Vol 2 Chapter 34 – Making a Bento

I’m making a bento.

It’s not as if this is the first time I’ve ever made one for another person.

Back in middle school, Chihiro and I used to make bentos for each other and trade.

But this is a different story entirely.

For a boy.

This was the first time in my life I had ever prepared a bento for a member of the opposite sex I’d fallen for.

“Nee-san, why are you making a bento?”

“Because I’m going on a picnic today. The whole club is going to climb a nearby mountain, spread out a sheet at the summit, and enjoy sketching.”

My not-so-cute little sister.

I explained the situation to this contradictory being who was, in fact, very cute but also not very cute at all.

She looks a fair bit like me, so she’s decent enough, but as expected of our family line, she’s flat-chested. We were both slender.

“With President Takahashi’s boyfriend?”

“Yep, with the guy who’s going to be Chihiro’s boyfriend—well, not yet, anyway.”

For now, he’ll probably become Chihiro’s boyfriend. Kajiwara-kun’s heart is already leaning toward my best friend. I mean, she even got his mother’s permission for them to date. If any two people in the club are going to start dating, it’ll be them. Whether Kajiwara-kun confesses or Chihiro does, I don’t know. It probably doesn’t make much of a difference. That’s my prediction.

“Can you take me with you?”

My sister, smiling.

A smile that was obviously trying to butter me up.

By middle school, she was already at the age of curiosity about romance.

“Why would I bring a non-member along? It’s a rare day off, so just stay home and sleep, okay?”

Me, with a brilliant smile.

I bet my teeth are sparkling.

I brushed off our little squabble and kept making the bento. I’d gotten up at five in the morning for this, after all.

First, some barrel-shaped rice balls with salmon flakes so everyone could have some. Then some quickly fried wieners and some nuggets I could just pop in the microwave. I filled the bento box with simple things that were impossible to mess up. Apparently, Kajiwara-kun isn’t a picky eater and has no allergies, but it’s never a bad idea to stick with the safest options.

…There aren’t enough vegetables, are there?

Well, they’ll just have to forgive the lack of color. We’re young! We should be eating meat. Especially since we’re climbing a mountain, even if it is an easy one. We needed provisions (calories).

“Ugh, I’m seriously so jealous. How did a miracle like a guy with the same hobby joining your club even happen? I mean, I get it with Takahashi-san. She’s like pure light, the kind of person you just knew would catch a guy eventually.”

“Your opinion of Chihiro is as ridiculously high as ever.”

Well, she’s not wrong. I guess, on some level, I also figured Chihiro would get a boyfriend someday. She’s such a radiant otaku, after all. I figured at least one guy would be drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Though I never imagined she’d drag someone like that into the “Modern Culture Research Society.”

“Alright, bento prep, check. Sketchbook, check! Pen, check! Wet wipes, check!”

Just in case, I did a point-and-call confirmation. I don’t have much to carry, but if I forget something now, they’ll think I’m a total airhead.

“My dear sister, does my outfit look strange?”

Next, I had my sister check my attire. Since it’s a low mountain for a day trip, I don’t need actual hiking gear. My shoes are just my everyday ones, and the only real change is that my bag is a backpack. My main concern was whether my outfit screamed, “Am I trying too hard to get Kajiwara-kun’s attention?”

“A white one-piece dress? Are you sure you’re not trying at all?”

“This is for hiking, you know? I’m not trying.”

I totally bought this hiking dress just for today. The rest was a khaki base layer and some slim-fitting pants. It wasn’t weird in the slightest.

Okay—so I am trying.

I am trying. It would be a lie to deny it, but Chihiro is still the main event. I’m still just planning to be her wingman. I’m aiming for Kajiwara-kun, yes, but this isn’t some brutal, tear-each-other-apart fight. After Chihiro successfully wins him over, I can just slowly worm my way in as her best friend.

“Heh heh.”

“Nee-san, your laugh is creepy.”

“Oh, shut it.”

I shot back, smiling.

A picnic with a boy. Not bad. Not bad at all! So, even I, Toudou Hatsune, have finally been granted such a blessed opportunity! But I can’t get ahead of myself. If I act like a starving beast, Kajiwara-kun will definitely be put off.

“Weather forecast cheeeck! Sunny! My heart is overflowing with fresh greenery!”

“You’re really hyper, Nee-san.”

“Wouldn’t it be a lie if I wasn’t hyper about this golden opportunity?! This is basically a date!”

I’m the type to express my joy with my entire body. But if I did that during the picnic, people would think I’m weird, so I’m getting it out of my system now.

“Sister, what do you want for a souvenir?”

“Just get me something tasty.”

“Very well, it shall be done.”

If there’s a gift shop on the mountain, I’ll buy some local specialty. It’s not a very high mountain, so who knows if there will be one.

“My dear sister, your elder sister is pondering how much excitement is permissible.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Specifically?”

“Would the act of feeding a boy with my own hand while saying ‘say ahhh’ be allowed?”

“If there are people around, I think they’d just be genuinely annoyed with you.”

My sister is so level-headed.

So that’s a no-go, huh? I suppose I should refrain from needlessly making people jealous and uncomfortable. It’s on my bucket list, though.

“I guess for today’s goal, I’ll aim to sit next to him and have him eat the bento I made. I mean, we just did that at the doujin convention the other day, but still.”

“Do that. So, can I really not come with you?”

“Nope.”

My sister is so level-headed. And unfortunately, we needed to exclude anyone from outside the club this time.

“Well, the day will come when I introduce him to you. As my boyfriend… After we have exhausted the limits of passion and devoured each other’s bodies… After we have done unspeakably filthy things that your little middle-school mind, having just learned of romance, could not possibly begin to imagine…”

Hah, I let out a soft laugh, my eyes gazing into the distance. My sister replied with an exasperated sigh.

“I don’t know if a day like that will ever come, but… good luck, I guess. I don’t know if you can actually land a guy who’s that buff and well-built. To be honest, I really don’t think you can.”

My sister took out her phone. The lock screen was a cosplay photo of Kajiwara-kun.

He really does have an unnecessarily sexy, muscular body, that Kajiwara-kun. Well, that body will be mine one day.

“—Ah, right. I just had a great idea.”

A lightbulb practically appeared over my head as the inspiration struck.

“What? I’m sure it’s nothing good.”

“Today, I’ll sketch Kajiwara-kun as part of the landscape.”

That way, I’ll have an excuse to stare at him intently. What a good idea, I thought, praising my own genius-level epiphany.

“Then what’s the point of going to a mountain? Wouldn’t a nearby park work just as well?”

Ignoring my sister’s words, I packed the items from my point-and-call check into my backpack and set off as if heading into battle.

“Have a good time, Nee-san. I’ll be waiting for my souvenir.”

“Just you wait, my sister. I’ll be sure to bring you back a wooden sword and a weird pennant.”

“Were you even listening to me?”