As the warning bell rang through Sobu High, signaling the start of class, Nozomi and Nichiji Sumire quietly slipped back into the classroom—separately, of course. Both moved to their seats with practiced grace, their little escapade from earlier still lingering on their expressions. Nichiji sat down, trying to compose herself, and discreetly pulled out her phone under the desk.
A flurry of soft taps later, she sent a message.
Nichiji Sumire: "Sumireko, are you there?"
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "Pansy, I'm here. What happened?"
Nichiji Sumire: "I think I've been found out."
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "Eh? What did he do?"
Nichiji Sumire: "He... he kept kissing and touching me like I was you!"
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "Pfft—that's what you get for trying to impersonate me. Why not just attend as yourself?"
Nichiji Sumire: "I wanted to get used to it. Tease him a bit, see if he could tell. But... ugh, I lost so badly today!"
Nichiji Sumire: "I lost my first kiss!! sobs"
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "You already lost that a while ago, remember?"
Nichiji Sumire: "Huh? When?!"
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "Back when you were hospitalized. You were too weak to take your meds, so Nozomi fed them to you... mouth-to-mouth."
Nichiji stared blankly at the screen, then buried her face in her hands. Her face flushed red, a quiet squeak escaping her lips.
"You could've stopped him! Or you could've done it instead!"
Sanshokuin Sumireko: "Don't be such a crybaby. You're healthy now, aren't you? Let Nozomi-kun spoil you a little."
"Ugh! Sumireko, you spoil your philandering boyfriend way too much!"
Despite her flustered protest, Nichiji found her fingers ghosting over her lips. Her heartbeat thudded in her chest, the memory of Nozomi's kiss replaying like a scene straight out of a shoujo manga. She squirmed in her seat.
—
After the first class ended, Nozomi was summoned to the faculty office.
He knocked lightly before stepping in. "Hiratsuka-sensei, you wanted to see me?"
Inside stood the ever-commanding Shizuka Hiratsuka, still wearing her iconic white coat, arms crossed as she looked him up and down.
"Yes. Sit. We need to talk," she said, her voice as sharp as ever.
Nozomi complied, sliding into the chair across from her. "What's the matter? Am I in trouble again?"
Shizuka sighed deeply. "No, but I am troubled. Do you have any idea what kind of reputation you've earned around school lately?"
Nozomi chuckled sheepishly. "A little. People have been calling me an incubus, apparently."
"You should be worried, not amused!" she snapped. "Do you have multiple girlfriends?"
He hesitated, then nodded. "...Yes."
Her eye twitched. "You little brat! I'm nearly 30 and still single, and you're already juggling multiple girls like you're in some harem anime?!"
"Hey, don't hate the player, Hiratsuka-sensei," Nozomi said with a grin.
"Tch. Don't get cheeky with me."
She folded her arms again, and her coat tightened over her chest in the process—which did not go unnoticed.
"What about Yukinoshita? Did you... make a move on her too?"
"Yup. She's beautiful, and we spend a lot of time together in the club. It was bound to happen."
Hiratsuka groaned, massaging her temples. "You really don't understand how complicated you're making things. Yukinoshita isn't just any girl."
"I know," Nozomi said. "And she knows what she's getting into. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."
The teacher let out a long sigh. "Why do I even bother?"
"Maybe because you care about me more than you want to admit?" Nozomi teased.
"Get over yourself," she snapped, though her cheeks colored slightly. "I'm your homeroom teacher, your life guidance counselor, and the club advisor. I have to care."
She looked at him with a mix of frustration and something else—an emotion hard to define, somewhere between concern and admiration.
"So what now? Keep dating everyone like this? What's your plan for the future?"
Nozomi leaned back and shrugged. "That's a question better aimed at you, don't you think, sensei? You're the one nearing thirty without a ring. Shouldn't you be anxious?"
The blow landed.
Nozomi's parting words had clearly struck a nerve.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, the always-composed and sharp-tongued homeroom teacher, collapsed dramatically onto her desk, groaning like a defeated warrior in an old samurai flick. "Just disappear already, you brat!" she muttered, her voice muffled against the wooden surface.
Nozomi stood there awkwardly, guilt surfacing like steam off a freshly brewed cup of green tea. "I didn't mean to make her cry," he muttered to himself, scratching the back of his head. "She's so beautiful too. Man, if no one marries her soon, I just might have to…"
With that half-serious vow, Nozomi made his exit from the office, a light grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he returned to his classroom. Maybe it was the playful chaos he left behind, or maybe it was the idea of being the hero to a lonely teacher, but either way, he was in a surprisingly good mood.
