Cupid's Connections!

Chapter 34: Cupid's Connections!

Following Hikigaya Hachiman's and Totsuka Saika's directions, he successfully found a pet store and bought cat treat sticks and canned food.

As for how he got out, let's just say paths are fixed, but people are flexible.

When there's a need, there's a way.

Mere walls were like flat ground under his 16 points of Agility.

Farewell, cage!

Although the school was already large, compared to the outside world, it still felt somewhat cramped.

And because the people living inside were all hot-blooded teenagers, constantly stirring up a fervent atmosphere, it made someone like him, who hated heat the most, feel like dying of heat even in the classroom at this time.

Luke wouldn't skip school.

No matter how much he didn't want to go back, he had no choice.

However, managing to grab a bowl of ramen on the way instead of gnawing on bread inside the school was doable.

Luke walked into a ramen shop.

Damn it.

Luke instantly turned his head.

Saw the unmarriageable older woman he shouldn't have seen.

"Hey, where are you going?" Hiratsuka Shizuka gently reminded him.

"Going back to school," Luke muttered, but could only helplessly turn back.

"Yo, what a coincidence, Hiratsuka-sensei."

Right, just saw each other in the office this morning.

Hiratsuka Shizuka patted the seat next to her, scolding him, "The school has repeatedly stated students are not allowed to leave school premise during lunch! How dare you be so bold!"

Something Hiratsuka-sensei would do.

"Isn't Sensei doing the same?"

Luke replied casually, sitting down next to Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Besides, no matter how delicious bread is, no matter how many varieties there are, no matter how hot the weather is, I still want to eat a hot meal at noon, not cold bread."

"That fits your description quite well," Hiratsuka Shizuka casually glanced at his shopping bag, not pressing further.

"So how do you usually manage?"

"Let's not talk about that first. Any recommendations for ramen?" Luke looked at the messy Japanese labels plastered around.

"How about Tonkotsu ramen?" Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly got excited, eyes gleaming as she recommended her favorite ramen flavor to him.

"The broth for Tonkotsu ramen is absolutely crucial! This broth needs to be boiled from pork bones, then add ingredients like kelp and dried scallops, cooked through layers of preparation, only then can it brew this rich flavor and intense aroma."

"Thick broth, chewy noodles, and rich toppings, every bite is exceptionally delicious. So for noodle firmness, I recommend—al dente!"

Why did she get so worked up?

Luke glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka and said to the shopkeeper, "Hello, one Tonkotsu ramen, firm noodles are fine."

"Why are you so lukewarm towards your teacher's guidance?" Hiratsuka Shizuka poked him.

"Because I trust Sensei's choice," Luke dealt with the troublesome teacher.

"That's more like it." Hiratsuka Shizuka was relatively satisfied with this answer.

"Continuing our topic... how do you usually manage lunch?"

"Instant soup plus hot water, paired with bread I like," Luke said simply.

"Or instant noodles."

"Instant soup! You can do that!"

Seeing Hiratsuka Shizuka's slightly agape mouth, speaking strangely, Luke recalled something, then guessed uncertainly, "Kodoku no Gourmet?"

Kodoku no Gourmet (The Solitary Gourmet), as the name suggests, tells the story of a man named Goro enjoying food.

He often watched it while eating; it was a great meal companion.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was astonished, poking him with her finger.

"Oh? You've actually watched it. I thought you were the type of secluded hermit living isolated from the world, abstaining from pleasure!"

"Heh." Luke snorted dismissively.

He lacked time, not that he was an ascetic monk.

He still partook in necessary entertainment.

Less ≠ None

"Hello, your ramen."

Hiratsuka Shizuka, having arrived earlier, received her order.

So Hiratsuka Shizuka happily put on a disposable paper bib, checked the placement of pepper, white sesame seeds, pickled mustard greens, red ginger, etc...

So proficient.

Luke curiously watched her.

His ramen needed more time.

Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled at him.

"Want some first, to warm your stomach?"

Luke impolitely nodded towards the gentle Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"A little."

Hiratsuka Shizuka asked the shopkeeper for a bowl, shared some noodles and broth with him, then started eating gently, silently burying her head in the bowl, heartily enjoying the delicious soup.

She eats ramen quite robustly.

"Phew! Revived."

Hiratsuka Shizuka let out a long breath, then stared thoughtfully at the noodles in her bowl.

Luke frowned, looking at her suspiciously.

Could she have attained enlightenment?

Ramen Enlightenment.

Hiratsuka Shizuka restlessly pounded the table.

The soup in the bowl rippled.

She then said angrily, "Having to deal with all sorts of brats every day is so annoying!"

"And that damned director and principal... Always giving vague orders..."

Luke took a light sip of the shared broth, carefully considering it.

Hmm, no smell of alcohol...

So, he looked speechlessly at Hiratsuka Shizuka.

She can even get drunk just from eating ramen.

Hiratsuka Shizuka continued rambling, "If things go well, it's his credit. If things go wrong, it's 'Didn't I tell you to ask me if you don't understand?'. If you ask, they say 'You don't even understand this little thing, can't you figure it out yourself'?!"

"Thank you." His ramen had arrived too.

Luke started eating.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?" Hiratsuka Shizuka called out to him.

"Hoo." Luke gently blew on the lifted ramen noodles to cool them, simultaneously admonishing Hiratsuka-sensei.

"Sensei, please don't show such weakness to a student. It's very unbecoming."

"Why have you become like Yukinoshita?" Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at him speechlessly.

"Mainly because I don't really relate to what Sensei is saying..." Luke said slowly.

He was quite satisfied with his exorcist profession.

Except for major incidents, he could even skip work and rest.

No superiors, no ingrained workplace bullying.

Most importantly, clients would never nitpick his work!

"Really?" Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled, slowly parting her moist lips.

"Hiratsuka Shizuka~ Incantation: I have something to tell you this weekend, please come to school."

Luke felt a sense of dread, stopped his chopsticks, and silently looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"..."

"Feel the terror! School is already tiring enough!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka continued venting, "Didn't expect that after becoming a teacher, I'd still be exploited on weekends... That's how I spent last weekend. It's because of this that I can't get married~ Wu!"

"..."

Luke responded with silence.

Your inability to get married might not be because of this.

Then Hiratsuka Shizuka patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "So Sensei has summarized a life lesson..."

"Which is—"

"Labor is shit!"

"..."

Still speechless, Luke looked at the righteous-sounding Hiratsuka Shizuka, momentarily losing his appetite.

Gently putting down his chopsticks, Luke patted the indignant Hiratsuka Shizuka with pity.

"Sensei... Next time there's a national exorcist gathering, I'll find some connections to local deities for you."

"If that doesn't work, I'll contact my colleagues in the West, see if I can find Cupid's connections."

"So... please do your best!"

...

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