After a Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend is now Sweet Like Sugar - Chapter 2.11

Chapter 2.11 Ramen at an Old friend’s

A short walk from the park, there’s a Chinese restaurant called Tenten Dining. I’ve been familiar with it for a long time, and I often eat here when I don’t feel like eating at home because it’s easy on the wallet.

“Welcome to… Oh! Yuu-kun and Kokoa-chan…!!!! Welcome!!!!”

The moment we walked into the cozy store, a waitress in a Chinese dress welcomed us in a friendly manner.

Her long, white hair was silky and beautiful, much like Kokoa’s.

“Long time no see, Ten.”

“Ten-chan, good evening.”

The girl who greeted us with a big smile was Tenten Hourei. She was an old classmate of mine from China, and we have known each other since elementary school. This restaurant’s name came from her name, the usual parental love.

She moved to a different high school, so I usually meet her at this restaurant. But it seems Kokoa was in close contact with her.

“Yuu kun long time no see!!!! it’s been 10 years since then!!!! And Kokoa-chan I haven’t seen you since 20 years… right?”

“No, I’ve been coming to the store since the beginning of this year.”

“Didn’t we talk at LINE last week?”

“Oh-oh, that’s right. Well-well, please take your time. Yuu-kun you can have the Chinese Noodles Half-set, and Kokoa-chan, you can have the Bean Sprout Ramen.”

“I don’t mind, but does this restaurant decide what people can have?”

“But that’s what we prepared today. And I’ve never seen anyone order besides that.”

 “… Is that so?”

“You are too busy in your world that you don’t know. Well, I bet you’ll like my menu.”

“Manager, one Half-set and one Bean sprout!”

Tenten retreated to the kitchen.

Kokoa and I sat down at the counter and eventually received the cold water that she brought us.

“Hey-hey Kokoa-chan, did you manage to get Yuu-kun to karaoke????”

… Buha!!!!

Kokoa spurts out a fountain-like stream of water.

I was in front of her and the water sprayed all over my clothes.

“What are you doing, Kokoa?”

“It’s because of Ten-chan… Hey, Ten-chan, come with me.”

“Honyu?”

She took Tenten to the back of the store.

Did she want to go to the karaoke with me? … What does that mean?

The other day at the karaoke, she was a bit indifferent…

Maybe she wanted to sing with me…? But, why did she lie to me?

Shortly after they came back. Kokoa was blushing and Ten looked a little embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, Yuu-kun. I misinterpreted. Just pretend that you never heard anything and forget it.”

“Hmm? Oh, okay.”

I don’t know what it was, but judging from the way Kokoa was looking at me, it seems she didn’t want me to know.

However, it became obvious when she said this,

“I wanted you to listen to my song. And Ten-chan helped by teaching me.”

And without any further inquiry, Kokoa explained everything.

“I know, she’s a good singer. But how come you’ve been interested in singing?”

“It’s nothing much. I thought you’d be surprised…”

“Well, yes, I was surprised.”

Actually, I fell in love with it.

If I said something like that, would her cheeks, which were now red, turn even redder, rendering her speechless? Or will she get mad at me?

In any case, I swallowed my words because I felt that if I said my thoughts honestly, it would be awkward.

“…”

“…”

Even though I swallowed, it still felt somewhat awkward.

“Thank you for waiting. This one is your one Half-set and Kokoa-chan… bean sprouts!”

As if to interrupt this awkward atmosphere, Tenten served the ramen to us. I thought for a moment that I was saved, but I guess it was Tenten who started this whole thing.

We received our ramen and took out our chopsticks.

We put the noodles in our mouths and sipped.

“I gotta say, the ramen here is cheap but very delicious. The thin noodles are well blended with broth. And the hard, richly seasoned pork was also my favorite.”

“Why are you starting a food report?”

“Eating good food makes me feel better. How’s your Kokoa?”

“You don’t have to ask me. You’ve been asking a lot of questions for a while.”

Her words were cold, but she was smiling. I was just trying to lift her mood with my food report.

Looks like it worked.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Guess it’ll help us fight when this is over.”

“Fight?”

“With your mom, Kokoa.”

“Wha! What are you planning to do?”

Kokoa asked curiously, but wasn’t it obvious?

She said it was her family problem and told me many times not to worry. But this whole thing started because she helped me study while she somehow neglected her studies.

To be frank, it was impossible for me not to worry about her.

“You want to stay here, right? I’ll help you convince her. I don’t know if it’s going to work.”

“No, it has nothing to do with you.”

“Yes, I do. Because if your mom takes you away, I’ll be in trouble.”

“Eh? What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“I won’t be able to enjoy your cooking, and I have yet to learn how to cook from you, right? That’s what I’m talking about.”

“Oh, uh~ … Please don’t mislead me like that.”

I swallowed my words, “What did you misunderstand?”

“Anyway, two is better than one. And I feel like there’s a kind of persuasion that only I can do.”

“Persuasion that only you can do?”

“Well, yeah.”

I still had some doubts but I felt her mom would consider it with heart.

“Kokoa, I want to ask you one thing first, your mom became cold after your dad died, right?”

“… Yeah, she did.”

Because her mom also lost a loved one.