Chapter 57: Chaos and Mashiro's Innocence

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, 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's still plenty of time, as long as he still likes me and is gentle with me, then I will always be by his side. Besides, where else can I 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 brought 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.

Wiping her tears, Sayu Ogiwara cast a gentle glance at Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru, who wore worried expressions. She said with a smile, her lips curving subtly, "Alright, you two go to school, don't worry about me." A determination shone in her eyes. "I will look forward to the day I return to school."

Shiina Mahiru stepped forward and hugged her tightly before turning to leave. Though it was just a hug, Mahiru didn't say much, yet the warmth flowed silently. Sayu Ogiwara still felt warm inside, a comforting feeling. She couldn't help but admire Renji Kamisaka's vision. Mahiru was indeed a gentle and kind girl, not the artificial kind, but her true personality, which allowed her to become even more perfect and an angel in the eyes of others.

Seeing Sayu was fine, Renji Kamisaka also relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief. "Then we'll just go, okay?"

"Wait, Renji Boy, did you forget about Shiina Mashiro?" Chihiro Sengoku's voice broke the silence, her tone a little sharp. She had eaten a mouthful of "dog food" (slang for witnessing others' intimacy) and felt a sourness in her heart. The more she stared at this child, the more uncomfortable she felt, so she decided to give him trouble.

Renji Kamisaka, of course, knew who she was talking about. Hearing that, he could only say helplessly, "Teacher Chihiro is talking about Mashiro, right? Of course, I didn't forget her." He pointed towards Mahiru. "But Mashiro is your cousin, right? The place she transferred to is also Suimei High, but we won't be going there!" He added quickly, "But don't worry about breakfast, Sayu has saved some for her."

Chihiro Sengoku rolled her eyes, her lips curling sardonically. "Am I worried about breakfast? I want you to wake her up and take her to school for registration."

"Huh? You're a teacher at Suimei High and Mashiro's cousin. You're not taking her to register, but you want me to go?" Renji asked, incredulous.

"Hmph, you're the one who brought Mashiro here, so you should be responsible for her food, clothing, and transportation to school!" Chihiro said with an expression that implied he had hit the jackpot, a sly smile. Then she waved her hand and walked out of Sakurasou first, leaving Renji dumbfounded.

Renji Kamisaka widened his eyes, somewhat disbelieving. "Mahiru, is she really your cousin, Mashiro's cousin?"

Shiina Mahiru was also speechless, a forced smile on her face. "I suppose so."

Renji Kamisaka couldn't help but complain. "That's too irresponsible! Letting someone from another school take Mashiro to school?" He sighed. "Even if it's just a few steps to school, she's too lazy."

Shiina Mahiru smiled and took his hand, a calming touch. "My cousin has already run off, what else can we do? Let's wake Mashiro together." She added, "There's still time, we can still go to school."

"Okay." Renji Kamisaka held Shiina Mahiru's small hand, feeling it wasn't so bad. After all, Chihiro's gaze was indeed correct, this was an advantage, arranged for him, it was a huge advantage. He only hoped Mahiru wouldn't be scared later.

Misaki Kamiigusa had already finished her breakfast in a few bites and gone to school; she always had a nimble and energetic personality. So now only Mashiro was sleeping on the third floor.

Arriving at the door on the third floor, a small sign with a cute cat pattern drawn by Misaki Kamiigusa hung there. It whimsically read: "Mashiro's Room, Please Knock."

Renji Kamisaka knocked politely three times. "Mashiro, are you awake?" He waited for a moment. "Time to get up, you have to go to school!"

However, there was no answer from inside. He and Shiina Mahiru exchanged glances, Mahiru nodded at him, then Renji pushed the door open.

What greeted them was a chaotic scene: underwear and other clothes like skirts were scattered everywhere. Various manga lay randomly on the table and floor; anything from inside the suitcase was strewn about. Mahiru had helped clean this room before, and now its messy state made her, always meticulous, want to experience obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the corners of her eyes kept twitching as she saw it.

Scanning the surroundings, Renji Kamisaka saw no one. So he continued to call out. "Mashiro, where are you?" He stared at the mess. "Why has the room become like this?" He, of course, understood the reason she transformed the room into this state. Without Rita, Mashiro was simply living trash—the princess without a maid wouldn't shower or dress without someone taking care of her. But Mahiru didn't know, so he still had to pretend to be surprised.

Shiina Mahiru also searched for Mashiro's figure, her eyes flitting from one pile to another. But trying to find a petite girl in such a messy room was not that easy. Fortunately, Mashiro seemed to hear Renji Kamisaka's voice and made a sound. Just then, a small golden head slowly emerged from under what was deemed a pile of clothes. She rubbed her eyes sweetly then opened her pure eyes to look at the two of them, innocent and guileless.

"Mashiro, it's morning," Renji Kamisaka greeted with a smile, trying to suppress his laughter.

