Soon, Tobe Kakeru returned with a definitive answer.
"The more, the better!" he declared, his face alight with nervous excitement. "It's a brand-new shop, so they need a lot of help moving inventory and getting things set up. Naturally, the guys would handle the heavier lifting, and the girls could help with preparing the desserts."
He added with an eager grin, "They said if we help, they might even teach us a few dessert recipes!"
Upon hearing this, Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu's eyes immediately brightened with interest. Both girls, embodying the very spirit of capable and nurturing homemakers, were clearly captivated by the prospect of learning new culinary skills.
Yui Yuigahama also perked up, ready to volunteer. Hozuki Nozomi, however, felt a distinct pang of apprehension. He had a vivid, terrifying mental image of Yui somehow causing a small-scale culinary disaster in the shop's pristine kitchen.
"So, what's the name of this shop?" Miura Yumiko asked, having already mentally committed to the weekend's part-time venture.
Tobe beamed. "Tamura Dessert Shop!"
Hozuki Nozomi's expression turned strangely thoughtful at the name. Tamura Dessert Shop? That rang a faint bell. From the jumbled archives of his anime-infused memory, he recalled that Kosaka Kirino's older brother, Kyosuke, had a childhood friend named Tamura Manami. And Tamura Manami's family… ran a dessert shop.
It couldn't possibly be such a small world, could it? Were these Tamuras actually distant relatives of Tobe Kakeru's family?
With Yumiko and the others now firmly on board, Hozuki Nozomi was naturally drafted into the plan. Fortunately, the part-time gig was during the day and wouldn't interfere with the looming Yukinoshita engagement banquet.
More importantly, he wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of Yumiko, Ebina, and the others spending the day working alongside Hayama and Tobe without him there. It was simply safer for him to go along.
Tobe Kakeru, whose scheme was proceeding smoothly, wore a triumphant, beaming smile for the rest of the day. Hayama Hayato also released a quiet sigh of relief.
He caught Miura Yumiko's eye and offered a grateful, whispered, "Yumiko, thank you for agreeing."
Miura Yumiko rolled her eyes.
"We're still friends, after all. Not that I have high hopes for Tobe's plan, but I can at least lend a hand." She clarified pointedly, "And don't get the wrong idea. I didn't agree because of you, Hayama. I'm doing this for Ebina Hina. Maybe this will finally give Tobe the reality check he needs."
Hayama smiled awkwardly. "You really don't think much of Tobe's chances, do you?"
"Should I?" Miura Yumiko retorted with a flat look. "Remember the haunted house? Tobe was so terrified by a staff member in a cheap ghost costume that he screamed and bolted, leaving Ebina Hina completely behind. Does that sound like someone who can make a girl feel safe?"
She fixed him with a meaningful stare. "Hayama, to be honest… I don't think even you can give a girl that kind of security, can you?"
Hayama Hayato's fists instinctively clenched at his sides.
"And can Hozuki Nozomi give you that security?" he countered, a note of frustration leaking into his carefully modulated tone. "He's openly dating multiple people. Yumiko, I don't want to see you get hurt."
Miura Yumiko was taken aback for a second, then waved a dismissive hand. "Hayama, don't misunderstand. I didn't choose Hozuki Nozomi out of some rebound self-pity because of you."
Her expression softened into one of quiet conviction. "I chose him because he shows me he cares. And he does make me feel safe. He saved me, remember?"
Seeing the serious light in her eyes, Hayama Hayato's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I… I understand. I won't misunderstand again. Actually…" He forced a smile. "This is fine. I only ever intended for us to be friends anyway."
Miura Yumiko fell silent. So, all along, she had been overthinking his intentions. But it didn't matter anymore. Her feelings for Hayama were a closed chapter. She wouldn't let his actions hurt her now. Her focus was solely on the people she truly cared about—that was enough.
Hayama returned to his seat, a vague sense of unease settling in his chest. He knew what Yumiko had meant. Because he treated everyone with the same calibrated, pleasant kindness, he was "everyone's Hayama."
This universal amiability often led girls to misinterpret his intentions, fostering romantic hopes he could never reciprocate, ultimately causing them pain. A person like him couldn't provide the specific, focused sense of security a girl would seek in a partner.
