As Mayuzumi approached the lunch table of the Rakuzan starting regulars, he noticed they had neglected to save him a seat. Again.
They probably just forgot. Again. It happens, Mayuzumi reasoned in his head, putting on an amicable smile as he neared Akashi.
"Excuse me," he said politely.
No one looked his way, his words like wind in their ears. Nebuya might've momentarily glanced at his Rakuzan Special Bread but Mayuzumi liked to think that it had been a warm look of welcome and friendship directed towards him.
He circled the table, hoping one of them would notice his plight and make room for him.
Akashi didn't see him because he was chewing with his eyes closed for whatever reason, intent on tuning out the rest of the world. Hayama was entirely preoccupied with defending his lunch against Nebuya's assault, and whoever Mibuchi was making eyes at across the cafeteria, it certainly wasn't Mayuzumi.
Mayuzumi was starting to feel rather hungry. He finally resigned himself to an empty table and started to eat.
His Rakuzan Special Bread was cold.
A/N: Based on one of the Replace novel illustrations.