150. The Literary Girls Club

Nozomi explained with an air of self-assurance, his eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "Hayama-san, I'm calling this... philanthropy."

Hayama Hayato's brow twitched, a half-annoyed, half-amused sigh slipping past his lips. "Honestly, as Yumiko's friend, I really ought to punch you."

"Why didn't you?" Nozomi tilted his head innocently.

"Because I know I'd lose," Hayato replied flatly. "And if I did, Yumiko would probably never forgive me."

"Then congratulations," Nozomi shrugged, flashing a sly grin. "You just missed a perfectly good beating."

There was a brief silence before both chuckled quietly—one amused, the other helpless.

Hayato folded his arms, eyes narrowing. "Still, I envy you sometimes, Nozomi. You don't hesitate to express your feelings so boldly."

Nozomi glanced up toward the clear sky, his voice carrying a tinge of quiet conviction. "That's because I don't want to regret it. You and I… we're not the same. You hesitate. I don't. I charge forward, even if I stumble. That's who I am."

He looked back at Hayato with an almost teasing smile. "We'll probably never get along. Let's just keep things on the surface—your world, my world, both intact. We nod, we smile, and everyone stays happy."

Hayato gave a weary chuckle. "Is it really that impossible to just be friends with you?"

"Maybe," Nozomi mused, tapping his chin. "But it's more fun this way. Besides, I'm not the type who wants advice from the guy I keep irritating."

"Not even a little?" Hayato raised a brow. "I mean, I do have experience."

"Nah. I'd rather stumble on my own path than walk yours. Speaking of which—shouldn't you be heading to soccer practice? I've got club stuff to do."

Hayato lingered a moment, then spoke carefully. "Nozomi… what do you think of Yukinoshita?"

Nozomi's brow lifted, expression shifting into exaggerated curiosity. "Which Yukinoshita are we talking about here? There's more than one."

"The one in school," Hayato clarified. "Yukinoshita Yukino."

A thoughtful pause. Then Nozomi nodded, serious this time. "She's brilliant. Sharp eyes, razor words… but there's a quiet beauty to her. Yukino is super cute."

Hayato sighed, the corners of his mouth twitching. "I just don't think she'll accept you… especially if she finds out you're close with Haruno."

Everyone knew Yukino and Haruno didn't get along—Haruno's pranks had long cemented their frosty sibling relationship.

"If you're trying to discourage me, you're wasting your time." Nozomi's tone turned casual again as he waved a hand and turned away. "Also… don't worry. I'll surprise you."

Hayato blinked. Did Nozomi know something he didn't?

Unbeknownst to him, Nozomi was already thinking about the engagement. The little secret. It wasn't time yet… let Hayato wonder for now.

Hayato watched Nozomi's back fade into the distance, a strange tension curling in his chest.

He wanted to believe that Nozomi would fail. After all, Haruno wasn't the type to genuinely fall for anyone. She toyed with people—played games with their hearts.

Hayato had been ignored, bypassed. Not even worth toying with. He was harmless in Haruno's eyes, and that made him invisible.

But maybe he was the naive one.

Because Haruno wasn't just a perfect mask—she was fiercely protective of Yukino. A true siscon, hiding a gentler side behind the cold pranks and mockery. Only those she truly cared about ever saw that side.

Nozomi knew.

To get close to Haruno, you had to win over Yukino. That was the unspoken rule. And maybe, just maybe, that bottle of strange potion from yesterday had already moved the story forward.

Nozomi's thoughts drifted to Yukino's flustered expression, the accidental closeness… the subtle beauty of it all.

Like Shiina Mashiro—a blank canvas waiting to be painted with new colors.

Yukinoshita Yukino might appear cold and plain, but she had depths worth exploring. And Nozomi was ready.

…

Meanwhile, Hayato had reunited with Tobe Kakeru.

Despite his doubts about Tobe's romantic prospects, Hayato would still stand by his friend. Maybe Nozomi was right—he couldn't change anything. He was just Hayato, the guy who kept the peace.

As Tobe chattered endlessly, Hayato's gaze wandered—and then he froze.

Yukinoshita Haruno.

Today, Miss Yukinoshita Haruno looked like she had stepped right out of a shoujo manga. She wore a pristine white coat over a cute short skirt, her silky black hair tucked neatly behind her ears, accentuated by a crisp white headband. The contrast highlighted the delicate features of her face, giving her the air of a refined yet innocent noble lady.

Hayama Hayato was momentarily stunned by the sight, blinking in disbelief.

"Why is she here... again?"

He muttered to himself, lips slightly parted. It wasn't every day that the legendary Miss Haruno showed up at school unannounced. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Was she here for Nozomi?

And then, to his utter confusion, he saw her pull Kawasaki Saki aside and walk off with her.

"...Huh? What kind of bizarre pairing is that?"

Hayato was left in a whirlwind of questions and absolutely no answers.

...

Meanwhile, Nozomi was already pushing open the familiar door to the Service Club.

The scent of old paper and gentle quietude welcomed him.

Inside, three girls were perched elegantly on chairs, each lost in a book—like something straight out of a school romance anime. Yukinoshita Yukino sat by the window, her raven hair glowing under the sunlight. Beside her were Sanshokuin Sumireko and Suo Yuki, equally absorbed in their readings. It was like a scene from a literary slice-of-life.

"Did I walk into the wrong clubroom? Is this the Literary Girls Club now?" Nozomi quipped, raising a brow.

Yukino's cheeks flared with a hint of pink, her thoughts straying to what she'd witnessed the day before. She quickly masked her embarrassment with a sharp glare and cool retort.

"As far as I know, there's been no official name change."

"Ehh~ that's a shame," Yuki Suoh chimed, rising from her chair with playful elegance. She walked over and gently wrapped her arms around Nozomi's. Her tone turned flirtatious. "But seeing the three of us all quiet and bookish—doesn't it tug at your heart, onii-san?"

Nozomi chuckled, amused. "It's definitely tugging at something."

His eyes scanned the room. "But where's Yui? The club feels too peaceful without her usual energy."

Sumireko giggled behind her sleeve. "She lost a bet to Yukino-senpai and had to go buy drinks."

Yukino lifted her chin triumphantly. "Naturally, I don't lose."

That fierce desire to win... Nozomi could practically see the invisible flames burning behind her calm expression.

"So, weekend plans, onii-san?" Suoh Yuki leaned in, her gaze hopeful.

Sumireko mirrored her curiosity, peeking from behind her book.

Nozomi scratched his head and sighed. "Apologies, Yuki. I promised Yumiko and Yui that I'd go see a movie—Mai-senpai's new film."

He gave a casual shrug. "If you're free, why not join us? It's a good chance to get to know everyone. Yumiko's also close to Yui. I'm sure you'll all get along."

Even if they didn't... well, they'd have to.

Yukino's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who exactly is going?"

"Hmm, let's see... Yumiko, Yui, Hime, Sayu, Mahiru, Tobe Kakeru, Hayama..."

Yukino cut him off instantly, her voice cold. "I'm not going. I have to take care of the cats in Sakurasou."

Just the mention of Hayama Hayato was enough to shut her down.

Nozomi blinked. "That intense, huh?"

Yukino looked away, her tone flat. "He and I have... history."

Back in elementary school, both she and Hayama had run for class monitor—both hoping to impress Haruno.

Hayama, with his overwhelming charm, won by a landslide. Yukino, despite her top grades, found herself alienated by classmates, isolated just for daring to compete.

That was when her distaste for Hayama began.