[Note] : Just a chapter regarding the Bento popularity. Shin 4th grade age 9.
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--Sighed~~
On a certain Sunday noon a loud sigh can be heared at the orphanage dining room. Sitting there was a teen who just finished eating lunch.
"I wish meals at school like this everyday ~~"
The teen was no other than Haru complaining , collapsed onto the couch, clutching his stomach with a blissful sigh.
"You sure do complain a lot for someone who just got seconds," Amaya muttered, bonking him lightly on the head with a cushion. "You know we can't afford meals like this every day at school. Just be satisfied with Shin's breakfast and dinner meals and be grateful Shin even bothers with us on weekends."
"That's the problem! I've tasted heaven! How do you expect me to go back to cafeteria food tomorrow? It's criminal!" Haru groaned.
"Then get a part-time job and buy your lunch at a fancy place or something," Amaya said with a shrug.
"What's the point of extra money if the food sucks or doesn't compare to Shin's? Even if I could buy steak every day, it still wouldn't beat Shin's grilled mackerel from yesterday... or the miso tamagoyaki today."
Haru spoke with passion, and beside him, Riku and Ren both nodded enthusiastically.
"You three are hopeless," Amaya sighed... and then, unknowingly, nodded in agreement.
Haru caught it and grinned. "See? Even you agree!"
"Wha—! Shut up!" Amaya flushed and began chasing him around the room.
In the corner, unnoticed, Shin paused mid-step. He had just returned from checking the pantry inventory. Quietly, he turned and left the room, expression unreadable.
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Later that evening, Sakuya, the orphanage manager, looked up from her paperwork as a familiar presence entered her office.
"Shin? Something on your mind?" she asked.
Shin stood silently for a second.
"Sakuya-obasan. I want to prepare bentos for Haru-nii and the others during the school week."
Sakuya blinked. "That's... thoughtful of you, but it's not your responsibility. You're still young. Don't overburden yourself."
Shin didn't move.
"I already wake up early. The morning prep time is manageable. The cost is minimal if we plan properly. Nutritionally, it's better than what they buy. And... they'll be happy."
Sakuya gave a tired smile. "You always come so prepared when it comes to food. Just like with the garden."
Shin remained silent, waiting.
After a long moment, Sakuya sighed. "...One week trial. If it's too much, you stop. Understood?"
"Understood."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Shin's lips as he left the office.
"Really, this kid... haah~~" Sakuya sighed again, watching the little figure disappear through the doorway.
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The next morning, four neatly wrapped bentos sat on the kitchen counter. Each one was labeled with a name.
"Eh? This is... for us?" Haru blinked.
Shin, while handing the other bento, nodded to Haru's question.
"Could this be because of yesterday? Shin, you really didn't have to..." Amaya said hesitantly as she picked hers up.
"It smells amazing... what is this, ginger pork?" Ren asked after catching a whiff.
"Thanks, Shin." Riku nodded politely.
"EH!! This bento—is this real?!" Haru shouted, stunned and blissful.
"Don't die from happiness before class starts," Amaya muttered.
The four took their bentos, thanked Shin, and headed to school. Amaya could be seen dragging Haru while he cradled his bento like treasure.
At first, there was polite resistance. But by the second day, it vanished. And as the week continued, Shin began preparing more as he noticed other residents quietly hoping for one.
Eventually, he included bentos for Akiha and Sakuya too.
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A certain High School's lunch period.
Haru opened his bento with the eager reverence of someone unveiling a treasure. Inside, perfectly crisp golden karaage gleamed under the light. His face lit up like a fool in love.
"Yes... Shin-style karaage never disappoints..." he muttered, clasping his hands together in prayer.
"Oi, Haru, what's with that bento box you keep bringing lately? Don't tell me... you got a girlfriend?"
"Don't be dumb, Taki. My taste in women is as refined as my palate." Haru smirked.
"Tch. Says the guy who was just living off yakisoba bread two weeks ago," Taki grumbled. "C'mon, just let me have a bite—"
"No way!" Haru shielded his box like a knight guarding sacred treasure. "You wouldn't appreciate it properly!"
As Haru looked away to adjust his chopsticks, Taki struck.
"Opening!"
With a swift motion, Taki snatched a piece of karaage and popped it into his mouth.
"Oi! Taki, give that back!"
"Too late— Chomp... chew... chew..."
Taki froze. His eyes widened. Then slowly—mechanically—he turned to face Haru.
"What. Is. This."
"My stolen pride," Haru said flatly, smacking Taki on the arm.
"I'm not kidding! This is the best thing I've ever eaten! Where did you get this?!"
Whispers began to ripple through the classroom due to Taki's outburst. Some of Haru's friends began eying his bento with interest.
Haru sighed deeply, slumping in his chair as he protected the remaining karaage like his life depended on it.
That night, Amaya, Ren, and Riku heard about the incident and began guarding their own bentos more carefully.
Soon, rumors spread throughout the school—of a bento so delicious, it could turn friends against each other.
"They say it started a fight in Class 1-C."
"Some claim it's part of a secret early morning sale..."
"Others say Haru's actually a rich kid pretending to be normal—but that got debunked when someone said he was from an orphanage."
Eventually, some students began waking up early and rushing to convenience stores—hoping to catch a glimpse of the one said to be selling the mysterious bento.