Chapter 536: The Ramen-Loving Koizumi
They left the gymnasium, and it was already past eleven, which meant it was lunchtime.
Walking down the street, Hachiman looked at Iroha beside him. "Is there anything you feel like eating?"
"Hmm... I'm not really sure what I want to eat. Senpai, where do you usually eat? Maybe you could take me there." The girl pondered for a moment, then tossed the question back to him.
Seeing the question thrown back at him, Hachiman could only helplessly shrug. "I usually eat at home, but that's obviously not an option today."
Hearing this, Iroha also let out a sigh.
At that moment, Hachiman spoke up again, "How about we just eat here?"
"Huh, what?"
Iroha looked over happily, but then her expression fell. In front of them was just an ordinary ramen shop.
"Really? Ramen?"
"Well, it's been a while since I've had ramen anyway, so let's eat here today," Hachiman said with a smile.
"Alright, since senpai is treating, let's have lunch here," Iroha replied with a resigned sigh.
"But I rarely eat ramen."
In Japan, it's uncommon for women to eat ramen alone because of stereotypes.
For example, there's a stereotype that women don't go to ramen shops or beef bowl restaurants, while men don't visit cake or dessert shops.
Compared to desserts and other daintier foods associated with quick service, ramen is often seen as unrefined and typically oily, supposedly unfitting for delicate young women.
Additionally, traditional ramen shops are often small, with seating encircling a central bar, making it unappealing for women who wish to avoid sitting next to middle-aged men.
...
As they walked into the ramen shop, they found it to be a traditional setup, with a single line of seating around the bar. Fortunately, it wasn't too crowded, with only two or three other patrons.
Hachiman led Iroha to a relatively empty section and said with a smile, "Order whatever you want, no need to hold back."
Iroha rolled her eyes slightly at this. Ramen is considered a staple of common folk cuisine, known for being filling and affordable. Even the most expensive seafood ramen costs no more than 1,500 yen.
Despite the shop's modest size, they offered a wide variety of ramen. Turning to the menu displayed on the wall, Iroha found no fewer than twenty to thirty options, leaving her indecisive.
As she contemplated her choice, the door opened again, and two more people entered, immediately taking seats right beside her.
This made her frown slightly, assuming a couple of middle-aged men had sat next to her.
However, a gentle voice soon reached her ears. "Hello, I'll have an Arctic Ramen, please."
After the first order, another, more lively voice followed, "Misa will also have an Arctic Ramen."
Iroha glanced over and saw that the newcomers were actually two girls.
One wore a school uniform, had long blonde hair and red eyes, and was tall and elegant, exuding an aura of aloofness typical of a refined young lady.
The other girl had purple twin-tails and had just removed her jacket to reveal a tank top underneath. Though petite, she was quite well-endowed.
"Alright, two Arctic Ramen coming up. Please hold on," said the jovial voice of the shop owner from the kitchen.
After placing their orders, the blonde girl next to Iroha remarked, "If you want to change your order, now's the time. The Arctic Ramen is really spicy."
"It took me a year before I dared to try it myself," she added.
"Ha, no worries, Misa can handle spicy food," the girl with purple twin-tails responded confidently.
"Really? Is that so," Unfortunately, the blonde girl named Koizumi didn't pay much attention and continued adjusting her clothes.
At that moment, Hachiman's voice reached Iroha's ears. "So, have you decided what you want to eat?"
"Ah, I'll have... the Arctic Ramen," Iroha replied impulsively, repeating the name she had just heard.
"The Arctic Ramen?" Hachiman raised an eyebrow and asked again to be sure, "Are you sure you want to order that?"
"Yes, since those two girls ordered it, it must be pretty good," Iroha said, blinking innocently.
Hachiman shrugged and advised her once more, "I recommend choosing something else. The spiciness level of the Arctic Ramen is a nine, which isn't something most people can handle."
"Really? Is that the case..." Hearing this, Iroha felt a bit hesitant, but before she could speak, Hachiman chimed in again.
"If this makes you cry from the spiciness, that would be unfortunate."
"What?!" Startled by his comment, Iroha raised her eyebrows defiantly. "Don't underestimate me, senpai. I can handle spicy food just fine."
