Societal Death

The black box is not big, nor is it a valuable item. At best, it is comparable to something bought from a dollar store, but it is very clean.

The box has rounded arcs at both ends, which make it easy to pick up and carry. If Kato Yusuke has any complaints, it's probably that it can't be heated in a microwave oven, because the wood would warp.

And he still prefers hot food over Japanese cold bento.

It's not pickiness, just a preference shaped by over ten years of habit, a psychological factor at play.

The lid of the wooden box was lifted.

The dishes inside look very rich.

Rice occupies two-thirds of the space, topped with a layer of fried beef rolls mixed with shredded shallots, and the portion is not small; the remaining third holds a few pieces of tamarind and a cold salad. There is a divider separating these from the rice.

Moreover,

To prevent the flavors from mixing, a piece of colored paper thoughtfully covers the side dishes, showing the maker's care, which surpasses the typical bento sold outside.

Takei Ichiro and Yamaguchi Takashi silently observed the bento in Kato Yusuke's hands and spoke after a while.

"...Is this a love bento?"

"...It's a love bento."

"...For Kato?"

"...It seems so."

"So...is it what i think? That?"

"Ah, I see what you mean!"

They exchanged glances, and their expressions suddenly became serious.

"Hey, Kato—"

They looked at Kato Yusuke, crossed their arms, and Ichiro Takei pushed up the glasses that had slipped down his nose, then said in unison.

"Have you got a girlfriend?"

For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly turned into an interrogation.

...

"Absolutely can't deal with these two."

Kato Yusuke thought so and did so.

"Click, click..."

"Chew...chew..."

"Um...is it spinach?"

"Chew...chew..."

He ate the bento with relish, his expression calm, and occasionally the sound of his teeth crushing the food conveyed his enjoyment.

"Good to eat."

He sighed, his eyes lighting up slightly.

It seems that sesame oil is added to the spinach. It tastes refreshing and crispy without losing its flavor. It is very appetizing.

He picked up his chopsticks and couldn't help taking another mouthful of rice.

The rice, having absorbed enough water, is not only grainy but also very plump. Although it has cooled down from being left out all morning, it remains chewy, with a hint of sweetness lingering on the tongue.

That guy's craftsmanship is really good.

Sayu's face unconsciously appeared in Kato Yusuke's mind, and his eyebrows softened. Of course, this is purely for the sake of the food.

It's just that others don't think so.

Ichiro Takei and Takashi Yamaguchi saw Kato Yusuke maintaining his usual demeanor, but now they saw this expression, which confirmed some suspicions in their minds.

"Kato..."

The two circled behind Kato Yusuke, and then simultaneously stretched out their hands.

"I'm ready—!"

One aimed at the neck and the other at the left arm.

With their coordinated effort, they tightly gripped Kato Yusuke's body parts.

"Okay—! It's time to go! Takei!"

This is what Yamaguchi said.

"Understood—! My brother—!"

Takei said.

"Go--!!!"

A fiery enthusiasm ignited within them, and an exciting musical prelude played faintly in their ears.

The veins on their forearms bulged, and the nonexistent biceps swelled like small mountains. Takei and Yamaguchi hugged Kato Yusuke's neck and left arm in this way, pulling in opposite directions simultaneously.

"Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Loud slogans echoed in the classroom, but...

...can't break.

Try again... still can't break it.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak..."

The sound of soles rubbing against the ground continued endlessly, God knows how they managed to make that noise with those silky indoor shoes.

"...Have you made enough trouble?"

Kato Yusuke sat on the chair, motionless, a deep frown marked his forehead, and he spoke to the two with an exasperated tone.

"Give it up, Kato! We won't stop until you confess!"

"Even if you say that, I don't know what to confess."

Kato Yusuke was at a loss for words.

"You must have a girlfriend, right!? What about the promise of staying single together, the bond between men? You traitor!"

Yamaguchi shouted, not forgetting to motivate Takei while exerting effort.

"Hurry up, Takei! As long as this guy can be brought down, I'll treat you to as many bowls of ramen as you want—!"

"Really!?"

Takei was stunned for a moment, then with a look of excitement, he roared with renewed vigor.

"Power! Comes out—!"

"Ora! Ora! Ora! Ora—!"

"Muda! Muda! Muda! Muda—!"

Snap-

There was a sound of something breaking in his mind, a black line wrapped around Kato Yusuke's forehead, and a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Almost..."

"It's not enough for me—!"

He stood up suddenly, his tall figure stood proudly in the classroom, and even the two people who were clinging to him were lifted off the ground, hanging like ornaments.

At that moment, Kato Yusuke still didn't realize that what happened that day would become a dark chapter in his life.

The classroom door swung open.

Pat...

The sound of things falling to the ground echoed, and standing outside the door was a girl whose pupils gradually widened. At that moment, she was staring at the three entangled figures with a stunned expression.

The atmosphere fell into a dead silence.

"Wait a moment...!"

Kato Yusuke reached out his hand.

"Sorry, excuse the interruption..."

The sliding door quickly closed, and the sound of panicked footsteps faded away.

Only a bag of bread remained on the ground.

...

On that day, my glorious life came to an end...

—From "The Inner Monologue of Kato Yusuke"

...

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