Anime Crossover: About How I Spoiled an Angel

Page 306

Winter seems to be like this—a season with short days and long nights, blurring the concept of a 24-hour day.

Perhaps that's why people always look forward to the arrival of the next spring.

……

"Eat first or take a shower first?"

Standing at the door, Su Qing asked.

"First..." Mahiru was about to answer when she asked in confusion, "Wait, you haven't already cooked the meal, have you?"

"Correct answer, but there's no reward." Su Qing nodded with a smile.

"Let's eat first then? After all, it's getting chilly so easily in this weather." Mahiru paused for a moment, "And... I'm really looking forward to your dinner."

"It shouldn't disappoint you, although I think it's still a bit different from your cooking."

As they spoke, the two had already passed through the entryway and entered the living room.

For some reason, Mahiru always felt that there was a faint sweet smell in the air, which was very familiar but she just couldn't put her finger on it.

Several dishes were already laid out on the table, and each plate was covered with plastic wrap, probably for hygiene reasons.

Mahiru glanced around and was surprised to find that almost all of these were foods she liked to eat.

There were one or two other dishes she couldn't name, but they were probably from mainland China.

"It's a bit cold, let me heat it up again."

Su Qing touched the plate to check its temperature and thought that she had made it a little too early.

Most meals taste better when they're hot.

He picked up the plate and was about to run to the kitchen when a slender arm suddenly appeared in his sight.

"It'll heat up quickly, you should know that too."

Su Qing thought that Mahiru wanted him to stop bothering her, so she spoke first.

"Of course I know, I just want to be with you, is that not allowed?"

Mahiru's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a gentle smile appeared on her face after Su Qing agreed.

……

After spending some time heating up the food, the two began to eat dinner.

At the dinner table, neither of them mentioned why Su Qing had taken the initiative to cook this meal.

"Unexpectedly delicious..."

After tasting most of the dishes, Mahiru slowly put down her chopsticks and said in a rather serious tone.

"You didn't expect me to improve so much, did you?"

"No." Mahiru shook her head. "While that's part of the reason, what I really mean is that I've never eaten such delicious food before. It completely shattered my expectations!"

"Is this supposed to be encouraging praise? It's making me feel so good, maybe I should apply for a chef position at a five-star hotel tomorrow." Su Qing chuckled and started to make fun of herself.

"Because...you put a lot of effort into doing this for me, didn't you? I think that alone is enough for me to give you the highest praise."

“I understand, because you do too for me.”

Mahiru raised her eyes, her amber eyes gleaming with a liquid-like luster under the light.

Her expression was extremely serious.

"Really? If what I make can give you that feeling, that would be wonderful."

Actually, I've always looked forward to it, fantasizing about having someone I care about have dinner with me someday.

Because I was always alone when I was a child, neither my father nor my mother ever truly acknowledged my existence...

Now, that person has not only appeared, but also possesses an astonishingly high level of talent. In a short period of time, he has transformed from a complete culinary novice into a master chef who even surprises me.

Most importantly... they even prepared such a sumptuous dinner for me.

After Mahiru finished speaking, she picked up another piece of braised pork with a good balance of fat and lean meat.

Those who know their food understand that this is simply the finest braised pork.

But Mahiru didn't put it in her bowl; instead, she held it in the air, directly in front of Su Qing's mouth.

She opened her mouth and said in a coaxing tone, "You've worked hard today, chef~ Open your mouth, I'll feed you."

Su Qing didn't resist; she just smiled helplessly and obediently opened her mouth and ate it.

Seeing Su Qing's helpfulness, a satisfied and mischievous smile appeared on Zhen Zhou's face.

After dinner, the two of them habitually washed the dishes together.

Their teamwork was as smooth as that of an old married couple.

So they quickly finished their work and sat down on the sofa.

"Well... I'm going to start now, okay?" Mahiru pursed her lips and placed her hands on her knees.

At this moment, she suddenly felt uneasy.

This is reasonable, since she had never confided in anyone about this before.

"Okay." Su Qing gently took Mahiru's hand.

The silent language instantly penetrated every inch of her skin, reaching straight to the girl's heart.

Mahiru panicked for a moment, her fair, snow-white neck flushing a blush of pink.

She said haltingly:

"It will be very boring, not interesting at all!"

So you need to be mentally prepared.

Ah... but you can't run away now, because you just agreed to be my girlfriend!

