"Although it really has nothing to do with me, I hate seeing a cute child like you wearing such a sad expression."
"Cute... me?" Hearing her compliment, Shiina Mahiru looked at her without blinking.
If someone else had said that, she would have been used to it and accepted it without thinking much of it. But hearing it from someone even more outstanding than herself made her feel a little embarrassed.
"Mm, do you think you aren't cute?" Sakurakoji Talent asked with a smile.
"...I don't. If I really am cute, why don't they like me?"
The emotions that had nearly lifted her up were pressed down again. Shiina Mahiru lowered her head once more, faint tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes as an oppressive, gloomy dejection radiated from her.
Oh dear... Seeing her swallowed by negative emotions again, Sakurakoji Talent clicked his tongue inwardly. Teenagers' emotions really did rise and fall easily.
But considering her background, it was no wonder she was like this.
Though she had been born into wealth, her parents had entered a political marriage and both liked fooling around outside. Even she herself had been the product of a one-night accident. She was probably sitting here alone today because her mother had scolded her with cruel words again.
She was talented in both academics and martial arts, cute and sensible, and had trained all kinds of skills well. Yet she was ignored and despised by both parents. She had never received even a single gift growing up, and was occasionally treated as an emotional dumping ground for their toxic feelings. Even so, she had not given up on herself or blamed the world. She merely hid in a corner to process her negative emotions alone, licking her wounds in solitude. She was so well-behaved it made one's heart ache.
Those damned trash parents!
They had such an outstanding child and did not know how to cherish her. They deserved to be dragged out and shot!
Suppressing the urge to immediately call his second uncle and have him use his venomous, sinister capital claws to ruin those trash parents and leave them both bankrupt and homeless, Sakurakoji Talent put on a kind expression and said gently:
"Maybe it's because they're blind. There are all kinds of weirdos in this world, but we can't punish ourselves for their mistakes."
"Here, have some dessert first. This is most effective when you're in a bad mood!"
He took out a box of Coffee Jelly and stuffed it into her arms. Shiina Mahiru, who had been holding the swing's ropes, hurriedly let go with both hands and caught the item that fell into her embrace.
"...Thank you," Shiina Mahiru said softly.
"You're welcome." Sakurakoji Talent walked over to the other empty swing beside her, casually brushed off the dust, turned around, and sat down. He took another one from the food bag, opened the lid, and continued, "My name is Ogura Asahi. What about you?"
To be clear beforehand, he was only using this name because he was too lazy to come up with another one on the spot. It definitely was not because of any other reason. Everyone who had struggled to name a new account should understand, right?
"Ogura Asahi... Onee-san? My name is Shiina Mahiru."
"Mahiru-chan? That's a very lovely name."
"Thank you."
After being praised by her, Shiina Mahiru's cheeks reddened slightly. She raised the hand holding the dessert box to hide her face, then a few seconds later opened the lid as well, copying her.
Perhaps because the other girl was far too impressive, exceptionally approachable, and the same gender, so she presumably would not have ill intentions toward her, Mahiru's usual vigilance and desire to remain strong and independent gradually vanished without her noticing.
A sweet fragrance filled her nose. She scooped up a piece of the springy caramel-colored jelly with the included plastic spoon and put it into her mouth. Her eyes and expression immediately began to sparkle, sweeping away the gloom from before.
So sweet and delicious!
This was definitely premium stuff!
After just one bite, Shiina Mahiru, who had eaten at plenty of high-end restaurants, immediately judged the grade of the product in her hand. She could not help looking at Sakurakoji Talent beside her again, her gaze becoming even more curious and complicated. Just who was this onee-san?
"It tastes pretty good, right?" Noticing her gaze, Sakurakoji Talent asked with a smile.
"Mm, it's delicious," Shiina Mahiru confirmed.
"That's good. Although it tastes a little worse than what I make, it's still quite good. It wouldn't be rude to serve it to guests." Sakurakoji Talent gave it a passable evaluation.
"Onee-san is good at cooking too?" Shiina Mahiru asked in surprise, though she was also somewhat doubtful.
This jelly already tasted professional and high-end to her. Could the other girl really make something even more delicious? She looked Sakurakoji Talent over and inwardly rendered a negative verdict.
Doesn't seem like it. No matter how she looked at her, she did not seem like someone good at cooking.
"I'm decent enough. Does Mahiru-chan usually cook?" Sakurakoji Talent smiled without answering directly.
