92: Ogata Udon

The incident of the Myriad World of Ultimate Bliss Cult, like all anomalies that are covered up, did not leak a single bit. Life within the island domain still maintained its ordinary and peaceful facade.

In the academy's central garden, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves. Lin Luo put down the corrected test papers in his hand, his gaze sweeping over Furuhashi Fumino, who had a self-satisfied expression, and Ogata Rizu, who looked confident. A smile of approval finally appeared on his usually calm face.

"Not bad," his voice was gentle and firm. "With your current level, passing the joint entrance examination is no longer a difficult task."

Furuhashi Fumino immediately brightened with a radiant smile, her tone joyful: "Of course! These questions are a piece of cake for me now."

Ogata Rizu, though silent, pushed up her glasses, her slightly raised chin revealing a quiet confidence.

Shiina Mahiru, however, could not hide her fatigue and sighed softly: "If the question types suddenly change, I hope Fumino can still be this confident." Ever since she took on tutoring these two Geniuses with vastly different ways of thinking, even she, who usually had a gentle temper, had repeatedly almost failed to suppress her inner helplessness.

Kato Megumi gently closed her notebook, her tone carrying a rare hint of satisfaction: "At this rate, my scores should improve significantly this time compared to before."

Lin Luo smiled upon hearing this, a touch of pride in his voice: "That's natural, after all, Teacher Lin Luo has held nothing back."

"How unfair," Furuhashi Fumino pouted, "why doesn't Mr. Lin Luo's kindness extend to me at all?"

Lin Luo glanced at her, deliberately snorting: "Idiots don't deserve to be illuminated by light."

At this moment, Ogata Rizu, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly looked up, her hands clasped slightly on her knees, as if she had made up her mind:

"Um... does everyone want to come to my house for udon today?"

She paused, then added with clear logic: "My family's udon has been market-tested; it's very delicious."

Seeing everyone's surprise, she tilted her head slightly, her calm voice revealing a subtle hint of earnestness:

"Recently... thank you for not giving up on me and for always studying with me. I can't think of... a better way to repay you."

"I'm going!" Furuhashi Fumino raised her hand almost instantly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Lin Luo chuckled: "I didn't expect you to have a hidden 'glutton' attribute."

"I am not!" Furuhashi Fumino immediately retorted, "Rizu's family udon is very famous on the food critics' list! This is... a legitimate pursuit of delicious food!"

Seeing the rare sparkle of anticipation in Ogata Rizu's eyes, Kato Megumi and Shiina Mahiru exchanged smiles, naturally unwilling to refuse such a sincere invitation. Lin Luo had no objections to begin with. The matter was thus happily settled. The group agreed to meet at the school gate after school and go together to the long-renowned Ogata family udon shop.

A warm aroma filled the Ogata family noodle shop. The girls excitedly gathered around the menu, discussing, while Lin Luo felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Across from him sat a middle-aged man with a distinct aura. He was burly and rugged, and Lin Luo could barely imagine how such an imposing father could have raised such a petite and lovely daughter like Rizu.

"Mr. Lin Luo, right?" Mr. Ogata spoke, his voice deep. "I heard you've been tutoring my daughter recently." He paused slightly. "Rizu has indeed been smiling more lately."

The words sounded like thanks, but the flat tone made Lin Luo feel no warmth at all.

Suddenly, Mr. Ogata leaned in closer. His imposing face instantly magnified before Lin Luo's eyes, expressionless, with sharp eyes.

"Thank you for helping her with her studies. But..." he lowered his voice, enunciating each word:

"If you dare to harbor any improper thoughts towards my super—cute Rizu-chan..."

The warmth in the shop seemed to vanish instantly.

"I'll knead you into udon dough and roll you into udon myself."

"Dad, you're being a nuisance. Please go back to work."

Ogata Rizu's tone was calm as she casually patted her textbook, not too lightly, not too heavily, on her father's head.

The sturdy middle-aged man was struck as if by lightning, clutching his chest and stepping back half a pace: "H-how could you say that... Dad is just worried about you..."

"You can spare me that kind of worry," Rizu pushed up her glasses, reflecting a white glare, "it's disgusting."

Seeing his daughter's unwavering expression, the old father could only droop his shoulders and shuffle towards the back kitchen, looking back three times with each step. He clutched his apron, filled with indignation:

"That kid Lin Luo... he definitely stole my Rizu's pure heart!"

Ogata Rizu bowed slightly, an apologetic expression on her face: "Mr. Lin Luo, I'm really sorry, my father always says strange things."

Lin Luo awkwardly rubbed his nose, giving a wry smile: "It's okay, I understand. As a father, I can somewhat empathize with his feelings."

He secretly swore to himself: he absolutely had no ulterior motives towards Ogata Rizu—that father was thinking too much.

Furuhashi Fumino immediately leaned over to tease: "Oh dear, Mr. Lin Luo is disliked by Rizu's father~ Looks like there's no chance!"

Lin Luo raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face: "Do you not want this mouth anymore?"

Before he finished speaking, he reached out and pinched the soft flesh of Furuhashi Fumino's cheeks, pulling them to the sides with a feigned fierce expression.

"Mmm... I'm sorry! I know I was wrong!" Fumino pleaded indistinctly, her eyes still holding a mischievous smile.

