NOVEL NEXT Chapter 120: Chapter 120: I Don't Care at all
Chapter 120: I Don't Care at all
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"I kept reminding myself to be careful and not embarrass myself while hanging out with Rin," Sakura thought anxiously.
Rin had been sitting outside for nearly six or seven minutes. Just as he began to wonder if Sakura had fallen into the toilet, she finally returned.
Sakura noticed Rin had already eaten nearly half of his strawberry cake. Feeling awkward, she said softly, "Sorry, Matsuoka-san, I took too long in the bathroom."
"I don't mind. Sakura, sit down. The cake baked by the boss lady herself is excellent—you should give it a try," Rin said with a reassuring smile.
"Um..."
Seeing that Rin didn't seem to care, Sakura felt relieved. She obediently sat back in her seat and quietly savored her portion of strawberry cake.
After that, Sakura kept reminding herself to stay careful and not do anything rude again. This effort ensured she didn't embarrass herself further.
However, because Sakura was too cautious, the atmosphere between her and Rin lacked the natural harmony of a date.
Rin didn't mind. After all, he understood better than anyone how shy the soft-spoken girl in front of him was.
At that moment, Rin's phone buzzed. Taking it out, he saw it was a Line message from Horikita Suzune.
> [Matsuoka, I'm starting to prepare lunch. Do you need me to make your portion?]
Horikita Suzune typically cooked her own lunch in the dormitory. She was checking with Rin to see if he needed a meal prepared.
> [I'll eat out at noon, Horikita, so no need to prepare mine.]
> [Understood. That means I only owe you four meals now.]
> [Hey, wait a second! I didn't even eat your lunch today, so why are my points being deducted?]
> [Because it's too much trouble!]
> [I don't want to ask you every time I cook!]
> [So, Matsuoka, just consider it a meal I cooked for you, even if you eat out.]
Horikita Suzune's response made Rin curl his lips. What an unreasonable person.
By the end of the weekend, Horikita Suzune would no longer owe Rin anything.
Rin felt a bit regretful. The flattened bacon sandwich he ate this morning, which she had made, turned out to be unexpectedly delicious.
Horikita Suzune wasn't lying about her cooking skills—she could turn even simple food into something memorable.
Rin and Sakura Airi stayed in Mirai's drink shop for more than half an hour. By then, it was already 11:23 a.m.
"Come on, Sakura, we should head to the mall. After we buy the camera there, we can have lunch at the mall's restaurant."
"Um!"
A smile of anticipation and joy appeared on Sakura Airi's face.
Afterward, Rin went to pay the bill. As he turned to face Sakura Airi, he couldn't help but reveal a puzzled expression.
At that moment, Sakura Airi was wearing a hat and a mask. The hat pressed down her bright red hair, and the mask covered most of her face.
Dressed like this, Sakura Airi looked suspicious, almost like a stalker from a TV show following someone.
"Sakura, where did you get that hat and mask?"
"I always carry it with me," Sakura Airi said as she patted the shoulder bag she was carrying, which held her hat and mask.
It was almost noon, and many students were likely out shopping or on dates at the mall. To avoid being stared at, Sakura Airi deliberately put on a hat and a mask.
"Um... Matsuoka-san, do you mind if I wear a mask and a hat? If you do, I... I'll take them off," Sakura Airi said weakly.
"I don't mind at all," Rin replied casually.
In truth, Rin did mind a little.
After Sakura Airi put on her hat and mask, he couldn't admire her face anymore.
However, Rin also understood that Sakura Airi was very shy and didn't like revealing her true self in front of others, so he could sympathize.
"Let's go," he said, signaling her to follow.
"Okay."
Rin Matsuoka and Sakura Airi, now wearing her hat and mask, left the drink shop and started heading toward Keyaki Shopping Center.
As they walked, all eyes seemed to follow them.
The handsome Rin Matsuoka, paired with the mysterious girl in a hat and mask, was like a walking spotlight in the night—conspicuous and impossible to ignore.
Even though Sakura Airi had hidden her pretty face, the attention of others still lingered on her.
This was because her curvaceous figure, particularly her ample chest, was simply too eye-catching.
The amazed and astonished gazes made Sakura Airi very uncomfortable. She lowered her head and moved closer to Rin, using his body as a shield to block the prying eyes of passersby.
Noticing her unease, Rin glanced back and saw Sakura Airi with her head lowered, timidly hiding behind him.
"Sakura, wait here for a moment. I'm going to buy something," Rin suddenly said.
"Ah? Oh... Matsuoka-san, please hurry," Sakura Airi replied uneasily.
"I will. Just a second."
Rin smiled reassuringly and quickly walked into a nearby clothing store under Sakura Airi's puzzled gaze.
True to his word, Rin returned in less than twenty seconds, carrying a light pink coat.
He handed the coat to Sakura Airi. "Here, take this."
"Ah, this is…" Sakura Airi looked at the coat in surprise, unsure of what to say.
"You seem really sensitive to people staring at you, so wearing this might help make you less noticeable," Rin explained.
"And don't worry, I asked the clerk—it's lightweight, so you won't feel too hot even in the summer."
Rin's thoughtful explanation and his kind gesture touched Sakura Airi deeply. Holding the coat gently, she felt a warm sense of gratitude.
"Thank you, Matsuoka-san. How much did this coat cost? I'll pay you back!" she said earnestly.
"There's no need," Rin replied with a smile. "Think of it as a reward for accompanying me to buy a camera today."
"Um... well…" Hugging the coat tightly, Sakura Airi mumbled shyly, "Matsuoka-san, I actually just like taking pictures. I don't really know much about cameras."
"I'm so sorry! I lied to you earlier!"
When Rin first mentioned cameras, Sakura Airi had confidently claimed to know a lot about them. She had wanted to appear knowledgeable and had exaggerated her familiarity with the subject.