Shout out to Shonenzero and Fluffiemonster for the pledges. 4 bonus chapters on Sunday.
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The next morning.
Nozomi, deep in sleep and wrapped in the softness of dreams, suddenly stirred as something shifted in his arms. Blinking away the remnants of slumber, he cracked his eyes open—only to meet the flustered, sharp gaze of Yukinoshita Yukino. Her usual calm was nowhere to be seen; in its place, a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance flared vividly in her expression.
Seeing that he was awake, Yukino gave an impatient squirm.
"Let me go. I need to use the bathroom."
"Ah—s-sorry!" Nozomi quickly released her, his voice flustered as he awkwardly scooted back.
Without another word, Yukino got up and darted toward the door, disappearing like a startled cat.
It took her a while to return.
Nozomi scratched his head, puzzled.
What he didn't know was that the culprit behind her delay… was himself. Last night, he'd unwittingly stashed her school uniform in his room while tidying up. The poor girl had to return just to retrieve it and change.
Back in his room, Yukino—now fully dressed in her school uniform—adjusted her skirt and tied the signature bow in front of her blouse. Her movements were methodical, precise... until she froze.
A pair of firm arms encircled her waist from behind.
Warm breath ghosted against her ear.
Her body tensed, cheeks coloring in a telltale blush. "D-Don't tease me, we have to go to school."
Nozomi didn't answer.
Instead, he gently turned her around and held her close. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
Wasting a morning like this? That'd be a crime.
Yukino was stunned, her thoughts scattered like sakura petals in the wind. Her carefully arranged uniform was promptly wrinkled again as she instinctively clung to his neck, trying to resist but helplessly surrendering to the warmth in his kiss.
She wasn't the type to give in easily. Yukino was calculating, cautious, distant. But the sincerity in Nozomi's touch, the raw feeling behind every moment—it bypassed every wall she'd ever built.
Their moment was abruptly interrupted.
The door creaked open.
"Nozomi, come on, breakfast—" Shiina Mahiru stepped in and blinked.
Her cheeks went bright pink as she caught sight of Yukino seated on Nozomi's lap, lips still close, faces flushed.
"Oh my~ Sorry! You two continue! Don't worry about breakfast!" She grinned mischievously, clearly enjoying the scene.
"Ah—!" Yukino cried out, practically launching herself off Nozomi as she tried to compose herself. Her face was a storm of mortification.
Nozomi, however, remained unbothered. His eyes locked onto Mahiru, and he beckoned.
"Mahiru, come here."
She huffed dramatically, feigning reluctance. "What for?"
Still, she walked over, her ponytail swaying behind her. She was already in her uniform, and the way the morning sun danced along the curve of her neck made her look even more radiant.
Before she could react, Nozomi took her hand and pulled her onto his lap.
And then, just as boldly, he kissed her.
Mahiru blushed, but responded with familiarity, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her lips curved into a soft smile mid-kiss.
Unlike Yukino, she had no hesitation.
She knew this boy. Knew his warmth. And knew that these stolen moments belonged to her too.
Yukino, who had managed to steady her flustered heart, now watched this unfold with an unexpected pang.
A sharp sting of jealousy flared in her chest.
She lowered her gaze, eyes shimmering.
But just as she turned to leave, Mahiru reached out and gently took her hand.
Yukino froze.
She looked up, met Mahiru's playful wink, and her heart skipped.
The memory of their earlier promise echoed.
She was part of this too. Whether her heart could handle it or not, she had already stepped into this dangerous, warm, chaotic world.
Before she could pull away, Nozomi reached for her other hand.
And just like that, with a gentle tug, Yukino found herself perched on his other knee.
"Yukino, don't leave me."
His voice was low, sincere.
Nozomi let go of Mahiru and wrapped his arm around Yukino's waist.
"I know I'm greedy. Maybe I am a terrible guy. But I'm serious—about you. About Mahiru. About all of this."
