Chapter 7
Sharing Food
I had been wandering around the mall streets since morning, partly to kill time.
My allowance is limited, so it’s mostly window shopping, but walking aimlessly alone like this isn’t so bad.
I worked up a bit of an appetite and stopped by the food court, ordering my favorite foods to enjoy.
This is what a day off feels like, right? The burger shop was advertising a new item, so I decided to buy it.
I grabbed a tray with a classic cheeseburger, fries, and the new potato pie, then looked for a seat.
But, being a summer holiday, the place was packed with families. Seats weren’t easy to find.
Where should I… sit? Huh?
In a quiet corner, eating a burger, was that girl…?
She was wearing sunglasses, but her chestnut hair and undeniable cuteness stood out—no mistaking it…
“Hi there, little sister.”
“Ugh…? Muggogogogogo!?”
I must have startled her quite a bit by speaking to her while she was happily eating. She—Minagi Tsukiyo—let out a strange flustered noise, bit her sandwich hastily, and gulped her drink through the straw.
“You don’t have to panic…”
“…Hello.”
She swallowed her food, removed her sunglasses, and greeted me shyly.
“Are you with someone?”
“No… go ahead.”
So, taking the invitation, I placed my burger set on the two-person table and sat down.
“You saw me at such an embarrassing moment…”
“You looked so delicious eating it, it made me want to eat quickly too.”
“That’s exactly why I hate it! Why did you have to talk to me?!”
Huh, didn’t she say before not to ignore her? How unfair… I understand why she’s upset, but there was no other empty seat.
“Of all people, it had to be you, Taiyō-san…”
She hid her eyes tightly. I suppose it’s embarrassing to be seen by the opposite sex. I, as a guy, don’t mind, but girls are different.
“Anyway…”
On her tray was the biggest burger the shop offered—the King Burger—with large fries.
“—!”
She closed her eyes, struggling a little.
“King Burgers are delicious too. I didn’t buy one because I didn’t have enough money, but maybe next time.”
“Don’t you think it’s too much for a girl…?”
“Why? Your brother and I could eat more if we had money, and you’re still growing. It’s normal. I don’t care.”
That’s a lie. Compared to my mother or my sister, she actually eats a lot. But I know she’s conscious about it, so pointing it out wouldn’t make anyone happy. Besides, she’s thin—she probably just doesn’t gain weight easily.
“Other kids don’t eat much, so I end up comparing. And I only know guys like my brother or Taiyō-san, so I’m not sure what’s normal.”
“That one eats an insane amount if it’s cheap food. It’s shocking. Are the sunglasses because…”
“I get embarrassed if people I know see me eat a lot… If Taiyō-san sees me, I should’ve gone with a normal size.”
“Ha ha, how much you eat depends on your body type. When I start club activities, I’ll eat way more than this too.”
“Really!? Then let’s go to a dessert buffet next time! I know a great place.”
“There will probably be a lot of girls… but… moderately, okay?”
Her mood improved, and she happily bit into her King Burger again. Watching her enjoy it so much was fun for me too. But me, who’s not good with women… going on a food outing with her—she really must be a special girl to me.
“You’re not eating?”
“Ah, it’s getting cold. Let’s eat.”
A bit cooled down, I unwrapped the cheeseburger and took a bite, then nibbled the potato pie.
“Is that a coffee float you’re drinking? They renewed it, right?”
“The ice cream is tastier now. Want to try?”
She scooped some ice cream from the coffee with the straw and offered it to me.
Yes… that’s her half-drunk drink.
Calm down, it’s not like middle school when a shared bite could confuse you. Experienced in romance, this is nothing… Damn, 16 years without a girlfriend, this is impossible!
But she didn’t care, smiling as she held the straw out. Perhaps in her mind, sharing bites is normal.
I steeled myself, took the straw tip in my mouth, and sipped the ice cream. Sweet and delicious, just as expected.
It might be the first time a girl ever fed me in my life. And of all people, it had to be such a cute girl—maybe dying tomorrow wouldn’t be so strange.
I… might have fallen for Taiyō-san.
Does she do this to everyone… or just me?
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“It really is.”
I could never admit that it tasted better because she fed me.
I forced myself to maintain my expression. She continued scooping ice cream with the straw into her small mouth, not bothered by me taking a bite.
“That’s the new potato pie, right?”
The one I had taken a bite of earlier. Apparently a newly released item. Still piping hot, the potato inside juicy.
“Want to try?”
“Really!? Yay!”
I tried to break off the other side of the pie to hand it to her, but she leaned in and nibbled the piece I had just touched. She held her long chestnut hair back by her ears with her hand to avoid hitting the food.
I couldn’t help but notice her pale cheek, my time seemed to stop.
By the time I moved again, she was already seated.
“Delicious! Next… I’ll buy one too!”
“Ah, yeah.”
“What’s gotten into you just now?”
“Ah, you really don’t mind sharing bites, huh?”
Her eyes widened, completely frozen. After a moment, she looked at the potato pie in my hand, then at the straw in her coffee float.
Her face turned red, sweat appeared on her forehead, and her eyes glistened with tears.
“Ah… ah… I… with Taiyō-san… kiss…”
She slammed her forehead hard onto the table.
“Hey!”
“~~~~~~!”
She let out a wordless scream and writhed in embarrassment.
“Ah, sorry! I shouldn’t have said anything!”
It took quite a while for her to recover after that.
