CH 9

Episode 9 – “Her First Homemade Bento”

Having lunch together with her, it’s something every guy has fantasized about at least once. I don’t think there’s any difference between people in that regard.

Well, I can’t say for sure.

At least I, as an introverted person, have had such fantasies. Fantasies are a form of freedom.

Here’s what I’ve imagined.

She and I go to the rooftop together. She opens her lunchbox slowly, looking a little embarrassed and saying something like “I hope it turned out okay.”

However, inside the lunchbox is a perfectly cooked and delicious-looking meal, completely contrasting her words. I eat it and tell her it’s delicious, and she smiles. We spend a happy lunch break together, chatting and enjoying each other’s company…

Just a normal fantasy like that.

I never imagined it would actually happen to me. I thought fantasies would just remain as fantasies.

Moreover, the person in question is Nanami-san.

The girl who confessed to me as part of a punishment game not only met up with me but also held my hand as we walked to school and even made lunch for us.

Her level of seriousness in carrying out the punishment game is different.

Well, it could also be interpreted as me being somewhat liked by her, right?

…I shouldn’t get conceited. I haven’t done anything to make her like me that much. I haven’t taken any actions to make her fall head over heels for me.

Let’s engrave in my heart that this is her way of pursuing her “ideal boyfriend image.”

If I don’t think that way… I can’t bear it, especially considering the gazes from people around us.

At present, the two of us are on the rooftop during lunch break. Our school has an accessible rooftop, so it’s not uncommon for people to have their meals there. However…

There are significantly more people today.

The reason for the crowd is self-explanatory. They have gathered around us to observe my and Nanami-san’s lunchtime. So even though there are many people, it’s obvious that there are noticeably fewer people around me and Nanami-san.

Everyone is in a state where they gather around us to watch from a distance. It’s like the donut effect we learned about in class.

By the way, Otofuke-san and Kagone-san are not here.

They left, saying they wanted to have lunch with their boyfriends for the first time in a while. Both of them… apparently sneaked off-campus.

Until yesterday, they used to have lunch together with Nanami-san.

That was probably their way of protecting Nanami-san, who isn’t used to being around guys.

And now, that responsibility has been passed on to me. The fact that they’re not here means I must fulfill that role. I feel pressure and a sense of duty.

But even more than that, the amount of attention I’m receiving is really tough.

The curious gazes from the girls are fine. It’s uncomfortable, but there’s no actual harm, and it seems like their interest is focused more on Nanami-san than on me. It’s probably because they’re wondering why she chose me.

The problem lies with the gazes from the boys.

Hatred, resentment, envy, jealousy, remorse, anger… I can feel all these emotions mixed in their gazes directed at me.

It seems they won’t attack because Nanami-san is with me, but I feel like they could pounce on me at any moment.

There is an expression that goes something like “If hatred could kill, if stares could kill,” but what I want to say is that I feel like I’m being killed by these stares.

Killed by hatred.

Killed by stares.

It feels like there’s a hole in my stomach.

I want to shout to Nanami not to worry because it’s just a punishment game, but I can’t, so all I can do is endure it.

“Youshin, what’s wrong? Come on, hurry up.”

Ignoring my inner conflict, Nanami, who had somehow already sat down on the bench, patted the spot next to her, inviting me to sit beside her.

I sat down next to her as she prompted, and she handed me one of the two small bento boxes she held in her hands.

“Could it be that getting up early today was for this?”

“Yeah… that’s right.”

She blushed slightly and looked embarrassed. She made a bento for me, waking up early in the morning.

Yeah, what is this feeling? I feel like I can endure the stares that are now directed at me. I must be in a good mood or something.

“I actually wanted to surprise you at lunch, but Hatsumi asked me what you would do if you had a bento, so I had to spill the beans… I’m so glad Youshin didn’t bring a lunch.”

“I never expected that you would make me a bento, Nanami. I’m really happy.”

I usually get money from my parents for lunch, so I either buy bread at the shop or eat at the cafeteria… But today, I don’t need to spend anything on lunch. It’s a completely unexpected turn of events.

Well, even if I had brought my lunch, I would have definitely eaten this one. I’m not someone who eats a lot, but I can handle this.

No, I’ll eat it even if I have to force myself. I can understand that this bento is important, even for someone like me.

“Hey, stop spacing out and open it, would you?”

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, you’re right. Let’s see, I’ll open it now.”

I eagerly opened the bento box that was handed to me.

And here, contrary to a cliché where Nanami is a bad cook and I struggle to finish it… There was none of that. The bento looked normal… No, it looked really delicious.

“Wow…”

The homemade bento from a girl I saw for the first time… I couldn’t help but find it dazzlingly beautiful.

There were three small, adorable rice balls, and they were colorful even though they were just rice balls, with nori seaweed wrapped around them and sprinkles on top.

The tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) was a clean, golden yellow, shining like gold.