Meanwhile, poor Hiratsuka-sensei—so overwhelmed by that unexpected emotional uppercut—completely forgot the original reason she had called him in: the scholarship.
Nozomi, who had ranked second in the entire grade, was well within eligibility to receive a generous scholarship. Hiratsuka had meant to commend him and push him to maintain those stellar grades, but instead, she'd been sucker-punched by the reality of her own singlehood—thanks to the irresistible disaster that was Nozomi.
--
Soon, the final class of the afternoon ended. The clock signaled the beginning of club activities. As expected, Sobu High came alive with the clamor of students pursuing passions and responsibilities.
Originally, Nozomi had planned to visit the Service Club, maybe tease Yukino a bit, or sneak in a little alone time. But fate—or more accurately, a spoiled blonde tsundere—had other plans.
Miura Yumiko had approached him after class, her tone coquettish, her amber eyes twinkling. "Nozomi, you have to come shopping with me today. I want your opinion on something!"
Hina Ebina, ever the cheerful and ambiguous presence, chirped that she'd be tagging along too.
Shiina Mahiru and Ogiwara Sayu, on the other hand, had declined. They were heading back to Sakurasou to experiment with desserts. Sayu had been particularly excited about trying a new whipped cream recipe.
Nozomi, remembering that it had been a while since he gave Yumiko some personal attention, decided to agree. After all, a well-balanced harem was a happy harem.
As they exited the school gates, Miura clung tightly to his arm, a mischievous smile on her lips as if daring anyone to question her claim. Nozomi couldn't help but admire her energy—bubbly, stubborn, and just the right touch of spoiled.
Hina Ebina walked beside them, her smile as unreadable as ever, though she seemed genuinely entertained watching the other two banter and flirt. She occasionally joined in, making light jabs or tossing in oddly timed shipping comments that only she could get away with.
As the trio ventured from store to store, Miura and Hina's stamina proved inhuman. They moved like whirlwind shoppers possessed by the spirit of consumerism. Meanwhile, Nozomi lagged behind with his arms full of shopping bags, each one a badge of honor—or maybe punishment—for being too handsome for his own good.
But truth be told, Nozomi wasn't really complaining. With two charming girls by his side and laughter filling the air, his mood was buoyant.
Eventually, when the sun began to dip below the rooftops, casting golden hues over the town, Miura turned to him with a playful pout. "For being such a good boy today…" she leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Reward!"
"See ya later, Nozomi~" Hina chimed in as the two girls waved goodbye and left together, giggling about who-knows-what.
Nozomi watched them disappear into the distance, chuckling to himself. He pulled out his phone, flipping it open with a flick of his thumb.
He messaged Yuki Suo, his trusted comrade-in-chaos.
[Yo, is the president still in the clubroom?]
[Yeah, she's there. Didn't go anywhere after class.]
A grin tugged at his lips.
Back in the clubroom, Yukinoshita Yukino was tidying up, her slender fingers methodically organizing books and papers. Just as she was about to close the door, it creaked open again.
"Eh?"
A familiar smirk greeted her.
The door shut behind Nozomi with a soft click.
"W-What are you doing here?" Yukino asked, retreating slightly. There was an unmistakable blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Nozomi advanced slowly, his steps calculated like a predator cornering its prey—only in this case, the prey was a tsundere ice queen with a secret soft heart.
Yukino found her back against the wall, with nowhere left to run.
A classic kabedon followed.
(Kabedon/wall slam)
Nozomi placed one hand next to her head, and the other wrapped naturally around her waist, pulling her close. His voice lowered to a teasing whisper.
"Yukino… It's been two days. Did you miss me?"
Yukino flushed even deeper and pressed a hand against his chest in weak protest. "W-Why would I miss you? With all the other girls constantly throwing themselves at you…"
He leaned in closer, nuzzling against her hair.
"But I missed you. So… what do you think I should do now?"
She clutched his collar nervously, her voice barely a whisper. "W-Why are you asking me that? Idiot…"
Nozomi smirked, taking her ambiguous response as permission. "Alright then… I won't ask."
Without another word, he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that melted away the last of her resistance.
Yukino trembled slightly in his embrace, her mind a blur.
This guy…
This infuriating, unpredictable guy...
Her beloved clubroom was in danger of becoming a sacred battlefield for emotions and hormones.
And yet… she didn't push him away.