"Hoshino-kun is truly an interesting person."
With a bright smile on her face, Tadokoro Megumi praised him. Through their recent chat, she found Hoshino Sora very interesting: humorous, handsome, and with a good personality.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm going this way now, so let's part here."
"Bye-bye."
After getting off the bus and walking a short distance together, the two finally parted at the central boundary between Polar Star Dormitory and Yōbi Dormitory. The two dormitories stood opposite each other, one prosperous, one dilapidated.
It was almost dusk by then.
"I'm home. Huh, no one's here?"
Pushing open the door of Yōbi Dormitory, Hoshino Sora found no one inside, which made him a bit strange. Usually, even when it was quiet, he could hear some movement, but now the dormitory was completely silent.
Never mind, I'll make dinner first.
Rubbing his stomach, feeling the hunger within, Hoshino Sora's expression was slightly bitter.
It was already dinner time, and he had actually rushed back hoping to eat a hot meal as soon as he returned.
In fact, he usually could get one.
But today, something unexpected seemed to have happened.
Where did everyone go?
"Gulp, gulp."
With doubts, Hoshino Sora arrived at the kitchen. As he got closer, he heard a 'gulp' sound of drinking water from inside. Because his five senses had been enhanced multiple times by the Gourmet Cell, he heard it exceptionally clearly.
"Shi... Shiina? Why are you dressed like that? Even if it's in the dormitory, you should still pay a little attention. There's still a male, me, in this dormitory, after all."
Wanting to ask what was going on, Hoshino Sora quickly entered the kitchen and then saw a scene that made his blood surge.
Shiina Mashiro was standing at the north school gate with only a bath towel wrapped around her, holding a can of milk in one hand and her other hand on her hip, gulping down the milk.
"Mmm..."
This girl really is carefree. Although it's true he's the only male in this dormitory building and the others aren't home, it's still a bit inappropriate to wander around outside with just a bath towel... Especially since this bath towel is quite short, only covering her chest and lower body, making it look like she's wearing a mini-skirt. That half-exposed, half-covered look really makes one's heart pound!
Even though he had released his desires yesterday, Hoshino Sora's heart was still ablaze at this moment, with a desire to peek beneath the bath towel at her jade-like body. Upon closer inspection, he noticed her hair was wet...
Most likely, she had just showered and didn't bring a change of clothes, so she came out wrapped in a bath towel.
As he spoke, perhaps startled, the milk Shiina Mashiro was drinking flowed from the corner of her lips, down to her chin, collarbone, a long streak reaching her chest.
"Gulp."
Swallowing, Hoshino Sora's gaze was fixed on that patch of pure white.
"Wait! Don't in front of me..."
His gaze focused, the coldness of the milk made Shiina Mashiro let out a soft moan. Then, she actually untied the bath towel in front of him, intending to use it to wipe the milk that had fallen onto her chest...
At this moment, Hoshino Sora understood that this girl not only lacked common sense in daily life but also lacked a sense of propriety in interactions between genders. Was this something he should be seeing?!
It was fortunate that the person she encountered was him. If it were someone else, Mashiro would definitely have been pounced on by now. Seeing such a sight, how could anyone maintain self-control?!
His rationality once again reached its critical point.
However, he still restrained himself this time, because he and Shiina Mashiro had no emotional foundation. Forcibly doing something bad would only leave her with psychological trauma.
Opening a harem wasn't done this way either. Merely indulging in carnal pleasure wasn't Hoshino Sora's wish. He wanted to fall in love with the girls more, to experience their lives, to embrace their personalities, to accept everything about them.
Picking up the bath towel and wrapping it around Shiina Mashiro, Hoshino Sora looked seriously and earnestly at the girl's face: "Don't be defenseless in front of a male; that will only turn him into a beast, causing him to attack you wildly."
After speaking, Hoshino Sora grabbed her wrist and led her back to room 307, which was Shiina Mashiro's room.
"Which set of clothes do you want to wear? By the way, it's common sense to prepare a change of clothes before showering, right?"
"Shinohiru usually helps me, so I forgot today without her."
