Kind-koji

Chapter 3: Pain of the lonely

"My mother wasn't in the picture and my father wasn't around much, I don't think it is worth blaming them for it. I have a chance to turn my life around socially so I am atleast going to try" I explained to her as Horikita recoiled, a little guilty for touching a touchy subject

I didn't bother to look back at her after that and took hold of a cup noodles, it was 156 yen. I have no idea what anything has to cost and as I am in public and talking to someone, checking my phone isn't an option. So I looked to the black haired beauty beside me and asked the question I was curious to know about

"In your opinion, is this a fair price for this cup noodles?" I said as I gestured to the item in my hand, she looked at me confused as she responded

"Yes, I suppose it is. But i suggest you don't eat those often as they aren't good for your health" Horikita said as I felt some form of satisfaction as I recognized that Horikita worried for my health

"Do not worry, I don't plan on eating it often, I just wish to try it" I said as she looked at me, eying me down as she took her gaze away and we made our way to the checkout with a set of essentials and I saw something that was concrete proof that we aren't guaranteed an easy life

"Free items...... Horikita, what do you think about this? the school giving you the chance to pick free items when they have given you 100 thousand points and also an allowance moving forward" I asked Horikita as she eyes the sign, recognizing the suspicions of such a school

"This school is quite lenient if anything......." Horikita said as I saw that she shared my suspicions

As I made my way into the line, I saw Sudo. He looked disappointed so I went ahead and asked him what was wrong

"Hello Sudo, What's wrong?" I asked with my usual monotone voice and he sighed as he said

"I forgot my card, My brain hasn't registered that I need that piece of plastic to pay for literally anything" Sudo said while looking sheepish as I wanted to help him in this predicament

"Here, use my card to pay. It would be a bother to go all the way back to the dorms and come back again, you can just pay me back tomorrow at class." I said as I offered him my student ID to pay for his cup noodles

"Hah! Really? Thanks a lot Ayanokoji!" Sudo said as he beamed with a smile, I felt nice due to the sheer amount of joy he felt at such a simple thing

"It's no problem Sudo, what flavor are you getting?" I asked, trying to go the simple conversation route again

"I am getting Spicy sea food! which one are you getting?" He said with a smile as I realized, Sudo was a really great guy on the inside with a hard exterior and emotional issues.

"I am trying them for the first time so I am getting the curry flavor." I said simply as both Sudo and Horikita gain a shocked look

Huh, what happened? did I say something wrong? Did I invoke a taboo?

"Ayanokoji..... what do you mean by never trying cup noodles before?" Horikita asked a little uneasy asking the question

"What's the issue? I just never got the chance, it isn't that abnormal." I said trying to play it off as Sudo and Horikita give weird looks to me as we finish paying for our stuff and make our way outside and sit at a table outside the convenience store as Sudo already cooks up and eats his noodles as me and Horikita watch

"... Are you actually trying to eat here?" Horikita asked Sudo, exasperated at the fact that he is eating a cup of noodles in public, is it that uncommon to eat outside a convenience store?

"Of course I am. It's common sense, where else would I eat?" Sudo replied as now I'm confused, is it weird or not to eat in a place like this?

When Sudou answered like that, I was surprised and Horikita let out an exasperated sigh.