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"Kisaragi-san, what's with that child?" Shiina Mahiru asked Kisaragi Rin, a bit strangely.
"Her name is Haibara Ai. Her relatives in Neon passed away from illness, and since her distant relatives on the mainland weren't very willing to take her in, the elder entrusted her to my care before he passed..." Kisaragi Rin explained to her, following the established identity.
"I see..." Shiina Mahiru felt quite sympathetic, seemingly reminded of her own family, and her mood dropped considerably.
"Shiina, I'll go call Kirisu-sensei for dinner."
The preparations were mostly finished before Shiina Mahiru arrived. Although it was nominally sukiyaki, what Kisaragi Rin prepared was actually hot pot.
The biggest difference between the two is whether there's a soup base; the taste difference isn't significant.
The preparation was quite simple: just wash the ingredients, cut them into appropriate sizes, and then mix up your favorite dipping sauces.
"Okay."
Watching Kisaragi Rin leave, Shiina Mahiru wondered about the relationship between Kisaragi Rin and Kirisu-sensei.
Kirisu-sensei was known to be very difficult to approach at school, a famous ice queen teacher.
Why would she accept Kisaragi Rin's invitation?
Was it merely because they were neighbors?
Shiina Mahiru was filled with vigilance.
...
Meanwhile, Kisaragi Rin gently knocked on the neighbor's door.
"Kirisu-sensei, dinner is ready."
"I'm not coming."
Mafuyu Kirisu, dressed in a red tracksuit, stood at the entrance, turning her head slightly and speaking in a cold tone.
"What's wrong? Tonight's dinner is all your favorites."
"If my students see me eating at your house, my dignity as a teacher will be completely lost."
Mafuyu Kirisu said with a serious expression.
Before Kisaragi Rin told her that Shiina Mahiru would also be coming for dinner, Mafuyu Kirisu didn't even know that this student lived downstairs.
Shiina Mahiru was the Class President and had a lot of contact with her at school. Just thinking about her dignified image being shattered made Mafuyu Kirisu only want to hide in her room.
"Actually, your dignity in front of Shiina should have been gone a long time ago, right?" Kisaragi Rin reminded her.
Mafuyu Kirisu's face flushed crimson, unwilling to accept this fact.
Kisaragi Rin continued to tell her, "Shiina Mahiru lives downstairs; your sloppy appearance must have been seen a long time ago."
With a hint of temptation, Kisaragi Rin knew that Kirisu-sensei was already tempted; she actually wanted to eat, but was just afraid of losing face.
"To prevent her from telling others, we must first establish a good relationship. This dinner is the perfect opportunity."
"It's over, it's over..."
She was very unwilling to accept it, but what Kisaragi Rin said was most likely the truth.
Upon hearing this, Mafuyu Kirisu was persuaded by Kisaragi Rin. Thinking that her image in front of Shiina Mahiru was already completely shattered, Mafuyu Kirisu wished she could resign immediately.
Go eat at Kisaragi Rin's house!
Then ask Shiina to keep it a secret!
Shiina is such a good person; she definitely won't blab.
That's right, that's what I'll do!
Mafuyu Kirisu convinced herself, mustered her courage, and followed Kisaragi Rin into the house.
The electric hot pot was placed on the table, and the four of them sat around it. Since none of them ate spicy food, it contained clear broth.
"Ai-chan, eat this."
Shiina Mahiru picked up some beef for Haibara Ai.
This made Haibara Ai's expression quite strange; she didn't understand why Shiina Mahiru had become so enthusiastic.
However, she didn't dislike it; Haibara Ai even somewhat enjoyed this atmosphere.
"By the way, why is Kirisu-sensei looking at me like that?"
From the start of dinner, Mafuyu Kirisu had been staring at Shiina Mahiru with a cold gaze, making her break out in a cold sweat.
Shiina Mahiru speculated: Does Kirisu-sensei also like Kisaragi Rin? Is she putting pressure on me?
This made her a little nervous; the oppressive feeling from the ice beauty teacher was still very strong.
But I, Shiina Mahiru, will not back down.
