Chapter 34: Lightning and fried horse mackerel

Translator: Soafp

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The bento showdown ended in a draw, and despite being overwhelmed by an unexpected intensity from Gindou Kohaku, their relationship did not progress. By the way, both bentos were enjoyed beautifully.

I wonder if Kikawa Moegi would end up in a similar situation? Considering her dislike for men, it’s unlikely, but should I think about countermeasures?

I don’t want to see any more discord among the Masou Shoujo. I had a rather heartwarming image in mind, but when I see Gindou Kohaku and Hihara Karen, I often start to question if my memories have been altered.

Maybe I should buy juice from the vending machine and take a break. The supplies from Kanoya have run out in the morning.

As I approached the vending machine, there was a beautiful woman with yellow hair and eyes.

Hmm, she’s definitely cute. This is the kind of person who becomes a model, giving that impression. Her legs are sexy, she has a decent bust, a beautiful face, and a cute voice.

I don’t know how else to put it, but she’s erotically cute. That expression fits her well.

After picking up a bottle from the vending machine’s dispenser, she noticed me as she was about to leave.

Ah, she has an eye for garbage.

She won’t get involved in any chaotic situations. Yeah.

“You’re undeniably scum, you know that?”

I fully agree. I’m a scumbag who keeps two lovely women around.

“What do you want by keeping two cute girls by your side? You only see them as tools to satisfy your own pleasure, don’t you?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“I’ve been observing you lately. Especially when you were eating with the two of them in the cafeteria.”

“I-I see”

Is she referring to the incident at the Shura. She looks down on me. She noticed me!?

Could it be… that she fell in love at first sight!? There’s no way that would happen with an average guy like me.

“You’re always looking at Kohaku-chan’s chest and butt. I’ve counted eighteen times in the past week when you pretended to take a sip of water but actually looked. Coughing while looking, a total of twenty-one times. By the way, that’s only for the chest.”

“…”

“You’ve looked at her butt a total of thirty times while yawning, stretching, and turning your neck.”

“…”

“Do you have anything to say?”

“No, I have nothing to say.”

Not good, she really pays close attention. In a bad way. What should I do in this situation where my likability has plummeted?

“Oh, you’ve been glancing at Karen-chan too. About twenty times, between her chest and her butt.”

“…”

“Do you not feel ashamed for constantly giving those sexual looks?”

“I feel incredibly embarrassed.”

“You’re hopeless. You’re so hopeless that you might better be dead. This is why men…”

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable.”

“You can say whatever you want, huh? You act like a gentleman while sneakily staring at my legs and chest. That part of you also irritates me.”

“I’m sorry for being worse than trash.”

I couldn’t help but fall to my knees and prostrate myself right there. I felt like a slave surrendering to the queen.

“Uwa, kneeling down? It’s all so creepy. Just looking at you makes me uncomfortable. You’ve managed to lower my opinion of you even more than a used tissue for blowing your nose. It’s a waste for you to be called fried horse mackerel.”

“…”

“Apologize to the fried horse mackerel. Say, ‘I’m sorry for tainting fried horse mackerel with my presence, which is lower than a used tissue for blowing your nose.'”

“Well, that’s…”

“Don’t apologize. Apologize to fried horse mackerel.”

“Eh, but”

“Do it. Now.”

What kind of person gets treated like this? I’ve never seen it even in manga. Am I really more hated than a used tissue for blowing your nose, while being involved with two of the most beautiful girls in school?

“I’m sorry for tainting fried horse mackerel with my presence, which is lower than a used tissue for blowing your nose”

“You really did it. It’s creepy…”

What should I do? Either way, it’s a terrible situation!! Avoiding a bad ending is becoming uncertain at this rate. What should I do?

“I’m getting goosebumps. I will be on my way.”

Leaving a deep wound in my heart, she walked away from that place. I knew she didn’t like men, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.

Is she jealous of me being the object of affection for Gindou Kohaku and Hihara Karen? Most likely, but does she have to go that far? There seems to be another reason behind it…

Although it was a worrying first encounter, I should be satisfied that we were able to have a conversation. No, that’s not right. I feel a slight uneasiness from the intense dislike she showed. I ponder while gazing at the vending machine. I insert the money, buy a bottle of water, and start walking back to the meeting place for the event committee.

In the afternoon, I have my duties as a referee. Should I go early and wait? Holding the bottle of water in my hand, I pick up the pace and walk ahead.

---

“The winner is Class 2-C of Mina no Iro High School.”

The announcement of the result of the giant ball rolling relay brings joy and cheers from the victorious team. Soon, things calm down, and the athletes make way for the next event.

The judges also feel a bit fatigued. Despite not having moved much, they feel tired after two consecutive events. Nevertheless, their work is done now. It’s time to relax in the class area.

Returning to the committee’s designated spot, I find Hihara Karen waiting there.

“Good job”

“Good job to you too”

“You must be tired. Take a rest at the class camp.”

“Thank you. I will.”

With a slightly slouched posture, I slowly make my way to the class area. However, the atmosphere in the class feels incredibly heavy.

What’s going on? Why is it like this?

Wasn’t it supposed to be a fun sports festival? We won the team competitions, so why has the atmosphere become so tense? As I approach the class area, Noguchi Natsuko approaches me with great intensity and forcefully pulls me away to a slightly secluded spot.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“What’s going on?! It’s all because of you, Kuroda-kun! The class atmosphere has become unbearable because of you!”

“Eh? Because of me?”

Did I do something wrong? I have no idea.

“Gindou-san is furious, and the air is heavy because of it! What did you do?!”

“Well, She had a lunch showdown with Hihara-senpai, and I decided to call it a draw…”

“Oh, the lunch showdown with Hihara-senpai?”

“Yeah, that showdown.”

“Why didn’t you let Gindou-san win?!”

“Well, I thought it would reduce the friction between Hihara-senpai and her…”

“Gindou-san put a lot of effort into her lunch, you know?”

“Yeah, she did. I acknowledge that.”

“And Hihara-senpai isn’t particularly skilled in cooking, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but how did you know?”

“Gindou-san told me.”

“Oh, I see.”

“It’s obvious that Gindou-san should have won. She thought she could win, but you made it a draw, and now the class atmosphere is in turmoil. What are you going to do about it?”

“Uhm, I’m sorry.”

“Instead of apologizing, do something about Gindou-san! It’s getting serious. The entire class is on edge, and it feels like it’s no longer a sports festival! Hurry up and go!”

“Okay, I’ll go.”

If I have offended Gindo-san and my classmates, I am truly sorry. But what should I say to her?

Upon entering the class area, I notice that there is an empty seat next to Gindou Kohaku. Should I just go and intrude?

“Uhm, is it alright if I sit next to you?”

“Do whatever you want.”

She replies curtly, turning her face away as if she’s completely uninterested. What should I say in response?! What would a charismatic anime character say in a situation like this??

Would praising her be effective? If I don’t take action, nothing will start. Alright, let’s try praising her.

“Uhm, thank you for the delicious lunch. It was really amazing…”

“There’s no need to force yourself to praise my lunch. It’s nothing special, just beginner’s luck.”

“Oh, no, really, it was something special… It truly was.”

“You don’t have to bother. It’s just a lunch that can only be tied to a beginner.”

“Oh, well, um…”

“I don’t need half-hearted responses. It’s unpleasant, so please go over there.”

“U-uhm…”

“Do you have something else to say?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I get up from my seat, walking slowly and distancing myself from the class. Once again, Noguchi Natsuko scolds me.

“What are you doing?! Just say that she won! Why is it so difficult?!”

“Well, um, the decision was made as a draw, and Hihara-senpai isn’t here, so I thought it wouldn’t be right to change the result on the spot…”

“What unnecessary gentlemanliness! We don’t need it!”

“I’m sorry…”

“Ugh! You two are such a pain! Gindou-san can be difficult, but you’re just as troublesome, Kuroda-kun!”

“I’m sorry…”

I have caused inconvenience to various people by not decisively declaring a result. It’s supposed to be a fun sports festival, but I can’t enjoy it like this. Could I have handled this situation better?

—-I apologize to everyone.

She stared at my face for a while and began speaking quietly.

“…Well, since you don’t want to change the result, just fix her mood.”

“Yes.”

“Get your face together! You have the most influence on her, Kuroda-kun, so if you don’t look good, she won’t either!”

“Ah, yes.”

“Still too gloomy! At least make that indescribable face like you always do!”

“Like this, maybe?”

“Yes! That’s it! Approach her with that face!”

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“Yeah. Also, maybe I said too much, I’m sorry.”

“No, Noguchi-san’s opinion is reasonable. I’m the one at fault, so please don’t worry about it.”

“I see. If Kuroda-kun says so, so be it.”

“Yes, please. I’ll go back to Gindou-san once more.”

“By the way, how are you going to fix her mood?”

“Well, what should I do?”

“Don’t ask me. Well, it might be simple, but how about praising her to death?”

“Along with my true feelings, I’ll praise her to the point where she retreats.”

“But wouldn’t that be counterproductive?”

“Excuse me!”

I ran out of the place. Back to Gindou Kohaku. I’ll convey my feelings to her directly. There was something else I wanted to say about that lunch at that time.

“Excuse me for intruding!”

“W-What is it? All of a sudden…”

“Let’s go somewhere.”

“Huh? Where?”

“Let’s go!!!”

“Wait, hold on.”

I took her hand and without asking for her consent, I led her to the back of the school building.

“I wanted to thank you for the lunch earlier!! It was truly amazing, like a divine masterpiece. Gindou-san, who can create such a meal, is like a goddess herself!!!”

“Eeh? T-To be suddenly told something like that…”

“First of all, I was wrong to assume it was a competition. Gindou-san’s lunch, no, it’s not just a lunch. When the weapon of a goddess entered the lunch battle, the match was no longer valid!!!! I should have called it inconclusive instead of a draw when the goddess Gindou-san appeared!!!! It’s not something insignificant? Absolutely not!!! I would pay a billion just to eat that lunch!!! A lunch made by Gindou-san, who is as elegant and beautiful as a goddess, is of such great value!!!”

