Remember, Momo's nickname is Cherry, Kusami's nickname is Tsukimi, Yasuo's nickname is Hose, and Sumireko's nickname is Pansy.
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While Nozomi was enjoying the comfort of Shiina Mahiru's lap pillow, the three exchange students at Sobu High had nearly gathered all the information they needed.
Momo Sakurahara and Kusami Runa exchanged glances before Momo finally spoke up.
"Oi, Hose-kuni, Tsukimi and I asked around. We spoke to Kawasaki from Class F—she confirmed it. The guy who experienced the wedding event with Sumireko is named Hozuki Nozomi, also from Class F, first year. Apparently, he's got quite the reputation with the girls here."
She folded her arms, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and mild disapproval.
"Some people say he's juggling multiple relationships at once. Even the famous high school actress, Mai Sakurajima, has been linked to him in rumors."
Hearing this, Yasuo Hazuki's expression darkened, his brows furrowing in frustration.
"There's no way Sumireko would be involved with someone like that! I refuse to believe it! She must be using this guy as a shield to make me give up! That's gotta be it!"
His fists clenched as he tried to convince himself. Meanwhile, Kusami Runa felt a pang of bitterness in her chest. Sumireko, Sumireko, Sumireko—was that all Yasuo ever thought about?
She had always been there for him, alongside Momo Sakurahara, yet he never seemed to notice.
Biting back her feelings, Kusami Runa forced a reassuring smile.
"So? Are you still planning to go after Sumireko?"
"Of course." Hazuki's voice was firm, his eyes filled with determination. "I won't back down until I hear the truth from her. There's no way that womanizing bastard is better than me!"
Momo Sakurahara chuckled, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"Well, Hose-kun, we've got your back. Let's first confirm whether Nozomi is really dating Sumireko or not."
"Yeah! Let's go find him now!"
With that, Yasuo Hazuki and his group made their way back to Hayato Hayama.
"Oi, Hayama," Yasuo started, his tone pressing. "I heard Hozuki Nozomi is the class rep for Class F. Do you know where he is right now? I need to have a word with him."
Hayama greeted them with his usual friendly smile.
"If you're looking for Nozomi, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. He already went home."
Momo Sakurahara's eyes widened in disbelief.
"The exchange event isn't even over yet! He's the class rep—how could he just leave like that? So irresponsible."
Hayama's smile didn't waver. "Nozomi-kun already took care of all the preparations for the event. The rest is just a matter of execution. Besides, he's always been part of the 'going-home club.' He probably had something important to do. Everyone understands."
Momo Sakurahara still looked skeptical.
"Hayama-san, is he really that well-liked?"
Hayama nodded. "Yeah, I'd say so. He's especially popular with the girls."
Most of the boys, however, envied Nozomi to the point where they avoided him.
Momo and Kusami Runa exchanged glances, the same thought crossing their minds: "Lady-killer."
Meanwhile, Yasuo Hazuki's scowl deepened.
"Hayama-san, thanks for the info. I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow."
After leaving the venue, the three had lost their enthusiasm for exploring. Yasuo Hazuki, in particular, looked like he was ready to explode from impatience.
Momo Sakurahara grinned and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Cheer up, Hose-kun! You're the one who said Sumireko might just be using him as a shield."
"Besides, back in Toshobu High, aren't you super popular with the girls too?"
Yasuo Hazuki exhaled deeply, forcing a smirk. "You're right, Momo-senpai. I'll wait till tomorrow."
Seeing him perk up slightly, Momo smiled. She had done her part. However, as the student council president of Toshobu High, she wasn't just here to babysit Hazuki's love troubles.
Her main goal was to evaluate Sobu High's academic environment, campus facilities, and club activities. This cultural exchange was an opportunity to bring back valuable strategies to her own school.
As much as she cared about Hazuki, she had a duty to fulfill. It was time to get to work.
Meanwhile, back at Sakurasou...
Under Yukinoshita Yukino's sharp gaze, Nozomi was forced to abandon his lap pillow luxury with Shiina Mahiru. With a sigh, he checked the time before turning to Yukinoshita.
"Yukinoshita, it's getting late. I'll walk you home."
He smirked slightly before adding, "Of course, if you'd rather stay, I wouldn't mind."
