Dating

On the way back to Sakurasou, Asahi listens to Mashiro talk about what happened in class all day.

The same genius is everywhere. When she was a child, Mashiro painted in his grandfather's studio in England with an amazing group of friends. However, everyone stops and is overshadowed by his brilliant talent, including Rita, who perseveres to the end, and she is left alone.

It was the same when she came to the High School Affiliated with Suimei Arts College. Her paintings are completely different from those of his art classmates, and other students subconsciously reject her.

There was only one girl who wanted to be friends with her, just like when she was in England.

Mashiro was used to that kind of environment, plus she wasn't good with words, so there was no need to communicate with other people.

There's no need to force yourself to mingle with ordinary humans, it's good to do so, and it's okay if you don't want to.

According to her, it is not necessarily good to do something on purpose.

"Asahi, I don't want to go back for now." While walking to a children's park covered in sand and equipped only with tires, Mashiro suddenly said.

"Hah?" Asahi stopped, looked at the girl, who was almost 20 centimeters shorter than him: "Where do you want to go?"

"I do not know." After finishing speaking, Mashiro added: "If possible, I want to go to a place where I can collect manga background material."

"Oh, I see." Asahi had an idea: "Then leave the rest of the time to me."

"Please treat my body well," said Mashiro as usual, indicating that she didn't understand the ambiguity at all.

...

The next time, Asahi takes Mashiro to another destination and starts wandering around the city.

Shopping malls, marine parks, large shopping malls...

Rather than gathering background information, it would be better to describe it as a date.

"How about this?"

When it comes to the shopping center, Asahi buys a set of clothes for Mashiro on the spur of the moment.

After picking up the clothes, Mashiro obediently went to the changing room, she couldn't seem to refuse.

When Mashiro came out again, Asahi praised in his heart: "It's so beautiful."

Wearing a cream-colored sweater with a simple design, and the lower body is a denim skirt and ankle-length pants, unlike wearing a uniform, the current true white is another feeling.

It is estimated that the female officer was also shocked, and she was speechless.

"I'm inspired." Noticing Asahi's admiring gaze, Mashiro suddenly took out a sketchbook from her backpack, and started drawing in the shop.

"Uh, this?" The officer looked at her in bewilderment.

"Only this one, help me wrap the changed uniform." Asahi smiled faintly and went to the counter to pay.

"Okay..." The female officer had never met a strange person like Mashiro. Although the clerk found it odd, the customer paid the bill well.

About five minutes later, Mashiro put away his sketchbook and woke up in his own world. However, she raised his head and looked around for a while but couldn't find Asahi's figure, and his eyes immediately showed obvious panic.

"Mashiro, this way."

Hearing a familiar voice from behind, Mashiro turned around and looked.

Holding the paper bag containing her uniform, Asahi, who was standing outside the shop.

Running, Mashiro took the initiative to put his hand in his palm, and then she felt relieved.

"Where else do you want to go?" Asahi kept asking.

Mashiro shook his head, seemed to get what she wanted.

"Hmm, we've been shopping for a long time, let's go drink." Asahi said on his own initiative, "Let me think about it, the shops nearby...that's right."

Thinking of something, Asahi takes Mashiro somewhere.

...

10 minutes later.

Seeing an inconspicuous coffee shop in the corner, Mashiro tilted her head.

"Remember the sister who was a guest at Sakurasou last time?" Asahi opened the door and explained to her: "This is the shop that Toka-san opened."

The first person Asahi saw when he opened the door was still the girl she wanted to get close to last time. Asahi just nodded politely, looked around the area where there were obviously not many customers, and then took Mashiro to the far side, and sat down on the couple's chair.

Seeing Asahi bring a female escort, the girl at the door was obviously a little disappointed, the love ended before it even started.

"What do you want?" While handing the menu to Mashiro, Asahi just ordered pudding and a cup of black coffee.

There are more things, especially desserts, strawberry cream cake, pudding, baked milk tea...

Since there were so many things to order, it took a while for Toka to come with the items.

"Hah? This is you?" Toka recognized the two of them at a glance, and she gave them some dessert, and was silent for a while: "Why did you suddenly think of coming to my side?"

Asahi stirred coffee with a spoon: "Mashiro needs to draw materials for painting, so I came here, and I came to rest when I was tired of walking."

"Oh." Toka didn't say anything, and suddenly stopped as she was about to leave: "By the way, there is one thing I want to ask you."

Please help me with something? Asahi couldn't think of anything related to Toka.

Toka turned around and said in a calm tone: "Next month, I will go on a business trip to Hokkaido for an exchange. It will take about a week. I don't feel relieved that Rikka will be home alone, so I'll leave it to you. I will send her to Sakurasou first."

? ? ?

Wait a minute, are we that familiar?

Before Asahi could react, Toka was gone: "Don't worry, I'll remember to help."

After all, they've only met twice, so why do you trust me so much? Leaving your younger sister in my care?

Even though I know there are a lot of residents in Sakurasou, mostly girls, and there is a Dormitory Advisor looking after them... ah no, forgetting Chihiro, let alone Kobato's whereabouts, security issues are worth guaranteeing.

But you are so sudden, it's easy to confuse people.

After all, Asahi didn't argue back, especially since Kobato should be so happy.

Misaki is probably the only person in Sakurasou who can play with him little sister, and Misaki is often busy minding her own business.

Asahi himself was the same, he had time to spend with Kobato, but of course not much.

If Rikka had come, being of the same age and of the same mind, Kobato wouldn't have felt lonely.

For Kobato's happiness, just to look after one more person, Asahi doesn't feel any burden, and Rikka is so cute.

Asahi wondered if he should tell Kobato the good news when he got back, but after thinking about it, he decided to forget about it, and it would be a surprise.