Chapter : 6
The day’s lessons passed peacefully.
The fresh tension of the opening ceremony still lingered through the classroom, and Yu’s presence gradually began to blend into the everyday atmosphere like a new color added to a familiar painting.
The students’ gazes were still somewhat intense, but thanks to Mr. Hayashi’s calm management, no one attempted any bold approach.
It was math class.
Mr. Hayashi wrote basic trigonometric formulas on the blackboard and addressed the class.
“…Alright then, let’s try proving this identity. That sine squared plus cosine squared equals one. Using a transformation method… would someone be willing to try?”
The classroom buzzed—then a boy raised his hand.
He calmly fixed his gaze on the teacher.
“Yes, sir. If we express sine squared using the half-angle formula, it becomes (1 minus cosine double angle) over two. Meanwhile, cosine squared becomes (1 plus cosine double angle) over two… Adding them together, the extra parts cancel out neatly, leaving exactly one!”
His voice was quiet, but precise.
The teacher narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded slowly.
“…Correct, Yu-kun. Excellent… on the very first day after the opening ceremony, you solved it so effortlessly… as expected…”
Small applause spread through the classroom, followed by murmurs.
“The prince is smart…”
“He’s good at studying too… that’s so cool…”
Even in Japanese class, Ms. Shiori Fujiwara carefully wrote excerpts of modern literature on the blackboard and posed a question to the class.
Her black hair was neatly tied back, and her eyes held a quiet passion. With every lesson, she walked slowly as if carrying the weight of language itself, filling the classroom with the lingering resonance of literature.
“Now then, let’s think about the logical structure of this passage. Through surface descriptions, what deeper theme is the author revealing?”
The classroom stirred slightly—then the boy’s hand rose again.
He calmly met the teacher’s gaze.
“The main focus of this text lies in the author’s ‘paradox.’ The surface description emphasizes a deeper contradiction. Even in the story of the Moon Rabbit people, there exists a similar ‘truth in shadow’…”
His answer intertwined Earthly logic with the perspective of Moon Rabbit culture, giving it both accuracy and unique depth.
Ms. Fujiwara exhaled softly and nodded.
“An interesting interpretation, Yu-kun. To read layers of paradox through Moon Rabbit culture… everyone, take note of such unique perspectives. Literature shines through this kind of multi-faceted light.”
Akari, sitting beside him, occasionally glanced at Yu’s profile.
As she tightened her grip on her pen while taking notes, she thought—this prince is unexpectedly serious… and her chest stirred slightly.
When the bell rang, it was time for lunch.
The classroom immediately became lively. The sound of lunchbox lids opening and friends laughing filled the air, and the scent of rice balls drifted near the window—an easy, cheerful chaos typical of an opening day.
Mio jumped up from the back seat and approached Akari’s desk with a grin.
“Alright, Akari! Let’s eat!”
He pulled out his lunchbox from his sports bag.
But Yu, ignoring the commotion, remained by the window seat, quietly observing the classroom.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Someone shared snacks, someone took photos with their phone, someone laughed while bumping shoulders with a friend.
The lively scene drew his heart in—Everyone on Earth seems to be having fun… I want to fit in soon too.
Akari noticed his profile and frowned slightly.
“Aren’t you going to eat lunch? You’ve just been spacing out. Even Moon Rabbit people get hungry, right?”
She lightly poked his side with her elbow.
“Yeah, Prince! You can share my lunch too!”
Mio opened his lunchbox with a snap and smiled.
At that moment, the classroom door quietly opened, and Rabi entered.
She carried a silver tray with both hands and walked silently toward Yu’s desk.
“Lord Yu, your meal is ready.”
Rabi quickly spread a white tablecloth over his desk.
Then she began placing dishes on it.
What was brought out was a generous, healthy meal set—fresh leafy greens and quinoa salad, grilled tofu and broccoli stir-fry, whole grain bread with avocado spread, a berry and yogurt dessert, and a mix of nuts and dried fruits—all beautifully colorful and piled high.
It was a nutrient-packed lunch.
A faint aroma of herbs filled the classroom.
Akari opened her mouth slightly in surprise.
“Are you going to eat that much…? That’s like a meal for a whole family.”
Mio stopped eating and whistled.
“That’s insane! That’s more than double mine!”
Yu smiled shyly and nodded.
“Yes, Moon Rabbit people need to consume over 6,000 kilocalories a day… even this is considered a small meal for me.”
The way he held his fork was oddly cute.
All eyes gathered, and whispers spread through the classroom.
“The prince has a huge appetite!”
“He doesn’t have to diet… that’s so unfair…”
Mio’s eyes sparkled as he spoke with his mouth full of fried chicken.
“Since we’re at it, let’s push the desks together and eat together!”
He grinned and moved his desk, glancing at Akari.
Akari sighed and nodded.
“Fine… but don’t get too carried away.”
And so, the three of them pushed their desks together, forming an improvised lunch table.
Yu immediately took his fork and bit into the fresh lettuce from his salad, narrowing his eyes.
“The texture of this quinoa is interesting… do Earth grains always have this kind of popping texture?”
Akari picked up a hamburger from her lunch and gently placed it on his plate.
“Yu, just vegetables alone is kind of boring, right?”
Yu quickly waved his hands in panic.
“Oh, thank you! But… I can’t eat meat. Moon Rabbit people are herbivores, and animal protein doesn’t suit our bodies… we usually substitute with tofu and things like that.”
Mio laughed while chewing another piece of fried chicken.
“No way! I couldn’t live like that!”
The three of them laughed together, and Yu listened to Mio’s sports stories while crunching nuts.
“I once ran in a marathon, and it was raining, and Akari was there—”
“Ugh… stop bringing that up…”
Stories about class events and Akari’s mishaps came and went, and before they knew it, time slipped away as they shared desserts and berries.
From a slight distance, Rabi watched the three of them.
“Lord Yu… please mind your manners… eat properly and gracefully.”
Though she offered a gentle reprimand, a small smile lingered on her lips.
Seeing Yu’s joyful expression warmed her heart—He has friends now. Truly, I’m glad…
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating their makeshift lunch table as the lively lunch break continued in peaceful harmony.
