Chapter 29: Koizumi, the Girl Who Loves Ramen
In the end, the two exchanged phone numbers and Line contacts.
For someone like Mai, a major celebrity even in retirement, her private phone number could easily sell for hundreds of thousands. If it got leaked, she'd probably receive nonstop prank calls 24/7. This showed that Mai trusted him quite a bit.
"Don't worry, Mai. If you're ever in danger, just call for me, and I'll be there in no time."
Shunsuke struck a heroic pose, only to realize afterward that he might have exaggerated a bit.
Pretty sure his Stand didn't have that kind of ability.
Mai gave a tsundere-like huff, indicating that she had no intention of relying on a younger junior like him.
After dropping Mai off at her house, Shunsuke hoped she might invite him in for a cup of tea—just like they always do in TV dramas.
"Don't even think for a second that I'm going to invite you in."
"Was I that obvious?"
"It's written all over your face." Mai struggled to keep a straight face. "I'm not that easygoing. It's only the first day... Anyway, goodbye."
As the door closed, Shunsuke walked away, disappointed, carrying the bunny girl outfit back home.
—Maybe Mrs. Izumi could wear it.
This guy's emotions shifted quickly, as always.
....
Shunsuke arrived at a ramen shop, ready to grab dinner.
As for Mrs. Izumi, they were probably ordering takeout tonight. It was getting late, so by the time he got back, he'd likely have to order something himself.
"Boss, I'll have the usual... Huh? Koizumi-san? You're here too?"
It really was a small world. Another familiar face.
Koizumi was a beautiful girl with silky blonde hair, much like Eriri. She had the classic kuudere and tsundere personality. Shunsuke had known her since before she transferred to Sobu High this semester. Their friendship had been forged over ramen.
—Wait, wasn't there another ramen buddy, someone like a "cancer of the earth"?
As memories resurfaced, Shunsuke mused over how many rich girls with quirky personalities he seemed to know.
"Yeah, today I'm challenging the 'Arctic.'"
Usually reserved and quiet, Koizumi became talkative when it came to ramen.
"The 'Arctic'? You're progressing fast, Koizumi. Hey, boss, I'll take one 'Arctic' too."
The "Arctic" was the boss-level spicy ramen at this shop. Its spice level was a 9, the kind that made your scalp break out in sweat after one bite. Only a few brave souls dared to order it.
But as a former spicy lover in his past life, Shunsuke couldn't let himself back down from this challenge!
Casually sitting next to Koizumi, he placed his bag beside him and tied on a disposable apron. "I didn't pull you into the group we formed today. Hope you don't mind?"
Koizumi tied up her hair with a blank expression. "Doesn't matter."
True to her reputation, Koizumi showed no interest in anything other than ramen. She was even more absorbed in her own world than Rio Futaba, existing on an entirely different plane.
She was as high and mighty as a "bear," just like Hachiman!
Looking at Koizumi's flawless, emotionless face, Shunsuke couldn't quite tell if she was being tsundere or if she genuinely didn't care.
—If only all tsunderes were as easy to read as Eriri.
Shunsuke sighed in mild dissatisfaction.
"Thank you for waiting. Two bowls of 'Arctic,' enjoy."
The shop owner quickly served their order: two bowls of ramen, the broth a deep, purplish red.
"Wow, that's red!"
Just the smell was enough to make Shunsuke want to sneeze.
He suddenly remembered that his current body in this world hadn't been trained to handle spicy food.
"Itadakimasu,"
In contrast, Koizumi clasped her hands together without hesitation.
Shunsuke nervously watched her. Maybe the ramen just looked spicy?
Sluuurp—"Cough, cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!"
Koizumi took just one slurp, and immediately burst into a fit of coughing, her eyes welling up with tears.
Compared to her usual stoic expression, it was downright adorable.
"So spicy…"
Even her voice trembled with a hint of tears, and Shunsuke could feel his heart pounding wildly.
—I kind of want to see Koizumi-san cry more…
It seemed like a strange new kink was awakening inside him.
To suppress the urge to fully indulge in this new discovery, Shunsuke quickly took a slurp himself.
Cough, cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough!
He put his chopsticks down, defeated. "Sorry, I've let my fans down in this life."
"Boss, a bowl of tonkotsu, please."
"We can't waste it."
"Huh?"
Koizumi's eyes were dead serious as she repeated, "Ramen shouldn't be wasted."
Suddenly, Shunsuke felt like he was facing a game choice menu. He could almost see the options before him!
Option A: Admit it's too spicy and give up. Koizumi-san's favorability drops to zero, but you get to enjoy a nice meal instead.
Option B: Finish the ramen. Koizumi-san's favorability increases by 10, but prepare yourself for a night of burning pain.
Choose!
Shunsuke reluctantly picked up his chopsticks again.
Koizumi's expression softened a little, as if she was pleased.
But in the very next moment—
"Toki wo tomare!"
Pretending to continue eating, Shunsuke instantly stopped time. In the paused world, he dumped most of the spicy noodles into the toilet, where the red oil concealed the evidence.
Then, time resumed.
He acted like he was still slurping the ramen.
Only kids make hard choices—adults find their own way!
Koizumi, too focused on her own bowl, didn't notice anything strange. She slurped another bite, tears welling up again.
"Koizumi-san, are you okay?"
"Ramen shouldn't be wasted. Besides, I came prepared."
For her first attempt at the "Arctic," even Koizumi wasn't completely confident. From under her skirt, she pulled out a bottle of milk and took a sip.
"That's sneaky. But that's not what I was asking." Shunsuke said with a serious tone, "Are you telling me that beautiful girls never use the bathroom?"
Koizumi froze for a moment, then realized what Shunsuke meant.
She shot a side-eye... no, actually, Koizumi didn't react at all. She completely ignored him.
When it came to topics she didn't want to engage with, Koizumi would simply ignore them, living in a very authentic way.
But it was precisely this personality trait that made it difficult for her to have many friends, except for someone as overly friendly as Fujiwara Chika, who practically forced her way into people's lives.
Shunsuke had never seen her interact closely with anyone else.
Without the ability to persistently warm up to her aloof demeanor, it was hard to befriend Koizumi, and even harder to increase her favorability.
That comment he made just now likely tanked whatever favor he had built up, but Shunsuke didn't mind at all—because he had a trump card for Koizumi.
"Koizumi-san, actually, I've been practicing how to make ramen. Recently, I think I've finally gotten the hang of it. Whether it's the hair-thin Chinese Oil Noodles or the single continuous Korean Janchi Guksu, I can make them all now. But I'm still not sure how they taste. Would you be free this weekend to come over and try some? I'll cook for you."
"Tomorrow."
"Eh?"
"I'll come tomorrow."
When it came to ramen, Koizumi's determination was always at its max.
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