I failed to notice all the looks and second glances Legosi-kun and I were receiving from our table in the cafeteria. It felt so natural and homey to be dining with a carnivore again; Louis and I usually ate by ourselves, so this was a welcomed change. But while I was blissfully unaware of our awkward surroundings, poor Legosi-kun was acutely aware. His gaze kept shifting around to individuals who'd look or make some quiet remark. I didn't put the pieces together that he had yet to take a bite of food while all this was happening. In blissful ignorance, I kept munching on my black forest cake. A wide, pleased grin rolled across my lips and I looked up to him.
"This is so good! Why didn't we bake more in the commune? Black forest cake is the best!" Legosi-kun didn't say anything, making me feel a bit embarrassed. Still, I continued to try and keep the mood light and chipper. "Thanks again for lending me your backpack. Now we're at eyelevel! Well, sorta…." I cracked a playful smile again. He lowered his cup a bit as the faintest of grins appeared in the corners of his mouth. "I see. That's good…." Was all he said. Awe, poor guy; he must still feel shy and uncomfortable around me. I inwardly sighed to myself, wishing there was something I could do for him. That's when I noticed that he hadn't touched his food yet. While I've been eagerly eating away, he's been sitting here not eating a thing. That didn't sit well with me.
"A-Aren't you hungry, Legosi-kun? You haven't touched your cake….." He had a slice of untouched strawberry short cake in front of him. Legosi-kun flinched, as if to be caught red-handed doing something wrong. His eyes wandered from side to side again as he scrambled to collect his thoughts. "I-I will… I'll eat," even more scrambling to find his fork. I watched him take the smallest of bites, feeling a great sense of relief that he was actually eating something now. Content with that, I started nibbling at my own cake again. I don't think he was comfortable talking to me a lot yet, so I decided to contribute the majority to our conversation, if only to make him feel better.
"I knew lots of wolves back in the commune. Our commune leader was a wolf named Akela, actually," I'm not really sure why I said that in specific; I just did. It was something to say anyway. Legosi-kun merely observed me. "Is that so?" My hand against the side of my cheek in a wistful fashion; my eyes wandered out into space. "I never realized the difference between herbivores and carnivores until I moved here. I knew everyone else ate different food from me and Louis, but we were treated the same…. like one of them. I had no idea the real world saw us so differently….. I'm teased here for the way I am, the way I see myself. Heh, I'm the only rabbit I know who isn't afraid of carnivores… and I'm ostracized for it. It's weird… I don't fit in with carnivores or herbivores here at school; I felt more at ease in a forest full of meat-eaters…." And for the first time since I began my ineloquent speech, I peered back over at Legosi-kun. I saw him and I smiled…. "Maybe that's why I like talking to you. It so natural for me…. It's easier to talk to you than most of the herbivores I know. It feels like home to me….."
Legosi-kun just…. stared; he just wordlessly stared at me with these gigantic eyes. It's then that it hit me like a speeding train what I'd just done. Oh my god! What did I just say to him? I didn't tell him all that, did I? No! He's going to feel insanely awkward and uncomfortable! That is the last thing I wanted to do! As if going into instant repair mode, both my hands shot up in front of me as I waved them around like I was trying desperately to banish the embarrassment away.
"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to say all that! Just forget I said anything! It's really stupid anyway; please forget it!" God, this is a nightmare! I let myself get too comfortable around him…. I couldn't help it though! It felt so natural and good, being around Legosi-kun. But I had this sinking feeling that I just ruined any chance of friendship with him. Nugh, I should have just kept my mouth shut! What's the matter with me? I can't even look him in the eye anymore! I'm such an idiot! I had half a mind of just making a run for it right then and there, until…
"Haru-chan." My eyes shot open and I very hesitantly peaked up to Legosi-kun's face. "Y-Yes?" My voice quivered all over itself. Legosi-kun stared back at me with calmer, lower eyes; his face was relaxed and frank. But that didn't last too long. As if his resolve was quickly crumbling, he began to fidget and contort his long arms again. "Erm… Do you…. w-want to be…. friends?" He couldn't meet my gobsmacked ogle while he asked this. My heart skipped a beat- several beats. Friends…. with Legosi-kun? He wants to be friends with me? Why does this make me feel so incredibly happy and warm inside? My heart rose up to my chest as my breathing quickened. It took a second, but our eyes finally met for the very first time since we were introduced to each other. Friends with Legosi-kun….. Legosi-kun and his gorgeous eyes. Blushing redder than I think I ever had before, my head shyly nodded.
