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[-Continuation-]
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[-Hachiman's POV-]
The conversation continued in bits and pieces until we finally reached our destination.
The taxi sure was fast. Way faster than the salamander.
And as soon as we stepped out of the taxi, I was greeted by a sight that nearly knocked me off my feet.
"This... This is Tenka Ippin…"
I couldn't help but tremble in passion.
Before I could fully process the moment, Yukinoshita's voice came from behind me, breaking my reverie.
"Is this store famous?"
"Yeah, it's quite a hit throughout the nation, actually."
"Did we really have to go out of our way to come here…?"
Now that she mentioned it, it was true. We could've just eaten anywhere. But there was something special about this place, which is why I was so moved.
So I explained. "You see… for some reason, there isn't a store in Chiba. In the entire Kanto region, Chiba's the only one without it…"
"Well, there was one in Chiba at some point." Ms. Hiratsuka chimed in, stomping the ground to extinguish the last of her before-dinner cigarette.
"T-There it is! Chiba's one and only walking ramenpedia! Wait, I mean one and single! No, no, you are not single anymore either!"
"You're correcting your sentences the wrong way, Hikigaya."
"Ah, ouch, ouch, ouch…."
Ms. Hiratsuka's voice sounded cheerful, but my skull was saying otherwise, as she mercilessly ruffled my hair.
After finally releasing my head, she gazed at the outline of the store with eyes full of emotion.
"Now then, let's enter." She clapped her hands together.
As we stepped inside, the rich aroma of pork broth and simmering vegetables enveloped us. The shop was bustling with activity, filled with the sound of slurping noodles and satisfied murmurs.
Yukinoshita glanced around, taking in the simple decor. "It's... quite crowded."
"That's how you know it's good." I replied, already eyeing an empty spot at the counter.
We sat at the counter in the order of Ms. Hiratsuka, Yukinoshita, and then me.
"Kotteri." Ms. Hiratsuka ordered without even a glance at the menu.
Her tone carried the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she wanted. I had heard(:read) rumors(:reviews) about the richness of TenPin's 'Kotteri' Ramen and was curious to try it myself.
"Same for me here." I said, following her lead.
"…."
?..?Yukinoshita, however, didn't say anything, so I looked over at her.
When I did, I couldn't help but be at a loss for words when I saw how Yukinoshita fidgeted as she looked around her.
She pulled at my sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "…Hey, is that soup?"
Damn, she is CUTE.
….but why is your expression full of fear?
"That's Naritake. It wasn't so much soup as it was just fat. It's super good, though." I explained, hoping to ease her nerves.
"Hm, is it?" Yukinoshita's expression shifted to one of cautious curiosity as she studied the menu with renewed interest.
Ms. Hiratsuka chuckled at Yukinoshita's amusing behaviour and opened up a menu for her. "There is Assari soup too. I think it might be more to your liking."
Hey, I was about to suggest that! And she didn't even ask you, teach. I was handling it just fine.
"Ah, no thank you. I feel full from just looking at it…" Yukinoshita shook her head in surprise with a frightened expression that resembled a cat.
Ha, take that, teach. You got turned down.
Taking the chance, I cleared my throat, drawing her attention. "Tell you what, Yukinoshita. Why don't you try - Tsukemen?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Tsukemen?"
I nodded, warming to the subject. "Yeah, it's a bit different from regular Ramen. The noodles come separately from the broth. You dip them as you eat. The broth is more concentrated, but you can control how much you use."
She shot me a look that was part gratitude, part annoyance. "I suppose that suggestion isn't entirely without merit."
Ms. Hiratsuka chuckled. "Well, well. Look at you two, getting along."
"I suppose we do argue less these days." Yukinoshita's cheeks coloured slightly, but she didn't deny it.
The waiter standing beside us, holding a pen and an order book, asked. "So, what will it be, Sir?"
"Two Kotteri." Ms. Hiratsuka said, gesturing to herself and me.
"And don't skimp on the chashu!" She added her eyes gleamed.
I nodded, then turned to Yukinoshita. "And one Tsukemen for the lady."
Yukinoshita opened her mouth as if to protest, then closed it again. "...Very well."
As the waiter walked away with our order, Ms. Hiratsuka leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face.
There was a bit of a wait before the Ramen arrived.
When it did, I picked up the chopsticks and clapped my hands. "Thanks for the food."