But it didn't matter, he told himself. The goddess residing in his heart was Yukinoshita Haruno. Why should he worry about making other girls feel secure? On the contrary, maintaining this distance was his true self.
It was the only way he could continue his pure, distant pursuit of Haruno's elusive figure. If he were to become like Hozuki Nozomi, openly entangled with several girls, he would lose any remaining chance with her instantly.
Hayama Hayato clung to this beautiful, self-justifying dream where he still had a shot with Haruno. Little did he know, the engagement banquet this very weekend would serve as a brutal awakening, revealing that he had never stood a chance from the beginning.
And that so-called "player," Hozuki Nozomi, had zero intention of informing Hayama about the impending engagement. Frankly, even if he did, Hayama would likely dismiss it as fantasy.
Being engaged to both Yukinoshita sisters simultaneously? That was the stuff of delusional dreams. There was no way the formidable, discerning Mrs. Yukinoshita would ever agree to such an outrageous arrangement.
...…
In the afternoon, after club activities concluded, Hozuki Nozomi walked back to Sakura Dormitory with Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu. Of course, he first made a detour to escort Sanshokuin Sumireko safely home.
Sakurajima Mai and her mother/manager, Sakurajima Miu, had already departed for a distant film set to begin shooting a new drama. The production company happened to be one founded by Yukinoshita Haruno, which put Hozuki Nozomi's mind somewhat at ease. He still planned to visit Mai-senpai on set when he found the time.
Girls needed attentive care, and he intended to keep his promise.
Back at the dormitory, Hozuki Nozomi collapsed onto the living room sofa with a contented sigh. The ever-attentive little maid, Ayano Kimishima, materialized silently behind him, her soft, skilled hands beginning a gentle massage of his shoulders.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the coffee table.
"Hello, Uncle Daisuke? What can I do for you?" Hozuki Nozomi answered with cheerful interest. It was Kosaka Daisuke on the line.
"Hey there, young man! Didn't I promise last time to have you over as a guest?" Kosaka Daisuke's hearty voice boomed through the speaker. "How about tomorrow? My Kirino-chan happens to be home. Perfect timing!"
"Uh… I was mostly joking about that last time. Are you sure you want to invite me over?" Hozuki Nozomi teased. "What if I end up making a move on Kirino-chan?"
Kosaka Daisuke let out a booming laugh. "If you make a move, you'll have to take responsibility! You'll be calling me 'Father' then!"
Hozuki Nozomi was momentarily speechless. This guy was really trying to get a son-in-law on the cheap!
"Don't get ahead of yourself, future father-in-law," Hozuki shot back, playing along. "Just remember to wait for me tomorrow! And make sure Kirino is definitely home!"
Now it was Kosaka Daisuke's turn to be rendered briefly speechless.
"You've got some nerve, kid! But I like your style! Just one more thing…" His tone shifted to one of slightly gruff, paternal concern. "Take it easy. Kirino is still in middle school. You can play with her, but nothing… excessive, you hear me?"
Hozuki Nozomi feigned indignation. "What are you implying? I'm not an animal. Relax, I'm just going to make an appearance so Kirino knows she has a cool older brother figure like me in her life."
Hiss—
As soon as the words left his mouth, a sharp pinch of pain shot through his shoulder. Ayano Kimishima had administered a swift, precise tweak with her delicate fingers.
Hozuki Nozomi quickly ended the call and turned to look at the maid standing behind him. "Ayano… did you just pout?"
"No such thing, Nozomi-sama," she replied, her voice a perfect monotone, her face a serene mask. "A qualified maid does not display unnecessary expressions."
She continued kneading his shoulders, adding with impeccable, poisonous sweetness, "No matter how Nozomi-sama wishes to flirt behind Yuki-sama's back, or how he intends to charm middle school girls, Ayano will have absolutely no objections."
Hozuki Nozomi's cheek twitched. The sheer, acidic resentment dripping from her words completely belied her claim of having "no objections."
Without another word, he reached up, captured her small hand, and gave a gentle tug, pulling her around and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
Then, he simply lowered his head and captured her lips in a soft, lingering kiss.
It couldn't be helped. Even perfect, emotionless little maids needed to be placated and reassured from time to time.