The next morning.
Today was Monday—another school day.
Shiina Mahiru had always been disciplined with her schedule, waking up naturally around six in the morning. But today, she found herself reluctant to leave the warmth of a certain someone's embrace. So instead of getting up, she closed her eyes again, pretending to still be asleep, savoring the moment just a little longer.
Hozuki Nozomi hadn't done anything with Sayu last night.
Mahiru knew why.
It was because he was considerate of her feelings.
She rested her cheek against his arm, her mind drifting as she contemplated something daring.
Should she… give herself to him?
It wasn't that she lacked interest in such things. Being held in his arms, kissed, touched—it left her breathless, her body weak under his fingers. She longed for his warmth, his affection. And yet…
He could have taken her without hesitation.
But he hadn't. Out of respect for her, out of kindness, he had restrained himself.
Even though she had helped him with her hands, it could never compare to the real thing.
So, should she take the initiative?
But that thought alone made her face heat up. Wouldn't that make her seem… shameless?
She bit her lip, lost in her own thoughts, unable to make up her mind.
Meanwhile, Ogiwara Sayu had already woken up, reluctantly pulling away from Nozomi's embrace. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up and stretched, preparing to get out of bed. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Mahiru shifting slightly, as if she was waking up too.
Sayu raised a finger to her lips, signaling Mahiru to stay quiet. "Shh… Don't wake Nozomi. Also, let me handle breakfast. That's the only thing I contribute in Sakurasou these days."
Hearing this, Mahiru hesitated for a moment before nodding, a trace of guilt flickering in her eyes. She knew Sayu worked hard to take care of them, yet she always let her do the housework alone.
Sayu gave her a small smile before quietly slipping out of the room.
Mahiru sighed softly and lay back down.
Her gaze drifted to Nozomi's sleeping face. He looked so peaceful, his usual sharpness softened in slumber.
Her heart ached.
Nozomi had always been gentle to her, but it wasn't the kind of superficial kindness people like Hayama from their class showed to everyone. No, his gentleness was different. It was possessive, deep, and unwavering. The kind of affection that left her with nowhere to escape.
"What an idiot… I'm right here, in your arms, and you're still holding back?"
Then again, she always got flustered at the last moment. Maybe he thought she wasn't ready.
But couldn't he tell?
Maybe she just wanted him to push forward a little…
Mahiru's thoughts spiraled further into embarrassment, her cheeks growing hotter by the second.
Her hands trembled slightly as she moved closer, nestling into his chest. Her heartbeat pounded wildly in her ears.
From this close, she could feel his steady breathing, the warmth of his skin. His features were sharp, yet his expression was so gentle. She couldn't tear her eyes away.
Why was he always so kind?
Suddenly, Nozomi's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in.
"Mahiru… don't move." His voice was thick with sleep, but there was a tension in his tone. "It's too early in the morning for me to hold back."
Mahiru stiffened.
His voice, low and husky, sent a shiver down her spine. Their eyes met, his gaze dark with emotion. Her lips parted slightly, wanting to say something—to tell him that he didn't have to hold back.
But the words refused to come out.
Nozomi exhaled sharply before letting out a quiet chuckle. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then—reluctantly—shifted away from her.
Without another word, he rolled out of bed and rushed out of the room, moving stiffly like a soldier marching to battle.
A few seconds later, the sound of the bathroom door shutting echoed through the apartment.
Mahiru stared at the doorway, stunned for a moment, before bursting into quiet laughter.
"Baka…"
Seeing him like this—completely undone because of her—it didn't make her feel ashamed. If anything, it gave her a strange sense of accomplishment.
Because she was the reason he lost control.
But then her thoughts took a dangerous turn.
Hadn't she just been considering giving herself to him?
Early in the morning, she had been thinking about doing such things… wasn't that a bit too much?
Her face turned even redder.
Shaking her head vigorously, she buried herself under the blanket, trying to suppress the shameful thoughts flooding her mind.
Besides… they had school to get to.
Maybe next time.
There was still a long road ahead. As long as he continued to like her and treat her gently, she would always stay by his side.
Besides—where else could she go, if not Sakurasou?
With a heart full of warmth, Shiina Mahiru returned to her room. Of course, she didn't forget to take the two white silk stockings from the table. They were hers, after all.
After changing into the Sobu High School uniform, she freshened up, washed the stockings, and hung them to dry. With everything prepared, she stepped out just in time to hear Ogiwara Sayu calling for breakfast.
From the third floor, Kamiigusa Misaki ran down energetically to join them, while their ever-lazy, ever-drunk teacher, Sengoku Chihiro, followed soon after, drawn by the scent of food. As expected, Sayu had prepared enough for everyone.
Not only that, but she had also made bentos for both Mahiru and Nozomi.
Truly, she had the aura of a good wife and loving mother.
Shiina Mahiru felt a little awkward. She was used to making her own lunch, and up until now, she and Sayu had always cooked together. But now that their relationship had changed, she couldn't shake off the guilt of letting Sayu take care of her.
However, Sayu quickly put her mind at ease.
"Just accept it. We've already slept together, Mahiru. Are you saying you hate my family?"
She pouted, looking up at Mahiru with puppy-like eyes.
"Of course not! Sayu… I love our family."
"Hehe, that's more like it. Just accept my bento for now. Once I start school, we can share the cooking work together."
Hearing this, Hozuki Nozomi looked up in surprise.
"Wait, Sayu, you're going back to school? Does that mean… you're planning to leave Sakurasou?"
There was a rare nervousness in his voice as he instinctively reached for her hand.
Sayu giggled, clearly pleased by his concern. "Don't worry, I don't want to leave here. I just need to get my identification sorted and transfer to Sobu High."
Originally, she had avoided school because of the painful memories tied to it. But she didn't want to remain a jobless vagrant forever. More than that, she didn't want to be just a pretty vase standing next to him. She saw the other incredible girls around Nozomi and knew she had to grow stronger. She wanted to be someone he could be proud of.
So, returning to school was the first step.
Seeing that she had no intention of leaving, Nozomi exhaled in relief.
He truly liked Sayu—not just because she was his first, but because she was adorable, thoughtful, and unwaveringly loyal to him. She cooked for him, doted on him, tolerated his shamelessness, and always met his whims with a smile.
How could he not love a girl like that?
"Sayu, this weekend, I'll take you home. We'll get your paperwork and complete the transfer process together."
Hearing his firm declaration, Sayu's eyes welled up with tears.
"R-Really? But… I haven't told you everything about my past. I haven't even told you about my family situation."
Her body trembled as she recalled the cold suspicion in her mother's eyes—how she had been accused of murdering her classmate. The memory still haunted her.
"What if… what if you hate me after knowing everything?"
Nozomi's response was immediate and unwavering.
"Baka. Do you really not know who I am?"
His hand tightened around hers. "If I took you in, it means I was already prepared to protect you. No matter what happened in the past, it won't change the fact that you're mine now."
Tears spilled down Sayu's cheeks. Overwhelmed with emotion, she threw herself into his arms.
"Thank you, Nozomi… I'll be waiting for you this weekend."
"Mm."
With a gentle smile, he patted her head, comforting her as she sobbed softly into his chest.
More than anything, he was proud of her. For Sayu to make the decision to return to school meant she was ready to face her past head-on.
She wasn't just going to be a girl who stayed at home and waited for him.
She would grow, change, and become even more dazzling.
And that, in itself, gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
Yes—watching her blossom into someone even more radiant… that, too, was one of life's many pleasures.