Don't Give Up Either
Mary Christine was the heiress to the global toy conglomerate Mary & Chris. Even after enrolling at the prestigious Hyoeun High School, her aura of grandeur remained intact, and naturally, the students who knew of her reputation had shown her intense interest from the very first day.
"That's the girl from that massive corporation, right?"
"Our family does pretty well, but we can't compare to hers."
"Wonder if getting close to her could score us something?"
Bribing with gifts was a childish notion of the past. Now, it was a scene filled with eyes brimming with envy and admiration. To Mary, this was all too familiar, but she'd long since graduated from looking down on those around her because of such attention. After all, those at the top had a duty to lead people, not trample them.
If there was anyone she truly looked down on, it was just that one boy she'd considered her rival since time immemorial.
"Mary, wanna grab lunch in the cafeteria together?"
"Sorry. I'm more of a bento person than cafeteria food."
"B-bento?"
When lunchtime rolled around, the students who'd invited her were stunned by her response. The reason was simple: the school cafeteria served gourmet meals befitting the elite. Turning that down to bring a homemade bento was something only kids from struggling families did, due to the steep meal plan fees. So for someone like Mary, who occupied the most unrivaled position, it felt like a glaring mismatch to anyone.
But—
Thud!
"Wh-what... What's this?"
"What else? A bento."
It was a massive bundle piled high enough to feel its weight. Inside were dishes worthy of the term "feast," far surpassing the school's quantity-focused menu in both flavor and nutrition.
Yes, a meal fit for a chaebol family—one that made even upper-class fare seem pedestrian.
"My tastes are picky, so I prefer what I'm used to. I'll keep bringing bentos like this, so it might be hard to eat with you all."
"Uh, yeah. I guess that makes sense... but can you really eat all that?"
"Of course I can't finish it alone. I'll donate the leftovers to some less fortunate kids as a bit of charity."
"Ch-charity?"
"There's one pitiful soul in this school who couldn't survive without my help."
With that, Mary brushed off the invitations, grabbed her bento, and left the classroom. Her footsteps headed to a different class—one far removed from her own—and a triumphant smile played on her lips as she imagined the scene awaiting her.
That guy Kim Manbung is probably eating his bento instead of the cafeteria slop.
In middle school, he could still afford the cafeteria without worry, but this was a prestigious high school that didn't match his family's means. Sure, he might get a scholarship as a top student, but he'd pour that into books or school activities, leaving his meals as meager as ever.
So if she presented him with gourmet dishes from her family's chefs, he'd surely feel grateful and show some affection toward her.
He's a guy who eats like a horse. He'll be super thankful to me.
Yes, then he'd realize it: if he got together with her, he'd enjoy meals like this forever. Boost his affection, hear a confession from him, and everything would fall into place.
Buzzing with excitement at the thought, Mary headed to his class. But what she witnessed upon arrival was a shocking sight she never could have anticipated.
Huh? Who's that?
He was eating a bento with someone else. She'd imagined him eating alone in the classroom, lonely amid classmates heading to the cafeteria for their meals. But here he was, sharing a bento with someone other than her.
And not just anyone—a girl.
What's with that girl? Why's she eating with Kim Manbung?
Her plan to boost his affection through charity to a lonely eater had sunk before it even started. But now, her own generosity wasn't the issue. What mattered was that some other girl was sharing a meal with him.
He said he doesn't like me...
Yes, from Mary's perspective, this was utterly unforgivable.
He claims he doesn't like me, but hangs out with some girl?
It had only been two days since enrollment, yet he'd advanced his relationship with another girl to the point of sharing meals alone. Sure, it could just be classmates, but even she—whom he'd known for over ten years—had been relegated to "just friends."
Yet here was a girl who might have surpassed a decade of history right before her eyes. How could she accept that coolly? Who could swear that a bond between a boy and girl was purely platonic?
M-maybe... She could be a gold-digger with malicious intent, cozying up to him...
If that were true, as his childhood friend, she couldn't forgive it. Burning with hostility, Mary focused on the girl—but then she noticed the blush on her face, and her negative thoughts crumbled in an instant.
The girl's expression was blank yet her bright eyes brimmed with innocence. She'd even set down her chopsticks mid-meal, just staring at him vacantly. To Mary, who knew him so well, it looked all too familiar—like someone utterly smitten with the object of her gaze.
The kind who'd fall head over heels just sitting next to him...
Yes, that girl wasn't some gold-digger. If anyone was cunningly seducing, it was him, not her.
Kim Manbung, you... With me right here, you still go after other girls!