Looking at the clean and tidy room, Hoshino Sora knew it was all thanks to Shiina Mahiru.
The messiest part of the entire room was the pile of freshly changed clothes on the bed, among which, pink and white striped fabric was placed at the very top of all the clothes.
Hoshino Sora pinched it with his fingers and then let go, strongly resisting the perverted urge to sniff it in front of Mashiro. He turned and opened the wardrobe, where a neatly hung row of clothes awaited.
It must be said, Shiina Mahiru's housekeeping skills were top-notch.
"So, which one?"
Reaching into the wardrobe, Hoshino Sora turned his head and asked.
"You can just pick one."
"Then a one-piece dress. Are blue and white panties okay?"
Knowing Shiina Mashiro's personality, Hoshino Sora casually opened the drawer below and saw a drawer full of neatly folded underwear, panties, and stockings, in various colors and styles.
"Mhm."
"Then you change first. Call me when you're done; I'll help you blow-dry your hair later."
He placed the chosen clothes on the bed, then helped Shiina Mashiro clean up the mess on the bed. He wondered what Miyu and the others were doing, leaving Mashiro alone in the dormitory.
He had questions, but now was clearly not the best time to ask. After doing these things, Hoshino Sora exited the room and leaned against the wall outside, deep in thought.
But he thought for a long time without an answer and finally gave up.
After staying outside for about ten minutes, he still didn't hear any call from inside. Hoshino Sora felt something was wrong and pushed the door open, then saw Shiina Mashiro holding a stocking, having struggled to put it on halfway and inside out.
"Help me."
With innocent wide eyes, Shiina Mashiro said pitifully, and as she spoke, she took off the inside-out white stocking completely and handed it to the young man in front of her.
Hoshino Sora didn't speak, only observing Shiina Mashiro. She had already changed into a one-piece dress, with no major issues, so it seemed she had mastered the basic way of wearing clothes.
"Lift your foot."
Hoshino Sora naturally wouldn't refuse such a Welfare-like request, but it was also his first time helping with this, so he lacked experience and needed to try it out tentatively first.
His fingers gently rubbed the white stocking to open it. Looking at Shiina Mashiro's raised, fair and tender small foot, Hoshino Sora secretly swallowed, then aimed at the sock opening and began to act.
His hand caressed the bone, attaching the stocking to her leg. His fingers slowly glided over her soft muscles, a faint warmth immediately radiating. Feeling the sensation, Hoshino Sora's face also showed a perverted smile.
Shiina Mashiro's small foot, hehe, small foot, my small foot~"
"Mmm-hmm, that tickles…"
Shiina Mashiro didn't suppress her voice, feeling the coolness of the stockings on her legs, and couldn't help but let out a soft cry. This sound went straight to Hoshino Sora's heart, making him tremble.
Oh boy, oh boy! Who could resist that!?
Gritting his teeth, Hoshino Sora's gaze slowly moved up the stockings, and then he saw a scene that he would never forget. His gaze shifted to the bed beside him.
The blue and white panties he had prepared for her earlier lay quietly beside the pillow.
— — — — — — — — — —
It was two hours later when he emerged from the room. Don't misunderstand, he didn't lay a hand on Shiina Mashiro; instead, he patiently spent two hours educating her about the differences between men and women.
Naturally, this involved various physical contacts. Hoshino Sora also shamelessly took advantage of the 'education' to get very close to Shiina Mashiro. As he put it, he had to touch her precisely for her to understand where she couldn't be touched.
Being evasive and vague would only leave her confused.
From his observations during this period, Hoshino Sora found that this girl was genuinely a natural airhead, not someone who was faking it. Therefore, his teaching was meticulous and hands-on.
Since he had already decided in his heart that Shiina Mashiro was 'his,' Hoshino Sora naturally didn't want her to be taken advantage of by other boys. This kind of benefit was only for him to see!
It was a form of selfishness, perhaps.
"But where did everyone else go?"
This question popped into Hoshino Sora's mind as he sat on the living room sofa, pondering once more.
"Grrr—"
So hungry...
