"Yamete..."
"Don't come any closer, baka!"
Shiina Mahiru panted, pushing weakly against Hozuki Nozomi's chest with her small hands, her face full of resentment.
Nozomi let out an awkward chuckle.
"Mahiru, I like you. Can't we go just a little longer? Just a bit more?"
"Muri! You're just being smooth! You don't cherish me at all!"
She glared at him with those captivating eyes, her expression somewhere between frustration and affection.
Nozomi sighed in defeat. "Of course I cherish you. Haven't I been listening to everything you say?"
"Hmph, you have the nerve to say that."
Mahiru huffed, her delicate fingers pinching his waist before she leaned limply against his chest, exhausted.
"Mashiro was the one who started all this. Go deal with her instead!"
Nozomi scratched his cheek. "Uh... Little Mashiro is as pure as freshly fallen snow. I can't just take advantage of her like that."
"If she grows up and blames me later, I'd feel too guilty."
Mahiru rolled her eyes dramatically. "If she doesn't understand, then just teach her."
Nozomi could only smile wryly. I've already started teaching her...
Seeing his troubled expression, Mahiru sighed, feeling a bit bad for him.
"Have you gotten stronger again? If so, why don't you go find Sayu and Senpai?"
Nozomi blinked, then nodded. "Alright."
He was touched by Mahiru's understanding nature. As a response, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"H-Hey! Why are you taking me with you?!"
Nozomi smirked playfully. "What do you think?"
Mahiru's face turned bright red as she quickly shook her head. "Baka! Let me rest! I have class tomorrow!"
She knew her boyfriend liked her, and honestly, she loved that about him. But he was simply too strong, too overwhelming. He wasn't human—he was a beast!
Seeing the reluctance in Nozomi's expression, Mahiru couldn't help but chuckle softly. She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against his cheek.
"Okay, stop clinging to me already. We have plenty of time in the future."
She wasn't going to leave Sakurasou, after all.
So why was he acting so desperate?
Besides… if they kept going, she'd probably pass out from exhaustion.
"Fine, fine. Mahiru, make sure you rest well."
Nozomi returned her gesture with a kiss on her soft cheek before reluctantly letting her go.
As she watched him leave, Mahiru felt a mix of emotions—shyness, exasperation, and a touch of resentment.
This mess was Mashiro's fault, so she should deal with it herself!
...…
Nozomi's arrival made Sayu brighten up instantly.
Though she was a beautiful girl in her own right, compared to Mahiru and the others, she sometimes felt a little insecure.
She feared that one day Nozomi would stop caring about her.
But tonight, he had come to find her again.
That alone made her heart feel at ease.
Yet, just like Mahiru, she immediately noticed something was off.
Nozomi had changed.
She could tell just by looking at him.
In the end, she had no choice but to drag in Senpai-Misaki as well.
Unfortunately, midnight had passed and Misaki was already sound asleep.
Should she be called carefree or just plain clueless?
She had absolutely no sense of self-defense.
But then again, the one who came was Nozomi—so there was no need for her to be on guard.
If anything, her trust in him was absolute.
Sayu, nestled against Nozomi's chest, felt her cheeks heat up slightly. A soft smile played on her lips.
"Hey, Nozomi… how did you suddenly get stronger again?"
Nozomi tilted his head. "Probably because of Frieren's magic experiment. When I opened the treasure chest, I received some kind of special baptism. I think it made my body even stronger."
He had no reason to hide anything from Sayu about the two mages, Frieren and Fern.
After all, Sayu was his girl, heart and soul. There was no need for secrets between them.
"Sou ka…" Sayu mused softly before her eyes narrowed playfully. "Then… do you have feelings for both Frieren and Miss Fern?"
"Uh… I can't say I have no feelings at all…"
"Fufu~, then let me help you out."
Sayu giggled as she pressed closer to him, making her intentions clear.
Nozomi felt a wave of warmth wash over him and couldn't help but gently stroke her hair.
"Sayu, you'll be able to attend school with us soon. Make sure you're ready."
Sayu's body stiffened for a moment.
