As Nozomi gently stroked her hair, Kimishima Ayano couldn't help but let a soft smile form on her lips, clearly enjoying the tender moment.

"Alright, alright. I'm awake now," Nozomi said with a light chuckle. "Time to get up."

Even though Ayano had just recently moved in, her role as Suou Yuki's personal maid was serious to her. Nozomi, of course, had no intention of teasing someone he'd only just met. He needed to cultivate these relationships naturally—slowly and sincerely.

But Ayano insisted on fulfilling her maid duties, which included helping her master get dressed.

Nozomi scratched the back of his head helplessly and let her proceed.

During the process, Ayano's small, fair hand accidentally brushed against his abs, causing her porcelain cheeks to flush a vivid red. The contact lingered for a second too long.

Nozomi looked down, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Having fun?"

"I-I was only doing my duty as a maid," she stammered, quickly pulling her hand back as if electrocuted. Her voice trembled with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "I just wanted to help Master Nozomi get dressed properly."

Nozomi chuckled but chose not to tease her further. Her bashfulness was endearing, and it was clear she was doing her best.

Ayano quickly continued her task, her fingers now trembling slightly as she tidied his collar and smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt. She was shorter than him by quite a bit—her head barely reaching his chest. From this angle, Nozomi caught sight of a few enticing details that tested his self-control.

He inhaled sharply.

He couldn't help but suspect that Suou Yuki had purposefully sent this innocent yet dangerously cute maid to mess with him.

Still, he behaved.

After leaving the room and freshening up, Nozomi made his way toward the kitchen. As he reached the entrance, he was greeted by the heartwarming sight of Yukinoshita Yukino, Shiina Mahiru, and a few other girls, all donning aprons as they prepared breakfast together.

(Man's could hold a great bake-off in his dorm, Mashiro would determine the winner.)

Seeing them like this, so lively and comfortable in their shared domesticity, brought a smile to Nozomi's face. The warmth in the air was almost tangible.

This was the kind of life he enjoyed.

Peaceful mornings, the laughter of girls echoing from the kitchen, and the smell of miso soup wafting through the halls of Sakurasou. It was a far cry from the usual chaos of his life. Here, he was surrounded by people he genuinely liked.

And to top it off, many of them were elegant, beautiful, and full of personality.

He could live like this forever.

...Though he told himself he wouldn't just be a freeloader.

After all, an iron will was a man's backbone. If he wanted to keep these relationships, he had to become stronger—not just coast on his looks and charm.

After breakfast, Yukinoshita and Mahiru wandered off to play with the many cats that lived around Sakurasou. As they pet the furry residents, Sanshokuin Sumireko and Nichiji Sumire arrived and joined them.

It was turning into a full-on cat appreciation party.

Thankfully, there were enough cats to go around.

It was Saturday, which meant Nozomi had an appointment to meet with Mrs. Yukinoshita in the evening. Yukino herself didn't seem interested in going out, likely preferring to stay in with the cats she adored so much.

Meanwhile, Shiina Mashiro was holed up in her room, drawing her manga.

Lately... something had changed.

Maybe it was Eriri's influence, but Mashiro's art style had started to lean more towards the suggestive side. Her new manga featured more fanservice and provocative costume designs. But rather than being overly explicit, Mashiro masterfully used angles and clever shading to imply more than she showed.

Her technique? Subtle seduction.

Her heroine rarely revealed much, yet every panel drew the eye. Her fans couldn't get enough.

Nozomi had even brought her some seasonal ring cakes earlier, and she lit up like a child. As thanks, she kissed him on the cheek.

Mashiro may have wanted to sneak a few more cakes for herself too.

Naturally, she had no intention of going outside today either.

Yusa Emi, on the other hand, had dashed off after breakfast to work a shift as a cashier at the convenience store. She was excited to earn her first paycheck in this world—determined and independent as always.

Elsewhere in the dorms, Suou Yuki had cornered Kimishima Ayano in a room, whispering and giggling about some secret plan. Whatever it was, Nozomi had a feeling it wasn't innocent.

In another room, Frieren and Fern were studying magic together.

More specifically—card magic.

Frieren had taken quite a liking to it. Even though she was proficient in casting spells the traditional way—with a flick of her staff and a few murmured incantations—she was fascinated by the unique charm of card-based spells. What made card magic so alluring was that, unlike traditional sorcery, it could be used by anyone. Even those without a shred of mana could become pseudo-magicians if they understood the craft and threw the enchanted cards correctly.

"Isn't it amazing?" Frieren said, her eyes sparkling like a rare gem. "Magic for everyone, with just a flick of the wrist."

Fern nodded earnestly, soaking in every bit of instruction. She had been diligently learning this whimsical form of magic from Frieren for the past few days. Her enthusiasm bore fruit—her first successful creations were a batch of cleaning cards.

Yes. Cleaning cards.

As the name suggested, when thrown, these magical slips of paper would swirl through the air and release a soft burst of light that automatically tidied up the target or surrounding area. Dust, clutter, even spilled tea—all vanished as if wiped clean by invisible hands.

Meanwhile, Nozomi stood in the lounge, his gaze naturally drawn toward the girls relaxing and playing with the cats. His eyes, seemingly without control, began drifting lower.

Slender legs wrapped in black knee-high socks. Smooth thighs clad in white stockings. Bare, soft feet peeking from beneath fluffy pajama hems.

It was like watching a gallery of living sculptures.

Of course, Nozomi justified it to himself. This wasn't perversion. Pure appreciation. Probably.

He silently slid down from the couch, nudging a sleepy cat out of the way, and rested his head on Nichiji Sumire's thigh. Her legs, soft and warm beneath his head, made a perfect pillow.

A sharp stare immediately pierced him like a blade. Yukinoshita Yukino's frosty glare could've frozen a volcano.

"Nozomi, what are you doing?" Sumire asked, a mixture of amusement and exasperation painting her face.

"Ah... I suddenly feel so drained," Nozomi sighed dramatically. "Miss Sumire, please... lend me your lap so I may recover."

Before she could answer, a sudden pain shot through his waist. Someone had pinched him. More than one someone.

"Hentai~" Yukino murmured, clicking her tongue and blushing faintly.

But Nozomi wasn't finished. His hand had betrayed him.

It slowly found its way onto Yukino's knee-high sock-clad thigh.

Yukino's eyes widened as her cheeks flushed crimson. "Mahiru, are you just going to let him do that?!"

Shiina Mahiru, who was beside them, smiled calmly. "You don't seem to hate it, do you, Yukino?"

Yukino froze. Because Mahiru was right.

Looking down, Mahiru saw that Nozomi's other hand had rested itself gently atop her leg, wrapped in white socks.

Sumire watched the scene unfold, stunned by the strange sense of peace and balance among the girls. They were teasing, yes—but no one pushed him away.

Nozomi, resting blissfully, eyes closed and heart at ease, truly looked like the protagonist of a romantic comedy.

Sumire gave him a light smile, brushing his hair tenderly. Just then, Sanshokuin Sumireko, who had been watching the entire debacle with a critical eye, reached out again and...

Pinch.

"Ow—hey, what was that for?!" Nozomi flinched.

"For being too comfortable," Sumireko replied, her expression both amused and exasperated.