Chapter 123. The game has only just begun, ne?

After a while, Shiina Mashiro wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her delicate hand.

"Nozomi... Mashiro is full now."

Hozuki Nozomi looked down at her with a mix of affection and mischief dancing in his eyes. Deep down, he wished this could continue, but seeing her dazed, innocent expression, he knew better than to push his luck. She was too pure—like untouched snow.

Just as he was about to ease up, Mashiro shifted slightly and stretched out her bare feet toward him.

Her skin, as pale as freshly fallen snow, seemed to glow in the warm room light. Her petite toes wiggled slightly—each one like a tiny polished pearl. She smelled faintly of milk and something floral, perhaps her shampoo. Nozomi's heart skipped a beat.

Without a word, she gently squeezed his member between her feet, mimicking something she had probably seen in a manga panel or anime scene. Her face flushed with a slight pink hue.

The heat radiating from her touch made him tremble slightly.

He carefully held her ankles, his fingertips brushing the smooth, jade-like skin. She trembled again—just a little—and whispered,

"Did Mashiro... do well? Like in the shoujo manga heroine scenes?"

Nozomi let out a sigh of defeat, his smile filled with helpless admiration.

She was so ignorant about these things, yet willing to try for his sake. His heart ached with affection.

Afterward, he helped her wash up and gently carried her back to his room. Mashiro sat on his lap like a curious kitten, eyes wide.

"Nozomi-kun... what are we learning today?"

He chuckled, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Mashiro's latest manga is about romance, right? And you're still unsure why the hero and heroine always kiss to express their feelings, aren't you?"

She nodded, blinking slowly.

"Well... let me show you."

He leaned in, gently pressing his lips against hers. Her eyes widened like saucers.

"Mmm...!? Mmph..."

It was soft at first—just lips. But gradually, he deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist. Mashiro gasped, but her hands instinctively looped around his neck. It was clumsy, like her first time holding a brush—but sincere.

When they finally pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed pink, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Nozomi... my heart... it's beating so fast... it's strange..."

She reached out and placed his hand over her chest.

"Feel it? Ba-dump... ba-dump... it won't stop."

He smiled, lowering his forehead to hers.

"That's because you're alive, Mashiro. And because... maybe you're falling in love."

She looked at him blankly, then blinked again, as if processing those words.

Later that evening, Mashiro barely touched her dinner. She returned to her room, clutching her sketchbook with new determination.

Shiina Mashiro, once a world-class artist, now dreamed of becoming a mangaka. Her goal wasn't just to draw—but to move hearts. Whether it was joy, sadness, love, or even longing, she wanted her pages to be soaked in raw emotion. To color someone's world.

That night, another guest returned to Sakurasou—Sakurajima Mai.

Sayu and Mahiru greeted her at the door with smiles. After dinner, Hozuki Nozomi couldn't help but ask,

"So... how'd it go? The agency?"

Mai flipped her hair dramatically, crossing her arms.

"What do you think, baka? Of course I terminated the contract. I refuse to take swimsuit shoots just to please the masses. If anyone's taking photos of me, it'll only be you."

He raised an eyebrow with a teasing grin.

"You sure about that? I don't mind being your personal cameraman... especially for exclusive content."

"Ugh, hentai! Dream on, ero-boy!"

Still, she couldn't hide the faint blush on her cheeks. She sighed dramatically and added,

"Because I cut ties with the agency, Mom and I are basically broke now. We don't even have rent money."

Nozomi smirked.

"Then just pay in installments—with your body. "

"Hmph! As if I'd hand myself over that easily!"

She tried to act annoyed, but the warmth in her voice betrayed her. Truth be told, this chaotic dorm had become her safe haven—somewhere she was seen and remembered. If not for Nozomi, she might have faded into the background of life, forgotten by her own family and the world.

Without warning, he pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Okaeri, Mai-san. Welcome home."

The girl's cheeks flushed instantly at the unexpected hug. But instead of pushing him away, she inhaled deeply and returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around him with a soft murmur.

"Tadaima, Nozomi-kun..."

Nozomi loosened his hold after a moment. When it came to tsundere types like Mai, being straightforward often worked best. Sure enough, she was already visibly flustered.

Mai Sakurajima pretended to remain composed, brushing her silky hair behind her ear as she spoke with practiced calm.

"To terminate the contract, my mother and I had to pay a massive amount in liquidated damages. On top of that, we returned all our earnings to compensate the agency's so-called losses."

She sighed, but then her lips curled in a wry smile.

"Luckily, a certain ojō-sama from the Yukinoshita family paid us a visit. She offered my mom an advertisement deal for a new virtual reality game, and my market value skyrocketed overnight."

"So now I can pick and choose my projects. No more being threatened by my old agency. In fact, you'll probably see me on TV soon. The game's already in beta testing, and they're looking for testers."

Nozomi nodded with admiration. "Yukinoshita-san is sugoi as always. She really knows how to play the game."

Mai pouted, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. "What's going on between you and the Yukinoshita heiress?"

Nozomi rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… unless something drastic happens, we're getting engaged at the end of the month."

Mai's expression shifted in an instant. Her cheeks puffed slightly in irritation as she glared. "Then why are you still playing around with so many girls, huh?!"

Nozomi chuckled sheepishly. He could practically feel the fire in her glare. Still, he reached out and gently took her hand, his expression serious.

"Think about it, Mai-san. If I was just some random, broke landlord, do you really think the Yukinoshita heiress would consider marrying me?"

"Tch. You're a gigolo. So what? Apparently, ojō-sama likes gigolos."

Her voice dripped with sarcasm, completely ignoring the fact that she was clearly more invested than she let on.

Nozomi smiled softly and continued, "The core technology of that VR game came from me. I have equity in the company. Don't worry, I'll be able to take care of a girlfriend in the future."

"So that's your excuse for becoming a harem protagonist? What's next? You gonna tell Mahiru, Sumireko, and Sayu that you're marrying them all?"

"I already did. We're just engaged, not married yet. Besides, I'm still in high school. Plenty of time."

"And they agreed?!"

"Yup. When the time comes, I'll marry all the girls I love. We'll hold a big, flashy ceremony. It'll be epic."

Mai stared at him, utterly speechless. "Do you think you're the protagonist of a light novel? Or maybe some reincarnated isekai prince? How can you be so shameless?!"

With a face full of mock anger, she reached out and pinched his arm hard.

Nozomi winced and grinned. "Okay, that's how you wanna play it?"

He leaned in quickly and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Pinch me again, and I'll kiss you again!"

Mai's face turned crimson. She slapped her hand over her cheek and shot him a death glare. "Do you believe I'll use my actress training to permanently destroy your... tools and leave you helpless?"

Nozomi laughed, feigning fear. "Scary~! But you wouldn't really do that to your beloved landlord, would you?"

Realizing where this was heading, Mai abruptly stepped back as Nozomi reached out for another hug. "I'm not ready for that yet, baka!"

With a dramatic turn, she fled the room, her ponytail swaying behind her.

Nozomi stood there, grinning like a kitsune. Watching her flustered retreat brought a smug satisfaction to his face.

"You've already chosen to live here, Mai-san. No more running away..."

His voice trailed off as he turned toward the hallway, his smile deepening.

"The game has only just begun, ne?"

[Insert Gin Ichimaru's smile here]

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