-----
-----
"...I'm going to the bathroom!"
Before the words even fully left her mouth, Anna Yanami had already bolted out of the classroom.
Of course, the bathroom was just an excuse. What she really wanted was to track down Blake.
"When Blake left the classroom, he wasn't carrying a lunchbox. And it's lunchtime now, so there's a high chance he's eating with that cheating cat…"
Anna Yanami put her brain into overdrive, thinking it through seriously.
"That sneaky cat didn't have anything in her hands either, so she's probably at the cafeteria… I'll check there first!"
Decision made, action followed immediately.
With her mobility maxed out, Yanami sprinted all the way to the cafeteria.
"Huff… found them."
Her eyes widened, scanning the room like radar, and she quickly spotted the pair sitting in a corner.
"I have to observe from the shadows… can't let Blake notice me…"
Crouching low, Yanami hid behind an empty table and began spying.
"Mr. Blake, here's the tonkatsu you wanted, and cola." Goko Ruri slid the tray over and asked with concern, "How's your head? Any discomfort today?"
Blake took a sip of cola. "Just a faint ache, nothing else. I'm fine."
"That's good." Ruri let out a small sigh of relief, but still added, "If anything feels off, don't push yourself. Tell me right away."
Blake nodded. "Don't worry. I still plan to live to a hundred."
"Living to a hundred sounds exhausting," Ruri muttered. "The retirement age is already seventy-five now. Just thinking about it is scary. And it'll probably be pushed back even more… working like a beast your whole life is terrifying… I really want to get reincarnated into another world."
"That other world might be dangerous."
"The strong never fear challenges."
"..."
The two chatted casually while eating, leaving Anna Yanami to suffer in silence.
"Ahhh, that tonkatsu is golden and looks insanely delicious…"
She wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, her face full of longing.
"I really want a bite… it must be super crispy, right?"
What? You're asking about the lunchbox she already ate?
Girls are like cows, okay? We have four stomachs. That's common sense!
So having another serving of tonkatsu is completely fine!
Time passed quietly.
Blake suddenly caught sight of a flicker of blue ahoge in the corner. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. After Ruri finished eating, he said:
"Ruri, you head back first. I've got something to do."
"Okay." She blinked, then nodded. "I'll go ahead."
After seeing Black Cat off, Blake got up, bought another serving of tonkatsu, returned to his seat, and pulled out his phone.
He sent Yanami a message:
"Stop hiding. Come out."
"..."
The message was sent, but no reply came.
Blake pulled out his trump card:
"Come out and eat tonkatsu."
A few seconds later, a gluttonous sea otter appeared at his side at lightning speed, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Tonkatsu, I'm here!"
Looking at Yanami, whose eyes were shining and whose drool was practically about to fall, Blake pointed at the seat across from him.
"Sit and eat. If you're going to stalk someone, at least eat lunch first. There's still PE this afternoon."
"Um…"
Yanami instinctively covered her stomach.
Sorry.
I actually already ate my lunchbox before coming out.
"Thanks, Blake."
She decided to keep that little secret and plopped down across from him.
"How did you know I was in the cafeteria? I hid really well, you know."
Blake replied flatly, "I heard someone drooling."
"No way!" Yanami quickly wiped her mouth. "A cute girl wouldn't drool!"
Crunch.
She took a bite of the tonkatsu, and her face immediately lit up with pure bliss. Just looking at her made you hungry.
"The cafeteria's tonkatsu isn't just pretty—it tastes amazing too."
Blake took a sip of cola. "So, why were you following me?"
"I-I wasn't following you…" Yanami coughed, hurriedly brushing crumbs from her lips, her gaze darting around. "I was just passing by. Yeah, just happened to pass by."
Blake clearly didn't buy her shaky excuse.
"The girl earlier is Goko from the next class. My head injury is related to her, so she treated me to lunch."
Yanami looked up at him, quickly swallowing her bite, and lowered her voice:
"She's the witch who can talk to cats?"
"Yeah." Blake nodded. "That's her."
He had already confirmed with Black Cat whether her identity could be shared, and only said it after getting permission.
"I want the ability to talk to cats too," Yanami said enviously. "It sounds so cool."
That "loser diary" of hers was completely useless anyway. Every entry was just her losing in different ways. She clearly had the unbeatable childhood friend advantage—how could she lose every single time?!
"It's not as fun as you think," Blake said, shaking his head. "Using magic comes with side effects. It's not great."
"Maybe, but I'm still jealous," Yanami said, crunching into another bite.
"Back to the main topic." Blake took another sip of cola. "I've got an idea about you becoming a cute girl writer."
"Eh? That fast?" Yanami's eyes lit up. "Teach me, Mr. Blake!"
Blake interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, striking a commander-like pose.
"First, pick a direction that fits the current trend. Going against it is tough. Right now, isekai junk novels are everywhere. People complain about them, but they're still super popular… so I suggest you start with isekai light novels."
"Mm-hmm!" Yanami nodded eagerly. "What else? What else?"
"Second, interest matters most. Combine isekai with your own hobbies—write something you actually enjoy." Blake continued. "If you force yourself to copy trends you don't like, it'll feel like a scared person watching a horror movie—restless and uncomfortable."