"You traitor, this is my home. If anyone should run, it's you."

Su Qing grasped Mahiru's hand and raised it high.

Although she does housework for a long time, her hands have always been smooth and delicate because she wears gloves and takes care of them.

At this moment, she was tightly wrapped by Su Qing, like the most beautiful pearl nurtured by a clam.

"If you think that's not enough, try grabbing me with both hands?"

"Arrest them, arrest them if you will."

People can get carried away sometimes.

Mahiru, unwilling to give up, took out her other hand and, though with great difficulty, managed to wrap it up.

"I told you before that I was born into a not-so-good family, right?"

"Ah."

"Strictly speaking, I did not suffer any excessive grievances."

They have enough to eat and wear, and don't have to bear any economic pressure.

But... like I just said, I've always been alone since I was a child.

Neither my father nor my mother ever truly respected me, no matter how much effort I put in, whether I won first place in the sports meet or achieved excellent grades.

Their marriage was solely for the benefit of their families.

My mother has other men outside the marriage, I don't know exactly how many, while my father stays at the company all year round and never comes home.

So my appearance was just an accident, an accident caused by a one-night stand due to alcohol.

It is often said that children are the crystallization of their parents' love.

But it's normal for an unexpected child, no matter how bright and shining it may be, not to receive attention from parents, right?

But the most ridiculous thing is that I've always had some inexplicable fantasies about them.

One of the great things about motherhood is the pain of childbirth during the ten months of pregnancy.

So even if she seemed indifferent, I always fantasized that perhaps for a moment she treated me like her own daughter.

But only today do I think I've finally given up completely.

The bright light cast a shadow, sharp as a knife, beneath the eyelashes of the bright daylight.

She recalled her conversation with Shiina Sayo not long ago and gave a bleak smile.

"But only today did I hear her say it herself: she only gave birth to me because she didn't want to lose her fertility and was forced to.

It turns out that even for a fleeting moment, she never treated me like a daughter.

So I should have given up on my wishful thinking a long time ago.

The things that had been hidden in her heart were finally revealed at this moment, and Mahiru thought she would shed tears against her will.

But the fact is just the opposite.

Disappointment accumulated little by little over many years of loneliness.

Perhaps she no longer longed for that family affection, but she just didn't realize it herself.

But if it's not longing, then what is it?

They look forward to things on their own, and then they feel disappointed on their own.

This twisted longing, it turns out... is an obsession.

Mahiru felt an unprecedented sense of ease, as if the world before her eyes had come alive again.

"However, in a sense, I should also thank this wishful thinking."

Do you remember the first time we met?

Mahiru raised her face, her eyes misty with an indistinct fog, but she revealed a very gentle smile.

Su Qing's voice was soft but firm, "I've always remembered that this kind of thing has nothing to do with memory."

Hearing this, her smile widened. "That day, I deliberately stayed under that swing because I was bored, although I didn't expect it to rain suddenly."

But it was precisely because of this that I met you, such a kind person, who brought me an umbrella.

"I'm actually not a very kind person," Su Qing shook her head.

"There are very few people in this world who would inexplicably sacrifice their own interests for your benefit."

People I used to know described me as indifferent to everything.

No favorite food, no entertainment, and a lifestyle so regular it's like being a robot.

They would even say I'm not very human.

So even when I was a child in the orphanage, I was ostracized by many people.

As far as I can remember, this is a rare instance of Su Qing mentioning her past.

Most people are eager to share their past experiences because everyone has regrets or a desire to share.

But Su Qing doesn't seem to have such a thing.

He really doesn't seem human, except when he's with a few people.

"That's just their judgment based on their own assumptions because they don't understand you!"

My Qingjun is clearly an exceptionally outstanding and gentle person; you couldn't find a boyfriend like him anywhere else in the world!

Mahiru frowned, looking quite displeased.

It's really strange, she didn't seem to have this feeling when talking about her own situation.

Perhaps it was something that needed to be vented; the emotions that shouldn't have been vented had long since dissipated with the light shining in front of me.

"Um... Anyway, I'm done talking, it was pretty boring, wasn't it?"

It's strange. I used to long for someone to confide in, and I had so much to say.

But when it comes to actually speaking, I can't say anything at all.

Mahiru blinked, somewhat puzzled, but Su Qing suddenly broke free from her grasp and placed her hand on Mahiru's head as if to encourage her.

"There's nothing to say because you've always been very hardworking and strong."