Hikigaya Hachiman stood his ground, declaring with a fire in his voice that he would never, ever let Hozuki Nozomi get close to his precious Komachi.
Nozomi, in turn, offered only a sly, knowing smile.
As the sole player of the Game of Life system, Nozomi didn't need to chase. Even standing still, fate had a way of delivering the girls to him. Cute, lively girls like Hikigaya Komachi were bound to cross paths with him sooner or later—an inevitability carved by the very will of the universe. That mysterious, unseen force that governs anime logic and plot armor—the legendary power of world consciousness—was firmly on his side.
Every choice Nozomi made carved a new branch in his destiny. And each decision brought him closer to the path he craved most—the path of beautiful chaos and greedy indulgence.
And right now? That path was winding ever deeper into unpredictable territory.
.......
It was afternoon. The air at Sobu High School shimmered with the lazy energy of the post-lunch lull.
Club activity time.
But thanks to a surprisingly harmonious lunch moment between Yuki Suo and Sumireko Sanshokuin earlier, Yukinoshita Yukino had made a decision—she would not be going to the club room today.
She couldn't risk it. What if that guy—Nozomi—decided to hug her again?!
How could she say no when she didn't even have the strength to glare properly anymore? She couldn't afford to confront him head-on, so she chose the only option left:
Retreat.
No cats at Sakurasou either. She went straight home after class like a proper young lady.
Still, being responsible, Yukino messaged the club members, letting them know not to show up to an empty club room.
Thus, with the second lady of Yukinoshita out of sight, Hozuki Nozomi had no reason to grace the Service Club with his presence. Instead, he made his way to the school library, where he joined Sanshokuin Sumireko to work on his pending script.
Nozomi was not a fan of procrastination. He planned to hand off the script to Senior Misaki tonight. Knowing Kamigusa Misaki's animated personality, he could already imagine the over-the-top praise she'd shower him with.
However...
Today's library was unexpectedly bustling.
Momo Sakurahara, Kusami Runa, and Hazuki Yasuo were also there.
But they hadn't come for books—they came to say goodbye.
Their short-lived stint as exchange students was at an end. It was time for them to return to Toshobu High School.
Hazuki Yasuo glanced wistfully at Sanshokuin Sumireko, let out a bitter smile, and slumped his shoulders as he turned to leave. He simply wanted one last glimpse of the girl he couldn't reach.
No one stopped him. No words of comfort. Momo and Tsukimi didn't even offer him a goodbye.
After all, some lessons are best learned the hard way. This clueless boy needed to feel what it meant to be ignored—to feel heartbreak in full.
Only through pain does one grow.
"Sumireko, once we part, who knows when we'll meet again..." Momo Sakurahara sighed wistfully.
"Yes, but there's always a chance, isn't there?" Sumireko answered lightly, choosing not to kill the mood.
"Absolutely! Once we return to Toshobu, we'll be pushing to revise the school rules. There'll definitely be a festival or school celebration soon. You have to come!" Momo's voice turned bright with excitement.
"Especially you, Nozomi-kun! We'll never forget how you exposed Tsukimi's and my secrets so casually!"
Momo and Tsukimi stared at him with piercing eyes.
Nozomi's brow twitched. "Senpai, let's not twist history here. I didn't attack you."
Momo puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms.
"You told Hazuki Yasuo that we liked him without even asking us! Isn't that an ambush confession?! Because of you, we had no choice but to face reality! Now things are totally awkward!"
Nozomi raised an eyebrow with all the confidence of a seasoned harem protagonist. "Then you should thank me. And if I recall correctly, you asked me to help your feelings reach him."
Tsukimi took a confident step forward, her curvaceous form causing even the air to momentarily pause. With a teasing smile, she declared, "That's true, but it's because of you that we had to confess to Hose-kun."
"So, you have to take responsibility for us, Nozomi."
Before he could react, both Tsukimi and Sakurahara Momo each wrapped themselves around one of his arms like mischievous cats claiming territory. The next second—chu—they kissed his cheeks in perfect sync, their expressions unreadably playful.
"We'll be waiting for you to make it up to us, so don't forget, okay?" Momo added with a wink.
They left the library with the elegance of two satisfied tricksters, leaving Nozomi rooted in place, blinking as if hit by a sudden Genjutsu.
He turned to face Sanshokuinn Sumireko, who was giving him that look—a look sharpened by intellect and laced with quiet fury.
"Sumireko, wait, listen to me. They're just playing around, I swear I didn't do anything weird!"
Sumireko crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Really now?"
"C'mon, you of all people should know I've got zero history with those two!"
Her stern expression cracked, and she suddenly let out a soft giggle. "Pfft, okay okay. I won't tease you anymore."
She leaned into his arms, her voice turning gentle. "Of course I believe you. Besides, I know those two better than anyone. They wouldn't have done it unless they meant it."
Nozomi sighed in relief, hugging her close. "Thanks for trusting me. Seriously. I don't want any misunderstandings between us."
Sumireko hummed in agreement. Then her tone changed again—low, sly, dangerous. "That said... they were serious when they said you should take responsibility."
Nozomi groaned. "Don't tell me I'm supposed to collect them like Pokémon now?"
Sumireko nodded with suspicious enthusiasm. "Might not be a bad idea. Don't think just because they once liked Yasuo that they're not pure. You wouldn't be losing out, you know."
"Let's just focus on us for now, okay? They're heading back to Toshobu High, anyway. Who knows if we'll even see them again."
He smiled and brushed her hair behind her ear. "For now, I just want to pay attention to my Sumireko."
Her cheeks flushed. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan to pay attention to me, hmm?"
Nozomi smirked. "How about I carry you back to Sakurasou and keep you locked up with me forever?"
She pouted adorably. "Pervert. But I wouldn't complain. Oh right, speaking of, how far did you get with the president at lunch today?"
Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "President ran away before club even started, thanks to you and Yuki."
"I didn't do anything!" Sumireko said, feigning innocence.
"I just hugged her, that's it. Not rushing anything. Still, thanks to you and Yuki for the setup. So, Sumireko, how should I reward you two?"
"Go on a proper date with me. Just the two of us."
He smiled warmly. "Then it's a date. You've got my full attention."
...
After staying in the library a little longer, Nozomi said goodbye to Sanshokuin Sumireko, who had to remain behind due to her librarian duties. Kawasaki Saki had taken a shift at work with Haruno, leaving Sumireko in charge.
Meanwhile, Nozomi had his own errand. Kamigusa Misaki had summoned him back to Sakurasou, saying there was something important awaiting him.
As he stepped into the living room of Sakurasou, his eyes widened.
There sat a striking blonde girl with twin ponytails, poised elegantly on the sofa. She wore the Toyogasaki Academy uniform, her alabaster skin glowing under the soft lights. Her figure was lithe, legs crossed gracefully in black knee-high socks that hugged just the right places.
A true bishoujo—like someone who stepped straight out of an ecchi doujin.
"Yo, Nozomi! You're back! Come meet our guest! This here is Sensei Kashiwagi Eri! Can you believe someone this drop-dead gorgeous is actually a professional doujinshi artist?!" Misaki announced without a shred of shame.
"Ahhh! Misaki-senpai! Who introduces someone like that?!"
Eri looked ready to melt into the floor out of sheer embarrassment. She covered her face, groaning softly.
"What kind of impression is that supposed to give?! Now I sound like a shameless pervert!"