Cote: Retelling

SS: A Completely Meaningless Day with Matsushita

...hey guys, I did the thing.

I did the thing were a fanfic author updates for a bit, then disappears without any notice for like a month.

I think I've passed some sort of rite of passage. Can I call myself a fanfic writer now?

All I need to do now is to eventually leave my fanfic unfinished and completely disappear from the internet. Only then can I call myself a TRUE fanfic writer.

I mean, I'll try not to, but it's very possible.

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This was during the latter end of April.

"Ayanokouji-kun, would you like to eat lunch with me today?" Matsushita says to me while we're jogging. She's finally been getting used to the new bed which, along with my suggestions of lavender and eye masks, has led to a healthy complexion in the mornings.

"I would love to, but what's the occasion?"

"Well, Satou-chan and Shinohara-chan both made previous arrangements, and I still have to thank you for that gift." A few days ago, I got Matsushita a humidifier/essential oil diffuser as a gift. There were two main reasons why: first, it was on sale. Second, Matsushita is probably the closest female I've gotten along with, so I'd like to remain on her good side.

"In that case, will you be paying?"

"Ayanokouji-kun, it's bad manners to make the girl pay, you know?"

"Not if the girl is doing it as thank you for a gift."

"You moneygrubber."

"I consider myself a gender equalist."

Somewhere, somehow, Professor turns his head. He looks west, right in Ayanokouji's direction.

"I sense an anime reference was made! Who could it have been..."

She chuckles slightly. Somehow, Matsushita seems receptive to my jokes. "I'm joking, Ayanokouji-kun. Of course I'll treat you. How about we meet up at the cafeteria?"

"Sure." And with that, I have something to look forward to today.

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"The cafeteria's busy as usual."

"Ayanokouji-kun, what will you get? You don't have to hold back."

"In that case, I'll get this." I get the most expensive meal without hesitation. I still haven't tried it, and I'd like to evaluate the school cafeteria's best and see how far I still have to go.

"Wow, you really aren't holding back. If you pick the most expensive meal like that, you'll lose points."

"But I won't be losing my points since you're paying."

"Not that, I mean in terms of likability."

"Matsushita, would be so shallow as to deny me this meal when I have bought a gift that's worth more than three times as much, one I bought without any expectation of a reward and is usable for prolonged periods of time?"

"Well, I can't argue with that logic." Saying that, she gets the second cheapest meal, a gyudon set. I felt bad for approximately 0 seconds, as I am completely justified in my decision.

"Matsushita, over here." I walk over to a table I had discreetly reserved by placing two trays and my bag on it.

"Itadakimasu~" we say in tandem. The most expensive item in the cafeteria, the special ultra-deluxe lunch meal combo set super set meal comes with rice, miso soup, hamburg steak, shrimp tempura, lettuce salad, pickled vegetables and fruit with vanilla ice cream for dessert. That name might've just given me an aneurysm, but I'll at least finish the food before I die.

Now, let's see the school at its best, shall we? I cut into the hamburg steak with my knife, and just by how smooth it cuts through I can tell it's been cooked well. Making sure I have plenty of sauce, I go in for a bite, and as my mouth wraps around my fork, I...

"...Ayanokouji-kun? Hello? You there?"

Waking up from my momentary daze, I gaze at my food with a serious expression. It truly is deserving of the name special ultra deluxe lunch meal combo set super set meal... Ok no, that name is just stupid, but the food really is good. I look forward to the day when my cooking overcomes this.

"Matsushita, I've realized the world is deep and vast." An exaggeration for sure, but good food was something absent in the white room: I couldn't help but me moved. In fact, the idea that food was anything but sustenance was only introduced to me recently. If the white room hadn't been temporarily shut down, I might've lived on nutrient supplements until adulthood.

"Ummm... What?"

"Don't mind it. Anyway, you were saying?"

"Could I have a bite?"

"Sure, go ahead." I say while cutting a piece of the hamburg steak for her. I'm not so stingy as to protect my meal from the person who bought it from me.

"Thank you"

We eventually finished eating and returned to class, having meaningless conversation all the way. Matsushita is definitely more intelligent than she lets on initially. I'm not sure about her academics, but her quick thinking and ability to naturally control the discussion lets me have a decent conversation with her, moerso than with anyone else I know. Horikita's smart but too cold, Hirata gets through dialogue with kindness and neutrality, Watanabe isn't very talkative and everyone else I know is more on the carefree or stupid side. Matsushita Chiaki has definitely been helpful in my goal of experiencing a normal high-school life, so I'd like to keep her around if possible. However, I'm not planning on going out with her, though it remains as a possibility.

I think I'll discretely lend a hand if Matsushita gets in trouble. I doubt it'll happen, but if she does get into something serious, I just hope it's something that can be resolved inconspicuously and easily. If not, I might have to cut my losses and leave Matushita to rot.

Well, it probably won't happen.