Early morning sunlight streamed through the window, its golden rays filtering softly through pale curtains and settling on a girl's sleeping form.

The light caught her cheeks, painting them with a delicate pink hue, and turned her long golden hair into threads of divine radiance. Her expression was serene, peaceful like the gentle surface of a still lake. A porcelain doll-like face, crowned with small rosy lips, exuded an innocent charm that could melt any heart.

There was something angelic in the way she slept, and for Nozomi, who had just opened his eyes to this dreamlike scene, it was enough to make his chest tighten with happiness.

Her snow-white arm rested gently across his body, her soft scent filling the air around him—a fragrance that brought a warm calmness to his heart. Just watching her sleep brought him an odd sense of pride, like he was the guardian of something truly precious.

The blonde beauty in question was, of course, Shiina Mahiru.

Checking the time on his phone, Nozomi reached out and softly pinched her cheek.

"Mahiru... time to wake up."

"Mmm... still sleepy..."

Mahiru's voice was drowsy and sweet, her delicate brows scrunching as she buried her face against his chest.

Nozomi could only smile helplessly.

True, last night had been tiring for both of them, but ever since Mahiru started spending nights in his room, she'd picked up the habit of sleeping in.

Not that he minded. Waking up like this—with her curled around him—was a reward in itself. For any man, being needed like this brought a warmth that went deeper than words.

"Alright then, sleep a little longer. I'm going to check on Mashiro."

He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead before slipping out of the bed and quietly leaving her room.

As he made his way up to the third floor, a voice called out.

"Good morning, Nozomi!"

Standing at the stairs was Aoyama Nanami, already dressed in her high school uniform, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

That energetic smile of hers—it was like a splash of fresh water to the soul, invigorating and bright with the energy only a true high school girl could possess.

"Good morning, Nanami," Nozomi replied, smiling back. "You're up early. Already changed and ready to go? Aren't you having breakfast?"

Nanami scratched her cheek sheepishly.

"Of course I am! I was going to help out in the kitchen first."

Ever since Nozomi had convinced her to stay at Sakurasou, breakfast had been included for free. It was a blessing for a girl like her who was always counting her yen. Dinner parties too—everything covered.

But Nanami wasn't the kind of girl to accept kindness without giving something back. Like Yusa Emi, her pride wouldn't allow it.

So she often filled the fridge with ingredients or volunteered in the kitchen, doing what she could to lighten the load.

Nozomi looked at her, amused.

"Don't be in such a rush to help out. Sayu's on kitchen duty this morning. If you take her job, she might actually pout."

Nanami raised a brow. "More hands make lighter work. Besides, don't Ogiwara and Mahiru always cook together?"

"Those two have... special circumstances," Nozomi replied with a helpless shrug. "Anyway, I'm off to wake Mashiro. Wanna come along?"

"Hmm... sure. I'm curious how she spends her mornings anyway. I've only seen her already dressed when she's heading out."

Nozomi brought Nanami to Shiina Mashiro's door and knocked gently.

"Mashiro, morning's here! Time to rise and shine!"

No response. The room remained eerily quiet.

"I'm going in!" Nozomi declared.

"Wait, wait, wait! Are you seriously just barging into a girl's room like that?!" Nanami protested, eyes wide with disbelief.

"It's fine. I'm always the one who wakes her up anyway," Nozomi replied nonchalantly.

He pushed the door open with practiced ease, revealing a scene that was strangely familiar—stacks of manga, scattered art books, and supplies cluttering every surface. A creative chaos that felt like home.

Still, there was no disaster zone-level mess. At the very least, no suspicious undergarments were hanging off desk lamps.

Mashiro lay bundled in her blanket cocoon, serene and undisturbed. Curled up like a kitten, her breathing slow and steady, she seemed to still be lost in dreamland.

Maybe she'd used up all her energy talking manga deep into the night and forgot to ambush Nozomi with her usual morning routine.

Nanami, standing respectfully at the threshold, muttered a polite "Excuse me" before stepping inside.

Nozomi walked over and opened the window. Sunlight filtered in, illuminating the pale cream walls—and more importantly, Mashiro herself.

The morning rays kissed her skin, causing her delicate features to slowly twitch awake.

"Is it morning already...?" she mumbled, her eyes fluttering open like petals.

"Mmm... Nozomi, good morning. And Nanami... morning," she added dreamily.

As if responding to an unspoken cue, Mashiro sat up and let the blanket fall away.

Her ivory skin practically sparkled in the sunlight.

"A-AHH!" Nanami's shriek cracked the silence.

"Shiina-san! Where are your clothes?!"

Her face flushed a bright crimson, eyes darting away in sheer panic.

Mashiro tilted her head in her usual calm confusion and glanced at Nozomi.

"Nozomi was supposed to bring them to me," she said with flat conviction.

Realizing Nozomi was still standing there like a statue, Nanami let out a horrified gasp.

"You—you pervert! Out, OUT!!" she yelled, flailing and using both hands to cover Nozomi's eyes while pushing him toward the door.

"Ack—hey, calm down! It's not what it looks like!"

...

Once Nozomi had been forcibly ejected, Nanami turned back to face Mashiro with newfound determination.

"Shiina-san, put on some clothes immediately!"

"But Nozomi isn't here. How will I get dressed?"

"H-HUH?! Why do you need Nozomi to help you get dressed?!"

Mashiro, unbothered as ever, answered softly, "Because Nozomi is Mashiro's owner."

Nanami nearly dropped dead on the spot. "Wh-what did you say?!"

"Owner. Nozomi is Mashiro's owner."

"No, no, no, that's not how people work! Are you a pet or something?! What kind of twisted logic is that?!"

Mashiro simply nodded. "Before, Nozomi took care of Mashiro every day."

Nanami's world shattered further. "T-Took care of you?! Daily?!"

...

A few minutes later, Nanami stormed out of the room, face flushed with exasperation, dragging a now fully dressed Mashiro along with her.

Her gaze locked onto Nozomi, eyes blazing.

"You… you scumbag. I can't believe you!"

Nozomi raised both hands in surrender. "Whoa there, Nanami. I think you're misunderstanding the situation."

"Hmph! What's to misunderstand?! How can you treat a girl like a pet?!"

Mashiro looked up with her usual blank expression. "Mashiro is Nozomi's exclusive pet."

Nanami nearly coughed up blood.

"I—I was defending you just now! You're not helping your case!"

She turned her fury back on Nozomi. "You… you trained her to say that, didn't you?! How shameless can you be?!"

Nozomi sighed dramatically. "I swear on my collection of rare first-edition light novels—I didn't teach her that. Mashiro just has her own way of thinking. If you don't believe me, ask her cousin, Chihiro-sensei. She's the one who asked me to take care of her."

Nanami crossed her arms. "I will ask. But until I get a straight answer—Nozomi, you're not allowed within three meters of Mashiro!"

With that, she marched down the stairs with Mashiro in tow, still looking furious.

Nozomi stretched his arms and headed back up.

Not even a shred of panic on his face.

Why had he let Nanami see Mashiro like that in the first place? Simple.

Everything was part of the plan. To help her better blend into the odd, eccentric world of Sakurasou.

After all… he had a girlfriend. And he wasn't that desperate.

Everything was just part of the routine. The usual chaos. And chaos was home.