Chapter 56: Morning Breakfast and Future Promises

The next morning. It was Monday, a school day.

Shiina Mahiru had good sleeping habits, so she woke up around 6 AM. However, she was a little reluctant to leave Renji Kamisaka's warm embrace. So she kept her eyes closed, pretending to still be asleep, and continued to rest, savoring every second of their closeness.

She knew, of course, why Renji Kamisaka hadn't done 'that' with Sayu last night. It was because Renji Kamisaka was mindful of her feelings. She pressed her cheek against his arm, wondering if she should find an opportunity to simply surrender herself to him. In truth, she generally wasn't interested in such matters, it wasn't her primary priority. But being hugged and kissed by him, having his skin touch hers. When he used his hand to tease her, leaving her breathless and weak, she missed it, she yearned for it, a desire she had only just recognized.

Yet, despite all that, Renji Kamisaka could have taken her without hesitation. Out of respect and compassion for her, he stubbornly held back, allowing his own desires to remain suppressed. Though he had also helped her with his hand, a compromise. But that clearly couldn't compare to the real thing.

So, should she give herself to him? But if she, a girl, took the initiative to say it, wouldn't that make her seem shameless? Shiina Mahiru found herself in a dilemma, her heart torn between desire and embarrassment.

Sayu Ogiwara had already opened her eyes, reluctantly releasing Renji Kamisaka's arm. She was going to make breakfast. Right after waking up, she saw Shiina Mahiru staring at herself and also planning to get up. Sayu Ogiwara raised her finger, "Ssshh," and shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "Don't wake Renji. Let me cook. It's the only thing I have here in Sakurasou right now."

Hearing this, what else could Shiina Mahiru do but lie down with a hint of guilt, letting Sayu take over. Sayu Ogiwara smiled at her and carefully left the bed, then went out to wash up.

Shiina Mahiru continued to dwell on what she had just been thinking, her mind churning. She was initially lying beside him, but seeing Renji Kamisaka's handsome sleeping face, she recalled his tenderness towards her, and her eyes welled up, filled with emotion.

Unconsciously, Shiina Mahiru curled into Renji's embrace and lay on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Her own heartbeat suddenly quickened, mimicking Renji's rhythm. Looking at him up close, Renji Kamisaka was not only handsome, but the way he looked with his eyes closed was also gentle. It utterly captivated her heart, drawing her deeper. Perhaps it was because he was inherently a gentle person. Of course. Renji Kamisaka's gentleness was different from the more common and less personal gentleness of Hayato Hayama in her class. Renji Kamisaka's gentleness was reserved only for the girls he cherished. This possessive quality made it impossible for her to escape, a powerful pull.

"You idiot, why do you always hold back when people are already in your arms?" Mahiru muttered inwardly, a little irritated. Yes, it was because he always said he was afraid... But couldn't he guess that she might be saying the opposite of what she meant? The angel pondered shameful things, and her cheeks grew even redder, the color spreading to her earlobes. Her flushed little face was the color of a boiled shrimp, radiating heat.

Just as she softly muttered about this bad boy's gentleness towards her, suddenly the angel-sama's body stiffened, and she dared not move. Her heart pounded incessantly, its rhythm accelerating. Renji Kamisaka opened his arms and tightly hugged Mahiru's slender waist, pulling her closer. He held her tightly, his breath warm on Mahiru's neck.

"Mahiru, don't move... It's a bit hard to hold back in the morning." Renji's voice was hoarse, an honest confession.

Shiina Mahiru nodded obediently, staring intently into his burning gaze. She opened her mouth, wanting to say that he didn't need to hold back. However, her constricted heart made it difficult to utter the words; they remained caught in her throat.

Renji Kamisaka didn't think much further, trying to control himself. He lowered his head and kissed Mahiru's forehead, then reluctantly lifted her and placed her beside him. He then squatted down and rushed out of the room in a panic, heading to the bathroom. He had to take a cold shower first thing in the morning. Angel-sama, you must properly reward your man in the future!

