When Two Wounded Hearts Find Solace In Each Other, Snow White (The School's Beauty) And I Were Mistakenly Labeled As A Silly Couple. - Chapter 5: Chocolate Can Drive People Mad.

Chocolate Can Drive People Mad.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Having finished his meal, Takashi placed his chopsticks on the table, feeling satisfied.

“You’re very welcome.”

Himeno, with a happy smile, looked at him. It seemed to bring her joy to see someone enjoying the food she had prepared.

Even Takashi’s childhood friend, watching him eat with relish, seemed pleased.

“I’ll take care of the cleanup.”

“It’s okay. Takahashi-kun, you are my guest, so please relax.”

As Takashi tried to take the dishes to the kitchen, Himeno’s hand gently stopped him.

Her hand, delicate yet soft and warm, seemed as if it might break with just a strong grip.

“Sorry.”

Seeming flustered and with a blush on her cheeks, Himeno withdrew her hand, which she hadn’t intentionally touched him with.

In just a few hours together, Takashi had noticed one thing about her – Himeno was surprisingly pure-hearted, even for a modern high school student.

It seemed like this might be her first time interacting with the opposite sex during adolescence.

“It’s okay.”

There are very few men who wouldn’t be happy with interaction from a beautiful girl, excluding those who are not interested in women. However, even for Takashi, despite having a close childhood friend of the opposite sex, it was a bit embarrassing.

“Um… I have some chocolate that I bought when my family went on a trip during spring break. Would you like to have some?”

“Chocolate?”

“Yes. If you still have room in your stomach, that is.”

“Then I’ll take some.”

For a growing high school boy, Himeno’s homemade dishes alone weren’t enough. While he was satisfied with the taste, Himeno, who had never cooked for a boy before, probably didn’t know how much Takashi would eat.

Saying she would bring it, Himeno headed towards the kitchen where the chocolate was likely placed.

“Here you go.”

The chocolate she brought from the refrigerator seemed like a souvenir, but she probably bought it for herself because it looked delicious locally.

It seemed to be from a trip abroad, likely with French writing on it.

Takashi thought that the Shirayuki family might be wealthy enough to afford overseas trips during spring break.

“Don’t hesitate to have some.”

Opening the box and checking its contents, there were neatly arranged small, round chocolates.

Picking one up with his fingers and placing it in his mouth.

“Wow, it’s delicious.”

With a moderate bitterness suitable for adults, it seemed like the kind of chocolate he had never tasted before.

“My body feels light-headed.”

“Uh… Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. One more.”

Taking another bite of the chocolate, a bitter taste spread in his mouth.

“Ahaha,ahahaha.”

“Hey… Takahashi-kun, are you okay?”

Seeing Takashi suddenly burst into laughter, Himeno looked at him with concern.

“I’m fine. Shirayuki, two of you are here…”

“You’re definitely not fine.”

Looking at Takashi, whose speech was a bit slurred, Himeno looked worried and came closer.

“Even though it’s chocolate with alcohol, to get like this just from this…”

“Alcohol? I remember in a romantic comedy anime, the heroine ate chocolate with alcohol and got completely drunk.”

In his somewhat dizzy head, Takashi recalled seeing that in an anime before.

In romantic comedy anime, many characters are underage, so alcohol-infused chocolates are sometimes used as a plot device to make the heroine drunk for a comedic scene.

Alcohol-infused? Is that okay? I remember reading that it’s fine for minors to consume alcohol in food.

“I’m not familiar with anime, but right now, Takahashi-kun is in that state.”

“Alcohol-infused chocolate is used to make the heroine drunk for a kiss scene. As a guy, there’s no way I’d get drunk.”

Muttering that Takashi was clearly drunk, Himeno used her body to support him. There was a sweet scent and a soft touch different from the chocolate, making his whole body feel comfortable.

“Shirayuki, you were twins, wow? The other Shirayuki-san, nice to meet you.”

While being supported, he bowed his head towards the other Himeno?

“I don’t have a  twin. Besides, I live alone.”

She seemed to be saying something, but his head was too fuzzy to think deeply.

“Thank you, Shirayuki.”

“Huh?”

“If Shirayuki wasn’t here, I might still be crying.”

Shocked by his first heartbreak, Takashi might have locked himself in his room if he hadn’t met Himeno on the rooftop. So, he’s grateful to Himeno, and he wants to repay her if he can in the future.

“The thanks should come from me. Thank you.”

Feeling the gentle and warm touch of her hand on his head, he hugged Himeno tightly and closed his eyes to go to sleep.

“Huh? Are you going to sleep? This is my house, not Takahashi-kun’s house.”

Himeno said something, but Takashi slowly entered the world of dreams.