Not long after he settled down, Hoshino Sora's stomach began to growl again. Helpless, he could only get up and go to the kitchen to make claypot rice. When it was almost done, he went to Shiina Mashiro's room to call her for dinner.
"So, seeing my naked body makes Sora excited, right?"
During dinner, Shiina Mashiro suddenly asked.
"Pfft, let's not discuss this during dinner. Shiina is so cute, and her figure is good too. Of course, seeing her completely unguarded would make anyone excited."
Hearing Shiina Mashiro's question, Hoshino Sora replied helplessly. Who doesn't like pretty girls?
"Why do you call my sister Miyu, but you just call me by my last name? That's not fair."
Noticing Hoshino Sora's way of addressing her, Shiina Mashiro pouted in dissatisfaction. After their two-hour-long chat in the room earlier, their relationship had clearly improved significantly.
"Uh… is that the main point?"
"Yes."
Holding his chopsticks with a helpless expression, Hoshino Sora looked at the innocent face of the girl in front of him. He hesitated for a few seconds, but finally uttered the two words: "Mashiro?"
"Yes, Sora."
Hearing Hoshino Sora call her by name, a flicker of joy appeared in Shiina Mashiro's eyes. She then moved the chair beside her and sat next to him, leaning her body against his.
"This is your reward."
The knowledge Hoshino Sora had imparted earlier flashed in her mind: a girl's close embrace was a reward for a boy, making his heart pound and keeping him happy all day.
"This…"
Feeling the sudden weight on his shoulder, Hoshino Sora lowered his head slightly, his gaze falling upon a expanse of pure white. He didn't say anything further, simply shifting his gaze away, wondering if there was something wrong with his 'education.'
Or perhaps this girl hadn't taken his 'education' seriously from the start.
She still wasn't wearing a bra.
(Sigh)
"We're back."
While he was pondering, the sound from the doorway startled Hoshino Sora, making him push away Shiina Mashiro, who was leaning against him.
If this scene were seen, it would definitely be misunderstood. Although a misunderstanding wouldn't be a big deal, this was a girls' dormitory, and Shiina Mashiro was famously a natural schemer and an old hand at such things.
There was no telling what everyone would say when they met later.
Wait a minute...
A very distant memory surfaced in his mind. He recalled that in Sakurasou, Shiina Mashiro was indeed an old hand at suggestive remarks, wasn't she? Did such a character really need him to educate her about sex?
No, she should still be quite innocent; it's just that her thought process is a bit different from ordinary people, which is why she says so many misleading things.
"What did you all go do? Why are you back so late?"
Looking at the girls walking towards them, Hoshino Sora couldn't help but ask curiously.
"We went to cheer on Mito! At first, we thought it was a sure win, but we didn't expect her to lose in the end! By the way, are all you transfer students really strong?"
Thinking of Hoshino Sora and Yumeko Jabami's strength, and encountering another strong person today, Shinohiru couldn't help but complain. These three transfer students were truly one more outrageous than the last!
Mito Ikumi was considered an above-average student among them, much stronger than her, yet in front of that person, she had no power to retaliate at all...
She was defeated effortlessly.
"I can't really say, after all, I'm quite weak."
Smiling awkwardly, Hoshino Sora was momentarily unsure how to respond. Transfer students were indeed formidable, especially Soma Yukihira, the protagonist of the original world, the true Child of Fortune!
Turning his head to look at Mito Ikumi, who was bowing her head, lost in thought, Hoshino Sora sighed softly. After hearing Shinohiru's words, he finally understood why no one was in the dormitory.
It must have been for the Cover Research project. But when did this happen? Why had he never heard Mito Ikumi mention it, or did she mention it and he didn't pay attention?
"Your relationship has become so good. Did something happen while we were away?"
Noticing Shiina Mashiro and Hoshino Sora sitting together, looking very intimate, Akikubo Momo tilted her head and asked with a puzzled expression.
"Oh right, why are you two sitting together?"
There was plenty of space at the dining table; it didn't make sense for two people eating to be sitting so close. Shinohiru frowned, asking suspiciously. She vaguely felt that something was amiss.
But she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, only scanning back and forth between Hoshino Sora and Shiina Mashiro. Wait, did her sister take a bath?