"That makes sense…" Yanami muttered. "But I don't think I really have any hobbies."
"No, you do," Blake said calmly.
"Eh? What are they?"
"Eating, drinking, and having fun."
Yanami: "…"
Rude! What kind of cute girl has that as her hobby?!
Blake continued:
"Just food alone isn't enough. You can mix in a popular dungeon setting."
"Hm… I've got an idea!" Yanami's eyes lit up. She raised her hand excitedly. "How about 'Today's Dungeon Meal Is Delicious Too'?"
Blake nodded slightly. "Good title. But it could be longer."
"Eh?"
"Modern isekai light novels all have ridiculously long titles," Blake said. "If you can't beat them, join them."
"Got it." Yanami gave a salute.
"Now that the direction's set, it's time to start writing," Blake said. "Go home tonight and begin."
"Eh?! Isn't that too fast?" Yanami panicked. "Teacher, give me more guidance!"
"I already did," Blake said, shaking his head. "There's no shortcut to being a writer. The only way is to write more. It's like driving—no matter how many tutorials you watch, nothing beats actual experience."
Yanami tilted her head, then suddenly covered her mouth.
"I feel like you just said something dirty, but I have no proof."
"If you have no proof, don't say it," Blake replied flatly, standing up. "Finish eating. We're heading back."
"Wait for me~"
Yanami quickly finished the tonkatsu in two bites and hurried after him, hands behind her back, steps light.
"I'll start writing tonight, then. I'll show it to you when I'm done—don't laugh at me."
"Don't worry. I've had professional training. I'll try to hold it in."
"What the heck, you're so mean, Blake."
"..."
The afternoon classes passed in a flash.
Before long, it was time to go home.
As a proud member of the Go-Home Club, Blake didn't need to attend any club activities. After packing his bag, he prepared to leave.
"Blake~"
The glutton girl trotted up, holding her bag with both hands, her smile bright as the sky.
"Let's go home together today?"
Blake glanced at her. "It's Monday. Aren't you going to karaoke with your friends?"
"Karaoke costs money." Yanami leaned in and whispered, "It's the end of the month. I've already spent all my allowance, so I'm skipping it."
Even couples split bills here, let alone regular friends.
"Want me to lend you some?" Blake took out his wallet.
"Mm…" Yanami hesitated, temptation flashing in her eyes, but quickly turned away. "No! Put that corrupting object away! Don't tempt me!"
It's just a wallet—don't make it sound so weird!
"If I borrow money, I'll have to pay it back," Yanami said, hands behind her back, her blue hair swaying. "The start of the month is the happiest time, getting my allowance. But if I have to pay you back right away, that happiness gets cut in half. So I'm not borrowing."
For a glutton, she was surprisingly stubborn about certain things.
"Of course…" Yanami's eyes suddenly sparkled as she looked at him. "If you let me repay with goods instead, that'd be perfect."
Blake looked at her. "What kind of goods?"
"Hmm…" She tapped a finger against her lips. "Manga I've already read?"
"You mean the manga you borrowed from me?" Blake deadpanned. "It's been two months and you still haven't returned them."
"Ehehe, I forgot." She stuck out her tongue. "I can also make you lunch, and we can eat together at noon."
"No need." Blake shook his head. "I already make my own lunch when I cook for Sagiri in the morning."
Yanami poked his arm lightly.
"You didn't bring lunch today."
"Today's an exception."
"Hmph~"
She huffed softly, then her eyes suddenly lit up again.
"Oh right! I heard from a friend that girls' worn stockings can sell for a lot—like tens of thousands of yen per pair… how about I repay with stockings?"
"No thanks. Hard pass. Not interested," Blake refused instantly.
Repaying with stockings? What would he even do with those?
The two chatted as they left school and headed to the train station.
The train swayed gently, and this time there were no sudden stops. It arrived smoothly.
After getting off, Blake didn't head home.
"My old computer is dying—lags all the time. I'm going to buy a new one."
"I'll go with you," Yanami said without hesitation, keeping pace beside him.
They entered the mall, and something unusual in the main hall immediately caught Yanami's attention.
"Blake, what's that?"
"No idea." He glanced over. "Probably some kind of event."
"Hmm… looks like it's called a mirror maze…" Yanami stood on tiptoe to see better, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Wait—there are snack rewards?!"
Without another word, she grabbed Blake's arm.
"Blake, let's go check it out!"
When Yanami sees free snacks, not even two cows could drag her away. Blake had no choice but to follow.
"There are special cards inside the mirror maze. Find one and get out within the time limit, and you'll get a prize…" Yanami read, her ahoge bouncing. "Under 10 minutes is first prize, under 20 is second, under 30 is third."
First prize: a two-day, one-night hot spring trip.
Second prize: a handheld game console.
Third prize: a snack gift pack.
"Blake…"
Yanami turned to him, hands clasped in front of her chest, her blue eyes practically glowing like a devoted believer praying for divine blessing.
"I want to play!"
"Please!"
"If we don't take free snacks, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives!"
Three tiers of prizes, and your target is just the snacks? There's really nothing in your head except food, huh?
"You need a shopping receipt to participate," Blake sighed. "Let's buy what we need first, then come back."
"Ehehe~" Yanami cheered happily. "Snack gift pack, here we come!"
"....."