149. Thought so

Hearing Hozuki Nozomi's casual words, the group of girls fell into stunned silence, their eyes widening with sudden clarity.

"Now that you mention it... it is kind of suspicious," Miura Yumiko murmured, tilting her head with a thoughtful look.

The others nodded slowly. Tobe Kakeru, who was infamous for guarding his wallet like a dragon guards its hoard, had suddenly transformed into a generous movie sponsor? Even inviting someone like Nozomi, who he barely knew beyond being Hayato's acquaintance?

Yeah. That didn't smell right.

"Kindness without a reason usually comes with a catch," Shiina Mahiru said, arms crossed, voice laced with cool logic. "That's just common sense."

"So then," Yumiko glanced around the group with suspicion in her eyes. "Who's the girl Tobe's got a crush on?"

"Could it be you, Yumiko?" Yuigahama Yui asked hesitantly.

Yumiko rolled her eyes and flicked her hair back. "No way. I can always tell when someone's into me. Tobe wouldn't dare. Trust me."

"Then what about you, Yui? You're sweet and really popular. Maybe it's you."

"Ehh?! Me?! No, no, no! We've barely even talked. I only know him through Yumiko! I don't think he feels that way about me at all."

"Could be Mahiru. She is the most dazzling flower in the garden," Ebina teased.

Mahiru shook her head, amused but firm. "Absolutely not."

With each girl firmly disqualifying themselves, they ended up in a loop of suspicion, passing the imaginary torch like it was cursed.

Nozomi, watching this chaotic deduction party, held back a smirk. Poor Tobe Kakeru. It was one thing to be unsure if your feelings were returned—but to have them collectively denied before you even confessed?

Ouch.

Still, he couldn't help but chuckle internally.

"Nozomi," Yumiko finally turned to him, eyes narrowing playfully. "You're a guy. Got any insights? Come on, give us your guess—who do you think Tobe's crushing on?"

"Hmm," Nozomi tapped his chin, then casually smiled, his gaze drifting toward Ebina Hina. "I think Hina already knows."

All eyes instantly snapped to Ebina, who froze mid-sip of her juice.

With a small sigh, she adjusted her glasses and waved them off. "Look, let's not make it weird. Let's just enjoy the movie tomorrow, alright? Don't overthink it."

That evasive dodge only confirmed their suspicions.

Miura Yumiko raised a brow. "Wait... Nozomi thinks Hina's the target?"

It made sense the more they thought about it.

Tobe Kakeru, with his flashy outfits and flair for drama, wasn't exactly a catch. Sure, he was part of Hayato's friend group, but that only elevated him slightly above background character status.

He wasn't strong, charming, or cool. He was more like the comedic relief sidekick. And worst of all, he'd probably be the one hiding behind his girlfriend if they ever got jumped by delinquents.

Honestly, Hina deserved better.

Yumiko leaned in and poked Hina's cheek. "You should talk less, Hina. You're cute, but you really scare off all your potential suitors with your BL obsessions."

Ebina chuckled awkwardly, her cheeks tinged with pink. "But I can't help what I love. BL is justice."

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she turned to Nozomi. "Still, don't you think that when you and Tobe stand together, you're the top? He totally gives off bottom vibes."

Nozomi's face turned dark instantly. This damn girl...

What was he supposed to say to that?!

He wasn't some pretty-boy uke in one of her fantasy pairings! He was a man! A red-blooded, normal guy who liked girls!

Yumiko and Yui both lunged forward in sync, slapping their hands over Ebina's mouth.

"Shh! Hina, stop talking!"

Ebina muffled a laugh behind their hands while Mahiru just shook her head, helpless to the chaos.

Despite all the teasing, it was clear—Ebina wasn't interested in Tobe. Not one bit.

Later that noon, just as Nozomi was getting ready to head to the Service Club, he was intercepted by the ever-smiling prince of the school.

"Nozomi, wait. Mind chatting for a moment?"

"Sure."

They moved to a quiet corner of the school grounds, away from the crowds.

Hayama's usual cheerful smile faded, replaced by a more serious, contemplative expression.

