Volume 1 - CH 43

—beep—beep—beep.

Morning comes as usual.

There is still a savory smell in the kitchen, probably from the okonomiyaki yesterday.

I change into my jersey and go to the entrance, where Himekawa is already waiting for me.

I had studied until quite late last night, so I thought she wouldn’t get up today, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning!”

Himekawa greets me cheerfully and seems to be in better shape than usual.

I’ve been through a lot recently, but I haven’t been as out of shape as I thought I would be.

On the contrary, I’m feeling a little better. Is it because of my well-balanced diet and disciplined lifestyle?

Or are there other factors at play here…

“You seem to be in good shape. Is there something going on ?”

“Nothing in particular. Just enjoying eating what I like and studying together. Compared to my old life, I feel like “I’m alive!”“

Well, it seems that up until now she has been living a very simple life, so she feels that way from a relative perspective.

My life hasn’t changed that much, but I certainly feel that meals are becoming more enjoyable.

I am sure that I am happy to see Himekawa’s cooking skills growing.

I will continue to make and eat things with her and watch her grow.

“I see. Well, we eat to live. And if you’re going to eat, it’s better to enjoy it.”

“Yes. Is it the same food today?”

“Yes, the same food as usual.”

“Shall we go?”

Himekawa walks out the door with a smile on her face. Himekawa’s steps are light and full of motivation.

I run side by side with Himekawa.

Her beautiful pitch-black hair occasionally comes into my sight.

Himekawa’s cheeks are slightly sweaty. She is running straight ahead, trying her best to keep her head straight.

I wonder if Himekawa’s future lies ahead of her.

And is she running straight ahead to the future that she wants?

“Tendo-kun, I’m going to pick up the pace a little!”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I need to burn off the calories from yesterday’s okonomiyaki!”

“Well then, I’ll follow you.”

Himekawa starts running in front of me.

Until that day comes, I’m going to support her a little bit.

Just a little bit, even if it is only for a short time.

—

“Okay, I’ll go first.”

“Yeah. Take care.”

Himekawa leaves first today as well.

It seems to be the usual routine.

“Oh, I have a part-time job after school today, so I’ll be home a little late.”

“I have a part-time job today and tomorrow. I understand, there will be a lot to learn at first, but I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Himekawa walks out the front door.

I saw her off. Well, I guess I’ll get ready for school too.

—ring—ring—ring—ring

Lunch break. I enjoy my lunch time at my seat, biting a piece of bread from the purchase, milk in hand.

And then misfortune comes my way. It’s the ever-familiar Takayama.

For some reason, he comes right in front of me and bows his head.

“What’s up, boss? That’s unusual.”

The boss lifts his head, grabs me by both shoulders, and opens his mouth in a half-crying state.

“Oh, please! You know the class I missed, give me the notes from that class! I know you’re a diligent student, you’ve been summarizing them! There’s a lot of material on the exam!”

“That’s the price for the time you missed. I’m happy to lend them to you, but ……”

Takayama then puts a paper bag in front of me.

“I know, don’t worry. I know Tendo very well.”

I gently open the paper bag and there is a yakisoba bun.

Two of the popular yakisoba buns in the store are in the bag.

These yakisoba buns, which are sold at lunch break, are so popular that they are sold out immediately.

Is this the reason why Takayama disappeared early in the lunch break?

“Well, I’d still lend you my notebook if you didn’t have anything.”

“Well, well, well. Don’t say that. Just keep it all to yourself.”

“I see. Well, thank you very much.”

I immediately opened a bag and took a bite of the yakisoba bread.

It was delicious. The thick sauce and the crispy bread.

I had heard rumors about it, but I never expected it to be this good.

“Tendo. Yakisoba bread is good, but I’ll take the notes…”

Oh, I forgot. I was completely absorbed in the yakisoba buns.

I took some notebooks from the desk and handed them to Takayama.

But this yakisoba bread is delicious…

It goes well with milk, and it was a good lunch break.

Takayama is sitting in the back of the room, copying my notebooks.

Maybe he is quite motivated for the exam this time.

That’s a good thing. Maybe he will score better than me on this test.

As I reached for my second Yakisoba bun, Takayama said a shocking word to me.

“Hey, Tendo. Did you get yourself a female tutor?”

The hand holding the yakisoba bread stops halfway through opening the bag.

A female tutor? There is no such thing as that, is there?