Crossover Anime/Manga - Not Everyday Life

Chapter 36 Yuihama's Apology

On Wednesday, after Natsuo and Shiina Mahiru finished their morning run, Natsuo returned home, grabbed his phone, and went out again to her doorstep.

The doorbell rang.

The door opened immediately, and Shiina Mahiru poked half her body out, looking at Natsuo with a puzzled expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you have a LINE account? Let's add each other as friends." Xia Sheng stated his purpose directly.

"Add me as a friend?" Shiina Mahiru stared at him calmly.

"Don't overthink it. Have you forgotten about joining our club? Adding me as a friend will make it easier for me to notify you," Xia Sheng explained.

"Okay..." Shiina Mahiru went back to her room to get her phone, looking reluctant but helpless.

Xia Sheng waited at the door, puzzled, stroking his chin in thought.

Did he do anything?

Why was she so unwilling?

Shiina Mahiru returned quickly, and Natsuo added her as a friend. Her profile picture was a brown teddy bear.

Xia Sheng made a note for her and casually asked, "Would you like to come to the activity room during your lunch break?"

"Okay." Shiina Mahiru nodded.

"By the way, what was that expression on your face just now...?" Xia Sheng asked, noticing her expression had returned to normal.

"It's nothing." Shiina Mahiru shook her head.

"How could that be? You look so unwilling."

"Okay, I'm afraid of being harassed by you." Shiina Mahiru sighed and answered truthfully.

"Harassment? Me? Do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

"no."

"Then why did you slander me out of thin air?" Xia Sheng was very angry.

"What if you keep messaging me since we've become friends?" Shiina Mahiru voiced her concern.

"...Why would you think that?" Xia Sheng looked at her in disbelief. Did he give her that impression?

"Because you miss the food I cook," Shiina Mahiru replied seriously.

"It's not because of you... that you misunderstood me like that? How much do you not want to cook me a meal?" Xia Sheng was very sad.

"It's not a matter of whether I want to or not, there's no reason for it."

"Reason... How about I go grocery shopping with you every day? I'll pay for it."

"No need, I don't lack money, and I don't need you to accompany me." Shiina Mahiru refused ruthlessly.

"Okay... but don't worry, I definitely won't send you messages just because of something like this," Xia Sheng reassured him.

"Really?"

"Is there absolutely no trust between us?" Xia Sheng asked, looking hurt.

"Mainly, I'm afraid you'll keep sending me meaningless messages, which I don't want to read, but I'm also afraid you'll send me some important messages that I might miss," Shiina Mahiru replied frankly.

"Don't worry, I promise I won't send any meaningless messages. And if there's anything important, I can just call you directly, right?"

"You still want my phone number?" Shiina Mahiru exclaimed in surprise.

"Please let me know, I might not read LINE messages."

"You...you're not allowed to bother me," Shiina Mahiru emphasized earnestly.

"......OK."

Natsuo got Shiina Mahiru's LINE number and phone number, but he always felt like he had lost something.

But he didn't really beg from her, so how did she misunderstand him like that?

Was it too intense?

No one is sure whether their behavior is obvious or not. It's like when you're in class and you're making small movements. You think it's subtle, but it's actually very noticeable.

Natsuo was an experienced person and had some knowledge in this area. He guessed that his performance should be very obvious to Shiina Mahiru.

There's nothing we can do about it; who wouldn't be tempted by Shiina Mahiru's cooking skills?

It seems I need to find a way to salvage my image.

Natsuo was determined to enjoy Shiina Mahiru's cooking more often in the future.

After returning home, Xia Sheng took a shower, changed into his uniform, and went out early to buy breakfast at a convenience store.

He didn't buy much, just a loaf of bread and a carton of milk.

There's no PE class today, so there's no need for too much physical activity.

After finishing his meal, Xia Sheng went straight to school.

Upon arriving at school and entering the classroom, Xia Sheng saw the girl with tea-colored hair already sitting in her seat.

