While engaged in a rather intimate exchange with Ebina Hina, Hozuki Nozomi didn't neglect his excellent hearing, which allowed him to eavesdrop on the conversation unfolding between Hayama Hayato and Tobe Kakeru on the nearby bench.
From Tobe Kakeru came a voice thick with awkward desperation. "Hayato, please! You're the only one I can ask for this."
Hayama Hayato's reply was a study in polite, practiced helplessness. "Kakeru, I want to help you, but didn't you already try this once before?"
Tobe Kakeru's pleading intensified, his gaze pitifully fixed on his popular friend. "Last time it didn't work because Hozuki Nozomi was there! He's a succubus! I shouldn't have invited him in the first place."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Hayato, this time, invite everyone using your name. Ask Yui-san, and have her invite Yumiko and Ebina Hina. Please… aren't we friends? You're the only one I've told about my feelings!"
Hayama Hayato's smile grew strained. Shouldn't you be telling these 'feelings' to Ebina Hina herself? Why are you unloading them on me, another guy?
Yet, Tobe Kakeru had instinctively found his pressure point.
The simple, loaded phrase—"Aren't we friends?"—instantly cornered Hayama Hayato. For the sake of maintaining his carefully cultivated reputation as the amiable, reliable friend to everyone, he couldn't simply dismiss a plea from a companion.
In truth, Hayama wanted no part in facilitating Tobe's pursuit of Ebina Hina. He had a strong, pragmatic feeling that Tobe and Ebina stood zero chance. The evidence? Their last attempt had ended with Hozuki Nozomi walking away with all the benefits, leaving Tobe empty-handed. But looking into Tobe's hopeful, puppy-dog eyes, Hayama could only release a deep, internal sigh.
He composed his features into an expression of sincere regret. "Kakeru, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just… My current standing with Yumiko isn't great. If I don't invite Hozuki Nozomi along, there's no way Yumiko would agree to an outing with me, let alone bring her two best friends."
Tobe Kakeru considered this, his shoulders slumping. He knew it was true. Yet, he had no other avenues. Every time he saw Ebina Hina sitting quietly with a book, his heart did frantic somersaults. Boys, especially high school boys, were at that age where interest in the opposite sex was a constant, buzzing undercurrent. Once that interest was sparked, the natural impulse was to get closer.
And with Hozuki Nozomi serving as a daily, living example—always seen enjoying pleasant, intimate moments with Shiina Mahiru or making Miura Yumiko blush—Tobe's envy and determination only grew. Thus, he had come to petition the master of social connections, Hayama Hayato, to play matchmaker.
"Hayato, I know it's difficult for you," Tobe conceded, his expression crestfallen. "How about this… you try inviting Yumiko first. If that doesn't work… then we'll just have to bring Hozuki Nozomi along."
He finished with a look of profound sorrow, as if inviting the 'succubus' was a tragic but necessary sacrifice.
Hayama Hayato could only nod in weary resignation.
Listening in, Hozuki Nozomi was utterly speechless. So, you guys want to chase girls, and you need to bring me along as a human social lubricant? A third wheel? Oh, and the girl Tobe is so desperately trying to pursue… she's currently in my arms.
He finally broke the kiss, pulling back to look at Ebina Hina's thoroughly flushed face. A mischievous glint entered his eyes. "Ebina-chan, it seems Tobe is recruiting Hayama to set up a date for the two of you."
Hearing this, Ebina Hina let out a soft, exasperated sigh. "Spare me. Tobe-kun really isn't my type at all."
She shook her head, a hint of remembered annoyance crossing her features. "Just look at his performance in the haunted house last time. The moment we stepped inside, he was so busy screaming and panicking that he completely forgot I was there and ran off on his own. There's zero sense of responsibility or protectiveness there."
Hozuki Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle at her blunt assessment. "Then what is your type, Ebina-chan? How about someone like me?"
"You? I refuse!" Ebina Hina rolled her eyes, though the effect was diminished by her still-swollen lips and pink cheeks. "You already have Yumiko, and Mahiru, and Sayu… I'm not foolish enough to willingly sign up for your personal harem."
Her words carried no real bite. Hearing them, Hozuki Nozomi merely smiled wider.
"Alright then," he murmured, his voice dropping to a low, velvety tone. "In that case, I'll just have to continue my… persuasion."
He slowly lowered his head again.
Ebina Hina's face burned even hotter. Yet, she didn't turn away. Instead, she closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering against her skin.
