As Renji Kamisaka entered the room, the scent of soap and cleanliness greeted him. Sayu Ogiwara, wearing an apron, her hair tied in a high ponytail, and her cheeks flushed from hard work, had just finished mopping the floor, every corner of the room now sparkling. It seemed she had worked hard cleaning while he was away, striving to make the house as comfortable as possible.
Seeing him arrive, a sweet smile bloomed on her face. She immediately put down her tools, her eyes sparkling.
"Welcome back, Master Renji," she greeted softly. "The food is ready, and hot water is available in the bathtub."
The girl tilted her head, pointed to the corner of her mouth with her finger, and looked at him with teary eyes, feigning innocence. Her eyes were full of playful smiles, a small tease that made Renji's heart flutter. "Do you want to bathe first, or eat, or... me?"
Renji Kamisaka walked closer without expression—although the corner of his lips slightly twitched—and gently tapped her forehead with his finger, an affectionate reprimand.
"Where did you learn this?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm.
"Hehe, I found this while tidying up the room," Sayu replied, smiling shyly. She then took out a cardboard box from the side, as if offering a treasure. "I saw there was writing there, saying that showing it off like this would make boys happy."
Renji Kamisaka looked down and couldn't help but twitch his lips, suppressing a laugh. Inside were several lewd manga books, with covers featuring bikini-clad older sisters.
"This should be a gift left by the previous residents for the younger students. Now, Sayu, you can't look at it, confiscated!" Renji ordered, his tone playful but firm.
"Eh, why is that?" Sayu Ogiwara reached out and tugged his sleeve pitifully, unable to resist being coquettish, trying to persuade him. "People think it's quite interesting."
"No means no. These things will corrupt you!" Renji Kamisaka had an expression that required no discussion, a final decision.
Sayu Ogiwara puffed out her cheeks and pouted in dissatisfaction, but she knew she couldn't argue.
"Aren't you afraid of corrupting yourself? Renji, you must be thinking of hiding and secretly looking at it yourself, after all, this is a gift left for younger students," Sayu teased, her eyes sparkling.
Renji Kamisaka also fell into the category of younger students.
"Ahem, am I that kind of person?" Renji defended himself, slightly offended. "And with your presence, do I need to read this kind of manga book to satisfy myself?"
He said this very frankly, without shame. Sayu Ogiwara's face immediately flushed red, even her ears turned red. Her whole body seemed to emit steam from the top of her head like a boiled shrimp. It seemed that although she deliberately pretended to be brave, she was actually a novice at heart.
That's right, Renji thought. That night, and last night, Renji Kamisaka taught her bad knowledge, an experience that made her embarrassed and excited. So Renji Kamisaka was a dirty king, she thought, a title she uttered in her heart.
Seeing her eyes darting away and her head lowered, looking flustered and embarrassed, Renji Kamisaka raised the corner of his mouth, a gentle smile etched on his lips.
"Didn't you say the food was ready? This was specially bought for you, the famous Jiangxiang roast pork," Renji said, changing the subject.
"Jiangxiang roast pork is only available in limited quantities and you have to queue to buy it," Sayu replied, her voice still a little shy.
"Take it and heat it up," Renji ordered, his tone gentle but affectionate.
I can only say that the owner knows how to market hunger, Renji thought. He queued for a long time to buy it, and in the end, there was only a little left.
"Okay," Sayu replied, taking the box and leaving quickly. Only to hear her say again, in a hopeful tone. "Remember to come to my room tonight, I have something to give you."
Sayu Ogiwara unconsciously quickened her pace, her cheeks becoming extraordinarily hot.
Going to her room or whatever... Besides doing this and that, what else can be done? she thought. However, she didn't mind. On the contrary, she was slightly looking forward to it, a feeling that made her nervous and excited.
When Renji Kamisaka left, he read some of the confiscated lewd manga books, trying to understand their appeal.
After heating up the Jiangxiang braised pork, Sayu Ogiwara unconsciously took a deep breath, showing a drunken expression, her eyes sparkling.
"It smells so good, no wonder you have to queue to buy it!" she exclaimed, her voice full of appreciation.
"Alright, try it quickly, I bought it especially for you," Renji said, his smile sincere.
These words made Sayu Ogiwara's eyes turn red, a feeling of emotion enveloping her heart.
"I bought it especially for you."
Only she knew how much those words affected her. She ran away from home because she felt that no one cared about her. Her family didn't really care about her. But Renji Kamisaka brought her something delicious especially for her, a small but meaningful act.
Maybe he himself just wanted it. But hearing those words from him made her want to jump for joy. She couldn't wait to jump into his arms and act spoiled, expressing her gratitude.
"What are you thinking about? Let's eat. If you want more, I can buy more," Renji said, breaking her reverie.
"If you feel it's too expensive, we can make it ourselves," Sayu suggested, her eyes sparkling with an idea.
"Huh! Make it ourselves? Renji, can you make it?" Sayu asked, surprised.
"Yes, it's actually a kind of Chinese braised dish. After smelling it, I understood the recipe," Renji replied confidently.
"How about this? I'll teach you how to make it this weekend. If you're interested, you can even open a spiced food shop near the school," Renji suggested, a surprising idea.
Ogiwara Sayu was stunned. She pointed to herself, her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Me? Open a shop? Can I?" she asked, her voice full of doubt.
