Miyamizu Mitsuha's eyes flew wide open, a flicker of shock passing through them. Was this really happening? So suddenly?
Her lips were sealed by his, and the only sounds she could manage were muffled protests against his mouth. A pleasant weakness spread through her limbs, leaving her feeling lightheaded. He had kissed her without a word, without preamble, and the sheer boldness of it stole her breath.
And yet… she couldn't deny that it wasn't unpleasant.
Fortunately, Hozuki Nozomi didn't press further. After a brief, tantalizing taste, he released her, a satisfied smile curving his lips as he took in her flushed cheeks and the reproachful glint in her eyes.
"You can't blame me for this, Mitsuha," he said, his voice warm with amusement. "You're the one who suddenly appeared before me as such a mature, beautiful older sister. What was I supposed to do?"
Mitsuha stared at him, caught between indignation and embarrassment. "You're absolutely rotten!" she huffed, though the effect was somewhat diminished by the lingering blush on her cheeks.
She already knew he was skilled when it came to dealing with girls—she had seen enough during their body-swapping days to understand that. But experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely. He had claimed her first kiss so decisively, without hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And this was supposed to be their first official meeting in person.
Today, Mitsuha had dressed with care. She wore a fashionable blue jacket over a crisp white shirt, the fabric straining just slightly against her figure before cinching at her slender waist. A white lace-edged skirt completed the ensemble, falling gracefully above her knees to reveal a pair of long, elegant legs that were straight and well-proportioned, radiating youthful vitality. She had even applied light makeup, enhancing her natural beauty. The overall impression was that of a lovely older sister, pure yet undeniably captivating.
Nozomi's gaze lingered on her, appreciative. His hands, which had been resting respectfully at his sides, began to wander, fingers finding the curve of her waist.
Mitsuha swatted at him playfully. "I finally manage to remember you and meet you again, and all you want to do is take advantage of me?"
"Ah… well." He had the grace to look slightly abashed, though his hands didn't retreat far. "Mitsuha, you know me. I've never been able to resist a beautiful girl like you."
"Hmph. Pervert." She rolled her eyes, slapping away his roving hand with exaggerated severity. "Behave yourself. I still have a lot I want to talk to you about."
Since she had spoken so clearly, Nozomi reluctantly abandoned his attempts at mischief. He settled beside her, content for now to simply listen as she spoke. Soon, he had a clearer picture of her life over the past three years—her studies, her family's move to Kyoto, the quiet emptiness she had carried without knowing its source.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu stepped into the dormitory, their voices carrying down the hallway before they appeared in the doorway. Both girls froze when they saw Mitsuha sitting beside Nozomi.
Mahiru's lower lip jutted out in a small pout. "Mitsuha, this isn't fair," she said, her tone caught between teasing and genuine complaint. "What happened to the high school student we were expecting? Why did you have to show up looking like such a gorgeous older sister?"
Mitsuha's expression shifted into a mischievous smile. "What can I say? I can't help being three years older than you."
Her gaze swept over Mahiru and Sayu, then briefly touched on Shiina Mashiro and a few of the other girls who had gathered. A wave of nostalgia washed over her. During those strange weeks when she and Nozomi had swapped bodies, she had always sensed the presence of these girls around him. They were kind, devoted, and undeniably attractive.
Her eyes cut toward Nozomi, sharp with accusation.
This hateful man. He really was too much of a flirt.
To welcome Mitsuha's visit, Mahiru insisted on showcasing her culinary skills, preparing a hearty dinner that filled the common area with warmth and the rich aromas of home cooking. After the meal, introductions were made, and laughter echoed through the dormitory as stories were shared.
When the evening finally wound down, Nozomi volunteered to walk Mitsuha home. They traveled in comfortable silence, the city lights casting soft shadows across the streets.
As they approached the Miyamizu residence, the front door burst open and Miyamizu Yotsuha came running out, her face bright with curiosity.
Nozomi greeted her with an easy smile. "Good evening, Yotsuha-chan. I'm Hozuki Nozomi, your sister's boyfriend. It's nice to officially meet you."
Mitsuha's cheeks flamed. "I haven't agreed to that yet!" she protested, jabbing a finger at him.
