Chapter 31: The Bento Interception
As the three of them stood there discussing their theories, they suddenly realized someone was standing literally right behind Tony, eavesdropping.
It was Maya. And she was currently halfway through eating one of the bentos from Tony's stack.
"What are you three talking about?!" Maya demanded around a mouthful of food.
All three of them whipped around instantly. Alice’s eyes widened in sheer panic. "Maya?! Uh... oh no..."
Suki looked nervous for a split second before smoothly straightening her long uniform skirt and shirt. "We were discussing a biology project about metamorphosis in the animal kingdom," she lied flawlessly. "Like butterflies. We were talking about our... own individual projects, and how our emotions might be affecting the changes."
Alice blinked, catching on quickly. "Y... yeah! Exactly!"
Tony looked between them, completely lost. "We are?"
Suki gave him a sharp, warning nod. Tony blinked, his face turning pale. "Oh... OH! Yeah, that's right!!" he stammered nervously.
Maya took another big bite from the bento box. "You're all incredibly suspicious... You're lucky this bento is so delicious."
Tony looked down at the box in her hands and sighed. "Well... I guess I'll just let that one be mine, then..."
Alice peered at the rest of the stack in his arms. "Wait, does one of them say 'Alice' on it?!"
"It's for you," Tony said, handing it over before passing another one to Suki.
Suki blinked in genuine surprise. "Wait... one of these is for me?"
Tony nodded. "Yeah... my mom made them for everyone."
Alice blushed, cradling the box. "That's... really sweet of her, actually..." She looked up at Tony, a soft smile on her face. "You know what? Since yours got stolen... I'll share mine with you! How's that?"
Tony's face flushed bright red and he immediately started to stutter. Seeing him freeze up, Pink naturally wrestled control of his body, striking a dramatic pose. "Of course! I would be absolutely delighted to share such a beautiful meal with you!" Pink declared smoothly through Tony's mouth.
Maya instantly choked on her food before bursting into laughter. "That is so dumb and cute!! Even from this angle!!"
The group immediately turned their attention back to her. Suki’s eyes narrowed. "That... laugh sounds incredibly familiar..."
Tony tilted his head. "Wait. What do you mean, 'from this angle'?"
Maya’s face turned bright red. Realizing she had said too much, she gasped, whipped around, and literally sprinted down the hallway.
She left behind three very confused students staring at the cloud of dust in her wake.