Chapter Extra Episode-Triple Date 1
This chapter takes place after the girls and boys confessed to each other following the graduation ceremony and is set before they officially enter university. I arranged a triple date for them.
Friday, March 25, 2016
The girls were gathered in a café, freshly graduated from high school, enjoying the long Japanese spring break. There was still some time before university started, giving them a chance to truly relax and enjoy themselves.
The three girls sat in the café, drinks in hand, shimmering slightly in the light. The atmosphere was relaxed, with a hint of anticipation. Momoko was the first to break the silence, playfully saying, "Don't you think it's weird? We're so close with them, but we've never actually gone on a real date!" She took a sip of her drink, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Miyako nodded with a soft smile. "I've felt the same. They're always so good to us, always protecting us, but we've never arranged a proper date... I wonder if they ever went on dates with anyone before we reunited?" There was a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Kaoru crossed her legs, frowning slightly. "I've been wondering about that too. Even though Shigeru seems pretty smart, could he be one of those bookworms who's never gone on a date?" She burst into laughter. "I bet he's always been busy writing instead!"
The three girls exchanged knowing glances, recalling some things the boys had mentioned before.
A Few Days Ago – The Boys' Memories
When Yuzuhiko was asked if he had ever dated anyone before, he thought for a moment and then spread his hands with a touch of resignation on his face. "Date? After school, I was always busy with things on the ranch, taking care of the animals. Where would I find the time to go on dates?" His tone was calm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kagami, with a sincere expression, looked at Miyako and earnestly said, "A date? What's that? After school, I was either practicing kendo with my father or training in archery and horseback riding with my sisters. There wasn't any time for those things." His eyes were filled with sincerity, making it hard to doubt his words.
Shigeru sighed as if he had anticipated the question. "When I wasn't in class, I was almost always racing against deadlines. The life of a writer isn't as easy as you'd imagine. I really didn't have time for dates." His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but it sounded genuine.
After recalling the boys' responses, the girls couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Momoko blinked, smiling as she said, "I can't believe it—they're all workaholics! But that's kind of cute in a way. At least they're ours!"
Miyako chuckled softly, her tone filled with warmth. "Even though they don't have any experience with dating, their clumsy ways make you want to take care of them." There was a look of contentment in her eyes, as if she was satisfied with the situation.
Kaoru laughed heartily, slapping the table. "Hahaha! Turns out we're their first love! This is too funny! We definitely have to plan a date and show them what 'romance' really is!"
The three girls began discussing their own preferences, talking about how they should arrange their long-awaited official dates.
Momoko, who loved desserts the most, said, "How about we find a dessert shop, eat some cake and ice cream, and then stroll down some cute streets?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly thrilled with the idea.
Miyako, though also fond of sweets, leaned more toward artistic places and suggested, "I think going to a fashion exhibit or visiting a museum wouldn't be bad either. That way, we could admire some interesting designs together and take beautiful photos."
Kaoru, on the other hand, wasn't too interested in cultural activities. Waving her hand, she enthusiastically said, "Please, let's go to an amusement park! That's where the real fun is! Riding the carousel or the roller coasters a few times—that's what a date should be!" She was already excitedly imagining taking Shigeru on thrilling rides.
The three of them exchanged ideas back and forth and ultimately decided to compromise, choosing to go to an amusement park for a day filled with laughter and surprises.
The park would have desserts to enjoy, exciting rides to challenge, and plenty of opportunities to take fun photos. They were confident that, no matter where they went, the boys would be happy to tag along because the girls were the most important people in their lives.
"They'd follow us anywhere," Momoko laughed.
"Exactly," Miyako added softly with a smile. "What matters is that we enjoy this time together."
Kaoru waved her hand happily and said, "Then it's settled—let's go to the amusement park!"
The three girls smiled at each other, filled with excitement for the upcoming date.
After deciding to go to the amusement park, they continued discussing which park in Tokyo would best suit their expectations.
Momoko made the first suggestion, "Why don't we go to Tokyo Disneyland? There are lots of cute characters, dessert shops, and my favorite Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream!" Her eyes were full of excitement, as if she could already picture herself walking through the park while eating ice cream.
Miyako shook her head slightly, expressing her desire for a different kind of challenge this time. "Disneyland is definitely cute, but I think we should go to Fuji-Q Highland! They have the world's scariest haunted house, super-fast roller coasters, and even a Ferris wheel. We can enjoy thrilling rides and then relax at a dessert shop." There was a glint of adventure in her eyes, as if she were already anticipating how the boys would react in the haunted house.
