Chen Ran nodded upon hearing this, without saying much more.
The two went upstairs, one after the other.
Cohabitation... that was out of the question.
However, ZECT had rented the apartment next to Chen Ran's. They had originally planned to cultivate an image of a regular university graduate entering the workforce for Takatori Renka, but little did they expect Chen Ran to see through it directly. The plan had completely collapsed before it could even be truly implemented.
But since Chen Ran didn't care about Takatori Renka's identity, there was still room for maneuverability.
Takatori Renka went back to tidy up first.
She was in a very good mood.
Leaving the ZECT Light Ant Soldier training base and moving into her own place was a new experience for her.
After all, she was still a girl.
She would always have aspirations for a better life.
Time quickly passed, and it was already noon.
Chen Ran went to a nearby supermarket to buy some ingredients, planning to make a lavish lunch.
Severe illness requires drastic measures!
He refused to believe that Takatori Renka could resist the temptation.
Unless she had the constitution of Mishima Masato.
Or perhaps had already been mimicked by an alien insect...
Returning home, after a simple tidying up, Chen Ran entered the kitchen.
Cooking rice, washing vegetables, chopping vegetables.
Each action was performed with practiced skill, flowing naturally.
It exuded a unique sense of beauty.
For Chen Ran, when it came to doing things... he either didn't do them at all, or if he did, he would strive to do his best!
He would never be casual.
Humming a tune.
Enjoying the pleasure of cooking.
In the same apartment building.
Next door to Chen Ran's apartment.
Takatori Renka said she was tidying up, but there wasn't much to pack. Her luggage was not much. Although she had moved here, having been educated in the ZECT style since childhood, she was fundamentally different from ordinary girls.
After a simple tidying, her style was very plain.
This made it look very clean.
She didn't eat any fruit.
She had intended to take them to visit Chen Ran's place, but she hadn't expected such an embarrassing encounter, so they had to be left at home for now.
Time flew by, imperceptibly slipping through the cracks of one's fingers.
In a flash, it was noon.
She didn't go to the kitchen to cook.
Food is paramount!
Three meals a day...
These are things that normal humans need to go through in their lives. Not eating is not an option. If no one cooks at home, or if one's cooking skills are poor, one goes out to eat. If that's not feasible, one calls a restaurant to order delivery.
But all these things were irrelevant to Takatori Renka at the moment.
Feeling a slight pang of hunger.
She took out a small bag from her pocket.
She spread her palm and poured out a few grains of rice.
Sun-dried rice.
It had no flavor, of course.
For a long time now.
She had sustained her life force with this. She had maintained this for many years. She could ignore most outside foods; it was a habit cultivated over the years. Unfortunately, in the original work, she had met Tendou, a master chef.
With a bowl of egg-fried rice, she had directly defected.
And now, she had met Chen Ran...
Compared to that guy Tendou.
Chen Ran was even less virtuous!
He had prepared a large table full of dishes.
It was mouth-watering.
Takatori Renka gently put the rice grains into her mouth. They were as tasteless as chewing wax.
But at this moment.
An intoxicating aroma, so fragrant that it seemed to make the taste buds bloom just by smelling it, spread wantonly.
Almost instantly, Takatori Renka, whose state of mind had been very well-honed, felt a hint of her defenses crumbling.
Sniffing the scent, she stood up.
She wanted to follow the aroma.
She was involuntarily immersed in that wonderful sensation.
(Takatori Renka: I can't control myself!)
She endured... for one second.
Then she burst out of the door!
...