Chapter 307: [A Restaurant Where I Cant Order A Small Portion]

Chapter 307: [A Restaurant Where I Cant Order A Small Portion]

‘Misunderstanding’ is terrifying.

This happened at a certain diner.

In this restaurant, you can freely choose the amount of rice.

Small, regular, large, extra-large.

I eagerly ordered the extra-large and devoured it. However, I was left with an awkward amount of leftover side dishes.

But no worries. At this place, refills are free.

I gauged my stomach's condition and placed my order with the waiter.

"More rice, please. ‘Komori’!"

"Aye!"

With a lively response, the waiter took my bowl. Thirty seconds later,

Thud! A cartoonishly huge bowl was placed on my table.

"?!?!?!"

"Here you go! ‘Tokumo’!"

I immediately realized. I was misunderstood!?

An extra-large portion when I was only 80% full. It was an undeniable hell.

But if I left it, this rice would be thrown away.

Despite the misunderstanding, I ordered it...

"Ugh, sob..."

The little bit of side dish disappeared quickly.

By the end, I was literally crying a little as I ate the extra-large portion of plain white rice. It was really tough.

And I swore to myself.

Next time I order, I will make sure there is no misunderstanding.

***

Then, another day.

I was at the same diner, about to order a refill.

I remembered my previous mistake clearly and had a perfect plan in place.

To avoid any misunderstanding this time, I said,

"Refill. ‘Shomori’!"

"Aye!"

With this, there was no way I’d be misunderstood as ordering an "extra-large".

And maybe... in this restaurant, a ‘small portion’ was called "shomori".

That's why they didn't understand when I said "komori".

Yes, it was a very plausible theory. Satisfied with my own brilliant deduction...

"Here you go! ‘Oomori’!"

Why, why was I misunderstood again!?

"Waiter, refill please."

"Aye."

I handed my bowl to the waiter without specifying the size.

Thirty seconds later, there it was...

"Here you go."

A bowl with regular-sized rice was placed.

I ate it deliciously and was exactly 80% full.

...Yes. I know what you want to say.

Actually, after eating a regular portion as a refill, I realized... my stomach had grown bigger, probably because I was made to eat beyond my limit every time.

So, in the end, I never ordered a "small portion" at that diner, and to this day—

***

《Hey, Iroha. What's wrong? You seem distant.》

《...Rice》

《Rice?》

《Oh, no! It's nothing.》

My current body is small and I have a small appetite.

If I get misunderstood, I won't be able to finish it this time. No, I probably won't even ask for a refill.

《What's the matter? Homesick? I have some leftover packed rice from someone returning to Japan after their study period ended. Want some?》

《Oh? Japanese ‘rice’!? Shitenno, could you share some with me!?》

《Huh? Well, I don't mind.》

As we talked, the bus arrived at the high school.

Everyone started getting off.

I stood up to follow them... and stumbled.

I tripped and fell.

"Ouch..."

It seemed I had stepped on the scarf a girl had loosened.

As always, this body is clumsy.

I slowly got up.

Shitenno looked at me.

《Hey, are you alright? Seriously, be careful—》

In the middle of his sentence, the scarf fell to the ground.

Time stopped.

《《《Oh》》》

Me, the girl, and Shitennou gasped. Our voices overlapped.

His gaze was fixed on my neck.