In the afternoon, there weren't many customers at the coffee shop, so Thor, as the senior, began to teach Chisato Nishikigi what she needed to do in the shop.
Chisato Nishikigi also studied diligently.
The fact that their relationship improved so quickly made Lord Chen feel a bit incredulous.
She was clearly very hostile towards Utaha Kasumigaoka.
So, was this her strategy?
After all, Chisato Nishikigi was a newcomer; she'd first get along with Thor as sisters, establish herself here, and then become more assertive?
Given Thor's simple personality, she would be quite easy to manipulate.
But that shouldn't be the case; Lord Chen remembered that Chisato Nishikigi wasn't that scheming.
Could it be because her experiences were different now?
Had she learned small schemes because she had been searching for him for the past ten years?
Lord Chen hoped that Chisato Nishikigi was still the lively and cheerful girl he remembered, because he didn't want her to have any small schemes.
He hoped he wasn't overthinking it.
Lord Chen didn't stay with the two of them; instead, he went to be with Utaha Kasumigaoka.
Thor and Chisato Nishikigi were currently strengthening their sisterly bond, and he wasn't suitable to participate, as it wouldn't be good if he caused a conflict between them.
Utaha Kasumigaoka had already entered her zone, her expression serious, her eyes fixed on the screen, her hands on the keyboard, typing furiously.
She hadn't yet become the 'crazy' type—the one who rambles, gets excited, makes wild expressions, and shakes her leg while writing novels.
Lord Chen also hoped she wouldn't become like that; her current innocent and pure appearance was quite good.
But he felt it was a bit precarious; after all, novelists can easily become abnormal due to their routine, deadlines, writer's block, or getting too immersed in the plot... becoming 'crazy' is destined.
Unless she stopped writing novels.
But Utaha Kasumigaoka clearly loved writing novels, and Lord Chen couldn't stop her from pursuing her dream just because she might become 'crazy'.
Besides, he didn't dislike the 'crazy' type or anything.
Who could refuse a mature, beautiful, 'crazy' girl?
Utaha Kasumigaoka didn't mind Lord Chen watching her write, so he sat beside her.
Lord Chen found that Utaha Kasumigaoka was writing an outline; the content of the second volume was even clearly defined, introducing a new female lead, with the plot's direction and highlight being a love triangle.
He knew the second volume's content would be this; 'inspiration from life' was just too fitting.
Lord Chen personally also enjoyed reading novels with love triangle themes, as it was particularly exciting when it wasn't happening to him; whether it was the women bickering or the man's helplessness, it made him addicted.
Utaha Kasumigaoka's writing skills were beyond doubt; Lord Chen believed she could handle it, write it well, and make it exciting, but the fact that this story was likely inspired by him made him very awkward.
It was as if he had experienced a love triangle himself.
Love triangles are only interesting when they happen to others; they're painful when they happen to oneself.
Utaha Kasumigaoka had a lot of inspiration, and she finished writing everything in about twenty minutes.
"Phew—"
After typing the last word, Utaha Kasumigaoka let out a long sigh, pushed her laptop away, and sprawled across the desk.
"Why are you here?" She only then noticed Lord Chen.
"I'm seeing how you plan to write the second volume," Lord Chen replied with a smile.
"I don't mind, but will you still be interested in reading it after you've seen it? Won't you know everything?"
"It's just an outline; I like to read the details you describe, and the emotional scenes. The outline doesn't have any of that."
"Tch~" Utaha Kasumigaoka pouted, but then let out a soft laugh.
"You're so good with words!"
"Just speaking the truth."
"So, what are you doing here with me?"
"I was a bit idle, so I came to keep you company."
Utaha Kasumigaoka looked up and scanned the shop; indeed, there weren't many people.
"Then why aren't you with those two? It's really nice, isn't it? They're not fighting and are getting along well. You must be very happy, right?" Utaha Kasumigaoka glanced at him, speaking sarcastically.
"That's not true. What's there for me to be happy about?" Lord Chen denied it righteously.
"Heh~ I almost believed you, unless you're not a normal man."
"..." This time, Lord Chen couldn't refute her.
"Hmph~ Go get me something to drink quickly," Utaha Kasumigaoka snorted, changing the subject.
"Alright~ Want some cookies?"
"What do you think?"
"Right away."
Lord Chen got up and went to get drinks and cookies.
Watching his hurried back, Utaha Kasumigaoka pursed her lips.
Lord Chen quickly returned, carrying a glass of iced fruit juice and a plate of cookies.
"Shiha, here, it's iced."
