"Hello, Nozomi-kun."
It was just past noon when Hozuki Nozomi approached the vending machine to grab his usual Max Coffee. Just as he pressed the button, a bubbly voice called out to him, and a girl with a trademark pink side bun bounced toward him.
It was Yuigahama Yui—energetic, charming, and endlessly cheerful. A girl whose lively spirit could light up even the gloomiest classroom.
"Yo, Yui. Good afternoon," Nozomi replied with a relaxed smile, unfazed by the light blush on the girl's cheeks.
He casually selected another drink—lemon soda—and offered it to her. "Here, want one?"
"Eh? Really? Thanks a bunch!" she bead, her mood instantly lifting.
Nozomi walked over to a nearby flower bed and sat on the stone ledge. With a pat on the spot beside him, he gestured, "Wanna sit?"
"Un!" She nodded happily and joined him without hesitation.
"Aren't you heading to your club today, Nozomi-kun?" she asked, trying to strike up conversation.
Yui looked vibrant in the afternoon sun, her hair bun swaying slightly with each tilt of her head. Her school shirt, just a little undone at the collar, gave her a breezy, casual charm—pure youth vibes.
"I was planning to," he answered, cracking open his coffee, "but the club president texted that the room wouldn't be open today. So I figured I'd just chill here and grab so drinks."
"The president is Yukinoshita-san from Class J, right?"
"Yup. Why?"
"Nothing~ It's just... Yukinoshita-san is so gorgeous. Her figure, her aura... Her waist, her legs... She's like a model... but ? Ugh. I just can't compare."
Her voice got softer and more embarrassed the more she spoke. She looked down shyly, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.
"And Yumiko's also suuuper pretty..."
Nozomi couldn't help but chuckle.
"Pfft... Yui, are you sure you're not into girls? You're praising them so much."
"T-That's not it!" Yui puffed out her cheeks, raising a mock fist in embarrassnt. "I'm just appreciating them, okay? Boys do it all the ti! Why can't I?"
"Fair point," he smirked. "But you know, Yui, you're cute too. I've noticed plenty of guys in class sneak glances at you when you're not looking."
That sudden praise made Yui's heart skip a beat. She tugged nervously at the hem of her blouse.
"T-That's not true… I an… Yumiko and Mahiru are way more popular than . Everyone likes them. Compared to them, I'm just... h."
Nozomi reached over and gently rested his hand on her shoulder, his expression unusually serious.
"Don't do that, Yui. Don't compare yourself like that. You're special in your own way. Yumiko and Mahiru are dazzling, sure—but so are you. And Ebina, well… she's got her own unique charm too… at least when she's not spouting BL nonsense."
Yui giggled at that. "Hina would definitely fangirl if she heard that."
"Well then," Nozomi leaned in playfully, "if I say you're cute, does that make you happy too?"
Yui turned beet red and covered her mouth. "I-I'm not telling you that! Geez! Don't just say things like that so casually! Girls get embarrassed too, you know!"
"Even embarrassed Yui is cute."
"Aghhh, baka! I'm ignoring you!"
"Heh. Smooth talker? Maybe. But I've only ever said that to Mahiru and Sayu. Even with Yumiko, I only gave her a hug when she was feeling down. That's hardly succubus behavior."
Yui pouted again. "Still, you're basically two-timing. That's bad, you know!"
"And now you're telling all this as if it's totally normal? Are you okay, Nozomi-kun?"
"I just don't want to lie to the girls I care about," he said honestly, his voice softer now. "Sure, I could play the perfect guy and tell each one she's the only one I love. But if the truth ca out, it'd hurt more. So I'd rather be upfront from the start and let them decide."
Yui's expression shifted. She hadn't expected that kind of honesty.
"But... isn't it wrong? To not be faithful? What kind of girl would accept that?"
"That depends. Mahiru and Sayu don't mind. Yumiko... she's fun to be around, and I like things as they are now."
"...Yumiko is a really nice girl," Yui said, her voice fading.
The conversation hit a natural pause. Neither of them moved, the stillness filled only by the gentle hum of cicadas and the fizz of soda cans.
Then Nozomi tilted his head and smiled gently.
"By the way, Yui, how co you have ti to talk to today? Where are Yumiko and the others?"
Yui lowered her head, her cheeks a soft pink.
"Yumiko and the others are acting like tour guides right now, helping Sayu-chan get used to the school. I thought I'd just get in the way, so I snuck off…"
"'I see,' Nozomi nodded, 'Then I really owe Yumiko a big thank you. Thanks to her, Sayu seems to be adapting so fast.'"
He looked at Yui with a genuine smile.
"And of course, I need to thank Yui too."
"'Eh? Why? Why ?' Yui blinked, flustered."
"Because Yui always brings good vibes. If it was just , the air would be way too heavy," he said, chuckling.
"Geez, baka," Yui puffed her cheeks and gave him a cute glare. "If I'm dumb, then no one in this whole world can speak anymore!"
She hesitated for a mont, then stood up suddenly, taking a deep breath like she was charging up guts pose energy.
"Um, Nozomi-kun! I've been learning how to bake cookies lately. If I made so, would you... want to try them?"
"'Of course I would. How could I say no to homade cookies from a beautiful woman like Yui?' he replied with a playful grin. 'So... where are they?'"
"They're not done yet! I'll bring them to you later this afternoon, okay?"
"Un. I'll be looking forward to it."
"I gotta run now! Ja ne~!"
And with that, Yui turned around and dashed off, the faint scent of her shampoo lingering behind.
Nozomi stood there for a mont, watching her go with a small smile playing on his lips.
He could already guess why Yukinoshita Yukino had suddenly canceled club activities today.
It must have been to give Yui a chance. Maybe she still felt the cookies she gifted last ti—or rather, that ero manga—wasn't enough to say thanks for saving her and her dog back then.
Co to think of it, that manga really left an impression. A big-sister type with oppai like that...
Nozomi couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the mory. Yui had probably been super embarrassed giving that to him.
And yet, today... she had clearly co just to talk to him. All nervous, all shy.
He didn't dislike this kind of approach. In fact...
He kind of liked it.
But still...
He hoped Yui could just be more honest with herself.
That way, it'd be easier for him to make a move.
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