Chapter 19: Firm noodles, rich flavor, a little extra oil

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

By the time the two of them stepped out of the hotel, it was already past noon. Without a word, Ginji sat Sora down on a bench, her head lowered.

Ginji loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his dress shirt. A slightly damp breeze passed between them.

“I’m starving. How about you, Sora?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Then let’s get some ramen. I don't come around here much, so I don't really know the place… but there should be something near the station.”

Ginji stood up with his hands in his pockets. Sora, eyes blank, got up and followed him.

They found a ramen shop along the bar street near the station that didn't have a line and went inside. The savory smell awakened their appetites.

“My treat. Order whatever you want.”

He handed her the menu. Sora stared at it in silence. On closer look, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

She'd said earlier she wasn't sure, but the smell in the shop must have made her realize she was hungry.

“…Small soy sauce ramen with a gyoza set. Firm noodles, rich flavor, extra oil.”

“Alright. I'll get large chashu ramen, firm noodles, extra oil.”

They placed their order using a tablet, and the ramen arrived quickly. Sora used a spoon to carefully bring the noodles to her mouth, while Ginji slurped his down with gusto.

“The gyoza's good… maybe heavy on the garlic chives?”

“Sounds tasty.”

“Want one, Ginji?”

“Nice. I'll trade you a slice of chashu.”

They continued chatting like that as they ate, and before they knew it, they were done.

In the quiet moment that followed, enjoying the aftertaste, Sora was the first to speak.

“Ginji, you’re unfair.”

“How?”

“I feel like you’re always the one seeing me at my most embarrassing.”

With her eyes still red from crying, Sora glared at Ginji. Now that the tears had passed, she seemed embarrassed about having cried.

Ginji felt a bit of relief. Honestly, he hadn't known how to cheer her up, and ramen was the best idea he could come up with.

“It's not like that. Well, okay, I admit today was rough. I didn't expect it to turn out like that.”

“No, I'm glad you were there. If not, I would've been even more crushed… It's weird, but eating ramen really lifted my spirits.”

“That's how it is. Once your stomach's full, things don't seem so bad.”

“It's because I was with you, Ginji.”

“Meals with a friend always taste better. Oh, and by the way… I recorded your talk with Shiki earlier. The sound's a little faint because we were far, but with an app, we could fix that enough to make it usable.”

Ginji pulled his phone from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to her. Sora looked at the phone, then at Ginji. Their eyes met. Ginji braced himself, but Sora broke into a small smile first.

“I won't use it. I don't want to deny what I did for Aika-chan.”

It wasn't the answer Ginji expected, but it felt just like her.

“Got it. Still, I'm not letting that idol get away with it. I've got to wipe that smug look off her face.”

Feeling the tense moment had passed, Ginji stretched, loosening up the muscles stiff from his suit.

“I'm frustrated too. But… you're going to make me happy, right, Ginji? So don't just focus on Aika-chan.”

Sora laced her fingers together. The gesture, along with her neatly styled hair, gave her a captivating charm—but Ginji didn't notice, and simply grinned in return.

“Yeah, you're right. Scheming is more Shiki's style. I let myself get distracted by something petty. We're better off staying true to ourselves. What matters most is your happiness.”

“I'm counting on you, Ginji.”

“Leave it to me, Sora.”

Ginji held out a fist, and Sora bumped hers against it. Her hand trembled—still trying to act strong—but Ginji wasn't tactless enough to point it out.

“Alright then, want to hit another spot?”

“No way, I'm stuffed. But… since we're in the city, maybe I want to have a little fun? It's been a while since I had a day off with nothing to do.”

“Then how about the arcade? Wearing a suit's a pain, though.”

“Sounds fun. I've actually never been to one.”

“You serious?!”

And just like that, the two of them headed off into the city for the rest of their day.