Just as Nozomi arrived at the Service Club, he was immediately met with a frosty glare from Yukinoshita Yukino.

He blinked, confused by the sudden chill in the air. Her elegant features remained stoic, but the slight cold snort that followed made it clear—she wasn't in the mood.

Still, Nozomi wasn't one to get flustered easily. He casually greeted her, pretending not to notice the aura of quiet hostility, then turned his attention to the one person in the room who was always full of sunshine: Yuigahama Yui, who was currently chatting up a storm near Yukino.

With a light step, Nozomi moved over to Suou Yuki, who was lounging nearby with her signature mischievous smile. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear, "Yuki, what's going on with Yukinoshita today?"

Yuki's lips curled with amusement. "What else could it be?" she said softly, her voice dripping with teasing energy. "The prez is upset again."

Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"If you wanna know…" Yuki's eyes sparkled as she added coyly, "Rub my head first."

Nozomi didn't hesitate. With a playful grin, he reached out and gently ruffled her silky hair.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Yukino subtly clench her fist.

Suou Yuki's grin widened triumphantly. The president might act cold, but she was clearly reacting to even this tiny gesture. It was obvious—Yukino was not immune to jealousy.

Leaning back in, Yuki whispered, "She's grumpy 'cause she's got the smallest chest in the whole club."

Nozomi: "..."

"That's what this is about?"

"You don't get it," Yuki said, wagging a finger. "That's a girl's pride, you know? Yukinoshita has a strong competitive streak. When it comes to physical growth, she's... well, not exactly ahead. It eats at her."

Nozomi sighed and rubbed his nose awkwardly. How was he supposed to cheer her up? Offer help? That'd only make her more furious.

Across the room, Yukino was attempting to tutor Yui in mathematics, her composure tightly wound. She was actively ignoring Nozomi, or at least trying to.

But her eyes betrayed her. She saw him touching Yuki's head. Laughing together.

Something twisted inside her.

Was she... jealous?

Yuki's words echoed in her mind. Being too innocent made her clumsy. And Yukino knew—she was clumsy when it came to relationships. She had never dated a boy. Never even had close friends until recently.

But ever since she let Nozomi hug her that one time, something had shifted.

Suou Yuki took the initiative, Sumireko playfully flirted, but she—Yukinoshita Yukino—had done nothing. She always passively received Nozomi's affections, never once returning them on her own.

Her gaze lowered to her chest, her cheeks tinting red with shame. Should she... ask him for help?

Club time ended quietly.

But instead of going home like usual, Yukino surprised everyone.

Trying to look nonchalant, she cleared her throat and said, "I was thinking of going to Sakurasou... to visit the cats."

Nozomi looked at her, startled. It was already quite late. If she went, she'd miss the last train home.

But he nodded anyway, secretly thrilled. Maybe... just maybe... she wanted to stay the night.

On the walk back, he noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed, her usual ice-queen expression softening under the moonlight. She looked... charming.

Suou Yuki and Sumireko shared a knowing glance. Mission: Progress Yukino—initiated.

Back at Sakurasou, Nozomi whistled lightly, and as if on cue, several cats scampered out to greet them. They immediately surrounded Yukino.

She looked at him with mock indignation but soon gave in, scooping up a well-behaved feline into her arms.

Although she still held a grudge over being lured by cats, the sweet warmth she felt while petting them made her smile.

At least... he did it for her sake.

"Yukinoshita-san, welcome!" Ogiwara Sayu greeted with her usual cheerful energy.

Yukino responded politely, though a bit awkwardly. She still remembered how Sayu's teasing once upset her. But after accepting Nozomi's hugs and affection, her past reactions seemed... overblown.

---

Time trickled by like the slow drop of sakura petals in spring.

Sayu and Mahiru, ever the gracious hosts of Sakurasou, extended a warm invitation to Yukinoshita to join them for dinner. After a moment of hesitation, Yukino nodded politely and accepted. She stepped aside to call her sister, calmly informing her that she wouldn't be returning home tonight — she would be staying over at a classmate's place.

