There are days when it's better to eat alone.

I cannot drink alcohol.

Some people can join drinking parties even if they don't drink, but it's a bit difficult for me.

Even so, I used to try hard to participate in the past.
I didn't want to be left out.

It was the same with cigarettes.
I forced myself to smoke because I could get to know various people in the smoking area.
I soon felt sick and quit.

Back to the topic of drinking parties...
It also feels a bit frustrating to split the bill evenly when I can't drink.

Even if I think, 'Since we're splitting the bill anyway, I'll eat a lot to make up for not drinking!', I can't actually eat that much.
There are a lot of fried foods, the salads are uninspired, and every time I end up stuffed with grilled rice balls, yakitori, and pickles.

I can only drink about two glasses of juice, and I don't need to drink oolong tea all the time.
Actually, I'd be fine with just water without ice.

When the people around me get drunk, I become concerned about various things and lose my appetite even more.

Sometimes it feels happier to eat white rice and a pickled plum alone at home.

At my previous workplace, there was a boss who would take me out to lunch.
I was grateful, but I'm not good at eating in a hurry.

The distance to the next seat was also close, which was a bit tough.

When there are too many voices, smells, and sounds from people, I lose my appetite.

I preferred taking one rice ball and eating it in the park.

Even now, I'm not very good at eating out.
I end up worrying about all sorts of things.

No matter how delicious something is said to be, depending on the place or the people, I lose the desire to eat it.

I want to eat what I like, where I like, and when I like.

It sounds simple, but it's surprisingly difficult.

Returning to the beginning of the story,
there are times when I feel like people lose interest the moment I say, 'I can't drink alcohol.'

For someone like me who is happier being called 'interesting' than 'cute,' it's a bit frustrating.