Chapter 17: Taste of Youth

Sitting in the car for so long, I started to feel like I was drifting through a dream. It wasn’t quite sleepiness—more like a strange detachment, as if I was floating between reality and something less tangible.

Watching the scenery blur past at high speed only deepened the sensation. The world outside felt distant, almost unreal, as if I was watching a movie instead of actually being here. Maybe the altitude had something to do with it, or perhaps it was just the unease of being in an unfamiliar situation.

Pressing a hand to my slightly throbbing head, I pulled my gaze away from the window. When I glanced beside me, Ren had finally given up his nervous muttering. Instead, he was staring blankly into space, his posture stiff and awkward.

Well, I couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t just the two of us—my mom and dad were here, too.

If it had been just the two of us going to Grandma’s house, things might have felt more manageable. But with my parents tagging along, Ren stuck out like a sore thumb.

Originally, I had planned for it to be a simple overnight trip—just me and him. But the moment my parents caught wind of it, they insisted on coming along, worried about something or everything.

I felt bad for Ren.

A voice from the front broke the silence.

“Let’s stop for lunch first.”

While the two of us sat in the backseat, lost in our own little world, the car suddenly slowed to a stop. My dad’s voice pulled us back to reality.

“We’re here. Let’s stretch our legs.”

The four of us stepped out into the cool midday air. I took a deep breath, stretching my arms as the strange, dreamlike haze from the ride gradually lifted. The world felt sharper again, the lingering fog in my head clearing away.

“What do you two want to eat?”

Standing in front of the service area map, my dad turned to ask us. Ren and I scanned the list of restaurants, considering our options.

“I feel like ramen,” I said, pointing to a well-known chain.

Ren glanced at me, then nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

With our choice settled, the four of us headed inside.

The restaurant had the familiar, comforting hum of a place that had served countless travelers over the years. As we took our seats and placed our orders, I glanced at Ren.

Maybe it was because he had finally relaxed, or maybe it was just the natural flow of conversation, but somehow, he already looked like part of the family.

To an outsider, we probably seemed like siblings.

I poked Ren’s knee while we waited for our food, earning a glance from him before our orders finally arrived—starting with the firmest noodles.

Being hopelessly sensitive to heat, I took my time, carefully blowing on each bite. Meanwhile, my dad and Ren? They inhaled their ramen.

I watched, dumbfounded, as they slurped up the steaming broth without hesitation, without caution, without fear.

Monsters.

How were their mouths not on fire? If I tried that, I’d end up with third-degree burns and a trip to the hospital. Was this some hidden human ability I hadn’t unlocked? Should this be counted among the world’s seven wonders?

While they waited for me, I felt a little guilty for eating so slowly—but self-preservation came first. I wasn’t about to sacrifice my tongue for efficiency. Besides, it had been a while since I’d had ramen, and it was incredibly good.

After finishing, we paid and stepped outside. The fresh air felt nice, and my curiosity kicked in as I glanced around the surprisingly spacious service area.

Then, something caught my eye.

A large, eye-catching banner flapped in the wind, practically demanding my attention.

Limited-Time Orange Flavor Soft Serve.

Perfect. I needed something sweet to cleanse my palate after the ramen.

Tugging on my dad’s sleeve, I looked up at him expectantly.

“What’s up?”

“Can I get some ice cream?”

I pointed at the banner. He glanced at it, then—without hesitation—pulled out two crisp 1,000-yen bills and handed them to me.

“Here. Get enough for two.”

…Wait. I hadn’t even asked for money. Did I look like I was begging?

Well. If he was offering, I wasn’t about to refuse. I gratefully accepted the cash.

“Thanks, Dad.”

Then, without warning, I grabbed Ren’s arm and dragged him along.

In the past, he would’ve protested. A grumbled ‘I can walk on my own’, maybe even an attempt to shake me off. But lately? He didn’t even resist.

My training was finally paying off.

When we reached the stand, there was a short line, so we waited. Once it was our turn, I glanced at Ren.

“Same thing for you?”

He gave a small nod, and I turned to place our order, pointing at the menu.