"Stop it! Are you still going to bully me?!"
"Sigh... why else do you think I call you an idiot?" With a hint of exasperation in his voice, Ash withdrew his finger, then gently rubbed the spot that had turned red under her slightly frightened gaze. "Listen. Don't apologize for something that wasn't your fault in the first place."
You had no obligation to help me, did you? So if that was the case, who besides yourself would blame you?
Watching Ash's fingers reach over to rub her forehead, a strange feeling arose in her heart.
"As for this bento... forget it. It doesn't matter." Right in front of the rather surprised Miyuki, Ash did not even use chopsticks. He opened his mouth and quickly swallowed the cold dinner.
Other than coffee, Ash had never really cared much about food, and this bento... was not bad at all.
The fluffy rice, flavorful fried fish, perfectly seasoned tofu and greens, even the fruit tucked inside—it had all been far too long since Ash had tasted something with such proper flavor.
Though it had gone completely cold and lost much of its taste, the pleasant flavors still reached him through his gradually recovering tongue, bringing him sincere enjoyment.
It wasn't heavily seasoned, not the kind I liked... but I don't hate it either. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I last mooched a homemade meal like this.
"Thanks for the meal."
"O-okay!"
Looking at the empty lunchbox in her hands, Miyuki's mood lifted a little.
"Don't be so surprised. You said it was an act of kindness, didn't you? Besides, I won't allow food to go to waste."
A smile bloomed on Miyuki's face again. Ash finally understood that whether idiots were upset or happy, it was