Nozomi's words lingered in the air, subtly unsettling Yukinoshita Yukino.
She sat in silence, deep in thought.
Now that she thought about it… it was true. After that incident in elementary school, her sister, Haruno, had clearly started distancing herself from Hayato Hayama. Even though they'd once all played together, Haruno never really included Hayama again—not even in later years. Instead, she'd focused her attention on Yukino. Always watching over her. Always close. Even if she showed it in her own twisted, roundabout way.
Yukino frowned slightly. Could it really be that her sister… had been protecting her all along?
Nozomi, seeing the Second Young Lady sink deeper into her own thoughts, didn't say a word. He simply closed his eyes and smiled lazily. His head rested comfortably on Yukino's lap, the silky strands of her uniform brushing against his cheek. He subtly shifted to rub the back of his head against her soft, pliant thighs—like a cat finding the perfect nap spot.
The moment was peaceful. Intimate.
Time passed slowly, like the soft drip of water echoing through a quiet shrine.
Eventually, Nozomi decided he had to let go—at least for now. The lap pillow session came to an end, and he gently helped Yukino to her feet, escorting her back. As she walked away, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of reluctance in his heart.
Still, today marked a clear shift in their relationship. A breakthrough.
He grinned to himself. That alone made the whole day worthwhile.
_______
That evening, as the sun dipped below the rooftops and bathed the sky in soft sakura-pink hues, Mashiro Shiina suddenly appeared at his door.
"Nozomi," she said in her usual flat tone. "Rita is coming."
"Huh?" Nozomi blinked. "When?"
"Tomorrow."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The name "Rita" triggered his curiosity immediately.
Rita Ainsworth. The mysterious girl from overseas who had somehow managed to babysit a genius like Mashiro while also keeping her life on track. What kind of girl was she to tame Mashiro's chaos?
Mashiro continued in her monotone.
"I have school tomorrow. I won't have time to pick her up."
"That's fine. She'll come by herself, right?"
Mashiro nodded once. That was all she had to say about that, it seemed.
Then, without warning, she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Nozomi, come to my room."
He blinked in surprise but let himself be guided by the small, determined girl.
Once inside her room, Mashiro turned around, her expression softer than usual.
"Nozomi, I signed the contract. My manga is going to be serialized."
She lowered her head shyly, stepping closer. The hint of pride in her voice was barely perceptible, but it was there—like the first breeze of spring.
Nozomi's expression lit up.
"Seriously? That's amazing, Mashiro!"
He ruffled her snowy hair affectionately. "Congratulations! You're officially a manga artist now!"
Mashiro's eyes glimmered. "I'll keep working hard."
"You better." He gave her a small, teasing smirk. "Want some baumkuchen and milk to celebrate?"
Though his mind was still reeling from the emotional weight of the day—especially after spending time with Yukino—Mashiro's innocent, hopeful face melted all lingering fatigue.
Her golden eyes lit up like twin stars.
"Yes! Mashiro wants it!"
Nozomi chuckled. "Coming right up!"
As he looked at her small frame, still clutching his hand, he couldn't help but feel warm inside. It was Mashiro who had approached him first. She was the one who had chosen him, despite how messy he could be.
He fed her sweet baumkuchen and creamy milk like it was a ritual they'd always shared.
Later, after tucking Mashiro in and watching her drift to sleep like a content cat curled up by a window, Nozomi quietly stepped out and walked down the hallway.
_________
He entered Mahiru Shiina's room next.
She was curled up under a plush pink blanket, her favorite teddy bear in her arms, a soft blush dusting her cheeks. Her eyes, wide and shy, met his the moment he stepped in.
Nozomi rubbed the back of his neck.
"A-Ah, Mahiru. You're in bed already? You okay?"
Mahiru rolled her eyes at him, lips curled into a small smirk.
"You tell me. Aren't you the one who should know whether I'm okay or not?"
He laughed nervously. "W-Well, yeah, but I wanted to ask first... you know, for consent!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you so polite?"
Before he could reply, she placed her teddy bear gently to the side and pulled the blanket open with a grin.
"Come here already, you villain."
Nozomi's heart skipped a beat. He immediately moved to her side and scooped her into his arms.
She let out a small gasp of surprise but melted into his embrace, looping her arms around his neck.
"Be gentle, okay?"
