The all-powerful middle schooler

The two hadn't known each other very well before, their relationship was limited to gaming, so it's understandable that they weren't familiar with each other's family dynamics.

Just like he didn't know much about the Fujiwara family...

Well, I do have some basic knowledge of it, after all, I've visited their homes a few times.

Chika: Come here! This is my ramen lover's territory! I'm even better at this than Izumi-chan, so I promise I won't disappoint your little sister!

Qianhua sent him her location.

"It seems that Chika is planning to come along as well."

Izumi Hasegawa understood what she meant.

It's not exactly respectable for the eldest daughter of the prestigious Fujiwara family to frequent places like this.

Why can't Eriri learn from others?

As long as Eri Kashiwagi's skin isn't exposed, it really doesn't matter.

Unfortunately, his childhood sweetheart gets furious whenever he brings this up.

……

Based on location information.

Hasegawa Izumi brought her younger sister to a bustling but overly noisy street.

Opening a shop in such a place is usually hard to be considered high-end.

However, it's not surprising that food served in hole-in-the-wall restaurants tastes better than in upscale hotels.

As he and his sister walked out from around the corner, shouts came from not far away.

"Izumi-chan, I'm here~!"

A cherry-haired girl with a bow on her head, beaming with a smile, waved and shouted, exuding a vibrant energy.

48. A peaceful daily life

"Yo, Chika, good evening."

Hasegawa Izumi led Kobato over and greeted her.

"You must be Izumi-chan's younger sister, Kobato, right? I'm Izumi-chan's friend, Fujiwara Chika. You can call me Chika-neechan. In return, I'll call Kobato's younger sister Kobato."

After smiling and waving in response, Fujiwara Chika widened her eyes and looked at her younger sister beside him.

"no!"

Xiaojiu responded in a soft, sweet voice, her gaze darting away.

"Why!"

Fujiwara Chika's smile vanished instantly.

Such a decisive rejection, am I really that scary?

"Kojima is a bit shy, Chika, you don't need to worry about her."

Hasegawa Izumi glanced down at her younger sister, who was hiding behind her, and then explained with a helpless expression.

My younger sister is very withdrawn. According to her teacher, she hardly interacts with anyone and therefore has no friends.

The only person I can usually talk to is this older brother.

Even when chatting with Eriri, the younger sister never takes the initiative.

This shows just how shy she is.

"I understand."

Instead of showing disappointment, Fujiwara Chika seemed to find it quite amusing.

She enjoys things that are challenging.

"Little Dove, come let your big sister give you a hug."

She brought her smiling face closer, opening her arms wide to embrace him.

Kobato very nimbly dodged to the other side of her older brother, avoiding the hug.

"Little Dove, don't be afraid~ I won't hurt you."

Fujiwara Chika immediately moved aside and gave chase.

"Dah!"

The little dove circled around him, trying to avoid him.

However, Chika showed no sign of giving up and continued to work tirelessly, like a hungry tiger pouncing on a sheep.

Are you guys playing eagle catching chicks here?

Izumi Hasegawa remained silent, and taking advantage of a moment, took two steps forward.

Chika and Kobato instantly found themselves facing each other.

"Ah, my other half, you betrayed me!"

"Successful!"

Before Kobato could even exclaim in surprise, Chika caught up with her and she was trapped under the pressure of the cotton candy.

After a period of close contact, Fujiwara Chika released her hands with satisfaction, allowing Kobato to return to that reassuring area.

"Now, we can finally have dinner."

Hanesegawa Izumi let out a long sigh of relief.

Chika licked her lips like a cat that had stolen cream, while Kobato whimpered as if she had been wronged.

The three then entered the ramen shop.

"This place still uses meal vouchers to order food, let's go over there."

As an old acquaintance, Fujiwara Chika led them to the machine next to her.

He ordered a double serving of pork ramen, Chika ordered soy sauce pork bone ramen, and Kobato ordered a large bowl of tonkotsu ramen.

The ramen shop was already quite crowded, and this unusual trio attracted a lot of attention.

