For a long time, Shiina Mahiru hesitated before reaching out with her delicate, pale hands and gently pushing against Hozuki Nozomi's chest.
"W-What's wrong?"
Nozomi reluctantly pulled away, his lingering gaze fixed on her slightly parted lips, still glistening from their shared warmth. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he observed her flustered expression.
Mahiru's cheeks were a deep shade of crimson as she stammered, "You… you can't just keep going like that."
Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling slightly. "It's too intense… I feel weird."
Nozomi chuckled, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Mahiru, you say that, but you didn't push me away immediately."
Mahiru turned her head, refusing to meet his gaze. "D-Don't… I'm just not ready yet."
The way she nervously clutched at the fabric of his shirt made Nozomi soften. He reached out and gently ruffled her silky hair. "I know. I won't force you."
Hearing his words, Mahiru relaxed a little, but when she glanced up at him, his expression was unreadable.
"To be honest, you're too defenseless. It makes me worry."
At this, Mahiru puffed up her cheeks in defiance, glaring at him with an indignant pout. "I'm not defenseless against everyone! I just… I just act like this around you."
Nozomi's smirk deepened. "That's exactly what I mean, Mahiru."
A beat of silence passed before her cheeks flared up once more. Realizing what she had just admitted, she quickly buried her face in her hands. Nozomi couldn't hold back his amusement.
"I like hearing that." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Mahiru, you're so cute."
Hearing her name spoken so intimately, she found herself unable to resist any longer. Instead of pushing him away, her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him close.
Right now, Sakurasou was peaceful.
Sayu and Misaki-senpai had gone shopping.
Chihiro-sensei was sleeping in, oblivious to the world.
Akasaka Ryunosuke? That hermit wouldn't leave his room even if the sky was falling. There was no one to interrupt them.
If the boys at school found out that the angelic Shiina Mahiru was currently nestled in Hozuki Nozomi's lap, getting spoiled by his touch, there would be an uproar. But it didn't matter. Nozomi wasn't planning on letting her go.
After a while, Mahiru leaned against him, her body weak from embarrassment. Nozomi's warmth seeped into her, making it even harder to move away. When she caught his teasing gaze, she quickly covered her burning cheeks with her hands.
"Hey… Nozomi… do you think I'm shameless?"
Nozomi blinked, then let out a small laugh. "What kind of question is that?"
"I mean…" Mahiru fidgeted. "I know you're bad… but I still don't refuse you. It's like… I'm tempting you…"
Nozomi grinned. "Oh? You're admitting it now?"
Her lips parted in protest, but before she could say anything, Nozomi lifted her chin slightly. "Then you've done a great job, Mahiru. Because I'm definitely tempted."
"Ahh! Stop teasing me!" She pouted, puffing up her cheeks in frustration.
Nozomi let out an exaggerated sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll behave… for now."
Mahiru narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not convinced. After a pause, she let out a deep sigh and lowered her gaze.
"Nozomi… what do you think we are?"
At her serious tone, Nozomi's expression shifted. He took her hands in his own, his grip warm and steady.
"I like you, Mahiru," he said sincerely. "Go out with me. Be my girlfriend."
Mahiru gasped softly. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, her heartbeat racing. "Y-You can't just confess like that so suddenly!"
"Why not?" Nozomi tilted his head. "Isn't this the perfect moment?"
Mahiru turned away, her hands gripping the hem of her sweater. "You already have Sayu… and Misaki-senpai, don't you?"
"You think I'm a playboy, huh?" Nozomi chuckled.
Mahiru bit her lip. "Aren't you?"
"Then… can't I turn over a new leaf for you?"
"No."
Nozomi blinked. "What?"
"I said no." Mahiru's voice was quiet but firm. "I don't believe that for a second."
Nozomi sighed in defeat, wrapping an arm around her slender waist before stealing another quick kiss. She squeaked in surprise, her hands instinctively clutching his shirt.
"What do you want then, Mahiru? Tell me clearly."
Mahiru hesitated before leaning into his embrace, her fingers tightening against his back.
"Sayu… she can't leave you anymore, can she?" she whispered. "And… I…"
Her voice trembled. "I don't want to get hurt."
Nozomi was stunned into silence. He hadn't expected her to think so far ahead. That realization hit him harder than he thought.
She knew.
She knew what being with him would mean. She knew that he couldn't belong to just one person.
But she still…
"Mahiru…" Nozomi murmured, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Then tell me, what kind of relationship do you want us to have?"
Because at this point, he couldn't imagine not having her by his side.
It was all about coaxing her. And judging by her reaction, it was working perfectly.
Seeing that he had thrown the question back at her, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but pout, her delicate fists lightly tapping against Hozuki Nozomi's chest.
"Baka... don't ask me something like that." She huffed, her face turning an even deeper shade of pink. "A-Anyway... you're the one who has to figure everything out. Otherwise... you better not touch me again in the future!"
Nozomi chuckled knowingly, his fingers gently brushing through her silky blonde hair. "Wakatta, wakatta. I'll find a way to make everyone happy."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "Until then, Mahiru, will you stay by my side?"
For a brief moment, she hesitated, then nodded with a shy smile. "Hai, I promise."
Where else could she go? Back to that cold, empty home where loneliness was her only companion? She didn't want that.