On the other end of the line, Haruno Yukinoshita blinked in surprise. Her younger sister, choosing to stay at someone else's house? That was rare. But once she heard the name "Sakurasou," her heart instantly settled. So that's where she was. If it was that madhouse filled with eccentric geniuses and unpredictable energy, at least Yukino wouldn't be bored.

Yukinoshita, ever the picture of formality, tried to repay her hosts by offering to help out in the kitchen. But Sayu and Mahiru were adamant — as guests go, she was to be pampered tonight, not put to work. Without a chance to protest further, she found herself gently but firmly escorted out.

Resigned to her fate, Yukino returned to the common room. A lazy cat nestled in the corner offered better company than expected.

Just then, soft footsteps approached from the hallway. A new presence entered — Rita. With her platinum blonde hair cascading like starlight and her foreign elegance, she stood out like a painting brought to life. Upon seeing Yukino, Rita's eyes sparkled in admiration.

"What a stunning girl," she thought silently, her lips curling into a refined smile.

Yukino, on the other hand, instantly locked eyes with Nozomi. Her expression was cool, but her folded arms and narrowed eyes spoke volumes.

A foreign blonde beauty? When did this happen?

That stare was unmistakable — a silent interrogation. "Explain. Now."

Nozomi coughed lightly, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Ah, right. Yukino, this is Rita Ainsworth. She used to be roommates with Mashiro when they were studying in England."

"She came all the way here to persuade Mashiro to return to painting, but… Mashiro turned her down. So now, she's decided to stay here for a while, hoping she can change her mind."

Yukino's gaze slowly turned to Rita, then back to Nozomi. Her look hardened. "Stay here for a while?" she echoed inwardly. A foreign beauty, living under the same roof as Nozomi?

...This man was dangerous.

Still, Rita extended her hand gracefully, the perfect picture of an elegant lady. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Yukinoshita. I look forward to learning from you."

Yukino nodded curtly. "Please take care of me."

They exchanged a few polite words, tension flickering just beneath the surface. A quiet duel of presence.

Dinner passed with laughter and light conversation. Nozomi had long grown used to Sakurasou's controlled chaos, and Yukino, while unfamiliar, couldn't help feeling a strange warmth watching the interaction between these odd but charming housemates.

Afterward, Nozomi took it upon himself to prepare the guest room for Yukino — the one tucked quietly at the end of the third floor. It was cozy, quiet, and far enough from the others to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

The night crept on, moonlight spilling softly through the windows.

When the clock struck midnight, Nozomi moved silently through the corridor. He gently opened the door and slipped inside.

After all, it wasn't every day that the elegant Yukinoshita Yukino spent the night at Sakurasou. If he didn't act now, when would he?

The moment he got under the covers, a pair of cool, watery blue eyes met his own.

"You're not asleep yet, Yukino?" he whispered with a soft smile.

Yukino shot him a look that could freeze lava. "What do you think you're doing? Sneaking into a girl's room in the middle of the night…"

Before she could finish, Nozomi gently wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Her body tensed.

"I just wanted to talk," he said, his voice low but sincere. "It's not the first time I imagined you staying here. Now that you're really here... it felt like a moment worth sharing."

Her cheeks burned, and her palms hesitated as they rested against his chest. Her heartbeat began to race uncontrollably.

They were in bed. Together. Nozomi's warmth surrounded her.

If he decided to push further… could she even resist?

She bit her lip, avoiding his eyes. "What do you want to talk about?"

Nozomi, knowing full well how reserved she could be, didn't waste time.

"Yuki mentioned that… you're self-conscious about your body. Is that true?"

Yukino froze. That topic. That annoying topic again.

The blush on her cheeks deepened as she avoided his gaze altogether.

"…Why are you bringing that up now?"

Nozomi simply held her tighter, heart aching with affection. His voice was gentle, as if trying to soothe the vulnerability in her heart.

"Because I think you're beautiful. Just the way you are."

In the soft silence that followed, neither of them said anything. But the tension — the kind that sparks just before fireworks — lingered in the air.