Hooo boy! The thick feeling that's left on these chopsticks!
I can't get enough of it!
"Here, Yukinoshita." Ms. Hiratsuka softly placed a small dish in front of Yukinoshita, her expression softening in an almost maternal way.
Yukinoshita looked a little lost, but she steadied herself, picking up her chopsticks and spoon with a quiet determination. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before carefully lifting the spoon to her lips.
The way she sipped and savored the thick, rich broth was so mesmerizing that I found myself looking away, only to sneak glances back at her, feeling oddly embarrassed by how captivating the sight was.
After she finished, she wiped the corners of her mouth delicately and then, with a serious expression, murmured. "…What a violent flavor."
"Right? Nailed it." I agreed, impressed by how accurately she'd summed it up.
As we welcomed the delicious taste of Ramen, despite how late it was, a thought crossed my mind, one that I couldn't help but voice.
….
.
"So... that's how they both ended up together." I concluded, recounting the unexpected twist of their love confession and acceptance.
Yeah, I thought it was the perfect time to share the behind-the-scenes of this newly formed couple with Yukinoshita.
As I filled her in on the details, Ms. Hiratsuka sat across from us, nodding eagerly with a proud sparkle in her eyes. Her expression practically glowed with excitement, clearly thrilled to have been part of a moment that finally shattered her single status.
But Yukinoshita wasn't fazed.
She continued eating calmly, her chopsticks moving with an unhurried grace, as if this conversation were nothing more than idle chit-chat over tea.
"That's really a one-of-a-kind accident. Still, congratulations, Ms. Hiratsuka." Yukinoshita commented, summarizing the entire story in one succinct line.
Ms. Hiratsuka was caught off guard, her head, which had been resting comfortably on her hand, slipped as Yukinoshita's words hit her with their full meaning.
"Ac-cident…!? Yukinoshita, you must have meant 'incident,' right?" Ms. Hiratsuka stammered, her voice wavering, as the chopsticks slipped from her fingers, clattering loudly into the bowl.
Judging by her expression, Ms. Hiratsuka seemed desperate, praying that Yukinoshita had indeed made a simple mistake.
Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly, a thoughtful look crossing her face.
"Hmm..." She mused, as if pondering the correction.
Come on, Yukinoshita, just say 'yes.' You ought to give our teacher some face here.
"No."
And with that single word, Yukinoshita completely shattered Ms. Hiratsuka's fragile optimism.
Ms. Hiratsuka seemed to visibly shrink, slumping in her seat with a crestfallen expression, her gaze locked onto Yukinoshita like a child whose last bit of hope had been dashed to pieces.
"But Hikigaya. Should you be sharing someone else's personal story like this?" Yukinoshita asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if she were trying to keep me in check.
"It is not like I am doing it behind her back." I replied, shrugging again. "She is right here, and she could have stopped me with just one look if she wanted to..."
Yukinoshita considered this for a moment before nodding.
"But you? What I find more surprising is how Ms. Hiratsuka managed to restrain herself for so long without spilling the beans." I added. "I mean, sure, she wouldn't have made a big deal about it with some grand announcement."
No, actually, I thought she might do something like that.
I continued, wiping off my own mouth. "Honestly, I half expected her to burst into our club room the next day, waving the news around. But, to my surprise, she didn't."
"I think I might know the reason." Yukinoshita said thoughtfully, her expression softening with understanding.
I turned to her, confused. "Really?"
She nodded. "I think she was afraid."
"Afraid….?" I echoed, still not quite following. "Of whom–!?"
And then, it clicked.
Haruno. Of course.
News travels fast, especially when it's as spicy as this...
If Haruno ever got wind of this, Ms. Hiratsuka would be teased mercilessly. It would be an endless cycle of torment, all in the name of 'fun.'
And Ms. Hiratsuka, for all her bravado, wouldn't want to deal with that. The idea of her thinking so far ahead and actually being cautious... Well, that was more surprising than the whole dating thing itself.
But I guess, when there's a very real threat of death by Haruno, I guess anyone would be, she should be that cautious.
"Hey, I am still here, you two..." Ms. Hiratsuka interjected, her tone a mixture of mock annoyance and a hint of genuine hurt, snapping me out of my thoughts.
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, and gave us a pouty look.
"Oh, we know." I replied, smirking slightly. "We just figured you were too busy recovering from the [Mental] damage you just received."
….
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[To be continued…]
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