Kaoru enthusiastically clapped her hands and said, "I'm with Miyako! Fuji-Q Highland is an awesome place! Especially the 'Labyrinth of Fear' haunted house—those boys are definitely going to be too scared to run! And the roller coasters—speed and height to the max!" A playful smirk appeared on her face as she imagined scaring the boys in the haunted house.
Momoko was a bit hesitant about the haunted house, as she generally preferred cute and sweet things. But she also wanted to add a bit of surprise and excitement to this date. In the end, she smiled and nodded, "Alright! Let's go to Fuji-Q Highland! But after the haunted house, we absolutely have to go get some desserts—that's my only condition!"
Miyako and Kaoru laughed in unison, "Deal!" They knew Fuji-Q Highland was the best choice since it had something for everyone—Momoko's desserts and Miyako and Kaoru's love for adventure and thrills.
Next, the girls began discussing their outfits for the day.
Momoko was the first to speak. "I'm going to wear a pink dress. That way, I'll look cute and perfect for taking pictures at the park!" She had an expectant smile on her face, clearly already imagining herself on the Ferris wheel with Yuzuhiko.
Miyako smiled softly and shared her idea. "I'm planning to wear a simple white dress with comfortable sandals so I can walk easily. It's perfect for a long day at the amusement park. Plus, I'll bring a small bag with my camera so we can take lots of great photos."
Kaoru, uninterested in fancy outfits, waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not wearing a dress. I'm going with a sports jacket and denim shorts, so I can move freely—especially when we're riding the roller coasters!" Her tone was full of her usual boldness, ready to take on any thrill.
As they discussed their outfits, they teased each other's styles. Momoko laughed and said, "Kaoru, you don't look like someone going on a date at all!"
Kaoru laughed and replied, "It's so I can run easily! You guys in dresses will be the ones running out of the haunted house!"
Finally, they decided on their itinerary for the day—starting with the scary haunted house, then tackling the thrilling roller coasters and drop tower.
Afterward, they'd have lunch and rest with some desserts at a café, finishing the day with a ride on the Ferris wheel to enjoy the view of Mt. Fuji. It was a plan filled with excitement and romance, and they knew the boys would have a blast no matter how scared they might get.
"They'll definitely come with us," Momoko said confidently.
"Of course, the most important thing is that we enjoy ourselves together," Miyako agreed softly.
Kaoru, unable to contain her excitement, added, "I can't wait to see the look on their faces when we scare the pants off them, haha!"
The girls' laughter echoed in the café, filled with anticipation for the upcoming triple date.
After finishing their drinks, they returned lab to find the three boys already waiting for them in the living room. Just as they were about to excitedly tell the boys about the amusement park plan, the boys' reactions left them stunned.
As I listened to them excitedly talk about the amusement park, I was completely baffled. Confused, I could only ask, "How is it different from Noboribetsu Marine Park or Shiroi Koibito Park? I remember those places being fun too."
Kagami, more straightforward, furrowed his brow and asked seriously, "Amusement park? What kind of place is that?" His tone was full of confusion, clearly having no concept of what an amusement park was.
Shigeru, with a slightly resigned expression, said, "I've done some research for my novels, but I've only heard about amusement parks. I've never actually been to one." His tone was light, but there was a hint of bewilderment.
At this, Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru couldn't help but exchange surprised glances. They had assumed that the boys had been to an amusement park a few times, but it turned out they'd never been to one!
Momoko clenched her fist, her voice filled with shock and disbelief. "Wait, wait! You mean none of you have ever been to an amusement park? How is that possible? It's the perfect place for a date!"
Miyako, usually more composed, couldn't help but laugh. "Really? You've never been? Well then, this date will definitely open your eyes."
Kaoru laughed even harder, patting me on the shoulder with a teasing tone. "So you guys have no idea what you're supposed to do, huh? Haha, this is too funny! Looks like we're going to have to show you what real excitement is all about!"
I felt a little embarrassed but tried to respond casually. "Well, you'll just have to lead the way then. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter where we go, as long as we're together with you."
Kagami nodded after hearing this, his tone sincere. "Yeah, as long as we're with you, we don't mind where we go. The amusement park sounds... interesting."
