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Chapter 46: She Took a Bite of Fried Chicken
🕑 Added 2025-02-04 01:48:06 +0000 UTCFrom noon until afternoon, after enduring the entire day, Hitori Gotoh finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Compared to others who loved to celebrate youth and enjoy school life, she had always preferred to shrink into the corners, avoiding social interaction. Having no friends to talk to, she considered school life to be an overwhelming mental burden.
"I got into Shuka High purely by luck... and now, look at me."
Wearing a strange outfit consisting of a pink tracksuit, sweatpants, and a skirt, she walked alone on the road, letting out a soft sigh.
Even she couldn't understand how she had managed to pass the entrance exam for Shuka High.
Back then, she had simply wanted to find a high school far from home—one where no one would recognize her embarrassing past from middle school. So, she randomly applied to several schools, and Shuka High in Bunkyō Ward was among them.
Perhaps she had used up all her luck in one go.
Despite always having mid-to-low grades, she miraculously passed the selection process and became a student at Shuka High.
"But luck alone won't get me far..."
As she walked, a miserable groan escaped her lips.
The impossibly difficult subjects.
The classmates she couldn't fit in with.
The liveliness and excitement belonged to them.
She had nothing. She had always had nothing.
"I wish I could drop out right now..."
Her footsteps came to a halt as she mumbled to herself.
But soon, as if snapping out of it, she shook her head vigorously.
No, I can't! Life is tough, but there are people who care about me.
Lowering her head, she looked at the cloth-wrapped bento box in her hands.
Minami-senpai... He wasn't just kind in my imagination. Even in reality, he's always been so gentle...
Drawing strength from the thought, Hitori Gotoh straightened her back and found her resolve again.
Y-Yeah! Pull yourself together, Hitori! You're not completely alone—there are still people who care about you!
C-Come on!
Let's start by letting everyone taste Minami-senpai's bento.
With renewed determination, the pink-haired girl picked up her pace and continued walking with her head slightly lowered.
Her band, "Kessoku Band," mainly performed at a small underground live house called "Starry."
Located in the Shimokitazawa area of Setagaya, Tokyo, Starry was in a well-known flea market district. Due to its proximity to several universities, it was also considered one of Tokyo's trendiest spots for young people.
At night, many lonely and restless university students could often be seen wandering the streets of Shimokitazawa in search of excitement.
Because of this, in the eyes of Tokyo locals, Shimokitazawa held as much cultural significance as Akihabara.
The area had a strong underground scene, and live houses like Starry were far from rare.
Taking the train and transferring lines to reach Starry was no longer a complicated process for Hitori, as she had done it several times before.
But today, something felt... off.
Descending from the upstairs entrance into the basement, Hitori Gotoh cautiously peeked into Starry.
It was still the same Starry—softer lighting than other venues, an atmospheric bar, stylish decorations...
But something was strange. The place was completely empty.
Not a single person was in sight.
"If you're looking for Nijika-chan or Ryo-chan, you'll have to wait a bit. The manager sent them out to restock supplies."
From behind the counter, a long-haired woman with crossed legs looked up with an elegant and mature expression, offering a considerate explanation.
Her name was Miss PA (yes, she was actually called that in the original story). She knew Seika Ijichi and worked as Starry's sound and lighting technician.
Compared to the still-green members of End, Miss PA exuded a mature elegance and laziness unique to older women.
"Ah... Hello, Miss PA. So, Ryo and the others... went out to shop?"
Finding a seat, Hitori Gotoh felt slightly uneasy about being alone with someone, but she still asked politely in a quiet voice.
"Yeah. Seems like they were restocking drinks... Hm? What's this?"
Miss PA replied while curiously glancing at the bento box Hitori placed on the table.
"Ah... um... A friend of mine made this bento. It's their first time making one, so they wanted me to try it... I brought it here so everyone could have a taste. If you don't mind, Miss PA, you can try some too."
Hitori said as she carefully opened the bento lid.
"Oh—? No, I shouldn't. I've actually been trying to lose weight lately..."
Miss PA started to decline, but before she could finish her sentence, she stopped abruptly.
A particularly enticing aroma wafted from the bento box in front of Hitori.
Inside, neatly arranged and golden brown, were pieces of fried chicken.
At that moment, they emitted an irresistible allure—one that spoke directly to the instincts of a carnivore.
It was a strange sensation, a deep, primal urge to eat that rose from the pit of her stomach and surged into her brain.
Gulp—
Swallowing softly, Miss PA maintained her elegant demeanor on the surface but deliberately asked, "This is...?"
"Um... It should be Minami-senpai's fried chicken."
"...Although I've been dieting, it'd be rude not to taste something your friend worked hard on."
"Huh...? Would it be a bother for you, Miss PA?"
Subconsciously, Hitori Gotoh pulled the bento box back slightly.
"What bother? Conquering the demon of fat is just part of being an adult woman."
Miss PA smiled gracefully, but before she even realized it, her fair fingers had already picked up the chopsticks.
"Let me give it a try."
"Uh..."
Hitori Gotoh hesitated as she watched Miss PA pick up a piece of fried chicken and bring it to her mouth.
For some reason, the usually mature and composed Miss PA seemed...
A little too eager?
"Seriously—just moving a few drinks and you're both gasping for air? You two really need to exercise more."
With an exasperated expression, Seika Ijichi scolded Ryo Yamada and Nijika Ijichi as they panted behind her while entering Starry.
Not forgetting to compare them to their senior, she continued, "You should learn from PA. She may look lazy, but she's way more reliable than you two."
Hearing this, Nijika, who had been on the verge of protesting, could only swallow her words.
Miss PA was Seika's longtime friend and had been with Starry since its inception.
No matter how unwilling Nijika was to admit it, PA's experience was undeniable.
"So, as I was saying—"
Just as Seika was about to continue her lecture—
BANG!
The doors of Starry suddenly burst open.
A black-haired woman with tears streaming down her face rushed out and immediately threw herself into Seika's arms, burying her face in her chest and sobbing.
"I've been so lucky to grow up, to work under such great conditions... I never truly realized how blessed I was—I'm so sorry, Seika!"
...Huh?
Seika's jaw dropped as she stared at the sobbing, regretful PA clinging to her.
Confused, she turned to look at Hitori Gotoh inside Starry.
"What... happened to her?"
"PA... PA-san... she ate a piece of fried chicken."
Hitori Gotoh looked just as stunned.
