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Andrew was already awake.
He'd noticed when Shiina Mahiru got up and left—but he just didn't feel like moving.
Her bed was just too cozy.
It made him feel even lazier than usual.
There's a reason they call it "paradise"—it really does have this magical power to relax you.
Honestly, he was even looking forward to her finishing breakfast and coming back into his arms.
Half an hour later...
That familiar, mouthwatering smell hit him.
A second later, something poked his cheek, and a soft, sweet voice whispered next to his ear.
"Time to get up and eat breakfast. You'll be late for school if you stay in bed any longer."
Andrew, however, turned his face toward her, completely serious.
"Give me a kiss, and I'll get up."
Mahiru's face instantly turned red.
"What are you even saying... I'm not an angel!"
"But in my heart, you're a super gentle, super beautiful angel who belongs only to me."
Andrew opened his eyes with a smile and stretched his arms out, pulling her into a hug.
"Well, since you won't come to me... I guess I'll come to you."
And just like that, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips—no hesitation.
Mahiru felt the warmth on her lips, and her heart skipped a beat. She instinctively closed her eyes.
Her whole face flushed bright red.
Andrew didn't push it—he pulled away gently after a soft touch.
"Alright, I'm wide awake now. I'm so lucky—I get to eat Shiina-san's cooking again today."
Mahiru didn't say anything, her cheeks still red, but her hands had wrapped themselves around his neck without her realizing.
Looking at how defenseless she looked, Andrew couldn't help how his heart raced.
So, without holding back—
He leaned in again.
And kissed her soft, pink lips.
Mahiru shyly responded.
Before they knew it, she was sitting on his lap, snuggled up in his arms.
She knew she should act more reserved...
But being around him just made her feel so safe.
A while passed.
Eventually, they pulled apart, both of them breathing heavily.
Mahiru kept her head down, nestled in his chest, her heart pounding like crazy.
Her cheeks still bright red, she felt incredibly embarrassed.
She'd just come over to wake him up and tell him breakfast was ready…
So how did it end up with them kissing like that?
Seeing her so flustered made Andrew even happier.
Because now he was sure—
He and Shiina Mahiru were growing even closer.
At this rate, unlocking her heart completely—and getting that "Super Healing" upgrade—wasn't far off.
He gave her a gentle pat on the head and reluctantly helped her sit up on the bed.
"Let's go, my angel. Can't let your delicious cooking get cold."
Mahiru pouted and gave him a light punch.
"Stop calling me that! I told you I'm not an angel."
Hearing the grumble in her voice, Andrew just chuckled and asked,
"Then what should I call you? Mahiru?"
Her face turned red again. She glanced up at him, then quickly looked away.
"Mhm… Just not 'angel,' okay? I know I'm not one. I just act the way people expect me to at school."
She hesitated for a moment, then looked up into his eyes with a nervous expression.
"Would you hate the real me?"
Andrew found her insecure expression kind of funny, honestly.
He couldn't help raising his hand to gently pat her head, speaking softly:
"Are you kidding? I love this version of you. I'm the only one who gets to see this side of Mahiru."
"And honestly, the real you is super sweet too. Nobody could ever hate you."
Hearing that, Mahiru couldn't help but smile.
But a second later, her smile wavered as doubt crept back in.
"Really? But don't people usually get disappointed when they find out their idols aren't what they imagined? Like, wasn't there a celebrity last year who secretly had a kid? When a fan found out, he totally lost it and ended up stalking and killing her..."
Andrew's face twitched at that.
"That's totally different! I don't see you as some idol or celebrity. Whether it's school-Mahiru or the real Mahiru standing right in front of me—they're both adorable."
That line nearly made Mahiru's heart melt.
He really knew how to charm a girl...
Blushing hard, she grabbed his hand and started walking toward the living room.
"Stop saying stuff like that... it's embarrassing. Come on, let's eat before we miss the train."
Sitting at the dining table, Andrew took one bite and let out a satisfied sigh.
Then he started shoveling food down like he hadn't eaten in days.
Watching him eat so happily, Mahiru couldn't help but smile.
There's nothing better than someone loving the food you made with care.
She'd worked so hard learning how to cook from Aunt Xiaoxue—not just because she liked it, but because she wanted to make a meal with her own hands.
Her dream was to cook something special and have her parents come home on her birthday to eat it.
She wanted them to praise her, say she was such a sweet, thoughtful daughter… and maybe even stop fighting.
But now, that dream just felt like wishful thinking.
Her eyes lost their light as those thoughts ran through her mind.
Andrew noticed the sadness in her face and instinctively reached out, gently stroking her hair.
"What are you thinking about now?"
"If you keep looking that heartbroken, this 'big bad guy' won't be able to resist kissing you again."
Mahiru's cheeks burned up again. She looked at him for a second, then slowly closed her eyes.
How could Andrew hold back after that?
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again—softly, deeply—on her cherry-pink lips.
No more words were needed.
The silence that followed spoke volumes of their burgeoning connection.
"..."
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