Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 4: Fight for Glory (Iberico Pork)

Episode 4: Fight for Glory (Iberico Pork)

“Hey, Rei-kun, what do you want to eat tonight?”

Just after leaving the university, my senior asked as she pushed a shopping cart in a nearby supermarket.

“Huh? Ah, I’ll eat anything!”

Vegetables, meat, fish, anything goes. Though, due to living alone, my diet has become somewhat unbalanced.

“I see. Well then, how about we keep it simple and have ginger pork?”

She grabbed a cabbage from the vegetable section and then headed to the meat aisle.

“Um, should I push the cart?”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not heavy for just two people’s groceries.”

“No, no, that’s not what I mean.”

It wouldn’t be proper to let someone cook for me (for some unknown reason) without helping in some way. It’s just the way I am—wanting to contribute, even if it’s just a little.

“…Alright. Then, I’ll let you handle it. It’s getting late, anyway.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well, never mind.”

“Whoa!”

As I grabbed the cart handle, my senior pressed herself against my arm.

She’s huge. Not quite a melon… well, maybe more like a grapefruit. Whatever it is, it feels so surreal and otherworldly.

While I was distracted by her, I noticed that people had started to gather in front of the meat section.

“Senior, isn’t this supermarket unusually crowded?”

“Yeah, it is. Today is…”

She pulled a flyer from her handbag.

“…Special… buy?”

“Yeah. The first five customers get 200 grams of top-quality Iberico pork loin for just 300 yen.”

“What!? That’s so cheap!”

Though I wasn’t an expert, top-tier Iberico pork usually costs at least 1000 yen per 100 grams. In short, it’s the kind of pork raised in luxury, almost like it’s been pampered and seasoned by life itself. If I had to compare it to a human… well, maybe it’s better not to.

“I see, so that’s why it’s so crowded…”

“Yes. That’s why this place is now a battlefield. Just look around—this madness has already taken hold. They’re practically cooking the pork in the heat of the frenzy.”

“Ah, right.”

My senior’s cool demeanor was cracking a little. Indeed, a few people nearby were cracking their knuckles, and their sleeves were oddly jagged, giving off a mysterious air of strength.

“Hey, Rei. Is that you?”

I heard a familiar voice. Turning around, I saw…

“Oh, Shin… Shinji?”

His head was wrapped in bandages, and his limbs were covered in various ointments. He looked pretty banged up.

“Sorry about earlier.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well, you know… from lunch today?”

Since my senior was next to me, I answered with a little hesitation.

“Are you talking about the injuries? Sorry, I don’t really remember. I heard from Akira that you fell from the third floor… Rei, do you know anything about it?”

“Uh, no, not exactly. But, hey! Are you after the Iberico pork too?”

I tried changing the subject. I knew Shinji wouldn’t want to admit that he’d been outdone by my senior, who had the better strength.

“Well, no. Actually, I’ve been avoiding fried foods. My target is something else.”

Shinji pulled out a flyer from between his tank top and his muscular chest. Wait, do people really carry around flyers like that?

“Pro-grade protein supplements…”

The product’s name sounded absurdly fake. It was more like a clearance sale than a special deal.

“Oh, so we’re in the same business, huh? Your target is different, but still,” my senior said.

“Yeah, my name’s Shinji. This is Rei, by the way.”

“Right. I won’t let go of him. Please say hi to Akimichi for me, won’t you?”

“You probably mean Akira, right?”

She seemed disinterested, or maybe she just didn’t want to remember. She wasn’t really paying attention.

“Attention shoppers, we’re now starting the special sale!”

“!!”

The crowd instantly erupted in chaos, like a battle royale was about to begin.

“Well then, Rei-kun, let’s go get it.”

“…No. Senior.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll go alone.”

“Are you serious?”

“Well, think about it. I can’t send someone as beautiful as you into such a crowded area.”

There was a risk of injury, and I figured my senior wouldn’t enjoy being in a place like that either.

“…I see. You’re such a kind person.”

She seemed flustered as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger, looking unexpectedly cute.

“Okay then, I’ll leave the cart to you.”

“Got it. I’ll wait here. I trust you, Rei-kun.”

“Yes. Please trust me and wait.”

I steeled myself and headed toward the meat section. No matter what, I would secure that Iberico pork.

“Alright, the sale starts now! Everyone, please don’t push or run, take your time!”

The employee emerged from the back with the goods.

In that moment, I took off.

“Whoooooaaa!!”

I cut through the human sea, pushing forward.

“Damn! What a crowd!”

It felt like trying to climb a world-famous waterfall, but I was still moving forward.

If I keep this up…

“Ugh!!”

I was so close to the refrigerated section, just two more layers of people to go. But then I was knocked backward, crashing into someone.

“Damn it! I was almost there!!”

