4th Meal

Cup of Ramen and Convenience Store Bento

Suddenly, I find myself in a difficult situation.

I do the dishes once a day, sometimes twice a day, and go grocery shopping once a week.

Wiping and sweeping are done only once a month.

My strong ally is a cup of ramen.

Cup Ramen, a super convenient food that needs no explanation.

Even 100 yen per serving is expensive when compared to cooking for oneself, but when you consider the convenience of pouring in hot water and waiting three minutes for the dish to be ready, it is probably cheaper. In addition, there is no washing the dishes involved. I frequently used this as a quick meal when I was busy with college or part-time work.

“But…eating instant food all the time isn’t very nutritious, right?”

I muttered as I stare at the cup of noodles in my hand. But I am not talking about myself. I am just consciously increasing the number of opportunities to eat vegetables, such as stir-fried vegetables and curry. There are various theories as to whether or not I am maintaining a good nutritional balance.

What I am concerned about is a high school girl, whose name I don’t even know, who came to my house last night.

“I can’t imagine a girl that age eating only convenience store bento…” (TL: I used to eat pancit canton for breakfast when I was in grade 9 kekw)

I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t help but think about it.

I don’t mean to speak ill of convenience store bento because I often eat it for lunch myself. but the way she talks about them I’m guessing that all three meals are probably similar. I think that might be a health hazard.

“I hope she doesn’t get sick…”

I thought, but there was nothing I could do about it. Even though I have a part-time job, I still live on my parent’s money. I can’t and shouldn’t get involved in other people’s affairs. That is something that only an independent person who has left their parents’ hands can do.

“But still, I’m worried…”

I said so as I unseal the cup of ramen. I then poured some water into the electronic kettle to boil while making excuses to no one because I was late for the seminar today.

I was about to set it up and turned it on when the intercom, which rarely rang, echoed throughout my apartment.

(Who could it be at this hour…?)

I looked through the door scope while thinking that there shouldn’t a delivery today. Then I unlocked the door when I saw the person who is reflected there.

“Ah…G-Good evening, Onii-san.”

When I opened the door, there stood a high school girl from next door. Unlike yesterday, she was not dressed in her school uniform, but rather in casual attire.

“Good evening, do you need something?”

“Yes, I just wanted to thank you for yesterday…”

What she held out to me seemed to be a package of cookies or something. From the way they were neatly wrapped, it seemed that she had taken the trouble to buy them from somewhere.

“I-It’s fine, you don’t have to worry about that…”

“No, thank you very much for yesterday. Please take it.”

To be honest, I have tremendous resistance to receiving from someone who doesn’t even have a microwave in their apartment…Np, I don’t know if her family is really poor or if they are wealthy.

However, there was no way I was going to take what she was willingly giving me without a fight, so I took it with reserve while saying, “thank you.”

“How’s your dinner tonight, is everything fine?”

“Hm? I bought it at the convenience store!”

(I knew it wasn’t okay…)

The high school girl looks at me curiously as I cover my eyes.

“Err…If you ever want to have a meal again, you can come to my house anytime. I can’t offer you anything special, but…”

I was about to say, “Do you want to eat a cup of ramen?” but I stopped.

Then, the girl gave me a bright smile and said, “Thank you very much!” It looks strangely dazzling to me, partly because there are no people around me who shows such an innocent smile.

“Well then, I’m sorry for bothering you this late at night. Good night, Onii-san.”

“Yeah, good night and see you later.”

After bowing politely, I watched her back as she went back to the room next to me, and closed the door.

“*Sigh* Anyway, I should’ve heated her bento at my apartment…”

Then the sound of the electronic kettle popping and boiling water echoed inside the room as if laughing at me for noticing it before now.