Before heading to school, I paused for a moment and wondered:
*Why is Ren helping me, of all people? Why not some other girl who's prettier and better than me in every way?*
I decided I'd ask Ren himself when we met at school.
After first period, Ren came up to my desk.
*"Hey, wanna go to the cafeteria together and grab some food?"* (Ren)
*"The cafeteria? Together?"* (Yumi)
*"Uh… yeah."* (Ren)
I nodded, and we walked to the cafeteria side by side.
We sat down at a table, and he pulled a lunchbox out of his bag. Everything looked so delicious!
*"Hey, who makes your lunch?"* (Yumi)
*"No one. I make it myself."* (Ren)
*"Oh, I see."* (Yumi)
*"Um… can I ask you something?"* (Yumi)
*"Sure."* (Ren)
*"Why me?"* (Yumi)
*"Huh? What do you mean?"* (Ren)
*"Well… why did you help me back then? Why do you spend time with me? There are so many girls prettier than me…"* (Yumi)
*"Because I want to. And as for other girls… I doubt that."* (Ren)
After his words, my heart started beating faster, and my face turned completely red.
*"That's it? No other reason?"* (Yumi)
*"Pretty much."* (Ren)
*"Oh, by the way, Yumi… wanna go to the school festival together tomorrow?"* (Ren)
*"Huh? The school festival?"* (Yumi)
*"Yeah, there'll be food stalls and all kinds of attractions."* (Ren)
*"Of course! Let's go! I've never been before!"* (Yumi)