After all, Hozuki Nozomi wasn't the type to refuse a request from a cute girl—especially not when she had that kind of expression on her face.
So, under the burning gazes of half the male population in class, he casually followed Kusami Tsukimi out of the classroom. He could almost hear the collective "Tch!" in their hearts. Of course, he ignored it all.
Hazuki Yasuo, meanwhile, looked a little conflicted.
He didn't say anything, but his brows twitched slightly. Yasuo had always been a gentleman—the kind who never pried into other people's private matters. Especially not those of Tsukimi, his childhood friend and long-time crush.
But still... if he truly cared about her, shouldn't he have at least asked?
A girl like Tsukimi pulling a guy aside during class break wasn't exactly common.
They found a quiet corridor near the stairwell. It was a rarely used space with vending machines humming softly nearby and sunlight spilling in through high glass windows.
Nozomi turned to the girl beside him. Her pale blue hair shimmered faintly under the light, and those large, watery eyes of hers seemed to carry both innocence and trouble.
His gaze couldn't help but briefly wander downward.
Damn. She was seriously well-developed.
Clearing his throat twice, Nozomi decided to cut to the chase before his imagination wandered too far.
"Tsukimi-san... what did you want to talk about?"
Tsukimi took a moment, clasping her hands together as if summoning courage. Then, she spoke plainly:
"Hozuki-kun, could you please... break up with Sumireko-chan?"
Nozomi blinked. "...Nani?"
She pressed on. "Hazuki-kun... he really likes Sumireko. I just thought if you weren't together, he might have a chance. So I... I wanted to help him."
Nozomi gave her a deadpan stare.
"You serious right now? Are you trying to be a shoujo manga antagonist?"
Tsukimi's lips curled slightly. "Just testing you. I figured you'd react like this."
Nozomi sighed. "You're pretty bold for someone who just tried to play matchmaker with my girlfriend."
She giggled softly. "I suppose it's... my way of showing I care. Like how you care about Sumireko-chan—you don't want to lose her. That's very... otoko-rashii, you know? Very manly."
He narrowed his eyes. "And what about you? Why are you really doing this?"
Tsukimi's expression turned solemn.
"Because... I realized Hazuki-kun is kind, but a little futsuu janai—not normal. Maybe even I'm not. Me and Cherry-senpai, we've been around him for years, and yet…"
"You just noticed now?" Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "Asking me to break up with my girlfriend to make some guy happy—yeah, totally normal."
Tsukimi bowed deeply. "Gomenasai! It was wrong of me. I don't even know you that well. I was... testing you, I guess."
Her chest jiggled slightly as she moved, and Nozomi's eyelids twitched. This childhood friend trope is dangerous.
Hazuki Yasuo was really abnormal to not notice all this.
"Well, since you're older, I'll let it slide," Nozomi said smugly.
"Older?!" Tsukimi looked up in surprise.
She followed his gaze—only to realize where he was staring.
"Y-You pervert!"
She quickly crossed her arms over her chest, cheeks bright red.
Nozomi smirked. "Relax. Sumireko's figure is better than yours, anyway. You've got nothing to worry about."
He meant: Don't flatter yourself, you're not even worth my perviness.
Tsukimi huffed, puffing her cheeks out. Her beautiful eyes glared back at him, but behind them was a tiny flicker of amusement.
Maybe this Hozuki Nozomi... wasn't so bad.
But seeing that he remained unmoved, Kusami Tsukimi felt another wave of frustration wash over her.
"Am I really that bad?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Whether it's Hose-kun or you, neither of you seem to like me..."
Hozuki Nozomi gave her a small, amused smile.
"Tsukimi, what are you even worried about? If you didn't have charm, the guys in class wouldn't keep sneaking glances at you every time you walk by."
He leaned casually against the wall, arms folded. "Of course, if you're going to compare yourself to Sumireko, I'll just keep my mouth shut. No comment."
Tsukimi pouted.
Nozomi continued, "There's this saying, y'know: 'Those who are favored are fearless.' I think you and Cherry-senpai have been too nice to Hose-kun. That guy's gotten so used to your care, he doesn't even notice it anymore."
"Ever heard of the concept of 'tsundere'? Try ignoring him for a bit. Let him stew in his own confusion and see what life is like without your constant kindness."
Tsukimi turned red, clearly flustered.
"Wait... don't tell me you already tried that? And then caved the moment he gave you that soft, heart-melting smile and spoke a few sweet words?"
She nodded slowly, embarrassed.
Nozomi scratched his head. "Yare yare... You're hopeless. I nailed it on the first guess, didn't I?"
He sighed. "Okay, let's pretend I didn't say anything. But honestly... love is a battlefield. And sincerity? That should never be ignored."
His voice softened. "Actually, I pulled Hose-kun aside once. Told him straight up that you and Cherry-senpai had feelings for him, and maybe... maybe he should think about it seriously. But he didn't believe me. Said you were both just good friends."
Tsukimi's eyes welled with tears. "So that's how it is... figures. That's just like him."
Nozomi looked at her for a moment, then raised his hand and gently tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"So why him? Why do you keep choosing someone who can't even see what's right in front of him? Doesn't that feel... a little pathetic?"
"If he truly had feelings for you, then after hearing what I said, shouldn't he have done something? Confessed, at the very least?"
Nozomi narrowed his eyes. "Unless he wants to date both of you, in which case, he's just scum and my words don't matter."
He let go of her chin.
"Listen, Tsukimi. Girls should know their own worth. You're not just good, you're amazing. Same for Cherry-senpai. As student council president, I'm sure she's got plenty of people lining up to confess."
He gave a small, teasing smirk.
"If I were Hose-kun, I wouldn't let either of you go."
He stretched. "Anyway, if you don't have anything else to say, I'm heading back. Who knows what kind of rumors those guys will start? Probably something ridiculous like, 'The mysterious transfer student seduced the exchange student by the vending machines.'"
Tsukimi let out a surprised laugh. "Honestly, that kind of rumor wouldn't exist without your kyun-worthy behavior."
"You mean the chin lift? Guilty," Nozomi shrugged. "Maybe I did want to fluster you a little. But more than that, I wanted to remind you of something: you're worth more than being someone else's wingman. Don't keep hurting yourself like this."
He turned to go, but paused. "And as Sumireko's boyfriend, and your friend... please tell all this to Cherry-senpai too."
He walked away without looking back.
Tsukimi stood frozen, staring at his retreating back.
Her fingers hovered over her chest.
"Don't you feel wronged...?"
A small giggle escaped her lips. "Yeah... why should Cherry and I feel wronged?"
Her gaze turned sharper. "Hose-kun, you really don't get it... you made us both sick of this."
A decision was made, quietly but surely.
Moments later, the two returned to the classroom, one after the other.
As soon as he sat down, Shiina Mahiru leaned over and poked Nozomi's arm.
"So, did you figure it out?"
"Figure out what?"
"Kusami Runa, obviously."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oi, it's not like anything's going to happen in five minutes. And besides, with Mahiru-chan watching me so closely, I should be more careful."
Mahiru grinned. "Then tonight... I'll be waiting."
Nozomi suddenly felt a dry lump in his throat. His stomach grumbled awkwardly.
Maybe he should invite Mashiro over too.
Double team on games tonight?
Feed the angel a good meal, then grind some ranked? Now that was peace.