Morning classes, at least, pass without incident. Aside from the dull pounding in your head making it a bit difficult to concentrate, there's nothing to mark today out as different from any other. Since you make an effort to stay ahead of the class in self-study, the lecture topics are mostly items you've already covered in your textbooks at home, so even your difficulty concentrating isn't as problematic as it might have been. It isn't until the lunch break that another oddity rears its head.

"Um, Yumigawa-kun..."

As you're getting ready to head for the cafeteria, a girl walks over to your desk. This, at least, isn't a stranger. You've been in the same class as Tatsuhara Satsuki almost continuously these last three years, and you've gotten quite used to the sight of her. One of the better-looking girls at school, she has a small fanbase among male students who extol a 'girl-next-door' type of charm. That there have never been rumors of her dating anyone has helped fuel interest in her, you don't doubt. Still, you've never spoken with her beyond some casual exchanges during events like the cultural festival. Indeed, the hesitant look on her face suggests she's almost as confused by her approach as you are. You meet her eyes and silently wait for her to continue.

"Well, it's just that I was wondering if you're feeling alright. I'm sorry if I'm intruding, but, well, you look really pale today, and there are these dark circles under your eyes, and, um... well, it just kind of looks like you're sick, and since you aren't really close with anyone in class, I just thought that someone should ask how you were doing, so..."

Tatsuhara trails off. That's right, you recall: one of the things her followers like to praise about this girl is her kindhearted personality. In your first year, someone saw her nursing an injured stray cat back to health and made a rumor about it, and ever since, people have been noticing acts of kindness from her. Always volunteering to help someone injured get to the nurse's office, shielding bullied students, sharing her food with anyone who might have forgotten their lunch, and suchlike trivialities. Presumably she couldn't help herself from interfering, once she got the impression someone in class might be suffering.

"So, since you might have a hard time getting through the crowds and buying food at the cafeteria, I was wondering if you might like to have lunch with my friends and m-"