[b][i]Collaboration Post between Letter Bee and Haha[/i][/b]

[b][i]Masuda High School[/i][/b]

     The cafeteria wasn’t as supervised as the rest of the school. Of course a few chaperones were posted near exits and entryways, but other than that, lunch ladies were the only adult presence in the scouring auditorium set with long tables, small tables, and even an area near the snack like for benches positioned next to vending machines. The head lunch lady, an elderly Soviet immigrant that had moved to Japan and worked her way up the food chain to her current position began shouting to her team.

[b]”Fifteen minutes and we close za’ lines! Make sure all ze’ pots are emptied by zen, no slackers! If we finish in time, I’ll order some pizza for everyone!”[/b] She tucked some stray curly red strands of hair into the net that kept all of her messy strands out of her face, and of course the food.

     Her staff would unanimously shout in response; [i]”Yes chef!”[/i] and in overdrive begin to rapidly move pots from stoves to the lunch lines themselves, refilling plates and setting them out for students to grab. While many of the students were keen on bringing their own lunch to avoid the wait, they would do their best to make sure anyone who didn’t bring food would end their day with a stomach full of food, as babushka wished. Today it was some form of chicken and dumpling soup with little pan fried pierrogis, next to them, little cups with garlic or red sauce to be dipped in of their choosing.

     Within the auditorium, the loud roar of students chattering amongst themselves was absorbed and traveled upward, making it possible for friends to hear each other amongst the clamor of people. Messes were bound to be made as well, but those same hardworking women preparing their food would be mopping the floors and wiping the tables. The day wasn’t nearly close to being over, but the break between classes would be a nice break between the mundane and obvious stress that class would bring with it.

[hr]

Shotaro was smiling as he allowed himself to be walked to the cafeteria; Hidekichi was so close, allowing him a good look at his hair and face. The other, somewhat older boy was so cute that Shotaro could not hide how happy he was to be with him, and even offered to be treated to lunch! But he really wanted to be the one treating him, though?

His smile grew as he replied, “Let’s split the cost! I’ll pay for half, you pay for half! Then we’re both paying! Also… I want cake; here’s hoping the cafeteria has some!”

Then he registered Hide’s question, and replied, “[i]I’m[/i] weird too… but yes, I noticed. Like, we seem to be something out of an Anime or a North American Young Adult book. I know Ruru-chan, and I have very sad backstories, but, strangely, we have a competitive gamer who games in class here - I heard she’s also a crypto expert - plus a kid who got moved up a couple of grades and someone whose parents got murdered, plus the son of a diplomat and a fashion designer.”

He then wondered, “Wait, what about you? Surely you can’t say you’re the normal one here? It’s okay if you are, though, or if you’re not - Either way is fine!”

Shotaro decided to let Hide see more of his true self than he normally would; then again, the part of him that played to the invisible script of Japanese society is his true self too…

[hr]

While Shotaro, Hidekichi, and the others talked, Sayaka would get an email from one of her contacts. 

[b]To: miNERVa
From: (Insert Contact’s Name Here)[/b]

[i]Have you heard the news of a new ‘religious group’ roaming around town? The True History Society? They just converted one of our guildmates, and now he’s given them all his worldly possessions… creepy.[/i]

[@Redking0380][@Rune_Alchemist][@Haha][@Auragreedia][@TruthHurts][@SilverPaw]