He only shrugged, completely unruffled. "It's only a matter of time."
Reaching out, he ruffled Yotsuha's hair with casual familiarity before stepping back. "Well, you're home safe now. I'll be going."
Mitsuha's lips twitched. "What's wrong? Not going to come in and meet my father?"
A flash of panic crossed his features before he recovered. "Cough. Next time. Once you've officially acknowledged my status, it'll be the right time for an introduction." With that, he turned and walked away, his pace just slightly faster than necessary.
Mitsuha watched him go, a laugh escaping her. "You're overthinking things. I'm not that easy to win over…" She trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she noticed her younger sister's expression. Yotsuha's face had gone pink, her gaze fixed on the retreating figure down the street.
"Yotsuha? Why are you blushing?"
Yotsuha started, her hands flying to her warm cheeks. "Ah! It's nothing! I just… Onii-chan is really handsome, isn't he?"
She thought of what he had done while wearing her body at school, how he had somehow transformed her social standing, chasing away the bullies and making her friends with Kosaka Kirino. Her situation had completely changed because of him. For the first time in a long while, everything felt like it was getting better.
Mitsuha observed her sister's starry-eyed expression with a mixture of exasperation and understanding. "He's handsome, but he's also a complete flirt," she said, though her voice lacked any real heat.
As she turned to head inside, a small, secret smile touched her lips. How would things develop from here? She found herself curiously, quietly hopeful.
Hozuki Nozomi made his way back to Sakura Dormitory, the night air cool against his skin. As he approached the entrance, he spotted a familiar figure—Aoyama Nanami, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, returning on her bicycle. A smile tugged at his lips, and he raised a hand in greeting.
"Yo, Nanami. Good evening. You're back late."
Nanami's body gave an involuntary tremor at the sound of his voice. Heat rushed to her cheeks as an unwanted memory surfaced: the last time she had been cooking in the kitchen, and he had come up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist, his lips finding hers without warning.
She ducked her head, hoping the dim light would hide her blush. "Ah, it's nothing really. I had voice acting training today. I stayed a bit late practicing with the others."
"I see." He nodded, closing the distance between them. "Next time you're coming back this late, let me know in advance, alright? I can pick you up at the training center."
He reached for her bicycle, and she let him take it without resistance. "Nanami, you know how it is around here with Soubu High School nearby. The delinquent types are always lurking about." His voice was casual, but his eyes were serious. "And with someone as cute as you, I'd hate for anyone to bother you."
Before she could respond, he was already pushing her bicycle toward the shed. "I'll put this away for you. You should head in, take a warm bath, and get some rest."
He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Oh, by the way, have you eaten? Mahiru saved some food for you."
"Not yet," she admitted softly. "Thank you. All of you."
"Don't mention it." His voice dropped, warm and meaningful. "We're family, after all."
With that, he turned and continued toward the bike shed, leaving Nanami standing at the entrance, her heart beating an erratic rhythm against her ribs.
She stared at his back, her expression complicated, caught somewhere between gratitude and something deeper, something she wasn't ready to name.
"I… I'm going inside now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, meant more for herself than for him.
She hurried through the doorway, her footsteps quick and light as if she were escaping something. Nozomi watched her go, a quiet smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Nanami, he thought, you can't run forever. Now that you're in my Sakura Dormitory, you're already mine.
Inside, Nanami reheated the food Mahiru had left for her, eating in small, careful bites. A happy expression crept across her face despite herself. She had to admit—everyone at Sakura Dormitory was incredibly kind.
In the past, she would have been too embarrassed to accept such help, always worrying about being a burden, about owing people more than she could repay. But somewhere along the way, without her even noticing, she had become part of this place. She belonged here.
She thought back to her old living situation, the shared apartment where her roommate had run off halfway through the month, leaving her to shoulder the full rent alone. She had worked multiple part-time jobs just to scrape by, surviving on her own stubborn determination.
Now, for the first time, she didn't have to carry everything alone.
But Mr. Hozuki Nozomi's hints—his words, his touches, the way he looked at her—left her troubled. Her chopsticks paused over her bowl, and she stared at the steam rising from her food, her thoughts a tangled mess.
What was she supposed to do?