Shigeru smiled softly, resting his chin on his hand. "Actually, this could be a good opportunity for me to experience a real amusement park. Who knows? It might help with my novel writing."
The girls couldn't stop laughing at our reactions. They eagerly started explaining the different attractions at the amusement park, from the thrilling roller coasters to the spooky haunted house, and of course, the romantic Ferris wheel.
Momoko enthusiastically described the Ferris wheel and the dessert shop: "The Ferris wheel is the most romantic! We can all ride to the top and see the night view, then go get some dessert afterward. It's the perfect date plan!"
Miyako, smiling, added, "But we absolutely can't miss the haunted house. We'll see who can handle the fear the best." Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Kaoru, unable to contain her excitement, proposed, "The roller coasters and drop towers are a must! I want to see who screams first!" Her tone was filled with challenge and excitement.
In the end, the girls decided on the amusement park plan and eagerly discussed the details of the day.
Watching their excitement, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. Even though I'd never been to an amusement park before, just imagining going with them made me feel like it would be an unforgettable experience.
"Looks like we can't escape this thrilling adventure," I said with a smile to Kagami and Shigeru.
"Indeed," Kagami smiled, his eyes showing a hint of excitement. "We're counting on you girls for this one."
"That's right," Shigeru sighed lightly with a faint, resigned smile. "I'm ready to be scared by all of you."
On the day of the trip, the girls had even discussed their outfits. When we saw them, we couldn't help but stare.
Momoko was wearing a pink dress, the skirt gently fluttering, making her look both sweet and lively. Her orange hair complemented her outfit perfectly, making her look like a character straight out of a shoujo manga. She stood at the door, waving at us, her face full of excitement, leaving me momentarily speechless.
Miyako had chosen a white dress, elegant yet fresh, making her look like a painting. Her light blue eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation, clearly showing how much she was looking forward to the day. Kagami, standing next to me, was completely stunned, staring at her for a while before coming to his senses, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
As for Kaoru, she usually had short hair and dressed coolly, but today she was wearing a sporty jacket and denim shorts, still maintaining her usual energetic style. But there was something different today—she seemed to have put extra effort into her appearance, exuding an indescribable charm. Shigeru's gaze followed her every step, his eyes filled with surprise but mostly admiration.
Seeing our reactions, the girls were obviously pleased. Momoko playfully ran up to me, teasing, "What's wrong? Surprised?"
I awkwardly scratched my head and mumbled, "Not surprised, just... wow, you all look especially beautiful today."
"Of course!" Miyako laughed softly, turning to Kagami. "We put a lot of thought into this, didn't we?"
"Yeah... you really look beautiful today," Kagami said, smiling at her, clearly captivated by her appearance.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow and looked at Shigeru, teasing him, "So? Never seen me like this before, huh?"
Shigeru nodded with a smile, his gaze full of admiration. "You're right, I haven't. This side of you... is truly refreshing."
Hearing this, Kaoru smiled proudly and patted Shigeru on the shoulder. "Alright then, let's go! We've got a full day ahead!"
Led by the girls, we headed to Fuji-Q Highland, eager for the day ahead. Whether it was the Ferris wheel or the roller coasters, they would all become part of our memories. And I was ready—no matter where we went, as long as I was with them, the day was sure to be amazing.
Saturday, March 26, 2016 - Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park
When we arrived at Fuji-Q Highland, the girls eagerly suggested going to the haunted house, which surprised me, especially because Momoko was usually a bit scared of ghosts. But today, she seemed exceptionally excited.
"Let's go to the haunted house first! It'll be so much fun!" Momoko suggested enthusiastically, her face filled with anticipation.
I couldn't help but frown and ask in confusion, "Momoko, don't you usually dislike ghosts?"
Momoko gave a mischievous smile and slyly said, "That's just normally! Today is different! I'm going to scare you guys good!" As she said this, she sneakily glanced at the other girls. It was obvious this was a pre-planned "operation."
Miyako laughed softly, smoothing her dress. "That's right, today we're going to show you just how brave we girls can be." She looked especially confident, as if she was looking forward to our reactions.
Kaoru, full of bravado, raised an eyebrow at Shigeru. "You're supposed to be tough, right? Let's see if you're afraid of ghosts this time!"
Shigeru smiled lightly. "I'm not scared, but if you end up hiding behind me, I won't hold it against you."
Kaoru snorted and waved her fist. "Hmph, who says I'm going to hide? I'm braver than you guys!"