Ramen shops like this are rarely frequented by women, let alone junior high and high school students.

After glancing at the seating area, they chose to sit in a corner where there were still empty seats.

"do you have any requests?"

A shop assistant who was near them asked.

"The soy sauce should be a little less strong."

Fujiwara Chika held up one finger and smiled happily.

"Add more garlic!"

Kobato held back for a long time before finally speaking out loud.

The shop assistants were all stunned.

They probably didn't expect the child to have such a strong taste.

"Mine is fine as long as it's normal."

Hanesegawa Izumi was the last to speak.

While waiting...

"This is the first time I've ever eaten ramen with someone else. I'm so happy to be able to share this joy of tasting delicious food with others."

After tying her hair into a single ponytail, Fujiwara Chika rested her cheek on her hand and turned her head with a smile.

This is quite normal. Given Shuchiin's situation, it's unlikely that Chika would accept an invitation from someone else.

"I'm the same as Kobato."

He represented his sister's share as well.

"Don't speak for me based on my own opinion!"

Sitting on his other side, Koji pouted in dissatisfaction.

"My other half? Oh, is that the same title as Takanashi-san's 'Sage'?"

Fujiwara Chika noticed the title, her expression slightly puzzled, but she quickly realized what it meant.

"Sage? My other half has acquired a new title? Is this the result of your recent conquests?"

Kobato had gotten into the zone, but was quickly interrupted.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, all three of you."

At this moment, having overheard part of the conversation, the embarrassed shop assistant couldn't help but speak up to remind them.

Then he placed the three bowls of ramen in front of them one by one.

We'll talk about the rest later; for now, the three of them need to solve their hunger problem first.

"I'm starting to eat!"

Fujiwara Chika excitedly broke the wooden chopsticks apart, looking like she was about to feast.

With her little feet dangling in a cheerful mood, Little Dove repeated the same action, muttering to herself, "I'll accept this offering!"

Unlike the two girls, Hasegawa Izumi was not flamboyant. She simply picked up a noodle with her chopsticks and took a bite.

The taste was pretty good. No wonder it was recommended by Chika. Even he, who doesn't really like ramen, enjoyed the delicious food.

As for Kobato, needless to say, she was trying her best to open her little mouth wide, wanting to finish all the garlicky ramen.

My sister was completely overwhelmed by this joy.

Fujiwara Chika's way of eating ramen is a bit unique. She copies the contents of a large bowl of ramen into a ladle, which is called 'mini ramen'. Every time she takes a bite, she shows a very enjoyable expression on her face.

Just seeing that healing smile makes one feel like they're about to have a big appetite.

The ramen time passed in silence until the final dish was served.

"Clap."

Hearing a faint sound, Izumi Hasegawa turned around and saw that Chika had raised her bowl of noodles, as if she was about to drink it all. Izumi couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

It's important to know that ramen is not a bland food. The broth is obviously too salty, and garlic is even added. This is a nightmare for most women, and even Xiaojiu, who usually loves ramen, has to stay away from it.

Who would have thought that Chika, who looks so innocent on the outside, actually has such a heavy taste?

"Did you drink it?"

Xiaojiu looked amazed, even with a hint of admiration in her eyes.

How can this be done!

Hasegawa Izumi gave a light snort, showing a competitive spirit, and also raised her bowl of noodles, then drank it all in one gulp.

However, he forgot one thing.

When two out of three people do the same thing, the last person is in an awkward position.

Xiaojiu swallowed hard, her eyes seeming to have hardened her resolve, wanting to replicate the same action.

However, she was too weak to lift it up properly, so she had to tilt it and drink it down in small sips.

"Little Dove, don't push yourself too hard."

As an older brother, he offered his concern and reminders.

"This level of difficulty is too high for Kobato. Let's try it again later."

Fujiwara Chika turned her head to the side and smiled as she offered her advice.

"No, I have to, how can I collapse here...! Cough cough~"

Little Dove, her face flushed, was drinking soup and talking when she accidentally choked.

"Hahaha~"

"I already said it's not possible."