Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

As he said this, Ichinose chuckled a few more times, sounding like he was apologizing.

"............It's not something I can't talk about. Next I plan to go to the convenience store and buy some food for lunch."

"Convenience store, can you take me with you? I just happen to want to have a quick lunch today."

Ichinose was about to stand up, but my hand on her shoulder pushed her back.

"No."

I don’t know if it was my illusion, but after hearing my answer, Ichinose’s body suddenly became stiff, and even the smile on her face seemed frozen.

"No, can't you?"

"It's nothing, actually. I'll help you with this matter. Just tell me what Ichinose wants."

"Yes, that's it......"

"Well, after all, Ichinose has a lot of study to do."

"......"

Ichinose suddenly fell silent, which made me feel a little strange.

"Luo...are you blaming me?"

After a long silence, Ichinose uttered another incomprehensible statement.

"I don't mean to blame Ichinose, I just think that Ichinose has been having a hard time lately. Also, what exactly do you blame her for............?"

"............Hmm, nothing. Luo Jun, just pretend you didn't hear anything."

Ichinose smiled.

"I see."

She released my wrist, and although the force applied to it was not strong, I rubbed it because it was touched by others.

"............Can you please bring back an eel rice bento?"

"Is this the only one?"

"Well, this is it...... This is the one I want Luojun to bring back."

"I understand. Then Ichinose just wait patiently."

I left the classroom with this mission.

I originally thought that I would be able to spend the rest of the time until the special exam in this normal manner, but I didn't expect that a commotion would break out in the classroom just when I went to buy lunch.

Chapter 199 The Lost City

【Grilled eel rice + shredded egg + boiled broccoli + millennium cherry tomatoes】

"I think this is what Ichinose wants......"

I picked up the lunch box with some doubt, looking at the label on the blister box while carefully checking through the transparent plastic packaging to see if the ingredients inside were consistent with the label.

The reason why I became suspicious was not because the convenience store on campus had a criminal record, but because I didn't expect Ichinose to specifically request such an unpopular bento as lunch.

If I hadn't accepted Ichinose's request for help before coming here, I might not have noticed the existence of the [Grilled Eel Rice Bento].

Not only was it placed in an inconspicuous corner of the convenience store's bento area, but it also looked like it was not selling well. The other types of bento had five seats in each row, but the [Eel Kabayaki Rice Bento] only had two, and the remaining three seats were occupied by the popular [Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bento], and the students who came and went had no intention of patronizing it.

"............like a representative of [No One Loves]?"

I suddenly felt sympathy for the fate of the [Grilled Eel Rice Bento].

But what is the reason for the upset?

Does it taste bad?

No, if I remember correctly, eel rice is one of the top dishes in Japanese cuisine. Even if it is not freshly made, the taste should be guaranteed. In addition, I have had the opportunity to taste it once, and it is indeed delicious and worthy of praise.

In other words, the students of this school don’t like it…?

The high price may indeed be a disadvantage, even if the taste is worth it. However, isn't it possible that it is too popular and there are not many left?

I ended this meaningless thought and reached out to grab the [fried noodles and bread] on the other side of the shelf. Just as I was about to get it, I collided with another hand. Judging from the slender and petite hand, it should be a woman's, soft and cold to the touch.

"H-hmm.......it's Himeno."

No wonder it looks familiar at first glance.

"Are you shopping at a convenience store so early in the morning?"

"Luo, who appeared here with me, has no right to say this, right? Or maybe I was just shocked............"

Although Ji Ye had a lollipop stuffed in his mouth, his speech was surprisingly clear.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence. Also, I shouldn't have said that I was surprised by Ji Ye's appearance, why is it that I am not qualified............"

"Because I should have asked you that. I pass by here every morning to buy a bottle of milk."

"But today we still have [Yakisoba Bread]... So, does Himeno also have an idea for lunch?"

I ignored the questions the other person was supposed to ask me and instead focused on the present.

"Well, I guess so. This idea suddenly came to me when I was passing by."

"Quack-"

I heard the sound of the candy being chewed in Jiye's mouth.

Come to think of it, could I keep the lollipop in my mouth without chewing it?

Human beings are creatures with a desire for destruction, which comes from within. The stronger the desire for destruction, the more obvious its manifestation in material things.

The most representative example is the tolerance for lollipops. Without the person's own active control, the faster one chews, the stronger the desire to destroy it.

Venting, pleasure, or fear of the unknown... Whatever the reason, it is a manifestation of self-protection or even self-reward.

"Were you thinking about something weird just now?"

After spending a long time together, Jiye's [intuition] on me has become much more accurate. At least she can easily notice when I am lost in thought.

"I think it's normal... But then again, this is really rare. Ji Ye doesn't eat lunch in the school cafeteria at noon."

"It happens once or twice occasionally. It's more convenient this way. It's not something special..."

Although I said this, I didn't pay attention to how Ji Ye solved the lunch problem. However, this statement is a suitable piece of information no matter which side it is put on.

