My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 644

"Oh……"

I pointed to the photos on the menu and explained them to her, but Yuihama seemed unable to understand.

"Shall we dip these yellow noodles into this brown soup?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Then add the seasonings over there according to your own preference."

I pointed to the small silver jar on the table.

"So many kinds...it seems like Turkish cuisine..."

Indeed, I've heard that Turkish cuisine uses several different types of chili peppers.

It might be similar to a tsukemen shop that uses several kinds of pepper alone... No, it's hard to say. Similar? Completely different, right?

"What about this? What is this?"

Bibin points to the other small jars.

"That's vinegar. There are three kinds: white vinegar, black vinegar, and fruit vinegar. It's used to season dipping sauces."

"Fruit vinegar? That sounds so healthy, I'll order that too!"

Yui walked briskly to the vending machine, decisively pressed the button for dipping noodles, and carefully returned with the vending ticket in both hands.

"Excuse me—I want this."

She handed the meal voucher to the clerk across the bar.

The shop assistant didn't say a word.

"...Is that person angry?"

"No. That's not true. They'll still answer your questions if you have any."

This is a matter of distance.

When I first met Yuihama, she asked me several times, "Are you angry?" What is a comfortable and relaxed distance for regular customers might feel like rejection to some first-time visitors.

Besides, this store itself doesn't really want to attract new customers.

Newcomers and veterans.

It is difficult to satisfy both at the same time, no matter what world you are in.

The question is which should take priority. Since this restaurant's policy is to maintain the original flavor, prioritizing repeat customers over new customers is naturally more reasonable. And repeat customers want a quiet space and consistent taste.

While I was thinking—

"Here's your dipping noodles."

The staff served noodles and dipping sauce across the counter.

Yuihama is a normal component.

My extra-large bowl of noodles had a lot of char siu.

Yuihama whispered to me happily:

"...They deliberately served their meals at the same time. Even though I had my meal a little later than you."

"yes."

This is one of Yuihama's strengths. She believes that people who treat others with kindness will be treated with kindness in return.

The result is that they will look for the other person's strengths.

Unlike me, an outsider who can detect even a single drop of malice falling into an ocean of goodwill. Am I a shark?

"I'm starting."

"I'm starting."

We clasped our hands together and pried open the disposable chopsticks.

I slurped down my noodles with more gusto than usual, partly to give Yuihama, who was still hesitant, a little push. Eating ramen is all about being a bit crude.

"Okay, then I'll..."

Yuihama seemed to have made up her mind, picking up the noodles with her slightly trembling chopsticks.

Next, soak the noodles in the sauce, then present the brown sauce-covered rolls to the cherry blossom pink lips coated with lip gloss.

I glanced at her furtively as she slurped the noodles into her mouth with a cute slurping sound.

Then—Yuhihama shouted with wide eyes.

"Wow, this is delicious!!"

She seemed to genuinely believe it, her gaze rapidly shifting between my face and the noodles. She shook her head frantically, just like a foreign soccer player.

"I think this is the first time I've ever had curly pasta... It tastes like spaghetti soup, but the flavor is completely different... How should I put it? Like a stew?"

“…………”

"Oh dear—I can understand why Yukino described it as 'fiercely delicious.' Is it because it's so stimulating to the tongue? Ah, but Yukino didn't eat at this restaurant, right? Oh no. Ramen is so profound! Right, you introverted guy?!"

"……yes."

I echoed Yuihama's words and called out to the staff behind the bar.

"Excuse me. Please give me some broth."

"Huh? Add stock?"

"Similar to the water used to boil noodles."

I took the kettle of hot water containing clear broth from across the bar and poured it into the sauce. Yuihama stared intently at the golden broth pouring from the kettle.

"Whoa whoa……!"

I took a small sip to check the strength of the flavor.

"Hey! You autistic guy, give me some!"

"Huh? Can't you just drink your own later?"

"I want to drink it right now!"

She snatched the bowl from my hands and took a big gulp.

"Wow! There's even soup left to drink after finishing the noodles! Ramen is amazing!!"

"I said, that was indirect... never mind."

I took the bowl back and drank the rest of the soup next to the extremely excited Yuihama, confirming my suspicions.

At first, I thought the taste of the food at this restaurant had changed.

However, seeing Yuihama's reaction, I realized that wasn't the case.

What has changed is not the taste.

"Is it my tongue?"

It's been a long time since I've had sukemen, and it lacks the excitement I felt the first time I ate it. It's probably because I've tried all sorts of ramen besides this one. Simply put, my appetite has been spoiled.

Whether you see it as growth or numbness is subjective. The only certainty is that this shop no longer satisfies me.

Yui, sitting next to her, also finished her soup completely.

"Thank you for the treat! It was delicious!"

"...Thank you for your hospitality."

I stood up; more than half of the soup that I usually finish was still left.

Thank you for today!

As I walked out of the store, Yuihama smiled and thanked me.

"And...I'm sorry."

"Hmm? Oh, I wasn't planning on having ramen today, but I haven't been to this place in a long time, I kind of miss it—"

No.

Yuihama shook her head, a faintly sad smile on her face.

"I noticed halfway through the meal... that you weren't enjoying it very much."

"...!"

"You don't particularly like this restaurant."

"No! You've misunderstood—"

You've misunderstood. It's not what you think. I used to really like this shop.

Neither the shop nor Yuihama is at fault. I'm trying to explain. If I had to say, I'm the one who's wrong—

"But!"

However, before I could speak, Yui Yuigahama spoke in a loud voice that would make people around her reflexively turn their heads.

"I think it's incredibly delicious!

"...Yuihama..."

"Walking into this shop was purely coincidental... It might not be a very good place for you, and you were forced to come with me anyway, so you probably weren't in the mood for ramen, but I... haha... what am I saying? You don't understand, right?"

"No... I think I can understand."

"Well, in other words, this is my first step. Even if it's not a great step for you, it's the best step for me. That's what I mean."

Yui stepped forward.

She bent down slightly, raised her eyes to look at me, and said softly.

"I will catch up with you step by step. And then... one day I will definitely catch up with you and hold you."

"……Yeah?"

"Yes. That's right."

That was a conversation that took place before.

Yui Yuigahama is that kind of person. She throws tantrums, holds people back, and causes a lot of trouble for others, but she still keeps moving towards her goal.

That was—a vision of the future that only Yuihama possessed.

This guy will make it a reality.

It is a special power that even Yukinoshita and I cannot obtain.

The values ​​that must be continuously defended also exist.

However, as the days go by... other senses, like taste, will gradually change.

I am terrified of this. I am afraid that I will no longer be myself.

It's similar to maintaining the flavor of the original business. If you lose your unique characteristics, people will compare you to other ramen shops. If you don't change, at least you can preserve your dignity.

If that's the case, perhaps my feelings for ramen will change again during the time I spend with Yui Yuigahama. I don't know how they'll change.

However, what I can say right now is—

"...Today was also a good experience for me."

"Really?"

"Hmm. If I had come alone, my feelings would probably have been more complicated."

Food tastes better when you eat with other people.

I rejected that statement. To this day, I still believe that eating ramen alone is the best experience.

However, this fact does not necessarily mean that other ways of eating it are negated.

"It's quite enjoyable to talk about ramen with people."

"Ah—you usually can't speak clearly, but when you talk about your area of ​​expertise, your speech suddenly becomes clear."

"I'm telling you, that's the last thing you should say!"

Does talking about it lead to war?

"Next time you come, I'll recommend the best flavor I chose to you! We'll share our thoughts after we eat it."