Yukinoshita huffed, crossing her arms. "Just take me home."
Ever since that incident where she was surrounded by delinquents, she wasn't keen on walking back alone.
Leaving behind Shiina Mahiru and Sanshokuin Sumireko, Nozomi escorted Yukinoshita away from Sakurasou.
The walk was quiet at first, an unusual stillness settling between them. Neither spoke. The only sounds were the rhythmic steps echoing in the night air.
Yukinoshita stole a glance at him, her lips pursing slightly.
"Baka."
She muttered under her breath, unable to resist calling him out.
But Nozomi merely looked at her with a teasing smile, his voice carrying a playful threat:
"If you keep calling me that, I might have to take action against you."
"You wouldn't dare!"
She shot him a sharp glare, lifting her chin defiantly as her striking blue eyes locked onto his.
"I really don't dare. If I bully you, Yukinoshita-senpai will definitely get angry."
Nozomi chuckled, continuing to walk beside her as they made their way home.
Yukino's expression shifted slightly before she spoke again, her voice softer this time.
"What do you think of… my sister?"
"Huh? Yukinoshita-senpai? Well, she's incredibly beautiful, mature yet playful, sharp yet charming. Conversations with her never seem to run dry. It's like… she makes everything around her more interesting."
Yukino let out a quiet "Oh," her tone tinged with something close to disappointment. Her usual cool demeanor seemed to falter as her gaze dropped to the pavement.
"Being around me must be stifling, right?" she muttered.
Nozomi remained silent, listening as she continued.
"My sister has always been exceptional. No matter where she goes, people admire her. They gravitate toward her naturally… Meanwhile, I…"
Her voice wavered.
"I just sit there, watching her shine."
Nozomi suddenly stopped in his tracks. Yukino flinched slightly, feeling his steady gaze on her.
"What is it?" she asked, shifting uncomfortably.
Nozomi smiled, his usual teasing tone absent for once. Instead, he gently reached out, clasping her hand in his.
"I'm just surprised, that's all. I never thought the ever-composed club president would confide in me like this."
Yukino's eyes widened, her face turning a shade of pink.
She panicked.
Why am I telling him this? Why do I even care what he thinks? Am I expecting… encouragement?
Realizing their hands were still intertwined, she instinctively tried to pull away. But his grip, while not forceful, remained firm.
"H-Hey! Who said you could just hold my hand? Y-You pervert!"
Nozomi blinked before quickly letting go, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Ah… my bad. I was just making sure you didn't get lost. Yukinoshita-senpai did say you have a terrible sense of direction."
Yukino's eyebrow twitched, her irritation immediately replacing her embarrassment.
"Excuse me? I am not bad with directions! I simply take time to familiarize myself with new places. Besides, I've walked home from Sakurasou plenty of times! How could I possibly forget the way?!"
"Of course, of course. I would never doubt you."
Nozomi smirked but then deliberately let his gaze drop.
Yukino immediately crossed her arms over her chest, scowling.
"You just looked down on me, didn't you?"
"What? No, not at all. I was just admiring you."
Yukino's glare intensified.
"You were obviously judging me!"
Nozomi chuckled, waving his hands in defense.
"I swear, I wasn't! The president is absolutely beautiful."
Despite his words, Yukino's mind betrayed her, recalling the curvaceous figures of girls like Sakurasou's Sanshokuin Sumireko and the elegant Shiina Mahiru.
Compared to them, she—
"…Tch."
She clenched her teeth and abruptly quickened her pace.
Nozomi jogged after her. "Oi, are you mad?"
"Hmph. What do you think?"
"You seem mad, but can't a guy appreciate his friend's beauty?"
"…You call that appreciation?" Yukino huffed, refusing to meet his gaze.
Nozomi's smirk returned. The second princess of the Yukinoshita family was always so cold and composed, yet in moments like this—when she got flustered—she was actually kind of cute.
He decided to push his luck a little more.
"Come on, don't be angry. Since you shared something personal with me, it's only fair I tell you something about myself in return."
Yukino's steps slowed just the tiniest bit.
"…I'm not interested."
She said the words, but her posture betrayed her curiosity.
Nozomi's grin widened.
Yukino Yukinoshita—so cool, so elegant, yet utterly terrible at hiding her true feelings.