After dinner and a bit of rest, the peaceful evening at Sakurasou began to unfold in its usual, unpredictable way.

Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu excitedly dragged Yukinoshita Yukino to the shared bathhouse, determined to take full advantage of the rare time together. The steam rose around them like wisps of a dreamy veil, and the relaxing warmth melted away the day's stress.

The girls, honest and playful in their bonds, shared laughter and light teasing.

"Mahiru, you've really got an amazing figure," Suo Yuki giggled as she suddenly swam up from behind and hugged Mahiru tightly in a sneak attack.

"Y-Yuki!" Mahiru squealed, her face flushing red. "Don't say weird things like that...! Y-You're not bad either!"

Shiina grinned wickedly. "Then don't tease me—go tease Yukino!"

Hearing her name, Yukinoshita Yukino immediately raised her guard, pulling her arms over her chest and glaring with a hint of panic.

"I know Aikido," she said with a cold glint in her eyes.

Yuki laughed, completely unfazed. "C'mon, we're all girls here. You gonna throw us over in the bath? There's no escape, Yukino~"

"Two fists can't beat four hands," Mahiru added with a mischievous smile.

Yukino sighed dramatically. "Why must I always be the target of your antics...?"

The bath was filled with laughter and splashes. Their harmony felt like the kind you only find in the warmth of deep friendships—the kind that makes even time forget to tick by.

Eventually, once the water started to cool, the girls changed into cozy pajamas and returned to their rooms. Mahiru, with a knowing smile, nudged Yukino toward Nozomi's room.

Yukino's face instantly flushed. "W-Wait, what are you doing?!"

"Blow-dry your hair, of course," Mahiru said innocently, giving her a gentle push before closing the door behind them with a playful wink at Nozomi.

Nozomi chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, I'll take care of it."

He guided Yukino to the edge of the bed and pulled out a hair dryer from the drawer. She sat down hesitantly, her expression flustered, the oversized pajamas she borrowed from Mahiru slipping slightly off one shoulder, adding to her bashful charm.

Standing behind her, Nozomi gently ran his fingers through her damp hair, drying it with practiced care. The scent of her shampoo and the softness of her hair made it hard not to get distracted.

Soon after, it was Mahiru's turn. Her silky locks took even less time, as Nozomi expertly dried them with the same tender attention.

As he turned to give Yukino a hug, he realized she had already slipped under the covers, her head barely poking out as she peeked shyly from beneath the blanket.

"Yukino, why are you hiding like that? It's not bedtime yet," Nozomi teased.

"You'll just tease me if I come out," she replied, her voice muffled.

Nozomi sighed with a smile. He scooped Mahiru into his arms and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Mahiru blushed but accepted it quietly, her eyes fluttering.

Yukino, peeking out from her quilt, caught sight of the affectionate exchange. Her lips pouted unconsciously, and her heart twinged. She had prepared herself, but the jealousy still bubbled up.

After a while, Nozomi turned toward her. "Still not coming out?"

"No!" she huffed, pulling the blanket tighter.

Smirking, he suddenly turned off the light. The room dimmed, only bathed in moonlight filtering through the window. Yukino stiffened.

Then, he slipped under the covers.

Yukino's breath hitched as she felt his arms wrap around her waist.

"Yukino... is it okay?" Nozomi's voice was low and serious, his eyes gazing into hers.

She hesitated, her face hot. "N-No. Not when Mahiru is still here."

But her resistance melted when Nozomi gently cupped her cheek and leaned in.

Their lips met.

Yukino shivered, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest—but the strength behind them faded almost immediately. She gave in, her heart racing.

…

Yukinoshita Yukino lay in bed, completely drained, snuggled against Shiina Mahiru. Her hand gently clutched Mahiru's like a child holding onto a sense of security.

"Mahiru... let's ignore him. Nozomi is clearly not human," she muttered with an exhausted pout.

Mahiru giggled softly and nodded, playing along with the charade. "Mhm. Let's ignore this big bully."

Nozomi, sitting nearby and looking slightly guilty, rubbed the back of his neck.

"Hey now... Yukino, could you at least let go of Mahiru?"

"No! You'll just bully her too. And me. Again!" Yukino huffed, shooting him an accusing glare while keeping Mahiru in a protective cuddle. She turned over and faced away dramatically, holding onto Mahiru as if defending her from a villain.

Nozomi gave her a pitiful look but ultimately gave up, collapsing back onto the bed in mock defeat.

The two girls exchanged a glance, both of their cheeks a warm shade of pink. Despite their playful banter, seeing Nozomi like that... their hearts couldn't help but soften.

So, just as Nozomi resigned himself to an innocent night of sleep...

A soft weight pressed against him.

He opened his eyes in surprise to find Yukino had quietly crept into his arms. Her expression was shy, but her actions spoke volumes.

"Don't get the wrong idea," she mumbled. "Just... don't do anything bad, okay? Mahiru and I are tired... so behave yourself."

"That's right," Mahiru chimed in from his other side, clinging to his arm like a sleepy kitten. "Nozomi-kun... be gentle with Yukino."

Nozomi chuckled quietly and nodded, raising a hand to gently stroke both their heads.

"Alright, alright. I promise—I won't try anything. Tonight, I'm just happy you're both here."

And with that, they simply rested. Nozomi closed his eyes, the warmth of the two girls by his side enough to make his heart swell.

...

The next morning arrived quietly.

When Nozomi awoke, he found the space beside him empty. Yukino and Mahiru had already gotten up. As he sat up and stretched, the door creaked open.

Startled, he quickly flopped back down and pretended to be asleep.

Light footsteps approached.

The blanket was lifted gently, and a soft, warm body slipped under the covers and pressed against his chest.

Thinking it was Mahiru being mischievous again, Nozomi chuckled and wrapped an arm around the slender waist.

"Mashiro, are you here to ambush me so early in the morning?" he teased, leaning in for a kiss.

But the face he saw wasn't the usual sleepy-eyed Mahiru—it was someone else entirely.

A girl with long black hair, dressed in a crisp maid outfit, stared up at him with wide, blushing eyes.

"Ayano!?" Nozomi's voice cracked with surprise.

It was Kimishima Ayano, Yuki Suoh's maid, who had just moved into Sakurasou the previous night.

"Yuki-sama asked me to wake you up," Ayano said sweetly, burying her face into his chest and inhaling his scent with a content sigh.

Nozomi sat there in stunned silence.

"You call this waking someone up? Getting under my blanket first thing in the morning?!"

Ayano tilted her head and blinked innocently. "Yuki-sama said this method would make you happy. Was she wrong?"

Despite the chaos unfolding in his brain, Nozomi couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. He reached up to ruffle her hair.

"No, I'm not mad. Just... surprised. Really, really surprised."

**********

All debts paid, see you next week!!!

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