Back in the classroom, Hozuki Nozomi retrieved his phone and, with a faint smirk, tapped out a message.
Hozuki Nozomi: Heard a rumor that a certain blonde tsundere was chosen as a cultural ambassador and is coming to Soubu High as an exchange student?
The reply came swiftly, tinged with characteristic outrage.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Gyah! Who told you?! Was it that black-stockinged, smug woman? She said she wanted it to be a surprise! She can't keep a secret to save her life!
Hozuki Nozomi: I have my sources in the Student Council. But the real question is, why didn't you tell me you were coming?Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Hah? What's wrong with your brain? Why on earth would I need to inform you about my exchange program?
Hozuki Nozomi: If you'd told me, I could have properly welcomed you. Maybe carried you straight to the science lab and pinned you against the wall for a proper greeting.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: I'm calling the police! You absolute degenerate!And why would you want to pin me against a wall?! You already have Yukinoshita! And Mahiru! And who knows how many others!
Hozuki Nozomi: Oh? You've been paying attention. I thought you were still under the impression Misaki-senpai was my only girlfriend.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: I'm not blind!
Hozuki Nozomi: Why do I want to pin you? Because I like you. We're clubmates, after all. And… Eriri Spencer Sawamura, you wouldn't want all your prim and proper classmates at Toyonosaki to find out your secret identity as the infamous doujinshi artist 'Kashiwagi Eri,' would you?
Eriri Spencer Sawamura: You devil! Threatening me again?! Have you been reading too much hentai? Is this where you get your ideas to turn me into one of those heroines?
Hozuki Nozomi: Since you're so perceptive, how about next time you visit Sakura Dormitory, you come willingly into my arms?Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Pah! Shameless! Pervert! Lecher!
Hozuki Nozomi: Your insults lack creativity. Try harder.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: …
Hozuki Nozomi: Ah, right. Will you be attending the engagement banquet?Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Of course I will! My father is a diplomat, we're invited! And I'm done talking to you! I'm blocking you, you creep!
Hozuki Nozomi: Eriri Spencer Sawamura, you really don't want everyone to know about Kashiwagi Eri—Eriri Spencer Sawamura: AAAAHHH! STOP! Fine! I'll… I'll come to Sakura Dormitory this afternoon! And let you… bully me! Are you satisfied now?!
Hozuki Nozomi: That's more like it. Remember to be on your best behavior.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: You're dead! I'm going to show Kasumigaoka Utaha our entire chat history!
Hozuki Nozomi: Oh.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: …Aren't you scared? That woman is completely obsessed with you! Aren't you afraid she'll see your true colors and give up on you?
Hozuki Nozomi: Utaha-senpai mostly sees me as the male lead in her personal novel. It's a role for her. I doubt she's that invested in the real me. It's fine if she knows.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: I don't understand you… Why… are you so greedy?
Hozuki Nozomi: Isn't it normal? I'm a capable man with big ambitions. Besides enjoying a comfortable life, I adore cute girls. Since I have the ability, what's wrong with wanting more?Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Aren't you afraid of getting 'knifed' by a jealous girlfriend one day?
Hozuki Nozomi: Then… do you want to 'knife' me, Eriri Spencer Sawamura?Eriri Spencer Sawamura: I absolutely do, you pervert! You're always threatening and bullying me!
Hozuki Nozomi: I'm providing inspiration! The plots in your doujinshi are far more extreme than anything I'd do.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: That's only because of perverted otaku like you! If there wasn't a market, why would I draw it?!
Hozuki Nozomi: I like it. Which is why I want Eriri Spencer Sawamura to be my heroine.Eriri Spencer Sawamura: GYAAAH! Pervert! You're truly the worst! Don't say you like me anymore!
Hozuki Nozomi: I like Eriri Spencer Sawamura. I super like Eriri Spencer Sawamura! Eriri Spencer Sawamura is the cutest! I want to bully you forever!Eriri Spencer Sawamura: …
On the other end of the line, Eriri Spencer Sawamura stared at her screen, her finger hovering over the keyboard before she decisively set her phone down, face-first on her desk. That… that unbelievable pervert! What does he even want from me?!
