The Bento Competition.

“Now then, preparations are complete.”

“““…………”””

Nishikawa-san stood there calmly, as if nothing was out of the ordinary… but honestly, the rest of us couldn’t just nod along with a casual “Yes, that’s right.”

Up to the point where we’d started talking about getting ready, everything had been fine. The problem came after that. The moment Nishikawa-san raised her right hand like some kind of signal, several men appeared out of nowhere—who knows where they’d been hiding. While we stood there stunned, they spread out sheets, pitched a large tarp tent, and somehow set up a full table arrangement (including an extra irregular spot for Uesaka-san, of all people)…

In other words…

Wh   at   is   this   ?

“Hey… is it okay to point this out now?”

The first to speak up was my dependable big sister—well, the one who fears nothing… or rather, the one who’s always got my back.

“Is something the matter?”

“What is all this?”

Yeah, yeah—we couldn’t help nodding in vigorous agreement. Everyone was thinking the same thing… wait, but Satsukawa-san and Natsumi-senpai didn’t seem particularly fazed?

“With this setup, even outdoors we can enjoy a comfortable meal, don’t you think?”

“Well, sure, but…”

“Hanako-san, it’s pointless to tsukkomi at this point, you know?”

“Eri-rin slips into ojou-sama mode at the key moments. Actually, she’s done this a few times before.”

Ah, so that’s why Satsukawa-san and the others weren’t shocked.

“Hey, Natsumi, what’s with that subtle phrasing?”

“Nothing~ Just thinking how everyone around me is so far removed from ‘normal.’”

“Natsumi, the way you say that makes it sound like I’m included too, so please stop.”

“““…………”””

Something’s off…

No, it’s not that Satsukawa-san is weird—it’s why everyone’s shooting me and her those meaningful glances right now… Completely baffling.

………………

“Woooow!”

“S-s-s-so amazing!!”

“When you line them all up like this, it’s kind of spectacular in its own way.”

“Yeah, this is seriously impressive…”

Everyone’s reactions said it all. Spread out before us on the table were bento boxes upon bento boxes.

Some clearly featured luxury ingredients… Just a glance revealed sashimi with whole lobster heads, grilled matsutake mushrooms, even steak—all packed into jubako tiered boxes.

“Yayyy! As expected of Eri-rin!! Exactly what I predicted!!”

“I made sure to include ingredients that men tend to like, too.”

“Natsumi, that’s unbecoming. Stop making such a fuss over the food.”

“But come on! You don’t get to eat stuff like this every day!”

Natsumi-senpai was in full excitement mode, completely unfazed by Satsukawa-san’s scolding. That alone showed just how incredible these bentos were.

And yeah, I had to agree—these were ingredients you rarely saw on an everyday table. A massive lobster head? Matsutake mushrooms by the bunch? This many?

Could it be that Nishikawa-san’s family eats like this all the time!?

“Okay, okay. You two, stop bickering and let’s eat already.”

“Yeees~”

“Sigh… Honestly.”

For just a moment, the three of them looked like actual sisters…

But if that’s the case, Natsumi-senpai would be the youngest, so who’s the eldest and middle? Wait—who am I even asking?

“Satsukawa-senpai’s bento lineup is incredible too! All home-style dishes, but on another level!”

“Fwaaa… Kazunari-kun always eats so happily, so I’ve always wanted to try it myself! I’m so glad~”

“Um… wait, does that mean all of these are…”

“Yes. All handmade by me.”

“Ehhh!? Even the croquettes and karaage!?”

“Yes. Once you understand the steps, it’s quite simple.”

“S-simple, you say…”

I don’t cook much, so I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty certain Satsukawa-san’s definition of “simple” is worlds apart from the average person’s.

For one thing, frozen convenience foods don’t even exist in our house.

There are things Satsukawa-san has made and frozen for us, but since she always cooks everything from scratch, she probably says it like it’s nothing.

“Ugh… With bentos this amazing, mine feels… Wait, Hanako-san’s is really good too!?”

“Yeah… Hanako-san, is this really your first time making one?”

“It’s my first time making a proper bento. But I’ve been studying cooking.”

“R-really? But you never mentioned that back when you were over there, right?”

“I only started studying after coming here.”

“Huh. But why all of a sudden… Oh, because of Kazunari-kun?”

Tachikawa-san’s gaze locked onto me, her face twisting into a lewd—no, meaningful smirk as she grinned… Yeah, that’s definitely the face of someone thinking something unnecessary.

“As your big sister, I wanted to make food for my little brother.”

“I see~ But with Satsukawa-senpai being this good, aren’t you scared of comparisons?”

