"Would you like to have lunch together?" 

"Hm?"

The heroine's unexpected question dragged me from my thoughts, eliciting a senseless noise out of me. She didn't seem to mind, flashing me her usual smile.

"Would you like to have lunch together? I heard the dining hall food is really great here, so I've been looking forward to trying it. And food tastes better with others, so the meal would be even better!" 

I forced a chuckle at her happy expression, hoping it didn't sound too awkward as I rapidly searched for an excuse. 

"You didn't try it yesterday?" 

Brought a little time! Now think, Shion, think!

Elinka's lips pushed out into a pout.

"There was a really long line yesterday, so I could only get something from a vending machine, but maybe today we'll have a chance!" Her pout disappeared fast, replaced by two raised, enthusiastic fists.

Her shifting mannerisms brought out a quick, genuine smile, and at that moment I couldn't tell whether that tiny, pebble-like weight on the edge of my heart was guilt or regret.

"Sorry, I can't today. I'll be busy during lunch," I paused, that pebble pressing me to continue. "Maybe next time." 

"Oh, okay. Next time, then!" Elinka looked a bit disappointed, but she didn't say anything about it. 

We had finally reached one of the many school-building's staircases, the girl slowly halting her stride. I was about to make my goodbyes, but, her brows suddenly raising and her eyes widening, she spoke first. 

"I never got your name! Could you please tell me what I should call you?" 

"What?" 

The redhead looked away, her reddening cheeks only adding to her innate charm she held her briefcase with both hands. 

I can see why all the capture targets fall for her. 

"Actually, I wanted to get your name last time we met, by the bikes. But you were really busy that day and I couldn't ask in time, and we're in physics together, so...could you please tell me your name?" She finally met my gaze, her green eyes practically shooting lasers of hope through me. 

Capture targets falling for her was all well and good, but a main character knowing my name? 

Not good! I don't want to be part of any situations that come from the main character effect!

I threw out another inelegant chuckle, my smile stiffening. 

Although...the main character effect would be really great right now!

"My...my name?"

Elinka nodded her head up and down emphatically. 

Come on, it's basically only the two of us here. Really? Nothing? No events?!

"Well, my name is...," I stretched the last word, my glances bouncing off of our surroundings as I desperately waited for something to happen. 

Where are those two creeps when they're needed?!

"...Yes?" Elinka leaned towards me in expectation. 

I met her intense stare, my bated breath finally leaving me in one curt exhale after a few seconds of silence. 

This game really treats its extras like trash.

"My name is Shion. Nic-," 

I couldn't even finish my greeting when a soft, drawn-out note rang through the air. The note soon changed, a jovial melody forming as more tones intermingled and filled the near-unoccupied corridor. 

...I take it back. This game doesn't treat its extras like trash. It treats us like enemies! Just five seconds sooner. Five seconds! Five seconds sooner and I wouldn't have had to reveal my name! Loathsome!

"Is someone playing the piano?" The young woman at my side tilted her head, confusion painted all over her features. 

"Sounds like it." My response was flat. 

Of course they're playing the piano. Go, protagonist; your sweet romantic experiences have just begun. Please go and grant me peace. 

"Should we go see who's playing?" The heroine whispered. 

"Sure," I blinked. "Wait, 'we'?" 

My last syllable undulated as I was jerked forward, Elinka shooting me a grin and pulling me by my shirt sleeve. 

The muffled harmony increased in volume as we walked past the staircase, going by multiple closed doors until finally, finally my sleeve was gently dropped. 

She tiptoed towards the closed door, pressing her ear against it. The girl stood still, and then, as the song jumped into a staccato rhythm, Elinka turned her head towards me and smiled, waving me closer. 

I repressed my grimace, moving my briefcase to my other hand as I haltingly approached. Unfortunately, a wince still slipped out when the girl wrapped a hand around the doorknob and twisted, pushing the door open a crack. She stuck her head through, and moments later, she gently pushed it open completely. The piano's happy tune washed through the hall, its notes resounding clearly. 

Woah.

I know I should have been expecting it, but I was still just a tiny bit impacted; the ample white room, the streams of sunlight bathing a black grand piano in golden rays, and the profile of a graceful young man in a silver mask sitting peacefully as his fingers flew across the keyboard and a heartwarming song reverberated through the atmosphere - it was hard to admit, but it was a...moving scene. 

