A Beautiful Girl Confessed Her Love to Me as a Punishment Game, but After We Started Dating, She Started Getting More and More Obsessive - Chapter 10

Zabon, a ramen shop in the basement of Amu Plaza.

It’s probably the most well-known ramen shop in the prefecture, with prices on the higher side but a taste that’s guaranteed. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if choosing a ramen shop for lunch with a girl was really the right call.

I had, of course, indirectly pushed the decision onto Minami by asking, “Is there anything you want to eat?” But she flatly replied, “You’re treating me, so whatever you want is fine.”

Maybe my mistake was saying I’d treat her in the first place. It would’ve been smarter to just invite her for a meal and then quietly settle the bill while she went to the restroom. Then again, that might have come off as creepy.

Feeling uneasy, I glanced at Minami’s face. She seemed indifferent, calmly transferring pickles to a small plate and sprinkling them with chili and soy sauce.

She didn’t seem particularly displeased.

Well, it’s not like Minami was expecting me to escort her or anything. After all, we just stopped by for a meal after shopping, and this wasn’t a date.

I was probably overthinking it because of the situation. The more I thought about it, the more self-conscious I felt.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I crunched on some pickles and drank water, which helped me calm down a little.

Minami, too, nibbled on pickles as she glanced at the menu.

I always thought gals would be glued to their phones and look bored, but now that I think about it, Minami hasn’t touched her phone even once today while walking with me.

She’s caring enough to accompany me on my shopping trip during her lunch break, and considerate enough to make sure I don’t show up in front of Kiryu in some ridiculous outfit. Aside from her blonde hair and piercings, she doesn’t really fit the gal stereotype. In a good way, she’s not what I expected.

And yet, something feels a little off.

Would someone as considerate as Minami really take part in that “penalty game”?

I suddenly remembered how, during that time, Minami had glanced nervously at Saigo.

…Maybe she didn’t know?

“Minami.”

“What?”

“Uh…What kind of person is Fujisaki?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, it just seemed like he’s close with Kiryu and the others, but he seemed pretty mad.”

“…Kirino was mad?”

Minami’s eyes widened, and she looked a bit flustered.

“Yeah. During that penalty game, Yasumura called me out to go behind the gym after school, and Kiryu helped me out, but she seemed angry then too…”

“Is that true?”

“Yeah.”

“Yasumura did that…? Kirino has a strong sense of justice and can’t stand things like bullying or anything unfair.”

“At the time, Yasumura said something like Fujisaki had put him up to it.”

“I see…”

“So, I was just wondering…What’s Fujisaki like from your perspective?”

“Hmmm…To be honest, I don’t really know much about Fujisaki either.”

“Even though you’re always with him?”

“We’re in the same class this year for the first time. Fujisaki only started hanging around because he’s interested in Kirino. I’m just with them because I’m Kirino’s friend, so I don’t talk to Fujisaki much.”

“Oh, so it’s like you’re a friend of a friend?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“My impression of Fujisaki was that he’s good-looking, athletic, does well in school, and seems friendly.”

“I think so too. We’ve always gotten along fine, and I don’t think Kirino really dislikes him. But Kirino absolutely hates being teased like that, which is why she got mad.”

“…So, you really didn’t know?”

“No. If I had known, I would’ve stopped it for sure.”

Yeah, that makes sense.

Even I, with my limited connection to Kiryu, know she hates being teased like that. There’s no way Minami wouldn’t know that.

But that leaves me with one question.

Why did Fujisaki suggest that penalty game to Date?

Fujisaki doesn’t seem like the type who wouldn’t know Kiryu hates being teased…In the first place, did Fujisaki even really suggest it?

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Two regular ramen.”

As we talked, the ramen arrived.

“…Let’s eat. Thank you for the meal.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

Minami, signaling that the conversation was over, put her hands together and started eating her ramen. I usually forget to say it when I’m eating out, but today, I followed Minami’s lead and put my hands together before digging in.

Slurping the noodles and sipping the broth with a spoon, I thought to myself.

Kiryu had clearly said something like, “I was annoyed at being teased, but I don’t want to date Fujisaki because he’s not my type.”

Minami says Kiryu was just mad about the teasing, but it’s possible something happened between Kiryu and Fujisaki that Minami didn’t see.

Maybe tomorrow I could ask Kiryu…No, I should stop.

I’m just a temporary boyfriend meant to go on a fake date with Kiryu tomorrow, and soon enough, this whole thing will naturally fade away.

Once our relationship fades, Fujisaki and Yasumura will stop bothering me. I don’t intend to get deeply involved in Kiryu’s situation either.

I stopped thinking about it and focused on the taste of the ramen.

The soy-based tonkotsu broth, flavored with char siu pork, and the medium-thick noodles—it was classic Kagoshima ramen, as good as ever.

Before I knew it, I had finished the noodles and drank up all the broth.

After waiting for Minami to finish eating, we paid the bill.

“…I want to look around a bit more, so you can go ahead.”

“…Got it.”

After leaving the shop, Minami said that to me.

I considered for a second that I should stay and help her shop since she helped me pick out clothes, but the atmosphere felt heavier after I brought up Fujisaki. It seemed like she was telling me to just head home, so I obediently did as she said.

“Thanks for helping me. I was able to pick out some proper clothes.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

Minami gave a small wave and then disappeared into the crowd.

With this, at least I won’t embarrass Kiryu when I walk beside her tomorrow.