The night air was cool as Yoshiro, Takeru, and Kaito walked back to their flat. The streets were dimly lit, Tokyo's neon lights fading into the distance. Kaito was rambling about the dinner, mimicking Yui's cat drawing.
Takeru chuckled. "Dude, you're such a goofball."
Kaito grinned. "Hey, I'm a multi-talented guy."
Yoshiro snorted. "Yeah, talented at eating ramen."
The three of them laughed, turning a corner into a narrower street. Suddenly, they ran into a group of girls, giggling and taking selfies.
Kaito, trying to be smooth, puffed out his chest. "Yo, ladies. Night out?"
The girls looked them up and down. One of them, with a playful smile, said, "Depends. You guys lost?"
Takeru chuckled, nudging Kaito. "He's the expert on getting lost."
Kaito shot him a glare, trying to recover. "Uh, we were, uh, conducting a... night survey."
Yoshiro bit his lip to hide a grin. "Yeah, surveying the best ramen spots."
The girls laughed. "Ramen at midnight? You guys are hardcore."
Kaito, still trying to be tough, nodded. "We eat ramen anytime. Anywhere."
One of the girls raised an eyebrow. "Prove it."
Kaito's eyes widened. "Uh, I mean... I can eat ramen... blindfolded."
The girls giggled harder. "Okay, tough guy. Bet you can't eat spicy ramen without crying."
Kaito, trapped, nodded. "Piece of cake."
The girls pulled out phones, starting a mini-bet. "Loser buys ramen for everyone!"
Takeru whispered to Yoshiro, "This is gonna be good."
The girls led them to a 24-hour ramen shop, still laughing. Kaito, trying to save face, strutted in.
The spicy ramen arrived. Kaito took a bite, eyes widening. His face turned red, he caved, slurping noodles frantically.
The girls burst out laughing. "Crying, crying!"
Yoshiro and Takeru lost it, laughing on the floor. Kaito glared, ramen sauce on his shirt.
One of the girls patted Kaito's back. "Aww, tough guy needs tissues."
Kaito groaned, defeated. "I... I wanted ramen..."
The group erupted again. As they settled the bet (Kaito buying ramen for everyone), they exchanged numbers.
As the girls left, one of them waved. "See you guys at the next ramen battle!"
The three of them stumbled out, still chuckling. Kaito looked like a mess.
Takeru clapped his back. "Tough guy, huh?"
Kaito flipped him off. "Shut up. I did it for... ramen."
Yoshiro grinned. "You got played, bro."
The night wore on, their laughter echoing through Tokyo's streets. Back at the flat, they collapsed on couches.
Takeru smirked. "Kaito, ramen warrior.
Kaito tossed a pillow at Takeru. "Shut up, I'm a ramen warrior."
Takeru chuckled. "Warrior who cries over spicy food."
Yoshiro laughed. "Kaito's got a new title: Ramen Crying Champ."
Kaito glared at them. "You guys aren't funny."
As they calmed down, Kaito's expression turned dreamy. "But... that girl who challenged me... wow."
Takeru raised an eyebrow. "Which one?"
Kaito sighed. "The one with the smile. Yuna, I think."
Yoshiro grinned. "Got her number, huh?"
Kaito pulled out his phone, grinning back. "Yeah, we exchanged numbers. 'See you at the next ramen battle', she said."
Takeru teased, "Ramen warrior's got a crush."
Kaito threw another pillow. "Shut up, she's just... interested in my ramen skills."
Yoshiro chuckled. "Sure, sure. That's why she's texting you cute emojis."
Kaito's face lit up. "She sent a smiling emoji! I'm gonna ask her out."
Takeru shook his head. "Dude, don't mess it up."
The three of them spent the next hour making fun of Kaito's texting skills (or lack thereof). Kaito tried to play it cool, sending awkward messages.
Yuna replied quickly, making Kaito grin. "Guys, she's into me!"
Takeru peeked at the phone. "She's laughing at you."
Kaito glared. "Shut up, she's nice."
As the night wore on, they decided to call it quits. Yoshiro yawned. "Tomorrow's writing day."
Kaito nodded, still grinning. "Gotta write a story worthy of Yuna."
Takeru chuckled. "Good luck, bro."
The flat fell silent, Kaito's phone buzzing occasionally with Yuna's texts. He responded, trying to keep up the "ramen warrior" vibe.