Chapter 107: Because I'm Hungry [side Yukari Tomonaga]
How did things end up like this?
I tried to figure it out, but I just don't know.
Mishima Satsuki keeps fidgeting while holding my hand the whole time...?
Even though Satsuki and I have a terrible relationship, we've fought over and over, she's insulted me and mocked me, and I absolutely hate her...?
Satsuki "...Yukari, I have to apologize to you..."
I do want her to apologize, but...
Unable to say anything, I just stay quiet,
Satsuki "...Will you forgive me?! ...Will you...?!"
Not wanting to get involved with Mishima Satsuki, who was overwhelmed with emotion, I stopped thinking.
How did it get to this point again?
☆ ☆ ☆
Ah, I'm hungry.
I wonder if there's anything to eat if I go home?
But you know? Lately, I just can't fight my impulses.
The place Kousuke-kun introduced me to before, about a fifteen-minute walk from the station, looks just like a regular family restaurant at first glance.
"My Curry and Hamburg Steak"—nicknamed OreKare.
The nickname sounds like something a fujoshi would love, but the portions are huge, and it tastes absolutely amazing.
I hadn't been going because Kousuke-kun's best friend works there, but that Sho-kun? Turns out he completely forgot about me and didn't even react when he saw me!
*Because I changed so much from the cuter, somewhat slimmer Yukari ver, neither Sho nor the regular old friend Kureha-san recognized me at all.*
The flavor is the real deal, and the portions are perfect for high school boys—it's the best place ever.
The manager of the place... is super cool... a bit of a bad-boy, wild, handsome guy who's always laughing and having fun with the high school boys. His name is Kagetora-san.
Kagetora "You hungry? I'll give you extra, on the house, okay?"
""Thanks a ton!!""
I see him laughing out loud and disappearing into the kitchen almost every day...
One day, I finally worked up the courage,
and I talked to Kagetora-san...!
"Uh, um!"
Kagetora "What is it, young lady? You've become quite the regular lately, haven't you?"
With a wild grin, he actually remembers me...!
I muster up my courage—there's something I want to say!
"...Um."
Kagetora "Yeah? What is it?"
I can't say it... it's embarrassing... but I want to say it...
No! I have to say it...!
"Um, um."
Kagetora "Yeah?"
Kagetora-san looks at me, puzzled as I struggle to get the words out.
I gathered all my courage and asked.
"Um, um, at this restaurant... you always say you'll give extra to high school boys, right? ...Is it possible for me to get the extra serving too?!"
I said it!
But I really do want the same portion as the high school boys!
Last time I ordered the same hamburger curry, theirs was clearly over 200 grams more!
I... was so jealous, so jealous...
But I wonder what he'll think?
A regular high school girl demanding the same special service as the high school boys!
Wouldn't he think I'm some kind of complainer?
Kagetora-san made a surprised face,
Kagetora "You can handle it, huh? I don't do that all the time. Only when I'm taking orders, on weekday afternoons. I don't do it on weekends or during busy hours—only from around 3 to 6 pm when it's slow. Is that okay?"
"That's fine."
I answered immediately.
From that day, if I went during that time slot, the portion was about 1.5 times bigger.
High school boys, huh, what a privilege...
From that day, I became a heavy user, going to OreKare three times a week!
*That's literally what I mean.*
☆ ☆ ☆
Then, one day.
Kaori "Sis, are you really living your school life properly?"
My little sister Kaori is biting at me again this morning.
She really is a cute little sister.
Ever since I started gaining weight again, my sister has started nagging me...
Ever since my suspension, my sister's gaze has been cold...
She used to be clingy, always calling me "Sis"...
Kuzu-kun is busy with club activities and stuff, so I hardly get to see him.
That means the only thing that heals me is restaurants—right now, OreKare.
But there's a condition to frequenting my sanctuary, my place of comfort.
...Money.
I've already used up my allowance, and I'm down to just over a thousand yen.
My beloved hamburger curry... right now there's a super special value set for a limited time!
But you need at least 1,480 yen plus tax.
"I want to see Kagetora-san..."
That day, I felt that way, but I can't wave sleeves I don't have.
Still, there are days when you just have to eat out, right? When the urge hits.
*That urge comes more than four times a week.*
When I got off at Toko Station, a little ways ahead—Mishima? Is that Mishima Satsuki walking up there?
(Isn't Mishima supposed to be from the next town, Shinkawa?
...Ah, I just got a great idea!)
*When people say they've got a good idea, it's almost always a bad one.*
Today, I just have to go to OreKare!
I don't like her, but whatever. I'll borrow money from Mishima!
Thinking that, I hurried after her,
and what's this? Some Toko High School student is hitting on Mishima...?
!!
Mishima looks like she's about to go with him!
Easy flirt! Go if you want, but at least lend me a thousand yen first!
I grabbed Mishima's hand and glared at the Toko student who was hitting on her.
*It was pretty intimidating.*
After walking a bit, Mishima seemed to realize.
Mishima "...Tomonaga? Yukari Tomonaga?!"
(It's one thing to borrow money, but... how do I even bring it up?)
It's still just the beginning of the month, and I've only got a thousand yen left, right? I won't get my allowance until the end of the month, so I can't pay her back for a while.
Can I even borrow money in the first place? We're not close at all.
Mishima "...Why did you save me from getting hit on?"
Mishima asks, visibly shaken,
I can't answer...
(Borrow money... can't pay it back for a while... hard to say.
The reason for borrowing, too—she seems like she'd make a fuss. No reason?)
"No real reason?"
I blurt it out just like that.
Crap.
Even though you had no reason? Even after I insulted you like that?
Mishima's eyes go wide in shock.
Well, whatever.
More importantly, can you let go of my hand?
This is kind of gross...
But Mishima still won't let go.
Fine, should I just drag my boyfriend along like this?
"Ah! I only have a thousand yen. Can you pay for me?"
All right, that's it.
Let's go with this.
Thus began the strange afterschool of Mishima Satsuki and me.