Shout out to Tristin, thank you the support!
I'm sorry I left Y'all hanging. Let's see how many chapters are dropping today!!
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The call was quickly connected.
"Moshi moshi? This is Ogiwara Issa. Who is this, and what do you want?"
A deep male voice ca through the phone, filled with tension and wariness.
Hozuki Nozomi gently stroked Sayu's hair as she lay curled up in his arms, her delicate fra pressing against him for warmth. With a calm yet firm tone, he replied:
"I'm Hozuki Nozomi. You must be Sayu's older brother. Sayu is currently staying with in Sakurasou. I'll be taking her back to Hokkaido tomorrow."
"What?! Sayu is with you? What did you do to her? Where are you right now?!"
Ogiwara Issa's voice was laced with both anxiety and suspicion.
Nozomi remained composed. "Relax, Ogiwara-san. Sayu is safe. Nothing bad has happened to her. We'll be flying in tomorrow morning. Make sure to pick us up at the airport."
"You're in Kyoto, right? Where exactly?"
"Sakurasou," Nozomi replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
A mont of silence followed before Issa let out a deep sigh, the tension in his voice easing ever so slightly. "I understand. I'll co get you tomorrow. We can talk about Sayu's situation in person."
"Sounds good. See you then."
After hanging up, Nozomi glanced down at the girl in his arms and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Your brother seems decent enough. So, what was going through that little head of yours? You have a well-off brother, yet you never asked him for money?"
Sayu pouted and buried her face against his chest. "I was confused... and my mother never cared about . At so point, I started thinking my brother's concern was just pity. I felt like I didn't belong in that family anymore."
Her fingers curled into his shirt. "Honestly... I don't want to leave Sakurasou now."
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she hesitated for a mont before pressing his hand against her chest. "Hey… since it's just the two of us tonight, Nozomi-kun... wanna do sothing fun?"
Nozomi smirked, his gaze amused. "I don't mind. Just don't go crying for rcy later."
Sayu puffed out her cheeks in mock defiance. "As if! I can handle whatever you throw at ."
Several monts later…
Nozomi stared at Sayu, his expression caught sowhere between amusent and disbelief. The girl had just called him "Papa" with a playful yet serious look in her eyes.
"Do you really think I'm your dad or sothing?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sayu giggled, rubbing her cheek against his chest. "Why not? You're always taking care of , giving hope, spoiling , and protecting from everything. So, can I call you Papa in private? Just between us?"
She winked mischievously, clearly having fun teasing him.
Nozomi sighed and wrapped the blanket around her, pulling her closer. "If it makes you happy, go ahead. I'll always answer you. Now be good and get so rest."
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The next morning, Sakurasou was filled with its usual warmth.
Shiina Mahiru had prepared breakfast, and after finishing their al, Sayu stood at the doorway, hugging her friends tightly.
"Co back soon, Sayu."
"Little Sayu, don't let Nozomi steal you away! We'll be waiting!"
Sayu's heart swelled with warmth. She truly was lucky to have such amazing friends and senpais at Sakurasou.
She turned back, only to see Mahiru still half-asleep on the couch. Nozomi, ever considerate, told Mahiru to take care of Shiina and wake her up later.
Holding Sayu's hand, Nozomi led her out of Sakurasou.
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A car arranged by Yukinoshita Haruno was already waiting to take them to the airport.
Sayu leaned in close, whispering, "Haruno-san is way too considerate… She's like a perfect housewife!"
Nozomi smirked. "She did get your brother's contact info, so we owe her one. Also, it's a bit embarrassing, but you actually forgot your own brother's number?"
Sayu pouted, looking away. "I had a lot on my mind, okay?"
Today, she had chosen to wear the sa school uniform she had on when they first t. The sight of her slender fra and radiant face frad by the familiar attire made her seem even more youthful and beautiful.
As they moved through the airport, heads turned, drawn to Sayu's natural charm. Holding Nozomi's arm, she smiled brightly, her presence drawing more than a few envious glances.
"Tch, people are staring," Nozomi muttered.
Sayu giggled. "You should get used to it, Nozomi-kun. A beautiful girl always attracts attention."
After passing through security, they boarded their flight to Hokkaido.
Sayu glanced around in excitent. "This is my first ti on a plane! It's so cool!"
Nozomi chuckled. "Well, don't get too excited and start wandering around. Stay put and fasten your seatbelt."
"Hai hai, Papa," Sayu teased, flashing him a cheeky grin.
"Oi… are you really sticking with that? I'm way too young to be your dad."
Sayu giggled but obediently followed his instructions.
Just as Nozomi was settling in, his sharp gaze caught sight of a familiar face a few rows ahead.
That strong build, that stern yet friendly face…
"Detective Kosaka Daisuke?" Nozomi muttered in surprise.
The detective turned at the sound of his na, imdiately breaking into a grin. "Oi! Nozomi-kun! What a coincidence! You heading to Hokkaido too?"
"Yeah, just for the weekend. Taking care of so things."
As Nozomi spoke, his eyes shifted to the girl standing beside Kosaka Daisuke. A petite, light-brown-haired girl with striking eyes—
Kosaka Kirino?
Kosaka Daisuke patted his daughter's shoulder. "This is my daughter, Kirino. We're visiting relatives. Kirino, say hello."
