“Takuto-kun, where are you goooing?”
It was during the lunch break in the club suspension period between the study session and the exams.
The moment class ended, Erina-san called out to me as I tried to scurry out of the classroom.
“Eh, just to the cafeteria...”
I answered while fidgeting my legs.
“Erina’s going to the cafeteria too—! Let’s go togetherrr!”
Saying that, Erina-san gently grabbed the back of my shirt.
I don’t mind going together, but can you please hurry up...
And today, that calculatedly cute move of grabbing my back doesn't make me happy at all...
After all, today is the 6th. It is the once-a-month ‘Roll cake Day.’
Allow me to explain.
On the monthly Roll cake Day, handmade roll cakes made by the cafeteria lady are sold at the shop. (By the way, every month on the 22nd is Shortcake Day, so she makes and brings shortcakes then.)
You must not underestimate her just because she's the cafeteria lady.
She loves making sweets so much that her hobby has evolved into making professional pâtissier-level delicious treats.
There are even rumors that she specifically orders ingredients from overseas that aren't sold in Japan.
However!
Naturally, only the amount the lady can make at home on the morning of the day appears in the shop.
In other words, the quantity is small.
Although she does her best, since they are fresh goods, she figures it's better to be short than to have leftovers, so there are usually only about 20 slices available.
These are sold at a price of 100 yen per slice.
Furthermore.
According to information I gathered while talking to the lady yesterday, today’s roll cake is a chocolate roll cake...!
As someone like Konuma-kun who secretly loves chocolate, I want to get my hands on this no matter what.
“Is Takuto-kun aiming for the roll cake too—?”
From slightly behind me as I strode down the hallway at a fast pace, Erina-san asked while humming a light, fluffy tune.
If she said ‘too,’ does that mean Erina-san is after it as well?
“That’s right! Erina-san, if you understand, then hurry up!”
When I answered that.
The force with which Erina-san was pulling my back grew stronger.
“Wait, Erina-san, don’t tell me...”
“You aren't supposed to run in the hallways, you knooow?”
When I looked back fearfully, Erina-san was smiling brightly.
Her face practically had ‘I won't let you get ahead of meee’ written all over it.
“No, no, then let's hurry together!”
“Takuto-kun, do you like sweet things or something like thaaat?”
“Wait, that doesn't matter right now!?”
Me trying to run through the connecting corridor and Erina-san, for some reason, pulling me back to stop me.
I couldn't move forward, like a pet dog tethered to a leash.
“Why are you stopping me!?”
It’s embarrassing, I can’t move forward, and there’s absolutely nothing good about this!?
“Well, it’s just that Takuto-kun’s reactions are fun, you see.”
So this is the legendary genuine attention seeker type!
It’s cute when a beautiful girl in a manga or novel does it, but when a 3D beautiful girl does it, it’s not cute at all! It’s just plain annoying!
I’ve recently realized there are things a loner can’t do, but right now I want to go back to being a loner! Give me back my mobility!
I mean!
“No no no no, Erina-san, you won't be able to get one either!?”
“Fufufu.”
When I retorted frantically, Erina-san wore a fearless smile.
“Erina has a pre-order, you knooow.”
“P-Pre-order... you say...!?”
What kind of system is that!
Don't use a system a loner doesn't know about! I protest this discrimination!
“You see, Erina asks her Papa, who is working alone in England, to buy the flour that can only be found in England which the cafeteria lady wants, and Erina gives it to her regularly.”
“Wh-What did you say...!?”
In other words, that devilishly delicious roll cake was being supplied thanks to Erina-san’s father...!?
“That’s why she always sets aside one slice just for Erina.”
I no longer knew whether I should thank Erina-san or be angry at being obstructed at this very moment.
“Hey, hey, Takuto-kun.”
“What is it?!”
When I responded in a mysterious language—polite Japanese laced with anger—Erina-san grinned widely.
“Kama-cho! (Pay attention to me!)”
“Shut uuuuuuuup!!”
I’ve had enough! It’s going nowhere!
I pulled Erina-san’s arm and ran toward the cafeteria.
“Ah, I kinda like it when you’re forceful.”
Seriously, shut up, my face is burning!
We somehow reached the cafeteria.
However, the sight before me made my vision turn pitch black.
“Oh, Erina-chan! Thanks to you, we sold out in no time again! I’m so happy it’s popular!”
Defeat...
Ah, my dear roll cake-sama...
“I have Erina-chan’s portion right here! Take it!”
“Thank you, Ma’am!”
Erina-san accepted the roll cake with a beaming smile.
Sitting on a bench just outside the cafeteria, I turned into ash.
I’m burned out, burned a brilliant white...
“Takuto-kun, don’t be so depressed...”
Erina-san, sitting next to me, peered into my face.
“Umm, I’ll give you Erina’s roll cake, so...”
“Huh...?”
I doubted my ears.
“You’re giving it to me...?”
“I’ll give it to youoo...”
Gently, she held out the roll cake on a paper plate in front of me.
“But, what about Erina-san’s portion...?”
“Well... Erina hates chocolate, so I thought I wouldn't be able to eat it today anyway.”
“Ah, is that so...!”
The world regained its radiance.
Erina-san...!!
“Thank you, thank you...”
Sniffling, I savored it thoroughly.
“You’re too moved by this...”
It’s so good, so good...!
I ate the roll cake while being watched over by Erina-san.
“Thank you for the meal...”
I finished the chocolate roll cake in a trance, and the sugar reached my brain.
As my head cleared up a bit, I remembered something.
“Wait, Erina-san...”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
I slowly traced back my memories.
When I first met Erina-san, what color was the ice cream she was eating?
What was the flavor of the Mac shake she always gets when we go there?
“Erina-san, you said you hate chocolate...!?”
I tilted my head, half-stunned.
“Ehehe.”
Looking at Erina-san wearing a mischievous smile, I realized once again that this person really is a liar.
“It’s a return favor from Erina.”