Shiina Mahiru leaned against Nozomi's chest obediently, her breath soft and light, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she tilted her head slightly to glance at Yukino. Her gaze sparkled with playful mischief as she winked.
Yukinoshita Yukino's cheeks flushed a deep pink, her heart pounding like a taiko drum. She tried to maintain her icy composure, but it was impossible with Mahiru's teasing and Nozomi's warmth enveloping her.
But… if I back down now, I'll only make things harder for Mahiru.
With a small sigh, she steeled herself, cheeks still burning, and leaned her cheek against Nozomi's other shoulder with feigned calm.
"Are you proud now, Mr. Scumbag?" she muttered, her voice laced with a mix of indignation and quiet affection.
Nozomi chuckled softly, resting his chin on the crown of her head. "I'm not just proud… I feel incredibly lucky."
His voice was warm. Sincere. It wasn't just sweet talk—it carried a weight that settled into Yukino's heart.
"Yukino… Mahiru… I'm really glad I met you."
Yukino didn't respond immediately. There was a strange fluttering in her chest. A swirl of emotion she didn't know how to name. A twinge of jealousy, yes—but also… warmth. Understanding.
Earlier, she had felt a pang of bitterness, thinking she was losing him. That Mahiru had taken something away. But Mahiru's kindness—the way she gently took her hand, shared her smile—told Yukino otherwise.
This doesn't feel wrong…
She didn't want to see Nozomi become like Sakura-senpai—someone bitter and broken by tangled emotions.
And the truth was, Mahiru and Sayu had always accepted her presence, never pushing her aside despite her complicated position. Despite her status as the daughter of the powerful Yukinoshita family, the one who had been forced into Nozomi's life through an arranged engagement.
In a way, they were the ones who had made room for her.
So maybe… just maybe…
She was the one who owed them.
Nozomi, sensing her unspoken acceptance, tightened his arms slightly around her slender frame. He didn't press any further. Sometimes, silence said more than words.
Moments later, Shiina Mahiru poked his cheek with a teasing finger. "Hey, it's time to eat. If it gets cold, Sayu will be sad."
Right. Sayu had made breakfast this morning.
Nozomi nodded with a smile. Yukino quickly slipped out of his embrace, her expression flustered. Mahiru reached for her hand with a gentle smile.
"Let's go, Yukinoshita. Breakfast is waiting."
"O-okay..."
After breakfast, the group prepared to head to Sobu High School. Nozomi planned to accompany Yukino, Mahiru, and the others. But before they left, a familiar voice called out from upstairs.
"Nozomi~! Come here a sec!"
Fern.
Nozomi glanced at the others. "You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up."
Shiina Mashiro was staying behind—Nanami Aoyama had come over to help her get to school, and she was definitely more reliable than Chihiro-sensei.
When he reached the third floor, Nozomi saw Fern waiting. Her expression was unusually serious, her lilac hair framing her face in soft waves.
Without hesitation, Nozomi reached out and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. Her cheeks flushed immediately.
"Fern, what's going on?" he asked gently, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.
Fern exhaled, her violet eyes clouded. She took his hand and led him quietly to the room she shared with Frieren.
She cracked the door open slightly and pointed.
Inside, Frieren sat slumped in a chair, her silver twin ponytails draped over her shoulders, her gaze empty as she stared at the ceiling.
Nozomi furrowed his brow. "What's wrong with Frieren? Why does she look so out of it?"
Fern bit her lower lip, whispering guiltily, "It's my fault… I mentioned the hero from the past while we were chatting. She's been like this ever since. She's… hurting."
Nozomi's gaze softened.
"So, can you comfort her? Please?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Nozomi smiled. "Of course I will. But Fern… how are you planning to thank me afterward?"
His mischievous grin returned as he gazed into her flushed face.
Fern rolled her eyes but leaned close to whisper into his ear, her breath tickling.
"If you manage to coax Frieren back to normal… then tonight, I'm yours to do whatever you want."
Nozomi's eyes sparkled. That was one reward worth working for.