Shoutout to Jawad Choua. Thank you for your support.
Ehem, this chapter is a continuation of the previous one. Don't judge me, I was tired.
**********************
Hozuki Nozomi felt a sudden heat rush to his face.
Then—
Ah. Right. He was a normal guy. Naturally, certain reactions couldn't be helped.
Shiina Mahiru, still nestled against him, suddenly stiffened. Her already flushed cheeks burned hotter, and her body trembled slightly.
S-Scary…
She knew exactly what that was.
"Ahem." Nozomi coughed awkwardly, quickly shifting his focus and pretending nothing had happened. Maintaining a calm and serious tone, he spoke again. "I'll continue."
Shiina Mahiru, still flustered, nodded stiffly.
"Things are not that simple," Nozomi began. "According to the information given to me by Detective Kosaka…"
Shiina's expression changed at the mention of the detective.
"That bastard Takayama Toshihiko… he's the illegitimate son of Councillor Takayama."
Her golden eyes narrowed. "And?"
"And Councillor Takayama is currently in the rising stage of his political career. He needs major achievements to secure his promotion—otherwise, he'll be crushed by his competitors and lose his position."
Shiina Mahiru frowned, still somewhat confused. "And what does that have to do with me?"
Nozomi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Shiina-san, your parents' families are heavily involved in development projects—projects that could drive economic growth in key regions. That's political gold."
Shiina's breath hitched as realization dawned.
"So, if his illegitimate son were to date you, Councillor Takayama could use that connection to secure those projects for himself. It'd be the perfect way to boost his political standing."
Silence filled the room.
Shiina Mahiru sat still for a moment, before letting out a small, bitter laugh.
"Then he really has no vision."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow as she continued with a self-deprecating smirk.
"Those two people—my so-called parents—couldn't care less about me. In fact, they'd be happier if I didn't exist."
Her voice was light, but the pain behind it was undeniable.
"Even if I did date that scumbag, it wouldn't change anything. My parents are already planning to shove me off to some marriage arrangement the moment I graduate. That way, they can finally be rid of me, divorce, and chase their own selfish desires."
Nozomi said nothing.
Instead, he simply pulled her closer and held her tight.
Shiina Mahiru stiffened at first. But the warmth of his embrace, the silent comfort he offered—it seeped into her chest, melting away the bitterness just a little.
Nozomi didn't say anything. Didn't try to offer empty words or false reassurances.
He just… held her.
Shiina Mahiru sighed, her breath shaky. "You're taking advantage of this situation, aren't you?"
Nozomi smirked. "It's rare to get a chance to hold you without being punched. I'd be a fool not to take advantage."
"Baka." She rolled her eyes but didn't push him away this time.
After a moment, she sighed again and rested her forehead against his chest. "Nozomi, what should I do?"
He stroked her head gently. "What do you want to do?"
"Should I tell those two about this?"
Those two people, of course, were her parents.
Hozuki Nozomi smiled and shook his head.
"No, I will handle it. Shiina-san just needs to be herself and keep that radiant smile."
"For a guy, the smile of a beautiful girl is the greatest encouragement."
Shiina Mahiru blinked, slightly taken aback. "How are you going to solve it? His father is a sitting congressman, and Takayama Toshihiko is probably already out by now... He'll keep coming after me."
She clenched her fists. "Nozomi, you don't have to take risks for me..."
"I want to take risks for you." Nozomi's voice was firm, his gaze unwavering as he looked at her. "I'm the landlord of Sakurasou, and it's my duty to protect my tenants from harm."
Shiina stared at him blankly. "You're a landlord who's really nosy."
Even as she muttered that, warmth spread through her chest.
Her own parents, the ones who should've cared for her most, didn't even acknowledge her existence. Yet here was this guy, an absolute scoundrel and shameless flirt, willingly standing by her side.
A part of her wanted to be exasperated, but the truth was, she liked this warmth—she didn't want to push it away.
"How do you plan to solve it?" She sighed, crossing her arms. "You're not actually thinking of killing him, are you? And what about the congressman?"
Nozomi rolled his eyes before reaching out and messing up her neatly combed hair.
"Oi, do I look like a murderer? Don't worry. There's more than one congressman in Japan."
"He's not the Prime Minister or anything. If he tries to push too hard, there's always someone higher up who will want to take him down." Nozomi smirked. "Politics is just another battlefield, after all."
Shiina Mahiru pursed her lips, watching him closely. He was as confident as ever—sometimes annoyingly so. But she still felt uneasy.
Biting her lip, she hesitated for a moment before taking a step forward and gently wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Nozomi… thank you."
Her voice was soft, almost fragile. It made something in Nozomi's chest tighten.
She continued, "But I don't want you getting hurt because of me. I think… maybe I should tell my parents about this. At the end of the day, I am their daughter."
Nozomi sighed. "Like I said, just leave it to me. If I can't solve it, then you can talk to them. But if you really want to thank me..."
Before she could react—
Boop!
Nozomi kissed her cheek, quick and playful.
"That's my reward," he said, grinning mischievously. "Now get some rest. I expect a delicious bento from you tomorrow."
Then, as if realizing something, his expression twisted awkwardly. He quickly let go of her waist, turned around, and left her room in an unnatural, stiff posture.
Shiina Mahiru stood frozen, hand on her cheek where he had kissed her. Her brain short-circuited.
What just—
Then, as she replayed the moment, she noticed the way he had been bending slightly forward as he left, as if trying to hide something.
She blinked.
And then—
"Pfft!"
Laughter bubbled up before she could stop it.
That idiot! That absolute pervert!
But even as she called him that in her mind, her fingers lingered on the spot he had kissed. Her heart was still pounding, and her face felt hot.
"Pah! You are a pervert!" she muttered, burying her face in a pillow.
She wanted to deny it. She wanted to pretend like it didn't matter.
But deep inside, she knew—
Her world was slowly shifting because of this man.
And she wasn't sure if she hated it or… something else entirely.
Frustrated, she hugged her pillow tighter.
Who should she run to for help? Sayu? Or maybe Kamiigusa-senpai?
Actually… if Sayu got involved, this could get way worse.
As she thought of her friend's teasing smirk, Shiina clenched her legs together and groaned into her pillow.
What was wrong with her?
She suddenly regretted letting Nozomi leave.
But if he had stayed, she might have done something even more embarrassing.
Her mind was a mess.
"Hate..."
She murmured the word, but even she didn't believe it anymore.