Maybe it was the dazzling night scene that blurred his vision and caused auditory hallucinations, which is why Natsukawa Kanade asked again.
—Yes.
That was Fujiwara Chika's reply.
"…"
Well, Arctic ramen is Arctic ramen. Even though he had never heard that name before, it didn't seem like some shady dish… right?
Kanade trusted Fujiwara, so it shouldn't hurt him.
Or so he thought.
But it was too late to change the order.
The manager already had the ingredients ready, so he decided not to cause trouble.
After realizing the future might not be boring, Kanade felt a bit of anticipation.
Not because he wanted to be chased, but because he was hoping for a tiny possibility:
What if Arctic ramen was actually delicious?
The wait wasn't painful.
At least Fujiwara was trying to keep him company seriously.
But just as the manager brought the two bowls of noodles, she stood up and left.
—What's wrong?
—Please get some ice water, Mr. President. Eat first, please.
Japanese people usually don't drink hot water.
In both summer and winter, cold water is the norm.
Restaurants like that offer it for free.
Kanade nodded silently.
He received the two bowls and lowered his head to inspect them.
First, Fujiwara's ramen: pork bone in soy sauce, barbecued pork, seaweed, scallions, red ginger, and soft-boiled egg.
Perfect toppings, and the aroma was so rich it was obvious it would be delicious.
Then he looked at his Arctic ramen…
It had everything it needed, but the color was way too bright.
Compared to Fujiwara's tonkotsu noodles, his looked like they'd just come out of the fire.
Extremely terrifying and spicy.
—I'm back.
Fujiwara appeared just in time.
Kanade took the ice water she offered and pushed the pork bone ramen toward her.
—Eh? President, you really don't want to eat the Arctic ramen?
—Then… what else? Didn't you recommend it to me?
—Oh, I just wanted to mess with you.
Fujiwara stuck out her tongue and acted cute.
—Actually, I just wanted to eat it myself.
She had always wanted to try it but was afraid she couldn't finish it.
But since the president was there, if she couldn't, she'd give it to him.
Kanade thought there was no reason to be embarrassed, so he accepted.
—I'm starting.
He broke the chopsticks, put his hands together, and began eating.
He picked up some noodles, put them in his mouth, and savored their delicacy.
The rich broth exploded in his mouth, the gentle aroma filled his nasal cavity…
It was truly beautiful.
—Whaaaaaaa!!!
"…"
The noise beside him was so loud Kanade couldn't concentrate.
—What now?
Fujiwara's eyes were wide open, hands covering her mouth, dancing in panic.
Just a moment ago she looked happy.
She thought she could finish at least half.
But she couldn't handle the spiciness even after the first bite.
—Have some water.
Kanade silently handed her the glass.
Fujiwara eagerly took it, drank two big gulps, and exhaled:
—I'm alive.
The refreshing effect of the ice water reduced the burning on her tongue to a tolerable level.
But Kanade knew that was just the beginning.
Once the effect wore off, the real pain would come.
Sure enough, after a while Fujiwara began to groan:
—Gurgle… my throat hurts…
It was natural.
If her tongue couldn't handle the spice, how could her throat?
—Why not give up? You don't have to eat it.
—No! We can't waste food!
Today I'll fight the "Red Devil" for three hundred rounds!
Fujiwara pumped her fist with ambition, but the sweat on her forehead betrayed her fear.
Seeing he couldn't persuade her, Kanade let her continue.
But watching her take a bite, then a sip of water, look up and cry, he finally frowned.
Without caring about her reaction, he pushed his untouched ramen toward her and snatched the "Red Devil."
—You eat this.
—Eh? But…
—No buts. Eat it if you're told to.
"…"
Fujiwara lowered her head, silent.
Kanade wondered if he had been too harsh.
But she looked shy.
The blush on her face, whether from the spice or embarrassment, was clear under the warm light.
