Morning light slipped through the gaps in the curtains, casting warm beams across the floor of Zahaku's apartment. The air still held traces of body wash and a subtle, intimate scent.
Buzz buzz buzz—
The phone on the coffee table vibrated relentlessly, its buzzing jarring in the overly quiet morning.
Gaio, eyes closed, frowned slightly before slowly opening them.
Wrapped around his waist, Marin Kitagawa's long, smooth legs tightened unconsciously, carrying a possessive cling even in her sleep.
Carefully, he eased her warm, soft limbs aside.
Marin lay on her side, golden hair spilling messily over the pillow, her cheeks flushed from sleep, lips slightly pursed, breathing steady and long, clearly lost in sweet dreams.
Gaio leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her warm cheek, the touch soft.
Barefoot, he padded silently across the cool floor to the kitchen. His lean, muscular frame was outlined clearly in the morning light, a few faint nail marks trailing from his broad back to his waist, silently recounting the wildness of last night—from the moment that violet-scented presence barged into the bathroom at three in the afternoon, through sweat, gasps, tangled limbs, brief pauses for water and snacks… until it all finally settled in the early hours.
He opened the fridge, cool air rushing out.
Grabbing a chilled bottle of mineral water, he twisted off the cap and chugged half of it.
The cold liquid slid down his throat, bringing a touch of clarity.
Gulp.
He set the bottle down, his gaze shifting to the coffee table in the living room.
The black phone, which had just quieted, lit up again stubbornly.
Buzz buzz buzz—
Gaio walked over and picked it up. The screen flashed with the name "Young Lady."
He raised an eyebrow, pressed the answer button, and before he could speak, a girl's urgent voice burst through: "Tian-kun? Tian-kun! Finally, you picked up!"
"Young Lady, what's up?" Gaio chuckled.
The voice on the other end visibly relaxed, shifting from anxious to elegant. "Pardon the intrusion. Things have been chaotic outside lately, so please take care."
"Yeah, I know." Gaio leaned against the sofa.
"Where's Tian-kun right now?" the girl asked, her tone deliberately casual.
"Zahaku."
"Zahaku?"
"Yup, Zahaku in Hokkaido." Gaio pulled the phone away, scrolling through the screen to see hundreds of missed calls—notifications packed with names like "Young Lady," "Random Guy," and "Notebook Sis."
He brought the phone back to his ear, his voice teasing. "Miss Kaguya, you called almost a hundred times yesterday. Not just to ask where I am, right?"
The line went silent. After a few seconds, a soft cough came through. "O-Of course not! It's just… it's been a while since school started, and I haven't seen you…"
Rustling sounds came from the kitchen.
Marin stumbled out, rubbing her eyes, the hem of her oversized T-shirt barely covering her thighs.
Still half-asleep, she shuffled over to Gaio, resting her chin on his shoulder like a lazy cat.
"School's started, huh…" Gaio slid an arm around Marin's waist, feeling her warm breath brush his collarbone. "Alright, I'll head back to school next week."
"I look forward to seeing you again, Tian-kun," the voice replied.
"Cool, see you then." As he spoke, Marin nuzzled his earlobe with her nose. "Marin's awake."
A sharp clink of porcelain rang out from the other end. "Wait! That blonde girl—"
Beep. The call ended, the tone echoing in a Kyoto mansion.
A red-eyed girl stared at the darkened screen, her delicate face fuming with anger.
Back in Zahaku's apartment, Marin draped herself over Gaio's back, her voice thick with sleep. "Who was that~? Calling so early…"
Gaio hooked his hands under her knees, effortlessly scooping her up in front of him. She giggled, her bare legs dangling in the air, morning light gilding her eyelashes.
"Kaguya Shinomiya," Gaio said casually.
Her laughter stopped cold. Marin's eyes widened, and she threw her arms around his neck. "That rich girl?! She still hasn't given up?!"
Gaio ruffled her messy golden hair, setting her on the sofa. "Jealous?"
"No way!" Marin puffed out her cheeks, looking like a bristling cat.
She hopped onto the sofa with her bare feet, pointing toward the kitchen like she was issuing a command. "I want baozi! Right now!"
Gaio headed to the kitchen.
Amid the sound of the fridge door opening and closing, Marin knelt on the sofa, staring at the phone screen lighting up again on the coffee table. "Ugh…" she muttered, wrinkling her nose, her fingers tapping her cheek absently.
The dull thump of dough being kneaded came from the kitchen.
Marin craned her neck to peek—Gaio's back was to her, his shoulder muscles flexing with each knead, the scratch marks she'd left last night glaringly obvious in the morning light.
Her ears turned red, and she grabbed a pillow, burying her face in it.
"Want shrimp in them?" Gaio asked without turning.
"Double portion!" came her muffled reply from behind the pillow.
As the frying pan sizzled, Marin slipped into the kitchen barefoot, wrapping her arms around Gaio's waist from behind.
Pressed against his sweat-dampened back, she heard his low chuckle resonate in his chest. "Not mad anymore?"
"Wasn't mad to begin with." She rubbed her face against his back, then suddenly bit his shoulder blade. "…Okay, maybe a little."
Gaio turned off the stove and faced her, his flour-dusted fingers lifting her chin. "What are you, a puppy?"
"Woof!" Marin bared her teeth playfully, but her act fell apart the moment she saw the plump baozi in the steamer. "Whoa!" She reached for one, only for Gaio to swat her hand away. "Hot."
At the dining table, Marin chewed with her cheeks puffed out, suddenly mumbling through a mouthful, "You're going back to school next week?"
"Yup. The tour's over, so it's time to head back and deal with leave."
"That rich girl's gonna be there, isn't she?"
Gaio slid a glass of soy milk toward her. "Definitely."
Marin chugged half the glass, foam clinging to her lips. "I'm going with you!" She kicked her dangling legs. "I'm gonna make sure the whole school knows—" She lunged onto him, "—you're mine!"
Gaio laughed, catching her as she pounced. "They don't already? You literally confessed in front of the entire school."
Marin didn't blush—she tilted her chin up proudly. "Hmph! That's what they get for just sneaking glances and not making a move. Look, now you're mine!" She perched on his lap, swinging her bare legs.
"Yup, all yours." Gaio pinched her puffed-out cheek.
Marin started counting on her fingers. "The rich girl, that tsundere blonde, the sneaky background chick, and that girl who gave you a book…"
Her brows furrowed tighter with each name. "Ugh!" She tugged at her messy hair in frustration. "So many rivals!"
But in the next second, she bounced back, raising a fist with fiery determination. "Bring it on! Marin Kitagawa's gonna take them all down!"
Gaio steadied her wobbling frame, shoving the last half of a baozi into her mouth. "Take down your breakfast first."
Marin shot him a mock glare, cheeks bulging with baozi.
But the moment the rich, savory flavor hit her, her eyes sparkled. "Mmm… so good~"
Gaio watched the girl in his arms—declaring war one second, then melting over food the next, like a little sun. His lips curved into a deeper smile.
Yeah.
The morning light outside, the warm body in his arms, the scent of food and violet body wash in the air.
Jujutsu Kaisen? Get lost!
Satoru Gojo? Stay the hell away!
I just want to be a lazy fish, drowning in a sea of beautiful girls~~~
He tightened his arm around her waist, dropping a kiss on the tuft of golden hair sticking up from her head.
Marin, lost in the bliss of baozi, mumbled an "Mm?" like a purring cat, nuzzling into his chest.
The steam rising from the steamer softened the morning kitchen into a warm, cozy haze.
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