Chapter 18 - A Humble Little Memory With the Mob Heroine
Going out somewhere together with a girl. If you look at just that one sentence, it might actually sound like a date.
(…Nah, that’s not it. If it were really a date, we’d be going somewhere fancy, wouldn’t we?)
Like going to an Italian restaurant.
Or shopping at famous branded stores.
Or driving around in a luxury car… yeah, that’s way too adult, and honestly kind of stereotypical. Of course, I’d never actually experienced anything that glamorous, but anyway.
Besides, do high schoolers even have ramen dates? Probably not. So this is just a simple outing, nothing more. No need to get all worked up about it.
Mogami-san didn’t seem to be thinking of it as anything more, either. She was walking right next to me, but her steps were light and quick. She was in a great mood and just seemed like she was having fun.
“Hey, hey. Sato-kun, what are ramen shops like? I’ve never been to one before.”
"Depends on the shop. The chain restaurants are pretty casual, no different from any other fast-food place. But the independent, mom-and-pop shops? The vibe changes completely. Some of those places, it's only guys… and not just guys, but like... old dudes."
“A-are we going to that kind of place today?”
"You can relax. I'm not planning on going that hardcore today."
If it were just me, sure, maybe. But since Mogami-san's here, we'll just go to one of the well-known, popular places. That should be fine.
“B-but really, wherever you want is fine, okay? I’m the one who wanted to thank you, Sato-kun, so don’t hold back!”
Man, she’s so earnest. In that case… I’d originally thought of taking her somewhere more beginner-friendly, but maybe I should just take her to my favorite ramen chain.
And so, the place we headed for was a ramen shop in front of the station and one with a grand-sounding name of ‘Serves the Best Ramen Bowl in the World.’
"Ah, I know this place. It’s a famous shop, right?"
“Yeah. All things considered, this is my favorite ramen shop.”
Well, if someone asked whether this was really the right place to bring a girl for our first outing together… I’d probably say no. Still, the food here is so good you don't even have to eat it to know... Not that I'm not going to eat it, obviously.
"So, Mogami-san, you've really never been to a ramen shop before?"
"Yeah. I don't think I’ve ever eaten anything other than instant ramen."
"Well, in that case, you're in for a surprise. This stuff is incredible. It's on a whole different level from instant ramen."
"Really? Hmm, I feel like all ramen is pretty much the same, though."
That was the kind of confident, relaxed look she had on her face before we went in. But once we entered, chose our ramen from the ticket machine, and sat down, the moment the thick, rich bowl of ramen arrived in front of her, Mogami-san's eyes went wide.
“I-Is this… soup? Not, like, jelly?”
"No, the soup is not that thick, you know."
"The flavor is... delicious! No way! It's this different?! Sato-kun, this is amazing! It's so good!!"
“Yeah, I get it, I get it. Just… keep your voice down a little.”
The staff behind the counter heard her and gave us a warm, amused smile.
The customers smiled, the staff smiled, everyone smiled. What a kind and gentle world this is. Anyway, I also took a bite myself. Yep… The same taste as always, even in this world. That rich, punchy flavor that hit me right in the brain was irresistible.
And so, after we'd both finished our meals, we left the shop.
“That was so good! Thanks for bringing me, Sato-kun! I’ve got another favorite food now!”
“I should be the one thanking you. Thanks for the meal.”
"Don't mention it. But... the haircut was a lot more than this, wasn't it? Are you sure just this is okay?"
"Yeah. Because... I've already gotten more than enough in return."
I got to have a meal with you, the girl I really care about, just the two of us. Not only that, you smiled and said it was delicious, and you even came to love the food that I love. Seeing your satisfied smile just fills my heart. Seeing you happy like this, Mogami-san... is what makes me happier than anything.
(I probably won’t get to go out with her like this again.)
It won't be long now until Mogami-san sheds her 'mob heroine' status. It's no exaggeration to say the preparations were almost complete. All that's left is for summer vacation to end and when it does... that time will come.
The moment she goes back to school, the moment she and Sanada meet... her own story will finally begin. I am nothing more than a stopgap until then.
One week left of summer vacation. One week left... that I can be this close to Mobuko-chan.
And that's why... I'm going to savor every last bit of this fleeting moment of happiness.
