After dinner and a brief chat, Shiina Mahiru suggested leaving.
There was no other way; Asada Shino's home was so cramped.
The only place to sleep was a single bed, and at present, it was clearly not enough for them all to sleep together.
So, they could only go home to sleep.
Asada Shino was a little reluctant but didn't try to keep them. She escorted Lin Mu and Shiina Mahiru to the door and watched them leave.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot."
Lin Mu suddenly remembered something, pulled out a pair of men's shoes from his bag, and placed them by Asada Shino's doorway.
Asada Shino looked at him, puzzled. "Lin Mu, what are you doing?"
Lin Mu smiled and explained, "Asada, you live alone, and that's very dangerous. If a bad person targets you for a home invasion, you might not even have time to call for help."
"So, putting a pair of men's shoes at the door can make ill-intentioned people wary and might deter some timid individuals."
Asada Shino then understood his intention and quickly thanked him.
"I understand. Thank you, Lin Mu."
Lin Mu waved his hand at her and left with Shiina Mahiru.
Asada Shino wanted to ask how much the shoes cost, but seeing that he had already left, she felt too embarrassed to press the matter.
Moreover, she thought about it carefully and decided that she should accept Lin Mu's kindness.
He had helped her so much; at worst, she would find a way to repay his kindness later.
Back in her room, Asada Shino lay on her small bed, covering her heart, and involuntarily smiled.
"It seems like ever since I was blackmailed by Endo and his two friends and met Lin Mu, my life has started to get better."
Being protected felt so wonderful.
Thinking of her past experiences—being ostracized by classmates at school, being viewed differently by teachers, and being treated as a "murderer"—she felt an urge to cry.
Thinking that Lin Mu and Shiina Mahiru were already on a first-name basis, Asada Shino couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Her gaze fell on the direction of the door; those shoes should still be there, right?
"Mu-kun, if you're this good to me… I'll be reluctant to let you go…"
She might betray her friendship with Shiina.
However, Shiina never said she was dating Lin Mu, so this shouldn't count as betraying their friendship, right?
...
Leaving aside Asada Shino, who was lost in her thoughts, let's turn to Lin Mu.
As soon as he left Asada Shino's room, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but cast a resentful glance at him.
"You're really considerate, aren't you? How come I don't see you putting a pair of shoes outside my door?"
Lin Mu heard her sour remark and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He directly held Mahiru's soft little hand and said very earnestly:
"Because I'm right next door to you. If any bad guy breaks in, it can only be me, this bad guy, right?"
Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"You still have the nerve to say that!"
Last time, he actually used the excuse of returning a bento box, rushed in, invaded her room, and then… then that happened…
With a flushed face, Shiina Mahiru deliberately avoided looking at him, subconsciously quickening her pace.
Lin Mu smiled without speaking, quickening his steps to match hers.
Holding the girl's fair, soft hand and gazing at her delicate profile, a feeling of joy rose in his heart.
As a girl, Shiina only subconsciously felt a little sour about her man's considerate behavior towards other girls.
In fact, she was quite satisfied with his thoughtfulness.
After all, Lin Mu putting the shoes at Asada's door was also for Asada's safety.
As for herself, he was right next door, so what danger could there be?
If there was any danger, it would be this big bad guy wanting to do naughty things to her.
Hmm, that doesn't seem to count as danger either.
That kind of thing… she wasn't looking forward to it at all.
She could only say she didn't dislike it. If he wanted it… she… she would still refuse a little bit verbally.
It's not wrong for a girl to be a little reserved, right?
...
Arriving at her doorstep, Shiina Mahiru's watery big eyes fell on the little hand he was holding.
"Mu-kun, you can let go of me now, right?"
Lin Mu smiled and released her fair, soft hand.
To be honest, Little Angel Mahiru's little hand felt so soft when he held it, he was genuinely a bit reluctant to let go.
Shiina Mahiru lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, not daring to meet his eyes.
She actually wanted to say she wouldn't go to his room tonight, but she didn't want him to misunderstand, so she didn't know how to express it.
Lin Mu, however, opened his arms and embraced her petite body, his warm palm gently stroking her little head.
"Just say what you want to say, Mahiru. With our current relationship, there's no need to be so formal with me, right?"
Shiina Mahiru's breathing quickened. Inhaling his masculine scent, the scene from last night involuntarily flashed in her mind, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
"Ugh… Mu-kun, I'm going back to my room… I mean, I need to tidy my room tonight, so I can't come over to your place."
She finally spoke.
After saying it, she cautiously peeked at his expression, afraid he might be displeased.
However, Lin Mu merely leaned down and kissed her, then naturally released her, a doting, gentle expression on his face.
"Got it. Then Mahiru should go back to her room and rest well tonight. If you need any help with anything strenuous, please be sure to let me know, I'll be right over."
"En… Mu-kun, good night… Ugh, wuwuwu!"
Her greeting wasn't even finished when Lin Mu leaned down and kissed her lips.
After their lips parted, Lin Mu's finger traced her soft lips, and he said with a mischievous smile:
"This is the correct way to say good night, you know. Of course, only to me!"
"You're so annoying! You always take advantage of me. Hmph, I'm going back, I'm not talking to you anymore! Bad guy~"
Shiina Mahiru, embarrassed, punched him once, then covered her mouth and darted into her room.
Lin Mu, meanwhile, touched his lips, a pleased smile on his face.
Little Angel Mahiru's lips were truly too moist.
Actually, he was planning to deal with Miss Yukino Shitayuki properly tomorrow, so he naturally didn't have time to make Little Angel Mahiru happy.
Therefore, if he had any ideas then, it would be better for him to sneak into her room at night.
Stealing a kiss and a jade was still very exciting.
Moreover, he absolutely loved seeing Little Angel Mahiru's shy yet obedient expression.
When she was forcefully held in his arms, Shiina Mahiru's slightly flustered little face made him even more unable to resist, melting his heart.
She was simply too adorable.
Back in her room, Shiina Mahiru lay on her bed, hugging a pillow.
Her cheeks were still burning hot, surely red all the way to her ears.
"Ugh, why is he so skilled?"
He kissed her so naturally.
It made her heart pound like a startled deer, thump-thump, and she almost melted into his arms again, wanting to act spoiled with him.
Mu-kun is truly a hateful guy.