"Oh, Kirisu-sensei wants to talk to you, but she's too embarrassed to speak." Kisaragi Rin helped Mafuyu Kirisu explain.
"Eh, so that's it. You can definitely say it, Kirisu-sensei." Shiina Mahiru breathed a sigh of relief, but still secretly admonished herself: Mahiru, you can't relax your guard yet. The fact that you're eating together already proves their unusual relationship.
"Shiina, about my matter, please don't spread it around. It concerns my dignity in front of my students." Mafuyu Kirisu said, blushing and fidgeting.
"Which matter is Kirisu-sensei referring to?" Shiina Mahiru was a bit confused. What was Kirisu-sensei talking about? Was she saying not to tell anyone that she was eating here?
"It's over..." Mafuyu Kirisu wailed internally. How many of her image-exposing incidents did Shiina Mahiru know about? Now she was even asking 'which one'!
Mafuyu Kirisu sighed helplessly and said, "It's about my usual sloppy image. Please, Shiina, don't tell anyone."
Mafuyu Kirisu had a bit of a 'what's done is done' attitude. Since it was already known, she no longer needed to maintain her disguise.
Her originally straight posture gradually relaxed, and she focused her attention on searching for ingredients in the pot.
Shiina Mahiru showed a strange expression. After a brief hesitation, she said softly to Kirisu-sensei, "But I didn't know about this. In fact, I'm sorry, but I just learned that Kirisu-sensei lives at 201."
Upon hearing this, Mafuyu Kirisu was struck by lightning. Her body trembled violently. She looked at Shiina Mahiru, then incredulously turned her head to look at the guilt-ridden Kisaragi Rin.
Immediately after, her vision went black, and her body tilted backward.
"It's over..." Kisaragi Rin quickly stepped forward to support Mafuyu Kirisu, calling out with concern, "Teacher, don't faint."
Mafuyu Kirisu looked at Kisaragi Rin with resentment, causing Kisaragi Rin to uncharacteristically feel guilty.
After all, it was normal for Mafuyu Kirisu's personality not to know the downstairs neighbor, but Kisaragi Rin truly hadn't expected Shiina Mahiru not to know the upstairs neighbor, even though Shiina Mahiru knew he lived upstairs.
"Relax, take a deep breath... just pretend Shiina knew all along..." Kisaragi Rin supported Mafuyu Kirisu's back and comforted her in her ear.
Shiina Mahiru was thoughtful. So this was Kirisu-sensei's weakness.
"Three children..." Haibara Ai ate quietly, silently complaining in her heart.
She inadvertently glanced at Kisaragi Rin and curiously looked at the white object peeking out of his pocket.
Curiously, she pulled it out.
Haibara Ai: "..."
This scene was naturally also seen by Shiina Mahiru next to them. The dining table fell into silence for a moment, with only the clear broth in the hot pot still boiling.
Haibara Ai: He really is a pervert, isn't he?
Shiina Mahiru: So Kisaragi Rin likes this style?
Mafuyu Kirisu: It's over. I actually exposed myself in front of my student. I want to die.
Kisaragi Rin silently let go of Mafuyu Kirisu, took the item from Haibara Ai's hand, and tucked it under the table, explaining, "This isn't mine."
Haibara Ai: Doesn't that sound even more perverted?
Shiina Mahiru: So it's not a style, but a special preference? Is it puberty? I must help Kisaragi Rin correct it...
Mafuyu Kirisu: It's over. I actually exposed myself in front of my student. I want to die.
...
This lively but strangely atmospheric gathering had ended.
After seeing off the two neighbors, Kisaragi Rin felt a bit tired.
He really hadn't expected Shiina Mahiru to know him as a neighbor but not Mafuyu Kirisu.
It's probably best not to provoke Mafuyu Kirisu recently.
Also, Koshi Anko, I'm noting this grudge. I will absolutely not agree to your marriage with your sister!
Kisaragi Rin thought viciously.
"BT."
Haibara Ai came out after her bath, changed into her pajamas, and walked past him.
Kisaragi Rin: "..."
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