“I know full well I can’t beat a wife. As long as Kazunari says it’s delicious, that’s enough for me.”

Hearing Hanako-san say that makes me genuinely happy, and I’d never dream of comparing her cooking to Satsukawa-san’s.

Satsukawa-san’s food is absolutely the best for me—no question. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy anything else.

“Oho, between Satsukawa-senpai and Hanako-san, Kazunari-kun really is loved, huh?”

“Of course. I’m the one who loves Kazunari-san most in the world.”

“Then… I’m number one in sibling love.”

Stared at straight-on by both of them… our eyes meet, and they give me gentle smiles.

When they look at me like that, I…

“Ahem!! We get that you two are close, so shall we eat now?”

“Yes, we do have plans after this.”

“Yeah. The moment has finally come.”

Hanako-san clenched both fists cutely, pumping herself up. It’s just lunch… but I’m not that dense. I know exactly why.

Still, seeing her so fired up makes me a little nervous too.

“…Eri-rin, that was a smooth lead-in.”

“…Shh! Don’t say unnecessary things!”

Uh, we can hear you guys…

………………

“““Itadakimasu!!!”””

Everyone clasped their hands in the pre-meal prayer (very important).

Before us stretched a colorful array of jubako and bento boxes—even Satsukawa-san’s was in a jubako.

At first, everyone was hesitant, glancing around… but once Natsumi-senpai boldly reached for the matsutake, the rest followed suit, reaching out one after another…

“Takanashi-san, please help yourself without holding back?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. But please don’t worry about me.”

“Huh? Kazunari-kun, you’re not eating?”

Nishikawa-san and Tachikawa-san, unaware of the situation, looked at me curiously.

Everyone else had already started, but I hadn’t touched a thing… and neither had Satsukawa-san or Hanako-san.

The difference was… the two of them were holding their own bento boxes.

“Hey, Sara. What’s with that bento box?”

“This is Kazunari-san exclusive.”

“…Huh?”

“Kazunari-san exclusive.”

“N-no, I got it the first time, but…”

Nishikawa-san tilted her head with a strained half-smile.

Well, holding a dedicated box kind of defeats the whole “everyone bring something to share” idea…

“Hanako-san, what about yours?”

“Kazunari exclusive.”

“Huh?”

“Kazunari exclusive.”

“…………”

And Tachikawa-san met the same fate.

“Um… I kind of figured it might turn out this way, but ‘exclusive’… doesn’t that ruin the whole potluck concept…?”

“Eri-rin, I get wanting to retort, but it’s better to just let it slide~”

Incidentally, those in the know were magnificently ignoring it… Yuuji was ignoring it even without knowing. And the president too… well, that’s to be expected, I guess?

“Now then, Kazunari-san, sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s eat.”

“The time has finally come. Big sis is going to feed you every single bite~”

“Eh!? W-wait a second! You’re not seriously planning to feed me everything, right!?”

Nishikawa-san looked both displeased… and a little scared.

But unfortunately, what was about to unfold here was an “a~n” party courtesy of Satsukawa-san and Hanako-san… So, mentally, I apologize in advance.

Sorry, Nishikawa-san…

“Eri-ri~n, better to just let it slide~”

Natsumi-senpai reached for the lobster with sparkling eyes, not even glancing this way… She’s completely checked out.

Also, she’s been targeting all the luxury ingredients since earlier. I secretly want some too… but is my stomach going to hold up…?

“Here, Kazunari-san… a~n.”

“A~n.”

Ignoring my tiny anxiety, the first morsel arrived from a beaming Satsukawa-san.

What entered my mouth was her signature hamburger steak—my absolute favorite.

Whenever hamburger steak is on the table, I always eat it first… Of course she knew that, so she chose it for the opening bite.

munch munch

As always… that perfect sear, the fluffy texture, the juices locked inside… and that subtle hidden flavor I can definitely taste, even if I don’t know what it is (she won’t tell me). It’s a direct transmission from her oka-san, apparently… and way tastier than oka-san’s.

Truly, the world’s strongest hamburger steak made just for me.

So perfect!

“Mmm…”

chu…

“!?”

“““…Ngh!?”””

Suddenly Satsukawa-san leaned in and kissed me without warning. The gentle softness against my cheek accelerated my happiness… Wait—no, why out of nowhere!?

“S-Sara-san!?”

“Fufu… Kazunari-san was just too cute… I couldn’t help myself.”

“N-no, but…”

“Is it delicious?”

“Y-yes. Really delicious. Sorry I always just say the same thing.”

