Chapter 147: what do you mean?

Chapter 147: what do you mean?

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Just as Horikita was thinking this sourly, Rin swallowed the curry rice and chicken in his mouth, then reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

"Horikita, catch," Rin said as he tossed the item toward her.

Still feeling a bit sour inside, Horikita instinctively caught what he threw.

The object was surprisingly light, yet firm in her hand. Feeling curious, she spread her palm open to examine it.

It was a butterfly-shaped brooch.

This brooch, crafted with exquisite detail, showcased a butterfly with its wings spread wide, giving it an elegant yet sturdy appearance. The wings were adorned with tiny fluorescent crystals, which sparkled brilliantly under the dormitory room's light, emitting a mesmerizing glow.

"Is this a brooch? Rin, what are you trying to say?" Horikita asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

"It's for you," Rin replied with a bright smile.

"…"

Horikita froze, staring at him with a slightly stunned expression. Then, she lowered her gaze to the delicate brooch in her palm. After a moment of silence, she softly asked, "Why are you giving this to me?"

Rin rubbed his nose awkwardly before replying, "Think of it as a token of appreciation for cooking for me these past two days."

Even though her heart was suddenly filled with a faint joy, Horikita controlled her expression. She spoke with her usual calm demeanor, maintaining a composed look.

"I cooked for you because I wanted to thank you for helping me before. You don't need to repay me."

"Sure, but let's be real—you didn't actually need my help back then. Even without me stepping in, Horikita-nii wouldn't have beaten you."

I guess that's true…

However, the narration system had made it clear that if Rin hadn't arrived in time, Horikita Suzune would have been beaten badly.

"Honestly, I felt a bit guilty for tricking you into making me six meals, so I thought it'd be fair to give you a gift," Rin admitted.

Horikita gently smiled at the butterfly brooch. After admiring it for a few moments, she closed her fingers around it and held it tightly in her hand.

"Well, I'll accept it then—without hesitation."

"Good."

"Do you have a mirror? I want to see how it looks when I wear it."

"No, I don't."

"Seriously, Rin, why is your room so bare? You don't even have slippers for guests or a mirror," Horikita said, her usual tone of disdain creeping into her voice.

"I've only lived here for less than a week," Rin replied, continuing to eat happily. "It's normal for some things to still be missing."

"That's not normal. I've already prepared everything I need."

"Yes, yes, I know you're extremely capable and will definitely make an amazing wife and mother in the future," Rin said offhandedly, his focus still on his food.

His comment caused Horikita to freeze, her words catching in her throat. A faint blush, barely visible, crept onto her cold cheeks, softening her icy demeanor.

Although the blush was subtle, it added an unexpected charm to her expression, making her look both shy and girlish.

Hey, the iceberg is melting!

Horikita, momentarily flustered by Rin's unintentional praise, stopped her critique of his room. She carefully tucked the butterfly brooch into her pocket, then picked up Whose Body?, which Rin had left next to his pillow.

She thought that if she shifted her attention to the famous novel, she could ignore the lingering effects of Rin's casual compliment about her being a good wife and mother.

Horikita found that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shift her focus to the famous novel in her hands. Rin's words kept echoing in her mind.

A good wife and a good mother…

A good wife and mother.

Good wife and good mother!

"What's going on? I used to feel happy just from my brother praising my studies or cooking... So why do Rin's words make me so happy that I can't calm down?"

She took several deep breaths, silently attempting to quell the overwhelming joy in her heart.

After about three minutes, Horikita finally managed to compose herself, successfully redirecting her attention to the book in her hands.

"Speaking of which, Rin, I remember you've never been interested in famous novels before. Why do you have this one in your room?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Someone lent it to me," Bai Yuan replied casually.

"Who?"

"Shiina."

Hearing the unfamiliar name, Horikita raised her head. "Boy or girl?"

"Girl."

"..."

Horikita's expression darkened immediately.

If I'm destined to become a good wife and mother, then this guy in front of me will definitely end up being a playboy who flirts with other women!

Closing the book Whose Body?, which had momentarily piqued her interest, she returned it to its original spot. Then, standing up from Rin's bed in one swift motion, she said, "I'm heading back. I'll leave these lunch boxes here for now. I'll come over tomorrow morning to bring you breakfast and pick them up."

"Hmmmm," Rin mumbled, still focused on his food.

Just as she turned to leave, Rin quickly called out, "Wait!"

Horikita stopped and turned back with a look of mild surprise. "What is it?"

"Well, could you not come over at seven o'clock tomorrow morning? Class doesn't start until nine. How about bringing breakfast at 8:30 instead?"

Horikita looked at Rin's handsome face, her expression tinged with exasperation. She curled her lips slightly before replying, "I'll come over at seven. If you don't wake up, I'll just keep ringing the doorbell."

"Damn it, Horikita, you vicious woman!"

Her eyes suddenly turned sharp. She glared at him, her tone icy. "Then I'll come at 6:30."

"…"

Six-thirty?!

This ice cube isn't just vicious—she's downright insane!

Suddenly, an idea struck Rin, and he quickly said, "I'll give you a key to my dormitory. That way, when you come over, you can just use the key to let yourself in. Leave the breakfast by the shoe rack."

"…Alright."

Horikita readily accepted his proposal, taking the key to his dormitory room without hesitation.

Originally, if Rin had begged her a little more, she might have "reluctantly" agreed to come at 8:30 instead. But now, she'd gotten a free key.

Satisfied with this small victory, Horikita left with a spring in her step, taking the elevator back to her dormitory room.

As soon as she returned, she pulled the butterfly brooch from her pocket and gently ran her white fingertips over its surface.

"What should I make for breakfast tomorrow?" she mused aloud.

"A sandwich seems too simple… Maybe something heartier and more elaborate would be better?"

Having made up her mind, Horikita grabbed one of the cookbooks she'd purchased and began flipping through the pages, searching for dishes that met her exacting standards.

What Rin didn't know was that the sumptuous dinner he'd just enjoyed had been painstakingly recreated by Horikita Suzune using recipes from that very same cookbook.

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