Chapter 10 – Revealing the truth

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"Your skills are really something else. Even though these are just ordinary dishes you can find anywhere, each one has the power to shake the soul."

Sadao quickly brought out the fried rice noodles. Despite the slightly different taste, the result didn't surprise Utaha. Once again, she felt the soul-shaking sensation.

"Well, thanks a lot..." Even though Utaha's praise was sincere, Sadao couldn't find any joy in it. He wanted to ask, why can't things go according to his original plan? He's not out here trying to pick up girls or acting all cool, so why is his luck so bad?

Seeing his bitter expression, Utaha found it even more amusing. "Kohai-kun, praising you isn't a bad thing. Do you really need to make that face? You wouldn't want your shop to have zero customers, right?"

I actually wouldn't mind having no customers...

In the end, the real purpose of him opening this shop was just to avoid being labeled as a "jobless wanderer." As for whether the business was good or not, he didn't care... No, it should be said that having no business was a good thing. That way, he could lie down flat in peace.

Of course, he wouldn't reveal these inner thoughts to the sharp-tongued girl he had recently met. So, he just went along with it. "...Yeah, you're right."

As he said that, Utaha squinted her eyes, "...Are you admitting that this restaurant is yours?"

Sadao was slightly stunned, but soon he realized, "Come to think of it, I did tell you before that I'm not the owner of this restaurant!"

"As long as you remember..." Despite having guessed it earlier, hearing the definite answer, she quietly muttered a "I knew it." Only someone as peculiar as him could create such a bizarre restaurant.

"So, why did you lie?" Utaha was curious. Was there a need to lie about this?

Can I say that lying has become instinctive for me?

"Don't you find it strange, a high school student owning a restaurant?" Sadao countered. Although he hadn't planned to reveal his information so soon, now that she had figured out he owned the restaurant, hiding the rest didn't matter.

"That's true..." Utaha nodded, "Today is the weekend, but how do you manage this restaurant on regular days?"

"I'm a dropout from Totsuki!" Sadao didn't bother explaining further to her question, and he simply threw out an answer that wasn't really an answer.

"Aren't you a student from Toyogasaki?" Utaha was confused. So, even the fact that you're my kohai is a lie!?

"That was just a white lie..." Sadao smirked slightly, then continued with more lies, "I thought about striking up a conversation with you, so I purposely said I was your kohai... But now, looking at it, that was a foolish choice. You're a good-looking woman, but you're really troublesome."

In response to this extremely impolite statement, Utaha was speechless. Even if she's really troublesome, there's no need to be so direct, right?

However, she quickly thought of something and became suspicious, "My name has become so well-known that even a dropout from Totsuki knows it?"

"...I've just heard people mention it. Doesn't your school have three famous students?" Sadao continued with more lies, but Utaha didn't doubt this one. It was a pretty normal thing to know.

"But really, you recognized me at a glance..." Utaha smiled with a hint of playfulness, "Including our previous interaction, could it be love at first sight?"

"You're thinking too much..." Even though, in a way, it was true, Sadao wasn't foolish enough to reveal his true feelings. Speaking recklessly could lead to trouble.

Besides... even though this black-stockinged, sharp-tongued senpai was good, compared to the saintly Megumi beside him, who would never leave his side, she immediately fell behind.

"I just feel a bit annoyed..." Utaha didn't have any special thoughts about him. However, being ignored to this extent did make her a bit displeased.

"Come on, just bear with it about this matter!" However, Sadao didn't intend to accommodate her. Since he wasn't planning to make a move on her, the action of trying to improve their relationship seemed utterly pointless.

"Really lacking in gentlemanly charm..." However, what surprised Sadao was that his attitude actually pleased Utaha.

Unlike typical high school girls who were both beautiful and popular among guys, Utaha Kasumigaoka lacked friends. Well, she didn't have a single one.

As the saying goes, scarcity increases value. Therefore, when Sadao casually used the same attitude to deal with her as he did with his unreliable friend, she felt a sense of joy in the midst of annoyance.

"Being a gentleman has nothing to do with me..." Sadao couldn't care less about whether he was a gentleman or not. No, considering that the term "gentleman" in his world had gradually become associated with "pervert," not being labeled as a gentleman might be a good thing.

Seeing his indifferent expression, Utaha Kasumigaoka felt a bit puzzled. "Do you dislike gentlemen?"

"It's not about liking or disliking..." Sadao wore a disdainful smile. "...But the gentlemen I remember are the ones who claim to be gentlemen but engage in arson, killing, and looting activities."

"Isn't that hating them?" Utaha couldn't help but comment. If you hate them, just say it directly. Is there a need to beat around the bush?

"These things aren't important..." Sadao waved his hand. Things like being a gentleman were too far from his life, and there was no need to waste time discussing whether he liked it or not. "...More importantly, please pay a bit more attention to the matter of Megumi."

"Although it feels like bringing up an old topic, I'm really curious. Who is this Megumi Kato girl, and why are you going through all this trouble for her?" Hearing him mention this, Utaha's interest was once again piqued. There must be something special about this girl named Megumi.

Sadao smiled faintly and replied, "Just a regular high school girl you can find anywhere!"

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