Just then, Shiina Mahiru, who had already chosen her udon flavor, spoke up at the right moment, smiling as she pushed the menu towards Lin Luo:

"Alright, Mr. Lin Luo, let go of Fumino for now. Which udon would you like to eat?"

Her gentle intervention perfectly diffused the playful tension and redirected everyone's attention back to ordering.

Lin Luo released her, and Furuhashi Fumino hid behind Mahiru, peeking out half her head to make a face. Lin Luo gave her an exasperated glare and took the menu.

"I'll have clear soup udon," Kato Megumi said quietly. Her choice was, as always, light and clear, just like herself.

"Oh~ Megumi has already chosen?" Furuhashi Fumino popped out from behind Mahiru, "Then I'll have... rich curry udon!"

"I'll also have clear soup," Shiina Mahiru smiled.

Ogata Rizu carefully noted it down, then looked up at Lin Luo: "Mr. Lin Luo, how about you?"

Lin Luo glanced at the menu, "I'll also have curry udon."

"Okay, please wait a moment," Rizu nodded and turned to walk towards the back kitchen.

While waiting, Furuhashi Fumino became lively again: "The mock exam is next week. This time, we'll definitely make Teacher Kirisu look at us in a new light."

"Provided the question types don't change unexpectedly for you," Shiina Mahiru added softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Little Mahiru, don't learn from Mr. Lin Luo!" Furuhashi Fumino pouted.

Kato Megumi listened quietly, then suddenly looked at Lin Luo: "This exam, aren't you going to aim for first place in the grade, Mr. Lin Luo?"

"No. I'll leave the top spot to Mahiru. I want to be a small transparent," Lin Luo said without hesitation.

"You're the one who lacks ambition," Kato Megumi said blandly.

Shiina Mahiru agreed: "You could clearly be the most dazzling person."

At this moment, Ogata Rizu returned with tea. "Father says the udon will be ready soon. Also..." she paused, "...he hopes Mr. Lin Luo enjoys his meal."

Though polite, everyone could hear the underlying message of "try not to be satisfied and see what happens."

Lin Luo coughed lightly: "...Please thank him for me."

The steaming udon was soon personally brought out by Mr. Ogata. When he placed Lin Luo's bowl of curry udon down on the table with a 'thud,' everyone felt an invisible pressure.

"Please, enjoy, your, meal," he said, enunciating each word, his gaze lingering on Lin Luo for three seconds before moving away.

Furuhashi Fumino stifled a laugh, whispering into Shiina Mahiru's ear: "Rizu's dad is really scary..."

"I heard that, Fumino-san," Mr. Ogata replied without looking back, scaring Fumino into instantly straightening her back.

In this subtle atmosphere, the five began their dinner. The aroma of the hot soup and the smooth texture of the udon quickly dispelled the earlier tension, and the dining table once again filled with relaxed cheer. Even Kato Megumi, who usually showed little expression, nodded gently after taking a bite: "It's very delicious."

Just then, there was a commotion from Kato Megumi's bag. Fat Wave poked its furry head out of the bag's opening, its wet nose twitching incessantly, staring longingly at the bowls of noodles on the table. It restlessly rubbed against Kato Megumi's arm, almost burying its entire face in a noodle bowl.

"I'll prepare something for you when we get back," Kato Megumi said softly, reaching out to gently push its head back into the bag.

Seeing this, Ogata Rizu seriously suggested: "I can prepare a bowl for Fat Wave too."

"No need to trouble yourself, it doesn't eat this," Kato Megumi politely declined.

However, Fat Wave shook its head frantically in the bag, saliva almost dripping, its round eyes filled with longing.

In the end, Ogata Rizu still prepared a small bowl of udon and gently placed it under the table. Watching Fat Wave eagerly approach it, even the usually calm Kato Megumi couldn't help but show a hint of helplessness—this fellow always managed to easily break the serenity on her face.

Lin Luo watched this scene, a slight smile on his lips. This fellow Fat Wave was occasionally useful—Kato Megumi's perpetually serene mask was sometimes broken so simply.

Ogata Rizu looked at the lively scene before her, watching everyone's satisfied expressions, and an almost imperceptible arc unconsciously lifted her lips. For her, being able to share delicious food with friends in her family's shop like this, witnessing these ordinary but warm moments, was the happiest time.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ogata, secretly observing from behind the curtain, clenched his fists with mixed feelings as he watched his daughter's smile—happy for his daughter, yet annoyed by that brat sitting next to her.

As night deepened, everyone finished their udon and was about to get up to leave when Ogata Rizu gently rose and bowed slightly to everyone.

"Our shop's udon offers delivery service," she said earnestly, her gaze sweeping over everyone's faces. "If everyone doesn't mind, I can bring the shop's newly launched flavors to school tomorrow for everyone to taste."

"Really? That's great!" Furuhashi Fumino was the first to cheer, "Doesn't that mean we can eat Rizu's family udon every day?"

Lin Luo couldn't help but retort: "Are you planning to contribute all your pocket money to the Ogata family?"

"None of your business!" Fumino made a face at him.

Kato Megumi nodded gently: "That sounds very good."

Shiina Mahiru also smiled: "Then we'll trouble Rizu."

Watching her friends happily accept her proposal, Rizu's lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc. For her, being able to unite this group of people who brightened her youth with the taste of home was the most wonderful thing.