41 Chapter 39 - Lunch Break With Kawajima

"Kukuku~, Proro-kun. With this, the world will meet its end!"

"*nyom*nyom, *glup"

"Ryousuke... Aren't you tired of watching that anime series all the time? Isn't that just kid's show?"

Morning. In the dining room, Ryousuke and his parents were having their morning meal. The cozy atmosphere in the morning, made anyone would not complain about their situation if they felt the same as him right now. Indeed, the gods sent him to the right place to reincarnate. Japan is very cozy for him who loves peace.

As the saying goes, "You can't find peace by avoiding life."

But, even though it was true that today was a peaceful morning, the words from his father still made him frown.

'What? Kid's show?'

*gulp

Ryousuke swallowed his food, then fixed his gaze on his ancient father. "Father... 'Proro-kun is powerful! ' is not a child's show, but a show for all ages. So, be it adults, teenagers, or children, all are free to watch. The most important thing is the heart, the heart full of imagination that allows me to still enjoy the series stories, understand dad?"

"..." Ryousuke's father stopped his hand from continuing his meal and looked at the child in front of him in surprise. That boy, he was lecturing about the heart and everything, but didn't he just not want to admit that he was childish? What a snot-nosed kid. Ryousuke's father shook his head.

Well, he could understand his son's habits. After all, Ryousuke had always watched the cartoon series hundreds or even thousands of times since he was a child until now.

But, he spoke today because of another matter,

"Whatever you say, the important thing is that tomorrow, it's dad's turn to watch higlight baseball morning, okay?", with a haughty and authoritative attitude, Ryousuke's father made his decision.

"That's right, so this is your goal huh... Okay, you can have it. But only tomorrow", Ryousuke clearly felt that this morning his father was acting strange, and usually he only did that if he wanted something. He was right.

Pretending to talk to him about his 'childish' habits, when he was just jealous and wanted to watch the morning sports highlights. What an untruthful father.

"Hmph, good" Ryousuke's father straightened his body proudly, feeling proud that tomorrow he would get a tv for himself in the morning.

"Huhh... Mouu, you two. Don't talk so much, hurry up and eat."

The only one with any common sense there was Ryousuke's mother, who just shook her head in resignation to her son and husband's childish and unspeakable actions.

""Okay""

The Toru family, even today, still looks peaceful and harmonious.

----------

Why can someone look so happy when they are with someone they love? It's as if the world only belongs to the two of them.

"Aaaang~~ Juu-kun"

"Aaaam~~ delicious!"

"fufufu, good"

"*nyom*nyom*nyom, tch. That Juutaro, why does he have to make out in the middle of class? Just makes me jealous... "

"Patience Ame, Patience"

Looking at the two, it was clear that they were currently oblivious to the people who were watching them eat. All that was in their eyes was their own couple.

This was the first time Juutaro was finally able to have lunch with his girlfriend, Asuka Joozu.

A few weeks ago, Juutaro said that he wouldn't be having lunch with his girlfriend until the buzz around their revealed relationship died down. Gossip doesn't last long, so a few weeks later, the rumors about Juutaro and Joozu being a couple died down.

Thinking that the time was right, Juutaro finally began to decide that now was the right time, and as it seemed, now it was.

'Anyway... I thought the two of them would do it somewhere else, not in the classroom. Hahh... I underestimated their common sense, or they're just shameless' Ryousuke thought, looking at the two eating their lunch in front of him.

Of course, that's common sense isn't it? Couples would usually eat together in a park, school rooftop, or somewhere a little quiet. But these two...

Ame, who was sitting next to him, looked miserable because of this. He chewed his food loudly and it was obvious that he was very jealous of them.

Ryousuke thought, no matter what, he must not make this lonely man beside him eat alone. Or else, he might feel even more desperate. Take it easy, your friend is still here.

*tining!

'Who...' he heard a notification from his smartphone and looked at it. [Good afternoon, Toru-san. Umm, would you like to have lunch with me? Sayaka-chan is sick today so... ], it turned out to be a message from Kawajima.

This morning, Kawajima got a call from Mayu saying that she was sick. Kawajima told her to get well soon and that she would visit her house later.

At lunchtime, she would normally rush to the cafeteria with her friend, but since her friend was sick today, she was at a loss as to what she should do.

'Wait... Isn't this an opportunity?' she realized, maybe she could ask Toru-san to have lunch together? Yes, that sounds good.

So, she nervously started typing a message for him. This new situation made Kawajima even bolder.

'but how is this...' and Ryousuke, who read the message from Kawajima, was at a loss as to how to reply.

The otaku friend who was lonely and want a girlfriend, or the cute innocent pretty girl, what would he choose? He looked at the man by his side. There, he saw Ame eating his food quietly. 'Eh? He's back to his old self?'

There was no more envy in sight. Looking closer, it was seen that in fact, Ame was currently eating his lunch while playing a game. It seemed like he was okay.

Seeing that, there was no need to hesitate. He replied to Kawajima's message. [good afternoon, Kawajima-san. Sure, I'll wait for you by the stairs], send.

He stood up, and started walking away from the classroom with his lunch. Leaving behind the whole class who were still watching the couple making out, and Ame who, after playing with his game, wouldn't even notice his surroundings.

As agreed, he met up with Kawajima near the stairs. They greeted each other, and then headed to the cafeteria. She said she was used to eating there, Ryousuke had no problem with that, so he agreed.

