Nozomi looked down into Shiina Mahiru's large, watery eyes, a gentle smile curving his lips.
"No matter how much of a flirt I might seem, I'll never forget you, Mahiru. Never ignore you. Never let you feel alone."
He declared his feelings without hesitation, his tone sincere and firm. "I really like you, Shiina Mahiru."
It wasn't enough to show it—he had to say it aloud. Boldly. Passionately. Without sha.
Mahiru's cheeks flushed crimson as her eyes shimred. "Baka... you keep saying these embarrassing things."
"Because I want you to know. To feel what I feel," he said, holding her close. "Mahiru, my angel... please stay by my side, forever."
"I know."
This place… Sakurasou, these people… Nozomi—this was her ho now.
She didn't want to leave. And deep inside, her heart fluttered with warmth.
Nozomi never once ignored her. Whether it was sneaking hugs in the kitchen or cuddling her under the moonlight, he made her feel wanted. Treasured. Needed.
Tonight, though, she had been left breathless by his newest ability. Even Sayu might not stand a chance if he kept going like this. His power was overwhelming.
After cuddling and talking for a bit, Nozomi's gaze grew intense again.
But Mahiru pouted and pushed his chest with a soft "hmph." "Enough already. Go find Misaki or Sayu if you're that energetic."
"Or Mashiro," she added with a teasing tone.
She had seen the way Mashiro had grown attached to Nozomi.
Even Mai Sakurajima, the cool and beautiful senpai, held sothing in her eyes whenever she looked at him. A hint of affection. Maybe even jealousy.
Mahiru sighed dramatically. "Honestly, you need to give that multiplication skill a break. You're going to wear us all out."
Nozomi scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Well… she wasn't wrong. The skill was a cheat-code level harem enabler.
Still, he didn't want to overdo it. Not with Mahiru. Not with any of them.
That said…
Back in his own room, Nozomi was preparing to sneak up on either Sayu or Misaki, intent on a little playful mischief.
But just as he turned, the door creaked open.
A blonde girl stepped in.
Before he could think, instinct took over—Nozomi lowered his head and kissed her, mistaking her for Sayu.
The girl's eyes widened in shock. Her dainty hands pressed against his chest, a silent protest…
But she didn't resist for long.
Eventually, he pulled back, blinking in surprise under the moonlight.
"Rita?!"
He stared in disbelief. "Why are you here? I thought you were Misaki or Sayu!"
Rita's face flushed bright red as she smacked his shoulder.
"I'm leaving for England tomorrow! I just wanted to rest beside you one last ti… but you—you went straight in with that kiss!"
Nozomi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I an… it'd be weird not to kiss a beautiful girl sneaking into my room at night, right?"
"But wait—why are you leaving? Did I do sothing wrong? Was I not good to you?"
Seeing Nozomi looking at her with reluctant eyes, Rita couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle softly.
"Honestly, you really are an idiot, Nozomi. At first, I wanted to bring Mashiro back with to England. But after we had that heart-to-heart... I realized that Mashiro has already found her place here."
Her voice softened, but her eyes glead with resolve.
"And I've decided too. I'm going to start painting again. Even if I can't catch up to Mashiro's brilliance, I still want to chase after her—with everything I have."
Nozomi didn't speak. He simply wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pressed his lips to her soft, fair skin. His silence conveyed what words couldn't. Rita flinched a little at the sensation, but slowly, her hands wrapped gently around his neck.
"What's this? Can't bear to part with ?"
Her voice was teasing, but her cheeks were tinged pink.
"You're such a playboy, surrounded by all these wonderful girls... would it really bother you if I disappeared from your life?"
Nozomi nodded without hesitation, his voice filled with warmth.
"I would care. Of course I would. I'm greedy. Selfish. I want everything. And since you've hugged , kissed —you're mine now, Rita."
Rita rolled her eyes, but the redness on her cheeks deepened.
"You really are shaless. You say things like that so easily..."
Nozomi let out a quiet sigh.
"You're leaving soon. So I want to be honest with you. If I don't say what I feel now... I might never get the chance again."
Rita gave him a fond smile and gently shook her head.
"You dummy... I'm just a freeloader here. Mashiro still has school, but once I leave Sakurasou, I won't have a place to stay. But... I'll co back. I've made up my mind."
Her intentions were crystal clear.
She wanted to return. To build sothing of her own. And maybe—just maybe—attend school alongside Mashiro one day.
Nozomi lifted her chin with two fingers, his tone playful but sincere.
"Then let take you to the airport tomorrow. You've already booked your ticket, right?"
Rita nodded, her golden curls bouncing. Follow current novels on novel⚑fire
"Of course."
"Co back soon, okay?"
"I will."
"Sakurasou is always your ho."
"I'll rember that. Always."
...
The next morning.
Nozomi opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the sunlight filtering through the curtains. Rita was still sleeping soundly beside him, her expression peaceful.
She had been exhausted the night before. Nozomi had restrained himself—he cherished her too much to cross any lines.
Gently, he brushed her pink lips with his fingers, a small smile forming on his face.
Just as he was about to close his eyes again, the door creaked open.
A familiar figure entered.
Shiina Mashiro.
With her pale golden hair shimring in the morning light, Mashiro stepped in silently. When her eyes landed on Rita, she puffed out her cheeks.
"Rita is so sneaky..."
It wasn't jealousy exactly—more like quiet determination. Mashiro refused to be outdone.
Before Nozomi could speak, she was already crawling into bed.
And once again, Nozomi experienced the gentleness unique to Mashiro.
...
Mashiro's figure was slender, her skin porcelain white. But despite her elegance, she had the softness and warmth of any affectionate girl.
She was a girl who radiated pet-like charm—docile yet unexpectedly willful.
Nozomi brushed her silky hair and cradled her gently.
"Mashiro, Rita is going back to England today. Do you want to co see her off?"
Mashiro looked up at him, her eyes clear and unwavering.
"Yes. I want to go."
Rita was her best friend. She didn't want her to go—not really.
Back when they painted together, those were so of Mashiro's happiest days. But now, at Suii High, she painted alone. Her peers kept their distance, too intimidated by her talent to approach.
Only Rita had stayed by her side. Had encouraged her.
And now... she was leaving.
Rita stirred awake. Her eyes softened as she saw Mashiro wrapped in Nozomi's arms.
She reached out and hugged Mashiro tightly.
"Don't miss too much. I'll finish things up and co back soon."
Then she turned to Nozomi with mock seriousness.
"And Nozomi—if you dare bully Mashiro while I'm gone, I won't forgive you!"
Nozomi laughed, raising his hand in a salute.
"Got it, got it. I won't lay a finger on our precious Mashiro. I promise."
And in that cozy room at Sakurasou, the morning sun painted golden warmth on three hearts reluctant to part, but bound by unspoken promises to et again.
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