Crossover: I Took In a Runaway High School Girl

Shiina Mahiru arrived at the slope near Sakurasou, her light footsteps rhythmic on the asphalt, which was darkening with the dusk. Her thoughts still lingered on the conversation with Yui and Yumiko, her feelings a complex mix. Suddenly, her phone vibrated, breaking the silence. The screen lit up, displaying a familiar contact name: Renji Kamisaka. Mahiru's heart fluttered strangely. Answering, she spoke nervously, her voice slightly trembling.

"Hello, it's me... I'm Shiina."

"Why aren't you back yet?" Renji Kamisaka's tone sounded somewhat complaining, as if he had been waiting for her for quite some time. There was a touch of familiarity that made Mahiru's cheeks warm.

Shiina Mahiru's mood became delicate, a blend of guilt for making Renji wait and a subtle thrill at his concern. "I'm on my way. Is there anything I need to bring?"

"Alright, bring a bottle of soy sauce and a dozen beers. They're for Chihiro Sengoku-sensei."

Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru fell silent. Her expression shifted to a mix of worry and exasperation. "Why does Auntie always drink? Won't she turn into an alcoholic if this keeps up?"

Renji Kamisaka on the other end of the line sighed. "Probably because she failed another matchmaking attempt. I've told her it's a vicious cycle, no successful man likes a drunk woman, but she won't listen." There was a tired yet amused tone in his voice. "She even said if she can't get married, she'll force me to marry her, and by the way, she said I got a bargain."

"Pfft, how? How could you get a bargain?" Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but laugh, curiosity overcoming her nervousness. She imagined the eccentric Chihiro-sensei, and a faint smile graced her lips.

Renji Kamisaka's tone was filled with sweet helplessness. "Isn't Chihiro Sengoku-sensei a teacher in the art department at Suimei University of the Arts High School?"

"She has a close friend there who teaches national language, named Koharu Shirayama. They both often team up to participate in matchmaking conferences." Renji explained, as if this was a story he had heard many times before. "As a result, only the three of them are left every time." He added, with a short pause before continuing, "En, the remaining one is Shizuka Hiratsuka, I think you should know her."

Shiina Mahiru's expression became strange. She knew Shizuka Hiratsuka, the language teacher famous for her aura of solitude. "What does this have to do with what you said about making a profit?"

"Teacher Chihiro Sengoku said that if she keeps failing blind dates, she'll drag Koharu Shirayama along and force me to marry them, a buy-one-get-one-free deal. Isn't that a bargain?" Renji joked, but there was an underlying hint that he was slightly bothered by the idea.

Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but pout. A small sigh escaped her lips. "So, what do you think?"

"Of course, I pretended not to hear it. Teacher Chihiro Sengoku must be joking!" Renji Kamisaka replied optimistically, as if reassuring himself more than Mahiru.

But Shiina Mahiru didn't think so. She knew her cousin better. She felt her cousin was serious. Her cousin's goal was a successful man, but she clearly looked down on men with pot bellies and those who were already married. And she didn't like ugly ones.

But Renji Kamisaka was young and promising. Still a high school student, he was accepted to Soubu High School with the second highest score in his class. As long as he maintained his grades, he would definitely get a scholarship every year. He wouldn't have to worry about not getting a job after graduation. He could casually make plans that even the genius anime producer, Misaki Kamiigusa, approved of, and he had already started producing anime works.

Moreover, even if Renji Kamisaka didn't work, by relying on the rent money from Sakurasou, he could live an extraordinarily carefree life.

Most importantly, he was a good person! He was so gentle towards everyone in Sakurasou. Although he sometimes argued with Chihiro Sengoku, it was only because he wanted her to stop drinking. Shiina Mahiru even felt it—her cousin enjoyed being managed by him.

Thinking about this, Shiina Mahiru grumbled inwardly. Stupid Renji Kamisaka. Why does he have to be so kind! What if her cousin really forces a marriage?

"Oh, right, just buy two cans of beer. We really need to control her. As a teacher, what kind of image is that, drinking all day?" Renji's voice rang out again, pulling her from her reverie. "As a landlord, I have a responsibility to care about my tenants' health."

Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but curl her lips when she heard this. It's precisely because you're so kind and like to care that your cousin can act so spoiled without restraint. However, it seemed she also had no right to criticize her cousin.

Carrying two cans of beer and a bottle of soy sauce, Shiina Mahiru finally returned to Sakurasou. The faint aroma of cooking wafted from the kitchen.

"I'm home." Her voice broke the usual silence in the dormitory.

"Little Mahiru, you're finally back! Where's my alcohol?" Chihiro Sengoku heard the movement and immediately crawled from her prone position on the living room sofa, her half-sleepy eyes now full of vigor, staring at Mahiru with an almost eerie gaze.

Shiina Mahiru expressionlessly took out two cans of beer from the bag and handed them to her. "Only two cans, no more."

"Ah! Why are there only two cans?" Chihiro whined, her tone like a child who had lost a toy.

"They're sold out, only the last two cans were left." Shiina Mahiru replied without changing her expression, a small lie uttered with such innocence.

Chihiro Sengoku couldn't help but roll her eyes, her expression full of suspicion. "Do you think I'm stupid? It must be that brat Renji Kamisaka who told you to cut corners!"

Renji Kamisaka, who had somehow already settled on the sofa, shrugged indifferently. "Who told you to drink so much every day? Besides, drinking too much beer won't make you heavily drunk, it will only cause frequent urination and bloating, and even the risk of a beer belly." Renji smirked, "Teacher Chihiro, please maintain your beautiful figure, otherwise, no one will want you later."

"Don't talk nonsense, if no one wants me, I'll marry you! I'll stay at Sakurasou and never leave!" Chihiro Sengoku shouted, her face flushed, but unconsciously she returned to her room and lifted her shirt. She touched her still flat and smooth stomach with her hand, and immediately let out a sigh of relief. "Hmph, stinky brat, this young lady is a beautiful 29-year-old girl, how could my belly get big?" She grumbled, then in a quieter, almost inaudible voice, she mumbled, "Just wait until you're her groom!" After speaking, Chihiro Sengoku herself blushed, realizing how embarrassing her words were.

Shiina Mahiru looked at Renji Kamisaka sitting on the sofa, playing with his phone, and couldn't help but feel a gnawing guilt. She had told Miura-san and her friends that he had a girlfriend and was living with her. The thought felt strange, a lie that felt so real.

Just as she was about to say something, her phone suddenly rang, breaking the thick silence. Seeing the contact name, her expression changed, her face tensing. After immediately returning to her room, Shiina Mahiru pressed the answer button, feeling a strange sense of anticipation in her heart—a mixture of hope and fear.

"Hello... Mother." She addressed her somewhat nervously, her voice barely audible.

People are always like this. Once their wounds heal, they forget the pain. Even though she knew her mother wouldn't care for her, she still held a glimmer of hope.

Hearing her daughter's voice, Sayo Shiina's tone was filled with coldness, stiffness, and no emotion. "Mahiru, your father and I know everything."

"Ah? W-What is it?" Mahiru stammered, her heart pounding.

"You fool! How long were you going to keep it from us?" A stern voice came from the phone, piercing Mahiru's ears, causing her beautiful eyes to quickly well up and fill with mist. She hadn't expected that. Her mother called only to scold her.

"We know about you being harassed by Takayama's son and cornered by those people." There was a brief pause, then, "So, how much longer do you plan to stay outside? It's time to come home, isn't it?"

"Home?" Shiina Mahiru let her tears stream down her cheeks, mocking herself. Warm tears soaked her cold skin. "Is a place where only I live a home? Father isn't here, Mother isn't here, do I have a home?" Her voice broke, filled with anguish. "What's the difference from when I live outside?"

Sayo Shiina fell silent on the other end of the phone, perhaps realizing that her last words were too harsh and hurt her daughter. However, not loving was not loving. She also didn't want to comfort her. "Are you sure you won't come back? I can arrange for someone to pick you up and take you to school, your safety is guaranteed." Her tone remained flat.

"No, I have someone who will protect me. My home is here, and I'm not going anywhere!" Shiina Mahiru replied firmly, her voice filled with surprising determination.

