Hozuki Nozomi registered Shiina Mahiru and handed her a form to fill out.
Once all the paperwork was complete, he led Shiina Mahiru to check out the available rooms in Sakurasou.
First stop—the first floor.
In addition to the administrator's office where Sengoku Chihiro lived, there were two other rooms and a shared kitchen. However, after just a brief glance, Shiina Mahiru shook her head decisively. She didn't even need to consider it—this wasn't where she wanted to stay.
Next, they moved to the second floor.
"This room by the window is mine. The one next to it belongs to Ogiwara Sayu," Nozomi explained as he gestured toward the doors. "We have three more rooms on this floor. The corner room, 205, is occupied by Akasaka Ryunosuke, a genius programr. He's pretty much the reason our internet never crashes."
Shiina Mahiru took her ti looking around before stopping at a room opposite Ogiwara Sayu's. The space was well-ventilated, and when she opened the window, she could see the branches of a cherry blossom tree swaying gently. The faint fragrance of sakura petals drifted inside, filling the room with a peaceful atmosphere. A stray cat was napping on one of the branches, its tail twitching slightly in sleep. The sight was oddly comforting.
Then they headed to the third floor.
"There are five rooms up here as well," Nozomi continued. "201 belongs to Kamiigusa Misaki-senpai. She's a genius animator, full of energy, and super friendly."
He then pointed toward another door. "205 is where Mitaka Jin-senpai stays. He's kind of a playboy—rumor has it he's dating six different girlfriends at once and throws parties every night. He hasn't been around much lately, though."
At those words, Shiina Mahiru frowned slightly. She turned to Nozomi with a puzzled expression. "If he's such a flirt, why is he allowed to stay here?"
Nozomi let out a dry laugh and shrugged. "I know what you're thinking, but I only inherited the responsibility of managing Sakurasou recently. These people were already living here before I ca."
Shiina Mahiru didn't press further. Instead, she looked thoughtful for a mont before making her decision.
"I'll take the room next to yours," she said firmly. "The view is nice."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Living next to —are you sure? Aren't you worried I might try sothing?" he teased.
Shiina Mahiru glanced down toward his waist, her voice cold as she replied, "I'm not so weak girl. If you try anything, I'll make sure you can never use that thing again."
Nozomi shuddered. "Yikes, that's terrifying. But don't worry, I'm not the kind of guy who forces himself on soone. My dream is to make the girl I like happy, and forcing her won't do that."
With a casual grin, he handed her a set of keys. "Alright, Shiina-san. This room is yours now. Here's the key."
After registering the room under her na, he continued, "Go ahead and settle in. Later, we're all gathering in the first-floor living room for dinner. It's a Sakurasou tradition to welco new residents with a party."
"A dinner party…" Shiina Mahiru murmured, her lips curving into a small smile. That was new for her.
"Well then, I won't disturb you any longer." Nozomi turned and left.
The mont he stepped back into his own room, he was t with a pair of pouty, accusing eyes.
"What's up with you?" Nozomi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ogiwara Sayu puffed up her cheeks, staring at him as if he had wronged her. "Who was that super beautiful girl?" she demanded. "And why was she with you?"
"You noticed we wear the sa school uniform, right?" Nozomi sighed. "She's the new resident. Her na is Shiina Mahiru—Chihiro-sensei's cousin and also my classmate. That's all there is to it."
"…I see."
Ogiwara Sayu let out a quiet sigh of relief—but before long, she frowned again, clearly not satisfied with his answer.
"Alright, alright, no need to worry so much. It's ti to prepare a feast to welco the newcor," Nozomi said with a smirk.
Sayu imdiately perked up, her competitive spirit igniting. "No problem! Leave it to ! I'll win her over with my cooking!"
Tying an apron around her waist, she marched into the kitchen, full of determination. Watching her enthusiasm, Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle. If there was one thing Sayu took seriously, it was making sure no other girl took her spot as the best cook in Sakurasou.
anwhile, on the first floor, Chihiro Sengoku—now fully sober—was grinning from ear to ear. She could already taste the midnight snacks she'd be sneaking later.
