Translator: RaidenTL
"Matsuda-kun, did you by any chance have soy sauce with egg over rice this morning?"
The question came from Miyuki, who had just returned from putting the fruit bowl in the sink.
I was sitting on the flat bench with Tetsuya, taking a break.
"Yeah."
"How many bowls?"
"One."
"But there are two bowls in the sink."
"That one's from last night."
"So you only ate egg over rice from last night until this morning?"
For some reason, I had a feeling something good was about to happen to me.
I just had a good feeling about this.
"That's right."
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why? Lots of people eat it. It's easy to make, and it's tasty."
"But it has no nutritional value. Don't you care about your health?"
"Hey, didn't you hear what the doctor said yesterday? He said I have a strong body."
"That has nothing to do with nutrition."
I flopped down on the bench and complained to Tetsuya.
"Miura. Your mom's nagging again."
"She's saying it for your own good, so I think you should listen."
Of course, he'd take her side. Tetsuya was always on Miyuki's team.
For my own good, huh... We'll see if you can still say that later.
Emboldened by her ally, Miyuki said, "A few days ago, the trash can was full of instant lunchbox containers. If you keep eating like that, you're going to have health problems. From now on, try to eat with proper nutrition in mind."
I thought she was going to offer to pack me a lunch... My energy just drained away.
So much for a good feeling... I got my hopes up for nothing.
No, wait. I was the fool for expecting her to make me a lunch when we've known each other for less than two months.
Having finished my self-reflection, I replied dryly.
"Yeah, got it."
"You said you got it, right?"
"Yeah, got it."
As I repeated myself with dead eyes, Miyuki let out a chuckle and said, "Matsuda-kun, give me ten million yen."
"Yeah, go... Are you kidding me right now? Is this funny to you?"
"Sort of?"
"Hah... This is why I'm going to die young."
"And not because of what you eat?"
"Hey. Hey...! I'll eat properly. Just stop talking about food."
"Okay. Now, shall we get back to studying?"
Miyuki sat up straight at the round table and opened her book.
Tetsuya and I looked at each other, fed up, then shuffled toward Miyuki like zombies.
Five peaceful days had passed since my beating from Samoyama.
My relationship with Miyuki had progressed a little, to the point where we'd exchange personal texts every few days.
Since our time together was limited and Tetsuya was always with us, we weren't getting close at a rapid pace, but I could see us gradually growing closer, so I decided not to rush things.
After getting back from the hair salon and taking a shower, I looked in the mirror.
The swelling had almost completely gone down.
There were still some bruises, but they were faint.
Smiling in satisfaction, I put on a yukata.
I was going to the summer festival at the shrine.
It's an essential part of any Japanese rom-com, how could I miss it?
Besides, I'd get to see Miyuki in a yukata in person. It would be crazy to pass up this chance.
Originally, Tetsuya, who went to the festival with his family, was supposed to run into Miyuki, who was helping her father at his stall at the shrine.
After the event, he would have a date with just Miyuki.
But this time, I'd beat him to the punch.
I fastened the collar of my yukata the wrong way, finished getting ready, and slipped on my geta.
As I stepped outside, the distinctive clacking of the wooden sandals echoed.
Not only that, but the strap was already chafing the skin between my big and second toes. This was going to hurt tomorrow.
Resisting the urge to change into sneakers, I took a taxi to the shrine near Miyuki's neighborhood.
The path to the shrine was lined with paper lanterns right from the entrance.
The festival had just started, but it was already bustling with noise and activity.
'Miyuki is... in the middle.'
She should be there, helping her father at the takoyaki stall.
Tetsuya should be arriving any minute now.
I had to make my move before then.
Enduring the discomfort of the geta, I walked over and bought two skewers of yakitori, Japanese-style grilled chicken, near the entrance.
They weren't for me; they were for Miyuki.
Thigh meat, her favorite part.
She probably wouldn't start drooling at the sight of it, but she'd still want some.
Making my way to the middle of the path lined with stalls, I finally spotted Miyuki.
Her hair was tied up, with a few thin strands left down at the sides. She looked so pretty.
There she was, diligently serving customers next to her kind-faced father.
Seeing her beaming smile made me feel good, too.
I glanced at the sign on the stall. It read: [Super Delicious! Giant Tako!]
It felt both old-fashioned and very Japanese.
After clearing my throat a few times, I waited for a gap between customers and approached the stall.
Keeping my eyes on the well-cooked takoyaki and the menu, I said, "Six takoyaki, please."
Immediately, Miyuki's clear voice rang out.
"Welcome! Six takoyaki, that'll be 300 yen... Huh?"
Hearing her questioning exclamation, I looked up. I twisted my facial muscles into a look of surprise as I saw Miyuki staring back, her eyes wide.
"Huh? Hanazawa?"
A moment of silence followed as our eyes met.
Me, Miyuki, and Miyuki's father all just blinked at each other.
It was getting hard to act like our meeting was a coincidence, so I was about to pretend to snap out of it and say something.
Just then, a grimy-faced little kid darted over with surprising speed, snatched a paper box of takoyaki from the front of the stall, and started to run.
"Hey...!"
Miyuki's father cried out in alarm.
I cheered inwardly.
At the bookstore, at the playground, and now here—an event had occurred at the perfect time.
I really was the true protagonist of DokiAka.