The junior high girl gave a polite bow. "Hajimashite, onii-chan! I'm Kosaka Kirino. Please take care of ."
"Nice to et you, Kirino-chan," Nozomi said with a warm smile.
Kirino blinked, her cheeks quickly turning pink as she lowered her head, suddenly too shy to look at him.
Sayu, watching from the side, imdiately puffed up her cheeks and gave Nozomi a light pinch. "Oi, you're already charming middle schoolers now?"
Nozomi sighed, rubbing the sore spot. "Jealous already, Sayu?"
Sayu huffed but clung to his arm tighter. "Hmph. You belong to , Nozomi-kun."
Seeing him charm the cute chūgakkō girl with a smile, Ogiwara Sayu puffed up her cheeks in jealousy and pinched Hozuki Nozomi lightly.
Kosaka Daisuke chuckled at the scene. "Alright, alright, we won't bother you two lovebirds anymore. We'll catch up another ti. Maybe talk about your plans after graduation. Ja ne!"
"Un. See you later," Nozomi replied, waving.
As the father and daughter pair walked away, Nozomi's expression darkened slightly.
Being a detective, huh... not really the path I want, he thought. Daisuke-san, please don't push too hard.
The plane lifted off the tarmac.
Sayu, seated by the window, practically glued herself to the glass. Her face lit up with wonder as she took in the view of the clouds and sky. Nozomi couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart watching her. Her energy was infectious.
I wish she could stay this cheerful forever, he thought.
Soon, Sayu leaned her head on his shoulder and intertwined her fingers with his. The comfort of his presence allowed her to relax.
"Still nervous?" he whispered.
She didn't answer, just squeezed his hand tighter.
He smiled gently. It was okay. This trip wasn't just about returning ho — it was about healing. About facing her past. About him helping her confront the ghost that still lingered in her heart — literally and figuratively.
If her friend passed with lingering regrets... she might still be here. Waiting.
Several hours later, the plane touched down in Hokkaidō.
Nozomi and Sayu made their way through the terminal and eventually spotted a tall man in a sleek black suit, hair parted in the middle — it was Ogiwara Issa, Sayu's older brother.
"Sayu!" he called, stepping forward with urgency.
He wanted to scold her — to demand answers for why she hadn't contacted him — but the look in her eyes made him bite back the words.
Instead, he opened the car door for them silently and drove to a quieter area.
In the parked car, he finally asked, "Sayu, why didn't you pick up my calls? I've been looking for you."
Then he turned to Nozomi. "And you — are you the one nad Hozuki Nozomi? What's your relationship with my sister?"
Nozomi stepped forward calmly, shielding Sayu. "I'm her kareshi. Her boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?! Don't make laugh! A real boyfriend wouldn't keep her from calling ho. What are you, so kind of creep who's keeping her locked away? That's illegal!"
He reached forward to grab Nozomi by the collar, but Sayu quickly intervened.
"Stop it, onii-chan! Don't touch Nozomi-kun!" she said, pushing his hand away. Her tone was firm. "I didn't want to go ho. I didn't want to contact anyone. When I was lost and had nowhere to go, it was Nozomi-kun who took in... who gave a place to feel safe. So don't you dare bla him!"
Issa froze, stunned by her assertiveness.
But then, after a long pause, he gave a small, reluctant smile. "Then... are you ready to co back? To face mom?"
Sayu clenched her fists. "I know I have to eventually. I can't run forever. But..." Her voice trembled. "That woman... she doesn't care. She never did."
Issa looked away for a mont before softly replying, "She was worried, Sayu. She really was."
"No. She wasn't," Sayu snapped, her tone sharp. "If she even tried to look for , there had to be so other reason. Onii-chan, tell the truth. What happened after I ran away?"
Issa sighed. The truth was heavy.
"After you disappeared, mom ca under a lot of pressure. The school contacted her several tis. Your teachers ca over, concerned. She told them you were in your room, dealing with 'severe social withdrawal.'"
He paused before continuing.
"But they beca suspicious. You hadn't been seen for weeks. They started thinking... maybe she was hiding you. That she was imprisoning you. They threatened to call the police if they didn't see you soon."
Nozomi and Sayu exchanged a glance, the truth clicking into place.
"So, she wasn't worried about — she was just afraid of legal trouble and bad rumors," Sayu said with a bitter laugh.
Issa lowered his head. "Even so... she's still your mother."
"She might be, but she's never acted like it," Sayu muttered.
Issa looked at them both. "Let's go ho. We can talk more there."
Sayu hesitated, and Nozomi spoke up gently. "Can we go tomorrow instead? There's sothing Sayu needs to do today. Please, give her so ti to prepare."
Issa stared at his sister. Her expression was fragile — like a kitten who'd been through a storm and was still scared of thunder.
He nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But I'm telling mom. She's... she's been unstable these days."
"Do whatever you want," Sayu replied coldly.
Once Issa drove away, Sayu collapsed into Nozomi's chest. Her tears fell without restraint.
He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair gently.
"Let's go see your friend," he said softly. "I'm... not like normal people, rember? Maybe there's a way. Maybe we can see her one last ti."
Sayu looked up at him, eyes still wet, but now glimring with hope.
"Hontō ni...? You think I could see her again...?"
"If anyone can do it, it's us," Nozomi said, offering her a smile filled with certainty.
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Attached is Kousaka Kirino
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