"Yuihama, good morning! Why are you here so early again?" Natsuo greeted her as he arrived at his seat.

"Ah... um... good morning."

"Hmm?" Xia Sheng looked at her curiously.

Yui Yuigahama sat upright with her back straight, and did not look over.

Something's not right.

Xia Sheng looked at her profile and noticed that she seemed to be cautiously glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I... um..." Yui Yuigahama glanced at him timidly, then immediately looked away.

They're as cute as a weak little animal.

"Hehe~ If you have something to say, just say it. Why be so polite with me?" Xia Sheng couldn't help but laugh when he saw her weak appearance.

"W-Is it okay?" Yui Yuigahama's straight back slumped, and she turned to look at him, asking softly.

"Okay, aren't we friends?"

"So...you're not mad at me, are you?"

"Is it your fault?" Xia Sheng was taken aback.

"It was that night, the night I said those things," Yui Yuigahama reminded her.

"Oh, that? I'd forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it."

"Forgot? That's so mean..." Yui Yuigahama said, feeling wronged.

"That's too much... What I mean is, I don't care anymore," Xia Sheng explained helplessly.

"Huh? Is that so?" Yui Yuigahama stared at him blankly, blinking her eyes.

"I never thought you were so stupid," Xia Sheng sighed.

"I'm not stupid!" Yui Yuigahama retorted, dissatisfied.

"Then why didn't you understand what I meant?"

"I... well... it's because I was afraid you'd be angry."

"How could you think that? Didn't I tell you the other day that I didn't blame you?"

"Because...you haven't replied to my messages." Yui Yuigahama pursed her lips, looking aggrieved.

"Didn't he reply to your message? Ah!" Xia Sheng remembered.

He was busy tutoring Iroha Isshiki that day and was afraid that replying to her message would lead to an endless chat, so he didn't reply. When he got home that night, he talked to Kuroneko about serious business and then drew illustrations, completely forgetting to reply to her message.

No wonder she thought that way.

"Didn't it show as read?" Xia Sheng asked.

"Reading but not replying... isn't that being cold?" Yui Yuigahama retorted.

"Okay...it was my fault. You know I do tutoring part-time, right? I was a bit busy that day, and when I got home that night, I had to work on my novel, so I forgot. It was my fault, I'm sorry!"

After Xia Sheng finished explaining, he clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and apologized to her sincerely.

"No, no, no, why are you apologizing to me..." Yui Yuigahama quickly waved her hands.

"After all, I did make a mistake."

"So...you're really not angry?" Yui Yuigahama asked expectantly.

"If I were angry, would I still talk to you?" Xia Sheng asked with a smile.

"Oh, right... That's good, that's good, hehe~" Yui Yuigahama breathed a sigh of relief and grinned foolishly.

Seeing her silly and innocent appearance, Xia Sheng also laughed.

"Oh, right, here, take this..."

Yui Yuigahama remembered something, turned around, reached into her desk, and took out... a bag of cookies.

She shyly handed it to Xia Sheng: "This was originally meant as an apology gift; I hope you won't find it offensive."

"It's actually handmade cookies!" Natsumi was surprised by the result.

The cookies were clearly visible inside the plastic bag, but the color didn't look quite right; they seemed overcooked.

"This is all I can do, it might not taste good..." Yui Yuigahama said softly, embarrassed to look at Natsumi.

"It looks delicious! Can I open it and try some?"

"sure......"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Xia Sheng tore open the packaging bag, and a fragrance mixed with a faint burnt smell wafted out. Without hesitation, he picked up a round cookie and put it in his mouth.

Click~ Click~

"Delicious!" Xia Sheng nodded and said with a smile.

It's really not bad; the subtle burnt flavor actually adds a unique touch.

It's also possible that he likes the subtle smell of burning.

"Really?" Yui Yuigahama, who had been secretly glancing at him, asked in disbelief.

"Really, I really like this flavor."

"I see... That's good then." Yui Yuigahama raised her hand to her chest and smiled happily.