"Though I can't guarantee my level, I usually cook for myself," Shiina Mahiru said, slightly unwilling to lose. She was still somewhat confident in her cooking.
"Hm~ That's very impressive. Not many kids these days can cook for themselves."
"But you said you usually cook for yourself. Does that mean you don't live with your parents?"
"Ah..." Shiina Mahiru lightly covered her lips, realizing she seemed to have revealed some information. Looking at Sakurakoji Talent, who showed no malice, she hesitated before saying, "Yes."
"I see. Sounds like things are a little complicated." Sakurakoji Talent deliberately sounded indifferent, as though she had learned this for the first time. She did not continue asking and switched to another topic.
"By the way, it's already March. The school year is about to end, right? What grade are you in this year, Mahiru-chan?"
"Third year of middle school..." At the mention of this, Shiina Mahiru's expression visibly darkened again.
No, what was this? Did I step on another landmine?
Sakurakoji Talent widened her eyes in confusion. How could every random question she asked hit a sensitive spot? You have rather a lot of landmines, don't you?
But after thinking about it briefly, he understood where the problem lay.
Third year of middle school meant she would soon graduate. Graduation meant a graduation ceremony, and a graduation ceremony required family members to attend—with Shiina Mahiru's family situation, there was certainly no one who would accompany her.
For everyone else, it was a happy milestone as they entered a new stage of life. For her, it might be an unforgettable, painful black mark in her history.
Perhaps the reason she was sitting here today was because she had asked her parents to attend her graduation ceremony and failed?
Now that he knew the crux of the problem, it was easy to deal with. Sakurakoji Talent confidently curled her lips upward again.
"Third year of middle school? Then you'll be graduating soon, won't you? Congratulations, congratulations!"
Shiina Mahiru did not answer. She merely turned her head away in silence, perhaps cursing Sakurakoji Talent in her heart so that she would forget to bring a spoon whenever she ate dessert in the future!
"Ahem, what I mean is, I've never attended someone else's graduation ceremony before."
"Mahiru-chan, can I go to your graduation ceremony with you?"
Sakurakoji Talent hurriedly added the rest, then revealed a smile of certain victory.
This round, I still have the advantage!
Image: "The main character comes with an image," location: "Images/1755351889-100446961-113731865.jpg"
"Would you like to attend my graduation ceremony?" Shiina Mahiru turned back to look at her, her face full of surprise.
"Mm, I just feel like it should be pretty interesting. Is that not okay?" "Ogura Asahi" wore an expression that mixed anticipation with worry that she might refuse, looking at her pitifully.
"It's not that it's impossible..." Unable to bear her gaze, Shiina Mahiru slowly looked away and murmured softly.
"Mm? What did you say?" Her voice had been too quiet for him to hear.
Shiina Mahiru's heart jumped. Her body trembled, and she gritted her teeth as though making some kind of decision. Raising her voice, she said to him, "If you absolutely want to come, then it's not impossible!"
"Really? Thank you!" Sakurakoji Talent thanked her happily with an "excited" expression.
"...There's nothing to thank me for," Shiina Mahiru muttered.
"Then it's settled. Here's my contact information. Sorry for the trouble, but send me the time and location when the time comes. I'll definitely attend." He stood up and walked over to her, taking out his phone as usual and operating it skillfully.
"I trust you won't go home, forget about this, and then block me, right?"
"Of course I won't!"
Shiina Mahiru spoke angrily. What kind of person did she think she was?!
Taking back his phone, Sakurakoji Talent saw the newly added friend avatar on the screen. A smile of success flashed through his eyes. Another source of points had been added, putting him in an excellent mood!
"Then I should be heading back soon too. Mahiru-chan, you should go home early as well." Seeing that it was getting late and he had accomplished what he needed to do, Sakurakoji Talent said this.
"You're leaving already?" Shiina Mahiru abruptly raised her head, reluctant to see her go. It seemed as though once she left, they would never meet again.
Though they had only known each other for a short time, the other girl's warmth had made her feel comfort she had not experienced in a long while. Even her originally gloomy mood had eased, making it hard to let go. She did not want this to end so soon.
"You don't want to part with me?" Seeing her resemble a lost fawn, Sakurakoji Talent could not help teasing her.
"Of course not! Hurry up and leave!" Shiina Mahiru turned her head aside, pretending not to care, though her voice trembled slightly.