The [yakisoba bread] that I had originally set my eyes on was taken away by Himeno, but I did not give up the idea of ​​having fried noodles bread for lunch, so I changed my choice.

"It's more concerning if it falls here. Since you've already got a box of [Grilled Eel Rice Bento], would you like another serving of [Yakisoba Bread]? If you want to have them together for lunch, I might look at you with a new eye." Himeno noticed the items in my shopping cart.

"That admiration is definitely not a good thing. Also, does my performance so far give others the impression that they have a good appetite?"

“That’s possible.”

"That's really bad............"

"So what's the situation? If he came so early, he wouldn't have gone out without having breakfast. Is one of them for dinner?"

"Couldn't it be that I forgot to have breakfast and made a dinner reservation at the same time?"

Because the other party gave me the wrong impression of being a [big eater] and teased me, I planned to fight back in the same way, but the war was crushed by the other party's disdainful look as soon as I finished speaking.

"[Does Himeno 'also' have an idea for lunch?] Is that correct what you said just now?"

"Please don't repeat what I said if you can. Should I say that the person involved sounds a little ashamed?"

"I don't see you feeling ashamed at all."

After all, I'm just considering the feelings of ordinary people.

"............But the details that Ji Ye pays attention to are always strange."

"It's not as exaggerated as Luo said, at least I don't think there is any problem. It's not easy to forget what I just said not long ago in a short time... So what's Luo's situation?"

"Unfortunately, it's neither. This [Eel and Rice Bento] was bought for someone else."

"I see. It's Squad Leader Ichinose, right?"

After I told him the truth, Jiye immediately understood and made a guess that surprised me.

"............Actually, there is something I wanted to ask Ji Ye a long time ago."

"As long as it doesn't involve personal privacy, I might answer you."

"Then why does Ji Ye always guess so accurately?"

"I'm sorry, this matter involves personal privacy, so I don't intend to answer it."

"................"

The other party closed the door to further exploring the mysteries of women.

"But this is a reasonable guess. I also find it strange that Luo appeared in the convenience store at this time in the morning."

"............Why?"

"You're asking this even though you already know the answer, right?"

"No, I want to know the reason too."

I can understand part of the reason, but I don't understand how Himeno deduced that the other person was Ichinose.

"............Doesn't Luo usually arrive at the classroom almost before class starts? It's similar to his behavior of scouting out the class. It was the same yesterday. If someone who arrives late suddenly appears in front of anyone who knows about it so early in the morning, they will be surprised."

"Also, Luo's passive energy-saving thinking makes it hard for me to believe that you would take the initiative to generate motivation. So, after all, it's because the other party is Ichinose."

"I will not bother about the scouting behavior for now, but...Ji Ye, don't you think too badly of me? It's too much to have no initiative. Who do you think I am following now? At least I won't ignore my subjective will."

"Well, let's just take it as it is."

It was brushed aside nonchalantly... Never mind, it's not an impression that particularly needs to be corrected.

"Anyway, Himeno is also aware of Ichinose's current study tasks, so if you can help to lighten her burden a little, do your best... Himeno thinks so too, right?"

"I can't help you at all... I've already got what I wanted to buy. Is there anything else you want to buy? If not, just go check out next."

I wanted to guide him in this direction, but he quickly changed the subject. Jiye took a bottle of milk from the shelf on the other side.

"Wait for me a moment."

Wouldn't it be too bland if I just had a dry [fried noodle bread] for lunch?

After all, it still needs to be paired with soup. Choose one for Ichinose.

[This is the one I want Luo Jun to bring back. ]

Just as I was reaching out to take out the second can of red bean soup from the constant temperature locker, I suddenly recalled what Ichinose told me before I left.

"......"

This sentence means that I should not make any unnecessary movements.

The uncertainty in understanding made me hesitate, but considering that the boiling red bean soup would become cold due to long-term exposure, and the taste and effect would be greatly reduced, I decided to choose it just for myself.

"......"

Just to be on the safe side, bring an extra bottle.

For a moment, conflicting emotions kept rising and falling in my heart, and my body's choice finally leaned towards the control of desire. I threw two cans of red bean soup into the shopping cart.

"............It's just two cans of red bean soup. Is it necessary to worry about it for so long?"

In a sense, I seem to have failed Ji Ye's expectations of me.

At the same time, Ji Ye's questioning made me want to reveal the real reason to her.

"There's nothing I can do about it. After all, I've been troubled by this lately."

"What? Schizophrenia?"

"............I thought it was nothing, but after hearing what Ji Ye said, I feel like I should be more careful with my jokes in the future. I always feel like you will interpret it as something scary............"

"Did I understand your [joke]? In the end, I was completely confused by what I was saying."

Jiye pouted slightly in dissatisfaction. Such an angry expression was rarely seen before, which also meant that the relationship between Jiye and I was getting closer, although her eyes were still as unmotivated or disgusted as before.

"I'm going to pay the bill."

After saying this, Ji Ye walked towards the cashier counter without looking back, and I followed closely behind him.

The remarks just now seemed a bit rude, and the other party might get angry because of it, so is it the right choice to talk to Ji Ye now?