It's been three days. I decided to attend class for the first three days before skipping school. After taking over the Hayase Group, my workload has increased tenfold. Since we have yet to appoint a new CEO, I have to fill that role for now. I'm also letting go of several employees and changing many outdated practices that aren't adaptable to current competition.
Sitting at the back with my head down, I try to catch some sleep after a long night.
"That'll conclude our day."
"Thank you, sensei!"
I open my eyes and get up from my seat, ready to leave for work, when suddenly a group of girls crowds around my desk.
Thanks to my good memory for faces, I recognize most of these girls—they were once in the same class as me. But I don't remember their names; I never bothered to. If I had to name someone I'd consider a friend, it would be Chika.
"Ano... excuse me, Makabe-kun! Are you free today?"
"Yeah! If you're free, want to come with us to karaoke?"
I'm pretty sure they're inviting me because they don't remember me from before. The fact that they're looking at me like they're doing a full scan is also why I find this annoying. Still, I've already adapted to situations like this, even back in my previous life.
"Sorry, maybe next time."
I just politely said, 'fuck off,' but they don't seem to get the hint.
"Ehhh~" One of them clings to my arm. "Are you sure? It'll be fun, Makabe-kun."
"No," I say flatly. Dropping my smile is enough to make them finally back off.
Through the crowd, I catch a pair of eyes fixed on me. I walk over and see it's Chika.
"How does it feel to be so popular, Masamune-kun?"
I smile. "Not really a great experience."
Chika raises an eyebrow. "I see. I still hate that confidence of yours, Masamune-kun."
I nod, and she pouts at my response.
"Ah, Kaguya-san! Come here for a second!" Chika calls over another girl.
When Kaguya approaches, the rest of the classmates scatter like they're being chased by a holy priest. It's wild.
"I thought, since we've been talking more since yesterday, why don't we all hang out together ~~~"
"No," Kaguya and I say in unison.
Seeing this, Chika pouts. "I know you two don't get along, but can't you cooperate on this? Humph! Don't talk to me again unless you become friends!" With that, she stomps out of the classroom.
Anyway, it's time to go home.
"By any chance..."
Just as I take a few steps, a cold voice addresses me directly.
"...are you approaching Fujiwara to use her as a shield from the other girls?" The voice belongs to Shinomiya Kaguya.
Finding her question rather provocative, I stop in my tracks and turn around. Her red eyes are fixed coldly on me, her expression as icy as ever.
"And why should I answer such a baseless accusation?"
"You don't have to," she replies, "because I'll get my answer one way or another. Your name is Makabe, right? When I saw your old photo from two years ago, you looked so different that I almost didn't recognize you," she says, crossing her arms.
"So, you remember me now?"
This girl—she's been doing background checks on me without hesitation.
She nods. "Thanks to my memory, I recall the exact moment when you confessed to me while I was practicing archery."
I sigh. I had almost forgotten that day, but now she's bringing it up again. I stare back at her, then ask, "And?"
"Fujiwara sometimes acts purely on impulse, which bothers me. So, I just want you to know what happens if you mess with my friend."
I chuckle. "Friend, you say? What a coincidence; she's my friend too."
Refusing to elaborate, I turn back and head for the exit. But just as I reach the door, I have big brain moment.
I walk back to the classroom and over to Shinomiya Kaguya's desk in the front row, where she's packing her books into her leather bag.
"Hey..." I say, and she glances back at me.
"What?" Kaguya asks with barely a hint of interest.
Déjà vu. This feels exactly like the moment I confessed to her. Tch.
"Since you're so suspicious of me, why don't you hang out with us for a bit and see for yourself if I'm really a jerk?"
At this, she lowers her eyelids, seeming to ponder my invitation. Looking back up at me with a sleepy gaze, she replies, "Alright..."
I smile inwardly.
---
After taking the train from Minato to Shinjuku, the three of us arrive at our destination.
With a silly grin, Chika giggles. "Hehehe~ I never expected the three of us would hang out like this! Plus, seeing both of you get along so quickly is such a surprise."
Looking at her, I wonder, Is she really this excited about it?
"Anyway..." Kaguya says, glancing at me, "where exactly are we?"
I smile. "It's a ramen shop I've been coming to a lot lately."
"Ramen?" Kaguya turns to study the shop.
"Masamune-kun, I've never seen this place before. Is it good?" Chika asks, snapping a few pictures with her phone.
I nod. "It might look like any other ramen shop, but the ramen here is pretty unique. Though, if either of you has second thoughts, now's your chance to find another place."
As they turn back to look at me, I add, "So... can you both handle spicy food?"
Chika grins. "Masamune-kun, I've been eating ramen forever, and I'm a fan of Korean food too. Actually, I like all kinds of ramen! Besides, spicy food makes me sweat and burn calories—it's basically zero-calorie ramen~~~"
I hum in response. What kind of logic is that? Anyway, I turn to Kaguya. "How about you? There's another ramen shop a few blocks away if spicy isn't your thing."
"Yup! If it's too much for Kaguya-san, let's try somewhere else," Chika adds.
Kaguya sighs, looking away. "I can handle a little spice. Don't worry about me."
