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As if by a ghost, Shiina Mahiru took Kisaragi Rin's hand.
She regretted it a little after holding it.
Would this make Kisaragi Rin feel she was too frivolous?
But it was really quite warm.
Shiina Mahiru looked at Kisaragi Rin beside her, her face a little red. She didn't know if it was psychological, but she felt a warmth emanating from Kisaragi Rin.
In fact, Kisaragi Rin was using the Golden Light Technique to help her ward off the cold.
Originally, he was going to leave, but Shiina Mahiru stayed under the eaves and didn't go inside.
Kisaragi Rin's Heavenly Eye noticed that the evil spirits on the street were all rushing towards Shiina Mahiru.
Worried that something might happen to her and the landlord would come to check on the house, Kisaragi Rin had no choice but to return.
Kisaragi Rin looked at Shiina Mahiru and felt that there might be too many problem students at Soubu High.
Shouldn't normal university students shuttle back and forth between the cafeteria, classrooms, and restrooms, dealing with constant exams and the pressure of advancement?
(Originally high school students, now modified like this, the context is wrong, replace it yourself)
At most, they'd feel a bit melancholic about autumn while sleeping, and then continue with another day of practice under the pressure of reality?
No wonder Hiratsuka-sensei always complained to him with dispirited words like, "A teacher's job is really too difficult."
Arriving at a nearby station, Kisaragi Rin took her onto the train.
The train was crowded, but upon seeing Kisaragi Rin, everyone on the train was quite polite, actively moving aside and leaving space.
Shiina Mahiru's height was only 156cm; she looked like a child standing next to Kisaragi Rin.
"You don't have to treat me to a meal; I should be thanking you instead," Shiina Mahiru said softly.
"Don't worry, in fact, I don't have money to treat you to a meal. This meal won't cost anything."
Kisaragi Rin pulled out a flyer from his bag and handed it to the puzzled Shiina Mahiru.
Shiina Mahiru took it. The pink flyer read: "Couple's Double Big Eater Challenge?"
"Eh, eh, eh, 'couple' and all... we're not..."
Shiina Mahiru said frantically, her face flushing.
Seeing her shy demeanor, Kisaragi Rin explained to Shiina Mahiru, "Don't worry, this is just a promotional gimmick. Even if two women or two men go to challenge, the Boss won't refuse."
"Oh, I see."
Shiina Mahiru knew she had misunderstood Kisaragi Rin, but she was still a little shy and changed the subject, asking, "By the way, Kisaragi Rin, why were you there?"
"Because I happened to be working there today."
Many more passengers surged into the train, and the carriage became extremely crowded. The crowd around Kisaragi Rin was also pushed by those behind them, involuntarily compressing the space in their direction.
Kisaragi Rin had no choice but to move closer to Shiina Mahiru to shield her from the surrounding people.
Shiina Mahiru clutched Kisaragi Rin's clothes, looking at his tall figure, and inexplicably felt a wonderful sensation she had never experienced before.
She felt like a child being protected by an adult like Kisaragi Rin.
Shiina Mahiru quietly savored this strange feeling.
Kisaragi Rin also had no intention of continuing to speak. To him, Shiina Mahiru was just an unfamiliar neighbor, an unfamiliar classmate, and a creditor whose debt was about to be repaid.
Kisaragi Rin would not see himself as the protagonist, nor would he treat anyone as a plot character.
The plots he had read in his previous life were always just a reference, and before him was a living person.
Shiina Mahiru could appear at Soubu High, Hiratsuka-sensei and Mafuyu Kirisu could know each other, and Kankuya Shinji could continue to be his Silver Cod Prince.
Therefore, although she was indeed very cute, Kisaragi Rin had no intention of liking her.
There are so many beautiful women in this world; does he have to like every one he sees?
This wasn't a card-collecting and Development game where you get a rare card, satisfy your sense of accomplishment, and then leave it to gather dust in the warehouse.