"Why not?" Renji Kamisaka asked back, while reaching out to pat her head, a soothing gesture.
"Our Sayu is beautiful, good at housework, diligent, and has great cooking skills," Renji praised, his smile warm.
"Although I hired you as Sakurasou's management assistant, it doesn't mean I'm tying you to this house," he continued, his tone serious.
"Sayu, you also have your own life. You can earn money to support yourself and find the happiness you want," Renji said, his eyes looking at Sayu gently.
"Ah, of course, if you don't want to do business, it's okay to stay here forever. After all, that room is already yours," he added, his smile teasing.
"I am also willing to take care of Sayu forever. After all, I am a responsible man," Renji said, his tone convincing.
Ogiwara Sayu was very touched. Actually, she was also very confused. Admittedly, doing housework here to repay his kindness was necessary. However, she was also a girl and couldn't always be a hardworking maid. She might become discouraged at any time.
However, Renji Kamisaka didn't treat her like a maid or someone who was freeloading. On the contrary, he gave her the utmost respect. He even considered her future and planned a way for her to earn money. He didn't treat her like a pretty face. Instead, he treated her like family, a treatment that moved her.
"Alright, alright, quickly wipe away your tears. Do you still want to eat?" Renji asked, his tone gentle.
"I was just saying it casually. Actually, I don't want you to go out and do business now. What if someone kidnaps you?" Renji joked, his smile teasing.
"Pfft, don't worry, no one will kidnap me," Sayu replied, chuckling.
Because my heart has been stolen by you, she thought, but she didn't dare to say it.
Ogiwara Sayu couldn't help but laugh, and the food tasted even more delicious. She could only sigh. This man was too good at coaxing her. It made her heart full of him now.
After dinner, Ogiwara Sayu immediately cleaned the dishes, her movements deft. Renji Kamisaka rested for a moment and then went to the bathroom to take a shower, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue from his body. Unknowingly, the sky became increasingly dark, stars began to appear in the night sky.
"Renji, are you sleeping?"
Ogiwara Sayu stood at the door of his bedroom and called carefully, her voice soft.
"Of course not, please come in," Renji replied from inside, his tone warm.
Only then did Ogiwara Sayu push the door open and enter, her steps hesitant. Then a box was handed over by Renji Kamisaka, a mysterious smile etched on his face.
"This is the gift I promised you," Renji said, his eyes looking at Sayu gently.
Ogiwara Sayu looked closer and unconsciously covered her mouth, surprised.
"A phone?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"This is very valuable, are you sure you want to give it to me?" Sayu asked, her eyes full of doubt.
"If not? Who else is here besides you?" Renji replied, his tone gentle but firm.
As Renji Kamisaka spoke, he opened his arms towards her, an unspoken invitation.
"If you accept my gift, now is the time to sleep," Renji whispered, his smile teasing.
Ogiwara Sayu's lips curved into a sweet smile, her eyes sparkling.
"Okay," she replied, her steps steady.
While putting the box aside, she suddenly jumped into his arms, a sudden movement that surprised Renji. Renji Kamisaka didn't realize she was attacking so fiercely. He pushed her onto the bed, a playful act of affection.
"Hehe, am I heavy?" Sayu teased, her smile mischievous.
"Not at all, very light," Renji replied, his smile gentle.
Renji Kamisaka smiled and stroked her hair, a gentle touch that made Sayu's heart flutter. Unexpectedly, he didn't do anything else, only hugged her tightly.
Ogiwara Sayu looked at him while covering herself with a blanket and closing her eyes in confusion, puzzled by his attitude.
"Renji, you're not going to do 'that'?" she asked, her voice a whisper.
"What do you think I am?" Renji replied, his smile gentle.
"Sayu, I'm not being nice to you just because of your body," Renji said, his tone sincere.
"Then why is that?" Sayu asked, her eyes looking at Renji questioningly.
"Because I want everyone around me to be happy. Of course, I'm a bit selfish and possessive. The happiness I mean is the happiness that I give," Renji replied, his eyes looking at Sayu intensely.
"I won't accept it if you leave me and find happiness," Renji whispered, his tone serious.
"That's a terrible thing to say," commented Sayu, but she couldn't hide her smile.
"Then do you hate it?" Renji asked, his eyes full of hope.
"I can't say anything about the future... but I don't hate it now," Sayu replied, her smile gentle.
While speaking, Ogiwara Sayu wrapped her arms around the man's neck as if she was being spoiled, an affectionate gesture. Her captivating scent was so alluring, making Renji's heart beat faster. This girl was definitely seducing him, Renji thought, an amused smile etched on his lips.
Renji Kamisaka wanted to say something, but her lively cherry lips closed his mouth, a gentle kiss that silenced words. He clearly wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her and feel the warmth. It was also a good way to show respect for her, a wise decision.
In the end, they still ended up sleeping in the middle of the night, hugging each other tightly. Ogiwara Sayu snuggled in Renji Kamisaka's embrace while smiling sweetly, feeling safe and loved.
So what if what he said was terrible and selfish? Sayu thought. For Ogiwara Sayu, this tenderness was hard-earned. No matter what happened in the future, she wanted to try her best to maintain this warmth. Moreover, she was willing to give it to him, and she had been thinking about it all day. If she didn't do it, she wouldn't be happy, an honest confession from her heart.