"Nozomi, you've noticed it too, haven't you?"

Nozomi raised an eyebrow, arms folded.

"If you're talking about Tobe's little crush on Ebina, yeah. That much is obvious."

Hayato gave a tired smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Thought so. Honestly... I don't think it's going to end well."

"You mean because Ebina's not into him?"

Hayama nodded.

"Tobe's a good guy. Loud and flashy, sure, but he's got a good heart. I want him to be happy. I just—"

"Don't think Ebina is the type to return those feelings," Nozomi finished.

Hayama's smile grew even more bitter. "Exactly."

Nozomi gave a look that said, You already know the answer, don't you?

"Since you're saying that, you must already know how she feels."

Hayato sighed, his voice low. "Hina has no interest in dating Tobe. She's like Yumiko—she just wants to keep this fragile atmosphere intact. A bubble where everyone can smile and laugh without dealing with messy feelings."

Nozomi folded his arms and leaned back slightly. "Superficial friendship, huh? That sounds like a ticking time bomb."

Hayato frowned slightly. "I don't agree. My friendship with Yumiko and Tobe isn't superficial. I treasure it. I treat them seriously."

"I never doubted that. What I meant by superficial wasn't about sincerity... it's about limits. It's a kind of friendship that can't evolve further. A comfortable ceiling, where people pretend not to notice what's brewing underneath."

Nozomi's tone was calm, like someone laying out a shogi board—move by move. "Hayama, right now Hina is in the same place you were with Yumiko. She doesn't want to break the peace. Doesn't want hearts broken and group dynamics wrecked. Maybe, at the start, you didn't mean to use Yumiko as a shield, but things have clearly spiraled. Now you're stuck."

Hayato looked down, shadows under his eyes. He nodded. "Yeah... I am stuck. I care about Yumiko's friendship, but I can't return her feelings. So I've been pretending—like an actor in a badly written rom-com."

"That's deception. And yet, to protect this delicate equilibrium, you keep it up. Fooling her. Fooling yourself."

Hayato gave a weak laugh. "You're harsh, Nozomi. But not wrong. I just don't have the guts to shatter what we have."

Nozomi's expression didn't change. "So what's the point of this talk? Are you asking me to step in?"

Hayato's eyes softened, sincere. "Just... be kind to Yumiko. She's tougher than she looks, but she's also the type who cries when no one's watching."

Nozomi raised a brow, then gave a small smirk. "I don't need you telling me how to treat my girlfriend."

Hayato blinked. "Wait... girlfriend? Already?"

"Yep," Nozomi replied, cool as ever. "I'm not like you. I move forward and take responsibility."

He paused, then chuckled. "Maybe that's why Yukinoshita Haruno sees me differently."

Hayato rubbed the back of his neck, laughing nervously. "Guess I need to study harder."

"You won't get it, Hayato. You're a good guy. That's both your strength and your curse."

Hayato's face flushed. "Honestly... I'm tired of being the good guy."

He clenched his fists slightly. "Always watching out for others, always smiling so no one worries—it's exhausting."

Nozomi glanced sideways, his voice laced with dry humor. "Some things don't go away just because you wish they would. Take care of yourself, Hayatoi."

Hayato let out a defeated laugh. "I thought you'd cheer me up or give some kind of encouragement."

Nozomi rolled his eyes. "You're dreaming. Encouraging my love rival isn't in my job description. Honestly, I was being kind not kicking you while you're down."

Hayato laughed again, though it was tinged with sadness. "That was already a pretty solid hit. Watching Yumiko get close to you hurts more than I expected. But I've got no right to stop it."

He looked at Nozomi with quiet desperation. "Just... don't hurt her. Please. I know you have this... unpredictable streak."

Nozomi didn't answer immediately.

Hayato didn't really understand Nozomi. He was charming yet unreadable, surrounded by girls yet seemingly unconcerned. Respected by Yukinoshita Haruno, no less. But what if Haruno didn't even like him romantically? What if... Nozomi was just another chess piece?

The mysteries surrounding him ran deep. And Hayato could only stand on the outside, watching.