Actually, the Hungry Gyaru Who Eats a Lot Was Being Cheated On, so I Decided to Win Her Heart (And Stomach) From Her Jerk Boyfriend - 10

Chapter 10: The Hungry Gyaru’s Secret Promise

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[Suou-kun, can we talk for a bit?]

I noticed a message from Kushina, along with a sticker of a cat peeking out from behind a wall, right after I got out of the bath. The message had arrived about 20 minutes ago. It seemed we had just missed each other. What a bad timing. However, when I sent a response to her, a call came through within seconds. 

“So fast.”

I couldn’t stop myself from muttering that as I answered the call. 

『Ah! Hello, Suou-kun! Sorry for calling so late!』

“I’m sorry too for replying late. What’s up?”

『Well, there’s something I wanted to consult with you about…』

Kushina was talking in a strangely polite tone. I could tell she was trying to gauge my reaction.

“Consult? What about?”

I asked while moving from the changing room to my room with the towel still in my hand.

『Well, the thing is… I was thinking of avoiding talking to you starting tomorrow, Suou-kun.』

“I see. Alright then.”

『That’s it?! You’re not going to give any other reaction?!』

“I mean… Even if you say so…”

I didn’t have any right to stop her from doing anything. I didn’t really mind if she stopped coming to the emergency stairs too. But still, it might be better if I asked why. 

“…Can I ask you why?”

『Umm… Well… How should I say it… I know it’s a bit late to be saying this now, but…』

Kushina hesitated before continuing.

『Since I’m still dating Takashi, I was wondering if it’s okay for me to be alone with you, Suou-kun. It just occurred to me a while ago that I shouldn’t be alone with you.』

“Really? You’re just realizing this now?”

『It can’t be helped! You’re the only one I can talk to about Takashi! It’s just… I just realized other people might assume the wrong thing about us…』

Of course they will. 

Just like what Kushina said, it couldn’t be helped. We had a valid reason to be talking in private, but still. It wouldn’t be good for a girl with a boyfriend to meet with another guy in secret like this. In fact, it would’ve been game over for Kushina if someone were to catch us in action. If people started spreading rumors that Kushina was getting involved with another guy before breaking up with Takashi, I’d feel guilty for her. 

“Sorry. I didn’t think it through first.”

『Huh? Why are you apologizing, Suou-kun?』

“I should’ve been more tactful. Sorry for making you say it first.”

『It’s fine, it’s fine. I didn’t realize it myself until now. Besides, we can just contact each other on LINE!』

“…Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Still, messaging each other on LINE was still within a gray area. Leaning toward black even. However, pointing that out right now would be a bit tactless of me. 

『Ahh, but still… What a shame….』

“What’s a shame?”

『I won’t be able to eat Suou-kun’s lunch anymore. It was really delicious.』

“I’m honored that you liked it, but I guess you will need to hold it out for a while.”

『For how long?』

“Hmm… At least until you break up with Yamachi and things settle down afterward.”

Right after I said that…

『WHAAAT?!?!』

Kushina shouted so loudly, so much so that the sound almost creaked. I pulled the phone away from my face out of reflex.

“Don’t suddenly shout like that. It’s bad for my heart.”

Didn’t we already talk about this at lunch today?

『S-Sorry! But, but! That means I won’t be able to eat Suou-kun’s lunch for a long time!』

“Well, I guess? Kushina, you know you will be the one getting weird looks if you immediately eat lunch with another guy right after breaking up with your boyfriend.”

『Ugh…!』

If she told everyone she broke up because Yamachi was cheating on her, it would’ve been a different story though. Anyway, there was no way I would let Kushina’s reputation take a hit because of me. 

“Just so you know. This is the path that you chose. You need to lay in the bed you made.”

Kushina groaned, seemingly frustrated at the situation, but then she sighed. 

『…Alright.』

She backed down, albeit reluctantly. Though I felt relieved that she agreed to do that, but a small sense of guilt started creeping in. It was for her sake, but still… I was a bit harsh at her. Especially since she was so excited to eat the food I made. 

Hence why, the next words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. 

“…Alright. What about this? Once things cool down between you and Yamachi, I will make lunch according to your tastes for you. How about it? Can we call it even now?”

『Really!?』

She jumped on it immediately with great enthusiasm.

『Is that for real? Are you for real?! Really?!?!?!』

“Ye-Yeah… Of course, that’s only if you don’t mind my cooking.”

I was taken aback by the intense pressure from her response, but when I gave the greenlight again…

『Of course! It’s a promise then!』

Kushina answered with a bright, excited tone.

We continued talking after that, mostly idle chat. After about fifteen minutes, I finally ended the call with Kushina. I still hadn’t dried my hair yet, so I opened my room door and was about to head back to the bathroom when—

“Ugh!” 

“Ah!”

I found my older sister and Ichika sitting right in front of my room.

“…What are you two doing?”

“Umm, just a friendly little gossip session between sisters?”

“Why the question mark at the end? You two were eavesdropping on me, weren’t you?”

Ichika looked away, avoiding my gaze awkwardly. Meanwhile, my older sister whistled, looking as awkward as Ichika while feigning innocence. 

Hey. If you’re going to try to gloss it up, you need to be less obvious about it.

“Sorry… I just happened to pass by and then I heard you talking on the phone. You never talk with someone on the phone before, so I got curious about what you were talking about and…”

“…Well, it’s fine. But don’t do that again, alright?”

“Yeah, I won’t do it again…”

Ichika is really a good child. 

She didn’t do it with any ill intent, so a gentle reminder was more than enough. Compared to her..

“Hey, hey~ That person you were talking to just now… Was it Shizuku-chan?”

“Big Sis, why do you look so happy?”

You should be a bit more guilty… 

“Because… It’s not everyday we get to hear you talking to a girl on the phone. You even promised to make her lunch, didn’t you? Ahh~ Youth~”

My older sister grinned while nodding several times. This caused me to be more firm with her. 

“Big Sis.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“No more food for you for a while.”

“Huh?! Gaku! How could you?! You tyrant!”

“Who’s the tyrant here…?”

I sighed deeply. Generally speaking, the younger brother tended to be dominated by their older sister, but even so… Sometimes you needed to fight back. 

I didn’t make any food for my older sister until the weekend came.

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