The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

The two hadn't known each other for very long, their relationship only extending to games, so it was natural that they didn't know much about each other's families.

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

Well, he did have some basic knowledge, having visited their home a few times.

Chika: Come here! This is the domain of a ramen lover like me! I'm even better at this than Izumi-chan, I definitely won't disappoint your sister!

Chika sent him her location.

"Chika seems to want to come along."

Hasegawa Izumi understood her meaning.

Speaking of which, it seemed strange that the dignified eldest daughter of the Fujiwara family would frequent a place like this.

Couldn't Eriri learn from her?

As long as Kashiwagi Eri's true identity wasn't exposed, it really wouldn't matter.

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

According to the location information.

Hasegawa Izumi led his sister to a bustling yet overly noisy street.

Shops in places like this usually weren't considered high-class.

However, it wasn't strange that the food at a hole-in-the-wall place tasted better than that at a high-class hotel.

When he and his sister rounded the corner, a voice called out from not far away.

"Izumi-chan, I'm here~!"

A cherry-haired Girl wearing a bow on her head waved and shouted, exuding an energetic aura.

48 A Peaceful Daily Life

"Yo, Chika, good evening."

Hasegawa Izumi walked over with Kōko and greeted her.

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

Fujiwara Chika waved with a smile, then her eyes widened as she looked at the sister beside him.

"No... I can't!"

Kōko responded in a soft voice, her gaze darting away.

"Why not!"

Fujiwara Chika's smile vanished instantly.

Did I really scare her that much with such a firm refusal?

"Kōko is a bit shy, Chika. You don't need to worry about it."

Hasegawa Izumi looked down at his sister, who was hiding behind him, and explained with a helpless expression.

His sister was extremely withdrawn. According to her teacher, she basically didn't interact with anyone and had no friends.

The only person she usually communicated with was him, her older brother.

Even when chatting with Eriri, his sister had never taken the initiative.

Her shyness was evident.

"I understand."

Instead of looking disappointed, Fujiwara Chika's expression seemed to gain a bit of amusement.

She enjoyed challenges.

"Kōko, let big sister give you a hug."

She leaned her smiling face closer, opening her arms wide in a welcoming embrace.

Kōko nimbly dodged to the other side of her brother, avoiding the hug.

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

Fujiwara Chika immediately moved and pursued her.

"Nope!"

Kōko circled around him, evading her.

However, Chika showed no signs of giving up, relentlessly continuing her pursuit like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

Are they playing tag here?

Hasegawa Izumi was speechless. Seizing an opening, he took two steps forward.

Chika and Kōko were suddenly face-to-face.

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

"Got it!"

Before Kōko could even exclaim, Chika had already caught her, making it difficult to break free from the marshmallow's embrace.

After a moment of close contact, Fujiwara Chika, satisfied, released her hands, allowing Kōko to return to a more comfortable space.

"Now, we can finally eat dinner."

Hasegawa Izumi let out a long sigh of relief.

Chika licked her lips like a cat who'd stolen some cream, while Kōko was crying, as if unjustly accused.

The three then entered the small ramen shop.

"They use a ticket machine to order here, let's go over there."

Fujiwara Chika, being familiar with the place, led them to the machine nearby.

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

The ramen shop was already quite crowded, and their unusual trio attracted a lot of attention.

Ramen shops like this typically didn't see many women, let alone middle and high school students.

Glancing at the available seats, they chose a corner with empty spots.

"Any special requests?"

A staff member near them asked.

"Soy sauce a little lighter."

Fujiwara Chika held up a finger, a happy smile on her face.

"Extra garlic!"

Kōko, having held back for a long time, finally exclaimed loudly.

The staff member paused.

Perhaps they were surprised by the girl's strong preference.

"Mine is normal."

Hasegawa Izumi spoke last.

While waiting...

"This is my first time eating ramen out with others, I'm so happy to share the joy of delicious food with someone."

Fujiwara Chika tied her hair into a ponytail, propped her chin on her hand, and turned to them with a smile.

This was also quite normal; given Shuchiin's circumstances, it was unlikely anyone would accept Chika's invitation.

"Kōko and I are the same."

He spoke for his sister as well.

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

Kōko, sitting on his other side, pouted in dissatisfaction.

"My other half? Oh, is that a nickname like Takanashi-san's 'Sage'?"

Fujiwara Chika noticed the term, her expression slightly puzzled, but she quickly understood.

"Sage? My other half has acquired a new title? Is this the result of your recent conquests?"

Kōko was getting into the conversation, but was quickly interrupted.

"Thank you for waiting, the three of you."

At this moment, the staff member, who had overheard part of their conversation, couldn't help but speak up.

Then, they placed the three bowls of ramen in front of them one by one.

They could continue their conversation later; the immediate priority for the three was to satisfy their hunger.

"Itadakimasu~!"

Fujiwara Chika excitedly broke open her chopsticks, looking ready to devour her meal.

Kōko, who had been happily swinging her little feet, repeated the action, chanting, "I accept this offering!"

Hasegawa Izumi was less dramatic than the two girls, simply picking up a strand of noodles with his chopsticks and taking a bite.

The taste was good; it was no wonder Chika recommended this place. Even he, who wasn't particularly fond of ramen, could feel the joy of delicious food.

As for Kōko, it went without saying. She was diligently opening her small mouth, trying to finish the garlic-heavy ramen.

His sister was completely immersed in this joy.

Fujiwara Chika's way of eating ramen was a bit unique. She transferred the contents of the large bowl into a ladle, creating a 'mini ramen.' With every bite, her face showed an expression of pure enjoyment.

Just seeing that heartwarming smile made one feel even hungrier.

The quiet ramen time continued until they reached the end of their bowls.

"Clink."

Hasegawa Izumi heard a faint sound and turned his head. Chika had actually lifted her ramen bowl, looking as if she was about to drink it all. He couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

One had to know that ramen wasn't exactly a light meal. The soup was clearly overloaded with salt, and it even contained garlic. This was a nightmare for most women; even Kōko, who usually loved ramen, kept her distance.

He hadn't expected that Chika, who looked so pure on the outside, actually had such a heavy palate.

"She... she drank it?"

Kōko's face was full of astonishment, her gaze even holding a hint of admiration.

How could this be?

Hasegawa Izumi let out a soft snort, a competitive spirit rising within him. He similarly lifted his ramen bowl and drank it all in one go.

However, he had forgotten one thing.

When two out of three people did the same thing, the remaining one was bound to feel awkward.

Kōko swallowed, her eyes seeming to solidify with determination as she wanted to replicate the same action.

But her strength was too little, and she struggled a bit when lifting the bowl. She had no choice but to tilt it and drink it down in small sips.

"Kōko, don't force yourself."

As her older brother, he kindly reminded her.

"This level of difficulty is still too high for you, Kōko. Let's try again another time."

Fujiwara Chika turned her head and also advised with a smile.

"No, I must! How can I give up here...!" Cough cough~

Kōko, her face flushed red, spoke while drinking the soup, and accidentally choked.

"Hahaha~"

"I told you it wouldn't work."