The clear sunny skies from this morning have now been replaced by a sea of grayish, puffy clouds, making everything seem more depressing than they actually are. It's also noticeably colder, as the salty breeze blowing from the direction of the sea sends a sharp chill throughout my body. This kind of weather would make almost anyone want to flee into the comfort of a warm futon. Not the soccer team, though. Those tough bastards are still doing drills even when it's this frigid. I guess it just goes to show that equality is nothing but fiction, and that we just have to accept that there are people like them who can tough out most situations, and there are people like me who cower at the slightest hint of difficulty.
In every way, I could be considered inferior to them. But looking at those apes from this high of a vantage point does give me a sense of power. It's almost like looking at a bunch of ants, all the while knowing that you can squash them and it wouldn't affect you one bit. Gotta hand it to Kurebayashi, this stairwell by the side of the gymnasium is a really cool spot.
"How is the food? I hope it's to your liking."
"Yeah, it is. Actually, I'm surprised that an omelet could taste this good. And this meat is so tender, it's like I'm chewing on butter."
I still feel bad that I'm taking such delicious food from her. If this were my own packed lunch, I would sooner die than let anyone take a bite from me. But she seems genuinely delighted to share her food with me, somewhat lessening my hesitation about it. Still, I can't just keep stuffing my face and ignore her, so I ask if she made all this by herself.
"Yes, I cook every morning and bring it to school as my lunch. Although the food in the cafeteria is also quite good. It's just that I enjoy cooking so much."
"I see. Well, it's amazing that you can cook something as delicious as this. How'd you make it, anyway?"
She lets out a slightly embarrassed laugh.
"It isn't my skills, but rather the ingredients are the reason why it's so tasty."
I guess anyone would try to redirect if they were to receive praises from other people. So apart from being an altruistic and refined girl, she's also modest about things she's good at. Any more positives and she'll be on her way to becoming an old school disney princess. I let her talk more while I took a sip from my water bottle.
"You see, the meat is cut from A5 wagyu, which is why they have a buttery texture to them. And the omelette is made from free range eggs, giving it a creamy texture."
I nearly choked on the spot after hearing the ingredients she used. Maybe I just misheard her. I mean, there's no way that's actually true, right? She must be playing some sort of joke on me or something… Well, I should ask to be sure.
"Wait Kurebayashi, did you say this is A5 meat?"
"Yes, indeed. My father owns a farm in the province and always sends some to me and my mother."
"... And these eggs are free range? What does that mean?"
"Oh, it means they came from chickens that were naturally raised in a stress-free environment and allowed to wander around without being locked in cages."
"I see… And how much do they cost?"
"Hmm… Well, I believe the beef was 20,000 yen. I'm not sure about the eggs, but I will ask my mother later and find out if you wish."
As she told me the absurdly high price, I just so happened to have a piece of beef on my chopsticks raised midway to my mouth. My tastebuds are screaming at me to eat it and savor the delectable taste of wagyu. But this one bite could cost more than my allowance for 6 months!
No wait, I actually already ate 3 pieces of meat and 2 rolls of the omelette. Even if I save up my allowance until I graduate, I doubt it will be enough to pay off what I ate. Looks like the only choice I have is to give my organs to Kurebayashi when I die. My lungs and liver would probably be enough to pay for two more bites of this meat.
Kurebayashi probably noticed me suddenly act like a homeless person who got caught stealing and quickly pieced together what I had in mind.
"But there's no need to be alarmed, Sugiyama-san. I'm not going to make you pay for any of this, so please feel free to eat until you're satisfied."
"You say that, but… This food is no joke. I don't even think there's any restaurant in town that serves meat like this. And here I am, taking it from you and eating it so casually."
I try to make my face and voice portray actual remorse, but it's a bit hard to do as I scarf down another wagyu strip down my throat. I may be in massive debt, but I'm glad I got to taste heaven before I died.
"You're not taking them from me. I offered to share them with you, remember?"
Judging from how distraught she is about my reactions, she seems to also be the type of person who takes things at face value. I get the fleeting idea to mess around with her some more. But that would be a cruel thing to do. Especially after she shared with me her delicious, albeit ludicrously expensive, food. I clear things up and tell her that I wasn't actually worried that she would make me pay for what I ate. Her worried expression immediately turned to relief upon hearing this, then transformed just as quickly into a pout.
"It's not nice to tease someone like that, Sugiyama-san."
To her, she must think that she's looking at me right now with an intimidatingly angry expression. But in my eyes, she looks like a little kitten trying to act tough. I can't help but laugh at her, which made her pout even more, which then made me laugh even more. Finally having had enough, she turns away from me; her eyebrows furrowed and cheeks still puffed.
Whoops, looks like I took it too far. But geez, how long has it been since I laughed so hard like that? I wipe away the tears of joy from my eyes and take a moment to force myself to stop laughing before apologizing to her about my behavior.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you. That was so rude of me. I regret my actions and wish to repent!"
I do my best impression of a feudal ronin character I watched from a drama series a few months ago. It seems like it worked as Kurebayashi has now faced towards me again. Although her lips are still curled in a slight frown.
"Well, as long as you will not do it again, then I forgive you."
"I'll make it up to you by committing seppuku right now and offering my liver as tribute!"
"Eh?! What are you talking about?"
"Is my liver not good enough? In that case, how about a new lunch set to replace the one I ate? But compared to the one you brought today, mine will feel like you're chewing on a goblin's toe."
This time, she's the one who bursts out laughing. Not many people find me funny. In fact, most people think I'm gross and weird. So, it's nice to know that someone at least appreciates my humor.
"In any case, you really do not have to worry about repaying me. I'm simply happy to be able to help you in some way."
If I didn't already spend time with her, I would not have readily believed what she said. But it does seem like she likes to help people. And not just for the sake of gaining popularity or garnering favor from the school, either. She's truly fitting for the role of a volunteer. Someone who is happy to help without expecting anything in return. In that regard, we really are the polar opposites of each other. Honestly, why would Mr. Hirashi even bother to come up with such an elaborate plan just to get me to join as a school volunteer? I'm far from being a selfless person. I'm constantly weary of other people and I'm also a recognized asshole. I'm the last person you would want as a school volunteer.
Which is why, in hindsight, what I said next made absolutely no sense.
"If my liver and a replacement lunch isn't enough… Then, how about I continue on as a volunteer instead?"