I Joined the Sentai Heroes Who Were Beautiful Girls Other Than Me but the Heroines Were All Yanderangers

39. Momo is in a good mood

“Oh, senpai is hopeless… Wait, is that the shop?”

In front of the old-fashioned sign with the stubborn, masterly written characters of “Mizu Kagami-ya” that Momo pointed to, there were already six or seven people waiting. This is still relatively less than on a weekday lunch break. Before I could ask if it was okay to line up, Momo stood at the back of the line and said, “It smells good” with an innocent face.

“It’s so crowded on a weekday, so I can expect the food to be good too.”

She twirled her tilted umbrella and looked at the menu posted outside the shop. Looking at it objectively like this, I realize again that Momo is cute, and even her casual gestures are picturesque. If you only looked at this one shot, you might mistake This place for a stylish cafe, but the thick pork bone smell brings you back to reality.

“I tend to follow the rule of the top left of the vending machine for the first time, but this limited-time Tantan Oil Soba is also attractive.”

“Ah, that’s super spicy, are you okay?”

When I went there before, Isaki ordered it on a whim and breathed fire. Minakami often offers limited-time menus, but since they’re always safe, I let my guard down. This time, it was a rather aggressive menu, and it was a fairly authentic spicy and delicious Tantanmen. However, it must not be just spicy because Isaki said it was delicious even though he was breathing fire, but I don’t feel like challenging it because my tolerance for spiciness isn’t that high.

“I see. I like peaches a little spicy, but I’m not that good at it, so I’ll pass. I’ll just have the regular Mizukami Ramen.”

“What should I get?”

As we idly chatted like that, it was soon our turn. We shoved our folded umbrellas into the umbrella stand and stepped inside the shop, where we were immediately enveloped by the somewhat reassuringly sticky floor and the even stronger smell of pork bones.

“Mizukami Ramen is fine for you, right? Do you want to add an egg? I recommend it.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

We bought two bowls of egg ramen and one large serving at the vending machine and sat down at a table for two. There were six counter seats and two table seats in the shop. As was to be expected since there was a line outside, it was full.

There were some female customers, but it seemed like we were the only ones who had come as a couple, and I couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious, wondering if we were being seen as out of place. In fact, when I go to a slightly dirty but delicious ramen shop with a male friend and see a couple, I tend to worry about it for no reason. I don’t feel that way as much at family restaurants or university cafeterias, so I guess I have a prejudice against ramen shops and couples. When I’m on the other side, I realize how meaningless that prejudice is.

“hehehe, thank you for the treat.”

Momo, who was holding water in both hands from the self-service station, sat down next to me.

“Oh, thank you.”

Somehow, my first impression of Momo was that she was selfish and a little frivolous, but she’s actually quite a nice girl. She’s so happy with a 980 yen bowl of ramen, and she always listens to me with such interest.

It’s not a good way to put it, but she’s a beautiful girl who makes me feel superior just by being with her, and her outfit today is very much to my taste. She’s fun to be with, and we have similar tastes.

“Momo is pretty much my ideal girlfriend.”

Except for the fact that she’s a yandere philanderer, I think she’s perfect.

“…huh!?”

“Eh?”

When I suddenly came to my senses, Momo was sitting in front of me, her fists clenched around a glass of water, frozen like a stone. I thought I could see her twin tails stiffen in a high position.

“…ah, ahahahahaha.”

I realized I had done something terrible when I saw her face turn bright red and her gaze avert awkwardly.

“W-wait, Momo, just now.”

I’m an idiot. Did I just say that out loud? I’m such an idiot. I let my guard down.

“It was a joke, or rather, an objective statement! Yes, it was an objective statement!”

In my confusion, all I could come up with was a meaningless excuse. While I was rambling on, my inner voice had somehow leaked out. And the content was the worst possible.

“It’s not my personal opinion, but Momo is, well, you know, she’s cute and nice, so, you know. It’s like when a relative says, ‘She’d make a good wife,’ you know, something light like that !”

No matter how close we are, that was a bad thing to say. It could be considered s*xual harassment. A misunderstanding. And what’s with the condescending ‘ideal girlfriend’? Why didn’t I just say something humble like ‘I wish she would be my girlfriend’?

“I’m really sorry! It’s not s*xual harassment or anything, I’m sorry!”

I clapped my hands together loudly and dramatically to show that I was desperately sorry.

If Momo hates me, my mission as Philance Blue will be a failure. In the worst case, I could be murdered in cold blood. I have to make excuses no matter what.

“Forget about it! Please! I said it without thinking, so it was my fault.”

However, there was no room for excuses, so all I could do was apologize and make excuses with all my might.

“Um, um. Well, I guess it can’t be helped. Senpai is”

Momo replied in her usual awkward manner and tone. Her mouth was moving strangely.

“W-well? Momo is so incredibly cute that I can understand why senpai would say such a thing.”

“No, I’m really sorry.”

“Ahahahahaha, senpai is really crazy about Momo, isn’t he?”

Momo, who was gradually regaining her composure, puffed out her chest with her usual confidence, even though she was still a little hesitant. That’s good, it seems like she’s forgiven me.

“It’s not my fault that Momo is so cute, so I’ll let it slide.”

“Thank you, I’ll be careful.”

I bowed deeply and apologized again. Then, Momo’s face approached mine as she leaned over the table towards my lowered head.

“But if you’re going to confess, please do it when we’re alone next time.”

“It’s whispering in my ear. Your stifled breath sounds s*xier than your usual sweet peachy voice.”

“Uh, ah. Yeah.”

I was a little surprised.

Even though she’s younger, I feel like I’m always being toyed with by Peach. Well, I’ve never been able to take the lead with anyone else either.