She was wearing a sailor uniform when she left, so why was she in a dress when she came back?
"She wanted to try my claypot rice, so she just sat over here on her own. Have you all eaten? Why don't you try my secret claypot rice, it's absolutely delicious!"
He awkwardly changed the subject. He couldn't possibly say what he had done to Shiina Mashiro; otherwise, he would definitely receive a barrage of scornful looks, and might even be kicked out of Yōbi Dormitory.
"Claypot rice? It looks a lot like today's main dish, the donburi. Both have toppings on rice, but they seem a bit different…"
Looking at the fragrant claypot rice in the rice cooker and thinking about tonight's competition, Shinohiru couldn't help but complain. Putting dishes on top of rice, wasn't that very similar to donburi?
Hearing Shinohiru's words, Mito Ikumi looked up at the claypot rice in the pot, her eyes filled with confusion.
"No, claypot rice is more refined, elaborate, and delicious. Donburi is a type of fast food, emphasizing convenience and practicality."
Hoshino Sora explained. Although the two looked similar, there were significant differences in both preparation and taste.
"Where are Kobayashi-senpai and Yumeko? Shizuka-sensei isn't here either."
"They have some things to do and won't be back so soon. Ms. Shizuka went back to her hometown; she'll probably be back next week."
"I see. Well, let's eat then."
As he spoke, Hoshino Sora personally served rice to the three of them, his peripheral vision constantly on Shiina Mashiro, worried that she might suddenly say something suggestive that would mortify him.
Thankfully, Shiina Mashiro remained very quiet until the end of dinner.
That night, Hoshino Sora used the panties Kitagawa gave him for a few more rounds. Having infinite stamina came with a downside, which he wasn't sure if it counted as a bad thing, but it was that his desires were especially, exceptionally strong.
Of course, Hoshino Sora suspected it was due to the abundance of girls around him.
— — — — — — — — — —
The following week was very calm. Hoshino Sora attended classes as usual, earning A grades. The discussions about him drastically decreased, giving off a feeling of calm before a storm.
Friday evening, at Alice Nakiri's house.
"You two are competing; I don't even know who to cheer for."
Looking at Hoshino Sora working hard in the kitchen, Alice Nakiri crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes filled with melancholy. In this situation, she truly didn't know whose side to take.
If it had been a month ago, she would have unhesitatingly supported Ryo-kun.
But now, after a month of working together and their relationship warming up, Alice Nakiri had developed a different kind of feeling for Hoshino Sora.
This feeling was different from her friendship with Kurokiba Ryo; it was more like love, but Alice Nakiri hadn't realized it. She thought her feelings for both of them were the same.
"Just watch from the side; there's no need to specially support anyone. Just treat yourself as an ordinary spectator."
Hoshino Sora said cheerfully.
"Can I really just be an ordinary spectator…?"
Alice Nakiri murmured to herself. At this moment, she had lost her usual cheerful demeanor, appearing completely like a little girl full of worries.
"Of course, or do you want to renew our wager?"
"What wager?"
Upon hearing the word "wager," a wary look appeared in Alice Nakiri's eyes. She had just managed to escape being a maid, and she didn't want to continue that kind of life, even though she enjoyed spending time with Hoshino Sora.
It was just that he would order her to call him 'master' out of nowhere. It was impossible not to feel a little embarrassed, but she had no choice; having lost the wager, she could only obey his commands.
"If you win, you'll be my maid for a year.
If you lose, I'll be your butler for life."
Hoshino Sora didn't plan to leave himself any room to retreat. Sometimes, you had to push yourself.
Kurokiba Ryo was indeed a very powerful opponent, but if he feared and cowered just because he had heard of his reputation, then he would absolutely not be able to defeat him!
He would burn his bridges and use this winning soup!
He ladled out the soup, which had a faint golden hue, from the pot. A delicate fragrance permeated the air. At first glance, it was just an ordinary bowl of soup.
However...
As Alice Nakiri's lips parted slightly, a rich umami flavor burst in her mouth!
It was a sensation she had never experienced before!
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