"Of course," he whispered, brushing her bangs back. "Mahiru… I'll treat you like the most precious treasure."
As he lowered Mahiru back onto the bed, their lips met in a slow, deep kiss. The tenderness in his touch mingled with the fiery passion that simmered just beneath the surface. He trailed kisses from her mouth to her jawline, her neck, and the swell of her collarbone, each touch deliberate and reverent.
Mahiru's hands roamed his back, her fingers digging into his skin, a silent plea for him to continue. Nozomi's fingertips brushed against the delicate fabric of her nightgown, his movements unhurried as he revealed her skin to his eager touch.
His mouth found her breasts, the softness of her flesh a temptation he couldn't resist. Mahiru arched her back, a soft moan escaping her lips as he teased her nipples with his teeth and tongue. Her hips began to buck against him, the desire between them building to a fever pitch.
Nozomi trailed kisses down her body, his hands slipping beneath her nightgown to stroke her inner thighs. Mahiru's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering shut as she gripped the sheets, her body trembling with anticipation.
He removed her nightgown, leaving her completely exposed before him. The sight of her flushed skin, the peak of her desire, left him breathless. Nozomi's fingertips traced a path down to her core, her slickness a testament to her arousal.
He dipped his head, his tongue finding her folds, each lick and suck eliciting a soft gasp from Mahiru. Her hands fisted his hair, guiding him to her most sensitive spots as pleasure coursed through her body.
The rhythm of his mouth and tongue against her grew more insistent, her moans becoming louder, her body shuddering as she neared her peak. Nozomi knew her well, his skill in bringing her to the edge a testament to the depth of their connection.
As she came, a shuddering climax that left her body quaking, Nozomi moved up to join her, his own need for her a fierce, pulsing ache. He positioned himself between her legs, their gazes locked as he slid into her.
Their first joining was slow, tender, and filled with a deep emotional connection. As Nozomi began to move, the pace increasing, the room was filled with the sweet sounds of their lovemaking. Mahiru's nails dug into his back, her legs wrapping around his waist, her body urging him on.
Their passion rose, their rhythm growing more frenzied, their lips locked in a searing kiss. Nozomi's hips moved in perfect synchronization with Mahiru's undulations, their bodies merging in a dance of love and desire.
___________
The next morning, Nozomi emerged from the blanket fortress looking like he'd ascended to a higher plane of existence.
Mahiru stretched, still flushed, and quietly got dressed in her school uniform.
As she stepped out of her room, Sayu Ogiwara raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Well, well... looks like someone had a fun night."
Mahiru huffed, cheeks burning. "D-Don't tease me... It's your turn tomorrow anyway."
Sayu just chuckled knowingly.
Honestly, Mahiru had gained a new level of respect for Nozomi's… stamina.
Without Sayu there to tag in, she wasn't sure she would've survived.
____________
After breakfast, Nozomi dropped Mashiro off at Suimei High School before heading to Sobu High with Mahiru and the others.
The moment he stepped into the classroom, he noticed Tobe Kakeru slumped dramatically over his desk like a wilted daikon.
When Tobe saw Nozomi, his eyes flared with unspoken resentment.
Nozomi glanced his way... and then ignored him completely.
They weren't friends to begin with. And besides, Tobe had only himself to blame for fumbling things with Ebina Hina. He had spent an entire day's allowance on movies, haunted houses, and food—only to be rewarded with radio silence.
Now, his wallet was thinner than a ramen ticket, and despair clung to him like a curse.
__________
Just after first period, a voice called out sweetly from the hallway.
Just as the bell signalling the end of first period echoed through the halls of Sobu High, a dazzling figure appeared at the door of Class F.
"Onii-chan~! Yuki came to see you!" The voice was melodic, teasing, and unmistakably familiar.
It was none other than Yuki Suo.
Clad in the standard Sobu High school uniform, her skirt neat, blazer unbuttoned just slightly, and her long hair tied up in a bouncy high ponytail, Yuki radiated youthful charm. Her over-the-knee black socks hugged her long, slender legs perfectly, each step she took drawing the awed gazes of every male student within view. The hallway buzzed with whispered envy.
But Nozomi? He barely flinched.
"Yuki, what's up?" he asked casually, walking out of the classroom as if the goddess-tier girl clinging to his arm was the most normal thing in the world.
