Kimishima Ayano had finally arrived at Sakurasou. Naturally, this called for a welcome party.
In the kitchen, Yukinoshita Yukino tied on an apron and began preparing dishes with graceful precision. She moved like a seasoned chef—measured, calm, and elegant. After all, Yuki Suoh had declared, with unwavering confidence, that this was also Yukino's "home" now. She asked her not to treat herself like a guest. And besides, Nozomi was supposedly looking forward to tasting her cooking.
Those words carried more weight than Yukino cared to admit. If Nozomi expected something from her, how could she not respond? That subtle flutter in her chest had become hard to ignore.
Sayu and Mahiru helped out with seamless coordination. Yukino, proud but not haughty, allowed their assistance and entered her own culinary rhythm.
Meanwhile, Nanami Aoyama had also come to the kitchen. Though she wasn't part of the main cooking team, she couldn't bring herself to just sit around and wait for food.
She picked up a cutting board and quietly started helping.
During this time, Yuki Suoh chattered away like a busy sparrow, sharing tidbits about the new arrival.
"She's my personal maid from back home! Super loyal, super disciplined!" Yuki announced with a grin. "She's been training for this day!"
Nanami Aoyama's hand paused mid-chop. A maid? She cast a subtle glance around the room. Sakurasou really was full of extraordinary people.
A genius painter like Shiina Mashiro. A famous actress like Mai Sakurajima. The wildly creative Misaki Kamiigusa. Even Yukinoshita Yukino, a girl with elegance and poise straight out of a light novel.
And all of them seemed to orbit around Nozomi, the mysterious boy whose presence felt more like a gravitational pull.
Compared to them, what was she? Just a struggling voice acting student.
The pressure was real.
Just then, the door opened. "I'm back," Nozomi called out, casually stepping inside with Ayano following him.
The sound of the door startled Yuki Suoh, who came skipping to the entrance in her apron like a chibi anime mascot.
"Welcome home, Nozomi-love~! And Ayano, welcome to Sakurasou!"
Kimishima Ayano immediately dropped to one knee with flawless poise.
"Lady Yuki, I have arrived. Please forgive my lateness."
Yuki gave a small giggle and pulled her upright by the hand. "It's fine, Ayano. From today on, work hard as our precious maid, okay?"
Nanami Aoyama blinked rapidly, her cheeks turning pink. "S-Serve... serve as in...?"
She stammered, a confused look blooming on her face.
Misaki Kamiigusa came bounding out of nowhere like she'd been summoned by chaos itself. Grabbing Ayano's tiny hand, she declared with bright eyes:
"Kyaa~! So you're the legendary Ayano-chan? You're like a bite-sized cutie! I fully support your bed-serving mission!"
"Senpai! D-Don't say such indecent things so casually!" Nanami's face burned as she stomped in protest.
She peeked at Nozomi, only to find him sipping tea with a composed expression, as though none of this scandalous nonsense fazed him in the least.
Misaki leaned in and whispered mischievously:
"Don't you get it, Nanami? Serving in the bed is part of the maid protocol. Ayano might sleep with Nozomi tonight… and do all kinds of things…"
"AHHH! D-Don't say anymore!"
Nanami practically leapt at Misaki to cover her mouth.
"If you keep talking like this, the entire reputation of Sakurasou is going to sink into the ocean!"
Misaki only grinned. "Nanami, you're just too pure. It's adorable."
"W-What even is innocent..."
Downstairs, footsteps echoed. Mai Sakurajima appeared with a slightly disheveled ponytail.
"Is dinner done yet? Kouhai-kun, I'm starving."
"Almost. Go sit for a bit," Nozomi replied.
"Nozomi, Mashiro is hungry too," Shiina Mashiro appeared at his side, gently tugging his sleeve.
Nozomi nodded and retrieved some baumkuchen from his room to placate her. He handed some out to the others as well.
Meanwhile, Frieren and Fern, followed by the recently arrived Yusa Emi, wandered down, drawn by the alluring scent wafting from the kitchen.
Yuki Suoh stood in front of Nozomi, arms akimbo and her apron fluttering.
"Onii-chan, how do I look in my little cook outfit? Adorable, right?"
Nozomi gave her a glance and replied coolly, "It's okay."
"Hmph! So mean! Just wait till you see Yukino's getup! Then we'll see what you say!"
He chuckled and pinched her cheek, "I'm just teasing. You look great, Yuki. But you're wearing an apron and not even helping—lazy much?"
Yuki pouted. "I just wanted you to admire how cute I am!"
