Chapter 9 - A Nonsense Chips

As we walked toward the gate, we both exited the school’s premises without saying anything to each other.

“…” I took a peek at her as she continued walking away from the other side.

I guess she’s still the same, not saying anything and just walking away. I thought, remembering how she always walked away without saying anything.

With just this day, a lot of things happened already. I don’t know why is she always at the center of everything, like what’s the deal with her suddenly appearing the least I expected it.

And the thing with my grandmother… I facepalmed. “I wonder what’s the deal with her and with my grandmother…” I murmured.

—GRUMBLE.

“Oh. It’s finally here.” I muttered, feeling the hunger in my stomach. Probably because I only ate a little earlier, and it wasn’t clear enough.

I reached for my pocket to get some coins. “This should be enough.”

Chips would be nice to eat right now.

I continued walking until I reached the closest convenience store near the school. This is the place where most students get their snacks on. It’s also near the school so it’s the perfect store to buy something. Plus, it’s cheaper than the other shops around the town, proving itself as one of the best shops for students.

As a student myself who loves snacks, particularly the chips. It’s my most favorite snack to buy before heading straight to home.

I wonder what chips should I try today… Something sweet would be nice…

I entered the store and immediately walked to the snacks section.

“Chips… Chips… Chips… Here it is!” I continued looking, finding something interesting to eat. “Hm… Is that a melon? A melon chips!?” I exclaimed, reaching for the melon chips.

I stared at the product, reading the contents and making sure I didn’t get it wrong. “Wait… It’s real…” I whispered, couldn’t believe that such chips existed all this time. “How much is this?” I looked for the price and fortunately my coins were enough to afford it.

Hoping for the best first taste. I said, rubbing my hands together while hoping for the best.

With no more plans of buying anything other than the melon chips, I walked towards the counter to pay for it.

“Is that all sir?” the cashier asked.

I nodded in response, can’t wait to taste the new chips.

I wonder how will this taste… Excited to try the new chips I found, I immediately exited as soon as I was able to pay for them.

—POP I opened the bag of melon chips, creating a satisfying sound. My eyes went wild as I saw the existence of the dried melon chips. It looked like the same as banana chips. It’s a bit more orange than yellow compared to the banana chips, but more than that, it looked yummy.

I took a piece and bit at it. “T-this is good…” It actually tasted like a melon…” I slowly bite the chip, creating a cracking sound as I munch on it.

What am I talking about, of course it’s melon chips! And it’s supposed to taste like a melon.

“Look at you, talking nonsense while eating something good.”

“Huh?” Startled, I looked beside me as I took another bite of it. “Huh? Ari!?”

“Hello!” she greeted while her head was sticking out of the store’s shop like she was hiding from something.

I can smell the problem herself. “So, what are you doing?” I asked in confusion.

“I’m hiding from someone…” she whispered.

“Uh…” I continued walking out of the store, passing her. “From who exactly?”

Without any warning, she suddenly inserted a hand in my snack and snatched a piece of a melon chip.

“Hey! What are you doing!?” I shouted as I pulled the snack bag away from her.

“…” she didn’t respond, but rather ate the melon chip like she didn’t do something wrong. “This one’s good.” she commented.

“I actually don’t remember asking for your opinion.”

“Really? I thought something was missing about it.” she said, turning her head to me. “Let me—” she then ran towards me and placed her hand in the snack bag in a really fast manner stopping me from reacting immediately. As her hand got in, she snatched another piece of a melon chip, “…get another one.” she continued, eating the chip she stole in front of me.

“You’re… a professional thief or something?” I said, giving her an annoyed look.

“Depends on the victim, I guess.” she shrugged, smirking.

Someone’s missing a screw. I thought and sighed. “So, what are you doing here? I thought you had already gone home?”

“Wait…” she posed her hand forward, and swallowed dramatically. “What are you saying again?”

“I thought you had already gone home?” I asked again, looking annoyed in the process.

“I was kind of hungry after meeting with the principal earlier. So yeah, that should explain it.” she explained in a nonchalant manner.

I raised an eyebrow. “I guess that includes you stealing a piece of chip right on my hand?”

“I’ll pay for it.” she answered, licking her finger. “Because it actually tasted good.”

So you will not pay for it when it doesn’t taste good? I questioned her in my mind. “Then how will you pay for two pieces of chips?” I asked, thinking it was dumb for her to pay for two pieces of chips.

“By coins?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not that one. I was wondering how would you name the price?”

She placed both of her hands open in front of me. “Give me the snack.”

“Huh?” I froze, bewildered. “What are you starting now?”

“Think about it. If you give me the whole snack, then I will be able to pay for the whole price.” she said, looking confident with her suggestion. “How about it?”

“Y-you’re insane, you know?”

“You’re giving me too much credit.” she said, feeling bashful.

I blinked and gave her a wtf-is-this-person-talking about expression. “Then let’s do a half.” I suggested.

“A half? You sure about that?”

“It’s not like I have any other choice. You might do something else if I didn’t give you something.” I said and took a deep sigh.

“You’re a good person…” she said, smiling.

“Good person my ass.” I pulled back the snack bag and showed it to her, “Here, don’t take too much.”

“Thanks.” she said, taking another piece of the chip. “Is this a new snack?”

“Probably. It’s my first time seeing it in the shop.” I took another bite of a melon chip. “It’s really good. I’m surprised.”

“Yeah.” she nodded as she took a bite. “This is a melon right?”

“Yes. It looked like the same as banana chips.”

“Oh, you’re actually right for once!” she said in a mocking tone.

“Really now Ari?” I replied, giving her a sharp look.

She laughed, looking at my annoyed expression. “You’re really scaring me.”

A few minutes have passed since we continued walking while sharing the snack side by side. The melon chips are now down to 20%, leaving only a few more pieces behind.

“So… why are you walking together with me?” I asked, noticing she was going the wrong way.

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“It’s because we are going in the same direction!”

I let out a deep sigh, shaking my head. “Of course… I was dumb to even think you’re going to answer me.”