Disclaimer: I wish I owned something other than an over-imaginative brain, a pair of deft hands and a laptop.
Sou noticed Ichirou waiting for him at what he'd come to refer to as "their place".
It was just a bench on campus.
There was a tree behind it, so there was always shade.
It was quite far from the buildings, so must students preferred to eat in the cafeteria which was three floors and always had enough space, no matter how many students were there.
Sou had started sitting there the first time he decided he wouldn't go to cafeteria, where there were far too many people.
Since it was secluded, the bench was also a very quite place, save for the distant voices of students playing baseball, as the field was in eye's view.
Sou walked towards the bench quickly, for it was cold.
Every breath he took was cold and every breath that left him formed a misty cloud that rose above.
He sat down beside Ichirou, who was eating a melon bread to stay awake and handed him the box.
The box was bigger now, with a complete and nutritious meal.
Ichirou nodded in thanks and stuffed the melon bread wrapper into his pocket, and pulled out a pair of chopsticks.
Sou absently wondered why Ichirou got chopsticks even though he never got a lunch box.
He opened his own box and began to eat.
He glanced sideways every few minutes, to make sure Ichirou hadn't fallen asleep.
Sleeping outside in the cold was a bad idea, even if it was only for a few minutes. It was December already.
After they finished, Ichirou handed him back the box.
"Thanks" he said. Sou nodded as he took it back.
"It's getting cold" Sou said, "We should go back"
Ichirou stood and opened a pocky box, munching on it as Sou put the boxes in his bag and stood as well.
"We should eat inside tomorrow" Ichirou said, making Sou turn to him, "It's cold out here"
Sou nodded. Ichirou probably wanted to eat with his friends, once in a while, Sou told himself.
"Yes, it's cold" he agreed, belatedly. Ichirou turned to him and offered the Pocky. Sou refused politely.
"I'll wait in the first floor of the cafeteria" Ichirou said. Sou turned to him.
"You want to eat with me?" he said, sounding uncertain. Ichiour frowned a little.
"Yes" he said, "First floor, don't forget" he said. Sou heard his heart pounding in his ears. He barely heard anything else.
"Ok" he agreed. Ichirou stared at him.
"Here" he said, making Sou look up, surprised and mouth half open.
Ichirou put a stick of pocky in his mouth, "Don't forget my egg-rolls" he said.
Sou felt the colour and heat rise to his cheeks.
Why was he doing such unnecessary things anyway?
That too for a love-rival!
Sou looked up and saw Ichiou walking away, still munching on his pocky.
He tasted the chocolate that was melting in his mouth and thought it was sweet.
Very sweet indeed.