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The next day.
9 a.m.
Blake had only just gotten up when the doorbell rang.
He went to open it—and there, standing in the sunlight, was a girl in a white dress, glowing like a little angel.
"Good morning, Blake."
Mahiru Shiina stood with her hands gently folded in front of her. Today she wore a cute knit sweater, her caramel-colored eyes bright and clear, her voice soft and sweet.
"I'm heading to the supermarket to buy ingredients. What would you like to eat today?"
"Morning," Blake replied. "It's only nine, though. Isn't it a bit early to go shopping now?"
"It takes time to pick and clean ingredients, and going back and forth also takes time," Mahiru explained calmly. "If I leave now, I'll be back around ten. Then I can rest for a bit. So this is actually the perfect time."
Blake gave her a thumbs-up. "I hereby declare you a master of time management."
"Hm?"
Mahiru tilted her head slightly, blinking in confusion.
"It sounds like a compliment… but somehow, it also feels a little strange."
"Don't worry about the details." Blake waved it off and changed the subject. "With your cooking skills, I'd even eat braised shoe soles if you made them."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had such… unique dietary preferences," Mahiru said, taking half a step back, her tone still calm. "But I have no intention of attempting such bizarre dishes. Please allow me to refuse."
After delivering that deadpan retort, she quickly raised a slender finger.
"How about okra?"
"Too slimy."
"Green peppers?"
"Way too bitter."
"..."
Mahiru let out a small sigh, her bright eyes shooting him a mild glare.
"Being picky isn't good behavior."
He wasn't picky, okay? The green peppers here just tasted bad to begin with. And when people cooked them without oil, they came out even more bitter and weird. Anyone would think they tasted awful!
"I do love cilantro, though. Please add a lot of that," Blake said after a moment. "Green peppers are a no, but okra is fine."
"Noted." Mahiru nodded lightly, committing it to memory. Then she extended her delicate hand. "About what we agreed on yesterday… please give me the living expenses first."
According to their arrangement, he'd hand over the weekly budget, Mahiru would keep track of expenses while shopping, and they'd settle the difference afterward.
Since it was for both Blake and Sagiri, he paid double.
They'd also agreed to cook at Blake's place. Sagiri was only just managing to come downstairs—there was no way she'd go outside—so it made more sense to cook here.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lady Mahiru. Please accept this."
Blake took out several Yukichi bills and handed them over like an offering.
"I'll take it." Mahiru accepted the money, her soft lips pressing together slightly. "When I was cooking yesterday, I noticed we're almost out of rice. I'd like to buy another bag today, but… I'm not sure if I can carry it by myself."
Blake immediately caught the hint.
"Leave that heroic task to me."
"It's just carrying rice. There's no need for anything that dramatic," Mahiru said, giving him another light glare. "…Hurry up and change your shoes. Let's go buy ingredients."
"Roger that."
Blake turned back inside, quickly changed clothes and shoes, and headed out with Mahiru.
"There's a fresh market near the subway station that's having a sale," Mahiru said as she stood quietly at the corner, her skirt and hair swaying gently in the morning breeze. "We have quite a lot to buy, so should we go there?"
As expected of the angel—so good at managing a household.
"The fresh market, huh… it's about a kilometer away," Blake muttered, thinking for a couple of seconds before turning back toward the house. "Wait here a second, Mahiru."
"Hm?"
Mahiru tilted her head curiously, then soon saw him pushing out a bicycle.
"When I was in middle school, I used to ride bikes a lot with my dad," Blake said as he wiped down the seat and rear rack. "If you go west for about half an hour, there's a seawall. My dad liked fishing there… Anyway, the market's a bit far, so let's bike there."
"Fishing?"
A hint of excitement appeared in Mahiru's eyes.
She'd heard fishing was incredibly fun—so addictive you'd forget to eat or sleep. But since she could remember, she'd never had the chance to try it herself.
Noticing the spark of interest on her face, Blake casually added,
"If you're interested, I can take you fishing at the seawall sometime."
"…Okay."
Her eyes lit up as she softly agreed.
If anyone else had invited her, she probably would've declined politely. But since it was Blake… saying yes felt fine.
"Good, the tires still have enough air," Blake said after checking them. "Let's ride to the supermarket."
Mahiru pressed her lips together, hesitation flickering across her face.
"But… isn't carrying someone on a bike illegal?"
"You didn't think I was going to give you a ride, did you?" Blake turned back inside and soon came out pushing another bicycle. "Obviously, we'll each ride one."
Mahiru: "..."
Looking at the two bicycles parked side by side, her cheeks puffed up slightly.
If he'd spent less time talking, he could've brought out the second bike ages ago!
"Come on, hop on." Blake patted the bike. "Let's go."
Mahiru turned her face away, lightly biting her lower lip, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"I… don't know how to ride a bike."
Blake: "..."
She didn't know how to ride a bike?
That was like an Asian person not being able to squat, a Brit not eating fish and chips, or… well, it just felt unbelievable.
Mahiru bit her lip again and quietly explained,
"I've never really had the chance to learn, so I don't know how."
Kids usually learned from their parents. But Mahiru's parents had never paid attention to her—let alone bought her a bike or taught her how to ride one.
"I see…" Blake fell silent for a couple of seconds, then pushed the bike back into the yard. "It's still early. Let's just walk to the supermarket—consider it some exercise."
"…I'm sorry."
Mahiru lowered her head and apologized softly.
"Not knowing how to ride isn't embarrassing," Blake said casually. "As long as you're not afraid of falling, you'll pick it up after a few tries. If you're free this afternoon, we can go to the park. I'll be your coach—for free—and teach you."
"..."
Mahiru looked up at him.
In her clear eyes, the blue sky and white clouds were reflected, bright and beautiful. The corners of her lips lifted slightly.
"Then I'll be in your care, Blake."
"....."