Episode 24: A Thank-You Lunchtime

Lunch break

The classroom still felt awkward after what happened this morning, but the reason no one talked to me was probably because they were avoiding getting involved with me.

Still, there were a few people who looked like they were about to say something. They were the other loners(?), though.

Well, I don’t care about the classroom. I should head to the flower beds. I need to talk to Senpai about what we’re going to do from now on, anyway.

I headed toward the flower beds with a plastic bag containing my usual convenience store rice balls and a bottle of tea.

As I walked, the people started thinning out, and by the time I reached the flower beds, there was no one left.

Senpai was… I could see her sitting on the bench.

She must have noticed me too, because she gave me a little wave with a smile.

…It was the same this morning, but since I’ve always seen Senpai as this dignified, slightly sharp person, the gap is just incredible. Every little thing she does looks so cute that it’s a problem… no, it’s not a problem, but it’s a「problem,」you know?

「Takanashi-san, hello.」

「Yes, hello, Senpai.」

Senpai was setting out bento boxes on the bench… setting them out? The amount seemed like a lot for just her…

「Come, let’s have lunch. Takanashi-san, please sit over there.」

「Oh, okay.」

We ended up sitting the same way we did when we ate together before.

「Here, these are your chopsticks, Takanashi-san. And this is your portion. I made a lot, so please don’t hesitate to eat your fill, okay?」

「Th-thank you. …Wait, Senpai, you made me a bento?!」

「Ah… sorry, I got ahead of myself. So much has happened that I’m not even sure which thing I’m thanking you for anymore, but I tried making a bento as part of that. Please eat it if you’d like.」

Whoa, I can’t believe she prepared a surprise like this!

So that’s why she kept checking with me since yesterday…

「Thank you. I feel kind of bad… no, honestly, I’m just genuinely happy. Really, truly happy.」

Senpai looked at me with a smile so bright it was almost blinding.

「Fufu… hearing you say that makes me happy too. Now, it would be even better if the food and the taste made you happy as well.」

「I’ve had your bento before, Senpai, so I’m absolutely sure it’ll be delicious.」

「Thank you. Actually… that time was meant to be an investigation of your tastes so I could make this bento, you know?」

As she said that, Senpai gave me a slightly mischievous look. She can make faces like that too… I’ve done nothing but be surprised today…

「Is that so? At the time, I was just happy because I thought I was lucky.」

「I couldn’t exactly try a bunch of things right away, so I just made it the same way I usually do to see if it suited your palate.」

「I exchange side dishes with Natsumi sometimes, but I’d never made something specifically for someone else to eat before, so I was a little nervous wondering what I’d do if you didn’t like it.」

So, even though it was a thank-you gift, she made a bento for someone else for the first time… for me…

Is this it?

Did God take pity on the way my life has been up until now and finally give me some salvation?

Or rather, Senpai really was a Goddess.

「No, it really was delicious, and I was so happy to have such a fancy lunch.」

「Fufu… I’m glad you think so. Now, I’m sorry for talking so much, but let’s eat.」

「Yes, thank you for the food.」

When I opened the lid of the bento… it’s a hamburg steak?!

「Whoa! Yes, hamburg steak!」

「Fufu… you really do love hamburg steak, don’t you?」

「Yeah, this is the one thing that never changes… wait, huh? Senpai, how did you know I liked…」

「I asked you last time, for reference.」

「………Oh, come to think of it, I think I said something like that while we were talking.」

「Yes. My ultimate goal back then was to find out what your favorite food was.」

Even if it was a thank-you gift, I’m so happy she thought of me that much.

On the flip side, I feel bad all over again for the way I didn’t trust her and just jumped to conclusions.

「Now, please go ahead and eat. I did my best since I heard it was your favorite. I hope it’s to your liking…」

Honestly, it’s already delicious just because it’s handmade by Senpai, but… how can I even describe how good this is?

「This is too good… I’m so happy.」

Just pure deliciousness and pure joy.

Senpai ate her own bento while occasionally looking over and smiling at me.

I felt a bit embarrassed, but I still ended up devouring the whole thing.

「Thank you for the meal… man, that really was delicious…」

「Fufu… I could tell you meant it just from your face, so I’m relieved.」

「Sorry, I kind of lost myself in the food…」

「No, I’m happy too.」

Senpai started packing up the bento boxes.

「Sorry, I’ll wash the bento box and bring it back tomorrow!」

「Fufu… no, you can’t. That part is included in my bento-making.」

With that, she quickly took the bento box back from me.

…She’s cute, kind, and a great cook. She’s way too powerful…