"Shiina-san, it's a p-pleasure!"
Putting every ounce of courage into a polite and friendly response, Akira felt like a true champion.
"Haha, kids! Even I'm walking home with a girl now! I'm already ahead of most of you!"
[If only you acted the way you think, you'd be unstoppable.]
Cut it out, System!
Mahiru Shiina's POV
I don't really know what it is… but ever since Kurosawa helped me that rainy day, I've been more and more drawn to him.
What does he like? What are his hobbies? What kind of girl does he fall for? Could it be… someone like me?
These thoughts keep swirling in my head.
Even though we haven't talked that much, I've already noticed a few things.
He seems awkward—uncomfortable around people. At first, I thought maybe he was cold or just disinterested…But that wasn't it. It's not that he doesn't want to talk. It's more like he doesn't really know how.
Is that his struggle? Is social interaction like a battle for him?
I want to understand him more. No… I need to.
I want to help him.
I'll find out today—even if I come across as pushy. I'll do my best. Who knows… maybe he'll even—
Akira Kurosawa's POV
Classes flew by faster than usual. Even the annoying parts couldn't drag me out of my thoughts today.
I mean, seriously—Mahiru Shiina, the angel herself, asked me to walk home with her. Just thinking about it makes my heart sprint.
But if I'm being honest, I've been making some real progress lately. If you told the me from a few days ago that I'd be doing this, he'd laugh in your face.
It's scary, uncomfortable… but even so—I want to change.
Let this day be the start of that change.
And just like that, the final bell rang. The moment had arrived.
Come on, man, you got this!
[Go Akira, you can do it!]
Thanks, System. That's exactly the push I needed.
With the power of every unseen hand raised in support—a true spirit bomb—I stand up, fueled and determined!
"I won't waste your energy!"
I walk confidently toward the school gates, scanning the crowd for her.
"Kurosawa-san!"
There she is—the angel herself.
"Shall we?"
With a warm smile and that calming aura of hers, I swear I almost melt on the spot.
"Let's go, Shiina-san."
I do my best to return her smile. It probably wasn't as serene as hers, but I meant it.
As we walk side by side, I summon the courage to start a conversation.
"Shiina-san, what do you like to do in your free time?"
"I like cooking!"
"I figured. That thing you gave me the other day was honestly one of the best things I've ever tasted!"
"Oh, come on, don't exaggerate. It wasn't that good."
"No, seriously! If I could cook like you, I swear—I'd be way happier!"
Oops… that one slipped out.
"Really? Then how about I teach you?"
Wait—this is going way better than expected!
"If you don't mind, I'd even pay to learn your master techniques!"
"No need for that. I just enjoy cooking. You don't have to pay me anything."
"Alright, alright. But… how do you plan to teach me?"
"How about after school? We could cook dinner together. I'll teach you then—if that's okay with you, Kurosawa-san."
"That's fine by me! But the ingredients are on me. No discussion."
She pauses, clearly wanting to argue.
"But…"
"Please, Shiina-san. Let me do at least that much."
"…Okay."
She agrees, even if reluctantly. I'm just glad I get to return the favor somehow.
Wait a sec… does this mean a girl's coming to my apartment?!
Since when did I level up this much? When did I become this bold?!
[They grow up so fast…]
Don't tease me, System!
Before I knew it, we were already near the apartment building.
After heading up the stairs and stopping in front of my door, Mahiru turns to me.
"I'll go change real quick. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
"Alright."
I open the door and step inside, the weight of reality suddenly crashing down.
"System… help me."
I don't know if I can handle this much social stimulation…
A person… in my house…?
Help.