After the club meeting, Alicia invites Hyoga to eat ramen, only for him not to know what ramen is. So, she does the courtesy of bringing him to a ramen shop. She explains the basics of ramen, from ordering to eating style, which includes slurping, which he finds unmannered. Alicia points out this is commonly given that ramen is served hot and says there's nothing wrong. So they chat about each other, and she wants to know him better. Then she asks how he ends up attending school, and he says he's a rebel who ran away from home. Alicia takes his response literally.
The weather for today is sunny.
This week concludes the April chapter.
After the club meeting, Alicia approaches Hyoga to ask.
Alicia - Hey, are you free?
Hyoga - What for?
Alicia - I want to invite you.
He could refuse, but Saori's words of saying yes echo in his mind.
Hyoga - To where?
Alicia - To eat ramen, of course.
Hyoga - Ramen? What's that?
Alicia - You have to be joking, right?
He stares at her, confused. Silence echoes throughout the room.
Alicia - You really don't know, do you? Alright! I'll do a one-time courtesy and teach you the basics of ramen. Sounds good?
Hyoga - I suppose I can learn. Sure.
Alicia - Great! I'll escort you.
The pair take the subway to a local neighborhood that is said to serve ramen for beginners. They take their seat, and Alicia orders two bowls.
Hyoga- How come yours has more things on it?
Alicia - That's because I've already eaten ramen before. So I ordered your bowl to be nothing but noodles.
Hyoga - Okay, I see. Then what's this liquid thing?
Alicia - It's called broth. But really, it's just water mixed with soy sauce.
Hyoga - But it's too hot to eat. I should let it cool.
Alicia - Nah, you don't want to. You have to learn to eat it while it's still hot. Letting it cool defeats the whole purpose of eating ramen. By the way, do you know how to use chopsticks right? (splits chopsticks)
Hyoga - Yeah, my friend taught me.
Alicia - That's good. Okay, watch and learn how I consume it.
Alicia consumes the entire bowl down to drinking the broth.
Hyoga - Wait, what's that sound you made?
Alicia (stares) I slurp.
Hyoga - No, no, that's not right. You can't make sounds on the table.
Alicia - Everybody does it.
Hyoga (confused) I don't get it.
Alicia - You claim to be half-Japanese and don't get it. Where do you come from? Is your name really your name? I don't want to be skeptical, but everything about you is so mysterious.
Hyoga (upset) You were kind of nice.
Alicia - That's because I felt sympathy and wanted to defend you. But now I'm feeling skeptical myself. (sigh) Seeing you there reminds me of when I came to this country many years ago. You heard me there, right? About how I've been living here since middle school? My parents are teachers who teach English.
Hyoga - You didn't have any friends?
Alicia - They thought I was a study abroad student because of my looks. But when I spoke the truth, they ended up ignoring me. That's how it was for all three years of middle school.
Hyoga - It must have been difficult.
Alicia - Yes, it was. (surprised) Oh, look at you! You ate the ramen.
Hyoga - I was hungry, and well, I kind of liked it.
Alicia - You don't mind if I order a second one? (gasp) Hey, wait! You didn't drink the broth!
Hyoga - I don't see the point.
Alicia - I also noticed you didn't make any sound while eating the ramen.
Hyoga - I didn't want to, and that's not how I eat.
Alicia (smug) Did you know making a sound shows a sign of respect to the chef? Someone told me that.
Hyoga - I don't mind going for a second one.
Alicia - Good! (Alicia orders another bowl for him) I told you my story, so you better tell me yours.
The chef delivers the second bowl. Alicia gives it to him.
Hyoga - I live in a dorm with four other guys.
Alicia - Four other guys? Just the five of you?
Hyoga - It's a special dorm just for me and my friends.
Alicia - Wow, that's amazing! How did you get there in the first place?
Hyoga (meta) I could tell her, but I don't know how she'll react, so I'll make up something. It's too early to confess and much less in public.
Hyoga - I... kind of ran away from home.
Alicia - Ooh, you are a rebel. That's so cool! (darts) Okay, you got the second bowl. Try to make a sound this time.
Hyoga (sighs, rolls eyes) Fine... (low slurping sound)
Alicia - That's pretty low.
Hyoga - I told you I don't really want to do this.
Alicia - Haha! You really are something else. (relaxed) Hey! You don't mind us being friends? I really like talking to you. (laughs) Even though we're two blue-eyed blonds speaking Japanese, oh my god!
Hyoga - How about a common language?
Alicia - Nah, this is enough. So are we in?
Hyoga - You're an odd one, but I'll accept.
Hyoga (meta) She's my type, sure, but she's a bit loud. Still, we can get along if I stick around. After all, I'm stuck for the next three years.
Alicia - Okay, so now we're friends, and we'll meet outside the club more often. Don't ignore me, okay? Oh! Do you know how to return by yourself?
Hyoga - We take the same train, right?
Alicia - Yeah, and that will leave you at the school. I don't live in a dorm, so I must remain until I reach the station.
Hyoga - I see. So you commute every morning.
Alicia - Yep, I take the subway. It's getting late, so let's go.
They pick up their bags, Alicia pays for the bowls, and they leave.