So what exactly did that mean? She claimed she had no intention of joining his harem, yet she offered no resistance to his kiss. It was a contradiction best not overanalyzed. Time was limited; decisive action was required.
Hozuki Nozomi delivered another kiss, this one deep and thorough enough to leave them both breathless and hearts pounding, before finally releasing her.
He hadn't forgotten his primary mission—he'd been sent by Yukino Yukinoshita to fetch drinks. Returning too late would undoubtedly incur the frosty displeasure of a certain ice princess.
Ebina Hina watched his retreating back, a storm of complex emotions swirling within her. Her fingers rose unconsciously to touch her tingling lips, her heartbeat still racing erratically.
With Hozuki Nozomi as a point of comparison… how could I possibly develop feelings for someone like Tobe Kakeru?
The thought extended even to Hayama Hayato. He was too… performative. Too polished. (Though, admittedly, as a mere friend, Hayama was a perfectly fine choice.)
...
The first class of the afternoon was mathematics. Hayama Hayato sat at his desk, but his focus was elsewhere. His gaze kept drifting to Miura Yumiko's delicate profile.
Was it his imagination, or was Yumiko becoming more and more radiant? There was a new softness, a confidence about her that hadn't been there before.
Of course, he quickly reminded himself, his heart still yearned for Yukinoshita Haruno's distant, brilliant light. Compared to her, Miura Yumiko paled into insignificance.
The thought brought a flicker of disappointment. After all, it should have been him receiving Yumiko's devoted attention, basking in that "popular queen" aura. Now, all that preferential treatment had been effortlessly usurped by Hozuki Nozomi.
Which brought him back to the immediate problem: how was he supposed to invite Yumiko out this weekend? It was glaringly obvious to anyone with eyes that Miura Yumiko's thoughts now orbited exclusively around Hozuki Nozomi. If he, Hayama, tried to get close again, wouldn't it just create an awkward misunderstanding?
As he wrestled with this dilemma, he caught Tobe Kakeru frantically winking and making pleading faces from across the room. Hayama felt a profound sense of weariness.
He truly wanted to march over, grab Tobe by the shoulders, and shake him while yelling, "Give it up! You and Ebina Hina have no future!"
But he didn't dare. He had already lost the backing of Yumiko, the social queen, resulting in this recent, uncomfortable spike in confessions from other girls. He couldn't afford to alienate his loyal junior, Tobe Kakeru, as well.
It seemed he had no choice but to proceed.
When the bell signaling the end of the first afternoon class rang, Hayama Hayato took a deep, fortifying breath. He pasted on his trademark, brilliant smile and walked over to Miura Yumiko's desk.
"Um, Yumiko… are you free this weekend?"
Miura Yumiko looked up at him, her honey-brown eyes instantly guarded. "Why do you ask? Hayama, what's your angle?"
The use of his surname—"Hayama"—instead of the familiar "Hayato" sent a small, cold pang through his chest. She used to call him that. Masking his hurt, he adopted a casual, helpful tone.
"It's like this. Tobe has a relative who just opened a dessert shop. They're a bit short-staffed and were hoping to get some help for a day. They're offering pay." He shrugged amiably. "I thought you and the others might be interested in some extra pocket money. It's also a bit of social practice, which could be useful for our resumes later, so I figured I'd extend the invitation."
"A dessert shop?" Miura Yumiko's guarded expression immediately shifted, her eyes lighting up with genuine interest. "Can we… sample the goods for free?"
Although her romantic interest in Hayama had evaporated, the prospect of spending a day surrounded by potential sweets was a powerful lure.
"Of course," Hayama replied smoothly, his smile unwavering. "Any desserts that don't sell by the end of the day would just be thrown out or taken home by the staff anyway, so tasting is definitely encouraged. So, are you interested in a bit of part-time work?"
Miura Yumiko tapped a finger against her chin, studying him with a critical eye.
"If it's such a good opportunity, why are you only inviting me? Do you have an ulterior motive?" Her gaze sharpened. "And since it's Tobe's relative who needs help… your real target wouldn't happen to be Ebina Hina, would it?"
Hayama Hayato chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head in a gesture of feigned sheepishness. "You caught me. What can I say? Tobe just won't give up."
Miura Yumiko sighed, a mix of exasperation and understanding.
"I see how it is. I'll need to discuss it with Yui and Ebina before I can give you an answer." She then fixed him with a practical look. "Also, how many helpers does this shop actually need? You need to give us a number. It would be awkward if we all showed up and they only needed one or two people."
Hayama nodded, appreciating her pragmatism. "That's a fair point. I'll go ask Tobe for the details."