"I will leave, but I suddenly feel a little hungry. Ah~ Is there somewhere I could have dinner?" "Ogura Asahi" turned her face to the side, her eyes still glancing straight ahead as though expecting something.
Didn't you just eat dessert?
Shiina Mahiru grumbled inwardly, though of course she did not actually say it aloud. Instead, she said:
"Then would you like to come to my home? I happen to need to go back and cook too, so consider it thanks for your dessert."
"Is that okay? Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Feeling as though their positions had somehow reversed, Shiina Mahiru could not help chuckling softly.
"Then please follow me."
Shiina Mahiru stood up, passed her, and walked ahead to lead the way out of the park.
Sakurakoji Talent picked up the bag and followed behind her step by step. He sighed inwardly. It seemed he would have to ask for leave from Starry tonight. Taking out his phone, he sent Ichiji Hoshika a leave request.
A few minutes later, following Shiina Mahiru's footsteps, the two entered a high-end apartment building. After swiping a card to enter, they took an empty elevator directly to the fifth floor. A few steps after exiting, Shiina Mahiru stopped in front of the room with the number 502 on its door.
She took out her key, opened the door, and walked straight inside. She casually turned on the lights, illuminating the slightly dim room, then took off her leather shoes in the entryway.
"I'm home."
Her somewhat lonely voice echoed through the empty room.
"Welcome back!"
Sakurakoji Talent put down her phone and answered her. He had just finished a somewhat heated debate with Ichiji Hoshika, successfully earning her forgiveness through an endless barrage of dogeza stickers.
Hearing the voice behind her, Shiina Mahiru turned to look at her, warmth rising in her heart.
"Welcome to my humble home. Please come in."
"Excuse me."
Taking off her long boots and stepping directly onto the spotless wooden floor, he looked over the room's furnishings.
Every piece of furniture was neatly placed exactly where it belonged, with almost no deviation. The books and stationery were equally orderly, while the household supplies had been arranged meticulously. Everything looked exceptionally clean and tidy. Yet there were no stuffed toys or assorted little decorations that children her age liked. The excessive tidiness instead made the room feel somewhat devoid of life.
"Sorry, I didn't expect anyone to visit, so I didn't prepare guest slippers—you can wear mine!"
Only then did Shiina Mahiru realize she had never bought slippers for guests. Looking slightly flustered, she was about to hand over the shoes on her feet.
"No, this is fine. I'm already happy that you let me come over. Don't worry about such a small thing." Stopping her, he continued:
"By the way, can I use your refrigerator?"
"?" Shiina Mahiru looked confused. "You can, but what do you need it for?"
Sakurakoji Talent smiled, walked to the refrigerator, and placed the things she had carried all the way inside one by one.
"Huh? You're not taking these with you later?" Shiina Mahiru's eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected her to leave all the desserts here—these were expensive.
"It's fine, it's fine. I have plenty at home. I was in a hurry, so I didn't prepare anything else. Consider these a small gift." After putting in the last one, he closed the refrigerator door and spoke with a smile.
"Um, can we start cooking now?"
"Ah, yes. Please sit down first. I'll cook right away!" Shiina Mahiru came back to her senses, went into the kitchen, put on an apron with a somewhat cute design, tied her braid into a ponytail with a hair tie, and deftly wielded the knife as she prepared the ingredients.
Oh, she actually looked like she knew what she was doing.
Sakurakoji Talent walked over to the sofa and sat down naturally, observing her smooth movements. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. With that level of proficiency, she truly did not look like a beginner. But what she could actually make was another matter.
"Delicious." Sakurakoji Talent sighed as he looked at the croquettes and chicken chashu in front of him.
"You like it? That's wonderful!" Shiina Mahiru, who had been sitting across from her with furrowed brows and a tense expression, covered her chest and let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that she liked it.
"Mm, your cooking is excellent! There really aren't many kids these days with cooking skills like yours!" Sakurakoji Talent praised her.
Although it could not compare to his, it was no worse than the food served at ordinary restaurants. Compared with others her age, she was even more outstanding by far. It also had a unique personal style—he did not dislike it.
"Thank you for the compliment!" Having put her mind at ease, Shiina Mahiru began eating the food in her own bowl as well.
During the meal, as Sakurakoji Talent continuously brought up topics, the atmosphere in the originally chilly room gradually became livelier, and the warm lighting finally seemed to suit the room.
Image: "The homey atmosphere is off the charts," location: "Images/1755351990-100446961-113731869.jpg"
Before you continue