The two of them didn't head to the cafeteria. Even if it were open, it should have been closed by eight o'clock at night. Fortunately, Keyaki Mall had some decent restaurants.
"What do you like to eat, Shiina-san?"
"Me? I'm not a picky eater. Since Shiki-san is treating, please go ahead and decide~"
Shiina Hiyori leaned forward slightly, paused to think for a moment after hearing Shikime Natsu's words, and then gave her answer.
"Then... how about ramen?"
Shikime Natsu had wanted to suggest katsudon, but how many girls typically eat katsudon?
Especially considering Shiina Hiyori's figure, which was very well-maintained, she probably wasn't the type who liked high-calorie foods.
"Mm, that's fine~"
Shiina Hiyori nodded, her expression unchanged.
From the start of their conversation until now, everything had been 'genuine'. Because of this, Shikime Natsu felt quite good, with no pretense or concealment.
Of course, Horikita Suzune wasn't one for pretense either, it was just... her personality was worlds apart from Shiina Hiyori's.
Sigh... Horikita Suzune, oh Horikita Suzune.....
"Well then, I'll order this. Please, go ahead."
Shikime Natsu placed the menu in front of Shiina Hiyori.
"Then I'll have this one."
Shiina Hiyori glanced briefly at the menu and also ordered a bowl of ramen.
"So, what did you think?"
Shiina Hiyori blinked, looking at Shikime Natsu with eyes full of anticipation. She wanted someone to talk with about the book's contents.
"The writing in this novel is very delicate. Although the pace is a bit slow, the choice of perspective really amazed me. It was from the 'voyeur's' point of view, which added a sense of tension."
Shikime Natsu spoke slowly, sharing the feelings he had while reading the novel.
"Mm-hmm."
Shiina Hiyori's eyes were filled with happiness. Is this what it feels like to talk with someone who shares your interests?
It's so nice, and... Shikime Natsu responded to her so seriously.
"..."
'Rear Window' was a very short novel, so they didn't talk about it for too long, and the ramen arrived quickly.
"By the way, Shiina-san, what do you usually eat for lunch?"
Shikime Natsu turned to look at Shiina Hiyori beside him. Although it wasn't good to talk while eating, Shikime Natsu had already swallowed his food, so there was no risk of splattering juice or anything.
"Hmm... rice balls or sandwiches, I suppose. It was the same before I came to this school. What about you, Shiki-san?"
"Me... the cafeteria, probably. Most of the time, it's the school cafeteria."
Shikime Natsu thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Then it seems we're pretty similar."
Shiina Hiyori smiled.
"Indeed."
The convenience store's rice balls and sandwiches and the cafeteria's chicken leg set meal were essentially similar, except the former was a bit simpler and the latter a bit richer.
A bento box would be different.
Please make a bento for me every day from now on!
When Shikime Natsu had this thought, he almost blurted it out. Luckily, he stopped himself in time. Truly terrifying.
"By the way, Shiina-san, is your class's leader Ryuuen?"
Shikime Natsu changed the topic to Ryuuen Kakeru.
"Hmm... I guess you could say that."
A hint of hesitation flashed across Shiina Hiyori's face as if she were deciding whether Ryuuen Kakeru was the class leader. Officially, he wasn't, as the class didn't have one, but Ryuuen Kakeru held absolute authority in the class, so he could be considered the leader.
"Do you know Ryuuen-kun too, Shiki-san?"
Hearing Shikime Natsu mention Ryuuen Kakeru's name, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but be a little curious.
"Yeah, you could say we know each other."
Shikime Natsu nodded. He had just made a deal with Ryuuen Kakeru a short while ago.
"I see... By the way, Shiki-san, what is your class like?"
Shiina Hiyori quickly changed the topic back to Shikime Natsu, not expressing much of an opinion about Ryuuen Kakeru.
Whether she approved or disapproved of Ryuuen Kakeru, her stance was not clear.
Of course, this was only his first meeting with Shiina Hiyori. It was a matter concerning another class, so it wouldn't be easy to pry information out of her.
"Me? Everyone in my class is fine. By the way, I'm the class leader."
Shikime Natsu smiled with great confidence.
"I see. That's amazing, gaining everyone's recognition on the first day of school, Shiki-san."
Shiina Hiyori didn't hold back her praise, which made Shikime Natsu feel very comfortable.
"Well... after a short rest, we can leave."
Shikime Natsu had already finished the ramen in his bowl.
"Thank you for the meal."
Shiina Hiyori nodded, thanking him again.
"You've helped me a lot too, Shiina-san. If it weren't for you, I probably would have had a very hard time finding a novel to my liking."
"If you finish the novel in your hands, Shiki-san, you can ask me to recommend others. I'm usually in the library."
Shiina Hiyori thought for a moment before revealing where she usually spent her time.
"How about we exchange contact information?"
Shikime Natsu had another idea. Just like collecting CGs, Shikime Natsu also loved collecting the contact information of beautiful girls.
"Yes, that's fine~"
Shiina Hiyori nodded and exchanged contact info with Shikime Natsu. Looking at the new contact in her phone besides Sakagami Kazunori, for some reason, Shiina Hiyori's little heart felt an unexpected sense of satisfaction. She placed her small hand over her heart... she was so happy.
"Well then, let's head back."
Shikime Natsu spoke. It was almost nine o'clock after dinner. If they went back now to wash up, there would still be plenty of time to rest.
"Mm."
The two walked side by side again, keeping a certain distance as they headed toward the dorm building.
"Shiki-san, thank you very much. I had a wonderful time tonight."
When the elevator doors opened and they reached Shikime Natsu's floor, Shiina Hiyori nodded towards Shikime Natsu, expressing her gratitude.
[Ding~]
[CG12: Book Buddies (Shiina Hiyori)]
[Meeting you made me so happy~]
[Congratulations, Host. You've obtained the Skill Card: No Violence (When used, the target's violent thoughts will be completely eliminated. Duration: one day. Cooldown: two days.)]
"Yeah, me too."
Shikime Natsu waved his hand and walked out of the elevator. Another fruitful day. Before he knew it, he had already collected twelve CGs. Not bad at all.
He took out his phone and glanced at the points he had. He already had over 2.7 million. Becoming a millionaire two days into school... as expected of him, as outstanding as ever.
Of course, some points still had to be distributed to secure their loyalty.
Shikime Natsu had never been a stingy person. Using points to win people's hearts was the best way.
...
The next day, Class A's class meeting.
___
🔥 New stories are available now! 🔥
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan