LMLCG – Episode 24 – A Thank-You Lunchtime

Lunch Break

The classroom atmosphere is a bit awkward because of what happened this morning, but I guess the reason no one talked to me was that they were deliberately avoiding getting involved with me.

That said, there were a few who seemed like they might want to talk to me. They were kind of in the same outcast group(?) as me.

Well, I don’t care about the classroom. I should head to the flower bed quickly. Thinking about what lies ahead, it’s probably best if I talk to Senpai.

Holding the bag with my usual convenience store onigiri and bottled tea, I made my way to the flower bed.

The number of people around gradually thinned out, and by the time I arrived, there was no one else in sight.

Senpai was… sitting on the bench.

Senpai noticed me too, as she gave a small wave and a warm smile.

…It was the same this morning, but having always seen Senpai as dignified and a bit strict, the contrast to now is amazing. Every little movement of hers seems so cute to me that it’s troubling… No, it’s not exactly a trouble, but still somehow troubling…

“Takanashi-san, good afternoon.”

“Yes, good afternoon, Senpai.”

Senpai laid out a bento on the bench… Is she just setting up? That’s quite a lot for just one person…

“Now then, let’s have lunch. Takanashi-san, please sit over here.”

“Ah, okay.”

Just like the last time we ate together.

“Here are your chopsticks, Takanashi-san. And this is your portion. I made a bit more than usual, so please feel free to help yourself.”

“Ah, thank you… Wait, Senpai, you made this bento for me?”

“Ah… Sorry, I got ahead of myself. So much has happened recently that I forgot what exactly I’m thanking you for, but as one form of thanks, I decided to make lunch for you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

Whoa, she actually prepared a surprise like this for me!

So that’s why she asked a few times yesterday…

“Thank you very much. I don’t know what to say… No, to be honest, I’m just really happy. Truly happy.”

Senpai looked at me with a dazzling smile.

“Fufu… I’m glad to hear you say that. And if you enjoy the food and the taste, that’s even better.”

“I’ve had your bento before, so I’m sure it’s delicious.”

“Thank you. Actually… that time was meant to help me research your preferences for making this bento.”

She said that with a slightly mischievous look. I didn’t know she could make a face like that… I’ve just been surprised over and over today…

“I see. At that time, I was just happy and thought I was lucky.”

“I couldn’t just start experimenting all of a sudden, so I tried making it the same way I usually do for now, just to see if it suits your taste.”

“Sometimes I swap side dishes with Natsumi, but I’ve never cooked specifically for someone else before, so I was a little nervous about whether it’d suit your palate.”

So even if it was to say thanks, this is the first bento she made that wasn’t for herself… but for me…

Is this… divine intervention? Has some god taken pity on my past self?

Or rather, Senpai is the Goddess herself.

“Well, it really was delicious. I was happy to have such a fancy lunch.”

“Fufu… I’m glad to hear that. Now then, sorry for going on for so long, shall we eat?”

“Yes, let’s dig in.”

I opened the lid of the bento and there’s a hamburger steak inside!

“Whoa! Yay! Hamburger steak!”

“Fufu… You really like hamburger steak, don’t you?”

“Yeah, it’s one of those things that never changes… But wait, Senpai, how did you know I like hamburger steak…”

“You told me before when I asked for reference.”

“…Ah, now that you mention it, that’s what that conversation was about…”

“Yes. My ultimate goal back then was to find out Takanashi-san’s favorite food.”

Even if it was just a thank-you, I’m really happy that she thought about me that much.

On the other hand, it makes me feel worse about that misunderstanding, when I didn’t believe in Senpai…

“Well then, please enjoy. I heard it’s your favorite, so I tried my best. I hope it suits your taste…”

Honestly, just knowing this was handmade by Senpai makes delicious… but how do I even describe this deliciousness…

“It’s so delicious~ I’m so happy~”

Simply delicious and delightful.

While eating her own lunch, Senpai would occasionally glance over at me and smile.

I felt a bit embarrassed, but I ate it with enthusiasm.

“Thank you for the meal… Seriously, it was really delicious…”

“Fufu… I could tell from your expression, so I’m relieved.”

“Sorry, I got so into it…”

“No, it made me happy too.”

Senpai started putting away her bento box.

“Ah, please, let me wash the bento box and bring them back tomorrow!”

“Fufu… No, that won’t do. Lunch-making includes everything, even the cleanup.”

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

…She’s cute, kind, and good at cooking. She’s just too powerful…