The next morning, when Renji Kamisaka woke up, Fern was already gone. Frieren was still sound asleep, seemingly hugging Renji as a pillow, rubbing her cheek against his chest from time to time. It was exactly as Fern had said earlier: Frieren wasn't afraid of heat, but rather cold. It seemed Renji Kamisaka's warm embrace was too comfortable, making Frieren display a lazy, contented elven look, reluctant to get up.
Renji Kamisaka still had to go to school, so he lowered his head and gently kissed Frieren's forehead, then carefully loosened the elf's hand that held him and left the room.
As he went down the stairs, he passed Fern, who was already neatly dressed. Renji smiled and greeted her, "Morning, Fern."
Fern's cheeks immediately flushed, and she responded a little unnaturally, turning around and running back to the room. Stepping inside, she saw Frieren still sound asleep, and couldn't help but puff out her cheeks. "Miss Frieren, you're so careless! You can sleep soundly while I have to work!" Fern sighed, but secretly thought, It seems Miss Frieren doesn't dislike Mr. Renji after all.
After showering, Renji Kamisaka was about to head to the living room. But he happened to meet Mai Sakurajima in the hallway, who greeted him with her characteristic sarcasm. "Hey, my rumored celebrity senior, good morning."
Mai Sakurajima replied calmly, expressionless. "Alright, good morning, perverted junior."
Renji Kamisaka's mouth twitched. "Are you serious about this name?"
"Otherwise, I'm a perverted junior who hugs you left and right today and left and right tomorrow. Is there a problem with me calling you that?" Mai raised an eyebrow, challenging him.
Well, the pervert has become a pervert again. Renji Kamisaka shook his head, deciding not to bother with the name. "Senior Mai, you went to see your mother yesterday, what happened?" He was more concerned about the continuation of yesterday's incident, so he asked.
Mai Sakurajima's mouth curved upward, looking very satisfied with Renji's question. The girl's long legs, wrapped in black stockings, stepped closer, then stomped on Renji's foot. "What do you think? Rumored Junior-kun~"
"There was no such strange phenomenon." Mai continued, withdrawing her foot. "I'm a famous high school actress, and my mother is my agent. My phone was bombarded with calls from fans yesterday." She smiled faintly, an unreadable smile. "They kept asking about your identity and whether I already have a boyfriend. So, be happy. My mother said she wants to meet you this afternoon."
"No problem!" Renji Kamisaka grabbed Mai's foot that had just stomped on him. After feeling the touch of the beautiful senior's foot, he calmly moved it, then patted his chest and said seriously, "Mai, I will definitely satisfy my mother-in-law! So that my mother-in-law can hand you over to me with full confidence!"
"Bah, you dare to say that," Mai snorted, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I haven't admitted that you're my boyfriend, don't you think it's too early to call me mother-in-law now?"
Renji Kamisaka smiled, confident. "It's only a matter of time."
This narcissistic remark caused the senior to roll her eyes, a very Mai-like expression. "You're dreaming, before you change your bad habit of being fickle, you won't have a chance!"
Renji Kamisaka shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, please pretend I didn't say that just now, just forget it." After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Mai.
Mai Sakurajima was so angry that she gritted her teeth and cursed him silently. That Renji! He said that, but he didn't actually think of asking her to leave others. However, thinking of her mother's words, she became nervous again. Would this guy say something unreasonable when the time comes?
"Oh, by the way, Senior Mai, if your mother wants to meet me, tell her she'll have to queue," Renji Kamisaka suddenly turned around and said, stopping his steps. "I made an appointment with my classmates to go singing together this afternoon, so the meeting has to be postponed."
Mai Sakurajima's cheeks puffed out, annoyed. "Is a classmate's matter more important, or a senior's matter more important, state it clearly!"
"Well, I think... it's equally important, so let your mother come to Sakurasou to find me in the evening." Renji replied calmly.
"Okay." Mai Sakurajima nodded helplessly. That was the only way.
Renji Kamisaka turned to look at her with a mischievous smile. "So, Mai, what did you tell your mother-in-law?"
"Don't call me that, it's so cliché," Mai Sakurajima glared at him shyly, a faint blush visible on her face. "Who... who allowed you to call me that?" However, despite her protests, she explained everything honestly. "What else could I say? I don't want to leave Sakurasou now, otherwise, if that strange phenomenon happens again, I might disappear from this world."
"So, I told my mother that I'm currently dating you and living together." Mai looked at Renji, awaiting his reaction.
