When I Got My Heart Broken by a Childhood Friend, I Ended Up in a Romantic Comedy With Her Mother - Chapter 8 - Lunchbox

Chapter 8 – Lunchbox

My childhood friend is a bright and cheerful young girl, but in reality, she’s lacking in many ways.

“I’m sorry, Ikkun. That girl forgot her lunch.”

“Ah, that’s fine. I’ll give it to her.”

“Thank you, that’s very helpful.”

When Haruna-san handed me the package containing Miho’s lunchbox at the entrance, she had a strange look on her face for some reason.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, um… Ayano-san… Ikkun’s mother, is she busy with work?”

“Well, I guess… She went to her part-time job this morning too.”

“I see… What about your lunchbox?”

“Ah, she did make it today. It’s the last day before summer vacation, after all, and I need a lunchbox.”

“Hmm, I see…”

“Haruna-san?”

“…I wish I could have given Ikkun a lunch box for him at the entrance like this.”

“Eh… Ah…”

I’m so uncool…

“…Ah, I’m sorry. We’re both going to be late.”

“R-right. Haruna-san, you’re going to your part-time job now?”

“Yes… Well then, take care.”

“Yes… Haruna-san too.”

Summer is hot in the morning.

But this burning in my body is not just because of that.

I can’t help but feel a tingling sensation deep inside my left chest.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“See you later.”

With my back to Haruna-san, who smiles kindly at me, I walked out onto the heated asphalt.

Going to school on a summer morning is always so depressing, or rather, really dull.

The more you sweat and the more water you release, the lighter you should feel.

For some reason, my steps feel incredibly heavy.

But at this moment… My steps were very light.

◇

Since childhood friends are so close to each other, it’s easy to treat them roughly.

“Listen to this~ My Ippei~ He’s a mother-con~ *laughs*”

“Eh~ ‘My’ you said~ is he your boyfriend?”

“No, of course not. You already know, don’t you? I already have a handsome boyfriend.”

“I know, it’s Nonaka-cchi, right? I’m so envious~”

“Has he made his shot yet?”

“Or maybe he already scored the goal?”

“You guys are so gross *laughs*”

I’m alone, and she’s in a group of 3.

It takes a little courage to step into a different class.

But if you have a childhood friend, I don’t think you need to worry so much about it…

But now I’m second-guessing that.

That bastard!!!

But when I think of Haruna-san’s kind face, I can’t let the lunch she made for her daughter go to waste.

Because I had no other choice, I went up to Miho and her group.

“Oi, Miho.”

“Hmm? Whoa, speak of the devil, it’s mother-con Ippei!”

“I’m going to hit you.”

“Kyaa! I’m scared! Violence in this day and age~?”

“You’re so annoying.”

“I’m just joking. Haha, so what’s up?”

“You forgot your lunch. Haru… Auntie asked me to give it to you.”

“Oops, I really did. Thank you♪”

“Anyway, I’m surprised you can come to school so early.”

“Because Shuuta-kun comes to school early for morning practice~ That’s why I woke up early♪”

I should honestly congratulate my childhood friend on her happiness, but…I feel really annoyed.

“Oh my, you’re getting all sulky~ Are you jealous after all?”

“Don’t be so conceited, idiot.”

Because I already have Haruna-san who is much better than you…

“Yo.”

At that moment, I heard a voice from behind me.

“Ah, Shuuta-kun♡”

I turned around and saw a handsome man. Sweating.

Ah, because of the morning practice for the football team.

He’s really going at it.

But seriously, good-looking guys can even make sweat look fashionable.

In fact, not just my foolish childhood friend who happens to be his girlfriend…but also her friends, and even the girls around, they’re all completely captivated.

I-It’s not like I’m jealous or anything… Damn it…

“Ohh, Miho’s childhood friend…”

“…Shibata.”

“It’s Ippei♪”

“Oh, yeah. So, why are you in this class?”

“This idiot forgot her lunch box, so I came to deliver it…”

“I see. Lucky you, Miho. You’ve got a childhood friend you can rely on.”

“No, Ippei isn’t even a little bit reliable. He’s only 1/100th as reliable as Shuuta-kun.” (T/N: Damn…)

“…………”

“Eh, Ippei? What’s wrong?”

“…In this day and age, verbal abuse is just as out of line as violence.”

“I-Ippei? I-I’m sorry…”

“So… I’m going to demand compensation.”

“H-how much are you going to charge me?”

“I don’t want your money.”

“The-then… You want my body? I-Ippei, that’s…”

“I don’t want your body.”

“Eh?”

“So, I… I’ll take this.”

“…The lunchbox?”

“Yes.”

“Eh~ Then I’ll lose my lunch!”

“It’s okay. I’ll give you my lunch instead.”

“Hah, what’s that? Does that mean…lunchbox exchange?”

“Well, I guess so.”

“Hmm~?”

Miho stared at me intently with her eyes.

“…Well, okay.”

“Seriously?”

“As you know, Mama is a good cook. And her lunchbox is always delicious. But once in a while, I just want to change things up a bit~”

“As my mother’s son, it might sound strange coming from me, but her cooking skills are…well, they’re decent. They might be inferior to Haru…Auntie’s.”

“Oh, this boy is dangerous. Or maybe this is the flip side of being a mother-con?”

“Eh, Shibata is a mother-con?”

“No, I’m not! This idiot is just saying that.”

“I’m not lying. You see, Ippei with my Mama, they…”

“Oi.”

“Eh, what is it?”

“For-forget it.”

Nonaka leaned forward with interest, and I did my best to calm him down.

“I’ll bring your lunch later.”

“Yes, yes, go away, you mother-con.”

“You’re going to be talking about that for a while, aren’t you?”

“Well, I wonder~?”

Miho’s provocative attitude irritates me to no end.

But on second thought, it’s almost the summer holiday, so the damage is likely to be less than I thought.

I’m sure this riajuu-couple will forget all about me being a mother-con after the summer holiday anyway.

They’re idiots, after all!

“…Later.”

I blurted out briefly and turned my back on my childhood friend.