The morning arrived gently at Sakurasou. When Renji Kamisaka opened his eyes, the tempting aroma of breakfast was already wafting from the kitchen. Sayu Ogiwara was busy there, but when Renji arrived, he found Shiina Mahiru also bustling with cooking utensils. The two girls had a clear division of labor, harmonious in every movement: Sayu deftly fried eggs, while Mahiru was busy making soup. Looks like I'll be making noodles tomorrow morning, Renji thought. Other ingredients, neatly chopped on the cutting board, were exactly what he had bought yesterday. Perhaps those were for lunch.
"Good morning, Renji," Shiina Mahiru greeted, noticing him and smiling softly.
"Good morning, Shiina-san," Renji replied. "It smells so good. What flavor of noodles are you making today?"
"It's pork bone ramen," Sayu Ogiwara turned and gave him a sweet smile, one that showed new energy after a long night. So, yes. Even though this girl is so easy to satisfy, her family doesn't value her at all. Exactly. This is a good deal for Renji Kamisaka.
And then there's Shiina Mahiru. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Angel is good at sports, housework, and socializing. She's also very cute, Renji realized. However, she was similar to Sayu Ogiwara; both were children unloved by their families.
"If the boys at school knew I could eat delicious breakfast made by two beautiful girls, they'd definitely glare at me," Renji Kamisaka couldn't help but joke, a faint smile on his lips.
Shiina Mahiru smiled faintly, her eyes slightly dim. "It's not that exaggerated. I already said it last time. We just live nearby. There shouldn't be any rumors."
Renji Kamisaka shook his head and said nothing more. Shiina Mahiru was still too optimistic. There were many people at school who did things like slandering others behind their backs. Just like himself. In the past few days, besides Hikigaya Hachiman, only Hayama Hayato had greeted him. Everyone else completely ignored him. Although he also enjoyed his free time, he knew this was an act of isolation! He wasn't bothered by this, but rather felt like laughing. Keep isolating me, keep envying me, and keep being jealous of me, he thought, a mischievous idea.
Renji Kamisaka believed that he had a good relationship with the opposite sex. For example, a beautiful girl with a bun-like hairstyle, Yuigahama Yui, would secretly stare at him. This girl thinks she's hiding it well. Renji Kamisaka also understood. People like Yuigahama, who were very good at reading the atmosphere, would seem cautious and try hard to fit in. Yuigahama Yui must be worried about how to express her gratitude to him. But that girl. Is it really okay if you keep dragging this out? The longer you delay, the less sincere your gratitude will be. Indeed, love sometimes comes very simply. As long as you often pay attention to someone, you will find that they gradually leave a mark on your heart. Therefore, as long as Yuigahama Yui continued to stare at him like this and remained entangled, she would gradually become a special boy in Yuigahama Yui's heart. Then, all that was needed was an opportunity for the relationship to become more profound.
After breakfast, Renji took the bento made by Shiina Mahiru and Sayu Ogiwara. With a happy smile on his face, he went to take the train with Shiina Mahiru. Of course, they met the librarian, Sumireko Sanshokuin, on the way. Without much communication, they parted ways after arriving at school. Naturally, Shiina Mahiru remained with Renji Kamisaka. After all, they were in the same class, sat at the same desk, and served as class representatives together. These beautiful coincidences made those around them feel that the two were dating. Perhaps they even lived together. If this actually happened, half the boys in the class would beat their chests and stomp their feet, feeling envious and hateful towards Renji Kamisaka.
After all, Shiina Mahiru was too captivating. She got along with everyone with a perfect smile, mingling well with anyone. Talking to her wouldn't make people feel uncomfortable. She had excellent grades and could make delicious dishes in cooking class. All the boys rushed to try them. If only a guy could date Shiina, they'd think they'd wake up laughing in their dreams.
At noon, Renji Kamisaka was in the library with Sumireko Sanshokuin as usual. Sumireko Sanshokuin was a quiet girl. Of course, she was a little dangerous. If you wanted to win her heart, besides some special events to impress her, the only thing you could do was accompany her for a long time, giving her space and time to open up.
Today, Renji Kamisaka did not encounter the senior, Mai Sakurajima, dressed as a bunny girl. He had gone to check on her that day. Mai Sakurajima also attended Sobu High, but she was only a second-year, so it was appropriate to call her a third-year. If the task wasn't triggered, Renji Kamisaka wouldn't take the initiative to look for Mai Sakurajima. He had a hunch. Mai Sakurajima would come to him herself later, in due time.
Unknowingly, classes for the day had ended. Renji Kamisaka, who wasn't part of any club, tried to invite Shiina Mahiru to walk home with him. However, Shiina Mahiru seemed a little distressed and said she had something to do, asking him to go home first. Renji Kamisaka had no choice but to return alone. It's worth mentioning that Yuigahama Yui was still struggling. She always looked at him secretly, but she couldn't gather the courage to speak to him and express her gratitude. Renji Kamisaka remained calm. He wanted to see how long this girl could hold out.
It was exactly 7 PM. Suddenly, heavy rain began to pour from the sky, drenching the city rapidly. Renji Kamisaka had walked around Sakurasou and handed one of the magical girl project episodes to senior Misaki Kamiigusa. Yet Shiina Mahiru still hadn't come home. He suddenly grew a little worried, so he went to Chihiro Sengoku and asked her about the situation. However, Chihiro Sengoku said that Mahiru Shiina's phone was turned off.
Renji Kamisaka frowned, an anxious crease flashing across his face. He immediately grabbed an umbrella and ran out of Sakurasou, disregarding the pouring rain. Seeing him run out the door so eagerly, Chihiro Sengoku behind him couldn't help but look at Sayu Ogiwara, who had been staring at the door with a melancholic gaze.
"Sayu-chan, it seems Renji really cares about Mahiru. Aren't you jealous?" Chihiro asked, her tone slightly testing.
Sayu Ogiwara smiled faintly and shook her head. "It would be a lie to say I'm not jealous at all," she admitted, her eyes slightly glistening, "but I believe Renji will handle it." She looked out the window, at the increasingly heavy rain. "He said he would find a way to make everyone he cares about happy."
"You actually believe him? You rascal, this kid has truly been led astray by Jin Mitaka!" Chihiro Sengoku curved her lips, unable to resist complaining, yet there was a note of deep concern. However, in her heart, she prayed, hoping Renji Kamisaka could find her cousin as soon as possible. Chihiro Sengoku had a slight understanding of her cousin's situation. My father doesn't love me, and my mother doesn't love me either. I suppose no one would believe it if I told them. A girl who is beautiful and well-behaved, yet neither of her parents cares for her.
Now, to Renji Kamisaka's side. After he left Sakurasou, he activated the task guidance function on his system, and a blue arrow pointed directly to Shiina Mahiru's location. Yes, the task guidance function could be used even without a task. The Game Life system had a very high degree of freedom, and everything was for the players. The arrow pointed to the location of a small park.
He rushed forward without stopping, pushing through the raindrops. Then, under the dim streetlights, a petite blonde figure, drenched like a drowned rat, was found on a swing swaying slowly in the park. His heart sank. He rushed forward eagerly and immediately held the umbrella over Shiina Mahiru's head, shielding her from the biting rain.
"Shiina-san, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You're soaked, but you still haven't come home. Your phone's dead. What happened?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the girl raised her lifeless eyes, exuding deep sadness, and looked at Renji, biting her lip, not answering. Her golden hair, wet with rain, clung to her cheeks, mirroring her sad and blank expression. She looked like a small, abandoned animal, left alone in the middle of a storm.