In Pursuit of Happiness, Starting from Sakurasou

"Senpai!"

 "Misaki-Senpai, are you okay?"

 "Oi, don't tell me you fainted already?!"

Hozuki Nozomi let out a sigh, staring at the girl who had just collapsed in his arms. Was she really this defenseless? Did she not realize the kind of situation she was putting herself in? He wasn't some meek, herbivore-type protagonist. No, he was a carnivore. If she kept acting this careless around him, one day, she might actually get eaten.

After a few light shakes, Kamiigusa Misaki's eyelashes fluttered, and she snapped back to reality. Her face was flushed as she quickly pulled away from him, flustered beyond words.

"A-Ah… Nozomi-kun… I-I'm sorry, I suddenly felt a little dizzy just now."

"It's fine, Senpai," Nozomi chuckled. "So, when do we start working on the PV for 'Mahou Shoujo Misaki'?"

Misaki patted her cheeks, trying to shake off her embarrassment before responding, "Let's start today! I know you'll be heading to Sobu High School tomorrow, so just take some time to write the script for the first act. I'll find an illustrator to start working on the key visuals."

"Got it. I'll head back now."

"Un! See you later, Nozomi-kun!"

As soon as Nozomi left, Misaki threw herself onto her bed, kicking her legs in excitement.

"Yatta!! Finally, I get to work on something amazing!"

She held the concept plan in her hands and clutched it tightly against her chest. This was it—her chance to create something truly special. And what made her heart race even more was that the protagonist's name was also Misaki.

Her junior was surprisingly thoughtful.

"Unlike that baka Mitaka Jin, who always puts his dates with his girlfriends before my projects…!"

With renewed determination, she jumped up, turned on her computer, and started contacting people in the animation industry. The first step? Finding an illustrator and voice actors.

Misaki was a genius when it came to animation production. She could handle direction, special effects, character design, and even simple voice acting all on her own. But doing everything herself would be impossible, so she needed a professional team.

If she was going to make this work, she had to do it right.

The problem was… animation production was expensive. If she couldn't create an eye-catching PV, she'd never convince an animation studio to fund the full project.

A few minutes later, a friend of hers recommended an illustrator. The name on the screen read: Kashiwagi Eri.

"Eh? This person…"

Misaki tilted her head. That name sounded familiar…

Wait, wasn't this illustrator known for drawing ero-manga?!

"Is this really okay?" she muttered, conflicted.

But, well, everyone had to start somewhere. Maybe this Eri-sensei could bring a unique flair to the character designs?

"Mouuu, whatever! Let's just roll with it!" she decided, sending a message to set up a meeting.

============

Meanwhile, in a Western-style villa located within Tokyo's embassy district, a blonde woman sipped her tea elegantly, glancing at her daughter with a teasing smile.

"Eriri, I've found you a job opportunity. Don't mess this up, okay?"

Sitting across from her, a blonde girl with twin ponytails clenched her fists, her small tiger teeth peeking out as she grinned excitedly.

"I-I won't mess this up, Mom! This is my chance to finally graduate from being an ero-manga artist to a professional illustrator!"

Her mother chuckled, amused by her daughter's fiery determination.

============

Back in his room, Hozuki Nozomi had already begun drafting the script. With the entire concept clear in his head, writing the first act came naturally. He took his time polishing the dialogue and setting up the pacing, ensuring that the script was engaging from the very first scene.

Just as he finished, a light knock came from the door.

"Hozuki-san, can I come in?" a soft voice called out.

It was Ogiwara Sayu.

"Sure, what's up?"

As soon as he opened the door, Sayu slipped inside, running straight to his bed and plopping down with a mischievous smile.

"I was going to clean your room, but… I think I'll rest for a bit first~"

Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "Sayu, are you sure you're here to clean and not just make a mess?"

Sayu giggled, kicking her feet playfully. "Who knows?" she teased. "Besides, if the room does get messy, it's not entirely my fault, right?"

Nozomi let out a small sigh before lunging forward, grabbing her by the waist, and pulling her into his arms. "Well then, I don't care who's responsible. If you mess up my bed, you're the one washing the sheets afterward."

A short but playful struggle ensued, and by the end of it, Sayu lay nestled in Nozomi's arms, her cheeks flushed. She looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, still catching her breath.

"Hey, Nozomi-kun, what did Kamiigusa-senpai want earlier?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Oh, it was about an animation project. I wrote up a proposal and gave it to her. She loved it and asked me to be her exclusive planner."

Sayu pouted, narrowing her eyes. "Just that? Nothing else?" Her voice dropped to a teasing whisper. "Nothing... se-se?"

Nozomi gave her a deadpan look. "What kind of person do you take me for?"

Sayu giggled. "Hmm, well, the first time you brought me home, wasn't it kinda like that?"

"Ahem... Well, that was different. I just didn't want you to feel unsafe here."

"Oh? So by having a 'special' relationship, I'd feel more comfortable?" Sayu smirked, resting her chin on his chest.

Nozomi scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Alright, fine. I was tempted by your beauty and captivated by your charm."

Sayu burst out laughing. "Pfft, well, I can't blame you for that."

She rubbed her cheek against his chest, her expression softening. "To be honest, I don't dislike guys who can admit their true feelings so straightforwardly."

Nozomi smirked. "I half expected you to call me a shameless pervert."

Sayu shook her head. If he was a pervert, then what did that make her—the girl who willingly climbed into his bed?

Her face turned red at the thought, and she quickly changed the subject. "Tomorrow's the first day of school. What do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine as long as it's made by Sayu," Nozomi replied. "Your cooking is top-tier. Also, can you make me a bento for lunch?"

Sayu's face brightened. "Of course! I'll make it extra delicious."

Before they knew it, the next morning had arrived.

After handing the finalized script to Kamiigusa Misaki, Nozomi sat down for breakfast, enjoying the meal Sayu had lovingly prepared. He then donned his Sobu High School uniform, grabbed his neatly packed bento, and prepared to leave.

"I'm heading out."

Sayu, still in her apron, waved from the kitchen with a warm smile. "Take care, Nozomi-kun! Come home early, okay?"

There was an almost wifely tenderness in her voice, a gentle warmth in her gaze as she watched him leave.

Ever since meeting Nozomi, her once dreary life had become so much brighter. Even now, though he had only just left, she already found herself missing him.

Blushing, Sayu placed a hand on her warm cheeks, a smile forming as she turned back to her housework.

Unlike before—when this place felt cold and empty—now, it truly felt like home.