And so, the six of us entered the haunted house. As soon as we stepped in, the dim lighting, ghostly whispers, and sudden flashes of shadows created a tense atmosphere. Twisted portraits hung on the walls, their eyes seemingly following our every move.
"Hey, Yuzuhiko, do you feel like something is watching us from behind?" Momoko purposely lowered her voice, with a hint of eeriness. She sounded so convincing that I shuddered involuntarily.
"Don't say stuff like that..." I glanced behind me. The atmosphere in the haunted house was definitely creepy. But I tried to maintain my composure, patting Momoko on the shoulder. "It's fine, don't scare yourself."
Just as I finished speaking, a "ghost" suddenly jumped out from the corner. Momoko screamed and deliberately leaped into my arms. "Aah!" she shrieked, clinging to me.
Pretending to be scared, I took a step back, my voice trembling. "So scary... don't scare me like that!"
Momoko looked up at my reaction and laughed so hard she almost cried. "Haha! That was hilarious! You really got scared!"
Miyako, who was walking ahead, gently tugged on Kagami's sleeve, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and anticipation. "Kagami, did you hear that sound just now? It feels like something's following us..." She pretended to be scared, but her playful tone made it clear she was enjoying the game.
Kagami narrowed his eyes, knowing full well that Miyako was trying to scare him. But he played along, taking two steps back with a tense expression. "Don't scare me like that... maybe we should walk faster?"
He acted so convincingly that Miyako couldn't help but laugh.
As for Kaoru, she was striding ahead with her usual confident demeanor, looking even more competitive this time. "Hey, Shigeru, this haunted house doesn't seem that scary. You're not going to be afraid of this little thing, are you?"
Shigeru smiled helplessly and took a step back on purpose. "Well... the atmosphere here is a bit off. We'd better be careful."
He played his role naturally, his performance worthy of an actor, as if he were genuinely scared.
And so, we continued through the haunted house, pretending to be scared, while the girls proudly believed they had successfully frightened us. Every time they tried to scare us, we'd act panicked, making them laugh until they could hardly stand. They clearly thought they'd managed to spook us, while we guys flawlessly played our roles as the "terrified ones," coordinating perfectly.
After what felt like a "thrilling" trip through the haunted house, the girls had triumphant looks on their faces, while we guys exchanged silent smiles, already planning our counterattack.
As we approached the exit, the three of us boys glanced at each other and nodded slightly. The plan was ready to be set in motion.
Momoko walked up to me again, smiling smugly. "Yuzuhiko, I won today, didn't I?"
I nodded with a slight smile. "Yeah, you really scared me today." But there was a hint of mischief in my smile because... it was time for our counterattack.
The three of us had planned this "revenge" ahead of time. After all, we'd seen real evil spirits and the dead in Yomi. As the haunted house neared its end, our plan officially began.
I deliberately walked ahead, turning my back to Momoko. She came up beside me, gently tapping my shoulder. "Yuzuhiko?" she called softly. As soon as she spoke, I slowly turned my head, revealing a "faceless" mask—a smooth, featureless "egg face." "What is it?" I asked in an icy tone, lowering my voice to make the atmosphere even creepier.
Momoko gasped in shock, her eyes widening as her face turned pale. Then she let out a piercing scream. "Ahh—!" Her scream was so loud it drowned out the sound effects of the haunted house. She covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face, and turned to run for the exit. I felt a little guilty, but I couldn't help laughing—plan successful.
Next up was Kagami's "performance." He crouched in front of Miyako, pretending to search for something. "Miyako, can you help me find something?" Miyako looked puzzled. "What are you looking for?" Kagami slowly lifted his head, revealing two empty, black eye sockets, with black "blood" oozing out of them. His voice turned eerie as he said, "My eyeballs..."
Miyako froze, her mouth slightly open as if paralyzed with fear. She stared wide-eyed and then let out a gut-wrenching scream. "Ahhhhhh!" She stumbled backward, falling to the ground, her face pale as a sheet. I looked at her, thinking we had really scared her this time.
Shigeru's counterattack was the most "gruesome." Standing next to Kaoru, he nonchalantly said, "Kaoru, can you pick something up for me?" Kaoru asked suspiciously, "What is it?" Shigeru pointed to his stomach. When Kaoru looked down, she saw a huge tear in Shigeru's shirt, revealing "his intestines" spilling out with blood pouring everywhere. Kaoru froze for a second, then let out an indescribable scream. "Ahhhh! What the hell is this?! Shigeru! You bastard!"
