The ramen shop fell into a brief, deep silence.
Finally, Fujiwara Chika was the first to speak up, breaking the quiet.
"Tanaka-kouhai bullied me."
This time, she didn't have her usual energy. Her voice was filled with grievance, even carrying a faint sob.
Her large eyes stared straight at Tanaka Masao, moisture gathering in them, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Seeing Fujiwara Chika like this, Tanaka Masao realized he had gone a bit too far.
If Fujiwara Chika got angry like a raging storm, it was probably fake anger.
But if it was this kind of quiet, silent anger—then it was real.
"Sorry, I was just joking. Here, I'll give it back to you."
Tanaka Masao used his quick hands, returning the chashu and egg to her bowl before Fujiwara Chika could cry.
"That's enough for you to forgive me, right?"
"Hmph, no way."
Fujiwara Chika turned her head away. Even though she saw the chashu and egg returned, there was no way she'd forgive him that easily after being teased so much.
Hearing the change in her tone, Tanaka Masao let out a sigh of relief.
The problem was basically solved; it just needed a proper ending.
"Here, this is for Fujiwara-senpai. Please forgive me, senpai."
As he spoke, Tanaka Masao placed his own half of the egg into Fujiwara Chika's bowl.
Fujiwara Chika, who had been hugging her chest, head turned away and eyes closed in anger, opened one eye to peek at the bowl.
One "senpai," plus half an egg, completely dispelled her anger.
Still, she put on a deliberately sulky expression as she spoke.
"Fine. Since I am the senpai, I'll forgive you this time."
The little incident ended, and not only did the atmosphere around Tanaka Masao become relaxed and cheerful again—Tajima Saburou and the shop owner both let out sighs of relief as well.
[Using your own egg to comfort her, huh? Kid, you've got guts. But now you won't be able to perfectly enjoy the flavor of a bowl of ramen.]
Just as he shook his head in regret, the ramen shop owner brought over a small plate and placed it in front of Tanaka Masao.
On it lay half an egg.
"A complimentary item."
After saying that, the owner nodded to Tanaka Masao and fell silent again.
Seeing this, Tajima Saburou nodded, sighing inwardly.
[I see… giving the egg separately. That brings the ramen back to a perfect state.
As expected of a ramen shop owner—he really knows his stuff.]
...
Tanaka Masao, however, had no idea about any of that deeper meaning. To him, half an egg really didn't matter.
Still, since it was a gift from the owner, he accepted it gladly and expressed his thanks.
"Oh, thank you, boss."
He placed the egg into his bowl, making sure it soaked in the broth. That way it absorbed more flavor—his favorite way to eat it.
At that moment, Fujiwara Chika called out to him.
"Tanaka-kouhai, look, look!"
She held chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in the other.
In the spoon was some ramen, along with a little topping and broth.
"Mini ramen. Isn't it cute?"
Looking at the small spoon, Tanaka Masao shook his head helplessly.
"It really is cute. I used to eat like that when I was little too."
"What, are you saying I'm a child?"
Fujiwara Chika protested, clearly dissatisfied.
"Tanaka-kouhai doesn't understand at all. Mini ramen lets you taste the entire bowl in a single bite. It's both one and everything—an ultimate state."
Her words made the other two people in the shop nod in agreement.
As if to prove her point, Fujiwara Chika opened her mouth wide and swallowed the entire spoonful in one bite.
"Oishii~ (So delicious!)"
Fujiwara Chika closed her eyes happily.
Seeing this, Tanaka Masao swallowed.
For some reason, his desire to eat ramen suddenly grew even stronger.
"Really? I'll try it too."
As he spoke, Tanaka Masao copied Fujiwara Chika, making his own mini ramen and putting it into his mouth to chew.
Fujiwara Chika prepared her next mini ramen while watching Tanaka Masao, waiting until he swallowed before asking,
"Well? Isn't it delicious?"
Tanaka Masao nodded.
"The flavors are really rich. But eating like this is kind of troublesome and takes too long. The noodles get soft, and then it's not as good."
In response, Fujiwara Chika flashed a confident smile.
"Hehehe~ I was prepared for that. I ordered the hardest noodles, so that won't happen."
"Fujiwara-senpai, you're experienced."
Tanaka Masao praised her.
"But still, I prefer eating it like this…"
As he spoke, Tanaka Masao grabbed a large amount of noodles with his chopsticks and boldly slurped them all into his mouth.
After chewing briefly, he swallowed.
"This is the most satisfying way to eat ramen."
With that, he took a big bite of the chashu as well.
Both his mouth and stomach were deeply satisfied.
As if infected by Tanaka Masao's enthusiasm, Fujiwara Chika refused to lose. She set down her spoon, picked up her noodles, and began slurping as well.
The two of them ate as if competing, rapidly devouring the ramen and toppings, occasionally lifting their bowls to drink the broth.
The entire scene suddenly turned hot-blooded.
Hearing the slurping sounds, Tajima Saburou froze mid-motion, noodles suspended in the air.
He now considered himself a ramen expert, pursuing ultimate perfection in every step (details in the comments section—no padding the main text here).
Watching the two of them slurp so freely, his gaze slowly grew distant. That sound pulled him into memories.
[This way of eating completely violates ramen aesthetics, but…
I used to be like that too. Back then.]
He recalled his school days, holding his limited allowance, coming to a ramen shop with friends on rare occasions, and wholeheartedly enjoying ramen.
A single tear slid down from the corner of his eye.
[When did I… turn into this kind of middle-aged man?
Work and life shackled me, turning me into someone who unconsciously clings to rules—so much so that even eating ramen has to be "perfect."
But ramen was meant to be enjoyed. What's the point of all these constraints?
Anyone who sincerely enjoys ramen is a ramen expert.]
As if he had grasped some profound truth, Tajima Saburou took off his suit jacket.
He followed their example and began slurping noodles in big mouthfuls.
[Run, this youth—this is the radiance I lost.]
...
Meanwhile, having eaten quite a bit of noodles and drunk a lot of broth, Tanaka Masao began to feel a little greasy. He reached out for the garlic, planning to refresh his palate.
Suddenly, he felt his hand touch something.
Looking up, he realized it was Fujiwara Chika—she had reached for the garlic at the same time.
Through the steam rising before his eyes, Tanaka Masao could see that Fujiwara Chika, having eaten quickly, had fine beads of sweat on her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She happened to look up as well, meeting his gaze. Her blue eyes carried a hint of confusion.
When cuteness and allure appear together on a girl's face, the effect on a man is unquestionable.
Tanaka Masao felt his heart give a sharp jolt.
He pulled his hand back as if shocked by electricity, his face slightly red as he spoke.
"Fujiwara-senpai, you go first."