"Hehe~ Come with me, Onii-chan." Yuki tightened her hold on his arm like a spoiled cat and tugged him gently down the corridor.
They stopped in a quieter part of the school courtyard, behind a line of sakura trees gently shedding their petals in the breeze. Once they were alone, Yuki puffed her cheeks, a pout forming on her pretty lips.
"Onii-chan, Yuki needs compensation!"
Nozomi blinked. "Compensation...? For what, exactly?"
"Hmph! Yesterday, I stayed home all alone, waiting in my room. But you? You spent time with Yukinoshita-senpai... then went to Mahiru's room... and just ignored me!" Her voice wavered at the end, as if on the brink of tears. She leaned in closer, pressing her soft chest into his, her face just inches away, her perfume tickling his senses like some forbidden spell.
"So, Onii-chan... how will you make it up to me?" Her gaze sparkled mischievously, but the possessiveness behind it was all too real.
Nozomi chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. You win."
He gently wrapped an arm around her narrow waist, lowering his head and brushing his lips against her soft, trembling ones.
The moment lingered—warm, breathless, electric.
Yuki's eyes widened briefly before fluttering shut, her hands gripping the fabric of his uniform tightly. A blush bloomed across her cheeks, and when they finally broke apart, she was breathless but grinning ear to ear.
"Ehehe~ That was good enough for today," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her forehead against his chest.
"You satisfied now?" Nozomi asked, running a hand through her ponytail.
"Mhm. Onii-chan is the best!" Yuki giggled, holding him a little tighter. "Don't worry, Yuki won't be jealous... as long as you keep spoiling me like this."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow but smiled. Yuki was clingy and bold, but sweet in her own chaotic way. She stayed like that for the entire break, basking in his warmth. When the bell rang again, she reluctantly let go and walked off with a final, lingering glance.
"She's hopelessly attached," Nozomi muttered under his breath, watching her disappear down the hallway. "But I guess that's what happens when you raise them from childhood…"
___________
By noon, Nozomi skipped his usual visit to the Service Club. Instead, he headed to the school library with a small entourage: Yukinoshita Yukino, Suo Yuki, Yuigahama Yui, and Sanshokuin Sumireko.
A fresh shipment of books had arrived—some rare ones, rubbings and archives sent from Toshobu High. The library staff needed help organizing them, and naturally, Nozomi's group had volunteered. Or rather, they were dragged in by Sumireko's mysterious librarian charm.
But then…
"Sumireko," Nozomi said, raising an eyebrow, "is it just me or are there a lot more guys loitering around the library lately?"
Sumireko sighed, adjusting her glasses with her gloved fingers. "They're here because they found out I'm the mysterious beauty from that ridiculous mock marriage event…"
Her pigtails bounced as she shook her head, clearly annoyed.
"Ever since my identity got exposed, they've been coming in droves. Borrowing books, pretending to ask about genres—it's exhausting."
Nozomi chuckled and reached for her hand, his fingers playing lightly with hers. "So basically, they're all here because my girl's too pretty to hide."
"Pfft. Shameless." She smiled faintly but didn't pull her hand away.
"You could go back to your usual look, y'know," Nozomi said. "Drop the disguise. Let the world see the real Sumireko. I'll be your shield."
Sumireko's grip on his hand tightened as she looked up at him with calm determination.
"I'm fine like this. I don't need the spotlight. I just want a peaceful life… away from unnecessary attention. This way, I can stay by your side without getting caught up in all that mess."
Her voice grew softer.
"And besides… I have a reason for keeping this look."
Nozomi's expression shifted. He already knew the story—how her close friend, Nichiji Sumire, had pushed her out of harm's way only to be hit by a car, and how she'd been in a coma ever since.
They looked nearly identical. Some people thought they were twins. But only Sumireko knew the pain of losing her other half to fate.
"I haven't forgotten," Nozomi said gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Maybe... I can find a way to help her wake up. I don't make promises lightly, but I mean it."
Sumireko's eyes sparkled with unshed emotion. For a moment, she said nothing—just held his hand in both of hers, like clinging to a lifeline.
That was enough.
Under the warm afternoon light of the library windows, with the faint rustle of books and whispers in the background, a quiet understanding passed between them.
And even without words, it was clear—
She believed in him.