“It’s fine. Nothing makes me happier than hearing Kazunari-san say it’s delicious.”

“Sara-san…”

There was no lie in her words. She gazed at my face with a blissful smile. Being wanted and cared for this much—I’m the truly fortunate one.

“…cough cough… I almost choked.”

“…Y-yeah. That surprised me.”

“…These two’s flirting still hasn’t hit its limit, huh.”

“…Seems so. Impressive in its own way. By the way, where’s Uesaka-san…”

“…………”

“…Eri-rin and Daichi aren’t there yet. Whoa, this is delicious too!”

“N-next is me!”

Even the usually calm Hanako-san was eagerly appealing, a little impatient.

It was endearing… but just to be sure, I glanced at Satsukawa-san for final confirmation.

She gave a light smile and a small nod.

So it’s okay.

“…Wow… Natural eye contact and everything.”

“…Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai really connect on a heart level. So nice…”

“K-Kazunari, here.”

Hanako-san, looking somewhat nervous, extended chopsticks holding tamagoyaki.

Did she know it was one of my favorites…? Feeding it to me first like this—did she remember?

“A-ah… a~n…”

“A~n.”

It wasn’t quite trembling with fear, but the slight shake in the chopsticks and her indescribable expression were so cute I almost smirked… but I held it back.

As I opened my mouth, she slowly guided the tamagoyaki in. Her left hand supported it carefully so nothing would spill, somehow making her feel more feminine than usual…

munch munch…

Huh, this is unexpected… Or maybe not, considering Hanako-san’s image?

The tamagoyaki that entered my mouth had a slightly stronger sweetness—more to my taste. The cooking was perfect, leaving it soft just how I like.

“H-how is it?”

“Yeah, delicious! That sweetness is just right.”

“Ah!?”

“…Hanako-san?”

“S-sorry… I made it sweet out of habit…”

“No, I like sweet tamagoyaki anyway.”

I’d kind of gotten that impression, but yeah—she usually makes it sweet. For me, it’s perfect.

“…Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Good… I like sweet tamagoyaki too, so I’m happy we match.”

Hanako-san showed a fleeting anxious expression.

But when our eyes met, her face bloomed into a flower-like smile.

She read my mind again, huh? In moments like this, that mysterious skill (?) is actually helpful.

Still… being looked at so happily makes me a little embarrassed.

“Kazunari… that face is unfair. It makes me want to kiss you too.”

“Eh!?”

“But I’ll hold back. Today I’m just happy you’re eating my bento. Next is the wife’s turn.”

With that, Hanako-san pulled back slightly. She gazed happily at the tip of the chopsticks I’d eaten from… Yeah, I have to finish every last bite no matter what.

Kazunari, time to show some manliness!

“Kazunari-san, now this one. By the way… please don’t hold back on showing me that adorable face, okay? …Fufu.”

For some reason, Satsukawa-san lightly pressed her index finger to her lips, wearing a meaningful smile…

That’s definitely a sign she’ll kiss me the moment I give a reaction that pleases her… No doubt about it.

“…Ah~ We’ve only just started eating, but my stomach’s already full…”

“…A-ahaha, Youko too?”

“…They say you feel full when blood sugar drops, right?”

“…So you’re saying that one corner has so much sugar it’s making the rest of us feel stuffed? Interesting joke, Uesaka-san.”

“…N-no… um…”

“…Nishikawa-san’s eyes are glazing over…”

“…Yuuji, don’t poke the sleeping bear called Eri-rin.”

“…R-roger.”

“Here, Kazunari-san… a~n.”

Next, Satsukawa-san offered a piece of potato from nikujaga—another absolute favorite of mine.

The Satsukawa family—no, Mayumi-san’s direct recipe, further refined to my exact taste. Truly made just for me. So naturally…

munch munch…

Haa… Delicious.

***

Marina’s POV.

The way Takanashi-kun always eats Satsukawa-senpai’s bentos—so happily, so genuinely happily.

I tried it for the first time today, and ugh… it’s unfair how good it is.

I always thought my mom was an amazing cook, but Satsukawa-senpai is definitely better.

Eating bentos like this every day, then coming home to freshly made delicious food… No wonder Takanashi-kun turned out the way he did.

But really… Satsukawa-senpai is incredible.

No, “incredible” doesn’t even cover it. She’s just… amazing.

Cooking, cleaning, laundry, sewing… every domestic skill you can think of, perfect.

Always top of her year academically, personality a little extreme in places… but toward the most important person—Takanashi-kun—she’s so kind it goes beyond “kind,” overflowing with love…

And even from a fellow girl’s perspective, she’s breathtakingly beautiful. Nishikawa-san and Yuzuki-senpai are stunning too, but Satsukawa-senpai stands on another level.

