Entering the room, compared to last time, this time the living room barely had a path, so there was a place to stand. But Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but sigh, and then sat on the chair from last time, waiting for Mochizuki Yo.
Mochizuki quickly put his stir-fried dishes into plates and brought bowls and chopsticks.
He placed the plates in front of Shiina Mahiru and handed her chopsticks.
"How does it taste?" Mochizuki asked tentatively, not very confident.
This was his first time stir-frying, and with Yamada Elf constantly complaining next to him, he was even more unsure.
"Hmm... it looks like the meat is cut a bit large." Shiina Mahiru carefully observed the plates and replied to Mochizuki.
Then she took the chopsticks, picked up a slightly smaller piece of meat, and put it into her mouth under Mochizuki's expectant gaze.
"How is it?"
"Mmm..." Shiina Mahiru took two bites, feeling that it was really hard to swallow.
But thinking that this might be his first time cooking, she couldn't bear to discourage Mochizuki, so she forced herself to swallow it.
"It's cooked, but I feel like there's no taste, it's a bit... hard to swallow." After eating it, Shiina Mahiru said the cruel truth.
Mochizuki was a little disappointed after hearing this.
Although he didn't have much confidence in himself, he still picked up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth.
"Ah, it's so bad!" Mochizuki complained, he couldn't even swallow it himself and put the meat back in the bowl.
"Looks like I'm still suited for instant noodles!" Shiina Mahiru covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
"Eat the dishes I brought."
"I'll stir-fry it again for you, you can watch."
"Okay, please." Mochizuki thought, with the help of the system, maybe he could learn something.
Compared to Mochizuki's fumbling, Shiina was methodically stir-frying the dishes.
Mochizuki found that it seemed like just stir-frying, but there were so many details.
System, why don't you add points!
Could it be that just watching isn't enough?
"Cooking, +1."
But it only added one point.
Mochizuki was speechless...
Soon, Shiina put the newly stir-fried dishes into plates.
I have to say, the dishes stir-fried by Shiina looked completely different in color.
"Mochizuki-kun, let's eat quickly."
"Oh! Okay." Mochizuki was a little excited and couldn't wait.
He had been delayed for so long and was quite hungry.
He also opened the bento box Shiina brought.
This time it contained shredded potatoes, fried fish pieces, and egg rolls.
The portion seemed less than yesterday, because there was no rice in it.
It seemed Shiina had also considered Mochizuki's plan to cook today.
Mochizuki served the rice, feeling that the rice he cooked was not bad.
"Shiina, have you eaten?" Mochizuki asked politely.
"I've eaten."
"Okay."
Mochizuki first picked up the dish that Shiina had helped him re-stir-fry and put it into his mouth.
"Delicious, much better than what I stir-fried, as expected of you, Shiina!"
"As long as it's delicious, don't cut the meat into such large pieces next time, okay?"
"Mm!"
Mochizuki couldn't wait to taste the dishes in Shiina's bento box.
"Saikou!"
"The food you brought, Shiina, is even more delicious, every bite is just right."
This was indeed the case.
With Shiina's food, Mochizuki's eating speed also increased a few points.
"It's so happy to be able to eat the food Shiina made."
"It's not that exaggerated."
Shiina replied shyly.
"It's not exaggerated at all, I wish I could eat it every day." Mochizuki sighed softly, then continued eating.
Shiina Mahiru lowered her head slightly, as if thinking about something, then said.
"Well, it's not impossible, but we have to split it."
"Split it?" Mochizuki Yo was first surprised by Shiina's answer, then a little confused.
"It means I'll buy groceries and cook at your house, but the food expenses have to be split."
"Eh, that's too much trouble for you, Shiina, it's not good!"
"I was just sighing, it's okay for me to eat instant noodles."
"Instant noodles, no.
Besides, I cook every day, making more or less doesn't make much difference."
"But..."
Seeing that Mochizuki still wanted to decline, Shiina spoke again.
"Besides, I can't stand your way of life, Mochizuki-kun.
Please take good care of yourself."
"Okay then." Mochizuki smiled awkwardly.
"However, please let me pay more for the food expenses.
After all, you, Shiina, need to cook, and I can't help."
Hearing this, Shiina's eyebrows furrowed, and she immediately replied: "No, splitting it is fine.
I have to stir-fry dishes every day when I eat at home too."
"But..."
Alas, Mochizuki ultimately couldn't defeat Shiina Mahiru's persistence, and finally, chose to compromise.
Shiina Mahiru, a girl who is very persistent in what she believes in.
"Then I'll trouble you from now on."
"Mm, please take care of me."
With her plan successfully achieved, Shiina Mahiru also revealed a satisfied smile.
Next, Mochizuki handed over the spare key to his home to Shiina Mahiru.
After all, if Shiina came to cook when Mochizuki hadn't returned yet, Shiina wouldn't be able to get in, which might cause inconvenience.
Mochizuki was a person with a club now, and if he needed to participate in club activities, he would inevitably come back later.
Unlike before, when he would go home to play games as soon as school was over.
Shiina Mahiru held Mochizuki's key, feeling Mochizuki's trust, and for some reason, her heart gradually warmed up.