Shinichi is not a freelancer

　　Before returning home, Shinichi called again to confirm Rui's safety.

　　Although Hina's tone on the phone was a little strange, after hearing her say that Rui ate French fries well, Shinichi felt relieved and took a taxi home safely.

　　(I was still too impulsive and didn't think things through)

　　Shinichi pondered to himself.

He had to finish the phone call first and then discuss with Nino whether to call a taxi. Now that the taxi had arrived, he was too embarrassed to ask for it back. Listening to the driver tell him the fare, his heart ached.

　　Although the Nakano family is very rich and may not care about small amounts of money, Shinichi is not a freelancer, and he will definitely pay back Nino's money.

　　But traveling more than two kilometers is really expensive, his pocket money is almost gone for a date, now he doesn't know what work he should do...

　　Do you want to ask Shirogane? Summer vacation was almost over, so it would be best for him to find a part-time job that could be done during the holidays after school started, so he could take care of studying and teaching.

　　After thinking deeply in the car, Shinichi forgot about the matter after he got out of the car, rushed to the door of his house, and took out the keys.

　　"Rui, are you okay?"

　　Opening the door, Shinichi smelled the faint smell of medicine in his house, his worry expressed in his words.

　　In the living room, Rui sat at the dining table, glancing at him.

　　"Hah? Something went wrong. It really hurts."

　　After saying that, Rui turned her gaze back, munching on the fries and flipping through the manga nonchalantly.

　　Her left hand wrapped in gauze was placed on the table, and her right hand was turning the page, Hina was squatting to the side and feeding French fries.

　　Not hearing any response, Rui turned her head again.

　　"Come and talk."

　　Shinichi walked over, intending to sit in his usual place.

　　Rui waved her hand and looked at the seat opposite her.

　　"Sit across from me. It's not easy to talk here."

　　Shinichi didn't really want to obey her orders. But when he saw Rui's left hand wrapped in a layer of gauze, he softened his mind and sat down opposite her.

　　"Let's chat first, then eat later."

　　Rui tapped her finger on the table and closed the manga.

　　Hina left the living room with the things on the table, leaving them alone.

　　"It's too late to go back."

　　Rui smiled, the light in her red eyes flickering.

　　"Rui..."

Shinichi seemed to consider his words. He spoke nervously.

　　"Are you even injured in the brain?"

　　 Rui became expressionless.

　　"…Let me ask, how can cutting vegetables hurt the brain?"

　　"You cut too hard, and the kitchen knife accidentally came out, and there was a popping sound…" Shinichi looked at her head, and saw that there were no scars.

　　"Did you get hit by the knife handle? Luckily, you weren't seriously injured. Let's go to the temple to worship during the holidays and thank the gods for their blessings."

　　He patted his chest with lingering fear, while Rui couldn't take it anymore, her cold disguise was completely gone.

　　"Your little sister is injured, that's all you want to say!?"

　　"I'm just responding to your joke, don't be too angry."

　　Shinichi shrugged, waved at Hina who was hiding behind the door frame and peeking out, and smiled at the sulking Rui.

　　"I'm relieved to see you still have the energy to act."

　　Rui turned around not wanting to see him.

　　"...If you take the medicine as directed, that won't happen."

　　The impromptu performance failed like this, her tone was a little dissatisfied, but she didn't say anything and quickly returned to her normal self.

　　After Hina put everything back on the table, Rui moved away from her and stood up to help her take out all the food in the paper bags.

　　She couldn't move one arm, and there was her own dinner inside, so Shinichi didn't stop watching and got up to help.

　　After the table was filled with various burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and beer, the three of them started eating dinner.

　　Basically Shinichi is talking and Rui is answering.

　　"Why did your hand suddenly hurt?"

　　"I was thinking about helping you make a new dish, but I was too busy so I cut it into pieces without paying attention. Luckily, I didn't see any bones."

　　Rui said it calmly, but Shinichi felt guilty when he heard it.

　　"That sounds painful. Thank you for being so calm..."

　　Rui answered casually.

　　"I can't help it. You weren't here when I wanted to cry. I'm almost used to it when you come back. Now crying while holding you in my arms is something that cannot be explained. What else can I do if I don't cry?"

　　The hand holding the French fries stopped in the air, and Shinichi felt even more guilty in his heart.

　　"...Sorry, my phone was turned off due to some accident. I only remembered it when I came back. I'm really sorry for not contacting you in time."

　　Rui shook her head.

　　"It doesn't matter. I asked Because Hina Nee-san didn't tell you at first, but she still told you secretly. I can't blame you in the first place."

　　"Most importantly, wouldn't that ruin your date with Miku?"

　　Being stared at by those sincere eyes, Shinichi always felt that telling the truth would make him feel guilty for thinking about himself.

　　"Thanks to you, it went well, but if there's an accident next time... It seems too unlucky to say that." Shinichi said seriously.

　　"Dating and other things are not as important as your safety. If possible, please let me know in advance. I will never turn off my cell phone in the future, even if someone installs a GPS positioning system."

　　"…What happened to the last sentence?" Rui's mouth twitched.

　　"But I will accept your concern with gratitude! Thank you, Shinichi."

　　Shinichi hit her head with the hand that wasn't covered in oil.

　　"You can call me Onii-chan."

　　"I didn't want to scream when I saw your eyes shining brightly." Rui turned around, she held her left hand and screamed in pain.

　　"Ouch..."

　　Shinichi immediately pushed the chair away and stood up while saying nervously: "What's wrong? Is the wound open? I'll get the medical kit."

　　"No, it's okay... Just a sudden pain..." Rui took a breath, suppressing the wave of pain.

　　"I want to ask you something…"

　　"What is it?" After Shinichi answered, his first reaction was to look at Hina, who was quietly eating French fries with her head down.

　　"Can you date me?"

　　"Sure..."

　　The words were left blank for a long time.

　　 Shinichi turned from Hina to Rui at the side, his eyes wide in disbelief.

　　"What did you say?"

　　"It doesn't matter what I say, what matters is..."

　　Rui raised her face, with a sly smile on her face.

　　"I heard you say it."