Touching her cheeks, which burned as if on fire, she bared her teeth in a silent snarl and clenched her fists, swinging them at the empty air. "Hmph! Thinks he can bully me? I'll bite him to death!"
But the word 'bite' immediately conjured a specific, vividly illustrated scene from one of her own recent doujinshi. A wave of scorching shame crashed over her. "Uuugh…!" She buried her face completely in her arms, the desktop cool against her feverish skin. Clutching her pounding chest, she felt lightheaded.
"What do I do…? This afternoon… do I really have to go and… let him bully me?"
A rational part of her knew he was mostly teasing. He wouldn't actually expose her secret identity to her classmates—the fallout would be messy for him, too. Yet, alongside the familiar annoyance, a traitorous flutter of shyness, even anticipation, stirred within her. Could it be… I actually have feelings for that idiot?
The memory of the last time he'd cornered her, his body caging hers against the wall, replayed in her mind. Her blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears. "Hah! As if! What's so great about a pervert like him? That foolish Kasumigaoka Utaha…"
… …
Having successfully flustered Eriri, Hozuki Nozomi's mood was exceedingly pleasant. Whether she actually showed up this afternoon was almost secondary; the banter itself was the reward. Of course, if she did muster the courage to come… he certainly wouldn't let the opportunity to corner her against a wall go to waste.
He had stopped concealing his intentions toward Eriri Spencer Sawamura. The strategy was now a direct, frontal assault. If she continued to play the tsundere and evade him… well, that was fine, too. He'd simply pay a visit to her princess-style mansion. He had a strong feeling her older sister, Sayuri, would be a very welcoming host.
With one blonde tsundere sufficiently teased, it was only fair not to neglect the raven-haired literary genius.
Hozuki Nozomi: Utaha-senpai, you're not playing fair.Kasumigaoka Utaha: Oh? And how have I sinned, kouhai-kun?Hozuki Nozomi: Planning to descend upon Soubu High as an exchange student and keeping it a secret from me? That's dishonesty of the highest order.Kasumigaoka Utaha: You found out? I was hoping to surprise you. Was the surprise spoiled?Hozuki Nozomi: The surprise is intact, and my anticipation is high. But you should have told me.Kasumigaoka Utaha: And why is that? Aren't you afraid, kouhai-kun? If I come, won't it create a troublesome love triangle with you, Yukinoshita-san, and myself?Hozuki Nozomi: You're welcome to come. I'm not afraid in the slightest.
A love triangle? he thought. Those only exist when the male lead is weak-willed and incapable, wanting everything but unable to manage the consequences. He had no such limitations. If necessary, he'd simply… persuade all parties involved.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: Very well. Prepare yourself. Utaha-senpai will be arriving at Soubu High soon, bringing a certain blonde tsundere in tow.Hozuki Nozomi: My embrace is ready and waiting.Kasumigaoka Utaha: I knew it. You have feelings for that tsundere, don't you?Hozuki Nozomi: I won't deny it. In fact, I just invited her to Sakura Dormitory for this afternoon. Would Utaha-senpai care to join us?Kasumigaoka Utaha: To sit in your lap, you mean?Hozuki Nozomi: If that's what you desire.Kasumigaoka Utaha: I'll pass. It's rare for that tsundere to have a moment in the spotlight. I won't steal her thunder.
She would never admit to the sudden flutter of nerves his invitation caused.Hozuki Nozomi: Utaha-senpai, are you… scared? You were so bold that day in the clubroom. If Eriri hadn't interrupted, I think you might have already… graduated to adulthood.Kasumigaoka Utaha: It's precisely because I'm more mature and composed than her that I'm letting her go first.
She would never admit to being scared. Besides, romance required proper pacing and development. She wouldn't give herself to him until she was certain of his complete devotion. What if she gave everything and was later cast aside? The heartbreak would be unbearable. While a part of her acknowledged that someone as possessive as Hozuki Nozomi was unlikely to simply discard someone he'd claimed, she still hoped to secure a uniquely cherished place in his heart.
Hozuki Nozomi: Alright. Since Utaha-senpai is being shy, I'll see you when you arrive at Soubu.Kasumigaoka Utaha: Just you wait. See if I don't craft the most exquisite, dramatic love triangle plot for you once I'm there!