Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 80: A Warm Lunch Break

Chapter 80: A Warm Lunch Break
That morning, news of Zimmer’s resignation spread quickly. Class XII D, which was supposed to have biology class, was filled with substitute teacher today, and they were only given practice questions.
"Resigned? Just like that?" Miko leaned over Nathan’s desk.
Nathan was surprised, but he thought it was a common occurrence there, so he didn’t question it.
But the conversation continued around him. "The office just said ’personal health reasons.’ It’s very surprising. They didn’t answer when asked further. Maybe we can visit him."
"Right, what’s wrong with him?"
"I don’t know. No one told us clearly."
Whatever it was, the conversation was interrupted by laughter because no teacher was watching them at the moment. Some students even snuck out and went to the cafeteria.
Nathan didn’t join the cheers. He focused on Franc’s empty seat instead. No one talked about him after what happened yesterday.
"Where’s he?" Nathan asked, nodding toward the empty seat where Franc usually sat.
"Absent," Miko whispered, moving closer. "The rumor is that both Franc’s and Gabriel’s parents are in the Headmaster’s office right now. Something about the fight yesterday. But check this, the senior board is already saying there won’t be any suspensions. They’re ’forgiving’ it because it’s their final year. Anyway, who would suspend a Salazar?"
Miko seemed to realize what he had said, that he was talking to Nathan ’Salazar’.
"Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to..."
Nathan smiled. "What? You can say whatever you want. I’m not really part of that family."
But he said nothing when Miko insisted on asking him why he ended up in an orphanage and then returned to his family, because he definitely didn’t want to talk about it.
Even now, he noticed the shift in the room. Since the "orphanage" revelation, the other students looked at him as if he were a rare museum exhibit, fascinating, but something you didn’t touch. Miko was one of the few who still spoke to him without a trace of pity or judgment.
Nathan didn’t want to care.
That day, he learned another slap-in-the-face thing. In the math class he prided himself on, there was a daily test. He was very confident he would be the best, because in his old school he was always number one.
But he was surprised to find his score was two points below first place. And the top rank belonged to the person he least expected.
Zane.
That lazy boy. That kid beat him! Without even trying?!
Nathan wanted to refuse to accept it, but looking at Zane, it seemed like that boy wouldn’t cooperate with others to cheat. Anyway, he had to accept it, that boy was smarter than him.
Nathan secretly gained new enthusiasm to study even harder. He stared at Zane, who looked so lazy as he stared out the window, occasionally glancing at his laptop screen.
How??? How did that son of a bitch beat him?!
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period and the start of the morning break. The classroom emptied in a flurry of teenagers desperate for the cafeteria.
Nathan didn’t move. He waited until the noise faded, until only he and Zane were left in the room. The silence was heavy.
Zane stood up, his movements slow and deliberate as he adjusted his blazer. He headed for the door, eyes fixed on the floor, clearly intending to disappear into his usual solitude.
He didn’t make it past the third row.
Nathan stepped into his path, his hand reaching out to catch Zane’s arm. "Where do you think you’re going?"
Zane stopped, his expression blank, though his gray eyes flickered with a hint of confusion. He didn’t say anything, just stared at Nathan’s hand on his sleeve.
"I told you yesterday, I was bringing you lunch," Nathan said, not waiting for a response. He jerked his head toward a cluster of desks. "Sit down."
Zane hesitated, looking at the door and then back at Nathan’s determined face. Finally, he let out a faint, resigned breath and pulled out a chair.
He didn’t want to show that he was looking forward to lunch, that Nathan was really going to bring him lunch, because he was still sure he had misheard yesterday. He took the risk of not bringing food today.
He was quite pleased that Nathan had actually brought him food. He didn’t know what this tingling feeling was.
Nathan sat opposite him and reached into his bag. He pulled out a large, heavy-duty thermos and a neatly wrapped package of crusty bread. As he unscrewed the lid of the thermos, a plume of steam rose into the air, carrying the rich, savory aroma of slow-cooked chicken, carrots, and herbs.