Her voice was filled with terror and panic, and tears started streaming down her face as she bolted for the exit like she had just been hit with an overwhelming fright.
The three girls screamed simultaneously as they ran out of the haunted house, tears pouring down their faces. Once outside, still shaken, they trembled as if they'd just survived a nightmare.
They stood there, panting, crying, and shouting, "You jerks!" Momoko sobbed while shaking her fist at me. "Yuzuhiko! That was too much! You scared me to death!"
Miyako, still wiping away tears, yelled at Kagami, "That was way too realistic! How did you even pull that off?!"
Kaoru, completely out of control, pointed angrily at Shigeru, shouting, "Shigeru! You bastard! How dare you use something so gross to scare me! I'm going to kill you!"
As they teetered between anger and fear, the three of us strolled out of the haunted house, laughing with our "props" in hand—my egg-face mask, Kagami's fake eyeballs, and Shigeru's fake intestines. Seeing their expressions, we couldn't stop laughing as we handed the props back to the haunted house staff, thanking them. "Thanks! These props were amazing!"
The girls, still not fully recovered, were pointing at us in anger, though we knew they were laughing inside too. In this "haunted house revenge battle," we had definitely won.
When we arrived at the roller coaster in Fuji-Q Highland, the girls had mischievous glints in their eyes.
"Next stop, the roller coaster!" Kaoru shouted excitedly, unable to hide her anticipation for the thrilling experience to come.
I glanced at Shigeru and Kagami beside me, and the three of us simultaneously showed a look of struggle. As the former "Rowdyruff Boys," we had no problem flying and fighting in the sky, but this high-speed roller coaster... was really not our strong suit.
"What's the matter?" Momoko teased me, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Don't tell me you're afraid of roller coasters?"
I forced a smile, trying not to let her see through me. "Afraid? Of course not, it's just... um, this thing looks like it spins pretty fast."
Miyako also smiled and moved closer, holding Kagami's hand. "Come on then, don't worry, we'll take care of you."
The girls pulled us into the roller coaster seats, and as soon as the safety belts clicked into place, my heart started racing. Looking at the winding tracks ahead and the nearly vertical drops, I tried to remain calm, but my mind was already pounding with anxiety.
"What kind of crazy ride is this..." Shigeru muttered under his breath, his face growing paler.
"Alright, brothers, get ready!" Kagami tried to muster some energy, but beads of cold sweat were already forming on his forehead.
"Let's go!" Kaoru excitedly patted Shigeru on the shoulder and waved to us.
With a roar, the roller coaster began its slow ascent. I stared ahead, not daring to look back, silently praying for it to be over soon. But as the cars reached the peak, the sudden drop yanked my heart up into my throat. The whole experience felt like an out-of-control whirlwind, my brain barely able to keep up with the rapid changes.
"Ah—!" As the car took a sharp turn, my stomach flipped, and I felt dizzy. The intense gravity and the uncontrollable speed left me unable to focus on anything.
Shigeru and Kagami weren't faring much better. Shigeru was clutching his stomach, looking like he might throw up at any moment, while Kagami had his eyes tightly shut, gritting his teeth.
And the girls? They were sitting beside us, looking completely different. Momoko was screaming with excitement and even turned around to check on me. "Yuzuhiko, this is awesome! What do you think?"
I couldn't even respond, only managing a strained smile.
When the roller coaster finally stopped, the three of us slumped back in our seats, feeling utterly drained. The girls looked at us and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, look at your faces!" Momoko was laughing so hard that she pinched my cheek. "This is the funniest thing I've ever seen!"
Miyako, leaning on Kagami's shoulder, was laughing so hard tears were nearly falling from her eyes. "You guys weren't scared when we were flying around in the sky before, but now a roller coaster has you all scared stiff?"
"This is different from flying!" Shigeru groaned, rubbing his head. "When we're flying, we're in control. But this... this is completely out of our hands..."
Kagami nodded in agreement. "Yeah, when we fly, we can control everything. But this... it's like being tossed around by a giant spring, with no buffer or control at all."
The girls didn't care about our explanations, continuing to laugh as if this was their biggest victory of the day.
"So, next up... the Red Tower?" Momoko pointed to the drop tower in the distance, her smile growing even brighter. "This one should be even more thrilling!"