But Mashiro said sleepily, her voice soft, "Morning won't come again." As she said that, she stood up on her own, the clothes she had been wearing falling to the ground, and the girl appeared naked, completely unaware.

"Umm... good morning?" Renji Kamisaka murmured, his eyes widening. The girl's soft, golden hair fell naturally on both sides of her shoulders. Her skin, whiter than milk, glistened with a charming sheen under the refraction of the morning sunlight. Her slender waist was too fragile to grasp. Her budding breasts, proportionate to her lithe figure, truly appeared larger. Though not comparable to Mahiru, she was also petite and cute. Ah, no! Now was not the time to be thinking about these things.

"Ah, ah, ah! Mashiro, what are you doing?!" After being stunned for a moment, Shiina Mahiru, her face as red as a boiled shrimp, frantically covered Renji Kamisaka's eyes and shrieked loudly.

"Umm... what am I doing?" Mashiro tilted her head and looked at her cousin in confusion, completely bewildered.

Mahiru suppressed her embarrassment, covering Renji Kamisaka's eyes with one hand, and pointing at Mashiro with the other, asking, "I mean, why were you hiding under the computer desk when you slept, and why did you come out naked?" She leaned in, her voice hushed. "Think carefully!"

Although Shiina Mahiru had accepted Sayu's presence by Renji Kamisaka's side, she still cared about him seeing another girl's body, an unexpected possessiveness. Especially because she was afraid he would be misunderstood by other girls, or even Renji himself.

Renji Kamisaka, whose eyes were covered, looked helpless. He had already seen everything, what was the point of covering it now? Was it the girl's embarrassment acting up?

Facing Mahiru's words, Mashiro thought for a moment and said in a cute manner, "I bathed last night, then I took off my clothes." She added, "All of them."

Shiina Mahiru finally understood why the room was full of clothes. "Then why didn't you wear pajamas before bed?" Mahiru asked, her head aching, then glared at Renji Kamisaka, "You're not allowed to look!" She hadn't even seen his body fully, so how could he see Mashiro's first?

"Yes, my eyes are closed," Renji Kamisaka obediently accepted the scolding, but secretly wanted to laugh, a small smile hidden behind Mahiru's palm.

And Shiina Mashiro, facing her cousin's words, said with righteous indignation, "Because Renji Kamisaka didn't choose pajamas for me."

"Huh? Why would Renji Kamisaka need to help you choose whether to wear pajamas or not?" Mahiru asked, confused.

"Owner," Mashiro replied simply.

"Huh?" Mahiru was even more confused.

"Renji Kamisaka is Mashiro's owner, he gave Mashiro baumkuchen, so I should wear the underwear Renji Kamisaka chooses." Mashiro explained innocently.

"Don't bring up underwear! You're not allowed to let Renji Kamisaka choose, take this one, put it on now!" Shiina Mahiru grabbed a blue-and-white striped one nearby and handed it to her, her face flushing with embarrassment and frustration.

Mashiro took it, unfolded it, and even flapped it, saying disdainfully, "This one isn't cute."

"Don't talk back, put it on now!" Shiina Mahiru was almost exploding with anger, feeling incredibly anxious. What was the meaning of talking naked like this? What if Renji Kamisaka fell in love with you?

Mashiro, at her cousin's insistence, reluctantly put on the underwear. Then she looked at Mahiru with a blank, adorable expression.

Shiina Mahiru: "..." She could only sigh. "Still put on your school uniform, then wash your face!"

Mashiro obediently turned, like a robot, and walked to the bathroom. Shiina Mahiru then released her small hand covering Renji Kamisaka's eyes, puffing out her cheeks and glaring angrily at him. "Happy? Seeing Mashiro's body, do you feel something increased?"

Renji Kamisaka smiled awkwardly, hugged her, and whispered in her ear. "If Mahiru allowed me to see, I'd be even happier."

"Hmm... you're good at coaxing me." Although she said so, she wasn't actually that angry. Even if she was angry, her anger wasn't directed at him, but at Mashiro. What exactly was this cousin doing? She didn't seem to be pretending at all. Instead, it was as if she wouldn't act at all unless someone arranged it for her.

Of course. A few seconds later, Mashiro came out, wearing soaking wet underwear, water dripping from it. Mahiru's eyes widened in shock. The wet clothes clinging to her slender body made her look even more alluring, her body lines exposed.

"Ah! Didn't I tell you to brush your teeth and wash your face? Is this how you wash? You did it on purpose, didn't you! Trying to seduce Renji Kamisaka!" Mahiru shrieked, her frustration reaching its peak.

However, Mashiro looked completely innocent, not understanding why Mahiru was angry. After thinking for a moment, she opened her mouth to explain. "Rita used to help me with everything." After saying that, she looked at Renji Kamisaka.

And Renji Kamisaka's eyes were covered again, a ridiculous deja vu. Great. He had just managed to coax Little Angel Mahiru, and Mashiro was already irritating him again. Renji could only sigh in resignation.

Enjoying the story? You can read 7 chapters in advance on p@treon/Rzzzy!