This was also why Kisaragi Rin never explained his bad reputation after university.
Hmm... he had simply attracted too many women in elementary and middle school. After middle school, he no longer had the desire to actively pursue anyone.
The train ran steadily and soon reached Kisaragi Rin's destination.
"Menkon?"
Shiina Mahiru read out the name of the shop.
"The owner sounds quite chuunibyou," Kisaragi Rin quipped.
However, the shop was very busy, and you could feel the lively atmosphere from outside, so the taste must be good.
Kisaragi Rin, holding the flyer, led Shiina Mahiru inside.
"Boss, the couple's challenge ramen."
The middle-aged man with a bandana and a scruffy beard stood up excitedly at the words.
He even pulled out a gong from under the counter and, after several strikes, excitedly shouted, "They've appeared!"
"The Couple's Double Ramen Challenge!"
Upon hearing this, the customers in the shop also clapped to welcome the two challengers.
"'Couple' and all..."
Shiina Mahiru was really a bit shy facing such an enthusiastic scene.
Fortunately, their enthusiasm was purely genuine, and they did not continue to disturb Kisaragi Rin and Shiina Mahiru after they were seated.
Soon, the owner and a waiter came over, carrying an enormous bowl of ramen, and placed it on the table in front of them.
This challenge ramen used traditional Japanese tonkotsu broth, simmered for a long time, resulting in a rich and fragrant soup.
The toppings were quite substantial: pork cutlets, chashu, nori sheets, bean sprouts, soft-boiled eggs, and ketchup, all arranged in the shape of a heart.
It was clear that the Boss had not deliberately made the ramen unappetizing to prevent diners from succeeding in the challenge; instead, he showed great sincerity.
But the couple's challenge ramen would naturally not be divided into two bowls.
"So, we have to eat it together?"
Shiina Mahiru felt the heart pattern on the ramen was particularly striking, and her head spun with shyness.
"No, you can order another regular ramen. I'll finish this one by myself."
For a double challenge, it was naturally acceptable for one person to finish it.
Kisaragi Rin handed the menu from the table to Shiina Mahiru, signaling her to reorder something she wanted to eat.
"I order another one?"
Shiina Mahiru suspected she had misheard, glanced at the giant bowl of ramen, and thought Kisaragi Rin was being considerate of her.
"But if one person can't finish it, wouldn't that waste a lot of money?"
Shiina Mahiru quietly asked, then turned her head, clutching the corner of her clothes and feigning calmness, saying, "If you need help, I don't mind eating it with you..."
In reality, her ears were already crimson.
Kisaragi Rin decisively refused: "Don't worry, I can finish it by myself."
A question mark popped into Shiina Mahiru's mind, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart, whether it was relief or disappointment.
Ultimately, Shiina Mahiru ordered a bowl of corn cheese ramen, sweet.
Kisaragi Rin silently labeled her a heretic.
The basic price for the challenge ramen was 5,200 yen, but if successful, not only would the meal be free, but there would also be a 30,000 yen in-store voucher and a mystery gift.
At this moment, more customers came in from outside, and they were also there for the challenge.
This once again triggered the Boss's excited shout.
"They've appeared! The Couple's Double Ramen Challenge!"
The shop was bustling, and Kisaragi Rin and Shiina Mahiru were also moved by the lively atmosphere, clapping along.
"So this is how they welcomed us; it feels very warm."
Shiina Mahiru felt she hadn't been this happy in a long time; all her worries were forgotten.
"My body, after a day of busyness, has finally relaxed," Kisaragi Rin also sighed.
The challengers who came in were two girls wearing school uniforms Kisaragi Rin didn't recognize.
They sat in the seats next to Kisaragi Rin.
"Hana-chan, can you really finish it?" the blue-haired girl asked the orange-haired girl beside her.
"Don't worry, Miko, I can definitely finish it."
Her chest was quite ample; as everyone knows, the greater the mass, the stronger the gravity, and Kisaragi Rin couldn't help but glance twice.
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