Elinka took a few steps further into the room, and luckily her movements broke whatever quiet serenity I had been so taken with. 

Even with the heroine's motion, Yohan hadn't made any indications of acknowledgment, so I assumed he hadn't seen us yet. 

And if he hadn't seen us yet...

Now was the best time for me to leave.

I carefully stepped backward, and then another step, and another and another, until I had sufficiently backed away from the ill-fated room. I moved to the left, out of anyone's view. My pace gradually increased until I had reached a fast-walk, barely stopping in front of the staircase to consider where to go next. 

I brought a sandwich, but where should I eat?

Downstairs would be endless halls and corridors, and the dining hall as well. I heard there were lots of tables there, but...

Mike had told me that the dining halls would probably stay just as packed for the next few weeks.

It was better not to visit right now, and if I wanted to eat lunch it was better to buy food beforehand at nearby convenience stores. He was five years older than me, but he graduated from his academy last year, so I decided his tips were probably still relevant and listened intently. 

Then, upstairs? My next class should be somewhere on the upper floors, too.

I wasn't sure what was upstairs yet, but at a huge, huge place like this, it was probably good to explore. It could be fun - if I didn't get lost.

Well, with forty minutes left of my hour-long lunch, it should be okay. 

With that, I steeled my resolve (as well as my legs), and then I began my climb. 

*

I wasn't sure how far I had gone, and honestly, after fifteen minutes of muscle-rending repetitive motion, I wasn't sure if I really wanted that information. 

I clambered out of the staircase, bumping into the wall right across from me as I leaned into it, nearly panting.

Maybe I should start working out again.

There didn't seem to be any more stairs upwards, indicating that I had reached my goal at last: the highest floor. At this point, I didn't even care if there wasn't anything interesting to discover; I just wanted a place to sit down. 

I looked down the left hallway, and then the right one. They both seemed identical to each other, so I randomly chose to go left. 

To my contentment, this level really was slightly different from the ones below. The outer wall, which was previously only occupied by broad windows, was now accompanied by numerous doors. 

If the doors along the inner wall are classrooms, where do these other doors lead?

I craned my neck, a peek out of a nearby window giving me my answer.

Balconies!

My excitement gave me a bolt of energy as I approached the nearest door, and, grabbing the handle enthusiastically, I pulled-!

Locked.

I stood, frozen. My fiery excitement had nearly exhausted, the strong blaze now reduced to a dying spark as it flickered amidst my cooling heart. 

Who locks balconies? Who locks balconies?!

Annoyance rose from the ashes, angrily prompting me to jiggle the handle. It seemingly wasn't satisfied, forcing my legs to walk along the long hallway and bitterly check each and every door. 

Locked, locked, locked...why is it locked?

I wasn't sure when my frustration had dampened, eventually melting away into a puddle of dissatisfaction and gloom. I was nearly at the end of the corridor, but so far each and every door had been completely and absolutely sealed. 

Pretty views from high-up balconies always granted me a comfortable kind of enjoyment, and dangling that happiness right in front of my nose - after such a grueling trip here, no less - was categorically cruel!

Similar thoughts filled my mind as I dragged my feet towards the very last door. My tired hand lifted up, plopping heavily onto the handle. I sighed, numbly pushing down-

A click echoed down the walls. 

Ha!

I couldn't contain my triumphant laughter, letting it bubble up and take to the air as I eagerly barged through the door and stepped out onto the sizeable balcony. A breeze flew by and lifted some strands of my short brown hair as I stretched my hands out, puffing out my chest and closing my eyes as I enjoyed the warmth of the sun. 

What's that smell? Smoke? No...cigarettes?

The faint scent of cigarettes interlaced with the crisp autumn wind, although it was so weak that I could easily ignore it. 

Minutes had passed when I began to move again, taking my sandwich out of my briefcase and resting on the tall balustrade to take in the scenery. After a thought, I grabbed my phone and with a few taps from my thumb, my short message was sent.

"Hey mom. Today I almost went through the 5 stages of grief for a balcony."

A response came soon after, bringing out a short chuckle and a smile. 

"Stupid girl."

It was there that I had a peaceful lunch. 

A/N: Thanks for reading again. Please comment as you go, would love to hear your thoughts! I read your comments, really do!