When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 4.2: Grilled octopus is a staple in bento boxes. Part - 2.

Grilled octopus is a staple in bento boxes. Part – 2.

I don’t know when she started skipping school, but she hasn’t been attending since at least the spring of her first year of high school until the rainy season.

Sajou-san, who has little interaction with people, might have a certain lack of common sense like someone who grew up sheltered. Whether octopus-shaped sausages are common knowledge is up for debate, but I really don’t want to argue about something so trivial, you know?

“Yeah, but grilled octopus is fine for bento boxes, right? It was delicious, and since it’s cooked, I think it’s suitable for bento boxes, too. Grilled octopus. It could become a new staple for bento boxes, replacing octopus-shaped sausages.”

“Shut up and die…”

She practically wished death upon me.

I thought I was desperately trying to cover for her, but people’s hearts are complicated.

While pondering what to do about Sajou-san, who had bowed her head like a shellfish, we were greeted by an elderly lady who lives on the same floor.

“H-hello.”

I returned the greeting a bit flustered, and she smiled at us.

I feel incredibly embarrassed for some reason.

Sajou-san seems to feel the same way. She timidly raises her face, which is still red, and her eyes look like they’re about to cry.

“…”

“…”

Awkward…

Unable to bear the rising body temperature due to embarrassment, I remembered what I came here for.

“I’ll wash and return the bento box next time…!”

“N-No need…”

She declined. Why though?

The hands that were holding her knee were stretched out. It seemed she wanted the bento box, or so I thought.

“Um, it feels bad to ask you to wash it on top of receiving the bento box…”

“…m…”

An unspoken pressure. Her fingertips move slightly.

If she insists, then there’s no helping it.

Feeling overwhelmed with discomfort, I took out the drawstring bag containing the bento box from my school bag and gently placed it in her hands.

Sajou-san grabbed the bag with both hands and shook it lightly. It made a light, empty sound.

Hearing that, she smiled slightly, looking a little happy.

“――”

I was momentarily captivated by that expression.

It was a fleeting yet beautiful expression, like a flower at the end of its bloom. It tightened my chest. There’s a phrase about feeling like your heart is being squeezed, but I didn’t think it would actually be painful.

However, it was all just a blink of an eye.

As if it were an illusion, her smile vanished from her face.

In its place was the dark, stagnant expression that seemed to symbolize Sajou-san.

“I’m done here.”

True to her words, it seems that was the only purpose she had.

Sajou-san, who had been standing there like a sulking child, easily got up.

Then, as she was about to pass by me, she stopped.

“I’ll bring more tomorrow.”

Just that.

Sajou-san left those words behind and disappeared into the neighboring appartment.

It took me a moment to snap out of my daze after she left.

And then, several minutes later, I finally understood Sajou-san’s words, and I exclaimed in surprise.

“Huh? You’re bringing lunch again tomorrow?”

Why? To the classroom during lunch break?

Of course, my question of “why” didn’t reach Sajou-san.