Aren’t you just taking advantage of someone honest?!

“So noisy…” At that moment, a slightly disgruntled voice sounded from outside. The curtain was lifted, and Naru Matsubara and Ryo Shishido entered, tennis bags slung over their backs. Upon seeing Sasabe and Tatsu, Matsubara glanced at Niko Asakura and Masayo Asakura, frowning, “Are you two… arguing?”

“Judging by the charged atmosphere, I’d say so. If we hadn’t walked in at just the right moment, there might’ve been blood on the floor,” Shishido said, lips pressed into a tight line.

“Hey, you two must be from a school tennis club as well, right?” Sasabe noticed their uniforms and the large tennis bags on their shoulders and immediately called out.

“Yes, is there something you need?” Matsubara walked to an empty table, set his tennis bag on a stool, and responded noncommittally.

“Perfect, since we’re all tennis club members, why don’t you be the judge? This shop owner claims we ate two bowls of noodles but only paid for one. Old man, isn’t that what you said?” Sasabe, elated to find potential support, immediately pointed at Niko Asakura, his confidence surging.

“So you’re accusing them of eating two bowls but paying for only one? That’s quite the allegation. May I ask your names?” Matsubara’s interest piqued as he looked at Sasabe and Tatsu.

“My name is Toshinosuke Sasabe, a regular on North High’s tennis team. This is Tatsu Tachikawa, a substitute. And you are?”

“Naru Matsubara.”

“Ryo Shishido.”

“We’re from Evergreen Academy,” the boys introduced themselves.

“Evergreen… the team that beat the top seed, Seigaku, in the regional preliminaries and crushed the second seed, Kurofumi?!” Tatsu’s eyes widened in shock, and even Sasabe’s expression shifted visibly.

“That’s not the important part. We just came here to eat, but with you all arguing, we might not be able to enjoy our meal,” Matsubara said humbly, sighing.

“But I’ve heard of North High. The students there are exemplary, both in character and academics. And since you’re fellow tennis players, I think… the chance that you underpaid is slim. Boss, maybe you should double-check; perhaps you made a mistake,” Shishido said thoughtfully to Niko Asakura.

“That’s right! You’re getting old; you’d better check your money more carefully!” Sasabe chimed in, emboldened.

“To tell you the truth, young men, I may look old, but I’m still sharp. I wouldn’t make such a mistake,” Niko Asakura replied, waving his hand. Seeing this, Sasabe’s anger only grew. Just as he was about to argue further, Matsubara spoke up.

“I don’t think the owner is lying. I’m a regular here—been coming since the shop opened. Sasabe, if you ate two bowls but only paid for one, that’s not right, is it?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, you little runt! We ate two bowls, we paid for two! Regular, my foot. You’re just here to stir up trouble!” Sasabe’s fury was written all over his face as he snapped back at Matsubara’s shifting attitude.

“Boss, did they really eat two bowls and pay for just one?” Matsubara ignored Sasabe, turning to Niko Asakura.

“That’s right. The bowls are right here—I haven’t cleared them yet. See, they even left more than half a bowl!” Niko Asakura replied indignantly.

“Impossible!” Shishido slammed the table, pointing at Niko Asakura. “Do you know who Sasabe and Tatsu are? They’re official members of the fourth-seeded North High tennis team. North High is renowned across the Kanto region. They wouldn’t shortchange you over a bowl of noodles!”

“My boy, why would I lie? They really did eat two and pay for one. I just want what’s fair. Right, daughter?” Niko Asakura turned plaintively to Masayo, who hesitated a moment before nodding quickly.

“Well, now both sides are adamant, and no one can settle this. So, as an impartial party, I’ll set an example,” Matsubara declared, standing tall and pointing upwards with righteous fervor. “I’m a kind person by nature and dislike conflict. There’s no point in fighting over a few coins. Today, I’ll get justice for the shop owner!”

“And who will you demand justice from? Sasabe, of course! Why?” Matsubara asked and answered himself, turning on Sasabe, whose face now flashed from red to green. Tatsu, standing beside him, could only stare blankly at Matsubara, at a loss for words.

“Isn’t it obvious? He and his friend ate two bowls but paid for one. That’s just not! Fair!” Matsubara’s finger jabbed the air, his voice ringing out, each word pronounced with force.

“As fellow tennis players, when you set this kind of example, it tarnishes the reputation we all share. So what you two say is just nonsense!” Matsubara turned to Sasabe and Tatsu, speaking with upright conviction.

“You little punk, I’ll—” Sasabe lunged at Matsubara, but Tatsu was quick to grab him, and with his desperate struggles, Shishido also moved to pin him against the wall.

“Sasabe! Sasabe! Calm down!” Shishido urged, then turned sharply to Matsubara. “Naru Matsubara, Sasabe and Tatsu are from one of the top four schools in Kanto. With their reputation, how could they owe the shop owner for noodles?!”

After saying this, Shishido pointed to Niko Asakura and his daughter. “Did you actually see them shortchange him?”

“Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side! Are you betraying your own teammates?” Matsubara retorted, shoving Shishido with a sneer.

“What, are you still sore about losing to me in the practice match today? Jealous that I beat you? Want another thrashing?” The boy gave Shishido another shove, but Shishido was no pushover. He shoved back with his shoulder, sending Matsubara stumbling into a table.

Clatter!

“Hmph, let’s forget about the practice match for now—let’s talk about ramen!” Shishido snapped. “Let me tell you: one bowl means one bowl, two bowls means two, no room for confusion. Isn’t that right, Sasabe?”

“Gentlemen, I admire your integrity,” Shishido continued, placing his hands gently on Sasabe’s shoulders.

Sasabe lowered his head. The fire in him had cooled. He could see now that this little runt, Matsubara, was just here to muddy the waters—turning clear matters upside down and calling himself kind! What kind of kindness was that?

Steadying himself, Sasabe stepped forward and glared at Matsubara, who instinctively stepped back, wary of what Sasabe might do. Yet the sly smile at the corner of Matsubara’s mouth betrayed his mischief.

“Listen here, shorty—one means one, two means two. Today—we ate two bowls of noodles!” Sasabe’s voice rose, but before he could finish, Matsubara pointed at his nose and interrupted, “You paid for one bowl but ate two. Out of money? I have plenty—I’ll pay for you!”

With a sharp glint in his eye, Matsubara’s eyebrow arched.

“Are you kidding me?!” Sasabe, half-amused, half-infuriated, whipped out his wallet and, with a dramatic flourish, scattered bills and coins all over the floor like snow. As the cascade of money clattered down, Sasabe bit his lip and growled, “See that, you little runt? I could pay for two bowls, or twenty! We ate two, so we pay for two!”

“With all this money, how many bowls did you eat? Why didn’t you say so sooner?” Matsubara feigned amazement, then pointed at Niko Asakura. “All he ever wanted was fairness…”

Then, turning back to Sasabe, Matsubara waved his hand wildly, his hair flying, and shouted with all his might, “Aren’t you just taking advantage of an honest man?!”

Purple Pen Literature