"Matsuda-kun, did you have fried rice for breakfast?"
Miyuki asked after putting the fruit bowl in the sink.
I, who was resting on the floor with Tetsuya, answered:
"Yeah."
"How many bowls?"
"One plate."
"But, there are two dishes in the sink?"
"I had a plate last night as well."
"So, you ate fried rice for two meals straight?"
For some reason, I feel like something good is going to happen to me.
I have good vibes for some reason.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"What do you mean why… Fried rice is popular for a reason: it's easy to make and tasty."
"It has no nutritional value. Aren't you thinking about your health?"
"Hey, didn't you hear what the doctor said yesterday? He said I have a strong body."
"That has nothing to do with you not getting enough nutrition, though?"
I laid down flat on the floor then yelled at Tetsuya:
"Miura, your mother's nagging me again."
"Since it's for your own good, I think you should listen to her."
As expected, this guy's on her side. Every damn time.
But, for my own good… Let's see if he can still say stuff like that later.
Empowered by her supporter, Miyuki firmly continued:
"A few days ago, I saw the garbage full of instant food containers. If you keep eating so unhealthily, you'll have issues with your body. From now on, think about nutrition when you eat."
I thought you would tell me that you would bring me a bento from now on, but… I feel depressed.
Forget about having a good feeling… That was bullshit.
No, I was a fool for expecting a bento when I haven't even been friends with her for two months.
After my self-reflection, I answered dryly:
"I understand."
"You understand?"
"I understand"
When I repeated the words with dead eyes, Miyuki burst into laughter and spoke:
"Matsuda-kun, give me ten million yen."
"Alrigh… Why're you messing with me right now… Having fun?"
"Somewhat?"
"Ha… This is why I won't be able to live a long life."
"Not because of what you eat?"
"Yo. Yo…! I'll start eating well now. So, stop talking about nutrition already."
"Okay. Now, shall we start studying again?"
Miyuki sat upright and laid out the books on the table
Tetsuya and I gave each other looks of despair then walked like zombies toward Miyuki.
After being pummeled by Samoyama, five days passed peacefully.
My relationship with Miyuki has developed a little more, to the point where we text each other once every few days.
Since we don't spend a lot of time with each other, and when we do, it's usually with Tetsuya, our relationship is progressing very slowly.
However, no need to rush as the progress is already good.
After coming back from the barber and taking a shower, I looked in the mirror.
The swelling has almost all subsided.
There are still some bruises, but they're very faint.
I smiled contentedly and put on my yukata.
Because I was going to the summer festival.
This is a staple in Japanese-style love comedies. How could I possibly miss it?
In addition, I can see Miyuki in a yukata, so I can't miss this opportunity.
Normally, Tetsuya goes to the festival with his family then meets up with Miyuki as she goes towards the shrine to help her father with his stand.
After that, he goes on a date with Miyuki.
But, now, he'll lose this date opportunity to me.
I fixed the collar of my yukata, finished all my preparations, and put on my geta.
As I stepped out onto the road, I could hear the characteristic wooden clicking sound of my geta as I walked.
Because of the thong grinding against my big toe and my index toe, I feel like I'm gonna be in pain tomorrow.
Resisting the urge to just change into sneakers, I took a taxi to a shrine near Miyuki's neighborhood.
Lanterns lined the entrance of the shrine.
It hasn't been long since the festival started, but it's quite packed.
Miyuki… Is in the middle.
She's probably helping her dad with his takoyaki stand.
Tetsuya should have almost arrived by now.
I need to make a move before he does.
Enduring the discomfort brought by my geta, I bought two yakitori, Japanese-style chicken skewers, near the entrance.
They're not for me to eat but for Miyuki.
Her favorite part is the leg meat.
She won't start drooling as soon as she sees it, but she'll want to eat it badly.
I walked down the road lined with stalls and finally found Miyuki.
The way she tied her hair to allow some thin strands of hair to lightly fall down the sides is beautiful.
She was eagerly serving customers beside her benevolent-looking father.
Seeing a smile on her face instantly makes me feel better.
I glanced above the stall to see the sign: [Super Delicious! Great King Tako!].
Even if it seems a bit old fashioned, it feels very Japanese.
After clearing my throat several times, I took advantage of the time when there were no customers to approach the stand.
Then, I looked at the well-cooked takoyaki and the menu then said:
"Six takoyaki, please."
Immediately, I heard Miyuki's clear and cheerful voice.
"Welcome! Six takoyaki, 300 yen… Huh?"
Hearing her surprised exclamation, I raised my head and saw Miyuki, whose eyes were wide open in surprise, then twisted my facial muscles in "surprise."
"Huh? Hanazawa?"
A moment of silence followed after our eyes met.
.
Miyuki, Miyuki's father, and I looked at each other and blinked.
I wasn't skilled as an actor to pretend that we'd met by pure coincidence, but I could convey the same surprise by acting like I had just come back to my senses and then speaking up.
At that moment, a grubby-looking kid quickly ran between us, snatched the paper box with takoyaki, and started running away.
"Huhh…!?"
A confused cry from Miyuki's father.
But, I celebrated on the inside.
Even in the bookstore, at the playground, even now, the events kept occurring at perfect timings.