The main dish consisted of about four pieces of deep-fried chicken, surrounded by lettuce and cherry tomatoes, creating a vibrant presentation.

I carefully placed the opened bento on the bench, much to Nanami’s confusion… Ignoring her, I took out my smartphone and started taking pictures of the bento from various angles, capturing a burst of shots.

“Hey! What are you doing!?”

“Well, this work of art is too precious to eat without documenting it first.”

Ignoring Nanami’s perplexity, I took about a dozen pictures and, satisfied, put my hands together in front of the bento once again, as well as towards Nanami.

“I’ll dig in.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

Nanami blushed slightly and responded, seeming a little embarrassed. It made me happy for some reason.

The rice balls were made with firm yet fluffy rice, and they had a texture that melted in your mouth.

The tamagoyaki was neither too firm nor too soft, perfectly seasoned with a slightly sweet taste that matched my preferences.

The fried chicken remained crispy even when cooled down, and the rich seasoning made it hard to stop eating.

In short, everything was delicious.

Lost in my enthusiasm while eating, I felt the need to come up with a clever comment, so I picked up the second rice ball.

“These rice balls are small and cute. They’re perfectly round and beautifully made.”

“Thank you! My hands are so tiny, so they always turn out this size.”

Nanami shook both of her palms towards me, and at that moment, I became acutely aware of her slender fingers shaping these rice balls.

…Being aware is dangerous. It’s just all kinds of dangerous. I can’t explain in detail, but it’s dangerous!

Confused to the point of losing my vocabulary, I continued to savor and eat her bento.

Whether it was because I was completely absorbed in eating or because the bento box was small… I quickly finished the entire bento.

“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”

“Thank you for enjoying it.”

“Nanami, you’re good at cooking.”

“Making bento is my role, you know. Today, I secretly made an extra portion and brought it.”

I wondered if her parents also worked like mine, and if she was helping them by making bentos. I thought that was admirable, and just as I was thinking that…

*Growl~*

My stomach growled… It was a small sound, but it was loud enough for Nanami to hear.

My face turned red, and her face turned slightly pale.

“I… I’m sorry!! Right, of course, you’re a boy, so my spare bento box isn’t enough, right?”

She apologized in a fluster.

My stupid stomach!

Why couldn’t I endure a little longer? At least until I was away from Nanami!

Honestly speaking… even if I said I’m not a big eater, this amount was a bit unsatisfying.

That’s why I planned to buy some bread or something later… all because of my weak-willed stomach, embarrassing myself in front of her…

“I’m sorry… I still have more in mine, so… here, have some fried chicken?”

As I reproached my stomach, Nanami offered me a piece of fried chicken with her own chopsticks.

Huh?

What’s going on?

This is what they call the “aah” scene. I’ve seen it countless times in manga. ( TL notes : Meh..)

Nanami seemed to realize it too, as she blushed later, but she didn’t retract her chopsticks.

The sounds around us disappeared… It felt like everyone was holding their breath, watching us.

Trembling, I couldn’t keep them waiting any longer, so I took the fried chicken she offered and devoured it.

…I can’t taste it because of the nervousness, but… it must be even more delicious than before. There’s no way it could be bad.

My stomach… you did a good job.

My palms are spinning like drills, but that’s not a problem. Anyway, you did a good job.

Nanami timidly withdrew her chopsticks and continued eating the rest of her bento in silence.

“Well… We often… feed each other like this… with Hatsumi…”

“Huh… really… That’s… interesting…”

We couldn’t have a proper conversation for a while after that.

We were able to resume the conversation only when the redness in our faces subsided and returned to normal…

“In that conversation, I honestly admitted that the portion was unsatisfying. Right now, I’m satisfied in various ways, but deep down, I still want to eat a little more.”

“Well then, how about we go together to buy a lunchbox for Youshin on our way home today?”

Unexpectedly, her suggestion made my thoughts come to a halt.

“…Can I interpret that as you planning to make another one tomorrow?”

“That was my intention… Is it inconvenient?”

“Not at all. I am extremely pleased.”

Due to my excitement and being flustered, my tone became strange, but she simply murmured softly, “I’m glad,” and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

Oh God… I have no regrets even if I die here. The pinnacle of my life must be right now!

There may be people trying to kill me with their various glances, but I don’t care. I won’t find greater happiness than this.

Thinking that way, Nanami tilted her head, blushed, and with a slightly embarrassed smile, muttered in a small voice, “It’s an after-school date, right?”

…Oh God… Please let me take back what I said earlier.

I will do whatever it takes to keep on living!

Interlude : Nanami’s Inner Thoughts during the Bento Incident

Why?! Why did I end up doing the “aah” thing?! But it’s too late to retract now…

Please, Youshin, eat quickly!! The stares from people around us are painful! And even though I did it to myself, it’s embarrassing!

Ah, phew, he ate it. I should finish the rest too… Just a little bit…

Huh?… I feel like I’m forgetting something…?