Upon arriving at school, Hozuki Nozomi headed to the shoe lockers to change into his indoor slippers. As he approached, he noticed Ogiwara Sayu and Shiina Mahiru standing nearby, both wearing identical expressions of weary helplessness.
"What's wrong?" he asked, walking over with a curious smile.
Ogiwara Sayu let out a soft, world-weary sigh and wordlessly handed him a pale pink envelope she had retrieved from her own shoe locker.
"A love letter," she stated flatly.
Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle. "It just proves how charming Sayu is. Does this happen often?"
Sayu nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks despite her exasperated tone. "It's not just me. Mahiru gets her fair share, too. But we don't read them." She then took the envelope back from him only to press it firmly into his palm, as if disposing of hazardous material. "Today's offering is your responsibility to handle!"
With that, both girls turned in unison and made a swift, coordinated retreat toward their classroom, leaving Nozomi holding the delicate, perfumed stationery.
He was mildly curious about the literary style of a modern high school love letter, but it felt inappropriate to open it here. For all he knew, the hopeful author could be lurking nearby, watching. Still, judging by Sayu and Mahiru's clear, united front, any would-be suitors should get the message and retreat.
He slipped the unopened letter into his pocket, the matter already fading from his mind. Both Ogiwara Sayu and Shiina Mahiru were exceptionally beautiful, and their popularity at school was a given. While his presence certainly deterred the majority, a few persistent or optimistic souls were inevitable. High schoolers, after all, were often fueled by simple, earnest hearts and the romantic fantasies so common to youth.
… … …
During the break between classes, Hozuki Nozomi and Shiina Mahiru found themselves walking side-by-side down the quiet hallway, each carrying a stack of homework they were delivering to the faculty office. As the class's male and female representatives, they were occasionally tasked with such errands.
Nozomi had no complaints about this arrangement. The alternative—some other boy getting to share these quiet moments with Mahiru—was unthinkable.
"The engagement party is coming up soon, isn't it?" Shiina Mahiru said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.
Nozomi hadn't kept his impending engagement to the Yukinoshita sisters a secret from her. "It is. Are you worried about your parents, Mahiru?"
He saw through her concerns instantly. The girl bit her lower lip lightly before giving a small, hesitant nod. "Yes. My parents… they'll almost certainly attend such a formal event, won't they?"
Nozomi looked at her, his gaze gentle. "Do you want to go, Mahiru?"
Mahiru's lips formed a slight pout. "You're getting engaged. What would I be doing there? Playing the awkward third wheel?" She paused, her expression clouding. "Besides… if my parents have no real affection for me, what's to stop them from using the occasion to introduce me to some other family's young master and arranging something without my consent?"
Hearing this, Nozomi's response was calm and utterly matter-of-fact. "Then I'll make sure that 'young master' has a very bad day."
"Pfft!" A genuine laugh escaped Mahiru, her worried expression melting into one of amused delight. "So, your solution is to 'get rid of' anyone who shows interest in me?"
"Of course. Because Mahiru belongs to me, and only me."
Having declared his ownership with absolute seriousness, his tone then shifted back to one of gentle inquiry. "Setting that aside… do you want to attend the banquet, Mahiru?"
Shiina Mahiru hesitated, her internal conflict visible in her eyes. Finally, she gave another small nod. "I… I think I do. To be honest, even though I've given up hope for them, a part of me still wants to see them. Maybe I need to witness their continued indifference firsthand, to finally let go completely."
"Silly girl," Nozomi murmured. He leaned in and placed a soft, reassuring kiss on her lips before whispering, "While I do want you to rely on me completely, I never want to see you hurt, Mahiru. And I promise you this: I will give you a grand, beautiful wedding of your own someday."
Shiina Mahiru smiled, a true, warm smile that reached her eyes. "You mean a grand wedding for everyone, right?" she teased gently. "Are you sure people will be offering blessings, and not lining up to stab you?"
Nozomi grinned, a smug, unrepentant expression on his face. "I don't need blessings from strangers. As long as Mahiru is happy, that's all the blessing I need."
A faint, lovely blush rose on Mahiru's cheeks. "You always know just what to say." She took a deep breath, her resolve firming. "I've decided. I want to go. Even if others don't understand, I want to be there to bless your engagement with Yukino and Haruno-nee. And… yes, I want to see the expressions on their faces." She met his gaze squarely. "I'll attend as Yukino's good friend."
"Then you shall go. And if anyone dares to bother you, I'll handle them."
"Hehe, okay." The warmth in Shiina Mahiru's heart swelled, pushing back the old, familiar chill of neglect. Even if her parents didn't care, she had Hozuki Nozomi. She had Sayu, Yukino, Haruno… they were becoming her real family. Compared to that, the two people who shared her blood seemed to matter less and less. There was no need to grieve for those who offered no love.
After delivering the homework to the teachers' office, the two began making their way back to class. As they turned a corner, they nearly bumped into Yuki Suo and Ayano Kimishima, who were deep in discussion over a clipboard.
"Yo, Onii-chan! Mahiru! Fancy meeting you here!" Yuki chirped, her eyes sparkling with her usual energy.
"It is a coincidence," Nozomi agreed. "What are you two busy with?"
"We're planning a school culture promotion event," Yuki explained. "We just got word that the Student Council from Toyonosaki Girls' Academy is planning a visit for a cultural exchange. They're holding an event to welcome their exchange students, so we're organizing something on our end, too."
"Toyonosaki?" Nozomi's expression turned oddly thoughtful. Wasn't that…?
"That's right," Yuki confirmed, a knowing, half-teasing smile playing on her lips as she watched his face. "The very school where Eriri Spencer Sawamura and Kasumigaoka Utaha-senpai attend. Apparently, both of them have been selected as cultural ambassadors and will be exchange students here for the next two weeks." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "So? Aren't you thrilled?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shiina Mahiru and Ayano Kimishima both turned to fix him with identical, unblinking stares, awaiting his reaction.
Nozomi cleared his throat with a dry laugh. "Ahem. Well, that's… certainly good news for inter-school relations. To properly showcase Soubu High School's vibrant culture, I propose we hold another wedding experience event. It was a hit last time."
His suggestion was met with a trio of utterly deadpan looks.
Yuki Suo reached out and poked him firmly in the side. "Onii-chan, are you worried your 'succubus' reputation isn't widespread enough? Do you want to invite the envy and hatred of every boy from Toyonosaki, too?"
"I never said that," he defended, raising his hands innocently. "If they choose to be envious, that's their business. What can I do about it?"
Yuki shook her head, amused by his shamelessness. "Yes, yes, it's all because my brother is just too outstanding and irresistible. Anyway, we have to run. When I successfully become the next Student Council President, you better have a proper reward ready for me."
"No problem at all," Nozomi promised instantly. "I'll reward you by letting you have a sleepover with Mahiru."
Shiina Mahiru: "…"
Are you serious? her expression seemed to say. I think you're the one rewarding yourself.
A deep blush spread across Mahiru's face as she stared at him. The thought occurred to her that she hadn't actually spent a night with Yuki yet. This could be a good opportunity to grow closer. After all, Yuki was Hozuki Nozomi's sister, and getting along with her was important. His family… would be her family, too.