Her body trembled, her gaze growing ever more blatant. Sensing the hostility radiating from her, his eyes shifted from the girl to Mary. After a brief pause, he set down his chopsticks and said to the girl,
"...Mind giving us a moment?"
It was a voice familiar in its weariness, yet tinged with fatigue.
"Who's that girl?"
"...My seatmate from class."
"Liar. Does it make sense to have an intimate lunch alone with someone you've known for just two days?"
I sighed. She'd dragged me to the rooftop during lunch, and this was her opener. Facing Mary, who was openly hostile, I gave her my honest take, no lies.
"Intimate? I don't know about that, but I prefer eating with someone to talk to rather than alone. And when everyone's off to the cafeteria with their meal plans, if there's another bento kid around, it makes sense to eat together."
"So, you saw a chance with a girl who happened to bring a bento and latched on?"
"'Latched on' is a bit harsh... Ugh, forget it. What else are you gonna say?"
It was natural for her to be hostile. She had feelings for me, so she couldn't help but see any girls around me as threats. Even if I had no such intentions, appearances mattered, and with her possessive streak, it'd get under her skin.
"Idiot, moron. Who do you think you are, Kim Manbung? How dare you with someone other than me..."
How to calm this misunderstanding, trembling girl...? As I pondered, my eyes landed on the mountain of bentos she'd brought, and I casually asked,
"You brought all these bentos to eat with me, right?"
"Wh-what?!"
Mary flinched at my words, her shoulders jumping. She whipped her flushed face away and muttered in a strained voice,
"N-not specifically for you, okay? For chaebols like me, laying out a feast like this is just normal."
"You don't eat that much without dessert, though."
"I'll just throw out the leftovers. You commoners wouldn't get it, but that's how the elite roll."
"...I don't think being a chaebol means you have to be wasteful."
"W-well, yeah, so the leftovers go to charity for the poor, in the spirit of noblesse oblige. Don't misunderstand. It's not for you—I'm just sharing my scraps."
Ha, charity from noble spirits. Talk about awkward. Anyway, I'd already grasped this dishonest girl's intentions. Plopping down on the rooftop bench, I pointed at her bentos and tossed out,
"Then I'll gratefully accept your charity. You don't have anyone to eat with anyway, right?"
"I-I'm not short on lunch buddies. Plenty of people begging to eat with me."
"That's cafeteria-only. You clearly turned them all down because even that didn't suit your tastes."
"...F-fine, whatever. I'm allowed to be picky. So be grateful—someone like me deigning to eat with you."
As she unpacked the bentos, revealing a banquet-like spread, I felt oddly tense. I savored each portion she served, eating methodically.
"Delicious. Just like something from a high-end restaurant."
"Hmph, of course. Prepared by our top chefs."
"Heh, that makes it kinda hard to enjoy. Maybe I shouldn't mooch next time."
"What?! You rejecting my thoughtfulness?! Act like the poor commoner you are and take the handouts gratefully!"
"Yes, yes, I'll eat it up."
Even as an adult, feasts like this were rare for me, so it felt like a treat. Once we finished, I thanked Mary sincerely for setting it up.
"Thanks. For joining me."
"N-no big deal. Wasn't for you anyway..."
Still evasive as ever, but unlike usual, she couldn't hide her inner turmoil. Her next question trembled noticeably.
"...You're really nothing with her?"
It was natural to be wary. She knew her own feelings, couldn't let go, and wanted to eliminate any obstacles.
"Nothing. Just seatmates."
"Really? For real?"
"...For real."
I emphasized my repeated answers. But having known her for over ten years, I knew it wouldn't convince her.
"No matter how much I stress it, it won't ease your mind."
"Obviously. Even if it's not you, who knows what she feels... or how your heart might change."
Her fists clenched tight. Today's scene had shaken her resolve, yet she gripped it harder.
"I won't accept that. You have to like me. I decided it."
A girl who'd assumed everything was hers from birth. Her obsession with the one she couldn't have had swelled uncontrollably with the storms of adolescence.
"...You're really not giving up, are you, Mary?"
Yes, she wouldn't quit. Doing so would crumble over a decade of bonds overnight.
"Right. I'm not giving up."
With her determination blazing, she leaned against my shoulder and whispered softly.
"So don't you give up easily either. Even if you like someone, I have to be your first. I decided that."
Whether she gave up on me or I fell for her—who knew? But with her declaration of resolve, any confession to another girl would wound her deeply.
I didn't want that. Over those ten-plus years, she'd become as precious to me as family.
"Don't worry. I'll never like anyone but you, not in a lifetime."
A man who couldn't even accept someone as close as her due to past scars. My resolve wouldn't waver for a girl I'd known a mere day or two.