I finally reached my room after all that happened, I was kinda hungry but unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to buy anything.
Cooking it is, huh?
This was just the start of my second week, and I couldn't count on me getting Rp any time soon, so I had to cook again.
However, this time was different, last time I didn't use oil. Also, in the sauce that Jackson-sensei made at her office, I noticed the mistakes.
She added thyme, curry, soy sauce and aonori, but the last was added too much and there was no extra spice, and the food ended up savory though lacking something–that essential zing.
After mentally fixing the mistakes I found, I started cooking.
I made the rice, then added soy sauce, curry powder, black pepper and thyme, stirring well.
I then flaked the fried fish and mixed it in gently, not rushing any step. I finished with a sprinkle of aonori on top.
Then I added a fried egg on top, and I successfully made curry fried rice with fish.
It looked good and smelled good, but I was afraid it would taste bad.
"Let's have a taste," I slowly picked up my spoon and put it in my mouth.
"It's so…Yummy!" I rubbed my cheek because of how good it tasted. It tasted so amazing that I finished the entire bowl alone.
"Damn, I'm thankful I saw the name of ingredients on the menu of the cafeteria."
I noticed the names of the ingredients of the meals I ate, then googled them unfortunately google didn't tell me how exactly it tasted, so I used Jackson-sensei's meal as reference.
Though what she made was basic curry rice, I learnt from both of our mistakes when it came to cooking and made a dish devoid of any of them.
With this now, I could make myself meals every day and not have to fight for a cafeteria table.
"Yes, with this I can survive with 10,000 Rp. Now for Miyamura, well, I can create a strategy to handle that in the morning."
I took a shower and went to bed but didn't feel tired so I just looked at the ceiling before I went to check the accounts I had.
I had 19 of them; 1 was an emergency number for accidents and if there was something needed to be fixed.
15 of them were the accounts of the homeroom teachers—even the ones for upper classmen (These 16 are pre-installed)—and the remaining three were Kagura, Miyamura and someone else.
It was Kisaragi, I forgot to text him because of the debacle with Class Beta.
[Me: Hey sorry I haven't texted you since.]
[Me: I'm really sorry.]
[Me: Uh, are you gonna answer?]
He didn't answer or view any text, perhaps he didn't see it, but I had the impression that he was ignoring my texts, and shortly after that, I went to bed.
The next day rolled over and I used the normal pathway to school, but something unexpected happened—
Ito came and walked beside me, grinning from ear-to-ear. I tried to increase my pace, and he caught up.
I thought of running but there was no way I could run faster than him.
"Uh Ito, what are you doing?"'
"Oh, I'm just walking with you."
"Why?"
"What's wrong with me walking with a friend?"
I blushed slightly; I couldn't fathom why an ikemen like him would think of me as a friend.
"Nakamura, are you okay? Your face is red, perhaps you're feeling feverish?"
"Oh no, it's just—"
A girl bumped into me, and I almost lost balance and fell on my face.
"Ito-kun~"
Girls swarmed him to the point I couldn't even see his face; it seemed he had a fan club like that of Hiro.
As I watched in awe (and envy), the girls noticed me and gave me a look that said, "What are you still doing here?"
It wasn't as hostile as the girls on Hiro's lunch table, given some were my classmates, but it was hostile enough to make me leave.
I arrived at class and went into a slumber. It was a habit I developed at this school, until I was awoken by Suzuki.
"Hey," she said.
"Oh, hey," I replied.
Because of how frequently people have woken me up, I have gotten so used to it that I wasn't even surprised when I woke up and just rolled with it.
"You sleep way too much; do you have narcolepsy?" she joked.
"I hope not."
"Well, anyway, do you have a club?"
"Nope, missed my opportunity on the first day."
"Well, a certain friend of mine wants to start one. Do you wanna join?"
"Well, no but…"
Wait a minute, I didn't think about it before but Suzuki's popular, right?
That means she'll know people that might be suitable for Miyamura and since she's joining the club those cute girls will join too.
Let me ask just to make sure.
"Yeah, I'll join, but only if there are lots of cute girls."
It took a moment for me to understand what I just said, almost everyone looked at me. The pervert duo looked at me as if I was one of their own.
"Fu fu fu," Suzuki giggled. "I don't know if there will be lots of cute girls, but girls will be there. Actually, I want you to join because to make a club you need at least one male member."
"No other boy wants to join?"
"Well, they do, but that friend of mine said they just want to join because of me."
"Oh, I see but why me?"
"Figure that out yourself, besides I'm sure you don't wanna tell me why you want to know if there are cute girls either, right?" she grinned.
"Y-Yeah, anyway, where's the meeting area?" I responded nervously.
"Come here, let me show you on the map."
It was in a building close to this one, the meeting area was on the second floor in the third room on the right.
"Also, can someone also join alongside me?"
"Hmmm," she put a finger on her cheek, as she thought. "Fine, but who's the person?"
"It's Miyamura."
"I see, but can I ask why?"
"Uh, it's a secret."