Zane’s eyes widened slightly. He watched, almost mesmerized, as Nathan poured the golden liquid into the oversized lid, the steam fogging up Zane’s view for a second.
"Sit closer," Nathan commanded, sliding the lid and a piece of bread toward him. "It’s almost cold."
Zane stared at the soup in front of him. He hadn’t expected soup for lunch at school. It was truly extraordinary.
But before he could speak, the classroom door burst open.
"Nathan! There you are!"
The quiet tension was shattered as Eli bounded over, his step energetic. He looked between the two of them, his face lighting up at Nathan and fearful toward Zane.
"I’ve been looking for you! You want me to go grab us some food from the canteen?"
"No," Nathan said, gesturing to the extra containers he was pulling out. "Come. Sit down. We’re having soup today."
Eli’s jaw dropped as he sniffed the air. "Soup? Whoa! That smells incredible! Is this from your house? Did the Salazar chefs go all out for a picnic or something?"
Nathan shook his head, pouring a second portion for Eli. "I made it myself."
The sound of Zane’s spoon clinking against the plastic lid stopped abruptly. He looked up at Nathan, his eyes searching Nathan’s face for a punchline. "What? You didn’t say you made it yourself."
Nathan shrugged, tearing a piece of bread for himself. "Why? It’s just soup. Try it."
Zane looked at the liquid, then at Nathan’s calloused fingers. In his world, food was something that appeared on silver platters, touched only by professional staff. The idea that Nathan, a Salazar, had stood over a stove for him made the soup feel... different.
Zane grabbed his spoon and took a cautious sip. The flavor was deep and complex, the kind of warmth that felt like it was healing his tired lungs. He blinked, looking down at the bowl. "You’re not serious."
"What?" Nathan asked, his brow furrowing. "Is it not good?"
Zane took another, larger spoonful, then a bite of the bread. He looked away, trying to regain his mask of indifference. "It’s... fine," he muttered, though the speed at which he started eating told a different story.
Eli, meanwhile, was practically moaning in delight. "Fine?! Zane, you’re crazy. Nathan, this is the best thing I’ve eaten all month! You have to teach me how to do this. I didn’t know you were a secret chef!"
Zane shot Eli a sharp, annoyed look. He liked the quiet of the classroom before Eli arrived. He liked the idea that this was a private debt being settled, only him and Nathan. Now, it felt like a crowded table.
Eli noticed the glare and shrank back an inch, but he didn’t leave. He looked at Nathan, silently asking if he should go.
"Eat your soup, Eli," Nathan said, noticing the silent exchange. He looked at Zane, his gaze steady. "Eat the carrots."
Zane’s ears turned a faint pink. He didn’t argue. He just focused on the soup, feeling the warmth spread through his chest, wondering why a bowl of chicken and carrots made him feel more seen than any meal he’d ever had in the Leinster mansion.
Nathan sipped the last of the water in his container and exhaled contentedly. Then he looked at Zane’s container, which had carrots left in it.
"You won’t eat it? You don’t like vegetables?" Nathan asked.
Zane shook his head, about to throw the carrots away.
Nathan stopped him. He grabbed his fork and took a carrot, then ate it.
Zane was too shocked to react. He stared at Nathan chewing the leftover carrot. No one on earth had ever done this for him.
When Nathan was about to take another carrot, Zane moved his container away. "No."
Nathan frowned. "Why? You shouldn’t waste food!"
He was used to finishing his food, sometimes even eating the leftovers of other children at the orphanage. It was normal for him, but not for Zane.
Zane wouldn’t let Nathan eat his leftovers. He finally picked up his fork and ate the remaining carrots with a red face. He didn’t like carrots, but he disliked seeing Nathan eat them even more.
Nathan just watched silently. Eli also watched them both silently.
"You don’t have to force yourself to eat it," said Nathan.
"No, I like it," replied Zane, lying.