Kosaka Kyosuke could only stare blankly at Hozuki Nozomi's well-defined physique, a complex mixture of awe and resignation settling in his chest. He had to admit—grudgingly, internally—that Hozuki Nozomi was the full package. Handsome, physically fit, academically capable, and with a disarmingly easygoing demeanor. He was the quintessential "child from someone else's family," the kind parents held up as a paragon. No wonder Dad speaks so highly of him, Kyosuke thought. And Kirino… inviting him to her room that day… she probably admires that type too.
A faint, familiar gloom clouded his thoughts. His own sister was on closer terms with this near-perfect upperclassman than she was with him, her actual brother. It felt as if he were the one who'd been adopted. Why did the world deal such different hands?
"Hayato!" Tobe Kakeru exclaimed, trying to redirect the spotlight. "You've got to have some muscles too, right? You're on the soccer team! Take off your jacket, don't let Hozuki Nozomi have all the glory!"
Hayama Hayato offered a placid, slightly weary smile and shook his head. "I don't have a build like Nozomi-kun's." His tone was factual. While his legs were toned from constant running and drills, he lacked the deliberate, balanced musculature Nozomi displayed.
Ignoring Tobe's pointed, almost resentful stare, Nozomi turned his friendly attention to Kosaka Kyosuke. "Kyosuke-kun, you're Kirino's older brother, right? I don't think I saw you when I visited your house last time."
Kyosuke scratched the back of his head, a gesture of mild awkwardness. "Ah, yeah. I was… out at a book club with Manami that day." He glossed over the more accurate, embarrassing truth: that Kirino had essentially quarantined him to his room, deeming him unfit for guest interaction.
"I see. What a coincidence we all ended up helping at Tamura-san's family shop today," Nozomi remarked amiably.
"I'm just here to lend a hand. No wages for me," Kyosuke clarified with a shrug.
A teasing glint entered Nozomi's eyes. "With your relationship with Manami, do you really need wages? At this point, I'd think you could just move in."
"W-well… I actually did live at Manami's house for a while when we were kids," Kyosuke admitted, flushing slightly.
This tidbit immediately drew strange, scrutinizing looks from both Tobe and Hayato.
"Kyosuke," Tobe pressed, leaning in with renewed curiosity, "I've been meaning to ask. You and Tamura Manami are practically joined at the hip. Are you two… you know, dating?"
"D-Dating?!" Kyosuke's denial was swift, his hands waving in front of him as if to physically dispel the notion. "No way! Manami and I are just childhood friends. Really good childhood friends!" The concept felt so foreign to him that he'd never seriously entertained it.
Seeing his earnest, flustered reaction, Tobe backed off, his own unresolved romantic troubles surfacing. He'd originally volunteered for this job hoping to find a moment alone with Ebina Hina, but so far, the opportunity had stubbornly refused to materialize.
"Hey, lads! A little more help over here, if you please!"
Their brief respite ended as Tamura Manami's father—a cheerful, robust man everyone called Uncle Tamura—beckoned them over to move a heavy refrigeration unit. The boys readily complied, falling back into the rhythm of manual labor.
Meanwhile, inside the shop…
The girls had completed their confectionery mission. An array of desserts now rested on display platters, glistening under the kitchen lights. Delicate strawberry shortcakes, perfectly golden-brown egg tarts, and intricate cream puffs looked less like food and more like edible art.
Yui Yuigahama clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "They're so beautiful! Mahiru, you're amazing! And Sayu-chan, yours look absolutely delicious just to look at!"
Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu shared a humble, knowing glance. "It's not that spectacular," Shiina demurred softly. "Both Sayu and I have some experience in the kitchen at home. Combined with Manami-san's excellent guidance, this was the result."
Yui could only sigh with admiration, tinged with a bit of envy. Even Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina's creations, while not quite as masterfully presented, were perfectly presentable and sellable.
"Alright," Tamura Manami announced, clapping her hands together. "Let's get these set up on the sample tables outside. We can let the boys taste-test the extras."
This plan, however, led to a scene that caused varying degrees of internal anguish for the male helpers.
From their vantage point, Kosaka Kyosuke, Hayato, and a freshly returned Tobe Kakeru watched as Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu, with gentle smiles, each offered a bite of pastry to Hozuki Nozomi. The casual intimacy of the act was a silent, powerful blow.
Tobe's gaze, however, was laser-focused on Ebina Hina. He stared, utterly captivated, imagining those same fair, delicate hands bringing a sweet to his mouth. The daydream was vivid, almost tangible.
