Hiroki had a strange feeling that this competition wouldn't end well.
Inside, he thought, "Hmm… what should I say…"
His instincts whispered that this challenge would burn more than just their mouths — it would scorch their hearts too.
Just then, he felt Saki's gaze on him.
Her eyes were filled with a mix of worry and curiosity.
Under that look, the word "quit" simply vanished.
He took a deep breath, and a determined smile formed on his lips.
"Alright then…" he said, his voice carrying both resolve and a hint of challenge.
"I guess I'll join."
Miyuki's lips curled into a sly smile as she whispered softly,
"Someone's just trying to avoid paying the bill, huh…"
Her words were slow — almost as quiet as the wind — yet somehow, everyone heard them.
Hiroki understood perfectly well that she was trying to provoke him.
He didn't take the bait; he only glanced at her sideways.
"The bill's not the problem," he said calmly,
"…I just worried Yusuke might not survive the pain."
Yusuke immediately shot back, a teasing grin on his face.
"Let's hope you don't leave the restaurant in an ambulance, Hiroki."
A brief silence followed his words, then everyone burst into laughter.
The tension melted into a sweet kind of rivalry.
Miyuki narrowed her eyes slightly, raising her hand.
"Then… may the best one win!"
At that moment, Saki felt her heart race.
These little, playful exchanges brought a smile to her face.
She was starting to get used to her new school, her new friends, and this colorful, strange group.
Maybe today would turn out to be much more fun than she expected.
A few steps later, Saki's eyes suddenly caught a sign.
Her eyes widened, and she pointed toward it.
"Ah… is this the place?" she asked, sounding surprised.
The sign read in bold letters:
"Japan's Spiciest and Tastiest Restaurant!"
Next to the glass door hung a bright red poster.
It showed a bowl of ramen engulfed in flames.
Beneath it, glowing words read:
"Spicy Ramen Challenge!
Finish this bowl and your meal is free!
Do you have the courage to try?"
Miyuki crossed her arms, unable to hide her smirk.
"Looks like it was written just for us, don't you think?" she said.
Yusuke sniffed, looking challengingly at Hiroki.
"If you're ready, one of us is going to be crying from the heat today."
Hiroki took a deep breath.
This isn't just a food challenge… he thought.
It's a test of fire — and maybe of hearts.
Saki quietly watched them, thinking,
I just hope no one's heart really burns today.
But without realizing it, her own heart was already beginning to warm.
When they stepped into the restaurant, the red tones immediately caught their eyes.
From the walls to the chairs, everything seemed to glow as if bathed in flames.
A sharp, burning scent filled the air — the kind that stung the eyes just a little.
Miyuki pointed toward a corner table.
"Let's sit there," she said cheerfully.
As they settled in, a small commotion occurred. Yusuke had hoped to sit next to Saki, but Saki chose to sit beside Miyuki instead. Yusuke's brief look of disappointment didn't go unnoticed; Hiroki sat down beside him with a teasing grin.
When the menus arrived, a brief silence fell over the table. As they flipped through the pages, the first thing that caught Saki's attention was the little label under every dish: "Very Spicy."
How do people even eat this stuff? she thought, frowning slightly.
Just as she was trying to decide, Hiroki raised his hand to call the waiter.
"Have you decided on your order?" the waiter asked politely.
Hiroki spoke up immediately.
"I'll take your challenge ramen, the super spicy one!"
Yusuke quickly followed, unwilling to be outdone.
"I'll have the same!" he said firmly.
The waiter smiled and nodded.
"Very well, gentlemen. If either of you finishes your ramen completely, your entire meal is on the house."
Hiroki's eyes sparkled.
"Deal!"
Miyuki made her choice more calmly.
"I'll have the mildly spicy ramen," she said.
That left only Saki, who was still staring at the menu, biting her lip softly.
The waiter asked kindly,
"And for you, miss?"
Saki hesitated, scanning the menu once more.
"I think… I'll take the least spicy thing you have," she said.
The waiter nodded with a polite smile.
"In that case, may I recommend our General Tso's Chicken? It has a sweet kind of spice."
Saki nodded with relief, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Alright, I'll take that," she said quietly.
As the waiter walked away, only one thought ran through her mind:
I just hope these spicy things are actually edible…
The red lights in the restaurant now seemed even warmer, more intense.
The spicy scent in the air had thickened — it slipped through their noses and settled deep in their lungs.
Miyuki closed her menu and turned to Saki.
"I've had their General Tso before," she said in a calm, reassuring tone. "It's one of the most edible things here. Don't worry too much."
Saki took a deep breath and smiled faintly.
"Good to know. I'm not great with spicy food, but… I think I'll get used to this place."
Miyuki gave her a short, knowing smile. "You will. I'm sure of it."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table, Yusuke and Hiroki had already started their verbal sparring.
Hiroki smirked.
"Let's hope you don't end up hospitalized from the heat, Yusuke."
Yusuke raised his eyebrows.
"Don't worry about me, Hiroki. You'll be the one giving up after the first bite."
The tension mixed with laughter again, turning into a playful competition.
Miyuki, overhearing their banter, leaned in and added mischievously,
"By the way, if you don't finish your ramen, you still have to pay for it — and it costs twice as much as a regular one."
Saki blinked in surprise.
"Wait, why is it so expensive?"
Miyuki shrugged.
"They say it's because of a special spice."
Yusuke frowned.
"What kind of spice makes it that expensive?"
Hiroki folded his arms, pretending to sound wise.
"I bet that's just an excuse. No 'special spice' — more like a 'special rip-off.' Either way, we're finishing those bowls, Yusuke."
Just then, a sharp, burning aroma drifted from behind them. They all turned their heads.
The waiter was carefully carrying steaming bowls — the air around them seemed to shimmer, the heat and spice strong enough to make their eyes water.
He placed the bowls one by one on the table.
The challenge ramen's scent alone was enough to sting.
Hiroki and Yusuke's expressions stiffened at the same time.
"Was this… really a good idea?" Yusuke whispered.
Hiroki let out a nervous laugh.
"No turning back now."
Miyuki rested her chin on her hand, watching them with a sly smile.
It was as if she couldn't wait to see them suffer.
Saki looked around in quiet excitement.
There was something strangely fun about all this.
I wonder who'll win… Hiroki or Yusuke? she thought.
And amidst the steam rising from the ramen bowls,
the first bite of the competition — and perhaps something else —
was about to begin.