Chapter 23: Food Wars 2.O

The bell rang, signaling the end of the last morning class.

[[Throwing] proficiency 1%]

[Skill [Throwing] reaches LV3]

Rei's throwing skill had unexpectedly leveled up to LV3. Though there was no increase in attribute points, he could sense a slight improvement in agility.

As soon as Iori and Motoharu left the class, they consciously kept their distance from Rei. A palpable rift had formed between them. What was going on? Everyone was in high spirits, but why did their brother's life suddenly seem so rosy?

"Rei, let's go eat. Can you guess what I made." Ai took out her own lunchbox from the drawer. The tablecloth enveloping the box had a girlish pink hue. In Rei's drawer, a blue napkin cloaked his lunchbox, creating a matching set.

Rei leaned in to inspect the lunchbox, catching a faint fragrance. "Well, I can't smell anything."

The lunchbox exuded no food aroma, but it was filled with Ai's fragrance, a subtle scent of gardenia. It seemed that this was the result of the lovely girl's body wash mingling with the lunch.

"Hehe, it's the first time you're going to try my cooking. I've been practicing since leaving the orphanage a few years ago!" Ai grinned, "Now I'm a pretty good at it."

Rei couldn't judge the taste, but the current Ai was undeniably adorable. It was safe to say that she was worthy of being an idol, exuding charm from every angle and perspective.

Before this, Ai, who lost her father at a young age and had her mother imprisoned, had never prepared a meal for anyone. Even at the orphanage, the food was far from delicious, often times barely edible.

They headed towards the rooftop, taking a seat on the bench where Rei and the delinquents had once fought.

"Three, two, one, I'm opening it! X2"

Both Rei and Hoshino Ai opened their lunchboxes simultaneously. There was no light, no spark, only a faint aroma.

Rei examined the food in the lunchbox, his lips twitching. It was evident that the struggles of a modest upbringing had shaped their culinary tastes. Why was Hoshino Ai not sticking to more conventional fare, like that of wealthier families?

"Ai, didn't you know that sashimi doesn't keep well?"

"Who would prepare a sashimi bento in the first place?" Rei picked up a piece of sashimi that had already started to smell. It would be fine in winter, but in the summer heat, with no airflow inside the lunchbox, the temperature would only rise. Sashimi, meant to be consumed fresh, could spoil in just an hour or two.

This fish was entirely too firm.

Rei couldn't help but wonder if eating this would raise their resistance to toxins.

"Sorry, Rei! This is my fault for taking shortcuts yesterday." Ai quickly apologized to Rei. Of course, Rei hadn't meant to blame her. The fact that Ai had taken time out of her busy schedule spoke volumes.

"Senior? Senior. Senior!!" Hana's voice chimed in Rei and Ai's ears three times consecutively. First with doubt, then affirmation, and finally surprise.

"Gee... And Hoshino-senpai."

Ai: "... What does this mean? Did I upset you terribly, Uzaki-san?"

Hana produced two yakisoba breads from her skirt pocket. Fried noodles were sandwiched between slices of bread, combining the already dry bread with even drier fried noodles. Rei couldn't understand why so many people enjoyed this.

"Fantastic! This is the Cafeteria special! Buy one, get one free yakisoba bread!" Hana proclaimed, raising the two loaves like a cafeteria lady hawking her wares.

"What's this? Senior, what are you eating?" At least in terms of presentation, the food prepared by Ai was visually appealing, provided one didn't get a whiff of it.

Hana unceremoniously commandeered Rei's chopsticks, picked up a piece of salmon, and shoved it into her mouth.

In the next moment, her entire expression underwent a rapid transformation. It was as if her mind had recalled memories of her grandmother, who had never been known for her culinary prowess. "This is disgusting!"

"Sure enough, seniors aren't to be trusted, and sure enough, I can't rely on anyone." Hana's motivation surged, and she handed one of her bread loaves to Rei. "Senior, you're welcome. I'm giving it to you, after all."

Rei didn't hesitate to accept the bread, breaking it in half. One large piece was given to Ai, while Rei held onto the smaller portion. "Thank you for the bread, Uzaki-chan."

Hana: "???"

Witnessing this, Ai smiled gently atHana, a smile that seemed to hold a hint of challenge. "Thank you, Uzaki-san, for the bread."

Eh-eh? Hana's expression changed repeatedly. Sure enough, this was like the old witch from a fairy tale. First she offered a poisoned apple (in this case, expired fish), then she snatched the bread that Hana had given to her senior.

"Forget it, I'm not counting with you!" Hana clutched her hand, then tore open the packaging of another loaf. She divided it in half with the confidence.

One large piece and one small, the large one she kept for herself, and the small one she offered to Rei. "Senior, I'm sharing mine with you."

Rei: "... You really don't hold back."

Rei accepted without hesitation, offering no thanks. He knew that if he expressed gratitude, Hana would surely take it as an positive sign to become even more attached.

This girl had a persistent habit that couldn't be shaken.

"Seniors, Uzaki-san, what a coincidence." Umaru's voice, came from the staircase entrance. Glancing in her direction, a long-haired, flaxen beauty appeared.

Seeing Hana with her, Umaru wasn't surprised. She was used to this classmate sticking close to Rei.

Greeting Ai, whom she didn't know well, Umaru introduced herself. "Hello, I am Umaru Doma, a second-year student. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Hoshino Ai, a new transfer student in the same class as Rei. Pleased to meet you." Ai also extended her greetings.

In a corner of the rooftop, Iori and Motoharu gritted their teeth, consumed by envy, especially Iori.

"Kitahara! Why did we come earlier, but still have to hide!" Motoharu whispered, discontent evident.

Iori shook his head, not offering an answer, but instead countered with a question. "Why do I have to always eat with a guy who's been a loner for eighteen years?"

Motoharu: "..."

Are you kidding me?

The two boys suddenly slipped and crashed onto the door, their heads poking out from the rooftop's corner, entering the line of sight of the four.

"You guys are here..." Rei began.

But they didn't let Rei finish before exclaiming together in a resolute tone, "Ready. Set. GO!"

*****

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