"Yo yo yo, well if it is not Mr. Shirou, who was supposed to be resting at home. What's with this pathetic state?"
Exusiai walked up and slung an arm around Shirou's shoulders.
"Yeah, seriously, what happened? You look like a mess."
Croissant hooked onto his other shoulder.
Although it looked like the two were just being friendly, to the Lungmen Guard Department officers nearby it very clearly looked like Shirou was being escorted by force. If this were not the Guard Department and if they did not know these people were together they might've thought it was a kidnapping.
"We agreed this morning that you would stay home and rest, right?"
Sora smiled gently at Shirou.
"If I say it was an accident… would you believe me?"
Shirou gave an awkward but polite smile.
"Nope. Take him—load him into the car."
Texas did not even bother listening to his explanation and waved her hand decisively.
"Take care. And… try not to come back."
A Guard Department officer muttered to the Penguin Logistics group as they left.
Though honestly, it was pointless. He would probably see them again soon anyway.
Penguin Logistics was practically famous for going in and out of the Guard Department like it was their own home—seven times in, seven times out, no restrictions.
He just hoped Shirou would not get "assimilated" too quickly.
Such a nice young man… what a pity.
"Um… I really just went to the Mall to buy something."
Sitting in the car, sandwiched between people, Shirou felt the need to defend himself.
"You could have bought it some other time, right?"
Sora, sitting in the passenger seat, strongly criticized him.
They had just agreed this morning he would stay home and by afternoon, they were already informed that he got caught up in an incident and ended up at the Guard Department.
Anyone would be upset if a promise like that was broken—even Sora, who was usually gentle.
"It got kind of boring staying in the dorm…"
Shirou sounded a bit more stubborn than usual. After all, he was more familiar with Penguin Logistics, and he usually played the role of caretaker.
"We have a game console, don't we? …Wait, you probably do not know how to use it. But you could at least use your phone, right?"
Exusiai started to mention the console they had brought over but then remembered Shirou barely touched it. He was always either studying or doing housework.
Still, she could not understand why he did not use his phone.
"…I forgot."
Only now did Shirou remember what phones were for. Since getting one, he had only used it for calls, navigation, and occasionally checking recipes. Otherwise, it just sat there unused.
"What do you mean you forgot? Shirou, do you even know how to relax?"
Croissant bravely stepped up to roast him.
"I agree. Normally you are either working or studying. You never really take time to relax."
Texas added from the driver's seat.
Everyone in Penguin Logistics was concerned about Shirou's physical and mental condition.
After all, if Shirou collapsed, they would have nothing to eat.
"Studying can be stressful, but for me, cooking and housework are relaxing."
Shirou quietly defended his hobbies.
For him, doing housework was genuinely enjoyable—especially seeing people smile after eating his food. That gave him a real sense of fulfillment.
"Got it. Everyone has their own preferences."
Croissant nodded in agreement.
They all had different hobbies, so they did not object much.
"I still think you should develop some other interests. Like Exusiai—she loves making apple pie and playing games, but she also goes shooting sometimes."
Sora suggested.
No matter how much you like something, doing only one thing all the time gets tiring.
"…Shooting, huh? Then let's go shooting today!"
Hearing that, Exusiai suddenly got excited. She had not gone shooting in a while, she'd been too busy enjoying Shirou's bonus meals.
Now, if she patted her stomach lightly, she could even see it jiggle.
"I do not mind. What about you two?"
Texas said casually. She was already used to being dragged along by Exusiai.
"Of course we are going! I always got crushed by Exusiai before, so it was not fun, but now there's a newbie here. I have to go!"
Croissant clenched her fist determinedly.
Shirou really wanted to ask: "Do you have any manners?"
"I'm fine with it too. I do not have anything scheduled lately."
Sora nodded.
As for Shirou?
Sorry he had no say in this.
The Penguin Logistics car headed straight for the shooting range.
"Whoa, it's been so long since I have been here!"
Exusiai was the first to get out of the car, looking at the place with excitement.
She used to come here two or three times a month. But ever since camping at Shirou's place for food, she had basically lived in the dorm outside of work even moving the game console there.
She had already cleared several games.
"Aren't you a bit too excited?"
Sora could not help but comment.
"Did you not use to come here all the time? Why are you acting like it's been years?"
Croissant added.
"She has been away for a while, she's been camping at Shirou's place every day."
Texas mercilessly exposed her friend.
After all, having a "hungry angel" constantly competing for food was a real issue.
"Cough—that's not camping! I was giving Shirou guidance on making desserts!"
Exusiai tried to cover up her embarrassment.
"…"
Shirou, the person involved, recalled how a certain angel had made him bake apple pie right away and then ate most of it.
…Better not expose her.
"Yeah, Exusiai did help."
"Shirou, blink if you are being forced to become an apple pie machine, we will save you!"
Croissant looked completely unconvinced.
"…Let's just drop it."
Sora decided not to think too deeply about it.
"Exactly, do not overthink it, let's go inside!"
Seeing the topic end, Exusiai quickly took the lead.
She was a regular here, after all.
The range owner warmly greeted Exusiai upon seeing her, then led the group to a quieter section.