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While eating breakfast, Andrew had a satisfied smile on his face.
Gotta admit, Mahiru Shiina's cooking is seriously delicious.
They were just normal homemade dishes, but somehow, the stuff she made tasted way better than any takeout.
After finishing his breakfast, Andrew cleaned the lunchbox, planning to return it to her along with the one from lunch later that day.
With breakfast sorted, Andrew headed out.
After a short wait, Mahiru Shiina came out of the neighboring apartment, carrying a trash bag.
Andrew walked up and took it from her hands without a word.
"Thanks…"
She gave a quiet thank you, her cheeks still slightly pink.
Sure, she could've taken it out herself, but being helped like this… it warmed her heart a little.
At that moment, Mahiru Shiina didn't even know how to face this guy who had gotten that close to her again.
But ignoring him completely? She just couldn't do it.
After everything that had happened between them, Andrew was no longer just a regular classmate in her eyes.
After thinking it over, she told herself she'd just treat him like a normal classmate from now on.
If he ever tried to touch her again, she'd definitely shut him down!
Andrew just smiled and nodded in response to her thanks, not saying much.
Some things didn't need words—especially considering the kind of relationship they had now.
At this point, showing effort mattered more than talking.
Taking action to show he cared—that was probably the key to helping her open up, and maybe even leveling up his super regeneration powers.
What's that saying again?
Love is about long-term companionship.
Even after what he did to her, she was still making him lunch and feeding him—didn't that mean she didn't actually hate him all that much?
That had to mean she was willing to give things a shot.
And that was definitely a good sign.
After throwing out the trash together, Andrew and Mahiru Shiina walked to the station side by side to catch the train.
They didn't run into Nanami Aoyama this morning.
Andrew figured she probably got up early to go to her part-time job.
There was a milk delivery gig nearby that required waking up super early and biking around town.
Thinking about how hard that girl was working for her dreams made Andrew suddenly feel kinda lazy.
After getting off the train, Andrew purposely kept some distance from Mahiru Shiina, letting her walk ahead while he followed at a casual distance.
Seeing that, Mahiru pouted slightly, like she wanted to say something but held back.
"This guy… he can be unexpectedly considerate sometimes. So what should I do? Should I date him or something?"
Mahiru wasn't dumb.
She totally understood that Andrew was keeping his distance to avoid giving people the wrong idea and causing her trouble.
But didn't he also say last night that he gets jealous when she talks to other guys?
Did he actually like her?
Just thinking about that made her cheeks turn red.
It had to be love, right?
If he didn't like her, would he have hugged and kissed her like that?
Even though she knew he was a total perv and a massive jerk, she couldn't forget how she ended up getting so flustered and even started responding to him last night. The memory made her feel completely embarrassed.
But along with the embarrassment, there was also this strange warmth inside.
It wasn't painful or uncomfortable—it was sweet and comforting.
Maybe deep down, what she'd always wanted was to be cared for… to be hugged tightly and spoiled by someone.
The kind of love and affection her parents never gave her—she somehow ended up feeling it from that shameless guy.
Especially when he hugged her and gently stroked her hair… her nose had gotten all tingly, and she almost cried.
They'd only known each other for a few days, but he'd already seen her break down and cry several times.
"Morning, Shiina!"
"Good morning, Yuigahama."
"Hey hey, you're looking like a total angel again today!"
"No way, don't call me that… it's embarrassing."
As Mahiru entered the classroom, she smoothly greeted the classmates who excitedly talked to her. But while she was chatting, she couldn't help sneaking glances at a certain someone who walked in afterward.
Andrew strolled into class, yawning and looking totally relaxed.
"Yo, morning Andrew," called out Tobu Sho enthusiastically.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. After that joke yesterday, Tobu hadn't talked to him again and had just been laughing it up with his buddy Hayama.
Andrew didn't think too much of it and casually nodded back.
"Morning, Tobu. Morning, Hayama."
"Good morning, Andrew."
Hayama Hayato greeted him with his usual sunny smile, treating everyone with the same gentle attitude.
Andrew couldn't help but wonder—does that guy's face ever hurt from all that smiling?
"Hey hey, Andrew, you've been hiding your skills, huh? I'm counting on you for math homework from now on!"
Tobu Sho gave a suggestive wink and grin, and Andrew finally realized what this was about—he was eyeing his math homework!
"Hiding my skills? What do you mean?" Andrew raised an eyebrow, amused.
Tobu pulled a dramatic face. "The math test scores are out. You got first place! First! Can you believe it?"
"You were in the hospital for more than a month, and now you're suddenly acing tests and even beat Shiina's score? That's insane!"
"..."
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