“Eh, no, you don’t have to praise me that much…”

“No, I will continue praising you!!!”

“Eeh?!”

“It was truly a magnificent lunch, and I can’t fully express it with words!!! No, what should I say to describe something that even human expression falls short of… No, it’s presumptuous to even try to express it…”

“Please, stop it!!!!”

She blushed and crouched down on the spot.

“I understand!! I’ll die of embarrassment!! Please, I’m begging you, stop it!!”

“Because it seemed like Gindou-san didn’t realize the value of her own lunch.”

“T-Then why didn’t you say that during the competition earlier?”

“Well, yes. I had that impression while eating it… but I thought it would be too embarrassing to say it out loud.”

“I-It is embarrassing, right?!”

“But Gindou-san seemed a bit down, so I thought the only way was to speak honestly and help her regain her confidence. That lunch is truly something of great value!!! I had the impression that I could die just by eating it!!!”

In my past life, I genuinely wished to taste her homemade cooking at least once. I fantasized about how happy I would be to have a meal prepared by her. But I got so caught up in the competition that I forgot about it.

That lunch was too extraordinary, beyond my ability to judge.

“It’s the best!!! Long live Goddess Gindou!!! Talented and beautiful!!! The best!!! Long live!!! Talented and beautiful!!! Goddess Gindou, long live!!!”

“Stop it!!!! Stop it!!! I understand!!”

“How about that!!! Did you reaffirm your own greatness!!!”

“I did, so please stop!!!”

“That’s good to hear!!!”

“Aah, mou, what’s wrong with you…”

She muttered, averting her gaze.

---

It took some time for her to calm down.

“There’s a misunderstanding, so let me clarify. It’s not that I became upset because I lost confidence in myself. Well, that might have played a small part, but the main reason is that Izayoi-kun didn’t say I was better than her.”

She searched for her words while looking into my eyes.

“I made my lunch with the best ingredients tailored to Izayoi-kun’s taste. I was sure you would say I’m better. When it was finished, I believed that. Even looking at your expression while you were eating, it seemed like you enjoyed my lunch more. It was my victory. Choose me. I was convinced of that. But Izayoi-kun declared it a draw.”

“Hihara-senpai’s lunch might have been a wonderful creation that conveyed her hard work. But mine should have been the better lunch. So, when it ended in a draw, I couldn’t help but think that Izayoi-kun liked Hihara-senpai more than me. It felt like I was being judged as a person, not just based on the lunch. It was unbearably frustrating, and anger welled up inside me.”

“I’m sorry. In the end, I burdened Izayoi-kun with a lot. I made you worry. But still, please tell me once more. In that lunch battle, which lunch was better for you?”

I’m such a fool. I was trying to praise her to the point of suffocation and nullify the competition. I’m an idiot. A complete idiot. And a terrible person.

But even so, I want those two to get along. Even if they dislike me, I want them to acknowledge each other.

Because I loved seeing them laugh together…

“That… Well…”

“…”

“You win.”

I heard a resolute voice from behind. When I turned around, it was Hihara Karen. She was looking at us.

“I lost. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s frustrating, but I accept it.”

She stood in front of Kohaku, locking eyes without wavering.

“But remember this. I’m a genius. I’ll quickly complete my cooking skills and surpass you.”

“…”

“So, it’s fine for now to lose. Loss holds more value than victory. Right now, it’s about gaining experience points. Tell me, Izayoi. Tell me it’s my loss and her win.”

I made eye contact with Hihara Karen. Her eyes were strong and beautiful, conveying an incredibly strong will.

“…Kohaku-san’s the winner. That lunch was the best I’ve ever had.”

“!”

“Ahhh… It’s frustrating!!!”

After announcing the result, one of them smiled slightly while the other held her head in her hands.

“But that’s fine!!! These are experience points!!! I’ll make an S-rank dish right away!!”

“Cooking is not something that can be easily mastered. You’re underestimating the difficulty.”

“With a smartphone, you can make any dish you want!!”

“What are you saying when you can’t even make a simple omelet?”

“Ha? Are you picking a fight?”

“No, no. I just spoke my mind. If it bothered you, I apologize.”

“Try to make a bit more effort to hide your provocation!”

“Sorry, I don’t really understand what you’re talking about…”

“Could you stop acting clueless and tilting your head?”

It’s better to intervene for now. I also have something I want to ask.

“Why is Hihara-senpai here?”

“I saw the two of you heading somewhere… No, I mean, I happened to stumble upon you while I was walking!! Don’t misunderstand, it’s not like I was curious about Izayoi or anything!!!”

“Oh, I see.”

Tsundere is cute. Incredibly cute. After this, the two of them continued to exchange words.

Is this really okay? There are good and bad aspects. I want them to get along and laugh together. It might be difficult now, but someday, for sure. No, in the near future, I’ll make these two into best friends who can laugh together!!

With a new resolve, I’m going to stop the girls’ agitation battle!