Arriving at the dining table, a pot of fresh, steaming porridge was placed on the placemat.
A bowl of porridge had already been served and placed next to it, with a spoon and chopsticks ready.
The two pulled out chairs and sat down.
"Considering you might not have much appetite due to your cold, I made porridge. I hope it suits your taste," Shiina Mahiru explained.
"I already feel bad for troubling you with dinner, I'm not picky," Mochizuki Yo replied with a smile, though he added in his heart, 'I'm probably not picky about the taste of instant noodles, haha.'
Mochizuki Yo picked up the bowl. Besides the individual white grains of porridge, there were also many shredded meat and finely chopped vegetables mixed in, yet it looked very appealing, suggesting considerable effort was put into it.
"Ah, lean meat and vegetable porridge, it looks delicious."
"Let's eat." After saying the pre-meal greeting, Mochizuki Yo scooped a spoonful of porridge and put it into his mouth under Shiina Mahiru's slightly expectant gaze.
The temperature was just right, the saltiness perfect, and the vegetables and lean meat were exceptionally tasty.
Thinking carefully, how long had it been since he had a proper meal?
It seemed ever since he moved here, his diet consisted of instant noodles, snacks, takeout... all sorts of junk food, basically anything but rice.
"It's so delicious, Shiina, this is the best porridge I've ever had."
Due to his momentary excitement, Mochizuki Yo didn't even add "Student".
Shiina Mahiru also smiled, "It's not that exaggerated, Mochizuki student is just too hungry."
"No, no, not exaggerated at all, I'm serious."
As if worried Shiina Mahiru might think he was flattering her, Mochizuki Yo's voice increased by a few decibels.
Hearing Mochizuki Yo say this, Shiina Mahiru also showed a slightly shy expression.
For some reason, her heart also felt a touch of warmth.
"By the way, Shiina Student, have you eaten?" Mochizuki Yo suddenly asked.
"Huh, me?" Unexpectedly asked by Mochizuki Yo, Shiina Mahiru was momentarily speechless.
Lying didn't seem good. Shiina Mahiru was an honest good child.
Seeing Shiina Mahiru hesitate, Mochizuki Yo realized that Shiina Mahiru herself hadn't eaten, and he couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed.
"Let's eat together, Shiina Student."
"No, it's fine. This was prepared for you."
"No way, Shiina Student, you made this. How can I eat it alone when you haven't eaten?
Besides, I can't eat that much!"
Saying that, Mochizuki Yo directly got up, took a bowl, and served porridge.
Seeing Mochizuki Yo's action, Shiina Mahiru no longer refused.
Thus, the two, facing each other, ate the porridge together.
Compared to Mochizuki Yo who was eating the porridge in large mouthfuls, Shiina Mahiru appeared very elegant.
She slowly put the spoon into her small cherry-like mouth, then slowly swallowed.
Her eyes were a bit unfocused... it seemed like it had been a long time since she had eaten with someone else, especially a boy. She had always been alone.
Because they were sitting face to face, Mochizuki Yo was able to observe Shiina Mahiru's face in detail.
It was indeed as the students at school described her.
Her straight bangs slightly covered her forehead, her cheeks were very fair, she had a small nose, and under her curved eyebrows were large caramel-colored eyes.
Coupled with her flaxen hair and her demeanor at school.
She lived up to the name Angel.
This was also the first time Mochizuki Yo was this close to Shiina Mahiru. Thankfully, Shiina Mahiru didn't notice.
For some reason, Mochizuki Yo felt his appetite improve even more.
Unconsciously, the two finished the pot of porridge, mostly consumed by Mochizuki Yo.
After the meal, at Shiina Mahiru's strong insistence, Mochizuki Yo went back to rest on the sofa.
Shiina Mahiru was responsible for washing the bowls and chopsticks clean.
Afterwards, Shiina Mahiru also said goodbye and left.
After Shiina Mahiru left, Mochizuki Yo seemed to realize something.
Speaking of which, did he even have rice at home?
Let alone meat and vegetables!
Regardless, Mochizuki Yo felt he owed Angel a big favor and had to repay her properly.
Mochizuki Yo took out his phone to check the time, it was eight forty-five.
"Ah, damn it, I forgot about the game dungeon time."
"It's too late!"
Although he said it was too late, Mochizuki Yo still quickly returned to his room and logged into "Phantom Moon Chronicles" on his computer.
As soon as he entered the game, the friend button kept flashing red dots, with more messages than yesterday.
The messages were still from the friend named "Yōsei-sama".
All the messages were filled with resentment and dissatisfaction.
Mochizuki Yo browsed the messages one by one.
23:01, Yōsei-sama: What time is it? Keep fighting!
23:01, Yōsei-sama: Idiot, don't just log off without saying anything.
First, the messages from last night came into view. Looking at the subsequent series of messages, Mochizuki Yo couldn't help but retort, 'Who is talking to themselves here!'
17:45, Yōsei-sama: What's going on? Why aren't you online yet?
17:50, Yōsei-sama: Idiot, you're even later than yesterday.
You definitely have someone else behind my back, don't you?
Is it that beautiful girl from yesterday!
18:00, Yōsei-sama: Go die!
18:09, 18:35, 18:57... She sent a message complaining almost every ten minutes, showing the sender's dissatisfaction and indignation.
19:55, Yōsei-sama: The dungeon is starting soon, log on!
19:57, Yōsei-sama: ...
19:59, Yōsei-sama: It's too late, you idiot Mochizuki.
20:00, The dungeon began.
A certain blonde loli could only fight alone. Even though she had top-tier equipment thanks to her spending power, two fists ultimately couldn't defeat four hands, and she was defeated.
Perhaps she could only get the participation prize.
20:18, Yōsei-sama: Damn it, I was eliminated.
I can't beat it alone without you, I can't complete the quest, I can't get the rewards, it's all your fault, your fault, your fault...
The subsequent messages gradually turned into accusations of being a traitor who abandoned their friendship, curses, and the like.
Mochizuki Yo felt a little guilty looking at these angry words, but seeing the curses diluted much of the guilt.
"Phantom Moon Chronicles," a large-scale multiplayer competitive game, is currently very popular in the gaming world.
A week-long dungeon event is currently underway. Participating in the event can earn generous limited-edition rewards.
More importantly, there's a chance to design your own fashion item.
Moreover, this reward cannot be obtained purely through spending money, and the deadline was tonight, but he actually forgot.
What a waste!
To be honest, Mochizuki Yo was also heartbroken.
Mochizuki Yo thought, maybe he should just turn on stealth?
He should come back after thinking of an excuse, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to explain.
But it was clearly too late. In a villa room far away.
A blonde girl sitting cross-legged on a luxurious computer chair was staring intently at the computer screen.
The computer also had "Phantom Moon Chronicles" open, paused on the friend interface.
The moment Mochizuki Yo logged in, her golden bright eyes suddenly widened, and her fingers slid continuously across the mechanical keyboard, her typing speed a few points faster than when she was playing the game.