Chapter 28: Affected.

Reading Settings

Translated and Edited by: luccayn.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you're close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it's cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

---

On the rooftop, with my bento in hand, I was thinking about Tsukino.

I had brushed it off earlier, but inside, my heart was pounding at the sight of her beautiful face right in front of me. I could feel her breath on my nose; if it weren't for the previous incident, I might have been in trouble.

So, I ran away.

This rooftop had been sealed off for generations because of a small fire caused by delinquents smoking. But recently, workers inspecting the water tank and fences have been coming and going, so it’s been left open.

I happened to know why it was open. That’s why I'm the only one who can fully enjoy this temporary rooftop freedom.

“Where did you go?!”

I looked at my phone and saw a message from Tsukino. Come to think of it, I did say something unnecessary about swapping side dishes when we were locked in.

“Rooftop.”

I replied, and within minutes, Tsukino arrived. Despite not being good at sports, she had come running, sweating on her forehead.

“Why did you leave? I was so curious about what chan-chan yaki is!”

“Don’t worry, I haven't eaten it yet. Here.”

I handed her the whole package, and Tsukino looked at me with her usual puzzled expression. She really is weak to the unexpected, even though she can’t predict much.

“Why all of it?”

“I'll trade you for your bento.”

“W-what?”

“I want to taste your mom's cooking. Please.”

“It's girl-sized! It won't be enough for you, Shinji!”

“It's fine.”

I gave a short reply and took Tsukino's bento. It was indeed smaller and lighter than mine.

“Hamburg steak, gratin, tamagoyaki, cherry tomatoes, glazed carrots. Nice and colorful.”

“Well, yeah. I’m a girl who likes colorful things, so Mom made it like that for me.”

“The rice is really little. And it’s just one small rice ball.”

“I told you, it's for a girl! We usually can't eat that much!”

So, I ended up sharing the rice from my bento. First, I'll try the gratin.

“Delicious.”

“Right? My mom is a great cook. Dad always comes home for dinner even when he's busy with work.”

“Sounds like a warm family. I'm jealous.”

“Hehe. But you know, I helped make that hamburger steak. It's leftovers from last night.”

“Is that so? …Yeah, it's good.”

“Really!?”

“Yeah, it's delicious.”

As I ate, I realized we had even swapped chopsticks somehow. It's too late to point it out now, so I'll just pretend I didn't notice.

“I'll have some of yours.”

“Go ahead.”

“Let's see. …Wow! This is delicious! Amazing!”

Such an exaggerated reaction. Even if I didn't want to, it made me happy to see her so pleased.

“To keep it from getting too salty when cold, I used less butter and miso. Instead, I gave the salmon a slightly stronger seasoning.”

“Wow. I thought the same when you made udon, but you're really good at cooking, Shinji. The mushroom and kelp flavors in the mixed rice are amazing.”

“It's all about practice.”

“What about this pickled turnip? It's spicy and tasty.”

“That's store-bought.”

I couldn't focus on the conversation because Tsukino's face from earlier kept popping into my head. If I looked her in the eyes, my brain would probably slow down to a crawl, and I wouldn't be able to say anything.

I feel strange.

For me to get all soft like this, it's so unlike me.

“…No, wait. This isn’t right,” she started mumbling.

“What do you mean?”

“Being better at cooking than a girl, that’s definitely not okay! No matter what I make, you won't be impressed! Idiot!”

“What's with you all of a sudden? Besides, don’t guys get super happy about anything a girl makes, regardless of the taste?”

“Huh!?”

“Am I wrong?”

“…Ugh.”

The tamagoyaki was exceptional. I think I finally understand what they call a “mother’s flavor.” It's a sweet taste that brings a sense of relief and comfort that I can't recall ever feeling before.

Just calling it delicious would be too cheap; I couldn’t find the words to describe it.

“Shinji, are you teasing me?”

“I’m not. Why?”

“Because it feels like you're trying to make me fall for you! I thought you were the kind of person who'd never do that!”

“It’s a misunderstanding. I just don't have the luxury to choose my words right now.”

“Why not!?”

“I saw your face up close. I've been blushing ever since,” I murmured this while looking at the sky, as if talking to myself. I still haven't looked her in the eyes since she came up to the rooftop.

What was it again? That I was teasing her? That I was saying things I'd never normally say?

…This is no good; my head feels fuzzy, and I can't think straight. I might really be suffering from heatstroke. I want something cold and sweet to drink.

“Ah, uh, um,” I stuttered.

“What's that? Some word I don't know?”

“N-no, it's just that, um, I don’t know what to say, um, er…”

“Spit it out.”

“…I-I'm sorry for what happened earlier.”

“It wasn't your fault, don't worry about it.”

With that, I stood up, went to the vending machine on the floor below, and bought a milk tea and a can of sweet red bean soup. I climbed back up the stairs and passed by Tsukino, who still had a dumbfounded look on her face.

Feeling too embarrassed, I sat a bit farther away than before.

“Milk tea or sweet red bean soup, which do you want?”

“Th-there's no choice but the milk tea, right?”

“Here, take it. It's rarer for me to treat someone than for a tsuchinoko¹ to appear, so be grateful.”

“…Idiot.”

I chugged the sweet red bean soup and then slowly ate the remaining side dishes one by one. The pink bento box, the green grass divider, and the patterned gratin cup remained.

I see, this is how you add color to the presentation. If I ever get the chance to make a bento for Tsukino, I should put effort into these details too.

…Wait, what am I thinking? Am I an idiot?

“Thanks for the meal. It was delicious.”

“Y-yeah…”

I drank another can of sweet red bean soup. Somehow, the sweetness seemed to bring me back to my senses. I felt the sugar spreading to every corner of my tired brain, and my vision seemed to clear up.

The distant view that had been blurry became as sharp as usual with my 20/20 vision. Shinji Takatsuki, fully revived.

“But still, it wasn't enough, Tsukino.”

“I thought so.”

“With food this good, you must want to eat more too. Don’t worry about getting fat; just ask for bigger portions.”

“Y-you're back to normal!?”

“What do you mean, back to normal? Put away that dumb look, and let's head back before we get questioned. You go into class first.”

“You’re even harsher than before!”

And with that, I took a lap around the school building before entering the classroom.

Three sets of eyes glared enviously at Tsukino as she chatted with some friends. Thinking that one of them might be the one who locked us in made me shiver a bit, realizing how terrifying female jealousy can be.

But that ends today. This time, I'll destroy your twisted, messy relationships along with Hareta’s first love and crazy mindset.

Let's settle this once and for all.

---

1 — Rare Japanese folklore legend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuchinoko

---

Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment your opinions below!

Also, if you enjoyed my translation and would like to feed my caffeine addiction, click on the button below and graciously give me my fix—I mean, a cup of coffee.