You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 10: This Girl Is Trouble

(Why is she here? How did she know I’d be here?)

 Hiroki was overwhelmed by fear and astonishment. 

Yes, the last person he had wanted to see had just opened the door and entered.

(What should I do? What’s the best course of action?)

Hiroki puts his chopsticks down on his bowl, his mind racing, but he can’t come up with a solution.

Meanwhile, she sits down next to Hiroki.

(She… she’s here!?)

He’s completely within her reach now.

What’s about to start is either intimidation or negotiation.

Hiroki wonders what she will say first.

(She’s grabbing the menu tablet!?)

She picked up the menu tablet that was leaning on the counter.

Orders in this restaurant are made using a tablet attached to each table.

The tablet is the size of a study pad but five centimeters thick – effectively, a formidable weapon.

(Why is she holding it and glaring at it so intently?)

“Uhh…”

Watching her mutter something while holding the potential weapon close to her face, Hiroki thinks he’s figured out her plan.

(Is she going to attack me with that thing!?)

“Words can be less painful than experience,” Hiroki recalled her saying.

No, she had muttered that, Hiroki concluded.

(Is she planning to keep me from escaping!?)

Hiroki imagines she’s tired of his attempts to escape and plans to physically harm him to keep him from leaving.

(I could be killed here…)

Hiroki starts devising a plan to turn the situation around.

His top priority was his safety. He must do something about the tablet in her hands to ensure that.

There’s only one thing Hiroki can do.

“Would you like me to order for you?”

Hiroki smoothly takes the acrylic tablet, intending to order on her behalf.

(Gotcha! I’ve disarmed her!)

(Ohhh…)

Shiori is filled with joy.

It’s like her lost child has returned.

(I finally found him…)

She almost wants to jump at him.

She’s been searching for him so desperately, tears and all.

(No… not yet…)

Shiori restrains herself.

If she acts on her emotions, he’ll become her enemy.

Shiori must show through her actions that she has no intention of being hostile towards Hiroki.

“Then, I’ll have whatever you recommend.”

Her words take Hiroki aback.

She’s caught him off guard. Shiori decided to leave her order up to Hiroki’s taste.

After eating what he recommends and expressing her enjoyment, she hopes to improve her image.

This was Shiori’s spontaneous approach.

(Come on! Place the order!)

“Then, I’ll go with your recommendation.”

(What?)

What is she talking about…

That’s the first thing that comes to Hiroki’s mind.

Hiroki and Shiori don’t have a close relationship. Who would ask for recommendations from such an acquaintance?

Unless there’s an ulterior motive.

(Is she trying to butter me up…)

Having lost her weapon, Shiori is now trying to curry favor with Hiroki for some benefit.

Hiroki decides to confront her.

(Weapon disarmed. Now, to get rid of her.)

He’ll challenge her with a dish known as ‘ramen.’

Hiroki calls over the familiar shop owner.

“Uncle, please give this girl ‘that.’ I’ll pay for it.”

“‘That’? You mean, you’re going to make her eat ‘that’?”

The owner understands what Hiroki means by ‘that.’

“If I’m recommending something, it has to be ‘that.’ I eat it occasionally, too.”

“But you just started finishing it yourse-’Just. Do it! It’s on me!’”

Hiroki insists on the order.

There’s no other way to get rid of her than ‘that.’

(Now that she’s trying to charm me, the conditions are perfect.)

Trying to charm him means she’s seeking a favorable impression from Hiroki.

She came to butter him up.

She asked for his recommendation.

Hiroki is paying for it.

Under these conditions, she must finish the dish. Otherwise, she would be disrespecting Hiroki’s feelings.

So, Hiroki orders a ramen he knows she can’t finish.

“Here you go, ‘Super Heavenly Deadly Spicy Ramen’!”

The owner served ramen with a soup mixed with red and black, indicating extreme spiciness.

The toppings are limited to char siu, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and green onions – nothing to reduce the spiciness.

(The ramen that took me four years to conquer! She won’t last a bite!)

Hiroki smirks, glancing at her. 

She timidly picks up her chopsticks.

(Is this… even ramen?)

Shiori sweats lightly in the face of Hiroki’s difficult challenge.

(Is this dark soup his recommendation?)

The ramen, a mix of red and black, reminds her of blood. She slowly picks up the noodles with her chopsticks.

(The noodles are drenched in the thick soup! The smell is intense!)

It is not something a girl would typically eat. But Shiori has to eat it to have a conversation with him.

