Chapter 11 Junior's Tears and the Evil Actor

Junior’s Tears and the Evil Actor

We had a nice lunch.

The pork miso soup is delicious. It is a fusion of two cultures: Western cuisine and miso soup. Onion Gratin Soup and Pork Miso Soup are the two most popular soups in our restaurant.

My father added it to the daily soup list, hoping it would be a reward for a dreary day like Monday. It’s a smooth soup with lots of meat and lots of root vegetables and potatoes.

“I enjoy omelet rice, hamburgers, and napolitan. But this pork miso soup in particular makes me feel good. Is that what you call the taste of Mom’s cooking?”

I’m glad. Ichijo-san seems to be satisfied.

“This is my late father’s special recipe. He cooks the root vegetables and onions thoroughly and makes them in a big pot with many ingredients, so even though he uses low-sodium miso, the mild flavor is concentrated and satisfying. Isn’t it good?”

I speak a little proudly.

My father, unlike me, was well-liked by everyone. He was also very active in the soup kitchen for the homeless, the elderly who lived alone, and children who could not afford to eat, which was organized by a nearby volunteer group. He was a kind old man who actively volunteered in areas affected by major earthquakes and floods.

The locals called him “the unsung hero” and loved him. (tl: a person who has achieved great things or committed acts of bravery or self-sacrifice, yet is not celebrated or recognized.)

He was truly a proud father.

My father died suddenly of a heart attack in his 40s when I was in eighth grade. He collapsed in the middle of making pork miso soup for a soup kitchen. It was really just like him.

Many people attended my father’s funeral. A local city councilman who shared my father’s philosophy, the mayor of the city at the time, regular customers, people from volunteer groups, and people who ate pork miso soup at the soup kitchen. Many people came. It was sad, but our family was somewhat proud. We knew that our father had lived up to his ideals and was loved by everyone. Even now, my brother and mother, who have taken over the restaurant, continue my father’s volunteer activities at least once a month. They are also interested in the children’s cafeteria and are wondering if they should join.

“I see. I’m sorry. Was I being insensitive?”

“No, that’s not true. In fact, I’m glad you complimented my late father.”

She hears my words. She speaks with a slightly brighter tone.

“Thank God. He must have been a good father. This pork miso soup tells me so. I can tell he took the time to make it with care.”

I’m sure Ichijo-san is a good cook. I thought so intuitively. If you don’t cook on a regular basis, you probably won’t notice how good this pork miso soup is. The ingredients are ordinary, but the careful preparation makes the flavor stand out.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Yes!! I’m glad I could eat such a delicate soup. I think so.”

I could see her a little more at ease. Because the su1cidal thoughts in her seemed to have faded with my dad’s recipe.

Of course, so did my feelings.

“You can have as much soup as you want.”

As I said this, I stared at my junior in silence, a few tears streaming down her face.

She said silently.

“I’m glad I didn’t die. I’m glad I’m alive.”

Kondo’s PoV

“Kondo-senpai, we are in trouble! Our teacher is….”

The junior who spread the photo of Miyuki’s bruises came to me after school, crying desperately.

“What’s wrong?”

“Actually, we are trying to teach Aono who committed domestic violence a lesson….”

The two juniors confessed that they had written abusive scribbles on Aono’s desk. They also said that Takayanagi, the World History teacher in charge of Class 2B, would launch an investigation into the matter.

Oh, that was quick. That annoying teacher. I thought he was a character teacher who would cover up or something.

Well, that’s okay. If it becomes a big deal, my dad will take care of it. I’ll have to tell my juniors about it.

You are all just pawns on the board.

“I see,” I said coldly.

“Don’t be so cold, we’re here for Senpai’s sake… If we continue like this, we will be suspended or expelled from school for damaging property!”

Words of protest flew back and forth, but I responded even more coldly. I don’t have time to be bothered with pawns like you.

“Well, let me ask you, when did I ask you to spread the word about Aono’s domestic violence or to destroy school property?”

““Eh!!””

These guys don’t even seem to realize that they are just pawns on the board. It is only natural that they sacrifice themselves to protect the king. What a bunch of idiots.

“I just wanted to talk to you about my problem. I was trying to solve the problem of a junior friend of mine. You guys spread it around in a funny way and ended up damaging the school’s property. Now you’re saying it’s my fault. Are you crazy?”

They were abandoned by me, the person they should have trusted, and now they’re clinging to me like puppies.

“Oh no! We’re….”

I continue. I interrupt the juniors who are about to say the same thing.

“Then play hard to get caught. They don’t have any evidence. If you don’t, you’re doomed.”

I said, laughing inwardly. I will get two funny shows this time.