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 - 23

Chapter 23: The Hungry Gyaru and an Unexpected Encounter

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Fortunately, it seemed no one knew I had eaten lunch with Shizuku at school. I was a bit nervous going to school the next day. I was afraid we might have gotten discovered by accident, but I didn’t hear anyone talking about me, nor did anyone ask me anything related to Shizuku. After that, we continued communicating only through Line and by the time I realized it, we had already passed the exam period. Finally, the first weekend of July had arrived. 

After I finished my part-time job during the day, I headed to the shopping district beyond the train station. I was there to participate in a food eating challenge that had started this month. The challenge was to finish a 5 kilograms worth of pork curry (along with other fried food) within 40 minutes. If I could finish it within the time limit, the meal would be free of charge. By the way, I had to make a reservation in advance before I could challenge the 5 kilograms worth of pork curry. Doing food challenges wasn’t something I did often, but this experience could serve as a useful reference when brainstorming large portion menu ideas at my part-time job or when I had to cook a big batch of food for myself. I sometimes took part in food challenges when the content of the food seemed interesting enough.

Also… I could save on food costs by partaking in this challenge. 

“Nonetheless…”

How long has it been since I came to this area? Prolly since I ate that big hamburg steak with Shizuku. 

“At that time, there were a lot of things happening at the same time…”

That meal was ridiculously expensive and yet, Shizuku tried to pay for everything. Then, I witnessed Yamachi and Katagiri’s cheating scene. Then, I had to watch Shizuku cry her eyes out right in front of me. It was really tough. But thanks to that, things were starting to move in a better direction for Shizuku. 

Or, to be precise, I hope Shizuku is moving in a better direction. Well, at least, we managed to avoid the worst-case scenario. 

I reassured no one but myself as I walked down the main street. But then, I suddenly noticed something. 

“…Hm?”

Suddenly, I saw someone familiar to me. I went into an alley. There, in the quiet, less crowded area, was one of Shizuku’s gyaru friends, Sawa Miura. Unsurprising enough, Shizuku was with her. Miura’s light brown hair was tied into twin tails and just like Shizuku, she had a flashy appearance. Hence why I was able to recognize her almost immediately. Near her, there were two guys—one with black roots and blonde hair, and the other with messy brown hair. They looked like the typical flashy, flirty guys. Judging from their appearance alone, they seemed to be university students, but what piqued my interest was the fact that the two guys didn’t seem close with her. 

I see. They’re trying to hit on them. 

This was my first time seeing this in person. I mean, I didn’t even think people would actually do this in real life. While feeling a bit impressed at their bravery, I started walking toward her. After all, she looked troubled and I definitely couldn’t just ignore someone I knew who was in trouble. 

While I was walking silently toward them, I could hear their conversation. 

“Like I said, I’m waiting for my friends! I don’t have any time to hang out with you guys!”

“Now, now. No need to be so stiff. It’s just us guys here and we’re feeling a bit lonely, you know? Just come hang out for a bit, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. We don’t have any interest in hanging out with you two, so why don’t you just leave us alone?”

“Ohh, look at you. A prickly one, aren’t you? I like that. I like how sharp you are. In fact, getting scolded by girls like you is making me excited…”

“UGH! Disgusting!”

The guy didn’t back away despite the poison laced in Shizuku’s voice. If anything, they seemed to enjoy her reaction. 

Are they plain stupid or are they someone with a weird fetish? Either way, I’m still going to do what I’m going to do. 

Clearly frustrated with the seemingly endless banter, the brown-haired man clicked his tongue and reached for Miura.

“Ah, geez. Stop being so annoying! Like I said, just come hang out with us for a bit—”

Just as the brown-haired man was about to touch Miura’s wrist…

“Excuse me, do you have any business with my friend?”

I asked while placing my arm lightly on the shoulder of the brown-haired man. The man turned to look at me and his body trembled a bit. 

“H-Hii…?!”

“O-Oi?! The heck?! Who are you?!”

The blonde-haired man shouted, but the bravado he had earlier disappeared into thin air. 

I see. So they’re the type to act tough only with women. Yeah. So lame. 

They were so pathetic that I couldn’t stop myself from sighing right in front of them. 

Well, nonetheless… 

“These two are my friends. If there’s something you need with them, then please tell me first.”

I half-glared at the two men, locking eyes with them. Then, I moved closer to the blonde-haired man who had been pestering Shizuku.

“If you don’t mind, could I join in too? You guys must be lonely, right? Just the two of you, you said? Fine, I can hang out with you two.”

I lowered the tone of my voice as I said that to them. The men quickly yelled back in disgust. 

“W-Who the hell would want to hang out with you, idiot!”

“Hanging out with some random dude?! Who the heck would want that?! Disgusting!”

“Enough! You’re totally killing the vibe here!”

With that final remark, the two of them scurried away, disappearing into the main street. I watched their backs until I couldn’t see them again before I let out a relieved sigh and turned my attention to Shizuku and Miura. 

“..Are you two okay?”

“Ah, yeah… We’re fine. Thanks, Suou.”

Miura nodded, seemingly still in a daze. Next to her, Shizuku had a wide grin on her face. 

“Thanks, Suou-kun!~ You really saved us!~ Those guys were so persistent! So annoying!”

“I see. Good to know. By the way, what are you two doing here?”

“We were out shopping. Me, Sawa and Natsuki and Rinoa were here to check out some new cosmetics, but Natsuki and Rinoa went off to look at clothes. I was waiting here with Sawa when those guys started bothering us.”

“I see. It must be tough, huh?”

“Right?? It was the worst~”

Shizuku shrugged her shoulders as she sighed. But then, she tilted her head as if she just remembered something. 

“Suou-kun, what about you? Why are you here?”

“For a food challenge. I’m on my way to a curry place a bit further down the road to take on their five kilogram curry challenge.”

“Huh?! Sounds dope! I wanna go too!”

“Unfortunately, you need to make a reservation first.”

“Huhhh?! Nooooo….”

Sighing, Shizuku muttered the word ‘curry’ longingly. Her shoulders slumping in disappointment. 

Oi… Do you really want to eat five kilograms worth of curry that much…?

Her gaze cast downward. Looking at her who bore a striking resemblance to an abandoned puppy, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to comfort her. 

“Well, I mean… There’s still plenty of time left for the challenge. You still have plenty of chances to give it a try.”

As soon as I said that,  I heard a voice calling out to Shizuku and Miura from a distance.

Turning toward the sound, I saw two of Shizuku’s gyaru friends walking toward us with big strides. Now that the four of them had been reunited again, they wouldn’t need to worry about being hit on like before. Since the reservation time for my challenge was drawing near, it was time for me to wrap up the conversation and head to my destination. 

“Well then, I’ll get going now. Take care, you two.”

“…Yeah! See you, Suou-kun!”

Shizuku waved at me with a smile after a pause. Miura, who was beside her, seemed to have something she wanted to say, but I was already waving them goodbye and walking away from them. 

In the end, I managed to finish the eating challenge in 38 minutes and 50 seconds.

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