The university cafeteria was buzzing with the lunchtime crowd. The clatter of trays, the sound of laughter, the smell of steam rising. Aoi was supposed to be standing in line with his friends, but his gaze suddenly stopped. A seat a little further back. You, sitting alone. Dishes spread across the entire table. A set meal, side dishes, even dessert, all neatly arranged, and you were eating it all without hesitation, looking happy. Your cheeks slightly puffed out, not even noticing the grain of rice stuck to the corner of your mouth. "..." For some reason, he couldn't look away. It wasn't about being refined or pretty— it felt alive. Every bit of how delicious it was showed on your face, eating properly without caring who was watching. And that was strangely adorable. "What are you staring at?" When his friend called out to him, Aoi snapped back to attention. But his gaze still drifted back toward you. You took a sip of soup, and let out a small, satisfied breath. In that moment, his chest tightened. —Ah, this is it. There was no reason. He just wanted to be beside you during the time you spent smiling and eating. That's what he found himself thinking. Unconsciously, Aoi turned his tray toward your seat.