—Alright, alright…
"…"
Only then did Kanade nod, hesitantly.
Though the situation was strange, Fujiwara listened to his advice.
She no longer wanted to challenge her own death.
It was good that she calmed down.
But now the problem was his.
The bowl in front of him, drenched in red chili oil, was hard to eat.
It wasn't that he couldn't handle spice.
In his past life, he liked it, especially with barbecue.
But since arriving here, he had adapted to the Japanese diet.
He hadn't eaten anything like that again.
Now, facing spice again made him uneasy.
After thinking for a while, he took a small amount of noodles and tasted them in front of Fujiwara.
—What's wrong?
Fujiwara, ignoring her burning tongue, watched him closely.
—…It's fine.
Kanade raised his eyebrows.
It wasn't as spicy as he had imagined.
It was within acceptable limits.
—Are you kidding? The president isn't afraid?
—Could it be that the president is the legendary Chili Man?
—What kind of weird person is that!
The Japanese have a special fondness for strange nicknames.
"Ice Kaguya-sama," "Cancer of the Earth"…
Peak second-year mentality.
—Then why isn't the president afraid of spice? It's obviously super spicy!
—Maybe it's my special physique?
Kanade shrugged.
He didn't know what was going on.
Maybe his body had gotten used to it.
After all, spiciness is a painful sensation.
If you're not subjectively afraid of it, it probably won't affect you.
Although it was also possible that the peppers there weren't that spicy…
And that Fujiwara Chika wasn't a great cook.
But Kanade wouldn't say that.
If he made her angry, she'd definitely get revenge.
Once he confirmed it was edible, everything got easier.
Kanade ate the Arctic ramen, and Fujiwara kept the pork bone one.
They both enjoyed the meal.
During dinner, Fujiwara tried the spicy one again, convinced the worst had passed.
But it was still spicy.
That only confirmed Kanade's resilience.
—Um… thanks for the treat!
Fujiwara smiled with sparkling eyes.
Kanade felt happier too.
—President, how is it? It's delicious, right?
She looked like a child seeking approval.
—Mmm, delicious.
Though it seemed Fujiwara wanted to see him embarrassed, the fact that he ended up with the Arctic ramen comforted him.
Not all intentions are bad, he thought.
Fujiwara giggled.
Her smile turned silly, but genuine.
After paying, they left together and chatted along the way.
When they were about to part, Kanade couldn't help but stop her.
—Fujiwara… I…
—What?
Fujiwara turned, tilting her head.
Seeing his shyness, her tone turned nervous.
—W-what is it…?
—I…
Kanade took a deep breath.
He thought for a while before saying:
—Is it possible… that I'm not… fit… to be president…?
"…"
He had spoken from the heart.
But he hadn't yet overcome his nerves when he saw Fujiwara's blank face.
—…?
She doesn't get it? Was it stupid to say that?
His eyes darkened.
He thought he was embarrassing himself.
…but the next second, he felt a small hand gently patting his head.
That's the president's problem. He always lacks confidence in strange situations.
At that moment, Fujiwara Chika's maternal glow was so overwhelming that Natsukawa Kanade almost said "Mom."
—President, you need to have more confidence! Stop being afraid!
It'd be better if you could be stronger and more assertive!
That way you can be a great student council president!
—Fujiwara…
—And don't talk nonsense! Speak up already! If not, people will misunderstand you!
—Huh?
Kanade was stunned.
He thought he hadn't said anything incoherent, just felt a little embarrassed.
But Fujiwara didn't give him a chance to argue.
—Did you hear me?
—Yes, ma'am!
Kanade saluted immediately, as if in training.
Fujiwara's amused look made her burst into laughter.
Kanade smiled back.
Their shadows stretched long under the moonlight.
The night was long, but he no longer felt alone.
And for the first time, he accepted that he didn't have to carry everything by himself.
That he could be strong… even if sometimes he needed someone to remind him how.