Glancing at Mahiru, Luo Shu noticed the bag of groceries in her hand and remarked with some curiosity:
"I was just sending a friend home."
"Mahiru, did you just come back from the supermarket?"
"Ah, yes."
Mahiru glanced down at the bag in her hand, lifting it slightly as she smiled.
"I went to the nearby supermarket to buy ingredients for dinner."
"Dinner?" Luo Shu's expression turned a little odd at that.
Noticing his reaction, Mahiru scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"It's nothing, really. I just moved in recently, and things are still a bit disorganised, so dinner got delayed."
"Oh, I see..." Luo Shu nodded in understanding.
Though he and Mira Tsubakihara had helped Mahiru move earlier, they had only handled smaller items—the heavy furniture and appliances had been left to the moving company.
Besides, discovering a pile of miscellaneous items needing sorting during a move is practically a universal experience. With Mahiru Shiina being alone, it's only natural that she'd take several days to tidy up.
"Oh, right, did Luo Shu-san receive the souvenir gift delivered this morning? It was that box of cookies."
Mahiru cautiously reminded him while stealing glances at Luo Shu's expression.
Hearing about the souvenir, Luo Shu paused momentarily before explaining:
"Souvenir? My apologies, I've been busy with work these past few days and didn't notice... Did Kisara take it?"
He did have some recollection about souvenirs. In Japan, after moving house, people not only give thank-you money to their landlord but also small gifts to nearby neighbours as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation, more importantly, as a greeting from new residents.
On the third floor of Sakura Apartments, apart from Luo Shu, there was only Mira Tsubakihara. Both had helped Mahiru with her move, so it was only proper for her to give small gifts afterwards.
But cookies... Luo Shu observed Mahiru's cautious expression and suddenly smiled, asking:
"Judging by your expression, did you make those cookies yourself?"
"I apologise for presumptuously making something that might not be to your liking. But please rest assured, the cookies' flavour isn't particularly unusual."
Hearing Mahiru's apology, Luo Shu's expression turned slightly complicated:
"I don't recall saying I disliked them?"
"Ah..." Mahiru blinked, then burst into quiet laughter. "You're right, you didn't actually say that."
Now smiling too, Luo Shu asked: "Did you give some to Mira and Kisara to try?"
"I gave them some, though Mira-neesan seems quite busy lately – she just accepted them. But Kisara-san ate a few."
As she spoke, Mahiru tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face lighting up with a happy smile.
Clearly, Kisara's feedback after tasting the cookies had greatly pleased her.
Seeing this, Luo Shu remarked with some surprise: "You seem to get along quite well with Kisara."
That jealous, slightly yandere-leaning Kisara is actually getting along pleasantly with Mahiru? While plausible, it still surprised Luo Shu somewhat.
"Well, I've received considerable help from Kisara-san."
Mahiru explained why she got along so well with Kisara:
"Actually, the computer and desk that arrived yesterday afternoon – Kisara-san helped me move them. She really went out of her way."
"Computer?" The mental image of Kisara single-handedly carrying a computer desk nearly made Luo Shu laugh aloud.
Misinterpreting his reaction, Mahiru cheerfully explained:
"Yes, a computer. It seems that because I've officially moved out to live independently, my father bought me a laptop."
"Though having only used computers at school before, I wasn't very clear about moving or setting it up. Kisara-san came and sorted everything out."
'Only being allowed her own computer in high school – such refined young lady behaviour...' Luo Shu's eyelid twitched as he couldn't help commenting:
"Is the internet installed yet?"
"The provider said they'll come to install it in 15 days. Oh, right, come to think of it, I'm currently using your wifi, Mr Luo Shu."
Mahiru Shiina clasped her hands together with an apologetic smile, as if seeking Luo Shu's understanding.
To this, Luo Shu's only thought was about the 15-day installation timeframe.
'This snail-like efficiency... Japanese people really are tolerant...'
While mentally complaining, he casually replied:
"Feel free to use it if it works. Don't worry about such small things. Even if you didn't use mine, Mira would definitely help you."
"Ah, while that's true..." Mahiru understood this, but still felt she shouldn't trouble Mira Tsubakihara too much.
After all, the other party had already let her rent the apartment at a low price. To bother Mira further would feel too shameless.
"Don't worry. Just cook a few more meals as payment, and Mira will probably be very happy."
As he spoke, Luo Shu turned around and headed towards the apartment, joking:
"Despite her mature appearance, she doesn't even know how much seasoning to put in instant noodles. If it's not takeout for lunch or dinner, then it's Kisara helping out... Though I'm only slightly better than her."
"But Mira-san posts loads of cooking photos on LINE every day..."
Following Luo Shu, Mahiru suddenly realised something and stared awkwardly at his back:
"Did I just expose some secret I shouldn't have?"
"Relax, Mira's been working overtime recently. She won't hear."
Luo Shu chuckled before glancing at Kisara:
"Most importantly, I'll keep your secret."
"Thank you very much, Mr Luo Shu."
Mahiru smiled as she followed Luo Shu into the elevator. They chatted until reaching the third-floor corridor, where Luo Shu stopped at his door first, reminding her:
"Remember to finish dinner early, don't leave it too late."
"I will," Mahiru responded cheerfully, watching Luo Shu enter his room before turning towards hers.
Meanwhile, inside his room, Luo Shu muttered to himself while removing his shoes:
"A computer from her father... but not a single word about her mother... Arranged marriages really are terrible..."
After this muttered remark, he changed into indoor slippers and entered the living room, immediately spotting Nia Honjo lying on the sofa with Raziel covering her face.
Unsurprised, Luo Shu glanced at Nia before calmly stating:
"So you were slacking off after all, Nia."
"I can't let that comment slide..." Nia lifted Raziel from her face, turning to look at Luo Shu:
"While you were flirting with adorable little Mahiru, I completed some very important work~"
"Flirting is too strong a word. It was just casual conversation..."
Luo Shu walked to a nearby armchair, glancing at Kisara and Megumi Kato, who were still busy in the kitchen, before sitting down. Noticing a container of cookies on the table, he took one and ate it:
"So what work did you complete?"
Hearing this, Nia's expression turned peculiar as she replied:
"While I'd love to say I've completed analysing little Eriri's abilities... I seem to have stumbled upon something rather astonishing..."