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After a while, you reach a wide clearing, and you can see the bright sun shining down on a lush grassy field. In the center, there's a large oak tree, a perfect spot for picnic. You set a blanket under the tree shade and sit down with Jaq and Alex. As you chat and enjoy the beautiful scenery, Jaq's expression turns serious and she says, "There's a problem. Mason never came back."
You freeze, and your mind starts racing as you try to think of what could have happened to him. "Maybe he just got lost and is wandering around somewhere?"
"But I had instructed him to not wander too far off," Jaq points out. "How could he have gotten so far away?"
Your thoughts start to drift to darker possibilities. "What if he was caught by something?" you say, trying not to sound too alarmed.
Soon, the teachers arrive with bento boxes for everyone, and Ms. Brüngger brings you yours. As one of the top three crossdressers, you get a pink box that is a bit larger than the others. You open it up to find a variety of delicious foods, neatly arranged in small compartments. There's sushi rolls, tamagoyaki, edamame, a salad, and a strawberry shortcake for dessert.
With a raised eyebrow, Ms. Brüngger asks, "What were you two doing in the bushes earlier?" You feel your face heat up as you blush, feeling embarrassed and caught off guard, and start to stutter.
Jaq jumps in and says, "Oh, they were just taking care of some personal hygiene, Ms. Brüngger. You know, womanly duties and all." Ms. Brüngger nods understandingly and then leaves, satisfied with Jaq's response. You feel grateful for your quick-thinking friend who saved you from an awkward situation.
Indeed, Jaq is undeniably a smart and capable individual, and her leadership skills are also undeniable. However, because of her manipulative tendencies, you're not quite sure if her kindness towards you is genuine or just part of her strategy. Nonetheless, you have found yourself relying on her heavily since your arrival at the school, and you've also noticed that her underlings have quickly become fiercely loyal to her as well. It's hard not to respect her, even if you do feel a bit wary around her.
You feel a sudden jolt as a hand lands on your shoulder. As you turn around, you see Mikhail standing behind you. "Hey, you promised to share your lunch with me," he says, looking at you intently.
Relunctantly, you push half of the content of your bento box into his. "Yeah, of course, here you go," you say with a hint of regret in your voice.
Jaq watches you silently, and you wonder what she's thinking.
