eyes widened.

...Damn, feeling pressured for no reason.

Forget it, just ignore it.

So Ryuto faced the immense pressure, picked up the spoon with his hand, pushed aside the vegetables on the surface, and started eating.

"How is it...?"

Soon after, came the somewhat timid question from Sora.

"Ah, not bad."

"Really...?"

Hearing Ryuto's response, Sora patted her chest with her hand, showing a relieved expression, then lowered her head again.

Oh my... You've been staring for so long just to ask that? You could have just said it directly. That action of saying nothing and staring incessantly is quite puzzling.

The scene fell into silence once again.

Having breakfast feels so hard with this atmosphere, so Ryuto searched for another topic to bring up.