"Shiina-san, is this all you can do to welcome me?"
Standing at the entrance of an old apartment building that appeared worn but somehow radiated a unique charm, Renji Kamisaka looked at Shiina Mahiru, who was holding only a small gift box in her hand. His tone was casual, tinged with faint curiosity.
"Just bringing this for you now. I've packed the rest in boxes, and the courier will deliver them," Shiina Mahiru replied, her sweet smile blooming as if without a care.
"Express delivery?" Renji frowned. "Uh, it's nothing. I just remember... last time the courier's vehicle broke down, and I had to pick up my uniform myself from the branch office."
Shiina Mahiru tilted her head slightly, her innocent expression inviting a chuckle. "Is there such a thing? Yes, it's outrageous, isn't it? I suspect I'm being targeted, but I have no proof." There was a slight pampered tone in her voice.
"Pfft, why would that courier company target you? It must just be a coincidence," Renji chuckled, shaking his head.
The two walked towards Sakurasou, their light chatter filling the evening silence, occasional laughter breaking the atmosphere.
That's right. Shiina Mahiru had asked him to wait for her after school because she was moving to Sakurasou. A sudden decision, yet full of meaning.
She originally lived in a luxurious villa, so large it felt empty. But since she was already in high school, she wanted to make some changes, seek independence, and proposed living alone near the school. An idea that might seem trivial to others, but for Mahiru, it was a big step.
So, with the idea of trying it out, she contacted her cousin, Chihiro Sengoku, whom she had met as a child. From childhood to adulthood, her maid, Auntie, had always taken care of her. However, Auntie also had her own family, she couldn't stay with Shiina Mahiru forever. Moreover, even her parents didn't care about Shiina Mahiru. That indifference, the loneliness amidst luxury, caused Shiina Mahiru to complain about the empty villa. What's the point of living alone in such a big house? she often thought to herself.
The loneliness and feeling of being ignored—a wound that never healed—made a girl who had longed for her parents' affection since childhood feel deeply uncomfortable, and the pressure she experienced grew day by day. A simple desire for a complete family, which she had never received.
Renji Kamisaka was actually very confused. Because Chihiro Sengoku hadn't said that her cousin, Mahiru Shiina, would be living with him. But thinking about it again, Chihiro Sengoku was sometimes drunk, perhaps this drunkard had forgotten everything, Renji sighed inwardly. In short, a new beautiful girl was moving into Sakurasou, and she was the angel Shiina Mahiru. Renji Kamisaka was, of course, also happy, though he wouldn't show it openly.
Soon after, they arrived at the entrance of Sakurasou. The building looked old, but a warmth emanated from its surroundings.
"Is this Sakurasou?" Shiina Mahiru asked, her eyes sparkling. "It feels lovely." An old, lush cherry blossom tree stood proudly nearby, its pink petals fluttering gently in the evening breeze.
"Meow~" Three kittens suddenly appeared out of nowhere, jumping around and rubbing themselves against Renji Kamisaka's pants, as if they were flirting, seeking attention. Renji smiled faintly. I guess the "Cat Bag" prop worked, he thought, since it could attract cats. By putting cats into it, he could even perfectly control the cat's actions from a distance.
"Wow, the kittens are so cute! Can I hold you?" Shiina Mahiru clearly couldn't resist the charm of creatures as sweet as cats, her aquamarine eyes sparkling with genuine happiness, as if she had found something pure.
"Of course, here you go." Renji lifted a tabby cat and handed it to the girl, his movements careful.
Shiina Mahiru held the tabby cat in her hands, stroking its soft fur, and couldn't help but smile sweetly. The cat didn't resist, instead obediently letting itself be stroked, as if feeling comfortable in Mahiru's embrace. The other two cats were still rubbing against Renji Kamisaka's pants, demanding attention.
Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Renji, you're quite popular with animals."
Renji Kamisaka waved his hand nonchalantly. "After all, I'm their breadwinner and litter picker." He sighed dramatically. "Cats are very smart and know who raised them."
"Alright, let's go inside. Chihiro Sengoku-sensei should be back by now," Renji concluded, guiding them inside. Chihiro Sengoku, he remembered, was an art teacher at the high school affiliated with Suimei University of the Arts, known for her unique lifestyle.
Renji Kamisaka led Shiina Mahiru to the administrator's office on the first floor. As soon as they opened the door, a strong smell of alcohol assailed their noses, making both Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru instinctively cover their noses. The floor was strewn with crushed empty beer cans, scattered everywhere. A slightly plump brown-haired woman was lying among the cans, fast asleep, a pathetic sight.
Renji Kamisaka couldn't help but rub his forehead and sigh. "Sengoku-sensei, you're drunk again!" He snapped, a tired but familiar tone in his voice. "If you keep this up, you'll never find a partner!"
"Shut up, you brat!" When Chihiro Sengoku heard the voice, she mumbled discontentedly, her eyes still closed. She lazily woke up, stretched out her hands, and wrapped them around Renji Kamisaka's neck, pulling him closer. "How dare you curse me, a beautiful girl who will always be 29 years old? If I can't find a match, I'll force you to marry me or Koharu!"
Koharu, Renji knew, referred to a beautiful teacher named Koharu Shirayama at the Japanese Language High School affiliated with Suimei University of the Arts. Koharu Shirayama and Chihiro Sengoku were close friends, and also a duo who consistently failed at blind dates.
Being hugged by a beautiful woman around the neck should be a blessing for a boy. However, Chihiro Sengoku reeked of beer, and it smelled sour, which made Renji Kamisaka wrinkle his nose involuntarily, a mix of disgust and amusement.
"Sengoku-sensei, stop, your cousin is here!" Renji tried to break free, a little panicked.
"My cousin, never mind, Renji-kun. Since you dared to curse me, I'll punish you by making you satisfy me in bed." Chihiro Sengoku mumbled those words with a drunken smile.
After hearing these words, Shiina Mahiru covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Student Renji, is this the relationship between you and my cousin?!"
"It's not like that! Sengoku-sensei, wake up!" Renji Kamisaka's face darkened. You drunk teacher, you actually slandered me in front of an angel! Believe it or not, I actually did it? His mind was a mess, torn between anger and amusement.
"Ah! Isn't this Mahiru? Haha, you're here, why didn't you call me?" Chihiro Sengoku suddenly pretended nothing happened, releasing her grip on Renji Kamisaka and sitting upright. "Coincidentally, this guy is the landlord, Mahiru, let him take care of it. I, your cousin, need to rest for a bit, so we can talk later."
Having said that, she pushed the two out of the room, returning to her beer-soaked chaos.
Renji Kamisaka and Shiina Mahiru exchanged glances, both silent, an unexpected awkward moment.
"Um, classmate Renji, you and my cousin..." Shiina Mahiru began, her tone still full of doubt.
"It's nothing! We're just a normal landlord-tenant relationship!" Renji Kamisaka explained quickly and firmly, his face slightly flushed.
"Pfft," Shiina Mahiru covered her mouth and let out a small laugh, "I didn't say you had another relationship. Hmm, where do I live?"
Renji Kamisaka sighed helplessly, a faint smile on his lips. "Come with me." Since Chihiro Sengoku was on strike, he, the landlord, had to take over, guiding the angel to her new abode.