Chapter 5: Abundant Scarcity【Part 2】
【言語に関するご注意 / Language Notice】本作はすべて、英語と英語の表現で書かれています。翻訳作品ではなく、オリジナルの英語ライトノベルです。あらかじめご了承の上、作品をお楽しみください。
See chapter one for the main author's note.
Masaki
“Not really. Do we even have to? It’s not like it’s mandatory.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “Ugh, you aren’t planning to spend the next three years locking yourself alone in your room, are you?”
“W-what? No!” My cheeks burn slightly. “I’m just undecided. I want to make the right choice before I commit to something.”
“I’m just going to jump into whatever looks fun and switch later if it’s boring.” She shrugs simply. “I heard they have an incredible archery range that stretches right beside the lake. I’m going to see if they have any open slots tomorrow. We should join together!”
“Thanks, but I’ll pass. If I’m going to dedicate my time to a group, it has to be a project!” I thump a fist against my chest, straightening my posture with sudden, dramatic pride. “Something I can actually pour my soul into.”
“Well, if you don’t start pouring soon, all the good spots will dry up while you’re still busy weighing your options!” My chest instantly deflates, my grand posture collapsing into a deadpan look.
We arrive at a small, dimly lit brick intersection where the main path splits into narrower residential avenues.
“I think your dorm building is down that left path,” I say, stopping under the warm glow of a streetlight. “I guess... I’ll see you tomorrow. Let’s meet up right here. I’ll try calling the boys later to make sure they join us, too. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”
She smiles, offering a cheerful wave as she backs down her path. “Thanks! Same goes for you. Goodnight!”
“Goodnight,” I call back.
I watch her turn and disappear into the evening shadows before finally heading toward my own residential block. Sora is a sweet girl, but if I’m not careful, she will ruthlessly drain every last drop of my energy for the day without even breaking a sweat.
I stretch my aching shoulders, exhaling a long sigh into the crisp night air. Man... I really hope my roommate is a low-energy type.
Following the corridor, I pass the brass numbers on the doors. Room 21093... 21094… 21095.
I hesitate for a brief second, then press my student ID card against the electronic scanner on the handle. A clean, mechanical click echoes from the lock mechanism, and I push the door open.
The lights inside are already blaring.
I wonder if my roommate is already here—
A girl suddenly springs up from behind the kitchen counter, spinning around to face me like a jack-in-the-box. “GOOOD EVENING, ROOMMATE!”
I freeze in the doorway, blinking at the sheer volume of her voice. “Um. Hey.” “My name is Leisa! And I hope your name is Hungry, because I made us the absolute best dinner you will ever experience in your entire high school career!”
My eyes instinctively drift past her. Sitting on the counter is a stainless steel pot, letting out a steady, low simmer. Small, rhythmic pops of bursting bubbles echo from beneath the lid, releasing a rich, savory aroma.
“I-I uh...”
“No need to be shy! It’s my treat!” She beams, already clattering around the upper cabinets to retrieve a pair of matching ceramic plates.
“R-right... let me drop my bags off first.” I offer a quick, slightly overwhelmed bow. “My name is Masaki. Nice to meet you.”
She returns the bow with a brilliant grin before immediately turning back to her culinary battle. I squeeze past her, navigating the narrow entryway.
The room is... tight. To put it gently.
It’s shaped like a flask bottle, making the compact sleeper cabin from my last family vacation feel spacious in retrospect.
Half of the room is already claimed by her personal touch. The bed on the right is neatly made, the wall beside it filled with posters. I guess that leaves me with the left one.
I unzip my backpack and pull out my toiletries kit while staring out the window nestled right between our two beds. “So, when did you get in? Have you seen much of the campus yet?”
“Mmph-mm.” She swallows hard, cutting off her own muffled grunt as she forces down whatever she was tasting. “No way, I went straight to bed! I napped for a few hours straight and then spent the rest of the time cleaning. You seriously should have seen the state of this place when I first walked in!”
“Oh. Um, wow. Thanks. I would have loved to help out,” I say, feeling a tiny twinge of guilt. “I spent the afternoon exploring the campus with my friend. Have you seen the sheer scale of this place? It’s absurd.”
“If you’re asking whether or not I can read a map, then yes.” She carefully balances two steaming bowls of soup, bringing them over to set on our low dining table. “But exploring can wait. I prefer to fully settle into my nest first.”
“Wow, that looks incredible.”
The broth features a beautiful, deep amber gradient, with vibrant, fresh vegetables floating elegantly on the surface. The steam carries a rich aroma that hits my nose and evokes a refreshed appetite.
“How were you able to get all these fresh ingredients?”
She pauses, staring at me with a completely blank, deadpan expression. “Um... at the supermarket? Didn’t you just say you spent the whole day exploring the place?”
“Right. Right, of course,” I mutter, quickly grabbing the metal spoon to hide my embarrassment.
I take a careful sip of the broth. The rich, savory flavor explodes across my tongue, a perfect balance of warmth and spice. “Wow. This is seriously delicious!”
“Glad you like it!” A wave of pure delight washes over her face. “I whipped it up using just a few basic ingredients.”
She sits down across from me on the floor, picking up her own spoon as we dive into the meal together. “I tried to skim through the digital packet about the payment system on my phone earlier, but... the wording was just so long-winded and confusing. I’ll probably just head over to the town hall tomorrow and ask them directly to explain it in human language.”
“Don’t count on it,” I mumble around a mouthful of soup, my voice muffled by the spoon.
She scoffs gently, waving her hand. “Oh, come on, they can’t all be that bad. Besides, I didn’t grab anything crazy expensive anyway. I mean, the shelves don’t actually have any price tags on them, but we all know the cost of meat relative to a carrot.”
I freeze, my spoon halfway to my mouth. “No price tags?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “Just rows and rows of food for the taking. But everyone should know better than to take a gift for granted. You wouldn’t catch me doing something reckless, like going out to a restaurant and eating lobster on the first day without knowing how the system works.”
That is oddly specific…
* * * * *
Discover what happens next in: Chapter 5: Abundant Scarcity【Part 3】
Written by Limited_Infinity. Official publishing platforms and updates are exclusively communicated on Bluesky: @Limited-Infinity
To support this series, you can engage with it and rate it.
* * * * *
