After placing an order for two bowls of chashu ramen with the chef at the back of the shop, Gojo Satoru returned to the corner table they had chosen earlier.
Before sitting down, he casually pulled a few paper napkins from the dispenser and carefully wiped the tabletop, including the seat in front of Nakano Miku.
It wasn't because the table was dirty, mostly because of his old habit that has not lost on him.
After tossing the used napkins into the trash can, Gojo finally sat down and looked at Miku, who had remained unusually quiet the entire time, just staring at him.
It's not that he didn't get it. He is ridiculously handsome after all!
Gojo Satoru tilted his head.
"What's wrong? Not used to a place like this?"
"A little." Miku pulled her gaze away from him and nodded honestly. "It has been a long time since I've eaten at a ramen shop this lively."
The cheerful chatter of customers, the clatter of bowls, and the aroma of broth filled the air.
Compared to the quiet cafes she usually preferred, this place was much more energetic.
'So coming here all of a sudden...'
She glanced around awkwardly, complaining to herself how uncomfortable it is.
Gojo smiled as if he had not realize what he was thinking.
"I used to come here every now and then. It's close by, and the ramen here is honestly pretty good."
Then, as if changing the subject on purpose, he looked at the handheld console resting beside Miku.
"By the way, the game on that console is pretty interesting....The Sengoku one."
The moment she heard the word "Sengoku," Miku's eyes sparkled.
"Yes!" She leaned forward slightly with eagerness and excitement visible on her face. "It's amazing, Gojo-sensei! It is a very immersive game! It isn't just about fighting and It also has an excellent story mode."
'She really like those game.' Gojo commented inwardly with a wry smile.
Miku said with an unusually loud voice, "The plot is incredibly well-written, and every historical character has a unique personality."
"The story keeps connecting one event after another and if you don't pay attention, you'll miss a lot of important details." She continued enthusiastically. "The historical references are surprisingly accurate too."
"I even searched up some of the real historical figures after playing to check. The developers really put a lot of effort into it."
Gojo quietly listened with a faint smile.
As expected...Once Miku starts talking about Sengoku history, she's completely unstoppable.
Miku continued with a sudden change of expression—
"Actually...I missed some dialogue yesterday. So I misunderstood part of the story. I ended up replaying the whole chapter." She said with a face full of resentment, "I had to stayed up almost the entire night for it."
She puffed her cheeks.
"So annoying...Then today I fell asleep during math class."
"The teacher caught me...and he assigned homework only to me." She sighed in her misery.
Gojo blinked. "Only you?"
Miku rested her chin on one hand and nodded miserably.
"Mm and...I don't understand a single problem." She said with a face of someone in distress.
"Hahaha!" Gojo couldn't hold back anymore.
His laughter echoed through the small ramen shop.
That poor math teacher... He truly felt pity for that teacher.
Giving Miku extra homework might actually make her spend another sleepless night staring at the worksheet.
Hearing his laughter, the troubled Miku suddenly froze.
Only then did she realize what she had just confessed.
She had just admitted in front of a teacher. That she stayed up all night playing a game!
And she had told him everything without realizing it. Her face instantly turned bright red from shame.
Oh no...Gojo-sensei is definitely going to think I'm strange.
What kind of girl stays up all night playing historical strategy games...?
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
At that moment, as if God had send an angle for her help.
"Gojo-san."
The proprietress approached with two steaming bowls of chashu ramen.
"Your order is ready."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure. I hope you both enjoy your meal."
She placed the bowls on the table before walking away with a cheerful but playful smile.
The rich aroma of pork broth immediately filled the table.
Miku slowly lifted her head.
Her cheeks were still slightly red.
Trying to act as though nothing had happened, she straightened her bowl, picked up her chopsticks, and quietly said,
"Thank you for the meal."
Just as she was about to eat—
Gojo casually spoke.
"I honestly didn't expect you to be such a Sengoku history fan, Miku."
"..."
Miku's shoulders stiffened.
"G-Gojo-sensei...Please stop talking about it..."
She looked as if she wanted to bury herself inside the ramen bowl and swim in the hot soup.
So embarrassing...My biggest secret was exposed!
"I'm not making fun of you....I was just surprised." Gojo chuckle and lie through his teeth.
"...Really?" Miku blinked, "Gojo-sensei...Don't you think it's strange?"
"I'm a girl...But I like Sengoku history so much."
Her voice became quieter and quieter toward the end as it disappear in a soft whisper.
Gojo smiled gently.
"Why would it be strange? Everyone has different hobbies. Some guys enjoy sewing and similarly some girls could like motorcycles too. There are even people who like to collect action figures." Gojo said with a carefree look.
"You just happen to love Sengoku history. That's perfectly normal."
It's even a good thing since learning it will also benefit here and it's not that her hobby is as terrible as some special peoples.
{T/N: The Sengoku period (1467–1600) was an era of civil war, social change, and political instability in Japan. }
"There isn't anything weird about it."
Miku stared at him, "....Really?"
"Of course." He answered without hesitation. "It's completely normal."
For some reason...Those simple words made her heart feel much lighter.
"...Thank you." She smiled softly before quickly adding, "But...I still don't want anyone else to know."
She picked up a slice of seasoned egg with her chopsticks and took a bite.
While chewing, she mumbled a little vaguely,
"Gojo-sensei...Can you keep it a secret?"
"Sure." Gojo nodded. "It'll stay between the two of us."
Miku immediately frowned, that words remain her of the scene from the game.
"That's exactly what people say before someone else finds out."
"Oh?" Gojo raised his eyebrow in amusement, before he asked a little curious, "And if someone else does find out?"
Miku narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Then...I'll complain about you to Nino every single day."
She tried her best to glare at him.
Unfortunately...her puffed cheeks made her look adorable rather than intimidating.
Gojo placed a hand dramatically over his chest, making him look as miserable as possible, look.
"That's cruel. You're trying to ruin my relationship with Nino. How can you be so heartless."
"Hmph." Miku deliberately looked away. "I can. I am very fierce and ruthless."
"I see, I see." Gojo nodded seriously.
"So, Miss Ruthless..."
He pointed toward the cashier with his chopsticks.
"They charge before you eat. Go pay."
"..." Miku froze.
"...Mean."
She stood up with a tiny huff before walking toward the register.
A few moments later...
She returned.
However, her expression had become rather strange.
While paying, she had discovered something.
The bill was much cheaper than expected.
Then she remembered Gojo asking for a discount earlier.
He actually got one...
'I thought he was joking.'
"What?" Gojo looked up. "Why are you staring at me?"
"...Nothing."
Miku quietly sat down.
Gojo shrugged before continuing to enjoy his ramen.
Soon, the only sounds left were the occasional slurps of noodles.
Compared to Gojo's incredibly fast eating speed...
Miku remained as elegant as ever, taking small, careful bites.
Several minutes later...
Gojo finished his bowl completely.
Meanwhile—
Miku still had nearly half of hers left.
Gojo rested his chin on one hand.
"...I'm bored."
Then an idea came to him.
"Miku."
She looked up while chewing the delicious noodles.
"...Mm?"
"Let me borrow your console. I'll play while waiting."
Unable to speak with her mouth full, Miku silently reached into her handbag and handed him the game console.
Gojo accepted it with a grin.
The newly repaired screen lit up immediately.
"Hmm..."
He looked through the menu.
Most people would jump straight into the fighting mode.
But the story mode isn't bad either.
He selected the save file.
"I suppose I'll see what kept you awake all night."
Miku quietly continued eating her ramen.
The corners of her lips curled upward ever so slightly.
Watching Gojo Satoru play the very game she loved made the ramen taste even better.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,490