"Now, if you say that, will your agent and mother agree?" Renji asked, his tone a mix of surprise and interest. Mai Sakurajima was a famous actress, and he was still a high school student. If there was a scandal, there might be some popularity, but if the relationship was confirmed, most fans would be lost.
"Of course, she didn't agree, so she wants to come see you, landlord, you'll have to handle it." Mai challenged.
"No problem, leave it to me." Renji Kamisaka patted his chest to assure her. "I've already envisioned the scene where my mother-in-law will throw money at me."
Mai Sakurajima touched her chin and nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Indeed, with her style, it's likely you'll ask for a sum of money before breaking up with me."
Renji Kamisaka rolled his eyes. "Then send me to the police station for tea on charges of extortion, right?"
"Well, it shouldn't be like this, my mother will still consider my feelings... maybe?" Mai replied, her tone slightly hesitant.
"Are you serious using a question mark?" Renji Kamisaka was speechless. Mai Sakurajima herself was unsure of her mother's personality. "How do you two get along?"
Mai Sakurajima sighed, a clear sign of frustration. "How else can we get along? I'm more like a cash cow. I've been acting since I was a child star and started my acting career." She looked at Renji. "My mother takes roles in movies for me regardless of my wishes. If so, I might not be able to return to school in a month."
Renji Kamisaka suddenly pressed Mai's shoulder, his gaze serious. "If there's a kissing scene, refuse it."
Mai Sakurajima was stunned, and then pouted, an expression mixed with surprise and amusement. "You still care about this? Then what identity do you care about?"
"Of course, your most handsome junior fan." Renji replied without hesitation.
"Tch... no sincerity." Mai Sakurajima pouted, but still promised. "Don't worry, I never take kissing scenes." She looked at Renji. "I just like acting, but that doesn't mean I accept unspoken rules." Mai challenged again. "So, are you satisfied with this answer, you pervert who claims to be a fan?"
"Satisfied." Renji Kamisaka smiled and nodded, but suddenly opened his arms and hugged Mai tightly.
"Well, are you finally going to do something to me?" Mai Sakurajima trembled, startled by the sudden embrace, and gritted her teeth.
"No, I just want to hug you. After all, I won't be seeing you for a month." Renji whispered in Mai's ear. "Remember to call me if you have anything. As your landlord, I won't let my beautiful tenant go!"
"You're serious about this? I can call the police, perverted junior." The girl complained, yet she couldn't help but raise her hands, returning Renji's hug, feeling an unexpected warmth. "Thank you, Renji."
"You're welcome. After all, I'm taking advantage of you." Renji replied, his smile not disappearing.
Hearing this, Mai Sakurajima lifted her small leather shoe and stomped on Renji's foot, a gentle yet firm protest.
After breakfast, Renji Kamisaka woke Shiina Mashiro as usual, with his characteristic patience, and then sent her to Suiko with Mahiru, ensuring they were safe. Coincidentally, he met Nanami Aoyama, so he asked Nanami Aoyama to look after Mashiro. Nanami Aoyama also agreed with a bright smile. She was still thinking of moving to Sakurasou at the end of the month, so she certainly wouldn't refuse the landlord's request.
Mai Sakurajima went to school first. She entered the school, showing her famous face, preparing to shoot the new commercial her mother had taken on.
Next, Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mashiro rode the train together. They met Sumireko Sanshokuin on the way, so they formed a team together, filling the crowded train car. However, Renji Kamisaka's luck today seemed to have run out. No seats were left. He had no choice but to stand with the two girls. Perhaps his policy had changed, as there were more office workers on the train this morning.
So Renji Kamisaka asked Mashiro and Sumireko to stand near the wall, and he blocked the rest of the crowd, protecting them. Sumireko Sanshokuin glanced sideways inadvertently, her body trembled, and she quickly threw herself into Renji Kamisaka's arms, burying her head in his chest.
Renji Kamisaka looked at her in confusion, and he also looked around, and immediately saw a delicate boy, looking very awkward in the crowd. It was Hazuki Yasuo! Beside him were beautiful girls with magnificent chests and cherry-colored hair, Momo Sakurabara, and a blue-haired girl, Runa Kusami.
At this moment, Yasuo Hazuki and the other two also saw Renji Kamisaka and the person in his arms, surprised, with expressions that seemed hesitant to speak. Renji Kamisaka glanced at them, a thought flashing through his mind, and stopped paying attention. Regarding Yasuo Hazuki's arrival, he probably had some guesses...
Enjoying the story? You can read 7 chapters in advance on p@treon/Rzzzy!