"The Red Tower?" Shigeru glanced at the towering ride, his face turning even paler. He quietly grabbed Kaoru's hand but still forced a weak smile. "Is this... optional?"
"Nope, mandatory!" Kaoru mercilessly replied, giving Shigeru's shoulder a light pat. "We've come all this way, how can we not make the most of it?"
"Yeah, this is a rare chance, and the Red Tower is the best ride!" Miyako said, gently holding Kagami's hand. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly immersed in the victory of the day.
"Don't worry, I'll hold your hand the whole time!" Momoko said to me with a smile, gripping my hand tighter. Her smile carried a hint of playfulness and comfort, but there was also a faint sense of "revenge," as if today was the day she wanted to see us guys completely out of our element.
As the girls pulled us onto the Red Tower, I felt my stomach churning again. This time, the height and the free fall sensation were definitely more intense than the roller coaster. As we were lifted high into the sky, we could practically see the entire amusement park.
"Ahhhhhh—!" As we plummeted down, I couldn't help but scream, feeling like the world was spinning out of control. Meanwhile, the girls were laughing beside us, especially Momoko, whose laughter was the loudest of all.
"You guys look so pale, it's hilarious!" Momoko laughed, gripping my hand tightly. She wasn't scared by the speed or the height at all, enjoying every second of it.
Miyako's smile remained gentle, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "It seems like no matter how strong you guys are, there's still something that scares you! We really learned something today."
"Next time, we're coming back!" Kaoru said, patting Shigeru's shoulder with a triumphant smile.
Shigeru could only smile awkwardly and mutter, "I guess... I need to work on my willpower..."
At noon, we finally started to recover from the terror of the roller coasters and the drop tower. The six of us sat in an open space at Fuji-Q Highland, where the girls had already laid out a picnic blanket and brought out homemade bento boxes. The sun was shining brightly, and though the park was bustling with visitors, we found a relatively quiet corner where we could enjoy a rare moment of peace.
Momoko smiled as she opened her bento, revealing an assortment of beautifully arranged side dishes, rice balls, and her special octopus-shaped sausages. "Everyone had fun today, right? Here, have some bento to regain your energy!" she said cheerfully as she handed me a rice ball.
I took the rice ball, and before even taking a bite, my stomach was already growling. After being spun around by all the roller coasters, I was absolutely starving. I took a bite and couldn't help but exclaim, "This is so delicious... If I could eat bentos like this for the rest of my life, I'd be so happy!"
The moment the words left my mouth, I realized I might have said something surprising. I glanced at Momoko, who was blushing with a shy smile but her eyes sparkled.
"Are you proposing?" she teased, half-joking, but her face turned slightly red. Her words made me blush instantly, and I nearly choked on the rice ball.
Next to us, Miyako opened her own bento, which held a few delicate sushi pieces and handmade meatballs. "You boys are so easily satisfied with just a simple bento?" she said playfully, then handed a piece of sushi to Kagami.
"Here, this is my specialty sushi. You'll love it, Kagami."
Kagami took the sushi without saying a word, bit into it, and his eyes lit up with satisfaction. "Miyako... this is incredible... If I could eat your bento after every kendo practice, I'd have so much more energy."
Miyako's face turned slightly pink, and she quickly turned her head to hide her smile. "That's quite a sudden thing to say..."
Kaoru's bento, as expected, was packed with fried chicken, omelets, and two servings of eel rice. It was totally her style. She smiled as she placed the bento in front of Shigeru and raised an eyebrow. "Here, Shigeru, this is my special bento. Once you finish, we can hit up some more thrilling rides!"
Shigeru looked at the pile of fried chicken, clearly a bit intimidated, but couldn't help sighing as he took the bento. "Kaoru, your cooking is amazing... If I could eat bento like this every day, I'd probably get more inspiration for my writing..."
Kaoru paused for a second before grinning. She then replied in a casual tone, "Hey, this is a special treat, so you better appreciate it!"
We boys all marveled at the girls' cooking, but to them, our words carried a deeper meaning. I glanced at the other two guys and saw that they were also smiling contentedly, clearly enjoying this picnic.
The girls exchanged secretive glances with each other, as if they had something else on their minds. This bento seemed to reaffirm the bond between us once again. Seeing them so happy, I couldn't help but think that no matter how many roller coasters I had to endure, as long as I was with them, it didn't seem so unbearable after all.
Of course, I would never admit that.