After introducing themselves, the Nakano sisters and Osamu began eating. Unlike the quiet lunches Osamu was used to, this one was a chaotic mix of questions and conversations. The Nakano girls, especially three of them, wouldn't stop asking questions, but Osamu just wanted to enjoy his meal in peace. Well, since Nino had invited him to such a generous lunch, at least he would answer their questions.
— Osamu-kun, doesn't your long hair bother you when you eat? — asked Ichika, curiously eyeing Osamu's long hair.
— It definitely gets in the way, but it's no problem... — Osamu replied as he took a headband from his pocket and tied his hair back, making sure it wouldn't bother him while eating.
— Wow... I knew you had a nice face, but it's even better than I imagined — said Nino, watching Osamu intently.
— Yes, you're definitely the most handsome guy I've seen at this school. You've got a perfect 10 in looks — added Ichika, continuing to stare at him.
Osamu, unfazed, continued eating his lunch, ignoring the compliments. He knew his appearance didn't go unnoticed, so these praises were nothing new to him.
— With that perfect face, you must have a girlfriend, right, Osamu-kun? — asked Ichika, with a mischievous smile.
— No, I don't have a girlfriend — Osamu replied briefly, in a serious tone.
— Oh, come on! You're lying. How is it possible that someone as handsome as you doesn't have a girlfriend? You're wasting that face! — exclaimed Ichika, shaking her head as if she couldn't understand it.
— Having a girlfriend isn't that important, you know? — Osamu replied calmly, taking a bite of his food.
— What do you mean? We're at the age to fall in love, go on dates, and enjoy our youth! That's what we're supposed to do! — insisted Ichika, clearly surprised by the response.
— Not everyone has that goal, Ichika — Osamu responded neutrally, now addressing the Nakano sisters by their first names, as they had requested, since otherwise it would be confusing to call them all by their last names.
— Then, if it's not that, what's your goal, Osamu-kun? — asked Nino, looking at him with a curious and expectant expression.
Osamu looked at her for a moment, as if evaluating her question. Finally, he sighed and, without stopping eating, answered:
— My goal... — he paused, savoring a bite of his food before continuing, — is simply to go unnoticed and live a peaceful life. I'm not very interested in the drama or relationships that most people seem to have so clear. I just want to do what I'm good at and avoid unnecessary complications.
Ichika, who seemed not to fully understand, frowned.
— Is your goal really that boring? — she asked, visibly confused. — You really don't want anything more exciting in life?
Osamu looked at her calmly, still eating.
— What you consider boring, for me, is the simplest. Living without being the center of attention has its advantages, especially when you don't have to worry about others' expectations. — His tone was serious, as if he wasn't willing to debate what others considered interesting or not.
— That sounds so... cold! — exclaimed Nino, surprised. — You'll probably regret not seeking something more exciting in life!
Osamu shrugged, as if he didn't care much about others' opinions.
— Who knows? Maybe. But for now, I'm fine with what I have. — he finished, with a light smile that remained calm and distant.
Miku, who had been silent until then, looked up for a moment, as if considering his words.
— Not everyone seeks excitement, Nino. — she said, with a soft but firm voice. — Some prefer peace.
The sisters looked at her in surprise. Miku didn't usually intervene in conversations, but her words carried weight. Osamu nodded slightly, grateful that at least someone understood what he meant.
— Exactly — he said, while continuing to eat calmly, unaffected by the girls' comments.
As Osamu ate, his gaze shifted toward the back of the cafeteria, where he spotted a girl who seemed familiar. She was sitting with a boy, enjoying her meal.
— Hey, isn't that your fifth sister? — Osamu asked, gesturing toward the figure that had caught his attention.
— Yes, that's Itsuki! — exclaimed Yotsuba, looking in the direction of the girl. — Looks like she's eating with someone.
— Wow, not only Nino, but now Itsuki's with a guy... looks like we're falling behind, huh? — commented Ichika, observing the situation with a slight smile on her face. — Yotsuba, Miku, don't you think we're falling behind in the race?
— I'm not interested in that kind of stuff — said Miku, maintaining an indifferent expression while continuing to eat, as if the situation didn't matter to her.
Yotsuba, on the other hand, suddenly stood up with a big smile on her face.
— I'm going to go see Itsuki! — she said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and began walking quickly toward where her sister was.
Osamu and the others watched her with a mix of curiosity and amusement as she walked away. Time passed quickly with comments and laughter, and soon the bell rang, signaling it was time to return to class.