"Good... What did you call me?" Utaha Kasumigaoka's hand, which she had just extended, paused, and she stared at him blankly.
"Shiha, isn't that your name?" Lord Chen replied as if it were the most natural thing.
"...You, why did you call me by my first name directly?" Utaha Kasumigaoka became nervous.
"Can't I? I think our relationship is so good, calling you by your name is normal, isn't it?" Lord Chen smiled slightly.
He had wanted to call her that for a long time. Since he had already called her that just now and Utaha Kasumigaoka had responded, now was naturally the time to press the advantage.
To get closer to a girl, a man should be bolder.
Of course, one shouldn't be overly bold to the point of committing a crime.
"You, you... It's too sudden..." Utaha Kasumigaoka inexplicably felt her cheeks flush.
He called her so naturally, so intimately, making her feel as if he had practiced it in private for a long time.
This guy...
"What's wrong?" Lord Chen blinked, asking humorously, "Is our Kasumi-sensei going to be shy because an opposite-sex person called her by her first name?"
"Who, who's shy?!" Utaha Kasumigaoka immediately retorted.
"Then there's no problem, right?"
"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka was annoyed and embarrassed, but she didn't want to just take it.
"No, I'll call you by your name too!"
"I don't mind, go ahead?"
"Ch... Chen..." Utaha Kasumigaoka called softly.
"Hmm." Lord Chen nodded.
"...You jerk!" Utaha Kasumigaoka gritted her teeth in embarrassment and annoyance, feeling her cheeks flush again, so she took two sips of iced fruit juice to calm down.
"Hehe~" Lord Chen found Utaha Kasumigaoka's shy expression truly adorable.
"What are you laughing at?!" Utaha Kasumigaoka glared at him, annoyed.
"Alright, alright, I won't laugh anymore."
"Still laughing!"
"I can't help it; I can't control it."
"You..."
"Alright, I'm really not laughing anymore."
"Then you're not allowed to be here anymore!"
"Why?"
"You're distracting me from writing my novel!"
"You're not supposed to be easily distracted, are you?"
"Well, I am now, alright?!"
"Alright..." Lord Chen reluctantly got up to leave, but after taking two steps, he turned back and asked, "Do you want to have dinner together tonight?"
"...Yes," Utaha Kasumigaoka replied without turning her head.
"Then I'll let you taste my cooking at that time."
"Mmm..."
Dinner was lively, the first dinner with four people, but the atmosphere was a bit cold.
Utaha Kasumigaoka sat quietly, only eating, while Thor and Chisato Nishikigi vied to eat the dishes Lord Chen cooked.
Aside from their seemingly mindless compliments, there was no conversation between the two.
But Lord Chen wasn't in a hurry; there was plenty of time. They could just eat together often in the future, and once they got familiar, they would have things to talk about.
The saying 'don't speak at the table' didn't apply to him; they were all family, so why be so particular?
After dinner, Utaha Kasumigaoka went back. Lord Chen wanted to see her off, but she refused.
It seemed he still had to work harder.
After the shop was tidied up, Lord Chen went upstairs with Thor and Chisato Nishikigi.
Chisato Nishikigi integrated herself quickly, and even built a good relationship with Thor; she was completely uninhibited now.
"Chen ge, how are we sleeping tonight? I don't think I've bought blankets or anything yet."
"..." Lord Chen walked ahead with a serious expression.
At this moment, he suddenly realized an even more important question.
How were they sleeping tonight?
If Thor still wanted to sleep with him, would Chisato want to join them?
That would be a bit crowded... No! Why was he immediately thinking about all three sleeping together?
"You can use my blanket," Thor said generously.
"Thor, you're so nice! Then what will you do?"
"I'll just sleep with Lord Chen."
"Huh?" Chisato Nishikigi was startled for a moment, then reacted.
"Thor, were you sleeping with Chen ge before?"
"That's right!" Thor said proudly, hands on her hips, her big tail wagging.
Chisato Nishikigi watched, fascinated, a little curious about how it worked.
"Then... did you and Chen ge do anything?"
"Hmm... Not yet." Thor immediately became dejected.
"Really? Then can I sleep with you two?"
"Hmm?" This time, it was Thor's turn to be stunned.
"It doesn't matter, anyway, you and Chen ge aren't doing anything, so I won't disturb you. You can only be by Chen ge's side, and the other side can be left for me."
"?" Thor tilted her head, feeling like what she said made sense, and yet didn't quite.
"Thor, please~ Let's accompany Chen ge together, okay? Don't you want to make Chen ge happy?"
"That's true, hmm... if Lord Chen doesn't mind."
Lord Chen: "..."