Now that they had talked things out, the atmosphere between them felt much lighter.
Mahiru hadn't explicitly agreed to be his girlfriend. But she also hadn't rejected his advances.
In a way, she had accepted the reality of his philandering nature, even if she wouldn't say it outright.
Nozomi couldn't help but feel touched. Both Ogiwara Sayu and Shiina Mahiru, two beautiful girls with eerily similar pasts, had thought about him in ways that he never expected.
He needed to treasure them. And as a man, he could only repay their kindness by making them happy.
…Though, of course, his thoughts weren't entirely pure.
Somewhere beneath his yukata, something stirred to life with a will of its own.
Mahiru noticed immediately.
Her blush deepened as she whispered, "Baka… be honest."
"I can't help it," Nozomi sighed, feigning helplessness. "Mahiru rejected my confession, so now I need comfort..."
"Iya..." She looked at him with a troubled expression and murmured, "My hands are sore... I don't have any strength."
Nozomi smirked. "Then don't use your hands."
Mahiru blinked in confusion. "Eh? What else am I supposed to—"
Following his gaze, her eyes trailed down to her slender, snow-white legs.
Her brain short-circuited.
"HENTAI!!"
"Oi, oi, don't say that. You'll hurt my feelings."
"Hmph! Someone as shameless as you doesn't have feelings to hurt!"
"That's not true, you know," Nozomi teased. "I really do care about what Mahiru thinks."
For a second, guilt flashed in her golden eyes.
She had already accepted that they were in an ambiguous relationship, yet she still kept resisting him because she wasn't ready. But by doing so, wasn't she making him suffer too?
Wasn't that… irresponsible?
Mahiru let out a deep sigh. "Mou… I can't do anything about you." She clenched her fists, cheeks burning. "If it makes you feel better... I'll do it."
Nozomi's eyes lit up, a mixture of relief and anticipation in his gaze. He watched as Mahiru hesitated, her movements hesitant as she stood up to retrieve a pair of black stockings from her room.
Once she had donned the stockings, Mahiru sat down again, her eyes lowered in shyness. Nozomi, unable to contain his desire any longer, undid his yukata and freed his erection.
With shaking hands, Mahiru reached out to touch him for the first time, her fingers ghosting over his shaft. The intensity of the moment, coupled with her tentative touch, sent shivers down Nozomi's spine.
As Mahiru began to massage his length with her feet, her toes gently curling around his girth, Nozomi's breath hitched. The contrast between her innocent, angelic demeanor and the carnal act she was performing was intoxicating.
Her hesitance slowly transformed into determination, the rhythm of her movements growing more confident. The soft, delicate pressure from her stocking-clad feet drove Nozomi wild, his body tensing as he neared the edge.
In the room, the only sound that filled the air was the soft swishing of Mahiru's feet, as they worked in unison to bring Nozomi to the brink. And, just as he let out a shuddering breath, his body spasming, she looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, her own heart racing from the intensity of the moment.
Several minutes later.
Mahiru rushed into the bathroom, carrying her dirtied stockings like they were contraband, her face redder than a ripened apple.
Her legs felt weak. Her head was spinning.
Nozomi was… dangerous.
The things he made her do…
She covered her burning face with her hands.
"Ahhh, Mahiru, you're so shameless!"
She furiously shook her head, trying to rid herself of the embarrassing memories.
But deep down, a tiny part of her—no matter how much she denied it—had enjoyed it.
Was she really going to give herself to him one day?
Would it… hurt?
She didn't know.
But she did know one thing.
Nozomi was always gentle with her.
And she liked him.
A lot.
She hated how much she liked him.
Taking a deep breath, Mahiru washed her black stockings and hung them up to dry.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Nozomi had already scooped her up and carried her back to the sofa.
"Mou... you're so annoying," she whined in a soft voice, though the way she snuggled into his chest betrayed her words.
She discreetly glanced at the door.
Sayu and Misaki-senpai still weren't back yet.
Good.
Relieved, she let herself relax in his arms once more.
Nozomi chuckled as he stroked her hair. "Mahiru, you're too cute. I don't think I'll ever get tired of hugging you."
She nuzzled closer, enjoying his warmth. "Hmph… baka."
His eyes trailed down to her smooth, ivory legs.
A serious look crossed his face.
"Mahiru, from now on, whenever you go out, make sure to wear at least 1.4-denier stockings or over-the-knee socks."
She stiffened. "H-Huh? Why?"
"Because your legs are too perfect," Nozomi stated matter-of-factly. "Your skin is smoother and whiter than the purest snow. If you go out without covering them up, other guys will definitely stare."
Mahiru's cheeks exploded into flames.
She whacked his chest. "Baka! Pervert!"
"Oi, I'm being serious. I don't want other guys drooling over my Mahiru."
"Y-Your Mahiru…?" she stammered, her heart skipping a beat.
Realizing what he said, she shyly buried her face against his yukata.
"Hmph… I don't usually show that much skin anyway," she murmured. "It's only you who's so bad... making me wear stockings even indoors..."
"Ahem." Nozomi cleared his throat. "Mahiru, there are actually other ways to—"
"NOPE! Stop right there! I'm not listening!"
She immediately covered her ears and glared at him.
This guy…
Why was he so experienced with these things?
She felt a strange pang of jealousy deep in her heart.