As usual, the school cafeteria was always full of students. From first grade to third grade, everyone could be seen here.

Finding an empty bench, Ryousuke invited Kawajima to go there and sit down. Opening his lunchbox, he began to eat with Kawajima by his side.

"Itadakimasu"

"Itadakimasu"

Ryousuke and Kawajima ate their meals in peace. Even today, his mother's cooking was very good.

"Oh yeah, if I may know, what is Mayu-san sick of?"

In the middle of their meal, Ryousuke asked a question that made him curious. Kawajima said that Sayaka Mayu was sick and couldn't make it today, but she hadn't told him what Mayu was sick with.

Kawajima, who was eating a dish made by herself (today's menu was meat) swallowed the food in her mouth and replied. "Apparently, she has food poisoning. She said she ate a cup of ramen that she kept, she didn't read the expiration information, so she just brewed and ate it as usual. This morning, she said she had severe stomach pains and when she went to the doctor, they said it was due to symptoms of food poisoning" Kawajima explained.

"Food poisoning? That... It seems like a suitable illness for her... "

"Mouu~~, that's not funny Toru-san. Sayaka-chan is sick, you know?"

"hahaha, sorry sorry. It's just that I can't help but think about it, you know yourself what Mayu-san is like right?"

"You have a point... Well, just think of it as a lesson for her to be more careful next time"

"Un... But, because of the ramen cup huh..."

There seemed to be something a little strange here. Ryousuke knew that cup ramen, or instant noodles, would usually have a fairly long expiration date, perhaps seven to ten months from the time of production.

This meant that perhaps, Mayu was unlucky and bought cup ramen with an expiration date that was close, or it could be something else.

If this thought was true, then he could only sympathize with the unlucky Mayu. But if it was because of something else...

"What are you thinking, Toru-san? ", just as Ryousuke was thinking seriously, Kawajima spoke up and snapped him out of his reverie.

Seems like he was too distracted, Ryousuke looked at Kawajima and said, "It's okay, let's continue eating" he changed the subject.

"Okay..." Kawajima still felt curious about what was on Ryousuke's mind, but she couldn't be too pushy. So, as he said, Kawajima also began to continue eating.

Bringing the fried sausage to his mouth, Ryousuke continued eating. He avoided questions from Kawajima, because after all, he couldn't say that his conspiracy brain was starting to run right?

Just now, he began to think that, if Sayaka Mayu got food poisoning because of something else, then it would be... Black market.

He imagined,

Hundreds of thousands of cups of almost expired ramen sold on the black market and re-circulated in the community. Sayaka Mayu unluckily bought one of those almost expired ramen cups, and probably other people were experiencing the same thing as her.

'hahaha, no way, no way' Ryousuke shook his head lightly. Feeling foolish with his own thoughts. How could there be an incident like that, where some company resold cups of ramen that were almost expired right? No way.

This stupid thing his brain thought, probably because he read a book about detectives chasing criminals in the black market last night.

"Thank you for the food"

"Thank you for the food"

The rest of their meal was spent in quiet silence between them until they finished their lunch.

"Fuuh, that was another satisfying meal" Ryousuke said with a satisfied smile.

Kawajima also smiled as she closed her lunch box. Neither of them forgot to drink after finishing their lunch.

There were still ten minutes left before the lunch break ended. The two did not leave right away and decided to spend the time together, just sitting leisurely.

Oh yes, it was already Friday. That means, the time they decided to exchange books is very close, which will happen tomorrow.

Hmmm... In a way, this was their second date. Their first date was when they exchanged books for the first time. After that, they would only return or borrow books from each other again at the school library.

Supposedly, he would be the one to take the lead again this time. Maybe he should take her to the zoo? A movie theater, or something? Many options were available.

So, where should he go with Kawajima after they finished their book exchange? Hmmm...

In the midst of his deep thinking, he finally had a bright spot. 'oh yeah! There's that way!'

'Let's try to have Kawajima lead our date this time! Yes, that's good...'

Ryousuke smiled. Kawajima, the shy girl, had now started to open up to him. She also seemed less nervous when talking to him. It can definitely be done, yes, that's good. This was all so that Kawajima could also develop more.

Okay, it's decided.

"Kawajima-san, this weekend, it's your turn to lead the way on the trip, okay? You're free to decide where to go after we're done with our book exchange. A~a~ you can't refuse", clearly, Ryousuke stated his suggestion, a suggestion that contained a hint of coercion.

Kawajima was clearly surprised. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth, trying to speak despite in the obvious shock.

"I...!-"

Ryousuke just looked at her calmly. Although he said that he didn't accept rejection, it was just a little threat from him. A threat to make Kawajima feel a sense of worry and it seemed to have good results. Actually, even if Kawajima refused, he was also okay with it. He just wanted to test her courage a little.

Kawajima, still trying to answer, seemed to have a thinking face. Her face turned red and although she felt nervous and unworthy, she relaxed her body and answered clearly.

".... Okay, I'll do it. I just have to do it right? Don't blame me if the place we're going to later will be boring" Hearing the answer from her, Ryousuke's eyes lit up, and with a feeling of pride towards the girl, he smiled.

"Good, you should be more confident. I'm sure the place Kawajima-san chose will be good"

"Well... Oke"

...

Everything had already been decided, and Kawajima...

Looks like she'll have a lot to think about today.