My Childhood Friend Seems to be the Main Heroine. - Chapter 18

“Well, as they say, hunger is the best spice, and our curry tastes good somehow.”

“Yes, it is.”

“True.”

　Saito’s group was eating at a wooden table a short distance away from the rice cooker.

　They were eating curry, a standard dish for outdoor activities like this.

　In addition to the basic ingredients such as carrots, potatoes, onions, and pork, there were also bamboo shoots that were given to them as a reward for completing the treasure hunt within the time limit.

　((((This is a very weird reward! ))))

　All the group members thought so, but they put them in the curry anyway.

　But when they tried it, they were surprised that it matched the curry and was well received by the group members.

“The crunchy texture was surprisingly tasty.”

“The sweetness of the bamboo shoots matched the spiciness of the curry nicely.”

　They were eating the bamboo shoots curry with gusto.

　Meanwhile, Saito’s hand did not make much progress.

　It is not that he dislikes curry.

　In fact, it is one of his favorites. He likes it so much that he doesn’t mind eating curry three days a week.

　Then, if people ask him if it is because of bamboo shoots, it is not so.

(This curryー)

　The answer is simple.

　This medium-spicy curry is too much for Saito’s childish palate.

　Maybe it’s nothing for most people, but his sensitive sense of taste makes even a little bit of spiciness make him feel a terrible tingling.

　After eating every mouthful of curry, he drinks a glass of water and manages to do it without being noticed by others.

　Sweat is gradually seeping out of his mouth, and he is afraid that the people around him might notice him soon.

　Thinking so, Saito shoveled the rest of the curry into his mouth in one gulp.

　He finished the meal by forcibly pouring it down with water while enduring a burning pain on his tongue.

“…sigh.”

　He was relieved that he managed to eat all the spicy food without being exposed to others.

　However, one problem passes, and another one follows.

　Another problem has occurred.

　Not enough.

　Saito, who had been resting due to car sickness, could not join the buffet lunch and was hungrier than usual.

　Therefore, a bowl of curry did not fill Saito’s stomach.

　He was considering a second serving, but that would mean he would have to eat that spicy curry again…

　Saito felt depressed and wondered what to do.

　However, with his stomach in this condition, he is sure that he will not be able to go to bed hungry at night if he leaves it unattended.

　In any case, he would have to stuff himself with something while he could.

　Saito had no choice but to get up and go to the kitchen to get more rice.

　He poured half of the remaining rice from the rice container and was about to pour curry when he heard a voice saying, “Hey!”

　He turned his head in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar face with flaxen hair.

“Yo.”

　Saito replied to his childhood friend.

“Are you going to eat that?”

“Yeah, I’m going to eat it. I mean, there is nothing wrong with eating what belongs to your group.”

“Well, that’s true. But can you eat it? The roux was medium spicy.”

　Riri asked if he could really eat it.

[Kaaahhh! Water, water, please!]

[That’s why I told you. Coco Ichi’s curry is moderately spicy even though it’s written normal on the packaging.]

[No, but because there are so many levels of spiciness, I didn’t think it was this spicy!]

[Well, I understand your feeling, but you should listen to others’ opinions. I have the sweet one; you want to trade it?]

[ …I want it.]

　This childhood friend, who has been going camping and eating out together with Saito, is the only one in the class who knows Saito’s intolerance to spicy pain.

　So she could understand his concern.

“…It’s hard, but it’s not that I can’t eat it.”

　There is no point in putting on airs to someone who already knows, so he answers honestly.

“Hmm, I see.”

　Riri then takes Saito’s plate away from him with a quick motion.

“Hey, what are you doing out of the blue? “

“Oh, well, I won’t hurt you.”

　Riri grabbed her friend by the shoulder and stopped him as he walked away with the plate, and he was quieted and taken off by holding his hand.

　And then, they arrived at the kitchen where Riri and her friends used to cook.

　A pot of curry was on the table.

　Riri took the lid off the pot and was about to scoop up the curry with a ladle when Saito stopped her.

“What? “

“The ingredients they give out are the same for everyone. Doesn’t it taste the same even though it’s yours? “

　Yes.

　Saito’s group used the same ingredients, just like other groups.

　Unless someone is a very bad cook, there is no difference in taste.

　Saito looks at her with suspicion, “What’s the point of doing this?”

“I understand your skepticism, but just try it and see if you are fooled or not.”

　Riri brushed it off and offered Saito a bowl of curry over rice.

　Saito took it with a quizzical look on his face and took a bite of the curry.

“Hmm!? W-what is this!”

　Saito’s eyes widened in astonishment because his imagined spiciness did not come.

　This is a dish that he could eat without any problem.

　’But why does it taste so different?’ Saito wondered.

　As if to answer Saito’s question, Riri took out a small milk carton.

“This is our reward for the treasure hunt. The milk’s mildness keeps the curry’s spiciness at bay, making it easy to eat even for those who don’t like spicy food. Even Saito can eat this.”

“I see. So that’s how it is. Seriously, thank you, Riri.”

　Indeed, the rewards given to each group during the treasure hunt were different, which explains why they tasted different.

　Saito thanked Riri and wished his group had milk instead of bamboo shoots.

“You’re welcome. Now you owe me one.”

“Ehh, I don’t owe you anything just for something like this.”

“Ahh, okay. If you’re going to be like that, give it back. Saito should eat his spicy curry.”

” ..okay.”

　It took a lot of effort to teach the boys in Riri’s group how to make a fire, so he was not happy to be told he had to repay the favor.

　However, he didn’t want to be forced to eat spicy curry again. Because of his reluctance, he had no choice but to give in.

“Well, I’ve paid back what I owed you last time.”

　Riri said and went back to where her group members were.

　Saito looks at her with an indescribable feeling and takes another bite of the curry.

“Yum!”

　The curry prepared by Riri’s group was rich, deep, mild and tasty.

* * *

“Ah, Machigane-san, you suddenly disappeared. Where have you been? “

“Uh, I went to buy this.”

　When she returned to the group members, Riri shook a carton of milk in her hand when asked where she had been.

“Milk? Does Machigane-san not like spicy food? “.

“No, I just drink milk when I eat curry since I was little. I don’t feel satisfied without it, but I can eat spicy food just fine.”

　She’s talking nonsense.

　What Riri says is a complete lie.

　Why did Riri buy milk?

　She doesn’t bother telling them why.

“…can I have some of that? “

“Yeah, sure.”

“I want some of Machigane-san’s milk too.”

“…not for you, Nakayama.”

“Why not?”

“…because the way you looked at me was despicable.”

　I bought it for my childhood friend who doesn’t like spicy food.

　And I will get into a troublesome situation if I tell them the truth.

　So, I won’t tell anyone.

　This Riri is the only one who needs to know.