August’s Slacking, September’s Regret

“Alright, then just leave it there.” (Kuroda)

Kuroda hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Takashi forced down the thrill bubbling in her chest and kept a calm face.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before. You new here?” (Kuroda)

“Yeah. If my service’s not up to standard, please go easy on me~” (Takashi)

Kuroda stared at Takashi for a while, as if he wanted to say something. In the end, he stayed silent and just waved his hand, signaling that Takashi could leave.

“Okay then, please enjoy your meal~” (Takashi)

Having finally achieved her goal, Takashi had to fight the urge to jump up and cheer. (Yes, her thinking and behavior were now fully in girl mode. She was a bona fide crossdressing big shot.) She slowly backed out of Sakura-no-Ma.

All that was left now was to wait.

Takashi found a hidden corner where she could still see Sakura-no-Ma, then hid herself and started quietly observing.

Her plan was very clear. After these guys ate the deep-fried tofu drizzled with honey, they’d definitely get diarrhea and rush to the bathroom.

All Takashi needed to do was intercept Kuroda on the way, or wait until the number of people in the room dropped until only Kuroda was left, then rush in and finish the fight quickly.

Right now, what she needed was patience.

On the other side, after Takashi left the room, Kuroda and the others didn’t reach for the fried tofu right away.

As the squad leader, Kuroda hadn’t picked up his chopsticks. So no one else dared to move either.

Kuroda was still thinking.

“Tell me this: a part-timer who just started working here, does she really have the right to just give a dish away to customers like that?” (Kuroda)

He stared at the fried tofu shining golden under the honey glaze, doubt still flickering in his eyes.

“Hahaha, Soitiro, you’re too tense. Maybe the shop just trains their staff well?” (Kore)

Kuroda’s older brother, Kuroda Kore, chuckled as he patted Kuroda’s shoulder. At the same time, he reached out with his chopsticks, about to grab a piece of tofu.

In the organization, only he—Kuroda’s older brother and the second-in-command—could talk to Kuroda like that.

“Then go ahead and eat. I’m not touching it. If something happens, I’ll drive you to the hospital.” (Kuroda)

Kuroda didn’t stop his brother. He just smiled and watched him pick up the fried tofu and pop it into his mouth.

“Holy—” (Kore)

The moment he swallowed the tofu, Kuroda Kore froze.

A few seconds later, his eyes lit up.

“What the hell is this, food of the gods or something? This is crazy good…!!!” (Kore)

Completely conquered by the unexpected deliciousness, Kore instantly grabbed another piece and shoved it into his mouth, chewing away in pure bliss, letting out little “mm~ mm~” sounds as he ate.

Kuroda Kore wasn’t normally the dramatic type, so his excited reaction made the two other members at the table swallow hard several times.

Soitiro Kuroda watched him, then shook his head helplessly.

“Look at you, getting all worked up. It’s just fried tofu. Everyone, dig in.” (Kuroda)

With Soitiro Kuroda’s permission, the others finally started eating as well. Once they tasted it, they couldn’t help but show looks of pleasure too.

In no time, the plate of fried tofu was completely wiped clean.

Only Soitiro Kuroda had picked up a piece and placed it in his own small dish, yet he still hadn’t eaten it.

Even though everyone who’d eaten it looked perfectly fine, and he felt he might be overthinking things, that nagging sense that something was off just wouldn’t go away. That lingering doubt kept his appetite firmly in check.