Chapter 240 — A Deja-vu

After finishing their impromptu photo session, the group finally settled down around one of the wooden tables.

The warm hum of the old heater filled the air as they flipped through the laminated menus, waiting for the aunty to return from the kitchen.

The menu was packed with choices — grilled fish, pork belly, gōyā champurū (bitter melon stir-fry), Okinawan-style tofu dishes, hearty stews, and even something called inanmuri-uchi.

Most of the fried fish options seemed to pair well with beer, though there were a few eccentric dishes too… like squid ink yakisoba.

Ryou leaned slightly toward Kei, tapping her menu against her palm. “So, Suki-san, what are you gonna get?”

“I don’t know yet,” Kei said, scanning the menu with mild indecision. “I’ll probably just ask for the house recommendation.”

“Fufufu~ In that case,” Ryou said, puffing her chest proudly, “you could just pick the same thing as me.”

Nijika gave her a suspicious look. “Ryou, if you’re planning to order something expensive again, don’t drag other people into paying for it.”

“Guh—!” Ryou froze mid-laugh, caught red-handed. “W-wait, it’s not like that this time! I actually found something that looks interesting to eat!”

Kei raised an eyebrow. “...What exactly are you planning to eat?”

“Here, look!” Ryou flipped the menu toward him and pointed triumphantly.

———————————————————————

[Special Challenge!]

1.8 kg of Meat & Vegetable Iso Ramen — ¥3,100

Finish within 30 minutes and it’s free!

———————————————————————

Kei stared at the page for a long moment, then slowly looked back at Ryou with an expression as flat as the teppan grill itself.

“So you just don’t want to pay for your food,” he said plainly. “Don’t worry, I can cover your meal.”

He turned back to his own menu with a quiet sigh. “No need to destroy your stomach over it.”

Kita, curious, leaned over. “Ryou-senpai, what are you even thinking of eating?”

Ryou grinned, pointing at the same challenge item again. “This one!”

Kita blinked, reading the text, and her eyes went wide. “Ehh?! Ryou-senpai, that’s way too much for one person! Didn’t you already fail to finish the hotpot last time?”

Ryou folded her arms, feigning dignity. “That was… different. My body was a little tired from the flight.”

“Didn’t we all take the same flight?” Nijika just shot back flatly. “Just order something else, Ryou.”

“You don’t get it, Nijika.” Ryou shook her head.

“Free food,” Ryou declared dramatically, raising a finger like she was explaining a sacred truth. “It’s like finding coins under a vending machine.

Some people might ignore them, but the moment you do pick them up, that rush of beating the system of gaining something for free — it’s just unbeatable.”

Nijika stared. “...That’s your logic?”

Kei, sitting beside them, unconsciously nodded. “...I kinda get that.”

He really did.

Back when he worked part-time at a small shop, he’d often find loose change under the vending machine that people forgot to grab.

It wasn’t much — a few yen at most — but every time, it felt like winning a tiny victory against fate.

“Is that so?” Nijika said, giving him an unimpressed look before turning back to Ryou. “Then tell me this, Ryou what did you spend your last paycheck on?”

Ryou froze. “...What are you implying, Nijika? Don’t tell me you don’t trust your childhood friend?” she said, squeezing out a few fake tears.

“Yes.” Nijika replied immediately.

“Yes, Ryou-senpai,” Kita added with a bright smile.

“Yes,” Kei said without looking up from his menu.

“U-umm…” Bocchi hesitated, glancing between them before giving a small nod — then quickly shaking her head, panicked.

“Ryou, don’t sit on the floor. It’s rude, you know,” Nijika sighed, completely ignoring her dramatics.

She turned to Kei instead. “Kei-senpai, how about we order some fried Rafute (braised pork belly)?”

“…..”

Seeing her plan fall apart, Ryou quickly changed tactics.

“Well, if you’re worried about gaining weight, Nijika, you could’ve just said so,” she murmured under her breath just loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Huh!?” Nijika slammed her hands on the table, glaring. “What’s that supposed to mean!?”

“Oh, nothing~” Ryou said innocently, flipping her hair. “It’s just, y’know… winter break just ended. Happens to everyone, right A little too much midnight, maybe?”

“Wh—! I didn’t—!” Nijika stammered, her face bright red.

“Ryou-senpai, please stop teasing Nijika-senpai, you’re clearly just trying to—” Kita began, trying to mediate.

Ryou turned toward her slowly, a catlike smile curling on her lips. “And I get it that you also want to keep your weight in front of Kei, Kita”

“Wha—!? N-no! I’m not worried about my weight at all!” Kita blurted, voice cracking.

“Oh? So you are thinking about it~,” Ryou teased, resting her chin in her hand. “Guess I hit a closer than home, huh?”

“I—That’s not—!” Kita puffed up, cheeks pink as she fumbled for words.

Before either of them could retaliate, a young woman in an apron walked up to their table.

“Sorry fer keepin’ ya waitin’! I was out makin’ deliveries. Can I take yer order now?” she said in a cheerful Okinawan dialect.

“Yes!!” Nijika and Kita shouted together, still flustered, startling the poor waitress.