When Benji barged into the room, I almost dropped the spoon in my hand.

"Mayu, can I have breakfast today?"

His voice was energetic and he looked just fine. Whereas I couldn't look worse, I couldn't sleep until 4 in the morning, and I just woke up at 5 to do homework and prepare for the day's lessons.

"Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Thinking about it made my heart beat as if it could literally throb out of my chest. I couldn't sleep at all T-T I kept playing back that scene in my head like it was in an infinite loop.

"Yeah, I guess. Do you want bread omelet or curry? Mom made it yesterday night"

Benji went inside the kitchen and started looking around.

"Wow, your curry looks yum yum. I'll get one plate of curry too then. Mommy Mira already went to work?"

I nodded. I opened the dish cabinet above me. It seemed like my mom again put the dishes in the highest section of the cabinet. I was such a chibi, couldn't reach it even when I was standing tip and toe.

"Benji? Come hel...p"

He was already behind me, stretching his arms to reach the plates. His chest was surprisingly warm and soft. His body movement was like that of a cat, subtly touched my back. It was just a flash moment. However, his arms remained surrounding me as if... he's embracing me. Benji's calm breath was right on my ear.

Just how long is he gonna be like this?

"Heyyyy, you done?"

Benji broke into laughter and quickly withdrew his arms. I brought my food to the table and went back to pour some milk for me and Benji. He took some curry and rice, then sat down at our eating table.

"Enjoy your meal!"

"Enjoy your meal!"

We said in unison and started digging in.

"Did you not sleep well?" Benji asked me. Well, I didn't try to hide anyway.

I just nodded and said I was fine. As for the reason I did not sleep well, I prefer not to tell him. I tried to occupy my mind, thinking about the coming lessons in today's class.

"Was it because of me?"

The chicken went straight to my stomach without me chewing a single time.

GODDAMN!

"Milk milk milk milk! Quick quick!" Benji came by my side and started patting my back. Even though his laugh couldn't be more cheerful, the pat on my back was gentle.

Wooh! Everything's as new! Mister chicken had already been in my stomach safely anyway.

I gained back my composure after drink the whole cup of milk. Yup, as expected, I wanted to bury myself and have a decent funeral to collect the last drop of funeral money.

"Could it be that you're embarrassed?!? Hahaha!"

"Let me finish my GODDAMN meal"

Benji said sorry without sounding the slightest sorry. Like that #sorrynotsorry that went viral a decade ago. I honestly just wanted to finish this meal and go to school. When I came down from my room, surprisingly Benji hadn't left yet.

"I thought you went to school already. Did you forget something?" I asked Benji as he stepped out of the kitchen.

"Hey, Jody's a bit late today, right?"

"She's already at school, she's on cleaning duty today" I replied "You should get going too!"

Benji put on his coat and took his bag, once again looked at me.

"Let me take you to school, Mayu!"