Noticing this, Nozomi frowned slightly and asked, "What's wrong? Are you worried about your mother and brother?"
Sayu lowered her gaze, nodding slightly.
"Yeah…" she whispered.
Her voice carried a quiet sadness, one that Nozomi immediately picked up on.
The girl nodded disappointedly. "I've been away from home for so long, I really don't know what they will say about me when we meet."
Nozomi was silent for a moment before lowering his head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "No matter what they think, we're just going there to get your ID and transfer your student status."
"Sakurasou will always be your home, Sayu. No matter what you choose, I'll support you."
Sayu grasped his hand and placed it on her chest, smiling faintly. "I won't go back to that house."
"After all, no one there ever trusted me. My existence feels like Mahiru's situation at home."
"Even if I return, I'll only face those same suspicious eyes."
Nozomi smiled slightly and pulled her into a firm embrace. "What if your mother actually shows that she cares? There's no mother in this world who doesn't care about her child. People always learn to cherish something only after they've lost it."
Sayu pouted, crossing her arms. "Mahiru's mother exists. And so does mine."
"Don't worry, I won't leave you. Even if my mother pretends to care now, I won't be moved."
"Belated affection is cheaper than anything else."
"You've got a sharp tongue." Nozomi chuckled, playfully poking her cheek.
"Hehe, of course. If I weren't this perceptive, how could you have won over Mahiru so quickly?" Sayu smirked proudly.
"Yes, yes, I owe it all to you, Sayu-sama. Let me show my gratitude." Nozomi teased, leaning in closer.
"Nn... Enough, I don't want it anymore." Sayu blushed before quickly pushing him away. "Or... you could go find Mahiru again. She should be fine after resting."
Shiina Mahiru (in another room): "Thank you!?"
In the end, Nozomi went to Mahiru's room, but he didn't tease her. Instead, he simply held her in his arms and fell asleep.
=========================
The next morning, Mahiru slowly woke up in Nozomi's embrace, her cheeks tinged with red.
She was naturally happy that he had come back to her last night. She actually liked to act spoiled.
Being in his arms like this felt warm. Not just physically, but in her heart as well.
Raising her delicate, pale fingers, she lightly poked his cheek.
"It's time to wake up, Nozomi-kun."
"Mmm... It's still early, sleep a little longer, Mahiru-chan."
"Mm... Okay."
Snuggling closer, she rested her cheek against his chest, rubbing against it lightly.
This warmth... this embrace... She wanted to experience it a little longer.
=========================
During breakfast, Mai Sakurajima shot Nozomi a look of contempt.
Nozomi, completely unfazed, ignored her.
Once you enter Sakurasou, there's no escaping it.
Besides, with Mai's current situation, she wouldn't last long outside anyway.
He wasn't in any rush.
"You guys eat first. I'll go wake up Mashiro."
If no one woke her up, she'd sleep in forever. She was really like a cat.
Climbing to the third floor, Nozomi knocked on the door as usual, calling out to her a few times before stepping inside.
No matter how close they were, he still needed to be polite.
As he pushed the door open, his eyes fell on the desk filled with sketches.
Fortunately, she hadn't drawn that part of him.
She had only drawn his body.
He glanced at the male protagonist in her manga—perfectly sculpted abs...
Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle as he walked over to wake up Mashiro, who was curled up in bed.
As he reached for a blanket, his fingers brushed against a drawer, revealing a glimpse of something... lacy.
He pulled out a pair of pink lace panties.
Mashiro actually had something like this?
It was probably prepared by Rita for her.
His gaze swept the drawer again—there was also a purple one.
No... He needed to stop looking.
Otherwise, he'd just get himself worked up again.
Ever since receiving the baptism of the dragon's blessing, his impulses had grown stronger.
He still needed time to adjust, to let his body adapt.
Otherwise, in certain situations, it could lead to a socially fatal incident...
***********
If you don't understand any Japanese phrase, please comment for clarification.
Should I just hold a poll on whether to keep the phrases or abandon them entirely?
Please give your opinion.