How Did the Yakisoba Bread Taste?

It was noon.

Dongfang Yi followed behind Kamuro Masumi as they left the classroom, one after the other, heading for...

the vending machines.

"Um... weren't we going to the rooftop?"

Watching Kamuro stop in front of the vending machines, Dongfang Yi asked curiously.

"We'll go in a bit. If we get to the cafeteria too late, the value meals will be gone, so we'll have to buy some bread from the vending machines first. Want anything?"

Taking advantage of the fact that there weren't many people nearby, Kamuro quickly selected two yakisoba breads and two sandwiches.

A thousand points disappeared in an instant.

How extravagant!

Although Dongfang Yi didn't approve of the girl's taste...

A bargain was a bargain.

"Sure. I'll have a sandwich, please."

Kamuro stepped aside, holding the bread she'd just bought, and gestured for Dongfang Yi to make his selection.

Dongfang Yi tilted his head, looking a little confused.

He pointed at himself, then at the vending machine, before frowning and spreading his hands.

A giant question mark seemed to appear above his head.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing him hesitate, Kamuro asked, puzzled.

"Aren't you treating me?"

"When did I say..."

Holding the bread, Kamuro Masumi looked at Dongfang Yi's bewildered expression. Suddenly, she remembered that she might have said something ambiguous just now.

[Want anything?]

Wait, wasn't that just a polite thing to say?

...What kind of normal person would take that as an offer to pay?!

She suddenly had a feeling that the guy in front of her was much more trouble than that ill-tempered little girl.

Oh, well.

He was about to be squeezed dry by that little girl anyway. She could treat him once as consolation.

With some difficulty, she stepped back and raised a finger. "Which one do you want?"

"The one on the far left. It's five hundred points and has meat floss, ham, and egg."

Dongfang Yi didn't hold back, immediately setting his sights on the most generously filled option.

The one I bought for myself wasn't even that fancy!

Kamuro felt her heart bleed. She regretted asking.

After all, boys and girls had different daily expenses. If a boy cooked for himself, he could get by on less than forty thousand points a month. If he was really frugal, he could manage on just thirty thousand.

Girls, on the other hand, had all sorts of necessities in their daily expenses: mouthwash, face wash, cosmetics, perfume, sanitary pads, hair clips, earrings, bracelets, clothes, handbags...

And several trips to the movies, yakiniku dinners, and afternoon tea every month.

So even with a hundred thousand points, their money never went far.

And Kamuro Masumi also had to deal with Sakayanagi squeezing her dry, running errands for her boss. She needed to set aside some hidden expenses for all that, too.

Even five hundred points for a treat was precious to her.

The pain! It hurt so much!

She steeled herself against the anguish and pressed the button for the deluxe sandwich.

Then she bent down, picked it up, and quickly shoved it into Dongfang Yi's arms without even looking at it, unable to bear another glance.

"Domo arigato."

Dongfang Yi was delighted with his gift, and in his heart, he approved of his unlucky thief friend.

Classmate Kamuro may have a few little quirks, but she's actually a really good person.

He casually tore open the wrapper and started eating.

"Mmm, no wonder it costs five hundred points. The bread is soft, the meat floss is seasoned just right, and the egg inside is cooked perfectly. There's even the rich aroma of bacon, paired with just the right balance of sweet and sour in the salad cream and ketchup."

Dongfang Yi nodded. "Mmm, delicious."

Kamuro Masumi felt her fists itching. She wanted nothing more than to shove this shameless guy, who'd gotten a bargain and was still gloating, aside.

How could anyone be so... so awful?!

He'd mooched off her points, bought a deluxe sandwich, and was eating it right in front of her!

And now he was rating it!

I want to try some, too!

But she kept walking slowly, since she had to wait for her despicable employer to reach the rooftop first.

It was... pure torture.

Dongfang Yi finished the sandwich in a few quick bites, then moved closer to Kamuro Masumi and asked with a mischievous grin, "Classmate Kamuro, aren't you going to eat?"

Who eats while walking like you do?!

Though she grumbled inwardly, Kamuro patiently explained, "I'll eat when we get there."

"The rooftop?"

"Right."

"But it's really windy up there, isn't it? Is Classmate Kamuro the kind of person who can't eat unless she's battling the wind?" Dongfang Yi thought it was fun to tease her.

"..."

This guy's naturally sadistic, isn't he? Definitely!

Kamuro Masumi wanted to argue, but she didn't know where to start. In the end, she swallowed her frustration and ignored him.

Seeing that she wasn't responding, Dongfang Yi didn't mind. "I never expected Classmate Kamuro to have brought such a huge lunch. You've got the makings of a competitive eater. Sugoi."

Don't slander me!

Kamuro Masumi felt herself trembling inside, her fists ready to fly. "Classmate Dongfang, are you in any clubs?"

"Not at all. Why?"

"Let's join the Karate Club together. I hear the upperclassmen there are all very... kind." Kamuro Masumi smiled, enunciating every word. "Classmate Dongfang, you're so popular with people who have their eyes on you. You should get stronger."

"Besides, I could help you improve your skills."

The skills weren't important. What mattered was that I want to beat you up.

"Domo sumimasen." Sensing the malice in her words, Dongfang Yi quickly apologized and explained, "I was just curious about what yakisoba bread tasted like."

"You've never had it before?"

"No. I thought it would taste awful, so I never wanted to waste my money on it."

So I'm the sucker who wastes her money, huh?

Kamuro Masumi felt like this guy loved dancing on her last nerve, but she had no proof.

Dongfang Yi kept chattering away. "But since Classmate Kamuro bought two, I thought I'd take the chance to try one."

"Classmate Kamuro, could I?" Dongfang Yi pressed his palms together.

"No way." Kamuro Masumi turned her head and rejected him without hesitation.

"Wouldn't hurt to share a little with me, Masumi." Dongfang Yi tried to get closer to her by calling her by name.

"If I say no, then it's no!"

Kamuro Masumi surprisingly let him get away with calling her by name.

"Actually, there are lots of benefits to sharing one with me," Dongfang Yi coaxed.

"What benefits?" Kamuro Masumi asked noncommittally.

"Classmate Kamuro could give me the one for Sakayanagi. Then we'd be in the same boat when it comes to Classmate Sakayanagi." Dongfang Yi smiled as he replied. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Huh?! How did you...?!"

Hearing a name she hadn't expected, Kamuro Masumi stopped in her tracks, so startled that she didn't even notice the yakisoba bread falling from her arms.

Shock showed plainly on her pretty face, as pure as snow.

Suddenly, she realized she couldn't quite figure out the handsome man in front of her.