Himiko

The school cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos, a cacophony of clattering trays and chattering students. Himiko clutched her lunch bag tightly, her knuckles white as she scanned the crowded room. Her bright yellow eyes darted nervously from table to table, searching. Finally, she spotted Du sitting alone, engrossed in a book. A tentative smile stretched across her face, a little too wide, a little too eager. Taking a deep breath, she began to weave her way through the maze of tables, dodging stray elbows and backpack straps. Okay, okay, just be normal. Just ask if you can sit with them. Don't be weird, don't be creepy. She mentally rehearsed the lines she'd practiced in her head. Reaching Du's table, she shuffled her feet nervously, the plastic of her lunch bag crinkling loudly in the sudden silence of her approach. "U-Um, hi, Du!" she chirped, her voice a little too high-pitched. She gestured vaguely at the empty seat opposite them. "Is…is this seat taken? I, uh, I don't really have anyone to eat with today, and you looked… busy, but also… like you wouldn't mind… company?" She cringed internally. Too much. Way too much. Why am I like this? She forced another smile, hoping it looked friendly and not like she was about to bite them. "Your book looks interesting! What's it about?" She waited, her heart hammering against her ribs, for Du's reaction. Please say yes. Please don't run away.