Perfect features, translucent fair skin, glossy flowing beautiful black hair…

Surely “yamato nadeshiko” refers to someone like Satsukawa-senpai.

Her figure is perfectly balanced, and those… larger parts that Takanashi-kun surely loves…

Haa… So jealous…

I don’t know any other woman this ideally perfect. Or rather, none exist. To borrow Yuzuki-senpai’s words: a mass of feminine charm, the embodiment of every boy’s ideal—that’s Satsukawa-senpai.

That’s why, as a girl, I admire her… and at the same time realize I could never become like that.

Because I’m childish (both personality and body…), clumsy, bad at cooking and sewing… auu…

So, the bentos Satsukawa-senpai made…

They don’t have Nishikawa-san’s extravagance or flashy appearance, but each dish is made with incredible care. Lots of everyday home cooking—which makes them all the more impressive.

Even things most people would use frozen or pre-made for—she makes from scratch… and every single one is so delicious.

That’s why Yokokawa-kun next to me is eating so happily too.

It’s actually delicious, so of course. Nothing strange about it.

But…

Satsukawa-senpai’s and Nishikawa-san’s bentos are just too amazing…

So I…

I don’t have the courage to take out the other bento box in my bag…

The one on the table right now is my safe, ordinary bento—Mom even helped a little, so it’s relatively decent.

But the other one in my bag is the separate one I somehow managed to make all by myself.

I made it because I promised Yokokawa-kun… but honestly, bringing it out in the middle of bentos like these feels embarrassing.

While making it, thinking of Yokokawa-kun made me happy… It’s far from skillfully done, but I hoped he’d say it was delicious.

Now I really understand how Satsukawa-senpai and Hanako-san feel.

But.

But… more than anything…

Why does it feel so moya moya…?

Just my friend eating my friend’s food happily…

Even Takanashi-kun is getting “a~n” from Satsukawa-senpai and Hanako-san.

Watching Yokokawa-kun eat Satsukawa-senpai’s and Nishikawa-san’s bentos so eagerly makes my chest feel tight… and hating myself for feeling that way makes me feel like a bad person…

When did I start caring so much about Yokokawa-kun anyway?

Before I knew it, I was spending more and more time with him.

At first, I was worried about Takanashi-kun, and since Yokokawa-kun felt the same, we talked about supporting him together… that was the start.

But somehow, we started meeting up in the mornings to walk to school… At lunch he’d come pick me up at my classroom, and lately since student council runs late, he’s been walking me home.

I felt bad and tried refusing a few times, saying it’s fine… but he’d say “Kazunari asked me to, and I’m worried too.” Or “I want to do this, so if it’s not a bother, let me walk you.”

I ended up saying “…Okay, please,” because… I was happy.

Yokokawa-kun is such a kind, friend-loving guy. He’s gentle to Takanashi-kun, to me—someone I’m really proud to call a friend.

And… I don’t like saying this, but he’s also super popular with girls.

He has an idol-like appearance, he’s the tennis ace even as a first-year, outgoing and easy to talk to.

There’s no way a guy like that wouldn’t be popular with girls. He even has a fan club, full of girls way prettier than me.

So whenever I see him in the halls, he’s always being called out to by different girls, chatting happily…

But seeing that makes me feel moya moya… even though Yokokawa-kun isn’t doing anything wrong. And hating myself for thinking that way…

I’ve heard some boys in class call him a womanizer when they see him like that. Say he’s made girls cry multiple times.

But that’s absolutely not true.

I know Yokokawa-kun is genuinely sincere.

He treasures his friendship with Takanashi-kun, works hard for his friends, even bows his head for them. And he’s always kind to clumsy old me… Being with Yokokawa-kun feels so comfortable.

Even though those people don’t know the real Yokokawa-kun…

Even though they don’t know him at all, don’t act like you do…

Ah…

I see… This is how Takanashi-kun feels…

Having someone important like Satsukawa-senpai arbitrarily interpreted, gossiped about as if it were truth—it’s unforgivable…

…Huh?

Takanashi-kun treasures Satsukawa-senpai so much… so he gets angry…

Then… what about me?

Is it just that I can’t stand my friend being misunderstood?

Can’t stand people saying whatever they want?

Why do I feel moya moya seeing Yokokawa-kun getting along with other girls?

Why do I feel moya moya watching him eat Satsukawa-senpai’s bento so happily right now?

Ugh… I don’t really understand anymore…

What’s wrong with me…?

But for now… what should I do with this bento…?