Yuki Suoh was still flushed from embarrassment, her cheeks tinged with a soft sakura hue. Meanwhile, Kimishima Ayano had—at some point unnoticed by anyone—changed into a full maid outfit, adorned with classic black-and-white frills and delicate lace trim. She appeared quietly beside Yuki like a phantom from an elegant butler café.
"Do you require my assistance, Yuki-sama?"
"Eep! Ayano, you startled me! You're too quiet for your own good!"
Yuki placed a hand dramatically over her chest, as though to still her racing heart.
"But no, you don't have to help with anything right now. There are plenty of people in the kitchen already. What we need to do... is stand here and look beautiful so Onii-chan can admire us! That's our mission today!"
Her confident smirk returned as she raised her chin, trying to embody the aura of a noble hostess.
"Besides," Yuki added, her tone softening, "you're the guest of honor tonight. You must be exhausted from the flight. Go get some rest."
But Ayano, ever the devoted maid, furrowed her brows slightly. "But as a servant, it's unthinkable to sit idle. If I do not assist in some way, I'll feel I've failed my purpose."
"Hmm… in that case," Yuki said mischievously, "how about giving Onii-chan a massage? That should count, right?"
Ayano lowered her gaze, then gracefully bowed. "As you command."
Thus, Nozomi found himself seated comfortably on the living room sofa while Ayano stood behind him, kneading his shoulders with an expert's touch. Her movements were precise, gentle, yet firm—clearly honed through years of disciplined training. The soft scent of her perfume, mixed with the aroma of freshly baked dishes wafting from the kitchen, made the atmosphere dangerously pleasant.
Her black-and-white maid outfit swayed slightly with every motion. Her white knee-high socks were offset by dainty pink lace garters, lending her an elegant yet subtly mischievous charm.
"Mmm... that feels surprisingly good," Nozomi muttered, visibly relaxing.
At his side Fern dutifully mimicked Ayano's actions, massaging Frieren's shoulders with practiced fingers.
"Ahh~ I could get used to this," Frieren sighed, her tone dripping with indulgence. Her half-lidded eyes gleamed as though she were on the brink of sleep.
"Frieren, come on! Stay awake! There's a feast waiting for us soon!" Fern said, exasperated.
"But it's still a while before it's ready, right? Wake me when it's time. You've got my full trust."
Fern gave a tired sigh.
Sometimes, she wondered if she had been born simply to serve Frieren like a loyal retainer to a spoiled princess. She turned to glance at Ayano, their eyes meeting for a split second—and in that instant, a mutual understanding passed between them.
We are sisters in service.
Meanwhile, Nozomi—never one to miss an opportunity—casually stretched out his arm and gently draped it around Frieren's waist.
Fern blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly. But then she noticed the tips of Frieren's elf ears subtly tinged with pink.
She's actually blushing...
A weight lifted from Fern's chest. If even someone as aloof as Lady Frieren could grow attached to Nozomi, then surely she would choose to stay here. And if Frieren stayed, Fern wouldn't be left behind either.
From the kitchen, Aoyama Nanami emerged, wiping her hands with a dish towel—only to freeze at the sight before her.
"Nozomi-san! You... you're completely out of line!"
Nozomi looked up in mild confusion. "Huh? What did I do now?"
"You're doing too much! First Suoh, then Ayano, and now even Frieren?! Have you no shame?"
She stomped forward indignantly. Her pigtails trembled as she puffed up like a furious kitten.
"Your girlfriend is working her heart out in the kitchen, and here you are—being shamelessly pampered! What kind of man are you?!"
Nozomi blinked, then chuckled lightly. "So... what you're saying is, you want me to pamper you too?"
Nanami's entire face turned bright red, as if steam might burst from her ears.
"W-W-Wha... NO! You're delusional! That's not what I meant at all!"
She flailed, flustered beyond saving. "I'm only worried about Sakurasou's reputation! I mean, people are already calling you a pervy harem master behind your back! You're going to turn this place into some sort of... succubus sanctuary!"
Nozomi tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Hmm? Nanami, why are you so concerned about my reputation?"
"I—! I—!"
Realizing that everyone—Ayano, Yuki, Fern, and even Frieren—was watching her intently, Nanami's face went from red to crimson.
"I don't care about what happens to a pervert like you! I'm going back to help in the kitchen!"
And with that, she spun around and bolted back toward safety—her high-speed retreat accompanied by the soft sound of her slippers squeaking against the floor.
Behind her, the others giggled.
Yuki grinned, whispering to Nozomi, "She's so easy to tease. But you better be careful, Onii-chan... That kind of innocence is dangerous."
Nozomi just leaned back, relaxing once more into Ayano's magical fingers, and smiled.
"Yeah... I know."