After being dropped off at Sakurasou by the Yukinoshita family driver, Nozomi leaned against the front door, his face slightly scrunched in confusion.
"That was... weird," he muttered, ruffling his hair.
Everything had gone relatively smoothly. Mrs. Yukinoshita had agreed to the engagement, a date was even set. And yet, something felt off.
For one thing, Yukino and Haruno's father was nowhere to be seen. Not even a phone call. Throughout the entire meeting, only Mrs. Yukinoshita had been present.
It was clear now—the Yukinoshita household was firmly under her control.
And another thing. She had sent him off immediately after agreeing to the engagement, citing the need to "train her daughters." That... sounded suspiciously like a polite way of saying, "Stay away from my girls until you're officially family."
Nozomi sighed as he stepped into the familiar warmth of Sakurasou.
"Not even offered to stay the night. That mansion had like ten spare rooms... Stingy," he grumbled.
Later that evening, after dinner, Nozomi found himself outside Shiina Mahiru's room. His hand hovered near the doorknob, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He knocked twice, then opened it gently.
"Mahiru~ I'm here~"
Inside, the quiet hum of soft music floated in the air, and Mahiru sat by the window, bathed in moonlight. Her long, silky hair shimmered like strands of silver.
"Nozomi-kun, you look like a cat who just knocked over a flower vase. Did something happen?" she asked without turning.
"That's... strangely accurate."
He sat beside her, and instinctively activated his spiritual sight. What he saw surprised him.
A faint glow—the same kind of sacred blessing that Gabriel had bestowed on him.
"Mahiru... you have an angel's blessing?"
Mahiru blinked, then smiled gently. "Oh, that? A nice onee-san I met gave it to me. She said I had a pure heart."
Nozomi chuckled. "Of course she did. You're practically a real angel."
He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I'm proud you're my girlfriend, Mahiru."
Mahiru's cheeks tinted a soft pink, but she didn't push him away.
After a moment of quiet, he whispered, "I told Mrs. Yukinoshita about the engagement party today. She agreed."
Mahiru raised an eyebrow. "But you looked like you were about to be scolded."
"Because... she was super guarded. Like, scary guarded."
"Did you do something suspicious?" she asked.
"What? No! I'm innocent!"
"Mmm... did you tell her you wanted to marry both Yukino and Haruno at once?"
"...Yes."
Mahiru sighed, smacking him lightly on the forehead. "Honestly, Nozomi-kun. What did you think would happen?"
"I thought she'd understand my sincerity..."
"More like she'd misunderstand your audacity."
Nozomi held his hands up. "I'm reflecting! See? Totally reflecting!"
She giggled softly. "Good. Because that woman—Mrs. Yukinoshita—is someone with deep pride. You need to tread carefully."
Nozomi leaned his forehead against hers, his voice quieter now. "I will. I'm just grateful you're always here to remind me."
Mahiru wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest. "Because Sakurasou is home. And you're part of that home, Nozomi-kun."
Her voice was so soft, so genuine, that his chest tightened.
"If you're not good to me, I won't forgive you," she murmured playfully.
"Then I'll have to prove it every day. Starting now." He leaned closer.
But Mahiru pushed him gently.
"Nope. I'm tired. Go cuddle someone else tonight. Maybe Sayu? Or Misaki-senpai? Or even Yuki?"
Nozomi looked at her helplessly. "Seriously, is there any other girlfriend like you? You just push your boyfriend away so easily?"
Shiina Mahiru pouted slightly and rolled her eyes at him, the corners of her mouth tilting in a mock frown. "You're secretly enjoying it, aren't you? Don't forget, not every guy is lucky enough to have such a peaceful and harmonious relationship like ours."
Nozomi sighed dramatically. "You're right, I shouldn't go barging into other people's rooms. But since you don't want anything tonight... I'll just hold you like this."
"Fine, close your eyes and rest already," Mahiru replied, her voice softening as she gently adjusted herself in his arms.
She didn't object.
With her slender frame nestled comfortably against him, Mahiru closed her eyes. Her breathing soon evened out, calm and gentle. The trust she had in him—so unwavering and innocent—made his chest ache in a quiet, protective way.
...
Meanwhile, at the Yukinoshita residence…
For the first time in ages, Mrs. Yukinoshita lay in bed beside her two daughters. The night was quiet, the only sound the faint rustling of the duvet as they settled in.
She looked at her mature, poised eldest daughter Haruno, then turned to her younger daughter, Yukino—still a bit tense and unsure—and sighed softly.
"To think... the two of you might really end up with that shameless boy. When I think about it, part of me finds it hard to let go."
Haruno giggled lightly and wrapped her arms around her mother's. "Then come live with us, Mother. Yukino and I would both miss you too much."
But Mrs. Yukinoshita shook her head gently, her voice unusually soft. "No, if I move in, you girls would feel stifled. I know I've always been the type to decide things for you both... Haruno, Yukino—do you resent me for that?"
Haruno shook her head, her voice firm yet warm. "Never. I know everything you did was to give us the best. Thanks to your guidance, I'm confident I can carry the Yukinoshita name forward."
Yukino remained quiet.
She lowered her eyes, hands clasped tightly on the blanket.
Compared to her older sister, she always felt like she was falling behind. Haruno was elegant, assertive, and capable—able to navigate social events and uphold the family's image with grace.
Yukino, though diligent, had always been more reserved. Her accomplishments never felt like they measured up.
She had always been chasing after Haruno's back, yearning for even a sliver of their mother's praise.
Seeing her silence, Mrs. Yukinoshita reached out and gently stroked Yukino's hair.
"Yukino, why are you so quiet? Do you blame me for something?"
"No, Mother!" Yukino quickly sat up, panic flickering in her voice.
She exhaled slowly, then leaned against her mother's other arm, resting her cheek close to her.
"I just... I don't know what to say. I'm not like Sister—I don't have the confidence to say I can carry on the Yukinoshita legacy. I feel like... I never quite met your expectations."
Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression softened, and her voice was tender.
"You silly girl. It's true I worry less when I see someone as composed as Haruno. But you—Yukino—you're not inferior to your sister at all. You've won the heart of that strange but remarkable boy, Nozomi. And believe it or not... that alone makes me incredibly proud."
Haruno burst into laughter, teasing as ever.
"Wow, Yukino. In Mother's eyes, your greatest achievement is stealing that flirt's heart."
Yukino's face flushed bright red as she glared at her sister, then turned back to her mother.
"So… that's what you're proud of?!" she said in disbelief, burying her face into the blanket to hide the heat on her cheeks.