The Woman Whose Life I Saved Turned out to Be the Mother of the Popular Twin Sisters in My Class

Chapter 19 – Ramen and Pick-up

The sun was already setting when we left the salon, and by the time we decided to make a little detour, it was already dark, so we couldn’t go very far.

That’s why we decided to have dinner and then go home.

It would be a good opportunity to get to know more about the girl named Kotobuki Hikari.

However, we didn’t have bikes with us, and it would be a hassle to take the train just to get to a restaurant, so the places we could go were limited.

There was a station a short walk away, and there were a few restaurants around that area. After discussing it, we decided to head toward the station.

As the sun set and it got dark, it felt a bit strange to walk side by side along the street lit by streetlights.

I’d never been out with a girl in a uniform at this time of night before.

Ah, it happened once, it was with Hibino.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Anything’s fine. What about Ao?”

I had read somewhere online that saying “anything’s fine” when it comes to girls isn’t always fine.

I didn’t want to have to worry like this, so I wanted to leave the choice up to her.

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Then, how about ramen?”

“Ramen?”

I couldn’t help but echo her unexpected suggestion. I thought she’d want a fancy restaurant because she was a girl, but maybe that’s not the case.

Maybe she’s being considerate towards me.

“Yes. Is that okay?”

“It’s not that it’s not okay. Why ramen?”

“I just feel like it. But it’s hard to enter a ramen shop as a girl alone, you know?”

“Ah, makes sense.”

Even girls sometimes want to eat ramen. Just learning that made this detour worthwhile.

I’m sure there were two ramen shops near the station. One was a soy sauce-based shop, and the other a rich tonkotsu.

“What kind of ramen do you like?”

“Actually, to be honest, I haven’t eaten ramen that much before.”

“Ehehe,” Hikari said, laughing. Ramen or beef bowls are the norm for men eating alone, but girls don’t often have the chance to eat them.

Even if I were to eat at home, it would probably be instant ramen. I don’t think I’d make real ramen at home.

“So, can I leave the choice of restaurant up to you?”

“Yeah, okay.”

It’s probably best to avoid the tonkotsu ramen. While some people love the rich flavor, there are just as many who can’t handle it.

Even I find it a bit too rich.

So, we decided to head to the soy sauce-based ramen shop. It’s a chain restaurant that can be found anywhere, so the taste was sure to be at least decent.

When we entered the shop, we were greeted by the typical ramen shop voice of “Welcome!”.

Hikari and I took our seats and the waiter brought us cold water.

“Two soy sauce ramen and one half-portion fried rice.”

“Oh, I want that too.”

“Then two half-portion fried rice.”

After taking our order, the waiter shouted some mysterious chant back to the kitchen and left.

“Do you eat a lot, Hikari?”

“I don’t think I’m a light eater. I eat more than Yuzuki, at least…”

As she spoke, Hikari suddenly realized something and looked anxious.

“Wait, do you not like girls who eat a lot? Maybe I should cancel that half-portion of fried rice after all? Is it still possible to change my character to a girl with a small appetite? What do you think?”

She stood up, rambling without even taking a breath, so I quickly tried to calm her down.

“It’s fine, really. I was just asking, no hidden meaning behind it. So, please, sit back down!”

“Oh, I’m glad~”

Hikari let out a sigh of relief and sat back down. Seeing that, I also sighed in relief.

A little later, ramen and two half-portions of fried rice were brought out.

The ramen had the classic toppings of roast pork, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts. The fried rice was also simple, with fried egg and bacon topped with spring onions.

We both put our hands together, Itadakimasu.

I picked up the noodles with my chopsticks and slurped them up in one go. After that, I swallowed a mouthful of soup with the spoon. Yeah, it tastes normal. It’s normal and tasty.

I took a quick look at Hikari, and she was putting noodles and bamboo shoots on the soup spoon and bringing it to her mouth. It was the typical “spoon-eating” style you see girls do. Not that I know if that’s even a real term.

“It’s really delicious!”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

After that, we continued enjoying the ramen in silence while wiping the sweat from our foreheads.

◇

Since we were eating hot food in a warm restaurant, the cool air outside felt just right.

“It was really delicious! Will you come with me again next time? I’d like to try a different flavor next!”

No guy could say no to a girl who said that with a big smile on her face. It made me want to take Hikari to all kinds of places.

“Yeah, of course.”

“That’s a promise!”

Seeing Hikari’s exaggerated expression of joy, I couldn’t help but smile.

Her emotions really show, so it’s nice not to have to think about what’s going on behind her words and actions. That’s Hikari’s good point.

“Oh, wait a minute. I left my smartphone at the restaurant. I’ll go get it.”

And with that, Hikari briskly returned to the restaurant.

Just then, the traffic light turned red, so I decided to wait for her there.

“Onii-san, you alone?”

“……”

“How terrible~ You’re ignoring me~ Even though I mustered up the courage to call out to you.”

“…Eh, you were talking to me?”

I thought I heard a voice behind me, but thinking it was a voice I didn’t recognize, I ignored it. However, the girl came around in front of me. Then I finally realized that she was speaking to me.

“Yes, you.”

“If you’re alone, want to hang out for a bit? I feel like talking to a boy.”

I think these girls are about my age.

They have dyed hair and a flashy appearance. I’m still not sure if this is the right way to describe them, but they have that “gals” vibe.

“Um, I’m already with someone.”

“Oh, really?”

“So boring~”

Their energy levels were so high that I wondered if they were drunk. They were both pretty good looking, so I don’t think they’d have any trouble attracting guys.

As I was thinking this, I heard heavy footsteps approaching me, and before I knew it, I was hugged forcefully.

The impact made me stumble, but I managed to put strength into my legs and endure. As usual, this girl can’t control her strength.

“W-what do you want?!”

Hikari, clinging to my arm like a koala, glared at the two girls as if she were a dog warning them off. Though it wasn’t powerful enough to be called glaring.

Seeing Hikari’s reaction, the two girls said, “Oh well, he has a girlfriend, it can’t be helped,” and “He’s good-looking, so it’s understandable,” and then left.

What was that all about?

No, more importantly…

“Uh, could you let go of me now?”

“…Right. Sorry about that.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize.”

“Who were those girls?”

“I don’t know.”

“T-then, you were hit on?!”

“…I guess.”

It certainly did seem like a pick-up.

But there were two of them and I was alone, so I wonder if that counts as a pick-up. I really don’t get it.

“Regardless, you really saved me. I’ve never dealt with something like that before and had no idea how to respond.”