Sayo Shiina was confused. She snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Whatever you want. We'll transfer your tuition and living expenses on time. Buy whatever you want, don't save." With that, she hung up, leaving Mahiru alone in the painful silence.

Shiina Mahiru squatted on the floor, hugging her knees tightly, looking like a small, abandoned animal, trembling. Her eyes were already wet, her vision blurred by tears. She should have known a long time ago. She should not have placed any hope in that nominal mother. For both of them, she was just an intruder, an obstacle to their happy life after divorce. She was a child not needed by her parents.

"Heh, give me money and let me live alone in that empty villa, is that what you call home?" Her tone was full of bitterness. "I don't need it!" She, who usually had a hidden quiet and grumpy nature, couldn't help but reach for the teddy bear beside the bed and throw it at the bookshelf, creating a thud.

"Knock knock~"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, a sound that broke the sorrowful silence. Renji Kamisaka's voice came from behind the door, full of concern. "Shiina, what's wrong? It's so noisy in there."

Hearing his worried words, Shiina Mahiru felt as if she had found a lifeline in a storm. Her beautiful eyes seemed blurred, showing a bitter smile that tried to reassure herself. Someone still needed her, didn't they? Even if he only wanted her body, she liked the feeling of being gently embraced by him.

Shiina Mahiru opened her room door, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Renji Kamisaka was about to ask, but a small figure suddenly fell into his embrace, hugging him tightly. The girl's soft and delicate hands wrapped tightly around his waist, her face buried firmly in his chest, seeking comfort.

Renji Kamisaka was a head taller than Shiina Mahiru. Even when the girl stood straight, her height only reached his chest.

"Shiina?" Renji Kamisaka usually liked being hugged by beautiful girls, but his emotions were clearly not right at the moment. He felt profound sadness from the girl.

"Just hold me for a moment... okay?" The girl spoke in a muffled voice, pleading, her voice barely audible, muffled against Renji's chest.

Renji Kamisaka sighed, confusion and concern filling his mind. Although he didn't understand what was wrong with her, seeing this situation, could he really refuse her? He couldn't.

His palm moved. He gently covered the girl's small head, feeling the softness of her hair. Gently stroking her fragrant and incredibly smooth golden hair. "Good girl, it's alright." He whispered, trying to soothe her. "I'm here."

"Ugh... Hmph... I hate you." Mahiru said, gritting her teeth, her voice still muffled.

"Hate me?" Renji Kamisaka asked in confusion, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, I hate you." She said she hated him, but her arms hugged his waist even tighter. A picture of saying one thing and meaning another.

"Why do you always see me when I'm weak and embarrassed?" Mahiru still sobbed. "Why do you have to hug me..." Her voice was full of bitterness. "Why... you cheater... I hate you the most!" She finally revealed some of her feelings, a mixture of anger, innocence, and pain.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I made you hate me." Renji Kamisaka smiled and continued to pat her head, the warmth from his touch soothing. He wasn't angry when told that she hated him. She was hugging him so tightly, he would be stupid if he didn't understand that she was saying the opposite of what she meant.

A warm feeling came from her head. Shiina Mahiru knew he was stroking her head. So annoying. Why did he have to make her heart ache so much?

Subsequently, neither of them spoke. Only Shiina Mahiru's sobs could be heard, tears soaking all the clothes on his chest, drenching his shirt. Renji Kamisaka made no additional movements. He merely gently stroked her hair, calming her emotions, providing unspoken comfort.

It wasn't that he didn't want to do anything bad. Compared to mere physical pleasure, a heart-to-heart connection was clearly more likely to make a relationship last. See? Even though she knew he was cheating, the angel was still hugging his waist tightly. She was slowly becoming his, so why rush?

Moreover, in fact, Renji Kamisaka also quite enjoyed the gradual closeness and sweet interactions with Shiina Mahiru. He enjoyed the process and felt pity for this little angel.

After a while, Shiina Mahiru's sobs subsided, her breathing becoming regular. Shiina Mahiru's cheeks, now calm again, were flushed red. The arms hugging Renji's waist couldn't help but loosen, slowly.

