Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051596567318343/episodes/2912051599703356305
I wonder why?
“Ibusuki, the hamburger steak at the school cafeteria tastes so much like a typical school cafeteria hamburger steak that they might as well just call it that, don’t you think?”
Before me stands Hanazawa-san, looking radiant and dazzling.
On the table is the cafeteria’s B Lunch. A hamburger steak topped with demi-glace sauce, accompanied by boiled cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots. The small bowl of chilled tofu is piled high with bonito flakes, green onions, and ginger. On top of that, a small bowl of soft-boiled eggs (an extra 60 yen) and a bowl of white rice complete the meal on a single tray.
For some reason, I found myself sharing a lunch table with Hanazawa-san again.
“You’re right. I do think it tastes different from both home-cooked meals and family restaurants.”
“Right! Is it because it’s frozen? But even though it’s frozen, it tastes better, doesn’t it?”
“That’s a harsh thing to say.”
“No, no! I mean, the cafeteria food tastes like cafeteria food—it’s a completely different dish!!”
Hanazawa-san flustered like that was so cute it made my heart flutter. But precisely because of that, I felt uncomfortable and forced a bitter smile.
The setting was the crowded school cafeteria. An environment where all eyes were on us. Being with a beauty made me feel self-conscious.
My stomach clenched at the jealous stares, and I mocked myself inwardly, thinking, “I really never learn.”
She said she wanted to talk about this morning’s message, so she invited me to the cafeteria during lunch break.
As usual, I tried to refuse, but I was defeated by the devastating power of her tear-filled face asking, “Is that okay?” and, as usual, I couldn’t say no. Maybe I’m just the type of person who can’t say no, but if there’s a man out there who can turn down Hanazawa, I’d like him to step forward.
Anyway. Here I was, a plain-looking guy having lunch with the school’s most beautiful girl in full view of everyone. I was nothing but a target of jealousy, and I couldn’t stand being exposed to those unashamed, envious stares.
On top of that, Kuroi—who had a piece of fried tofu from her kitsune udon clamped between her teeth like a slice of bread—was glaring at me with pure hatred. Since she’s classified as a beauty herself, it made it even worse.
“Hey, Kuroi.”
When I called out to her, Kuroi slurped the fried tofu like it was udon noodles and choked.
“Cough, cough. This is fried tofu! I made a mistake!!”
I thought, “No way she actually made a mistake,” but judging by how she was this morning, it didn’t seem entirely untrue. Honestly, it’s starting to worry me.
“More importantly, why are you here, Senpai?!”
Kuroi turned to Hanazawa-san, her expression almost as if she were about to snap at her.
“Huh? Didn’t I tell you?”
“Yes!!”
“Did I tell about Ibusuki-kun?”
“I didn’t hear that.”
“S-sorry!! Ibusuki-kun, please forgive me! Please, I beg you, please…”
“Apologize to me too!! You’re apologizing to Senpai on my behalf too, aren’t you? That’s not how you’re apologizing!!”
Like a retriever calming a small dog that’s yapping away, Hanazawa-san laughed.
“No, I think I did tell Amana. Look, it’s still in the messages.”
Hanazawa-san showed her smartphone screen.
“Ibusuki Sawa san is here with me too—is that okay? …Wait, Senpai, does ‘Sawa’ sound like a girl’s name?”
I nodded.
That’s my name. By the way, I took the ‘Yado’ from Ibusuki and the ‘Sawa’ from Sawa to create my streamer name, ‘Yadokari Sawagani.’
“! I thought you were a girl!”
“People often mistake me for one. Ever since elementary school, whenever my name is called after a class reshuffle, I get really nervous.”
“I didn’t know that!”
Hanazawa laughed at our exchange.
“Amana might be a little too blunt at times, but you two seem to get along well. She’s easygoing, and there doesn’t seem to be any awkward silence between you. I’m really glad I invited the two of you to lunch today.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I thought you two might get along well, so I wanted to introduce you.”
Hanazawa-san pressed her fingers together in front of her chest and smiled brightly.
Her completely innocent smile, like that of a heroine from a shōjo manga, silenced the noisy cafeteria and made the sound of gasps echo through the room.
“W-w-w…”
Kuroi, a moment behind, stammered, her face flushing red as she trembled.
Her gaze crawled over me from head to toe, as if licking me all over, and with each pass, Kuroi’s face grew even redder.
“See? I told you.”
Facing Hanazawa’s smug expression, Kuroi—perhaps having reached her limit—leaned on the desk and stood up.
“Y-you’re meddling!”
I’d had a hunch this might happen based on his reaction that morning, but honestly, since I’m not involved with Kuroi, I do think she is meddling too. Still, seeing that harmless smile, I know she means well, so I don’t plan on saying anything. It’s probably just one of her usual whims that have been going on lately.
“Amana, is that really true?”
“Ugh, I, I don’t know! But! Is that okay, Hanazawa-senpai!?”
“Okay about what?”
“Aren’t you dating him!?”
I turned my gaze toward Hanazawa.
I know it’s not true.
That said, I’ve been seeing more signs of that lately, and I can’t help but hope she cares about me even a little. It’s the sad nature of a social outcast.
“Hahaha, I don’t have anything like that.”
……Ugh.
Since she’s denying it completely like this, I told myself I mustn’t get the wrong idea.
“Huh!? T-then, why did I… go out of my way to…”
“Why?”
“N-no!”
When Kuroi denied it, Hanazawa-san gave a slight smile.
“Well, it’s mostly a joke. I just thought you two would get along. I can’t mess this up again, so don’t worry about it, Ibusuki-kun or Amana.”
“Really? Then I won’t worry about it.”
“Yeah! If you don’t, I’ll die of guilt. I’m not joking about that.”
She laughed, “Ah, ahaha.” Her eyes looked like she really meant it when she said she wasn’t joking…
“Why aren’t you worried about it, Senpai?!”
I replied to Kuroi, who was practically yelling, “It’s only natural.”
“I just thought you two seemed like you’d get along well. Aren’t you overthinking it?”
“Huh!? …Ugh!! I’m not overthinking it!! Come on, let’s just have a normal lunch! A normal one! If I wasn’t overthinking it, I should be able to do that, right?!”
Kuroi, her face bright red as she challenged me, didn’t change her attitude until we finished eating.
[Amana, you’ve always liked people with similar interests, haven’t you~]
[Ibusuki-kun works really hard.]
[He’s so kind, isn’t he~, Ibusuki-kun.]
Though that was mostly because Hanazawa-san was teasing Kuroi in jest throughout the conversation.
“Mmm~. That was a great lunch! Hey, you don’t have to decide right now, but do you want to go to Round 2 this weekend?”
I’d been going along with Hanazawa-san’s whims, but at that suggestion, I leaned in.
“I-I want to go!!”
Round 2. The dream of every high schooler. A place far removed from the world of introverts.
This would definitely make for great stream content, and it was the perfect scouting trip for a date as I worked toward my goal of getting a girlfriend.
“Oh, cool. You’re really into it, aren’t you? What about you, Amana?”
“H-huh!? Why, why me…?”
Kuroi looked back and forth between me and Hanazawa, and finally…
“I’ll go…”
…she muttered in a voice so faint it was almost inaudible.
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5 days with no update?
I have caught up with the raws for now