"I'm sticking with the Arctic Ramen."
Seeing that further persuasion was futile, Hachiman shrugged and called out to the kitchen, "One Arctic Ramen and one Seafood Ramen, please."
"Alright, coming right up!"
...
In a short while, the ramen was served.
"So this is the Arctic Ramen?" Iroha murmured, staring at the bright red bowl in front of her. She sniffed the air apprehensively, catching the aroma of ramen mixed with a sharp, spicy scent.
Hachiman's seafood ramen and the Arctic Ramen for the two girls next to them were also brought over.
The blonde girl named Koizumi picked up some noodles stained red by the broth and took a bite. Unfortunately, she immediately started coughing, a flush spreading across her usually calm face, and tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
Concerned, Misa asked, "Koizumi, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm just not great with really spicy things," Koizumi replied, her voice slightly choked.
Watching this, Misa couldn't help but comment, "Then why do you keep ordering such spicy ramen?"
"Because it tastes so good," Koizumi replied, taking another mouthful and promptly coughing again.
Not wanting to be outdone, Misa picked up her chopsticks as well. "Alright, Misa is digging in too."
However, as soon as she put the fiery noodles in her mouth, she also began coughing, her face turning red. "Wow, this is really spicy... my tongue is burning..."
Yet, after just a moment, she continued, "But... it also feels kind of great..."
With that, she eagerly took another bite of noodles.
"Ah, this is the feeling. It's spicy, but also kind of satisfying..." she exclaimed.
Beside her, Koizumi added while slurping noodles, "I told you, didn't I? The Arctic Ramen is incredibly spicy, but so delicious..."
The two girls continued to alternately exclaim "So spicy" and "I can't take it," while consistently shoveling the fiery noodles into their mouths.
Despite their deepening blush from the heat, their expressions showed a certain level of enjoyment.
Seeing this, Iroha couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
These two... could they be what people refer to as masochists?
But watching their reaction, Iroha swallowed nervously.
Is it really that spicy?
She hadn't lied earlier; she indeed considered herself someone who could handle spicy food well.
With resolve, she picked up her chopsticks, grabbed some of the red-stained noodles, and took a bite.
The next moment...
"Wow, it's so spicy! My mouth is on fire..."
She cried out, mouth open, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes as she frantically fanned her tongue with her hands to ease the burning sensation.
"I warned you it was really spicy," Hachiman remarked with a chuckle, handing her a glass of water he'd prepared beforehand.
"Try some ice water to cool down."
Iroha quickly grabbed the glass and gulped it down. But as is well-known, water doesn't really neutralize spiciness, as capsaicin—the compound that causes the heat—isn't water-soluble.
After finishing the water, she continued to pant, mouth still burning. "It's... still so spicy... what should I do..."
"Milk can help with spiciness."
Capsaicin binds with protein in milk, particularly casein, which can help alleviate the sensation. However, Iroha found no milk in sight.
Left with no choice, she looked at Hachiman with teary eyes. "What should I do, senpai? My mouth is so hot."
"Just have more ice water," Hachiman suggested, offering another glass.
Iroha took the second glass and drank it down. Perhaps because she hadn't eaten much or was getting used to it, the intensity of the spice seemed to wane after the second glass of water.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she still eyed her bowl of fiery ramen with apprehension. She didn't dare take another bite but was reluctant to waste such a large bowl of food.
Sensing her dilemma, Hachiman pushed his seafood ramen toward her. "You can have mine. I'll finish the Arctic Ramen."
With that, he switched the bowls.
"Really, senpai? Are you okay with that?" Iroha asked with concern.
"Don't worry," he reassured her, calmly taking a bite of the fiery noodles himself.
In truth, the Arctic Ramen wasn't all that spicy—it's just that many Japanese aren't used to very spicy foods. Hachiman, however, reflected on his past life as someone who loved spicy foods, where his tolerance for spice was common. To him, the spice level was only medium at best.
Seeing him eat without any reaction, Iroha relaxed.
Wow... another great quality of senpai. He's good at handling spice.
With that thought, she began eating the seafood ramen in front of her.
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