Slurp.

“Ugh!”

The moment she takes a bite, Shiori’s face contorts. It’s not just spiciness that assaults her; it’s pain.

(The pain in my tongue, my throat…)

This ramen doesn’t just bring spiciness; it feels like needles piercing her mouth.

Gulp.

Shiori somehow swallows the first bite, her face covered in an unusual amount of sweat.

(I can’t, I just can’t…)

She’s on the verge of giving up when a shadow falls over her face.

“Sorry about that. It was my recommendation, but you don’t have to force yourself,” Hiroki says, reaching over to take her bowl.

However, the bowl does not budge. Shiori is gripping it tightly.

“No, it’s just a new taste that surprised me. I will enjoy it,” Shiori insists, surprising Hiroki with determination.

(I’m not done yet! I won’t die! I just need to finish this ramen!)

Shiori’s eyes burn with resolve. If she gives up now, she’ll lose her chance. She grips her chopsticks tightly and plunges them into the bowl.

(Can she eat this? That’s impossible!)

One bite after another, the noodles disappear into her mouth.

Sweat streamed down her face; her nose ran, her eyes watered, and her face turned red. It’s not a typical expression for a high school girl.

(Is she that desperate for my money?)

Seeing her apparent obsession with money, Hiroki is puzzled.

In less than five minutes, she finishes the noodles and toppings. Only the ominous soup remains.

(Is she going to do it? No way she can!)

In front of Hiroki, Shiori lifts the bowl with both hands and brings the bowl to her mouth.

Gulp… Gulp… Gulp…

Hiroki realizes her determination is real. Is she willing to do anything for money? He labels her as a dangerous woman who’d do anything for financial gain.

“Thank you for the meal. The ramen you recommended was delicious,” Shiori says.

“Is that so? That’s good to hear…”

Shiori forces a smile, having risen to Hiroki’s challenge. She’s earned a chance to talk. This is just the beginning for her.

Hiroki, looking at her empty bowl, decides he’s not ready to accept her but is willing to listen.

“I have something to discuss with you.”

“I already know.”

Hiroki cuts her off.

“I’ll say it again. I know what you’re after (after the lottery money).”

“Is that so? (You already know about the Combat College’s decision, then.)”

Their eyes meet. Hiroki leans on the table, questioning Shiori.

“Tell me, what’s in it for me if I accept your proposal (and give you a large sum of money)?”

Shiori is surprised and mentally unsettled. This is one of the most serious conversations she’s had. She’s silent, trying to come up with a response. Hiroki questions her again.

“Didn’t you hear me? What’s the benefit for me in accepting your proposal (and handing over the money)?”

Hiroki decides to pressure her. In his eyes, she’s an enemy trying to defraud him.

Shiori cannot answer his pressing question, reinforcing Hiroki’s resolve to make her give up.

(There’s no benefit. Just leave!)

That’s what Hiroki thinks. Then, Shiori gathered her thoughts and spoke.

“There is no benefit.”

“Then there’s no point in listening any furth-“

“But if I disappear now, wouldn’t that disadvantage you? (The Combat College already targets you.)”

“!? (Is she threatening to expose me!?)”

Now, Shiori turns the tables on Hiroki. The unknown nature of Hiroki’s powers makes this a dangerous move, but it’s the only option Shiori has left.

“Do you realize what you’re saying? (I could call the police, and you’d be finished!)”

“Yes, I do (I know you have the power to do whatever you want with me).”

“So you want it that badly (the money)?”

“Yes, I’ve come this far for that (The Combat College and I want your presence!).”

Shiori’s eyes show her determination. Hiroki senses a strength of will he has never felt before.

Shiori is prepared for death. Shiori conveys her feelings in a situation where she could be killed at any moment.

Silence falls between them.

Then, Hiroki, sweating, speaks.

“Alright. (I’ll give you part of the money.) But I need proof I can trust you. (I need something to ensure you won’t make more demands.) I can’t afford to be betrayed.”

Shiori’s eyes glisten with tears.

“Understood. I’ll deliver the documents later (including the transfer papers and a promise from the Combat College not to harm you).”

“Alright.”

Hiroki stands up, opens his wallet, places the money on the counter, and casts a final glance at Shiori.

“See you. I’ll be waiting for the documents.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

Hiroki exits and disappears outside. Shiori watches until the door closes.

And Hiroki never sees Shiori rushing to the restroom in a panic.

“〜〜〜!?”

(TL|N: I finally did it, I finished!)