He wants to help me because I'm cute?
The thought echoed in Asada Shino's mind, a fragile seed of hope taking root. Did that mean she could assume Hozuki Nozomi liked her appearance? Liked her?
His warm embrace enveloped her, steady and secure. Her shyness warring with her longing, she tentatively raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist, returning the embrace. She didn't answer his question with words, but her actions spoke louder than any response she could have mustered.
Hozuki Nozomi noticed the small movement and felt a surge of delight. He raised his hand, letting it rest on her soft hair, gently stroking her head. "If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your consent."
His tone grew more serious. "Speaking of which, Shino, aside from Shinkawa Kyouji and Endo, do others know you live here alone?"
She hesitated. "Hmm… I'm not sure…"
"That's a problem." His brow furrowed. "Your current situation isn't safe. I think you should move. Don't stay here anymore."
She looked up at him, startled.
"What if other bad people know you live alone? What if they know about your reaction to guns?" His voice was low, urgent. "What if they come after you, and I'm not there to help?"
Asada Shino's face paled. The thought of being cornered again, of freezing up again, of being at someone else's mercy… her grip on his waist tightened involuntarily.
Seeing her fear, Hozuki Nozomi pressed his advantage gently. "Shino, why don't you transfer to my school? And… you could stay at my place. How does that sound?"
Her heart nearly stopped. "S-stay… stay at your place? No, that's… too fast!"
Her face erupted in crimson. They hadn't even confirmed their relationship—how could she move into his house?
He blinked, then a laugh escaped him. "What are you thinking? What's too fast?" His eyes sparkled with amusement as she pushed him away, her face burning. "You've misunderstood. I'm not that kind of man, alright? I'm inviting you because I'm working part-time as a landlord now."
She stared at him, her mortification slowly giving way to confusion.
"I live in a place called Sakura Dormitory. There are still empty rooms there." His voice softened. "If you move in, it'll be easier for me to protect you. Shino, you're very cute. Cute, delicate girls like you are exactly the kind bad people target."
The realization that she had completely misunderstood hit her like a wave. Asada Shino lowered her head, her cheeks burning with shame. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. But beneath the embarrassment, something else stirred—he had called her cute again. Surely that meant he liked her. The thought sent a secret thrill through her chest.
"Don't keep your head down and stay silent," he said gently. "Shino, will you stay at my place?"
She peeked up at him through her lashes. "Hmm… it's not impossible." Her voice was small. "But you have to tell me about the other residents first."
"No problem!"
Hozuki Nozomi settled beside her on the bed and began explaining. He described Shiina Mahiru, Ogiwara Sayu, and Frieren, painting a picture of a warm, welcoming household. He carefully omitted any mention of Frieren's true nature—better for Shino to discover that mystery on her own.
Asada Shino's expression grew strange as she listened. "Um… the other residents are all girls?"
"Yes. They're all very easy to get along with."
"..."
A sour feeling bloomed in her chest. She had thought—hoped—that she would be living alone with him. Instead, it seemed her competitors were numerous.
Hozuki Nozomi's voice broke through her thoughts. "Shino, no matter what, I respect your decision. But my desire to protect you is sincere."
She looked at him—at the earnest set of his jaw, the warmth in his eyes—and made up her mind. "I agree."
Where she lived didn't matter. She had moved out of her dormitory because her roommates, after discovering what happened with the robber, had made her life unbearable. She had been living alone ever since, isolated and vulnerable. Now, that isolation had become dangerous.
Living at Sakura Dormitory was the safest choice. But more than that, she wanted to understand this gentle man better. She wanted to be closer to him.
A small pang of regret struck her. She shouldn't have pushed him away so hastily. She had wanted to stay in his arms a little longer.
"You agreed?" His face lit up. "That's great!"
Before she could react, he opened his arms and pulled her back into his embrace. She let out a small, surprised gasp, then, her face flushed, she rested her cheek against his chest and said nothing.
"Sorry, Shino. I'm just happy."
"Mm. It's okay."
She looked up at him for a moment, then lowered her head again, making no move to pull away. Understanding, Hozuki Nozomi tightened his arms around her delicate frame, holding her closer.
In this embrace, Asada Shino felt she could no longer escape. The minutes stretched, the world outside fading away. They had completely forgotten about the game they were supposed to play. The only sound was the accelerated rhythm of two hearts beating in close proximity.
A small, guilty thought crept into her mind. Among the girls at Sakura Dormitory, there was surely Hozuki Nozomi's girlfriend. She was like a thief, greedily enjoying an embrace that rightfully belonged to someone else. It was wrong. She knew it was wrong.
But she couldn't bring herself to let go.
Even if his girlfriend cursed her later, pointed fingers, called her names—she would accept it. Besides, he wasn't innocent either. Even with a girlfriend, he was still so gentle to her.
After a long while, Hozuki Nozomi stirred. His arms loosened slightly, and he leaned in closer. She felt the warmth of his breath, then his lips—warm, decisive—covered her small mouth.
Her mind went blank. Her eyes grew moist. She should have resisted, should have pushed him away. Instead, her arms tightened around his neck, pulling him closer, craving the warmth she had been denied for so long.
Even if he was going to be a scumbag to her, she would accept it. Besides him, no one else would ever be this gentle with her.
Later, Hozuki Nozomi held Asada Shino's slender waist, watching her lean against him with a flushed face. He gently stroked her hair, his voice soft with self-reproach. "I'm sorry, Shino. I'm a bad man. Taking advantage of you like this, bullying you."
She shook her head, her voice barely audible. "It's okay… I don't hate it."
Better to let him kiss her than to be bullied by Endo and those other scumbags. Better to be close to him than to be alone.
"About the transfer," he said, changing the subject. "Do you need help with the paperwork? I'm at Soubu High School now."
Asada Shino's expression grew troubled. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble? Besides, my mother… she wouldn't agree."
"Then let me talk to her. Find some time this weekend, arrange a meeting, and I'll convince her."
Her cheeks, already pink, deepened to scarlet. "You want to meet her?"
Meeting the parents. The implication hung in the air between them.
He smiled, taking her small hand and gently playing with her fingers. "What, Shino? Don't you believe I can persuade your mother?"
She glanced at him shyly, her heart racing. "I believe you." Her voice was soft, obedient. "This weekend, I'll ask her out—"
She didn't finish.
Her cute lips were claimed again.
It was fast. She knew it was fast. But she hadn't objected to the first kiss, and she didn't object now. Hozuki Nozomi, ever proactive, saw no reason to hold back.
The earlier embrace had been a test. If Asada Shino had resisted, he would have slowed down, taken his time. But her willingness, her quiet surrender—it captivated him. Her gentle, obedient nature drew him in, made him want to protect her, to claim her.
Once she overcame her fear of firearms, her charm would only grow. Asada Shino still had room to grow, still had strength to find. But in this moment, in his arms, she was perfect.