In frustration, I slammed my fist onto the floor. That’s when a man approached me.

“Kid. Are you after the Iberico pork too?”

He was wearing sunglasses and a suit, and his well-toned physique made it obvious.

He was a gangster.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I see. Well, in that case, let me help you out.”

His thick arms stretched out, pushing me forward. Damn, was he here to eliminate the competition?

“Here, grab on. With all these people, it’s hard to stand still.”

Quick update: The gangster turned out to be a pretty nice guy.

“Thanks. But this crowd is tough. There’s no way to reach the Iberico pork without getting past this wall.”

“Don’t worry. We’ve still got time before the pork shows up. But, listen. How about we team up?”

“Huh?”

“Teaming up… with just five spots?”

He pointed toward a woman in the front row, a lady with a floral shirt.

“She’s ‘The Roar of Sachie.’ She’s a master at using her loud voice to make people hesitate, snatching up the prize before they even know it.”

“Uh, that’s just a nuisance.”

“Next, check out that old guy over by the wall.”

“Yeah.”

The gangster pointed at an elderly man standing a bit away from the wall.

“That’s ‘Speed Star Ichiro.’ When the prize drops, he’s so fast, it’s like he’s a blur. He’s a true predator.”

“Really? He looks like he might drop dead any second.”

“Finally, there’s that guy, the short, chubby one on the far left.”

“Uh… yeah.”

He was carrying a huge backpack, a typical otaku look.

“He’s the most dangerous. They call him ‘Scalper Satake.’ He buys things at a low price and then resells them for crazy amounts. A real monster.”

“Sounds like a jerk.”

“I think so too.”

“So, do you have a plan?”

The gangster’s eyes glinted with determination, even as he kept his gaze on the competition.

“Yeah. I’ve got one. I’m going to break through that wall. While I do that, you grab the Iberico pork.”

“What!? But if you do that…”

“It’s fine. I trust you. You’ve got those eyes. The eyes of someone fighting for someone they care about. If I can’t trust you, then I can’t trust anyone.”

“…Gangster-san.”

I’m glad I met you.

“I’m planning on proposing once I get that Iberico pork. So we’re on the same mission. I can’t leave you hanging. We’re partners now.”

“…In that case, let’s get it. Both of us.”

Wait, hold up. Gangster-san. That sounds like a death flag in this battle. I didn’t say it out loud, though, since it would have made things awkward.

“Alright, it’s almost time. When I clear the way, don’t look back. Got it?”

“Yeah. I won’t look back. I’ll make sure I don’t waste your sacrifice.”

“Heh, that’s the spirit. Alright, now!”

“Yeah!!”

I ran. Determined not to look back, not to waste the gangster’s sacrifice.

“Whooooooa!”

I broke through the first wall, and now I was approaching the second. There was no sign of the gangster anymore. I was on my own.

I steeled myself and reached for the next barrier.

And then…

“Rei. It seems like things are getting interesting here.”

“Huh!? You…!”

It was the embodiment of bulk, the golden god of muscle.

His name?

“Ha! Too late, partner!”

“Looks like I didn’t need to rush for the protein after all. But now, the real battle is here. Let’s do this, my only true friend!”

“Yeah!”

Our shouts echoed as we ran.

It was a brutal, ugly battle. A hellish scene that seemed to peel back the dirty essence of humanity, filled with screams and chaos. But in the end, we…

“Yesss!!”

We had obtained glory (Iberian pork).

“Yakuza-san, I did it! I got it! Of course, this is for you too… Yakuza-san?”

When I looked around, the Yakuza was gone. No sign of his distinctive physique anywhere.

“What’s wrong, Rei?”

“Well, someone helped me, but…”

Had he already left? No, I didn’t think he was the kind of person who would leave without waiting for the result…

“Hah, there probably wasn’t anyone there in the first place. Your competitive spirit probably created the illusion to motivate you… Happens all the time after spending half a day in the gym.”

“I don’t think that’s the case, though.”

For now, I decided to head back to Senpai. If I couldn’t find him, I could always just say it was for both of us.

“I’m home, Senpai!”

“Welcome back, Rei-kun.”

“I managed to get it.”

“Heh, just as expected. Well then, let’s head to the register.”

“…Yeah.”

Where did that Yakuza go?

“Let’s go, Rei-kun.”

“Ah, yes. I’m coming.”

Maybe he went to the restroom? But at this timing?

I didn’t know. I couldn’t figure it out.

“Well, I guess it’s fine…?”

If he wasn’t here, there was nothing I could do about it.

Senpai and I paid and left the supermarket.

And then, a rumor started spreading around the university a few days later.

A certain supermarket had a mysterious figure known as the “Yakuza” who appeared during special sales, a rumor that seemed strangely familiar.