"What's with all the noise so early in the morning?"
An irritated voice echoed through the dormitory as Sengoku Chihiro, clearly disturbed, let out an annoyed roar.
Soon, footsteps approached, and Chihiro, now fully dressed and made-up, stepped over the fallen door and entered Sorata's room. Her gaze fell on the boy still lying lazily in bed.
"Kanda, you're still not up?" she asked with a frown. There was something off about him since yesterday, something she couldn't quite place.
"Sorry, I'm just contemplating the three ultimate truths of the universe," Sorata replied with a straight face. "But Sensei, isn't it a bit much to keep barging into my room uninvited like this? What about my privacy?"
Woken by the intrusion, Sorata could no longer stay in bed. He sat up, slouching with a sleepy expression.
"You've never had such a thing," Chihiro shot back dismissively.
She then leaned forward slightly, her aura growing heavier as she loomed over him, completely unaware that she was revealing quite the view.
"Kanda, remember: people grow strong through experience."
"Uh… is that so? But is it okay if I opt out of becoming strong?" Sorata leaned back cautiously, sensing where this was going.
Ignoring his quip, Chihiro continued, "Can I trouble you with something regarding Mashiro? Just take her to the faculty office later."
"Are you asking me to show her the way, or is there more to it?" Sorata responded calmly. "And are you aware of what your request actually implies?"
Chihiro blinked. Sorata wasn't being sarcastic or panicking like usual. He met her gaze squarely, a rare calmness in his eyes. A flicker of surprise passed through hers.
"It was her choice to come here," she said after a pause.
"Alright, then it's settled. Make sure you take her to school. It's the first day and I'm swamped. I'm leaving now."
Chihiro didn't wait for a reply and turned to walk out.
"…Do I really look that trustworthy?"
Ding!
Sorata's phone lit up with a new message.
"Wishing Master Kanda a pleasant first day of school. The Master has instructed that if Master Kanda tries to pass off any trouble, simply say he's unavailable. Solve your own problems, or a virus will be sent to your phone.
Yours truly,
The Master's most beloved maid."
"Does everyone know something I don't?" Sorata muttered, shaking his head as he got out of bed.
Since neither the guardian nor the girl herself seemed to care much, there was no point in him pretending otherwise. He didn't have any grand goals or dreams to chase right now anyway.
Might as well enjoy a re-run of school life, and maybe raise a child bride while he's at it.
At the very least, compared to his dark and lonely past, life at Sakura Dormitory was loud, chaotic, and, most importantly, alive.
After brushing his teeth, washing up, and fixing the broken door with a few tools, Sorata finally made his way to the second floor, the no-boys-allowed area. A sense of disbelief tickled his mind.
Can someone really be this out of touch with basic social norms?
Standing in front of a door labeled "Mashiro," Sorata reached out and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Shiina, wake up. Chihiro-sensei told me to take you to school."
No response.
He knocked again, harder this time, still nothing. He furrowed his brows.
"Shiina, I'm coming in."
Click.
The door wasn't locked.
He pushed it open slightly, and was met with chaos. Clothes, books, underwear… all strewn around like a typhoon had passed through.
"…What even is this?"
Carefully stepping around the mess, Sorata scanned the room until his eyes landed under the computer desk.
There, bundled in blankets and scattered clothing, was Shiina Mashiro. Her small, delicate face peeked out as she slept soundly. Her soft, light-yellow hair spread out beside her, and atop her head, a pink bra sat like a crown.
Sorata exhaled deeply.
"Wake up and I already have a wife… and a genius, beautiful artist at that. Not a bad development, honestly."
He crouched down and pushed the rolling chair aside.
"Hey! Classmate Shiina, wake up or you'll be late!"
Still no reaction.
Getting annoyed, Sorata lightly shook her shoulder and said in a mock-threatening tone, "If you don't get up, I'll delete all the manga on your computer."
"…Morning won't come…" she mumbled drowsily.
Then, she tried to burrow back into the blankets.
"Still trying to sleep?" Sorata reached forward and pinched her nose.
Hmm, feels soft.
"Ughnn…"
Unable to breathe, Shiina lasted a few seconds before her eyes fluttered open. She blinked slowly at Sorata, then reluctantly crawled out from under the desk.
As the blankets fell away, her shoulders, arms, and more were revealed, her figure as flawless as a painting. Yet she seemed entirely unaware, or maybe just didn't care about things like modesty or shame.
After taking in the view for a few moments, Sorata sighed and picked up her underwear and school uniform from the floor.
"Shiina, you can't go on like this. Sure, I'm handsome, kind, and harmless, but still… please put on some clothes first."
He handed her the clothes and turned his back, rubbing his eyes wearily. His spiritual power was still depleted, making him feel lethargic.
"I'm dressed," came Shiina's voice.
"Okay, " Sorata turned around and froze.
She had the shirt draped over her shoulders, unbuttoned, and the skirt was on. But she was still holding her bra and panties in her hands.
"…If I were actually a pervert, you'd be in danger."
Shaking his head, he didn't argue. Under her innocent gaze, he crouched down and helped her dress, hooking her bra, guiding her arms and legs.
Flashes of smooth skin flickered here and there, but Sorata didn't react.
He was a True God-Demon level being. What kind of willpower would he have if he couldn't handle this?
Next, he guided her through brushing her teeth, washing her face, drying her hair, and packing her schoolbag. It was full-on nanny mode.
By the time they were ready, it was nearly 9 a.m.
"Didn't Sorata say we'd be late?" Shiina asked as she sat on the floor at the entryway.
Sorata crouched in front of her, helping her with her shoes like a patient parent.
"It's already 8:30. No point rushing now," he replied calmly.
"Sorata is strange," Shiina said, tilting her head as she watched the boy who treated her with such care and patience.
A faint gleam of warmth flickered in her usually calm eyes.
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