Seeing his strange movements, his familiar gaze, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle, her laughter like a bell. "Idiot..." Seeing him become like this because of her, she didn't think Renji was a pervert; instead, she felt a sense of accomplishment. He was like that because of her charm. Thinking that he truly wanted to do 'that' with her first thing in the morning, Shiina Mahiru's cheeks grew even hotter. She immediately shook her head and dismissed that embarrassing idea. Because she realized if she really gave herself to him, it seemed there wouldn't be enough time. After all, she still had school. Let's talk about it next time. There was still plenty of time, as long as he still liked her and was gentle with her, then she would always be by his side. Besides, where else could she go but Sakurasou, this home?

With a joyful mood, Shiina Mahiru returned to her room. Of course, she couldn't forget the two pairs of white silk stockings on the table, and she took them back. After putting on her Soubu High School uniform, washing up, and washing the two pairs of white stockings clean, then hanging them up, her preparations were complete.

Sayu Ogiwara had also made breakfast and called them both to eat together. The delicious aroma of the cooking filled the house. Misaki Kamiigusa from the third floor ran downstairs to join them, her spirits high, and the lazy, drunken teacher Chihiro Sengoku naturally appeared, drawn by the scent, her eyes a little swollen. Sayu Ogiwara had made a lot, so there was enough for everyone to eat. In fact, Sayu Ogiwara had even prepared lunch boxes for both of them. She truly had the temperament of a virtuous wife and a good mother, a rare trait.

Shiina Mahiru felt very embarrassed seeing the lunchbox. She was used to making her own lunchbox, and previously, she and Sayu had worked together to make dishes. But now their relationship was different. She always felt a little sorry for Sayu preparing a lunchbox for her too, as if she were a burden. However, Sayu Ogiwara's next words dispelled her worries.

"Accept it calmly, we've already slept together, do you hate me, a member of this family?" Sayu Ogiwara said, looking at her with pity, a sincere smile on her lips.

"Of course, I don't hate you! Sayu... I love you guys as family!" Mahiru exclaimed, her cheeks still flushing.

"Hehe, that's right. Accept my lunchbox. When I go to school later, we can cook together." Sayu giggled, her eyes sparkling.

Hearing this, Renji Kamisaka showed a surprised expression. "Sayu, you're going back to school? Are you leaving Sakurasou?" Renji Kamisaka nervously held Sayu's small hand, afraid of losing her.

Sayu Ogiwara saw how nervous Renji was and immediately smiled sweetly, a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I can't bear to leave this place." She explained, "I just want to finalize my identity and transfer documents so I can move here." Originally, she had shadows about school, past traumas still lingering. But she didn't want to be an unemployed vagrant or just a pretty face forever. There were so many amazing girls around her, and if she didn't become amazing, she would be outshone by the others, wouldn't she? She hoped that Renji would like her even more, which made her want to become outstanding. Therefore, returning to school was a must, an important step for herself.

Seeing that she had no intention of leaving, Renji Kamisaka also let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. He still liked Sayu. Not just because she was his first girl. But also because of her incredibly charming demeanor. She would act spoiled with him, do his housework, tolerate his cheating, and comply with all his mischievous requests. How could he not love a girl like that, whose eyes were filled with only him?

"Sayu, we'll wait until the weekend. I'll take you home to pick up your documents and complete the transfer procedures." Renji Kamisaka spoke these words firmly, causing tears of emotion to uncontrollably fall from Sayu's eyes, streaming down her cheeks.

"Wuwu... Really? I haven't even told you about my family situation or my past." Sayu sobbed. "After you know those things, won't you doubt me or hate me because of it?" She remembered her mother's suspicious gaze, believing she had killed a classmate, and her delicate body trembled, the fear still haunting her.

"You idiot, what kind of person am I? Don't you understand?" Renji asked, his voice filled with firmness and affection. "Since I dared to accept you, then I'm fully prepared to protect you!" He pulled Sayu into his embrace. "So, rely on me as much as you want!"

"Thank you, Renji." Sayu Ogiwara wiped her tears and suddenly threw herself into Renji's embrace, hugging him tightly. "This weekend, I'll wait for you to take me home."

"Okay." Renji Kamisaka smiled, stroking Sayu's hair, and calming her emotions, feeling an overflowing happiness. He was incredibly happy. Sayu Ogiwara being able to make the decision to return to campus proved that she was able to gather the courage to face the shadows of the past. Sayu would not only have a beautiful face but would grow into a more radiant and spirited girl. Yes, there was a sense of pride in having nurtured her, a genuine pride.