Chapter 11 – Got Caught

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“Ohhh, there’s a lot of different seasonings here. How do you use them?”

Say, Yukimori. How the hell are you so carefree in this funeral-like atmosphere? Read the room. Read it.

The four of us were crammed into a booth.

In terms of seating order, Yukimori was next to me. Across from me was Kazuki. Next to him sat Toudou.

To make matters worse, I was on the wall side of the booth, so there was no escape. Please, someone save me.

Kazuki downed his glass of water in one gulp, then glared at me with furrowed brows. Scary. That’s the face you’re making?

“Well, Inori. I’ve got a few questions. I’m not exactly in a calm state of mind right now. For your own good, you’d better be honest.”

“G-Go easy on me, will you?”

Why am I being interrogated by a friend on my day off? I mean, at least it’s not actual torture.

“Alright, first question… Why are you and Yukimori-san together on a day off?”

Yeah, that’s the obvious question. That’s where anyone would start.

But I couldn’t explain everything. If I did, I’d be stoned by Kazuki and the rest of the school. Worst case scenario, I’d be dead.

“…Like I said before, it’s a part-time job. I’m working overtime right now.”

“Part-time job? Wait, hang on… The job you’re doing as a live-in worker—is that with Yukimori-san!?”

Bam! Kazuki slammed the table and stood up. Naturally, the old man behind the counter yelled, “Shut UP Brat!!” and Kazuki sat back down obediently. Good job, old man. You’re my hero.

“No way… Seriously? I’m having trouble processing this.”

“That’s why I kept it a secret. I knew it would turn out like this.”

If it got out that I was working a live-in job with Shizuku Yukimori, the goddess of the academy, people would freak out, make wild assumptions, or even come after my life.

Well, those wild assumptions aren’t entirely wrong though.

But Toudou already knew about my relationship with Yukimori, so she was just quietly observing.

I didn’t know Toudou that well, nor were we particularly close. So I had no idea how she’d react… but judging from her expression, she didn’t seem especially interested?

“Kazuki, let me make it clear—don’t go jumping to conclusions. Yukimori and I have a strictly professional relationship.”

“I mean, I get that, but… Come on, how not to overthink this?”

Fair point. If our roles were reversed, I’d think the same thing. And honestly, he’s not wrong.

But no one could ever know I’ve seen every inch of Shizuku Yukimori’s body. I’ll stay silent with absolute resolve.

Just as Kazuki leaned forward, clearly wanting to dig further, Toudou cut in.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt your bonding time, but… Yukimori-san, aren’t you looking a little too pale?”

“Huh?”

We all turned to look at Yukimori.

She really did look pale—not in a sickly way, more like… she seemed down?

“Y-Yukimori, are you okay? Should I call Miyabe-san?”

“I-I’m fine. Really. Just… something someone said kind of stabbed me in the heart, or stuck in my head, I guess…”

“Oi, Kazuki. That’s on you. Apologize.”

“I sincerely apologize for my actions.”

That was the most flawless apology I’ve ever seen. Even public apologies from celebrities don’t look that good. How serious is he?

“N-No, it’s not Tomita-kun’s fault at all.”

“R-Really…? Thank god…”

Kazuki exhaled deeply, clearly relieved.

Well, if Yukimori says it’s fine, then it’s fine… I guess.

Then, Toudou turned to Yukimori again.

“By the way, Yukimori-san. What kind of work is the job? I mean, if it’s live-in, it must be something substantial, right?”

“Well… A lot of it’s confidential, so I can’t say everything. But to put it simply, he’s my playmate. Games, drawing art together, exercise, things like that.”

Ah yes, the “exercise” days were truly brutal. Tennis or ping-pong was fine, but when I had to do hardcore strength training and then satisfy her physical cravings… I thought I’d die.

“Really? I totally thought you were making him do some shady stuff.”

“Ahaha, I’d never do that. Hatsuse-kun is very important to me. Without him, this job wouldn’t work. So I’d never make him do anything dangerous.”

“Right?” she added with a smile. I turned my head away slightly, feeling oddly embarrassed.

Then, Kazuki leaned in with a hopeful glint in his eye.

“Hey hey, Yukimori-san. Can I do that job too? I mean, wouldn’t it be better to have more people to play with? Toudou too—some things only a girl could understand, right? What do you think?”

“I’m sorry. This job is something only Hatsuse-kun can do…”

“Ehh, even though it’s just playing? Can’t we at least—”

“Order’s up.”

Kazuki’s suggestion was cut short as our ramen arrived.

Kazuki had the deluxe ramen with all the toppings (medium size).

Toudou had a regular ramen (medium size).

And in front of Yukimori and me were large portions of char siu ramen.

The large bowl was easily twice the size of a medium. That’s the reality of this shop’s “large.”

Toudou stared, eyes wide, utterly stunned.

“Wait, this is a large…? Isn’t this crazy?”

“Told you not to order the large.”

“Yeah. Glad I didn’t.”

Apparently, Toudou had considered ordering the large. Good call. The large here is no joke. It’s twice as big as the medium.

“Still, I didn’t expect Yukimori-san to be such a big eater. Didn’t see that coming.”

“Yes. I eat more than I look like I do.”

Yukimori gave a confident little huff. First I’ve heard of that.

“Well, before it gets soggy, let’s eat. Itadakimasu.”

I scooped some broth with my spoon and took a sip.

A rich tonkotsu-shoyu flavor spread across my tongue. The thick, savory aroma that rose up through my nose—this was it. This was what house-style ramen was all about.

Following my lead, Yukimori slurped her very first bowl of Iekei ramen.

“Mmmmmm! Shooo goooood…! This is amazing!”

“Right?”

“Yes! This is the best ramen I’ve ever had!”

Okay, that’s a bit much.

But maybe the old man heard her, because he was now humming happily as he worked on another order.

Still, I could understand what Yukimori meant. The ramen from Menya Tokino really did have an addictive quality to it.

Watching her eat happily beside me, I reached for my noodles as well.

Thirty minutes later.

“Ugh… H-Hatsuse-kun, I’m sorry. I’m stuffed… ugh.”

“Yeah, figured that’d happen.”

She ended up tapping out halfway through.

Guess I’ll keep my promise and finish it for her.

“Wait, Inori. Didn’t you also get a large? And you can still eat more…?”

“Well, it is my job.”

“…Nope, I couldn’t do it.”

“Me neither…”

This job may look like we’re just messing around, but it’s actually pretty tough. Mostly because I have to clean up after Yukimori.

Anyway, I focused on finishing my share and picked up the pace, slurping down the noodles.