Hello fam, I hope you're doing well.
The break was unexpected just like my ISP decided that internet was not a basic need. Fear not, I'm dropping 10 chapters as compensation and yes, I'll drop 5 more either tomorrow or over the weekend.
Onto important matters, a shout out to Somebody, they joined us on Tuesday this week.
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After the first class, many students quickly surrounded Hazuki Yasuo, eager to get to know the new transfer student. His warm demeanor and friendly smile made it easy for him to blend in seamlessly.
Meanwhile, Miura Yumiko and a few other girls approached Tsukimi engaging her in casual conversation. After all, Kusamizuki was a cute girl, and Miura Yumiko had a personal rule: she only befriended girls who were equally attractive. Otherwise, the imbalance could lead to unnecessary drama and insecurity, which was bad for friendships. Kusamizuki fit the criteria perfectly—she was a cold beauty with an enviable figure, yet her soft, gentle voice made her approachable.
Despite being the center of attention, Hazuki Yasuo's gaze kept drifting toward Hozuki Nozomi. Even as he skillfully navigated the crowd of students, a sense of tension lingered in his expression. Finally, after breaking free from the circle of admirers, he walked toward Nozomi and extended his hand in greeting.
"Hozuki Nozomi, right? I'm Hazuki Yasuo. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me."
Nozomi, ever the composed one, gave him a polite smile and shook his hand. "Ah, yes. I know you, Mr. Hose. Sumireko mentioned you before. Back in junior high, she really appreciated your help. Looking forward to studying with you."
Yasuo stiffened. That tone—why did it sound so much like a boyfriend acknowledging an ex's old friend?
His heart twisted uncomfortably, but he forced a smile. "Oh? Sumireko talked about me?"
"Of course. She said there was this guy in junior high who was super popular with girls and always helped fend off her suitors. I should thank you for that. If not for you, I might not have had the chance to be with Sumireko now."
A sharp pang of bitterness shot through Yasuo's chest. His stomach churned. What was this? Was Nozomi seriously thanking him? For that?!
His forced smile faltered for a second before he quickly recovered. "Ah..."
Nozomi, still smiling, clapped a hand on his chest. "By the way, if you need a campus tour, leave it to me. I'm sure the student council gave you one yesterday, but I'll make sure you really experience the charm of Sobu High."
His bright smile made it impossible to refuse.
Yasuo stared for a moment, momentarily at a loss. That confident, gentle smile, the relaxed attitude—was Nozomi really this easygoing? No wonder Sumireko was drawn to him.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya Hachiman, watching from the sidelines, tensed up. Dangerous. This guy was dangerous.
Komachi must never meet him. Absolutely not. That smile was a walking cheat code.
The girls in the classroom were already swooning.
"So cool!"
"Wait, is Nozomi-kun even more handsome than Hayato-kun when he smiles?"
Miura Yumiko, who had been chatting with Yui and Tsukimi turned her head at the commotion. The moment she saw Nozomi's dazzling smile, she froze.
Her heartbeat quickened. She quickly placed a hand over her chest, as if to calm herself down.
Crap.
Nozomi's smile was lethal. A single glance and she felt like she was going to break. How was he even allowed to be this good-looking?!
Hayama Hayato was feeling a bit unsure of himself at this moment. Hozuki Nozomi's presence was even more dazzling than his own. Wasn't that smile something he himself had perfected? But hadn't Yukinoshita Haruno always acted indifferent toward guys like him? Could it be… Haruno actually liked people like Hozuki Nozomi?
Hayama found his thoughts spiraling, losing focus for a moment.
What a pity.
Even if he racked his brain, he wouldn't figure it out. The reason he had been completely shut out was because, back in elementary school, he had wronged Yukinoshita Yukino.
Meanwhile, Yasuo Hazuki looked at Hozuki Nozomi's smile and felt uncomfortable. After all, he had been hoping to steal the spotlight.
At the same time, irritation boiled inside him.
He had met Sumireko first.
But now, Hozuki Nozomi had taken everything away from him so easily.
He still wanted to probe deeper—what exactly was the nature of the relationship between Nozomi and Sumireko? How far had things progressed?
But the school bell rang, signaling the start of class. As a so-called "model student," he could only return to his seat and do his work.
Just then, Shiina Mahiru slid a small note onto Hozuki Nozomi's desk.
She had always been the picture of an exemplary student, yet because of him, she had started passing notes in class.
Nozomi unfolded the note and read the short message:
"You're terrible."
"Stop flashing that smile everywhere! You're attracting too much attention!"
Hozuki Nozomi chuckled softly.
With a small smirk, he scribbled a reply and slipped the note back to her.
Shiina Mahiru opened it, and in an instant, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.
It read: "No worries, my smile only blooms for my favorite angel—Shiina Mahiru."
"Pfft—!"
She barely suppressed a gasp as she shot him a flustered look.
This guy really knew how to sweet-talk.
She thought it would've been enough if he had simply written, "My smile only blooms for you."
But even though she wouldn't admit it aloud, her heart was soaring.
Meanwhile, Yasuo Hazuki caught sight of Shiina Mahiru's blushing expression and the way she exchanged notes with Hozuki Nozomi. His face darkened instantly.
Hold on.
If Nozomi was dating Sumireko, then why was he flirting with other girls?!
If Nozomi had heard Yasuo Hazuki's inner monologue, he probably would've rolled his eyes.
Oh? So you think you're some kind of saint?
So noble! So virtuous!
And yet… haven't you left Kusamizuki and Sakurahara Momo heartbroken?
Didn't Sumireko flee from your advances because of this exact reason?
Hozuki Nozomi, on the other hand, had no plans to abandon any of the cute girls who were devoted to him.
Only kids make choices. I, Hozuki Nozomi, will have them all!
If you have the ability, then why not?
Yasuo Hazuki's expression kept shifting, his fists clenched tightly. Tsukimi, seated nearby, noticed this.
She was just as intrigued.
Since Nozomi was already with a beautiful girl like Sumireko, why was he still charming other girls?
And judging by the way Shiina Mahiru gazed at him, there was no way she saw him as just a friend.
However, Nozomi paid no mind to their glances. He continued passing notes with Mahiru.
Nozomi: "Mahiru, why did you say I was bad just now?"
Mahiru: "Are you kidding? You knew that Yasuo Hazuki liked Sumireko, but you still thanked him while acting like her boyfriend."
Nozomi: "It's fine. If he thinks I'm bad, so be it. What really matters is that Mahiru was praising me last night."
Upon reading this, Mahiru's entire face turned bright red, her blush reaching all the way to her ears.
She shot him a flustered glare, hurriedly scribbling a response before handing it back.
Mahiru: "You're still talking about that?! I told you to stop at some point—I almost didn't have the energy to focus in class today."
Nozomi: "That's why I had Frieren give you a rejuvenating potion this morning. Besides, I'm like this because I like Mahiru. Can we continue tonight?"
Mahiru's body stiffened, her heart racing.
And before she even realized what she was doing…
She had already written a response and handed it over.
It read: "Yes."
A simple answer. A promise.
Hozuki Nozomi's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
His mind drifted to the thought of Mahiru's soft body.
The warm, plush sensation against his hands.
That perfect, irresistible feeling.
He couldn't get enough.
For a moment, anticipation filled his mind.
Tonight was going to be fun.