Chapter 37: CH 37

Chapter 36: Eating Together

The trip took longer than expected as I was caught by Takuma. When I was heading back to the bench, Aizawa-san was already sitting and waiting for me. It’s tough not being able to run in a time like this…

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” (Hiroto)

“It’s okay. But you’re late…” (Haruka)

“When I arrived at the stall, my clubmates were there making the food.” (Hiroto)

“Huh? How come?” (Haruka)

“He said he was going to open a takoyaki stall at the school festival… so he became an apprentice at the store. He’s been my friend since middle school, but he’s a weird guy.” (Hiroto)

“I understand. He seems to be an interesting person…” (Haruka)

“He’s a bit noisy, that’s all. Here, let’s eat while it’s still warm.” (Hiroto)

I sat down next to Aizawa, took out the container from the bag and opened the lid. Did Takuma really make this? It looks really good.

“There are 8 pieces in the bag, so we can get 4 each. Is this enough for a snack?” (Hiroto)

“Yes, I guess so. Maybe there’s too many.” (Haruka)

“Here, Aizawa-san. You try it first.” (Hiroto)

To make it easier to get, I held the container out towards her. Aizawa-san took a toothpick and was about to eat it with an excited expression on her face.

“Huh? It isn’t working…” (Haruka)

“You know there are four toothpicks in the container, right? It’s easier to eat if you use two of them to hold the takoyaki. Here, let me show you.” (Hiroto)

Because Aizawa-san only used one toothpick, the takoyaki kept rotating and couldn’t be held properly.

I used two toothpicks to take out a takoyaki and put it in front of Aizawa-san.

“Here you go!” (Hiroto)

‘Nom’

“Oooh! Delicious!” (Haruka)

“…”

You just ate it… I was just trying to give it to you…

I tried to give Aizawa-san the toothpick. Why did she just eat it…?

“Hm? Yoshizumi-kun, is something wrong?” (Haruka)

“Well… I was just trying to give you the toothpick…” (Hiroto)

“Ah! I’m sorry!” (Haruka)

Her face turned red and she began to fumble…even during a panic, she’s cute. This… was this intentional…?

“I’m really sorry… it’s like this when I eat with Aya-chan at the station…” (Haruka)

“I was just a little surprised. It’s fine, so let’s eat.” (Hiroto)

“Yes! Yoshizumi-kun, I got you a drink.” (Haruka)

The incident was surprising, but we safely finished eating the takoyaki soon after.

“That was really delicious!” (Haruka)

“Yes, it was. I understand why people would come all the way out here to buy it. But this was made by a member of the club.” (Hiroto)

“Would it taste even better if the stall owner grilled it?” (Haruka)

“I’m sure it would… I want to try it next time. My classmate made this batch for free, so it was just practice.” (Hiroto)

“I see. I’ll come here with my friends next time.” (Haruka)

As we were sipping our drinks and talking about our thoughts of the food, Aizawa-san casually turned her head in my direction.

“Eh?” (Hiroto)

“Yoshizumi-kun, what is it?” (Haruka)

“Hold still for a minute…ah, I got it.” (Hiroto)

There was a piece of nori on the side of Aizawa-san’s lip, so I reached out and took it off.

TLN: Nori is basically seaweed that’s used in Japanese cuisine.

“…” (Haruka)

“What’s wrong?” (Hiroto)

Aizawa-san’s face turned bright red again and she froze. I guess she was embarrassed by the nori. I wonder if takoyaki is bad food for girls.

“What happened…? Are you okay?” (Hiroto)

“If you tell me… I can take it off myself…” (Haruka)

Huh? Did I do something? Oh! This… this isn’t good…

“I’m sorry! That was an old habit…” (Hiroto)

“Yoshizumi-kun…you always do these kinds of things…” (Haruka)

Aizawa-san’s face was still bright red.

“Haruka-chan! It’s on your mouth!” (Hiroto)

“Wha- where is it? (Haruka)

“Wait…see! I got it!” (Hiroto)

“Thanks!” (Haruka)

I just…did the same thing. I have no choice but to apologize to her.

“I don’t do this all the time! I haven’t done this since elementary school! I’m so sorry!” (Hiroto)

“It’s okay… hey… can we play catch again?” (Haruka)

After that, Aizawa-san and I continued to play catch. I was glad that she enjoyed it, despite everything that happened today.

It was getting late, and we decided it was time to go home, so we walked together to Saijo Station. I don’t know if Takuma was still grilling takoyaki.

“It’s almost time for the school festival. Is your school busy with preparations?” (Hiroto)

“Maybe… my class is divided between the preparation group and the day-of group… so I might be busy on the day of the festival.” (Haruka) TLN: Day-of group means the group of students responsible for setting up the attractions on the day of the festival.

“I see… we have a chocolate banana booth. What is Aizawa-san’s class doing?” (Hiroto)

“We’re just an ordinary coffee shop. There’s a student whose parents own a coffee shop, and they lent us a lot of things.” (Haruka)

“There’s also a coffee shop at our school festival. Our festival is scheduled for Saturday, so I’ll go if I have time.” (Hiroto)

“What! Saturday…” (Haruka)

“Is Saturday not a good day for you…?” (Hiroto)

“No…I’m in charge of the coffee shop on Saturday, so I thought it would be embarrassing if anyone saw me… I was actually going to keep it a secret…” (Haruka)

“You didn’t want to tell me? Are you going to wear embarrassing clothes?” (Hiroto)

“It’s just normal clerks’ clothes…but I’ll still be embarrassed when people see me!” (Haruka)

“Oh… I understand.” (Hiroto)

You don’t have to blush and say it so desperately…I know you’re embarrassed. I don’t think you need to worry about it if you’re wearing normal clothes… but I’m sure Aizawa-san has her reasons.

After a bit, we arrived at Saijo Station and Aizawa-san and I both went back home.

I’m looking forward to the school festival at Toko High.

I also have to prepare for the festival at Seijo, but I think I’ll be fine. I’m not  too worried about it, but now we just have to see if the girls’ have been doing the preparations properly.