But then reality intervened. Yui Yuigahama, giggling, encouraged Miura Yumiko and then Ebina Hina herself to join in, each taking a turn feeding a bite to the seemingly obliging Nozomi.
Tobe Kakeru's face froze, his hopeful expression shattering. A profound sense of error washed over him. I never should have invited him. Why does every group activity somehow turn into the Hozuki Nozomi appreciation hour?
"Nozomi-senpai is really quite popular, isn't he, Kyosuke?" Tamura Manami observed, leaning casually beside her childhood friend. She held out a cream puff, which Kyosuke absently accepted and ate.
"Yeah," Kyosuke agreed around the mouthful, a hint of genuine, uncomplicated envy in his voice. "He's good-looking, seems nice… it's natural, I guess."
"And Shiina-san is very beautiful, isn't she?" Manami prompted, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"She really is," Kyosuke agreed, nodding before a flicker of self-preservation kicked in. He blinked, turning to look at Manami. "Wait… Manami, are you acting a little strange?"
"Am I?""Yeah, you are.""You must be mistaken, Kyosuke!"Her tone was light, but the underlying edge was unmistakable. Kyosuke fell silent, bewildered. Was it his imagination, or did she sound… dissatisfied?
A forlorn Tobe slung an arm over Hayato's shoulder. "Hayato… what do I have to do to get Ebina to feed me a pastry?"
Hayato could only offer a look of profound helplessness. "I think you should be asking Nozomi-kun that question. Isn't he the one demonstrating the method most successfully?"
A lightbulb went off in Tobe's head. "You're right!" he declared, his determination reigniting. He promptly scurried over, pulled Nozomi aside from his circle of admirers, and lowered his voice to an urgent whisper. "Nozomi-senpai! You have to tell me. What's the secret to getting a girl to feed you?"
"Secret?" Nozomi looked genuinely perplexed. To him, these interactions were just a natural byproduct of closeness and comfort. There was no conscious strategy.
"There has to be a secret!" Tobe insisted, his eyes pleading. "Please, you must teach me!"
Hozuki Nozomi considered the earnest, desperate face before him. After a moment of thought, he offered, "Well, the first step is to become good friends with her."
"Mhm, mhm! And then?" Tobe leaned in, his hopes soaring. He'd already cleared step one!
Nozomi's expression grew thoughtful, then slightly mischievous. "After you're friends, you have to let her see you as someone who needs looking after. Show a more vulnerable, dependent side. Bring out her nurturing instinct. Girls have a natural, gentle radiance about them—a sort of maternal glow. Once that's awakened, they'll want to take care of you, and feeding you is part of that."
Tobe's face fell. His mouth twitched. "Are you messing with me? 'Act like a baby'? We're in high school! I'd just look pathetic!"
Nozomi shrugged, seeing his skepticism. "Then let me give you a demonstration."
"Pfft, fine! Go ahead," Tobe challenged, crossing his arms. "If you can get fed by acting all weak and cutesy, I'll… I'll take your family name from now on!"
With a nonchalant wave, Hozuki Nozomi walked back toward the group of girls. Under their curious gazes, he let his posture slacken dramatically, swaying on his feet as if about to faint. Then, in a move so audacious it left everyone momentarily stunned, he gently let his head drop onto Ebina Hina's lap, looking up at her with exaggerated, puppy-dog weariness.
"Hina… I'm feeling so weak all of a sudden. Could you… maybe feed me a little something?"
A soft giggle escaped Shiina Mahiru. Ogiwara Sayu covered her mouth with a hand, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Yui Yuigahama and Miura Yumiko puffed out their cheeks in a mixture of amusement and mild, proprietary jealousy, but they made no move to stop the performance.
Ebina Hina, after a split second of surprise, instantly decoded the situation. The exaggerated act, Tobe Kakeru watching from the sidelines with burning intensity—it was all a setup. A golden opportunity to tease Tobe had literally fallen into her lap. Her gentle smile didn't waver. She picked up a small fork, speared a bite-sized piece of strawberry cake, and brought it to Nozomi's waiting mouth.
"Alright, alright. Here you go. Open up."
The effect on Tobe Kakeru was instantaneous and total. He turned to stone, his jaw slack, his world view cracking. This isn't fair! That's cheating! The realization that followed was even more devastating: Hozuki Nozomi just used the girl I like to prove a point… and she played along!
He had been utterly, completely defeated.