Kujo Hiyori's Date

Midterms had ended a week ago.

Like most students, Kujo and Hiyori were enjoying some leisurely time off.

For the next two months, throughout June and July, there were basically no special exams scheduled at school.

There would be a final exam at the end of July, though, followed by the closing ceremony for the first term.

But in the original story, this final exam was just a test of academic ability.

It wasn't worth spending any effort trying to figure out.

The other first-years didn't have the ability—or, rather, no one was going to take the initiative—to change the exam rules.

Considering how many points that would cost, Kujo didn't want to go through all that effort for nothing a second time, either.

In the original story, this was when the Sakura and Sudo Incident was supposed to happen, causing a huge commotion among the first-year classes and throwing everything into chaos.

But now, Kujo figured, something like that shouldn't happen to the first-years.

That was what Kujo thought.

School had let out.

Hiyori left the classroom and hurried back to her dorm to tidy up. She came right back out with a pile of things and met up with Kujo.

After midterms, they had made plans at the library.

The Seaside Promenade.

Following Hiyori's directions, Kujo successfully set up their picnic spot in a scenic location.

Actually, all they did was spread a huge tablecloth over the grass and hold it in place.

Hiyori had been carrying a lunchbox ever since she left the dorm. Now, she unwrapped it and handed the three-tiered box to Kujo. When she saw him lift the lids one by one, she asked expectantly:

"How is it? I added extra spice today, just the way Kujo likes it."

Omelet rice, spicy chicken stir-fry, meat-stuffed green peppers, croquettes, octopus sausages, cabbage salad, eggplant salad, and borscht.

For the main dishes, there were fried noodles and rice.

Though here, the fried noodles probably counted as a side dish to eat with rice, too.

Compared to her previous lunches, this one was a real feast.

It was filling. It was delicious.

And the lunchbox was insulated, with the hot soup in the bottom tier. It had taken a while to walk here from the dorm, but none of the food had gone cold.

Too bad she'd reheated everything once before packing it.

If possible, food was always better fresh out of the pan.

"It's delicious."

Every morning, Kujo took Hiyori's lovingly prepared lunch and watched her walk toward the school building.

After finishing it, if he still wanted something to eat, his only option was the student cafeteria.

Now, eating a lunch Hiyori had made with her own hands right in front of her, Kujo felt as though it had been ages since the last time.

He couldn't remember ever telling Hiyori to her face that her lunches were delicious.

But he'd always thought her cooking tasted great.

The flavor was a little mild, and the portions were a little small.

Still, a normal guy ought to be grateful his girlfriend was willing to cook for him, right?

How could Kujo dare ask for anything more?

Watching Kujo clean his plate, Hiyori traced circles on the tablecloth with her fingertip. The setting sun turned the tips of her ears coral pink.

"Next time~ how about I make mapo tofu for you, Kujo?"

Kujo met Hiyori's gaze, then nodded evasively.

But Kujo suddenly realized something. To hide his embarrassment, he took a bite of a sausage and asked her:

"Hiyori, how did you know I like spicy food?"

As far as he could remember, Kujo had never said what he liked to eat.

Even when Hiyori had asked him what foods he liked,

all he could remember saying was that he liked Chinese food.

Though people here might think of mapo tofu when they heard "Chinese food," there were plenty of other choices, too.

Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty.

Why had she decided he had to like spicy food?

Kujo had spent his previous life as a wage slave, so he wasn't picky at all. In this life, he could even enjoy the student cafeteria's wild-vegetable set meal with heartfelt gratitude.

So how had Hiyori figured out his preferences?

Hiyori covered her mouth and giggled.

Seeing that she wasn't going to tell him how, Kujo grew even more curious. He could only ask her again:

"Why?"

Hiyori's eyes curved as she smiled at Kujo.

"Kujo, do you remember how many different lunchboxes you've had?"

Kujo thought about it.

Every time he finished lunch, he gave the box a quick rinse, then returned it to her after school when they met up.

He'd never paid much attention to the color of the lunchboxes.