Nozomi rolled his eyes at the sight. "Well, well, if it isn't the forever-29-years-old, beautiful, stunning, eternally single Chihiro-sensei. Are you finally awake?"
Chihiro snorted and hooked an arm around his neck, pulling him in close. "You little brat! You got to enjoy the embrace of a mature, beautiful woman and still dare to tease ? Hmph, do you look down on your teacher?"
"How could I possibly?" Nozomi replied smoothly, smirking as he suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and hoisted her up.
"Wha—?!" Chihiro's face turned crimson as she instinctively grabbed onto him.
"So, about what you said earlier… do you still an it? About going to bed together?" Nozomi teased, his voice laced with mischief.
For a mont, Chihiro's brain short-circuited. Her expression shifted between flustered and furious before she smacked his shoulder. "You little punk! You're just like that playboy Mitaka!" she huffed, quickly stepping back to adjust her skirt and regain her dignity.
Nozomi chuckled and shrugged. "To be fair, you were the one who started it. Thanks to you, I almost got misunderstood by Shiina-san."
Chihiro waved him off, pretending to be indifferent. "Oh please, Mahiru wouldn't think that deeply about it. Speaking of which…" She shot him a sly grin. "Nozomi-kun, don't tell you've taken a liking to my cousin? She's not easy to win over, you know. But I do have so insider info on her… interested?"
Nozomi crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's the price for this so-called 'insider info'?"
"Just a couple of beers for your lovely sensei!" she declared confidently.
Nozomi scoffed. "Seriously? You've been drinking all afternoon, and you still want more? Yare yare daze… I'm actually planning a full-scale cleaning operation soon. If your room still slls like a brewery, I'll make you responsible for Sakurasou's sanitation for an entire month."
Chihiro gasped in horror, clutching her chest as if he had stabbed her. "You monster! Do you have any idea how cruel that is?! Brat, are you sure you don't want the information?"
"I'll pass. It's not like I don't have a girlfriend," Nozomi said nonchalantly, glancing toward the kitchen where Sayu was still hard at work.
…Okay, maybe he was a little curious about Mahiru, but there was no way he was going to admit that to Chihiro.
Chihiro clicked her tongue in disappointnt. "Tch. What's wrong with a little drinking? When you get to my age, you'll understand that sotis, all you need in life is another can of beer."
"Yeah, no thanks. I doubt I'll ever reach that level of despair," Nozomi deadpanned.
He leaned back, studying her for a mont before speaking again. "Y'know, Chihiro-sensei, you're actually pretty attractive. So why do you keep failing at blind dates?"
Chihiro's face turned slightly pink. She averted her gaze, muttering, "Who knows what n are thinking these days…"
Nozomi smirked. "Maybe because you're looking for a 'successful' guy? Most successful people are already taken, and let's be real—if you don't cut down on the drinking, your potential suitors will keep running for the hills."
Chihiro's expression darkened. "Oi."
"Also, unlike Shirayama-sensei, you don't even try to act cute. You always have this delinquent energy. Who in their right mind would want to marry a beer-loving, foul-mouthed teacher?"
Nozomi barely had ti to react before Chihiro pounced on him, knocking him to the floor and straddling his waist.
"You little brat! How dare you?! Am I really that bad?!" she cried, shaking him by the collar. "Hmph! This is all your fault! If I can't find a husband, then you'll just have to take responsibility and marry instead!"
Nozomi gawked at her. "Hah?!"
"Think about it! You're not bad-looking, way more decent than Mitaka, and you even own a house! Plus, I have a car! We're the perfect match!"
Nozomi groaned, covering his face with one hand. "Sensei, have so sha…"
She smirked. "Not happening. Once a woman reaches my age, sha is a luxury we can't afford!"
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