After showing his mature side to Kirisu Mafuyu and leaving a good impression, Lin Mu left the office, returned to his seat, took out his laptop, and started typing.
He wanted to add a character modeled after Sanzenin Nagi—a flat-chested, blonde-twin-tailed young lady. According to the information he found, Miss Sanzenin Nagi was not short on money; her daily expenses were enough to buy a house. If she happened to see his book, enjoyed it, and sent a wave of donations, wouldn't that be a financial windfall? That would be much better than waiting for royalties.
Since the character was modeled after Sanzenin Nagi, Lin Mu quickly wrote up her basic information and then had her naturally join the plot, beginning her competition with the other two heroines over the protagonist.
"Huh? Lin Mu-san, what are you writing?" Tobe Sho saw Lin Mu's fingers flying across the laptop keyboard and couldn't help but look over curiously.
Lin Mu replied with a smile, "It's nothing, just drafting a manuscript. I want to try my hand at becoming an author."
"Eh! Really? Can I see what you've written?"
Lin Mu closed his laptop and gave a polite smile. "I'm sorry, not for now. You'll probably be able to see it once I succeed."
"Tch, what's with that? Being all mysterious! It's not like I'm dying to read it." Tobe Sho immediately lost interest.
Hayama Hayato also looked over curiously. "Lin Mu-san wants to become an author? That's very diligent. I thought you were playing games."
Lin Mu nodded slightly. "Just giving it a try. There's no guarantee it will work out."
Hayama Hayato, however, thought it was great. For a high school student to have their own goal and work hard for it was already very outstanding. He instantly felt that building a good relationship with Lin Mu was the right choice.
Hayama Hayato was a childhood friend of the two young ladies of the Yukinoshita family, and his father was the exclusive lawyer for the Yukinoshita family's Diet member. Hayama Hayato had always admired the elder sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, and his current smiling mask and his style of treating everyone with gentleness were learned from her. This also meant that befriending excellent people and maintaining his social circle was the main focus of Hayama Hayato's life. Therefore, befriending talented people to build his future professional network was, for Hayama Hayato, a way to get closer to Haruno.
However, in doing so, he would lose himself and become a person who always wore a mask. Lin Mu was not optimistic about this. Because Miss Haruno was a super sister-complex, and if his memory served him right, Hayama Hayato had screwed over Haruno's most beloved little sister, Yukino, back in elementary school. It was safe to say that things were doomed from the start for Hayama and Haruno.
Time moved on to noon.
Lin Mu took out the bento box given to him by Little Angel Mahiru, found an unoccupied flower bed, sat down, and began to eat with great relish.
Suddenly, a familiar, faint fragrance drifted over.
Lin Mu turned his head and saw that it was, surprisingly, Shiina Mahiru. She hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to him.
"Can I sit here?" she asked nervously.
"No, you can't," Lin Mu refused with a stern face.
Shiina Mahiru stared at him in disbelief. What does this detestable guy mean? She had finally worked up the courage to talk to him, and he was rejecting her so bluntly?
Just as she was feeling wronged, Lin Mu flashed a wicked smile at her. "If Shiina-san sits here, I won't be able to resist wrapping my arm around your waist. After all, I'm a big scoundrel."
Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but roll her eyes. Deciding not to ask him anymore, she sat down directly beside him. She took out a matching plastic bento box and began to eat her own portion.
Like a starving ghost reincarnated, Lin Mu finished his bento in a few bites, took a sip of water, and looked as if he was still craving more.
"This is pure bliss. I can't believe I get to eat an angel's bento."
"I already told you, I'm not an angel! And you're exaggerating. It's just ordinary cooking. Anyone can do it." Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but retort, though her cheeks were a little red. The corners of her mouth also turned up slightly. No matter what, she was still very happy that her cooking was being acknowledged.
"Is that so? But I just feel that this bento is more fragrant, even more fragrant than takeout. And this is a meal that all the boys in class want to taste. It would be great if Shiina-san could 'accidentally' make an extra portion every day."
Lin Mu spoke with a meaningful tone, his gaze fixed on her.
Shiina Mahiru didn't answer, just taking small bites of her food, but her ears had already turned completely red.
Seeing that she didn't answer, Lin Mu sighed. "Alas, I'm being too greedy. How could something this blissful happen every day?"
Shiina Mahiru still didn't answer. She shyly turned her body away and continued to eat her bento in small bites.
Lin Mu glanced left and right. Seeing no one around, he boldly scooted over. His large hand wrapped around her waist.
"Mmph! What are you doing? This is school!" Shiina Mahiru's delicate body trembled, and she couldn't help but speak out in shame and anger. At the same time, she subconsciously looked around, terrified of being discovered.
"Who told you not to eat with your female friends and to sit next to me instead? I'm such a scoundrel, of course I wouldn't be able to resist holding you."
"...Do you have to admit that you're a bad person?" Shiina Mahiru looked at him with a helpless expression.
"Yeah, I'm the worst. And a pervert who takes advantage of others. The moment I get a chance, I'll make a move on you!"
"Mmph! Don't... don't be like this..." Shiina Mahiru felt the pressure around her waist and quickly tried to push him away with her small hands.
Lin Mu, however, took the opportunity to make a demand. "Give me your phone number, and I'll do as you say. Otherwise... I can't bear to let go."
"I'll give it to you, okay? Is that enough?" Shiina Mahiru's cheeks were scorching hot. She directly took out her phone and handed it to him. "Here, put your number in yourself."
Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. "Not afraid I'll look through your messages? If you trust me this much, I'll feel too bad to bully you."
Shiina Mahiru frowned, shot him a glare, and continued to eat her bento.
Seeing her ignore him, Lin Mu felt helpless but decided to get her number first. This would make it more convenient to contact her in the future.