"Three?"

Hiyori blinked, then nodded.

He'd actually guessed right?

Even a blind squirrel found a nut now and then.

If he could help it, he'd rather not use up his luck on something like this.

Seeing that Kujo still looked confused, Hiyori put on an expression that seemed to say, "You know the answer, and you still don't get it?"

It was a smile that said she was disappointed in him.

Then Hiyori continued, speaking softly:

"Actually, the compartments inside each of these different-colored lunchboxes are different, too. They have the same number of compartments, but the compartments in each one are different sizes. I do put the same kinds of food in every time, though."

Kujo thought back carefully.

Usually, she put vegetables next to the rice, two meat dishes above them, and fried noodles, fruit, or a snack in the opposite corner.

The arrangement was different?

No wonder sometimes he felt like there was more meat, and other times more vegetables.

It hadn't been his imagination after all.

So what did that mean?

Kujo still didn't quite understand.

Seeing that he was still puzzled, Hiyori explained again:

"Actually, I don't switch lunchboxes at random. There's a pattern. For example, with the yellow lunchbox, I put in more meat dishes, so I give that one to you more often. You rinse the lunchbox with water, but there's still oil left on it."

How did the oil have anything to do with whether he liked the food?

Kujo's face showed exactly what he was thinking.

Hiyori pointed at the lunchbox in front of Kujo, toward the compartment where the rice had been, and explained:

"When the food is delicious, you mix it into your rice, Kujo. So if there's oil on the rice compartment, that means you liked the food."

Hiyori paused, then continued:

"Then I use the same-colored lunchbox for an experiment, to see if you mix the rice with the same kinds of dishes, too. And then I have my answer, don't I?"

Uh.

"Besides, if you didn't like spicy food, you would've told me the first time I made something spicy. So I've been gradually making the food spicier. You must have a high tolerance, Kujo. You haven't noticed this whole time. I guess I'll have to try even harder."

That made sense.

It really was just like that.

And it was true that food that went well with rice was delicious.

The food here was just too low in oil and water.

Hiyori, you're a little too clever.

But still.

If you didn't like spicy food, didn't the chili peppers make you cough when you tossed them into the oil?

Kujo felt that bringing it up would only earn Hiyori's displeasure, so he kept quiet.

It was like how, most of the time, Kujo preferred going to the library with Hiyori, because it made her smile so happily.

In turn, Hiyori was always coming up with ways to make Kujo happy.

But if he honestly thought about it, Kujo felt that he didn't do even a tenth as much for her as she did for him.

After a while.

When Kujo had finished all the food, Hiyori scooted closer and gently straightened his school tie.

Hiyori was wearing a white dress today.

She hadn't expected Kujo to wear his uniform on their date.

Otherwise, she would've worn hers, too.

This uniform was specially made, with room for books.

She'd told him ages ago she wanted to spend time with Kujo after school today.

She wasn't going to read this time!

Hmph!

Hiyori knew Kujo had spent the past two months working hard for other people.

Now, Hiyori wanted to do something for her Kujo, too.

Kujo didn't have any particular wishes.

If she asked for anything, Kujo would grant it.

That was exactly why Hiyori didn't want to trouble him.

"Kujo, let's take a picture together."

At Hiyori's request, Kujo had borrowed a camera from the photography studio before coming.

But now, they had a problem: who would take a picture of the two of them?

Kujo hadn't borrowed a tripod.

"Should we set the timer? But where should we put the camera? We should've borrowed a tripod, too. Want me to run over and get one now? I'll be quick."

No.

Wouldn't that mean she couldn't see Kujo for a while?

It was their long-awaited date.

The mood was so perfect.

She couldn't let Kujo leave on his own.

Seeing Kujo get up, Hiyori hurried to stop him:

"It's okay. I'll take a picture of you, Kujo. We'll have another chance to take one together next time."

They could take pictures together on their phones, too.

But the pictures from a camera would still be better, right?

Looking at Hiyori's eyes, Kujo sighed and said:

"Okay."

