Saki took a forkful of her food.
But it was far spicier than she had expected. Her lips burned slightly, yet out of embarrassment, she didn't pull back. Torn between shame and determination, she lifted her fork again and slowly continued eating.
How can a single dish be both so spicy and so delicious… she thought with every bite she took.
Miyuki had already started on her own ramen. She had endured this kind of spice before, and hunger got the better of her. With the fork in her hand, her eyes sparkled with each bite, occasionally holding her breath, savoring the meal with a sly smile.
Hiroki and Yusuke, however, still hadn't dared to start. The ramen sat in front of them, and even breathing felt like a struggle.
Their eyes met.
Only regret was reflected in them.
Seeing them like this, Miyuki chuckled softly and said,
"Come on, eat! It's going to get cold!"
Hiroki and Yusuke couldn't resist Miyuki's playful tone. After a brief hesitation, Hiroki took the first step.
He dipped his fork into the ramen, trying to hide the pain on his face.
This was one of the spiciest things he had ever eaten.
But he had no intention of giving up.
Yusuke smiled faintly and asked,
"Is it spicy?"
Hiroki snapped back, fueled by the burning sensation,
"Why don't you try it yourself?"
Yusuke took a deep breath, closed his eyes,
and finally plunged his fork into the ramen.
Immediately, he froze.
A tiny tear slid down from his eye.
Seeing Yusuke like this, Miyuki and Saki couldn't hold back their laughter.
This spice had turned the competition into a hidden amusement.
Feeling their laughter, a spark ignited within Yusuke.
There was no turning back now. He lifted his fork rapidly and began eating. Tiny tears fell with each bite, but he didn't retreat.
Hiroki didn't want to fall behind either. With a look of determination, he attacked his ramen quickly.
Miyuki and Saki watched, enjoying the scene while eating their own meals, occasionally cheering Hiroki and Yusuke on:
"You can do it, come on!"
"Hold on until the last bite to avoid paying!"
"Imagine it's not spicy at all, just think about the free meal afterward!"
Slowly, they reached the last bites, and both Yusuke and Hiroki were nearly unable to finish their ramen.
Hiroki's eyes widened.
"This ramen… finishing it is impossible!"
Yusuke could barely speak, struggling to swallow the bite in his mouth.
Saki and Miyuki exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
In a slightly teasing tone, Miyuki asked,
"What happened to your bet?"
Hiroki squinted his eyes and replied with a faint smile,
"Is it that easy? Try taking just one bite."
Miyuki smiled back, leaning away.
"I'm not the competitor — you have to finish it yourselves!"
Hiroki shook his head helplessly.
"I guess… we can't finish it. It's impossible."
At that moment, an idea struck Hiroki. He planned to make Miyuki eat the last bite and drink the remaining water on his plate.
Without anyone noticing, he whispered to Miyuki,
"Hey Miyuki… can you eat the last bite and drink the water on my plate without anyone seeing?"
Miyuki hesitated for a moment. She couldn't bring herself to do it; her eyes widened slightly.
Hiroki leaned in, his voice teasing yet insistent:
"Come on, Miyuki… think about the bill, this is an expensive restaurant. We might not have enough money. Or… do you not have the courage to eat it?"
Saki couldn't hide her astonishment. Her eyes widened as she thought: Can Miyuki really eat something this spicy?
After some effort, Hiroki finally managed to convince Miyuki. With a slight smile, he silently signaled her:
"Take the plate and start when I give the signal."
The moment came when no one was watching the table. Hiroki gave the signal:
"Now, Miyuki."
Miyuki took a deep breath, closed her eyes, pinched her nose, and hurriedly lifted the bowl. The first sip burned as it went down her throat, her eyes watering slightly. But drinking quickly, she didn't feel the full impact of the spice.
Finally, Miyuki finished the bowl and placed it in front of Hiroki. Everyone at the table held their breath, watching in silence.
Saki whispered softly, still in shock,
"Congratulations, Miyuki…"
I could never do something like that… she thought.
Yusuke had recovered. He immediately stood up and called to get some fresh air, his face still a little pale.
Saki noticed Miyuki was still feeling unwell.
"Miyuki?" she called. But Miyuki remained silent, as if she couldn't hear her.
Saki nudged her lightly, yet Miyuki still didn't respond. She seemed in shock from the spice.
Suddenly, Miyuki stood up and dashed outside. Yusuke followed her, running after her with worry.
Hiroki's plan had worked perfectly.
Saki and Hiroki exchanged slight smiles, though they were inwardly concerned for Miyuki's condition.
Hiroki called the waiter confidently:
"As you can see, I've won the challenge."
The waiter smiled and replied,
"Congratulations, sir. This time, the bill is on us."
Hiroki and Saki stepped outside, hurrying to check on Miyuki.
The cool air hit their faces, bringing a mix of relief and worry. As Saki looked at Miyuki, deep in her heart she still felt a thrill: such excitement and tension… being at this new school with friends like these… it was an incredible experience.