The Story of Becoming a Drinking Friend When I Saved the Cutest Senpai in University - Vol 1 Chapter 11

Itomori’s POV

A few days have passed since the incident in Okinawa.

“Are you sure you’re alright with this?”

“No, I don’t have any money.”

“Are you eating enough? Do you want me to give you something in private?”

“No, it’s all right. I don’t want to trouble you.”

While I was worried about Obachan, I had miso soup for 30 yen instead of udon noodles today.

I managed to make ends meet with the savings from my part-time job until April, but it’s time to consider the next one.

Even if food expenses are cut down, the rent will not be reduced, and air conditioning is essential because it will get hot from now on. Since senpai comes to play reasonably often, the cost of utilities cannot be cut further.

“What should I do…”

While sipping hot miso soup, I think about what to do with my next part-time job.

Since I am physically strong, it might be good to do fieldwork. I don’t think I’ll be bothered if I have an old wound, and the hourly wage won’t be bad.

While I was thinking about it, senpai came into the cafeteria.

The eyes of the people around her instantly focused on her like arrows.

I think senpai who is drunk and indulgent is nicer, but I have to admit that she shines tremendously during her acting. It is more unreasonable not to look at her with that because she creates the dignity of walking on a runway and feels the calmness of walking on water.

“…Senpai, are you alone today?”

I rarely meet senpai at university because we have different years and departments, but I’m usually with someone.

When I was looking at her buying drinks from a cafeteria, our eyes met and I nodded, which was not a big deal, but I felt a little happy.

“Have a quick drink and get some rest.”

I have two classes after this.

I quickly drink miso soup to get into the classroom early and recover my strength.

―Buzz.

The four people sitting near me started murmuring.

―Buzz.

I swallow what’s in my mouth and check the situation.

“…Hmm?”

A pure white shoulder blouse with a neat feel.

A long black skirt with a slit that emphasizes her long legs.

Shaking her loosely curled blonde hair, she stopped walking close to me.

“Is that all you’re having for lunch today, Itomori-kun?”

It took me quite a long time to process the fact that senpai was talking to me for the first time at university.

After a few seconds, I managed to understand, so I simply replied, “Ah, yes.”

“That is not good for your health. I made a bento today, would you like to have half of it?”

She says it in a silly polite tone like an anime character in full bloom in girls mode, and gently shakes the cute purse taken out of her bag.

“…Y-yes?”

I couldn’t understand what had happened at all and repeatedly rubbed my eyes.

So much so that I might as well have been rubbing them until sparks flew.

“A-ah. Did I just hear that?”

“Tennoujii-san’s… handmade?”

“…Who is that man? Her boyfriend or something?”

While I was still in shock, the murmurs from the crowd grew louder.

Among them, Obachan is the only one smiling and applauding. …I’m happy with the reaction but don’t stir up the people around. The sound of applause is ringing all over the cafeteria.

“…By any chance, did I bother you?”

As if she had shocked the supercooled water, her words froze the surroundings.

What’s wrong with him?

Can’t you eat Tennouji-san’s food?

You’re the worst. We’d better kill him.

―and so on, their eyes, filled with malice, were turned to me, and my whole body was covered with sweat.

“N-not at all! I was hungry! T-thank you so much!”

When I tried my best to make it up and say it with a smile, senpai smiled a little in her expressionless face.

Perhaps the onlookers were convinced by her reaction, but their eyes were as sharp as a blade.

“Well then, excuse me.”

She pulled back the chair and sat next to me.

We always sit side by side at home, and even though it’s nothing special, my heart beats so fast that it’s impossible that the place is just a cafeteria.

“Please open it.”

She gave me a purse and took out a bento from inside.

It was a dark brown wooden bento.

Inside, there is edamame^[1]Edamame or green soybeans. rice, fried tofu and rolled egg, and small tomato carrots, which are remarkable for their high quality. Is it really handmade?

“It looks so delicious…”

The voice that I let out despite myself shook senpai’s body.

I looked next to her wondering what was going on, but there was a beautiful expressionless expression on her face. I can’t read any emotion, and honestly, I’m in a lot of trouble.

I didn’t mean to offend her. I complimented her.

Since I spend more time talking to senpai when she is drunk, I don’t know how to deal with this sober version of her, who has a certain limit on her emotions when the switch is turned on.

“Thank you very much. Not only does it look good, but I also guarantee its taste.”

At last, she was relieved to hear my words and brought the edamame to my mouth.

The texture and saltiness of edamame go well with the rice, and it is so delicious that there is nothing to complain about.

Next, I eat the rolled egg and fried tofu, which even professionals in the field can recognize.

“Tennouji-san, going out with such an ordinary person?”

“This must be some kind of punishment.”

“I feel sorry for senpai…”

Some students muttered these resentful comments loudly enough for me to hear.

The excitement I’d felt over the delicious bento quickly withered, and I was overcome by the dark thought that being around me might hurt senpai’s reputation.

…No, no, no! Get a grip, self!

Don’t waste the kindness of senpai.

All I have to do now is eat it with all my might, taste it with all my might, and praise it with all my might. I don’t have time to let the outside noise get to me.

“It’s delicious. I’m so happy that I haven’t had a proper meal like this in a while.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Especially, you use the soup stock for this rolled egg, right? I like the salty one.”

“So do I.”

“The seasoning of fried tofu is perfect, and it feels like it’s in the middle of my taste. It’s really good. It’s such a waste to eat.”

“Thank you.”

There is not a trace of flattery in my words.

Everything I said was from the bottom of my heart.

I thought I didn’t say anything strange… but I was sweating inside.

No matter what I say or how she reacts, senpai in the girls’ mode only smiles a little and can’t read her feelings at all.

“It’s an honor for you to like it. If you don’t mind, eat it all.”

“But then senpai’s lunch…”

“Don’t worry. I enjoy the night with Itomori-kun, and I’ve been gaining weight lately.”

That’s a bad way to say it!!

…And of course, the surroundings were noisy.

Ah, I don’t hear that one. I’m not responsible for that one.

“Personally, this fried tofu is my own. Did it suit Itomori-kun’s taste?”

“Ah, yes. Of course, it is very delicious. It reminded me of my parents’ home.”

When I was at my parents’ house, my family took turns cooking meals, but since I started living alone, I haven’t stood in the kitchen at all. This is because half-price lunch boxes at supermarkets are more cost-effective for one person.

It’s been a while since I had this homemade dish.

It’s cold physically, but it’s simple and warm to the nostalgic taste. Not to mention the taste satisfaction of being delicious, the half-price lunch box also satisfies the parts that cannot be reached.

“If it’s such a delicious meal, I’d like to eat it every day.”

I said.

I stopped my chopsticks and looked at senpai, perhaps because of how weird that might have sounded. That almost sounded like a proposal.

“…”

Silent.

But in silence, with a very slight raise in the corner of her mouth, she looked at me.

…What kind of expression is that?

I silently screamed in my heart to ask her to drink and continued eating with the rest of my lunch.

◆◆◆

That night.

“Was my bento good today? Hey, was it that good? Are you sure you want to eat every day? Huh? What does it mean every day? What does it mean?”

The drunken senpai lay on the sofa, her head resting on my lap with a huge smile.