I Got Cheated On, so I Thought I’d Cheat Back and Went to a Group Date, I Ran Into a Classmate Who Used to Boss Me Around and Now We’re Living Together

“Here you go, eggplant arrabbiata.”

I am still inside the Italian restaurant Maltvono.

Dinner hours hadn’t officially started yet, but I was allowed to have a dish a little early. The one who brought it out to me was none other than the chef-owner, Katorou-san himself. The plate was full of eggplant in a spicy tomato arrabbiata sauce. The pasta wasn’t spaghetti, and it was penne. It looked insanely good.

“This one’s handmade by Machida-chan, so it must be filled with infinite love―”

“―D-don’t say weird things like that!”

Her embarrassed voice carried from the kitchen, but Katorou-san just brushed it off with a cheerful “HAHA.”

“So, do you want to order anything else?”

Since it felt rude to sit around with only one dish while I kept watch, I ordered a bowl of minestrone as well. Before long, that too was brought out. It was also made by Nene-san, and I started eating.

The first spoonful was delicious. Even though it was still Nene-san’s cooking, eating it here in the restaurant somehow tasted better. Maybe it was the atmosphere, or maybe it was the stronger stove fire and fresher ingredients… Well, probably both.

…Anyway.

By the time six o’clock came around, dinner service had begun. From here on, the waiting office guy could show up at any moment, so I pulled myself together.

I didn’t know his face. That’s why Nene-san and I had come up with a signal. If he showed up, she’d give me the line― “Orders in.” Normally, a kitchen staff like her would never say that, so it would stand out perfectly.

Soon enough, the first customer walked in.

A man in a suit. My heart jumped.

Could this be… the office guy?

I kept my eyes on him suspiciously but… There is no signal from Nene-san.

I guess not.

Other male customers came in too, but they were with women, so it was obvious they weren’t here just for Nene-san.

…Come to think of it, the guy probably didn’t show up every single day. There was always a chance he wouldn’t appear tonight. Still, I was ready to come back every day until we ran into him. Protecting Nene-san’s safety was worth that much effort.

And then,

“—”

My heart gave a violent jolt right after that thought crossed my mind.

A new man walked into the restaurant, and the instant I saw his face, my calm was gone.

Because this was an encounter I had never expected.

(…That guy…)

I quickly raised the menu to hide my face, but my eyes never left him.

He was dressed in a cool-biz style, like he’d just come from work, a faint sheen of sweat on his shirt. With one hand, he carried a business bag, and with the other, he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. To the hall staff, he said, “A counter seat, please,” and started to follow them in.

I couldn’t look away. My heart was filled with bitterness as I glared at him. Because that man was none other than Rinne’s cheating partner.

The bastard who had slept with Rinne in my own room. For a second, I thought maybe I was mistaken, but no. There was no doubt. That face was burned into my memory forever.

And then—

“—Orders in!”

Nene-san’s signal rang out from the kitchen, making my nerves twist even tighter.

…So it was true. That man, who had already gotten involved with Rinne and her reckless lack of morals, was now setting his sights on Nene-san… Even if it was a coincidence, it was too much. Too twisted… Why was it always the people around me? It was infuriating.

For now, I decided not to stay any longer. I had already paid, and my plates were empty anyway. More than that… I just couldn’t stand to share the same air with him. And if he recognized me and caused a scene, it would only get messy.

But that didn’t mean I was going home.

The restaurant was in a good spot, near the station and right by a main road. Across that road was a fast-food place. I headed there and grabbed a counter seat by the window, keeping watch from a distance.

If he dared to lay a hand on Nene-san, I wasn’t going to let it slide. Not after what happened in my room with Rinne.

With that resolve burning inside me, I resumed my stakeout from the fast-food shop. At the same time, I sent Nene-san a message on LINE, letting her know where I’d moved so she wouldn’t worry about my sudden absence.