Chapter 19

Shoutout to Mark, Mandy G, G Mandy G for their pledges. A bonus chapter, just for you!!!!

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Hozuki Nozomi stood at the entrance of the apartment complex, tilting his head slightly as he watched Shiina Mahiru adjust the weight of the gift box in her arms.

"Shiina-san, is that all you're bringing?" he asked, curiosity flickering in his voice.

Mahiru gave him a small smile, nodding. "For now, yes. The rest is packed in cartons. The courier service will deliver them later."

"Courier?" Nozomi raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting slightly.

"What about it?" Mahiru asked, blinking at him.

"Ah, nothing much. Just remembering the last time I used a courier service. Their vehicles were all out of commission, and I had to pick up my school uniform in person at the branch office."

"Ehh? Really?" Mahiru tilted her head, genuinely surprised. "That's pretty inconvenient."

"Right? It felt like I was being targeted or something," Nozomi said with a dramatic sigh, though his tone remained light.

"Pfft, why would a courier service go out of its way to target you?" Mahiru stifled a giggle. "It must've been a coincidence."

The two chatted casually as they made their way towards Sakurasou.

That's right.

The reason Mahiru had asked him to wait after school was because she was moving into Sakurasou.

She originally lived in a luxurious villa, but now that she was in high school, she wanted a change. The idea of living near the school on her own had appealed to her, so she reached out to her cousin, Sengoku Chihiro, whom she had only met a few times during childhood.

Growing up, Mahiru had always been taken care of by Yukishiro-san, the family's maid, who was more of a guardian than her actual parents. But even Yukishiro-san had her own family, her own life. She couldn't always be there for Mahiru.

Her parents certainly didn't care.

That left Mahiru alone in an empty, oversized villa, where silence pressed down on her like a heavy blanket. No matter how extravagant the house was, it didn't make up for the loneliness or the ever-growing weight of feeling unwanted. For someone who had spent her whole life trying to earn her parents' love, it was unbearable.

Nozomi was honestly a bit surprised.

Sengoku-sensei had never mentioned that her cousin would be moving into Sakurasou. Then again, considering how often she got drunk, it was entirely possible that she had just forgotten to say anything.

Either way, Sakurasou had gained another resident—Shiina Mahiru, the so-called "Angel of Suimei."

He wasn't exactly complaining.

Before long, they reached the entrance of the dormitory.

"So this is Sakurasou..." Mahiru murmured, taking in the sight of the modest building. "It's kind of beautiful in its own way."

The cherry blossom trees swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, their petals drifting lazily to the ground.

"Meow~"

A trio of cats approached, rubbing affectionately against Nozomi's legs, their tails curling around him like ribbons. It was as if they had been waiting for him.

Mahiru's aqua-blue eyes widened as she gasped softly. "Kawaii...! Can I hold one?"

Nozomi smirked. "Of course. Here."

He carefully picked up a raccoon-patterned cat and placed it in her arms. Mahiru cradled it against her chest, running her slender fingers through its soft fur. The cat, far from resisting, nuzzled into her touch, purring contentedly.

She giggled. "You're so fluffy~"

Meanwhile, the other two continued their affectionate assault on Nozomi's legs.

Mahiru looked up at him with amusement. "Hozuki-kun, you seem pretty popular with animals."

Nozomi gave a nonchalant shrug. "Well, I am their provider and their mortal enemy."

Mahiru blinked. "...Mortal enemy?"

"Cats are smart. They know exactly who feeds them and who takes them to the vet." He smirked. "It's a delicate balance of love and betrayal."

Mahiru let out a soft laugh. "I guess that makes sense."

Nozomi clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, let's go in. Sengoku-sensei should be back by now."

"Hai!" Mahiru nodded, still cradling the purring cat as they stepped towards the dormitory.

Sengoku Chihiro was a teacher at Suimei University of the Arts' affiliated high school. She taught art, but more importantly—

She was one of the most unpredictable people Nozomi had ever met.

Hozuki Nozomi led Shiina Mahiru into the dorm administrator's office on the first floor of Sakurasou. The moment they opened the door, a strong stench of alcohol assaulted their senses, forcing both of them to instinctively cover their noses.

Empty beer cans were scattered across the floor, some crushed under the weight of previous misdeeds. And in the center of this alcoholic wasteland lay a disheveled woman with messy brown hair, sprawled out and snoring soundly.

Nozomi sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.

"Sengoku-sensei, you're drunk again!" he called out in exasperation. "At this rate, you'll never find a husband!"

A low grumble came from the pile of cans. "Shut up, you little brat..."

With some effort, Sengoku Chihiro cracked open one sleepy eye and, in a display of surprising agility for someone so inebriated, sat up and threw an arm around Nozomi's neck. Her breath reeked of beer, causing him to grimace.

"How dare you curse me, a forever-29-year-old beauty?! If I can't find a man, I'll just make you or Koharu marry me instead!"

Nozomi twitched.

Koharu—Shiroyama Koharu, a fellow teacher at Suimei University of the Arts—was Chihiro's best friend and partner-in-crime when it came to failed blind dates. The two were infamous for their constant romantic misfortunes.

Ordinarily, being held by a beautiful woman would be a dream come true for a guy, but the overwhelming smell of beer was anything but enticing. Nozomi struggled against her grip, his face contorted in disgust.

"Sengoku-sensei, let go! Your cousin is right here!"

"Huh?" Chihiro blinked in a drunken haze. "Oh, Mahiru? You're finally here! Why didn't you call me?"

She abruptly released Nozomi, acting as if nothing had happened. Then, with a lazy wave of her hand, she pointed at him. "Well, it just so happens that this guy is the landlord. Mahiru, you can leave everything to him. As for me, I need my beauty sleep. We'll talk later, okay?"

And with that, she unceremoniously shoved both of them out the door, slamming it shut behind them.

Nozomi and Mahiru exchanged glances, both momentarily speechless.

A beat of silence passed before Mahiru turned to him, an amused smile playing on her lips.

"Um, Nozomi, you and my cousin seem... close."

"No!" Nozomi blurted out, his face twitching. "We're just landlord and tenant! That's all! Nothing else!"

Mahiru giggled, covering her mouth. "I never said otherwise. But you sure are flustered."

Nozomi sighed in defeat. "Come on, let's go. I'll show you to your room."

Since Chihiro had clearly gone on strike, it looked like he had no choice but to take over as the welcoming committee for Sakurasou's newest resident.

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Koharu Shirayama (白山 小春 Shirayama Koharu) is the homeroom teacher for Sorata, Nanami, Ryuunosuke and Daichi's class.