"Well then, we'll head back now, Yoko."
Shiina Mahiru and Asada Shino stood at the shop entrance, politely greeting the gentle and mature shop manager.
Saionji Odoriko also smiled and waved, responding warmly.
"Alright, be careful on your way home. Come help out tomorrow too. And if any of your classmates want to work part-time, you can bring them for an interview."
Saionji Odoriko felt that recommendations from her employees were more reliable.
Shiina Mahiru and Asada Shino seemed like the gentle and kind type, and it was very comfortable to be around them.
After all, no one would hire someone they disliked as an employee for their shop; working with someone you dislike is incredibly unpleasant.
"Then we'll head back. Yoko, you be careful too, and call me if anything happens."
Lin Mu also smiled and greeted her, then, under Saionji Odoriko's somewhat admiring gaze, he took Shiina Mahiru and Asada Shino home.
Because the serial killer hadn't been caught yet, walking alone at night was very dangerous.
But Lin Mu wasn't afraid of trouble at all and personally saw Asada Shino home.
Such a man, full of masculinity, gave a strong sense of security.
Saionji Odoriko felt more and more moved the more she looked at him.
However, being moved was one thing; wanting to act required much more consideration.
Lin Mu clearly had a good impression of Shiina Mahiru, and even directly called her by her first name.
Saionji Odoriko felt she still needed to observe more; finding someone to rely on couldn't be taken lightly.
...
At the Asada family's doorstep.
"Thank you for seeing me home, Student Shiina, Lin Mu. Why don't you come in and sit for a bit? Otherwise, I'd be too impolite."
Asada Shino couldn't help but look at the two with expectant eyes.
"Alright, then we'll impose," Shiina Mahiru was the first to agree with a smile.
After spending some more time together today, she realized that Asada Shino worked very diligently and was a very good person.
Those rumors were indeed malicious slanders against her.
If Asada Shino was truly a murderer, some kind of remorseless devil, then wouldn't all of you who bullied her have died long ago?
"Then, we'll impose."
Lin Mu and Shiina Mahiru took off their shoes together, put on the new slippers Asada Shino had bought, and entered her house.
Sure enough, it was a very cramped house.
Inside, apart from the bathroom and a small kitchen, the bedroom only had one bed, and there were only a few clothes in the closet.
It seemed this little girl, who was being targeted, was living a very frugal life.
This was also the reason why she felt inferior when facing Shiina Mahiru.
Compared to a dazzling young lady like Shiina Mahiru, she was practically humble to the dust.
Pinching the corner of her clothes, Asada Shino blushed a little.
"Sorry, it's too cramped here; I can only let you sit in my bedroom."
"It's alright, Asada-classmate's room is very tidy," Shiina Mahiru responded with a smile.
"Coincidentally, Yoko asked me to deal with the unsold half-price ingredients today. Asada-classmate, may I borrow your kitchen?"
"Of course, and I'll help too."
After a few friendly exchanges and confirming that they would have dinner there, Shiina Mahiru and Asada Shino went to the kitchen together.
Looking at the ingredients taken out of the packaging, Asada Shino couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yoko is really generous; these ingredients would be perfectly fine even if sold tomorrow."
Shiina Mahiru smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's truly lucky to meet such a manager."
This was her first part-time job. She had heard many classmates talk about how hard part-time jobs were, and about being targeted by seniors, which made her a bit uneasy at first.
However, although Saionji Odoriko was very gentle, Shiina Mahiru always felt that the way she looked at Lin Mu was off.
And, who lets a man sleep in their private lounge?
She was too unguarded!
Being unguarded meant she was showing favor to that man!
Thinking of this, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but sigh, then secretly glanced at Asada Shino, muttering to herself.
"What to do if your man is too attractive to others? Sure enough, I have to feed him well and pamper him, raise him to be a good-for-nothing. That way, no one else will want him, and he'll be all mine!"
Asada Shino didn't know about Shiina Mahiru's method of raising a boyfriend; she also couldn't help but sigh.
"Yes, Yoko is really so gentle. Knowing I was bullied by Kurata, she actually fired Kurata directly. Of course, I also have to thank Lin Mu."
"Student Shiina, I want to express my gratitude properly to him. Do you know what he likes?"
Changing the subject, Asada Shino earnestly asked about Lin Mu's hobbies, which momentarily stunned Shiina Mahiru.
What was this supposed to be?
Giving ideas to her girlfriend to help her win over her own man?
However, seeing Asada Shino's earnest expression, she felt she was overthinking it.
Asada should just be simply wanting to express her gratitude.
Thinking of this, Shiina Mahiru smiled and replied, "He's an otaku; he probably likes things from the second dimension, like manga and light novels."
"But he also said he's a creative otaku. Today he met with an editor from Undead River Bunko, and his light novel has actually passed the contract review and will soon start selling physical books."
Hearing this, Asada Shino's cherry-like mouth opened wide.
"His own light novel… Hiss, that's amazing! Then Lin Mu is going to become a famous writer? From now on, we'll have to call him Lin-sensei!"
Shiina Mahiru smiled and nodded, her expression unconsciously carrying a hint of pride.
Although she didn't understand otaku culture, thinking of Lin Mu, she decided to take the time to learn about it.
She would start by reading light novels.
Asada Shino was extremely shocked at this moment; she had never expected it.
Not only was Lin Mu handsome and reliable, but he was also so talented.
Still a high school student, he was already debuting as a light novel author and wouldn't have to work hard in the future.
This was already ahead of most boys in school.
"Hmm… I really can't think of what gift to prepare for him, Shiina, do you have any suggestions?"
Asada Shino didn't know much about otaku culture either, mainly because she currently had no friends and was isolated.
There was no one she could communicate with, and her life was very tough.
The hardest part was that she couldn't even tell her mother about her situation.
Because her own mother, like everyone else, looked at her with fear in her eyes.
Facing Asada Shino's request for advice, Shiina Mahiru was a bit troubled, but for the sake of their friendship, she still offered reasonable advice.
"I think what's important isn't the gift itself, but the thought."
"Asada, you just need to convey your gratitude to him, and it'll be fine. I think boys will like any gift a girl prepares with sincerity."
While saying this, Shiina Mahiru quietly muttered to herself.
"As long as you don't package yourself up and give yourself to him."
Shiina Mahiru was a girl herself, after all.
At that time, feeling abandoned by the world and wallowing in self-pity, Lin Mu burst into her world in such a direct manner, pulling her back into a normal life.
This gratitude, along with an indescribable sense of emotion, was also why Shiina Mahiru depended on him.
And the current Asada Shino was very much like her former self.
Having been bullied for so long, constantly ostracized and maliciously slandered, suddenly such a handsome and dashing man appeared, offering her a ray of light.
Shiina Mahiru felt that if she were Asada Shino, she would also try hard to grasp that ray of light.
It is precisely because one has experienced a bleak life that what one possesses now seems so precious.