Famous last words.
After Kaguya's confident "I'll be fine" moment, we settle into our seats and place our orders. I decide to go for the Carolina Reaper-based ramen—the spiciest item on the menu. The restaurant even has a challenge: if I finish it in under five minutes, I get a discount.
Originally, I didn't want to overwhelm them with spice, so I asked if they were sure. But these two are either stubborn or reckless—maybe both. In the end, they order the same dish as me, despite my warning. It seems neither of them wants to back down.
As we wait, I watch Chika swaying and giggling, while Kaguya sits stoically beside her.
"Aha~ let's make a bet, shall we?" Chika says, her face lighting up with sudden inspiration.
"A bet?" Kaguya asks, intrigued, while I decide to sit back and observe this train wreck.
"Yes~~~ It's simple. The loser—the one who finishes last—is forbidden from eating anything sweet afterward."
After hearing that innocent-sounding proposal, I start to wonder if this girl has a bit of a sadistic side. Lucky for me, I'm already used to this dish.
Kaguya nods. "Very well."
"Hehe~ I'll record this so I can blackmail Masamune-kun if he doesn't want his stupid face all over Twitter~~~"
This little menace. Judging by Kaguya's reaction, she clearly knows that behind Chika's airheaded, harmless appearance, there's a bit of a psycho lurking.
.
.
.
.
.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, customers. Your special order: three ultra-spicy Carolina Reaper ramen bowls. Please enjoy," the employee says, placing the steaming bowls in front of us.
The spicy aroma, already strong from afar, now fills the air with an intensity that feels almost radioactive.
"So... this is supposed to be the best spicy ramen, huh?" Chika says, looking pale as she stares at her bowl.
Beside her, Kaguya seems speechless. "…Is this even safe to eat?" she asks, eyebrows raised.
I chuckle. "I told you, didn't I? Anyway… bon appétit."
I take a spoonful of the broth. Damn. Even after having this so many times, I appreciate the flavor more than ever. Being young again has its perks. Picking up my chopsticks, I dive into the noodles.
After my first taste, I glance up at them. Chika watches me with a mix of concern and curiosity, while Kaguya maintains her usual stoic expression, though there's a hint of apprehension.
"Hey, come on. What are you two waiting for? Start digging in before it gets soggy."
I watch as they exchange nervous glances, then cautiously lift their spoons to try the broth.
"This… isn't so bad! Hehe~" Chika says, sounding slightly surprised.
"Hm… it's edible," Kaguya adds, though her voice betrays a touch of doubt.
"Good for you. And remember, the loser has a punishment coming," I say, grinning as I slurp more noodles.
Chika grins smugly. "Piece of cake! I'll finish this in no time~" she declares, while Kaguya follows suit and starts on the noodles.
But… after a few minutes, Chika's face betrays her regret. Her cheeks are flushed, sweat beads on her forehead, and her eyes start to water.
"What's wrong? Feeling the heat already?"
Just moments ago, she was full of bravado, but now she looks pitiful—face red, sniffling, and trying not to let the tears spill.
"Cough! Masamune-kun, I give up. I… I can't feel my lips anymore! C-can I order some ice cream, please?" Chika pleads.
"As if. You came up with this bet, remember?" I say, snapping a few photos. "That pose is perfect. I'll show this to Chinatsu later. Heh heh~"
Turning my head slightly, I see Kaguya lifting her chopsticks, drawing noodles from her own bowl of fiery doom. But…
"Pfft!"
I stifle my laughter. Ice Princess, huh? She's barely holding it together herself. Sure, she's handling it better than Chika, but watching her chew and swallow each bite, eyes wide as if to counter the burn, is priceless.
"Hm?" Kaguya turns and catches me staring.
I quickly look away, feigning innocence.
"That's unfair, Masamune-kun," Chika huffs. "You're a regular here, so you're already used to this hellish ramen!"
Kaguya nods in agreement, a slight frown forming on her flushed face.
I sigh. "Alright, you want a handicap?" I ask, glancing at their half-finished bowls. "Fine. I'll order another one. Excuse me… Boss, can I get another Carolina Reaper ramen?"
"Aye!"
In no time, another steaming bowl of the spiciest ramen is set in front of me.
"Masamune-kun, going for a second bowl with even more spice is… overkill," Chika says, her voice full of concern.
"Nah, I'm fine. Just thought I'd relive the experience with you two."
"Why handicap yourself?" Kaguya asks, narrowing her eyes. "At this rate, you might end up losing the bet. You had a guaranteed win with Fujiwara clearly struggling. That was… quite a foolish choice."
"K-Kaguya-san, you meanie! Uwaa!" Chika whines, pouting.
Watching the two of them, I can't help but laugh at Kaguya's blunt, competitive streak. "Ahaha~ Don't worry. After all… you're both weak," I say, smirking.
Suddenly, both their faces turn an even deeper shade of red. Not sure if it's the spice or my comment, but I feel a subtle shift in the air.
"Kaguya-san, please calm down, alright?" Chika says nervously.
"I know, Fujiwara. I'm not going to kill him."
Kill me?
What the heck was that about?
---
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