I set the plastic container of yakitori down on the stall, kicked off my geta, and sprinted with all my might.
The kid was incredibly fast, but he was still just a kid. I managed to catch him just a short distance from the shrine.
"L-let go of me!"
The kid, whose scruff I'd grabbed, thrashed about wildly.
Even so, he clutched the takoyaki box as if it were precious. He wasn't going to eat it himself; he was taking it to the younger kids at his orphanage.
The area was nearly deserted, so it seemed like a good place to talk.
After catching my breath for a moment, I asked, "Who were you stealing this for?"
Was he reassured by my somewhat gentle tone?
The kid stopped struggling and answered defiantly.
"My little brother! Huk..."
But then he saw my scowl and shrank back.
I don't have a mean-looking face at all... That's disappointing.
Don't make me want to flick you on the forehead.
"What little brother? Your actual brother?"
"No! The kids at the orphanage."
"Orphanage? Explain properly. If you struggle one more time, I'm taking that back."
I pointed at the takoyaki box and spoke in a threatening tone. The kid's bravado vanished, and he mumbled a reply.
"I... wanted to go to the festival... but the orphanage said they couldn't afford it... The younger kids said they wanted to eat takoyaki..."
The kid trailed off.
I clicked my tongue and said, "So you snuck out to steal takoyaki and bring it back to them, is that it?"
"....."
"You little brat, learning all the wrong things... I oughta!"
"Eek!"
I raised my hand high as if to strike him, and the kid flinched in fear.
My feet were sore from chasing him, but I had no intention of actually hitting him, so I lowered my hand.
This event has three choices.
First, take back the takoyaki box.
Second, bring the kid back and make him apologize.
Third, let the kid go and pay for the takoyaki myself.
The amount of affection you can gain is in the order of 1, 3, 2.
To get the most affection, I should choose option 2.
If I did, Miyuki's father would understand the kid's situation and give 20 boxes of takoyaki to the orphanage for free.
Miyuki would be happy, saying she was able to do a good deed because of me.
But I had no intention of choosing option 2.
Right now, it was like I was playing an open-world game with a high degree of freedom.
There was an opportunity to gain even more affection; I couldn't just stick to the pre-set choices.
A wide grin spreading across my face, I spoke to the anxious kid.
"Hey."
"...What."
"Where's the orphanage?"
"It's nearby."
"Give me the address and go on ahead."
"No way! You're going to tell them I snuck out!"
"Do I look like a petty guy like you? Do you want to give your siblings just 6 pieces of takoyaki? Or 180?"
"...Huh?"
"Matsuda-kun! Did you lose the kid?"
"I caught him, but... hold on... I'm late with my introductions. My name is Matsuda Ken."
Returning to the stall, I bowed deeply to Miyuki's father. He accepted my greeting with a smile.
"I'm Hanazawa Wataru. It's a pleasure to meet you. Matsuda Ken, you say?"
"Yes, sir."
"So you're the delinquent student Miyuki was talking about. She said you've turned over a new leaf, right?"
At his words, Miyuki looked at Wataru and gestured for him to stop.
So she had been talking about me to her parents.
She didn't tell them what I was like when I was a delinquent, did she?
"Well... I'm trying my best. Oh, and sorry for the sudden request, but would it be possible to pack 30 boxes of takoyaki right now?"
"Huh...? 30 boxes...? Now?"
Wataru stared blankly at the large number.
Miyuki also looked at me in surprise.
I scratched my head, feeling a bit awkward.
"Would that be difficult?"
"It's possible, but... why do you suddenly need 30 boxes?"
"Well, what happened was..."
I briefly explained the kid's situation and expressed my desire to help him.
By the time I finished, Wataru was looking at me very favorably.
"I see. So you're going to buy 30 boxes and take them to the orphanage?"
"Yes."
"Then we'd better start making them right away."
With that, Wataru looked at Miyuki.
"Miyuki, lower the awning."
"Ah, okay..."
The awning was made of a solid-colored material that you couldn't see through.
This way, even if Tetsuya came, he wouldn't be able to see Miyuki.
Father-in-law, thank you for helping me.
By the way, are you a fan of Loser Masturbation?
As Miyuki was pulling down the neatly rolled-up awning, I took out a ten-thousand-yen bill.
"Thank you. I'll pay first."
"Don't worry about it. You're doing a good thing, and Miyuki is indebted to you for your help. I can make this much for free."
"Indebted? I'm the one who asked Hanazawa to tutor me. Please, take it."
"I said it's fine."
Being Miyuki's father, he was bound to have a similarly kind nature.
The fact that he was so readily making the takoyaki proved it.
If I kept insisting he take the money, he would definitely refuse, so I had to try another way.
"In that case, I'll help you make them."
"You will? Then come over here and help me put in the fillings."
"Yes, sir."
I rolled up and tied the sleeves of my yukata and stepped inside the stall. Miyuki handed me the yakitori she had been holding.
"Matsuda-kun. This is yours..."
I waved a hand dismissively and said, "You have it. I have to work."
"...Matsuda-kun, did you eat something weird today?"
My sudden, drastic change in attitude must have been very confusing for her.
Can't you understand my heart? I'm doing a good deed because I feel a sense of kinship with him, being an orphan myself.
The truth is, it's for affection points, but in the end, the kid and the orphanage children get a happy ending, so it's a win-win.