Then Hiyori put on a big straw hat and led Kujo to one side.

After they finished taking pictures,

it was already dark.

At the last possible moment, Kujo and Hiyori returned the borrowed camera.

If they returned it late, they'd have to pay extra points the next day.

The photos had already been uploaded to both Kujo and Hiyori's phones.

After all, today wasn't a day off.

They'd rushed around after school, and now it was already late.

There wasn't time to do anything else.

If they made any more plans, even a slight delay would mean they missed the dorm curfew.

Kujo held Hiyori's hand as they slowly walked back to the dorm.

Taking pictures really did require a professional.

Professionals should handle professional work.

"Kujo, am I doing this right?"

Following the direction of Hiyori's voice, Kujo looked over.

He saw a moment worth remembering.

In the nighttime schoolyard, Hiyori looked like an angel walking beneath the moonlight.

"But why are you closing your eyes?"

Hiyori shot Kujo a reproachful glance, then spoke in a very small voice:

"I'm sorry."

Hiyori meant that she was embarrassed.

Kujo felt like teasing Hiyori.

"If I still had my camera, I'd have taken a picture of the face you just made."

Hiyori puffed out her cheeks, then made Kujo an offer he couldn't refuse:

"Let's take a picture together."

She pulled out her phone and stepped forward, linking her arm through Kujo's.

Kujo could only crouch down to accommodate her.

With their height difference, it wasn't easy to get a nice picture with both of them in the frame.

Kujo took the phone from Hiyori, intending to take a selfie from above.

But every time he adjusted their positions, he wasn't satisfied with the result.

"Kujo, I'm tired."

Hiyori was understandably getting tired.

Kujo also felt he was rather clumsy.

Especially when it came to taking pictures with his girlfriend.

Crouching was tiring, too, so Kujo simply sat down on the floor. He planned to look up some tips online and see how other people took pictures.

But while Kujo was completely focused on the tutorial video,

Hiyori got a mischievous idea.

She leaned close to Kujo's ear and whispered:

"Seven or eight layers of blossoms on the bush clover."

Kujo blinked.

He remembered seeing a line like that quoted in a book he'd read recently.

What came next?

"Pity there's not a single seed?"

Kujo managed to recall it.

Cramming poems from around here lately had been somewhat useful.

But just as he was about to check with Hiyori,

Kujo hadn't even had time to turn around

when Hiyori planted a fleeting kiss on his cheek, as light as a dragonfly touching the water.

"Correct. This is your reward, Kujo."

Hiyori said mischievously.

It was as if the girl's warmth still lingered in the air.

Meanwhile, Hiyori's phone had been recording the whole time.

Before Kujo even realized what was happening, she'd captured a precious video.

But just as Hiyori was about to move away from Kujo, she hadn't expected him to react so quickly.

In an instant, Hiyori felt as if she'd lost control of her body.

"Mm?"

Kujo put an arm around Hiyori and returned the favor with their first intimate kiss.

When Hiyori came to her senses, she pushed Kujo away and ran back to her dorm.

Dormitory building.

Kujo returned to the dorm alone.

Suddenly,

a Class D boy came running down the stairs, cursing about something. Whatever he was saying, his expression was downright comical.

Kujo watched him slide down the stairs as if fleeing from a beast.

The whole first floor echoed with the boy's piercing curses.

His sneakers scraped against the floor with an agitated squeal.

Kujo politely stepped aside to make room at the entrance.

But when the Class D boy saw Kujo, he shouted at him:

"You! If anyone asks you in a bit whether you saw someone come down, tell them no. Got it? I don't want to attend that stupid study group. Damn it, midterms are over, and they still won't give it a rest."

At that, Kujo raised an eyebrow.

Yamauchi, huh?

You sure are unlucky.

Ignoring Kujo, Yamauchi kept ranting as he ran out of the dorm building.

"It's all Ayanokoji's fault! If that traitor Ayanokoji hadn't done this, how could Kikyo have treated me like that?"