Chapter 81

Hayama Hayato remained silent for a moment before finally speaking up, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Nozomi, are you actually on good terms with Yukinoshita?"

Hozuki Nozomi rolled his eyes, his expression dripping with sarcasm.

"Which of your eyes saw that we were close? If anything, I have a slightly better relationship with Haruno-san."

"I talked to Yukinoshita this morning, and she outright shot me down. She said that if I was trying to befriend her or get close to her, she would reject me outright."

Hayama Hayato's face stiffened.

Seriously? Are you trying to crush my hopes here?

He sighed.

If anything, he wished he could get along with Haruno-san as well. Unfortunately, she barely even acknowledged his existence.

To be more precise—

Both of the Yukinoshita sisters ignored him.

With a resigned sigh, Hayama spoke in a faint voice. "That really does sound like Yukinoshita Yukino. It's just how she is. It's normal for her to shut you down. Honestly, I'm a little envious."

"Huh?" Nozomi gave him a skeptical look. "Is something wrong with your brain? You're envious after getting completely shut down by a beautiful girl?"

Hayama Hayato answered seriously. "For someone who's ignored, even being criticized is a luxury."

Nozomi fell silent for a moment.

Hayama raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you asking me why I said that?"

Nozomi waved a hand dismissively. "You guys are childhood friends, right? It's normal for you to know more about her than others. I don't really care."

Hayama felt even more depressed.

"I thought you'd at least ask if I knew anything about Yukinoshita Yukino's past. You know, I had something to do with her becoming the way she is now."

"Oh. Thanks, then."

"Huh? Thanks for what?"

Nozomi smirked. "For making Yukino friendless. Otherwise, how would I get a chance?"

Hayama Hayato blinked. "Did I hear that right? You actually have feelings for Yukinoshita?"

"Which Yukinoshita are you talking about?"

"Obviously, Yukinoshita Yukino."

Nozomi chuckled. "Actually, I'm interested in both."

Hayama Hayato: "..."

He really shouldn't have asked.

Where the hell does this guy get his confidence from? Not only is he flirting with the eldest daughter, but now he's got his eyes on the younger one too?

After a moment, Hayama sighed and warned him, "Do you have any idea how Haruno-san treats the people she hates?"

"She ruthlessly crushes them."

"Exactly. So you should be glad you're not on that list."

Hayama gave a bitter smile.

Honestly, he would rather be hated—being ignored was far more painful.

"Well, we're at the office now. I've said what I needed to say. Figure out your next steps on your own, Hayama-san. As for me, I've always been honest."

With that, Nozomi pushed Hayama away and stepped into the office.

Hayama Hayato could only sigh in frustration as he walked away, lost in thought.

Now he understood why Miura Yumiko had been so cold to him lately.

So, what now?

How was he supposed to explain that he hadn't meant for things to turn out this way?

…

"Oi, brat, you're here."

"Please, sensei, call me 'big brat.' Men like it when beautiful women call them big."

"Then how about 'big idiot brat'?"

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I'd like to file a complaint. Verbal abuse of students is unacceptable."

"Oh, shut up and put your homework down."

Hiratsuka Shizuka ignored his nonsense and handed him a form.

"Fill this out."

Nozomi looked down and frowned when he saw what it was.

"A club application?"

He looked back up at her suspiciously.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I'm a proud member of the Homecoming Club. I have zero intention of joining any school clubs."

"Oh, but this is for the club of a super beautiful girl, Yukinoshita Yukino. Are you really going to turn this down?"

"Yeah, I refuse."

Hiratsuka Shizuka looked genuinely surprised.

"You're not even interested in getting closer to Yukinoshita?"

Nozomi answered with a calm expression. "I already have Mahiru."

For a moment, Hiratsuka looked like she had been shot through the heart.

Her students were already dating.

She was almost thirty and had never dated anyone.

Why… why did life feel so cruel?

Nozomi ignored her heartbroken expression and continued.

"Besides not wanting to join any clubs, there's another reason why I'm not signing up. This morning, Yukinoshita told me outright that if I wanted to be friends with her, she'd reject me."

He crossed his arms. "Wouldn't it be super embarrassing if I joined now?"

