COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 185: harmonious

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"Ahaha~ Actually, I have a pretty big appetite. I can eat two dinners. Don't mind me, I'm starving. Let's eat quickly before the food gets cold," Rin said cheerfully, trying to ease the situation.

Shiina walked over with the two plastic lunch boxes, while Horikita brought over the plastic bag she had carried, placing it carefully on the low table.

Rin settled himself on one side of the low table, with Horikita and Shiina sitting on either side, forming a perfectly balanced triangle.

Both Horikita and Shiina sat with their backs straight, their slender waists held perfectly upright.

Since Horikita had already eaten dinner, she occupied herself with reading Cornell Woolrich's The Dawn of Death.

While Horikita immersed herself in the novel, Rin and Shiina began their meal.

Shiina's dining etiquette was impeccable. The way she picked up food, placed it into her mouth, and chewed slowly was both graceful and elegant. Her every movement exuded a quiet beauty that was impossible to ignore.

In stark contrast, Rin's eating habits were anything but refined. He devoured his food with enthusiasm, cheeks puffed out like a hamster's as he stuffed his mouth full of food.

Though her eyes appeared to be fixed on her book, Horikita occasionally stole glances at Rin. Watching his carefree eating habits brought an almost imperceptible smile to her usually cold and composed face.

"I really missed seeing Rin like this," she thought. "It's been over two years, hasn't it?"

She recalled a time in the past when Rin, invited by her older brother Manabu, joined them for dinner. His dining style had been just as unreserved back then, and though it lacked elegance, she had found it strangely endearing.

Shiina was the first to finish her meal, followed shortly by Rin, who had polished off two dinners. With a satisfied expression, Shiina arched her eyebrows and used a tissue to gently wipe the small trace of grease still lingering on her lips.

"Hmm~ I didn't expect the food in the student cafeteria to be so delicious. I think I'll have to eat there more often in the future," she remarked, her voice light and cheerful.

Horikita's attention shifted to Shiina. "Shiina-san, it sounds like this is your first time eating at the student cafeteria?"

"This is indeed my first time," Shiina replied with a soft smile.

"Horikita-san, you inferred from my comment that this was my first time in the cafeteria. You must have excellent reasoning skills!" Shiina added, her expression brightening as she directed a look of admiration toward Horikita.

"…"

While sipping his honey peach drink, Rin watched the interaction quietly. He couldn't help but think that Shiina was about to recommend a mystery novel to Horikita.

In truth, Rin had also deduced that this was Shiina's first visit to the student cafeteria. Earlier, when they were using the ticket machine to order food, Shiina had looked noticeably confused, clearly unfamiliar with how the system worked.

Her confusion had made it obvious that this was her first experience in the cafeteria.

Shiina, delighted by Horikita's reasoning ability, suddenly stood up and walked over to sit beside her.

"Horikita-san, the book you're reading now, The Dawn of Death, is a very intriguing and meticulously crafted mystery novel. How far have you read?" Shiina asked enthusiastically, leaning slightly toward her.

Shiina's sudden enthusiasm caught Horikita off guard. The typically composed girl shifted slightly in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden closeness.

She cast a quick glance toward Rin, her eyes practically pleading with him to do something about the overly cheerful girl now sitting next to her.

Rin, noticing Horikita's silent plea for help, feigned ignorance and continued sipping his honey peach drink as if nothing had happened.

In truth, Rin believed that Shiina and Horikita had the potential to become good friends—perhaps even best friends.

Shiina's quiet and gentle personality, combined with her love for reading, seemed like a perfect match for the reserved and tsundere Horikita.

Rin also didn't want Horikita to remain alone all the time, so he let Shiina continue pestering her.

Besides, the sight of two beautiful girls sitting together was undeniably pleasing to him.

Though Horikita often came across as cold and uninterested in socializing, it didn't mean she would reject genuine kindness or sincerity.

If it had been someone like Kushida pestering her, Horikita would likely have coldly told her to stop.

But with Shiina, it was different. Horikita could sense her sincerity, especially when Shiina enthusiastically recommended her favorite classic novels with genuine interest.

In the end, it was Rin who decided to rescue the flustered Horikita.

"Okay, Shiina, stop bothering Horikita and let her read quietly," Rin said with a smile.

Shiina immediately nodded, her cheerful tone unbothered. "Alright, I won't disturb you anymore, Horikita-san. Focus on your reading!"

Rin's simple intervention effectively redirected Shiina's energy, and Horikita silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Originally, Horikita had planned to leave Rin's dormitory as soon as he finished eating the dinner she had brought.

But now, she changed her mind. If she left, it would mean leaving Rin and Shiina alone in the room together.

That can't happen!

After cleaning up the lunch boxes and tidying up the low table, the three of them sat down again, each engrossed in their respective books.

The dormitory's atmosphere was quiet and warm, creating a cozy environment that all three of them seemed to enjoy.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before they realized it, the clock struck half-past ten. Despite the late hour, neither Shiina nor Horikita showed any intention of leaving. Both were too absorbed in their novels.

Having just finished reading Whose Body?, Rin decided to break the silence.

"Horikita, Shiina, it's getting late. You should head back, take a shower, and get some rest. We have classes tomorrow."

Horikita looked up from The Dawn of Death and glanced at Shiina, as if to gauge her response first.

Shiina smiled and nodded. "You're right. It's really late. We should go back and rest." Turning to Horikita, she added with excitement, "Horikita-san, did you enjoy The Dawn of Death? If you like it, I can lend it to you."

"Yes, I'm enjoying it. I'll borrow it and return it to you once I'm done," Horikita replied with a nod.

"Great!" Shiina beamed with delight before turning her attention to Rin. Her brows furrowed slightly in playful thought. "Rin, you've finished Whose Body?, haven't you?"

"You noticed?" Rin asked, slightly surprised.

"Of course!" Shiina replied matter-of-factly. "I've been paying attention to you!"

Horikita's lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced briefly at Shiina. This girl has been paying attention to Rin…

In reality, Shiina's focus wasn't on Rin himself but on his progress in reading Whose Body?.

"Rin, which book are you going to read next? You can choose any of the ones I brought, except The Dawn of Death since I lent it to Horikita-san~" Shiina said with a teasing smile.