I really was the true protagonist of Doki-Doki Academy.
After dropping the plastic bags with yakitori on the stall's counter, I threw off my geta and sprinted as fast as I could.
Although the kid was very fast, he was just a kid, so by the time he was a little past the shrine, I was able to catch him.
"L-Let go of me!"
The little boy, whom I caught from behind, started causing a ruckus, kicking his legs arms around, but still took care to not spill the takoyaki.
I already knew the boy was carefully protecting the takoyaki box not because he wanted to eat it himself but because he wanted to give it to his siblings at the orphanage.
Since we were at a place with few people around, it was a good spot to talk.
After taking a deep breath, I asked:
"Who did you steal this for?"
Was he calmed by my soothing and soft voice?
The little boy stopped moving and answered:
"My siblings! Kugh…"
But soon, seeing my frown, his whole body froze.
I didn't mean to scare him…I'm hurt.
Don't make me give you a dutch rub.
"Siblings? Your real siblings?"
"No! The ones at the orphanage."
"Orphanage? Explain clearly. Or else I'll take it back."
When I pointed at the takoyaki box and spoke threateningly, the little boy spoke weakly:
"They…wanted to go to the festival… But, the orphanage was too poor, so we couldn't… They said they wanted to eat takoyaki…"
So timid.
I clicked my tongue before speaking.
"So you sneaked out to steal takoyaki?"
"….."
"You unruly little kid!"
"Ahhh!"
I just raised my arm, but he got scared.
My feet hurt from catching this little guy, but I had no intention of actually hitting him, so I lowered my arm.
This is an event with three options.
First, you can just take the takoyaki box back.
Second, you can bring the kid back and make him apologize.
Third, you can send the kid away and pay for the takoyaki yourself.
Ranked from the least to greatest amount of favorability earned, it was 1, 3, then 2.
According to the game, if I wanted to gain the most favorability with Miyuki, I needed to do option 2.
If I do that, Miyuki's dad will understand the kid's situation and give twenty boxes of takoyaki to the orphanage for free.
And, Miyuki will think better of me because of that.
But, I had no intention of picking option 2.
Right now, I'm basically playing an open world game with a lot of freedom.
When I can earn even more favorability, there's no need to be restricted by the game's options.
I smiled then said to the restless kid.
"Yo."
"….What?"
"Where's your orphanage?"
"It's nearby."
"Tell me the address and head back."
"No! You'll report to them that I sneaked out!"
"Do I look like a petty guy like you? Do you want to give your siblings 6 takoyaki? Or 180?"
"…. Sorry?"
"Matsuda-kun! Did you catch that little boy?"
"I did… Wait a second… Sorry for the delayed introduction. My name is Matsuda Ken."
Returning to the stall, I bowed my upper body toward Miyuki's father, who accepted my greeting with a smile.
"My name is Hanazawa Wataru. Nice to meet you. You are Matsuda Ken?"
"Yes."
"So, you are the delinquent student Miyuki was talking about. You've reformed though now, right?"
At those words, Miyuki frantically looked at Wataru and made a gesture to stop talking.
So, you were talking about me to your parents.
You didn't speak about me whenI was still doing gangster stuff, right?
"Well… I'm trying my best. Sorry for asking out of the blue, but could you prepare 30 boxes of takoyaki right now?"
"Yes…? 30 boxes…? Now?"
Wataru was dazed by such a large order.
Miyuki also looked at me in surprise.
Scratching my head as if embarrassed, I spoke:
"Will it be difficult?"
"It's possible… But, why do you want 30 boxes?"
"Well…"
I briefly explained the kid's circumstances and expressed my desire to help him.
By the time I finished explaining, Wataru was looking at me very favorably.
"So, that's how it is. So you want to buy 30 boxes and give them to the orphanage?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then, we should start quickly."
Having said that, Wataru looked at Miyuki.
"Miyuki, lower the covers."
"Ah, yes…"
The cover was made of a solid, opaque material that could not be seen through from the inside.
If this is the case, even if Tetsuya comes, he won't be able to spot Miyuki.
Father-in-law, thank you for helping me.
Do you jerk off to getting cucked by any chance?
As Miyuki was lowering the cover, I took out a 10,000-yen note.
"Thank you. I'll pay ahead."
"No need. You're trying to do a good deed, and Miyuki always hangs out at your house, so I owe you."
"You don't owe me anything. I asked Hanazawa to tutor me. Please just take it."
"No need."
Wataru really is Miyuki's father: a kind personality just like hers.
It was obvious with how he was making takoyaki without a fuss.
Since he'd just refuse the money, if I kept insisting, I should use another method.
"Then, I'll help you make it too."
"Yes? Then, come over here and help me add the ingredients."
"Yes, sir."
When I rolled up the sleeves of my yukata and entered the stall, Miyuki held out the yakitori.
"Matsuda-kun. This is yours…"
I waved my hand in denial and said:
"You eat it. I have to work."
"… Matsuda-kun, did you eat something wrong today?"
My sudden and drastic change in attitude seems to have confused her immensely.
It's because I feel empathy for the orphans, so I'm being kind. Can't you understand that?
Who am I kidding?
It's all for your favorability, but the orphans at the orphanage will get a happy ending too, so it's a win-win situation.