{Four hours later}
"Finally!" A classmate of mine whose name I didn't know shouted in excitement. He was clearly ready to be done with the school day. I felt similar for a multitude of reasons but mainly for two. Number one was getting to spend time with Mahiru and secondly, to appreciate the money that's been made just sitting here.
[¥42,541.82 x 5% (10:21)]
In these last four hours, I've made ¥7,531.82!
Still didn't know what this translated to in USD but who cares. it felt better to say it was 7,000 anyway!
I got up from my seat putitng everything neatly inside my back. The amount of textbooks was annoying. Mahiru at the same time got done putting everything away. With a gentle quickness, I took her bag and held it for her. My physical stats sucked yes but I think getting to our apartment complex wouldn't be an issue.
"Eh?"
"What?"
"Give me my bag."
"Nope!"
We stared at each other but she relented quicker.
"Don't act gentlemanly. You didn't do this earlier."
"As you so kindly put it this morning, I only knew you for 30 minutes."
"Hmph." She looked away with the sound of a pout but an undeniable small smile on her face.
'So cute.'
Turning around to Yukino, who was putting away her things. It would be rude if I didn't say bye but I already knew what response she'd give me.
"See ya, Yukinoshita."
"Uh huh."
She brushed me off.
"See you tommorow, Shiina-san."
Mahiru on the other hand got a proper bye. The bias was clear!
"See you tommorow!" Mahiru smiled even brighter towards the Icy beauty. Even more bias showing itself.
'This is unfair! Unjust even!'
Despite my exaggerated reaction, i just really just shrugged my shoulders. It made sense that they would treat each other differently. The two were already strangely close even on this first day of school.
"Let's go, Fujimiya." Mahiru led the way and I followed behind looking at her back. My eyes naturally traveled downward but not for to long. It was an instant and then my eyes looked straight properly.
'We must stay focused, me!'
[Pervert.]
'Don't you dare call me that for a natural reaction!'
[Is that what you want to call that?]
'This system.'
Sure, I stared a bit longer at her thighs that were in thigh highs. They looked extremely appealing and I'll admit some adult-level thoughts floated in my mind. However, this was a natural reaction to what I was seeing.
We got to the school entrance, swapping our shoes and leaving with barely any interaction. Other students stared at us strangely with some whispering. It was similar to this morning but luckily or unluckily people were properly hiding their words.
The afternoon sun in the clear sky looked down at the two of us as we walked past everyone. After a certain distance, Mahiru finally sighed.
"Finally."
"You didn't have to act there you know?"
"I-Its instinctive. I've been doing it for so long."
"I guess that makes sense. I'm glad you finally relaxed though. If I had to walk in complete silence it would be a little akward."
"Shut up." She jabbed my side but coming from her it felt pathetic. This said a lot given my stats.
The two of us continued walking chatting about various things. We spent the time to learn each other better. I obviously already knew a lot of the information but I couldn't very well tell her that. Things like her birthday, what she liked, and what she disliked.
Her birthday was December 6th.
She liked cooking and cute things. Though, I'm sure the last thing was a universal woman thing. Honestly, probably a universal human thing. Her dislikes were kind of generic liars, bad people, and overly bitter food. She never mentioned her family but I already knew the lore behind that so I didn't bring it up.
This verison of Mahiru was much more confident then her younger counter part. The original was not so self-confident. If she ever seemed like she was then it was an act. However, the her in front of me didn't shy away from talking about herself.
'I wonder when I'll get to see her true self in full.' I thought as I continued listening to her speak.
"Fujimiya, do you eat properly?" She looked at me with scrutiny.
"I eat..."
"Do you eat properly?" Mahiru stopped in front of me and peered into my eyes. This version of Mahiru was much more likable.
"I eat."
"I take that as a no then!"
"You'd be correct then."
"Why answer me now?! Shouldn't you have just answered when I asked the first time!"
"Would it be too much to say I just wanted to see your cute reaction?" I smiled without a hint of shame, voice light and teasing. Yes, I countered with flirting.
It was super effective!
Mahiru's face bloomed a soft pink, the color spreading to the tips of her ears. She turned away sharply, her hair brushing her shoulder as she picked up her pace—her hurried steps clicking lightly against the pavement. I followed behind, hands still holding our bags, the faint evening breeze carrying a trace of her perfume. Feeling quite pleased with myself, I didn't even notice that we were nearing the spot where we'd met that morning.
"U-Um… what are you going to eat tonight?" she asked, her voice barely above the sound of our footsteps.
I slid my key into the lock, the faint metallic clink echoing in the quiet hallway, and answered without much thought. "Probably some convenience store food."
"I see. Give me an hour, okay?"
"An hour? For what?" I tilted my head, glancing over my shoulder as the door creaked open. The cool air from inside brushed against my skin.
"I'll make extra tonight. A-as thanks for walking me home."
"Why? We live righ—"
Bang!
Her door slammed shut.
I stared for a second, then sighed with a smile tugging at my lips.
'Wasn't she the one who said I shouldn't act like this was a big deal?'