"Um... okay, I... I'm fine, Renji." Her voice was still hoarse, embarrassed.

"But I'm not!" Renji Kamisaka seriously lifted her and sat her on his bed, a sudden yet gentle action. He even closed the door, creating privacy between them.

Shiina Mahiru's cheeks flushed even deeper, and she panicked at Renji's actions. But when she met his passionate gaze, her body softened again, and she could only lower her head shyly, not daring to look into his eyes at all.

She was laid on Renji's lap, nestled in his embrace. Renji's aura enveloped her, warm and comforting. The girl's heart couldn't help but beat faster, its rhythm irregular.

"Um... Renji-kun, what... what are you going to do?" She peeked at him nervously, cautiously asking the question, and then immediately lowered her head, not daring to continue looking into his eyes.

Renji Kamisaka smiled gently and continued to stroke her hair, providing comfort. "I'm not doing anything, just hugging you."

"Didn't Shiina-san herself ask for it? It wasn't easy to hug while standing earlier, I think it's better to hug like this." He explained with an amused tone.

"Oh..." Mahiru replied blankly, then covered her cheeks with both hands, so embarrassed that she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Renji Kamisaka's heart swayed at her shy appearance. The skill was automatically triggered. He truly was a bad person. Hugging someone so cute, some of his reactions were truly uncontrollable.

Shiina Mahiru's eyes widened, startled. That frightening thing. It... it touched her again. Her mind was in turmoil. What to do? Won't he think she's a loose girl?

Renji Kamisaka took a deep breath, trying to control himself, pushing away the hair on her forehead, and gently touching her smooth forehead with his warm lips. "Sorry, I am indeed a bad person. It seems I can't keep hugging you. I'll take a cold shower." There was a note of regret, but also an admission.

Shiina Mahiru blinked, but for some reason, she raised her hands and wrapped them around Renji's neck. "Don't go." She pleaded, her voice small. "Hug me for a little longer." After all, she had already embarrassed herself in front of him. She felt it didn't matter if she got even more embarrassed.

Renji Kamisaka's breath quickened, feeling the temptation from Mahiru's request. "Shiina, if you're careless with me, I can turn into a beast." He warned, his voice slightly hoarse. "Are you scared?"

Shiina Mahiru buried her face in Renji's chest and replied in a soft, almost inaudible voice, "You mustn't mess around... otherwise I'll... I'll destroy your tools for doing evil."

"How cruel, making me uncomfortable, but still threatening me." Renji chuckled, though his heart pounded.

Shiina Mahiru's cheeks felt hot, holding back her embarrassment. "I'm uncomfortable too, but I can't... I'm not a loose girl..."

"Hmm!" Renji Kamisaka smiled and kissed her cheek, "I know, so for now I'll have to torment myself."

Shiina Mahiru was deeply touched when she saw his distressed yet gentle appearance. She bit her lip, gathering her courage. She lifted her cheek, leaned in, and gently touched his chin with her lips, a brief and shy kiss. Then, awkwardly and timidly, she extended her snow-white hand to him.

A moment later, Mahiru was panting, leaning on Renji's arm, looking at him annoyed, yet with a faint smile on her lips. "My hand hurts."

The corner of Renji Kamisaka's mouth curved upwards. "So, I still have to take a cold shower."

"No, you're not allowed to go." Mahiru whined, holding onto Renji more tightly.

Renji Kamisaka's mood became cheerful as he saw her acting coquettish. "Then I'll hug you longer, and then you'll sleep obediently, and forget all your problems tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay." Mahiru replied, her voice softening, a sense of security enveloping her.

Renji Kamisaka got confirmation from her, raised his hand and pinched her chin. He kissed the girl's lips without politeness, a deep and heartfelt kiss.

A moment later, he watched Shiina Mahiru fall fast asleep in his arms, her face peaceful, before returning to his room.

Sayu Ogiwara then slipped into her room, her eyes narrowing with a hint of jealousy. She was a little jealous of Renji Kamisaka's carefulness towards Shiina, but she was more arrogant. Shiina, keep being quiet. After all, I won't be polite! A faint smirk played on her lips, showing her hidden intentions.