'Here are your chopsticks.' I handed them to Kasumi.
'Thanks, Di-ran.'
'And your lunchbox.'
She eagerly grabbed it and flipped open the lid.
'Whoa! Smells amazing!' Her eyes lit up, like a gacha addict that managed to pull a character without pity.
She turned to me with puppy-dog eyes.
'Yes, yes, go ahead,' I said.
She clasped her hands. 'Itadakimasu!'
'Nom nom nom… So good!'
If she were a man, I swear her clothes would've burst from ecstasy.
'Slow down, you'll choke.'
She nodded, still shovelling food in happily.
Sigh.
Usually, it's the other way around. The girl is cooking food for the guy.
Guess I'm breaking tradition. Sorry, all you Japanese protagonists, but I can cook.
I made an agreement with Kasumi: since her lunches were pitiful, I'd cook for her. Making another portion wasn't a problem. At first, I offered it for free, but she insisted on paying.
I refused… until she made that face. You know, the one that screamed depression. So how could I say no? I reluctantly accepted her money.
And just like Australia's weather, it was sunny again.
'Anything you want tomorrow?' I asked, tilting my head.
Kasumi paused mid-bite, rice halfway to her mouth, then carefully placed it back in the lunchbox.
'Anything is fine, as long as it tastes good.' She smiled.
What a hard person to please.
She laughed at my deadpan expression. 'Just kidding. I like anything you make, Di-ran.'
Looking down at her lunchbox, her smile softened. 'It's so much better than anything my parents give me.
'But now… I have you… I can have all the yummy food I want!'
I ruffled her hair. 'Ha, you sure know how to work this old man.'
She closed her eyes, enjoying the touch.
'Hey, Di-ran.'
'Yeah?'
She shook off my hand from her head. 'Why do you talk like an old man?'
'I'm an old soul that has seen many things.'
'Hehe… you really sound like my grandpa.' She giggled and went back to eating.
'So, Di-ran, where's your school lunch?' she asked, munching on chicken.
'Right here.' I pulled five massive containers from my bag, each brimming with rice and teriyaki.
'And I almost forgot… miso soup.' I handed her two thermoses.
She held them with both hands, carefully placing them aside.
'How do you eat so much, Di-ran?!'
'I know boys eat more than girls, but… are we even the same species?'
I opened a container and shoved a mouthful in.
'I am very much human… just a cut above all of you.' I popped another bite in.
Kasumi blinked as I demolished the next container. （￣□￣;）
She watched me silently, occasionally sneaking glances, until her gaze landed on my stomach.
'Where does it all go?'
'What go?' I asked.
'The food.'
'Into my stomach.'
Wasn't it obvious?
She facepalmed. 'Yes, but how does it fit?!'
'Do you see my head?' I pointed.
She nodded slowly.
'Ever wonder how this size can contain my genius?'
Blink.
'And look at Saki. Somehow… there is something there.'
Kasumi smacked my shoulder lightly. 'You shouldn't say mean things.'
We ate and chatted until the bell rang.
——————————————-
'Remember there is a test next week.' The teacher left, and students rushed off to clubs.
'Bye, Di-ran!'
'Bye, Kasumi.' We waved.
Kasumi had club today, so I was on my own again.
With the sun still out in full force, I walked home.
Passing along the familiar streets that were once overrun by thugs.
Now it felt more lively.
Decorated and now being opened to the public, the street had a rough start due to its history, but over time its reputation changed.
'How are the balloon sales, Yuki?'
'Great, boss! Thanks to that video, everyone's coming.'
I smiled. Thanks to whoever made that viral clip, Yuki's dream was taking off.
Restaurants were packed and the streets were littered with laughter.
I stopped at an ice cream shop that recently opened up.
'Hello, boss. Try this new flavour I've been working on.' He handed me a cup.
I grabbed a small plastic spoon and gave it a taste.
'Un… not bad. Better than the last one.'
'Boss certified,' he said, hands on chest.
'Keep it up,' I encouraged.
————————————-
Only after getting all sorts of freebies did I pass the street.
I pulled out my phone. My message to the stubborn girl was still on read.
This message makes me come off as a villain.
I couldn't help but realise.
Closing my phone, I continued my journey back to my home.
After a couple of minutes of walking, I made it back home.
Standing right outside the front gate was Saki.
'Sup, Saki.'
'Took you long enough,' she replied, arms crossed.
'Impatient, are we?' I walked over to her. 'Do you have a humiliation fetish? You keep coming back.'
'Open the gate!' She stomped. 'Today, I will show you my justice!'
I opened the gate.
'How many times did you say that? 20?'
She ignored me and immediately made her way to the dojo.
Following closely behind, we began our daily training.
*Clang clang clang*
'Why can't I hit you?!'
'Either you're too slow or I'm too fast. Or both.'
She panted, dropping to her knees.
She nodded. 'Let's go again.'
'Okay.'
We sparred for hours. Saki fell, got back up, panted, stood back up and kept going until she finally collapsed.
'Phew… I'm exhausted.'
Saki fell to the ground.
'You know what I need?' She reached her hand out.
'What?'
'I… need… Kasumi.'
She acted like she was dying from starvation.
'Well, she's not here today.'
'NOOOOOO! I NEED TO FEEL THOSE DUMPLINGS!'
She rolled around like a kid who didn't get their toys.
After a while, she slowly got up and walked towards the exit.
'Where are you going?'
'To steal your drinks,' she said without turning back.
I shook my head.
Kids.
I packed away the swords before going to the living room.
'I feel alive again.'
There, Saki held a can of soda while being a couch potato.
'Are you staying for dinner?'
'Of course.' She smiled. 'Free food for me.'
The complete opposite of Kasumi.
'Then I'm going to start cooking.'
I said as I walked to the kitchen.
'In the meantime, you can do whatever you like, just don't destroy my house.'
'Geez, how many times are you going to tell me old man?'
'As many times as I need to.'
——————————-
After Saki left with a handful of drinks.
While washing the dishes, I couldn't help but think. 'My life is so different now.'
Back then fighting and training were all I knew.
But now…
It was a complete 180.
'There, done.'
I finished cleaning the dishes and just as I was about to go shower, I sensed a familiar presence.
'Hmm…'
I honed in my senses.
'So she decided to come.'
Later, my doorbell rang.
*Ding-dong*
Walking out a black-haired girl dressed in a black hoodie appeared at my gate, eyes blazing blue.
She was the stubborn girl in school.
'So you showed up.'
I opened the gate.
The moment the gate swung open, she immediately lunged at me.
'HOW DID YOU FIGURE OUT!'
Little wings sprouted from her head, a tail flicked behind her and her eyes became purple.
Clearly, she was a succubus.
'That's quite rude of you.' I said. 'Attacking as soon as we meet?'
She held me by my collar and her eyes began to glow.
'Sorry, that won't work on me.'
She froze, wide-eyed.
My eyes glowed red, and she stumbled back, terrified.
'Wh-what did you do to me?'
'Nothing… yet.'
*PAK*
I backhanded her lightly. She crumpled unconscious.
Picking her up, I carried her inside and her tail flopped all over the place.
God… what kind of world did I land in?