"Tch, girls are just shy. Can't you be a little more magnanimous?"

"Magnanimous? Sensei, she rejected me. I gotta keep my dignity, you know."

"Hah! You, dignity? Your skin is thicker than a castle wall, what are you even pretending for?"

Hiratsuka gave him a look of utter disdain.

Nozomi, unfazed, placed a hand on his chest and spoke with mock seriousness, "You're slandering me, sensei. I happen to be very delicate, you know? A guy with a fragile heart, easily wounded by harsh words."

Hiratsuka snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Sure you are." Then, her tone shifted. "Anyway, this is a request from Yukinoshita Haruno. She asked me to find a reliable club member for her sister."

Nozomi narrowed his eyes. "Haruno-san?"

"Think about it," Hiratsuka continued. "Do you really want Yukinoshita Yukino to have some random male club members hanging around her all the time?"

Nozomi fell silent immediately.

...He really didn't.

Haruno was a different story—he already had plans regarding her. But Yukino? His future sister-in-law? He wasn't about to let some guy join her club and cozy up to her.

Seeing his hesitation, Hiratsuka smirked knowingly and pointed at the application form. "Just write your name. You don't actually have to do anything. Whether you participate or not is up to you."

Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "Is this your idea, or is it Yukinoshita's?"

"It's hers. She said she needed a capable club member to help out, so I recommended you."

His expression turned skeptical. "But this morning, she made it pretty clear she didn't want me anywhere near her."

Hiratsuka waved a hand dismissively. "I told you—girls can be complicated. Don't take what she said too seriously. Yukinoshita has a history with guys approaching her for the wrong reasons. She's just cautious."

Nozomi still found it odd that Yukino had changed her mind so suddenly. But, in the end, this worked in his favor. He wouldn't even have to use his secret weapon—the cat trick.

He smirked. Fine. If he had to join, so be it. He wouldn't let some random guys sneak into her club. Worst case scenario, he'd just drag Yukino back to his place so she could pet the cat instead.

Without further hesitation, he quickly filled out the application form.

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

It was lunchtime, and as expected, Nozomi made his way to the library.

Missing a chance to see the adorable Sanshokuin Sumireko? Not a chance.

However, as he arrived, he spotted someone unexpected.

"Mai-senpai, why are you here?"

Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms and huffed. "I came to eat lunch with my kouhai from the Sanshokuin family. Is there a problem?"

Nozomi clicked his tongue. "Yeah, you're a massive light bulb. You're ruining my moment."

"…"

Mai twitched.

"How can you say that? A mere playboy like you is getting way too cocky!"

Nozomi chuckled, leaning closer. "Senpai, I am also your landlord, a kind-hearted man who provides you with a place to stay."

Mai had no comeback for that. She sighed, lowering her gaze slightly. She was grateful, of course, but that didn't mean she had to be happy watching Nozomi flirt left and right.

So, she steeled her resolve.

She would be the ultimate third wheel.

Nozomi, of course, had no intention of actually pushing things too far. After lunch, he casually stretched out, resting his head on Sumireko's lap.

"Mmm… perfect lap pillow."

Sumireko smiled fondly, running her fingers through his hair. "You're so spoiled, Nozomi-kun."

Watching from the side, Mai scowled.

"Tch. Don't get too comfortable."

Sumireko smirked, tilting her head. "Senpai, Nozomi said he wants your lap pillow next."

"Hah?! Absolutely not!"

Despite her words, Mai plopped down right beside him, pressing against his side as if staking her claim.

Nozomi, unwilling to give up his comfort, simply pulled Sumireko closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. His eyes fluttered shut as he enjoyed the warmth.

Time passed peacefully.

Then, somewhere along the way, Mai Sakurajima—who had been sitting stiffly—eventually drifted off, her head coming to rest against his shoulder.

The atmosphere shifted, turning unexpectedly soft.

Nozomi smirked to himself. It seemed like, despite all her protests, his presence was a little too comfortable for her to resist.

Heh. Not bad.

The senior might be stubborn, but she was cute when she let her guard down.

Still, that didn't mean he was about to give up his mischievous ways just because Mai-senpai was feeling a little tsundere today.