As Shido heard the door to Mahiru's apartment close behind him, he continued down the hall toward the apartment next to hers. He had to say, he was glad to know that she was his neighbor. Still, he couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh thinking of her life.
In the original series, Mahiru's parents had abandoned her, neither of them showing any care or concern. Despite her relentless dedication to both academics and sports, striving tirelessly to earn their approval, her efforts had all been in vain. They hadn't even acknowledged the lengths she went to.
As a result, Mahiru became a lone flower, a beauty too distant for anyone to reach. 'At least, that's how the students at her school saw her', Shido thought. Admired from afar, yet untouchable. Her personality shaped into a more strong version of herself, becoming independent rather than relying on others.
She had also become the kind of person who hid her true feelings from the world, concealing all the pain she carried inside.
Fortunately, there had been her caretaker, the one who gave her the love of a parent, the kind of affection that Mahiru had longed for. But even that connection had been severed when her mother had removed the caretaker from their household.
"Why would her parents abandon such a lovely girl?" Shido muttered to himself, shaking his head in frustration. His heart ached at the thought of Mahiru's past, and a resolve began to form within him. 'I'll do what I can to make her happy. I want to support her, even if just a little.'
As Shido continued to think, he eventually reached the next apartment. Without hesitation, he pressed the doorbell. He didn't have to wait long, the door opened just a few seconds later.
"Um, you are?" A young man, about Shido's age, stood in the doorway, looking slightly puzzled.
He had an above average height, with a slightly disheveled appearance that made him look a bit plain at first glance that people might overlook him. His bangs partially obscured his face, giving him a more unremarkable vibe.
But Shido's sharp eyes quickly took in the details, his bangs hid his features just enough to mask the potential. A few adjustments to his appearance, and it was clear, the boy was actually quite handsome.
However, his skin was quite pale because he wasn't taking care of his self that much.
"Good evening, sorry for disturbing you at this time. I'm Itsuka Shido. I had just moved from the apartment on the left most side. Nice to meet you." Shido didn't act rudely and politely introduced himself just like how he did earlier..
Amane blinked in mild surprise at the introduction, clearly not expecting his neighbor to be so formal. "Oh, I'm Fujimiya Amane. Nice to meet you," he replied, a bit taken aback by the sudden visit.
Amane found himself forming a positive impression of Shido. There was nothing about his demeanor that suggested arrogance that look down on him or superiority, and no trace of any negative attitude. It made Amane think that Shido was, in fact, a genuinely nice person.
"Here, it's not much, but it's a small greeting gift," Shido said, raising a bag of cake and a Tupperware container filled with croquettes.
"T-Thank you." Amane accepted the gift with a slight flush, surprised by the unexpected gesture. He had never been on the receiving end of such kindness before. No one had ever given him something just for acknowledging his existence except for his weird friend and his girlfriend. This small act of goodwill left Amane feeling unexpectedly touched. It made him grateful for Shido's kindness, even if it was just a simple gift.
"You're welcome. Anyway, I don't want to keep you any longer, so I'll head back. Good night." Shido waved his hand with a friendly smile, ready to leave.
"Yeah, good night." Amane nodded as Shido made his way back to his apartment. Left alone, Amane glanced down at the paper bag and Tupperware in his hands. He noticed it contained a cake and croquettes. 'Cake and croquettes?' he thought, raising an eyebrow.
But instead of feeling put off, Amane found himself oddly pleased. He hadn't eaten much for dinner, and the idea of enjoying these simple treats felt comforting. No complaints here, especially for something so unexpectedly kind.
...
Shido returned back to his apartment and sit on his bed. He looked around and saw how dull the inside of his apartment. However, he didn't need to worry about this that much since his furniture will be delivered tomorrow.
Then Shido's thought gone to the people he met today from Iori, Mahiru and Amane. He didn't expect to meet them on the first day he arrived in this world. He couldn't help but expect to meet many other characters from anime.
But then, when he thought of Mahiru and Amane, he couldn't help but sigh helplessly. Amane was a good man, but he had to admit that he was attracted by Mahiru. "Let's just let the nature take course." Shido said then decided to sleep.
...
After quickly changing into casual clothes and a pair of pants, Shido opened his apartment door and stepped outside.
As he did, he noticed that Mahiru had also just opened her door and was heading outside. The two of them stood frozen for a moment, both caught off guard by the unexpected timing.
Shido's gaze lingered for a moment, noticing that Mahiru was dressed in a blue blazer paired with a brown striped skirt school uniform. 'She looks as elegant as ever', Shido thought to himself, a quiet appreciation for her beauty bubbling up. Her dark brown stockings, hugging her legs perfectly, only added to her graceful appearance, and for a brief moment, Shido found himself admiring the subtle elegance she carried with her.
But Shido was still the first one to react, quickly walking toward Mahiru with a friendly smile. "Good morning, Shiina-san."
"Good morning, Itsuka-san." Mahiru nodded slightly, her expression softening as she looked at him. "Thank you for the food you gave me yesterday." Her voice carried a sincerity that Shido could feel. The taste of his cooking had reminded her of the meals her caretaker used to prepare, and it brought a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
"I'm glad you liked it." Shido replied, his smile deepening. The warmth in her words made him genuinely happy.
"Yes, it was very delicious." Mahiru said, nodding with genuine appreciation.
Shido smiled, pleased by her compliment, and then continued, "Are you heading to school?"
"Yes, we have classes today." Mahiru replied, adjusting her bag casually. "What about you, Itsuka-san? Which school are you attending?"
Shido paused for a moment, thinking before answering, "Well, I just arrived in Tokyo and I was planning to transfer to Fujou High School."