At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

Their relationship hadn't been very close before, and had mostly been limited to gaming, so it was only natural that he didn't know much about her family.

Just like he didn't know much about the Fujiwara family, either...

Well, he did have a little background knowledge, since he'd visited their home a few times.

Chika: Come over here! This is the domain of a ramen enthusiast! I'm much better at this than Izumi-chan, so I definitely won't disappoint your little sister!

Chika sent him a location pin.

"Looks like Chika's planning to join us."

Hasegawa Izumi understood what she meant.

Still, it was a little surprising that the Young Lady of the Fujiwara family would frequent a place like this. It wouldn't exactly look good if word got around.

Why couldn't Eriri learn from her?

As long as Kashiwagi Eri's identity didn't come to light, it really wouldn't matter.

Unfortunately, whenever he brought it up, his Childhood Friend would bristle.

Following the location pin,

Hasegawa Izumi brought his little sister to a bustling, noisy street.

Restaurants in places like this usually couldn't be considered upscale.

But it didn't seem all that strange that a hole-in-the-wall might serve food better than a fancy hotel.

As he and his little sister came around the corner, a voice called out from nearby.

"Izumi-chan, over here~!"

A cherry-haired girl with a ribbon perched atop her head waved and called to them, her face beaming with a lively smile.

A Peaceful Daily Life

"Hey, Chika. Good evening."

Hasegawa Izumi walked over with Kōko and greeted her.

"You must be Izumi-chan's little sister, Kōko, right? I'm Izumi-chan's friend, Fujiwara Chika. You can call me Big Sis Chika, and I'll call you Kōko."

Fujiwara Chika returned his greeting with a smile and a wave, then widened her eyes as she looked at the little sister beside him.

"N-no!"

Kōko answered in a soft, timid voice, her gaze darting away.

"Why not!"

Fujiwara Chika's smile vanished in an instant.

Such a firm rejection! Was I really that scary?

"Kōko's a little shy, so don't take it personally, Chika."

Hasegawa Izumi glanced down at his little sister as she hid behind him, then explained with a helpless expression.

His little sister was extremely withdrawn. According to her teacher, she barely spoke to anyone, so she didn't have a single friend.

The only person she usually talked to was her big brother.

She'd never even started a conversation with Eriri.

That showed just how shy she was.

"I see."

Far from looking disappointed, Fujiwara Chika seemed even more amused.

She liked a challenge.

"Kōko, come give Big Sis a hug."

She leaned in with a smile, opening her arms wide.

Kōko nimbly darted around to her big brother's other side, dodging the hug.

"Kōko, don't be scared~ I won't hurt you."

Fujiwara Chika immediately moved to follow her.

"Dame!"

Kōko circled around him to evade her.

Chika showed no sign of giving up, though. She kept after Kōko with tireless determination, like a hungry tiger stalking a lamb.

What, were they playing tag?

Hasegawa Izumi watched in silence. When he spotted an opening, he took two steps forward.

Chika and Kōko suddenly found themselves face-to-face.

"Ah, My other half, you betrayed me~!"

"Got you!"

Kōko was still exclaiming when Chika caught her. The girl was trapped in the squeeze of Chika's soft chest, unable to escape.

After a bout of close contact, Fujiwara Chika finally released her, looking thoroughly satisfied, and let Kōko return to the safe territory of her big brother's side.

"Now we can finally have dinner."

Hasegawa Izumi breathed a sigh of relief.

Chika licked her lips like a cat that had just stolen a treat, while Kōko looked ready to cry, as if she'd suffered a terrible injustice.

The three of them entered the little ramen shop.

"They still use meal tickets here. Let's go over to that machine."

As a regular, Fujiwara Chika led them to the machine nearby.

He ordered a double pork ramen, Chika ordered soy sauce tonkotsu ramen, and Kōko ordered a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen.

The shop was already quite crowded, and their unusual trio drew plenty of attention.

Women rarely came to ramen shops like this, let alone middle and high school students.

They checked for a place to sit and chose a corner nearby where there were still some seats available.

"Any requests?"

A staff member standing near them asked.

"A little less soy sauce."

Fujiwara Chika held up one finger and gave a blissful smile.

"Extra garlic!"

Kōko had held back for a long time, but finally said it loudly.

Even the staff member paused.

They probably hadn't expected such a young girl to like such strong flavors.

"Mine's fine as usual," Hasegawa Izumi said last.

While they waited...

"This is my first time going out to eat ramen with someone else. I'm so happy I can share the joy of tasting good food."

After tying her hair into a ponytail, Fujiwara Chika rested her cheek on one hand and turned toward him with a beaming smile.

That made sense. Given the atmosphere at Shuchiin, even if Chika invited someone, they probably wouldn't accept.

"Kōko and I feel the same way."

He spoke on behalf of his little sister, too.

"My other half, don't speak for me!"

Sitting on his other side, Kōko pouted in protest.

"My other half? Oh, is that like Little Bird's 'Sage' title?"

Fujiwara Chika noticed the name and looked a little puzzled, but quickly figured it out.

"Sage? My other half has gained a new title? Is that the result of your recent battles?"

Kōko was already getting into character, but was soon interrupted.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

The staff member, who'd overheard part of their conversation and looked awkward, finally felt compelled to speak up.

Then the staff member set their three bowls of ramen in front of them, one by one.

They could continue the conversation later. For now, the three of them needed to take care of their hunger.

"Let's eat~!"

Fujiwara Chika excitedly snapped apart her wooden chopsticks, looking ready to dig in.

Kōko, who'd been happily swinging her feet, did the same and declared solemnly, "I shall accept this offering!"

Hasegawa Izumi wasn't as dramatic as the two girls. He quietly picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and took a bite.

It tasted pretty good. Chika had recommended a good place. Even he, someone who didn't particularly like ramen, could appreciate the joy of good food.

Kōko needed no explanation. She was doing her best to open her little mouth wide and finish every last bit of her garlic-scented ramen.

His little sister had been completely swept up in the joy of it.

Fujiwara Chika had a slightly unusual way of eating ramen. She transferred the contents of her large bowl to a Chinese spoon, making what was essentially "mini ramen." With every bite, she looked as if she were thoroughly enjoying it.

Just seeing that healing smile was enough to make anyone's appetite grow.

They ate in silence until they reached the final stretch.

"Clink."

Hasegawa Izumi heard a faint sound and turned to look. Chika had lifted her bowl, seemingly about to drink every last drop. He couldn't help looking surprised.

Ramen wasn't exactly a light meal. The broth was obviously packed with salt, and it even had garlic in it. For most women, that would be a nightmare. Even Kōko, who usually liked ramen, would have nothing to do with it.

Who would've thought that Chika, who looked so innocent, would actually like such strong flavors?

"She... drank it all?"

Kōko stared in amazement, almost looking up to her.

He couldn't let that stand!

Hasegawa Izumi gave a soft snort, feeling a little competitive. He lifted his own bowl and drained it in one go.

But he'd forgotten one thing.

When two out of three people did the same thing, the one left out was in an awkward position.

Kōko swallowed, determination seeming to return to her eyes. She wanted to copy them.

But she was too weak to lift the bowl easily, so she had to tilt it and drink the broth one small sip at a time.

"Kōko, don't push yourself."

As her big brother, he reminded her with concern.

"That's still too difficult for Kōko. We can try again another time."

Fujiwara Chika turned her face to the side and encouraged her with a smile, too.

"No, I have to. I can't give up here...! Cough, cough~"

Kōko's face flushed as she tried to talk while drinking the broth, and she accidentally choked.

"Hahahaha~"

"I told you not to!"