"So that's how you wanna do it. Hmph," she pouted.
Cute.
But didn't we just agree we both have something we don't wanna say, so why's she angry?
I wanted to ask that, but classes had already started so we couldn't talk.
During break I ate the meal I made, it was the same as the one I made yesterday.
I ate it silently in class as everyone went to eat in the cafeteria.
Since I was alone in class, I called Miyamura and briefed him about how I got him into the club.
"You did what?!" he screamed through the phone.
Are you trying to blow up my eardrums?
"Why are you shouting?"
"I'm shouting cuz you put me in a club full of randos—I'm already in a club."
"Randos?"
"Anyway, I'm not going there."
"What if there are—"
"Not going."
What do I do to convince him?
I couldn't come up with anything to convince Miyamura—I had forgotten that he was in the volleyball club.
However, I never planned on Miyamura staying in the club. I just wanted him to come today and see the girls, so I could find someone suitable, and also exact my strategy.
"Miyamura, can't you just come for today?"
"No, I have—"
"Suzuki is going to be there," I cut him off before he finished.
"I'm coming."
Suzuki was a very cute girl, and I noticed Miyamura was fond of her because even on my first day, they were talking.
After I ended my call with Miyamura I went back to eating in silence until Kagura suddenly came to class.
"Nakamura? You cook?" she asked.
"It's a hobby I picked up. Just trying to save money, y'know."
"Oh, you must be running short on money."
"Well…" I laughed nervously.
I'm not sure you're supposed to tell a girl your financial situation but…
"Anyway, it's odd to find you alone. I thought you had many friends," I added.
"Uh, sometimes I like to be alone."
That was odd, at least to me. Kagura was very popular, she had many friends from different classes and was quite extroverted.
The thought of someone like that seeking solitude was surprising but maybe it was just that she just wanted some time to think.
We sat quietly until some people from other classes came over to meet Kagura.
"Kagura-chan," a friend hugged her. "Where were you? Oh~"
They noticed my presence and started to deduce some things in their head.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"No," Kagura said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Wow, you didn't even blush. Well, I suppose someone as bright as you wouldn't date someone gloomy," another friend said.
Hey! I'm not gloomy, am I? Tell them Kagura.
"Yeah, that's right," Kagura replied, looking at me then suddenly turning back to her friends. "Wait, no don't say it like that?"
"Say what? You're the one who agreed to it," her friends retorted.
"Uh um Nakamura-kun I didn't mean it like that. Promise," Kagura said, her face having a bit of remorse. "I just said that because I don't really see you with any friends."
It felt like she sent an arrow to my chest.
"That's…" I replied, my expression was a bit sad because none of my friends hung out with me.
"No, don't get sad. I'm sure someone like you can make friends, especially with your cute face. I mean I'm your friend so I'm sure you'll get more. A cutie pie like you is bound to make more friends."
Damn, another arrow.
My expression darkened at her words–I suppose no man wanted to be called cute–luckily, Kagura noticed and tried to retract her comment.
"Uh no I mean you're ranked 41st in the ikemen in our class."
41st? Damn, another arrow.
"Huh? No, I meant–"
"Chop," one of Kagura's friends, gave Kagura a karate chop on her head.
"Huh? What was that for?"
"You're overcomplicating things."
"Huh? How?"
"Shut up," she said sternly. "So Nakamura, was it? As you can see she's an airhead so bear with her. Don't worry about your rating because on the cute guys ratings you're number 3 in the whole grade."
Oh, I see.
I noticed something but put it behind my head, forgetting about it for now.
"That doesn't really make me feel better, like at all," I sighed.
"I guess not, huh. Well, boys don't like being called cute."
"Yeah. Also I'm a little curious, who made the ratings?"
"The girls of course~" she grinned, like it was just a normal thing to say.
"I see, so is there a female rating?"
"..."
There was an uncomfortable silence and their expression changed to one of disdain before they all left without saying a word.
After they left the class was silent once more, the day went on peacefully without me knowing what I did.
Though I suppose it had to do with me saying something about a girl's rating.
I really shouldn't have asked that, huh.
After school ended, I went to the club area. It looked quite abandoned, having a water leak with algae in it and grass growing a bit too much.
It looked too unsightly for an elite high school, nevertheless, I went to the second floor and the third room by the right, like Suzuki said.
Brmm!
I heard a sudden sound, so I dashed to the club room, but as I entered, I was shocked.
"Oww…" a girl stood up, holding her head and wincing.
It seemed she fell and was still in pain though she appeared uninjured.
She had long dark green hair with matching eye lashes and nails–she was also quite pretty.
Oh right, there was something I forgot to mention that girl was in her underwear. It was pink underwear.
"Cute."
***
Author's Note:
Cute, indeed but please if you're reading this don't say such a thing in a similar situation if not you might get your ass handed to you.
Anyway, lots of countries have independence during this month.
So like I wanted to find a fake country to make y'all think I'm from that country but I lowkey gave up on that idea.
Also, remember to comment, leave a review, and share. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.