15% Newbie discount runs till 31st of August. Details on my Patreon!!
***
Time soon slipped into the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
Nozomi had an appointment and had already messaged Yukinoshita Yukino to excuse himself from club activities for the day. Yukino, ever the perfectionist, was a bit miffed by his absence, but Yuigahama Yui, clinging to her side for tutoring help, pulled her attention away before the irritation could truly settle.
Meanwhile, Nozomi left the school grounds and made his way to the park where he was supposed to meet someone. He arrived a little early, standing under the shade of a tree as the breeze fluttered through the leaves like a gentle whisper.
Before long, a familiar flash of pink caught his eye.
A long-haired girl with vibrant sakura-pink locks ran toward him, waving energetically. Her smile was radiant, lighting up her whole face like a burst of springtime.
"Nozomi! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
She dashed forward with zero hesitation. Before Nozomi could even process what was happening, she leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly. Her soft, slender arms wrapped around his waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He staggered slightly, caught off guard.
"Whoa...!"
A sweet, almost intoxicating scent enveloped him, and the plush softness of her body pressed against him without reserve. It was Sakurahara Momo.
Without a word, Nozomi returned the hug, his hands instinctively moving to hold her close.
Momo's cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue. She peeked up at him, half-pouting.
"Don't let go yet," she whispered. "Someone's watching."
Nozomi blinked. Someone was watching?
"Who is it? A classmate of yours?"
"Not Yasuo, if that's what you're thinking," Momo whispered hurriedly. "I haven't spoken to him since he turned me down. He's... a persistent one, and it's honestly exhausting."
Nozomi's arms tightened slightly as he felt a pair of unseen eyes boring into him from the distance.
"So let me get this straight—Sakurahara-senpai asked me out to this park just to pretend I'm your boyfriend in front of your stubborn admirer?"
"Exactly!" she said with a cheeky grin. "Since I cut ties with Hose-kuny, a bunch of others started approaching me, especially that guy. And let's be honest, among all the guys I know, you're the most suitable. Handsome, reliable, and very convincing when playing... intimate."
She winked.
Nozomi stared at her, deadpan. "So you want me to act like your perverted boyfriend now? Why 'perverted' of all things? What do you even think of me?"
Momo looked a little sheepish, her fingers playing with the hem of her skirt. Nozomi, suppressing a sigh, picked her up bridal-style and sat her down on the nearby bench. Then, with practiced ease, he flicked her forehead and pinched her soft cheek.
"Alright, senpai. Out with it. Give me the full story."
With her face a light shade of red, Momo began.
"Okay, okay! So... the boys in Toshobu High are kind of obsessed with me. Some students even formed a 'Cherry Support Squad'. It's ridiculous."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow.
"More than half the guys there have confessed or planned to. But no one dared while Hazuki Yasuo was still in the picture. He was this wall—nice, tall, clueless as heck. But when I confessed to him after transferring to Sobu High, he rejected me. It stung, but it also freed me. I was finally able to stop lingering in one-sided feelings."
"But then," she continued, voice dropping, "some guy immediately jumped at the opportunity. He said he had been watching me and that he knew Yasuo and I weren't talking anymore. He wouldn't take no for an answer. So I panicked and told him I had a boyfriend."
She gave Nozomi a look.
"You."
Nozomi's face twitched. "...Me?"
"Yep! I said you were a super perverted boyfriend who kissed me, hugged me without hesitation, and did all sorts of indecent things. I even added that you're the top student of Sobu High. I thought it'd scare him off."
"And did it?"
"Nope. He said he wouldn't give up unless he saw my so-called perverted boyfriend for himself."
Nozomi was speechless.
"So now I'm the degenerate villain in some teenage romance? And public enemy number one at your school?"
Momo giggled awkwardly and nodded.
"Unbelievable... Who's this guy? Want me to go talk to him? Maybe punch some sense into his stubborn head?"
"What?! No violence! Just act the part for now. Once he sees us all lovey-dovey, he'll back off."
Nozomi narrowed his eyes. "You're enjoying this a little too much, aren't you, Senpai? Don't tell me you made this up just to find an excuse to get close to me."
Momo blinked innocently, then leaned forward, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
"And if I am?" Momo blinked at him innocently, her glossy eyes glinting mischievously. "You're the one who caused all this, remember? Because of you, I broke ties with Hose-kun. Shouldn't you take responsibility?"
She poked his chest with her finger. "Besides, you already have so many girls chasing after you. What's wrong with letting one more climb aboard your ship of love? Or are you saying I'm not good enough?"
Nozomi let out a low chuckle and suddenly kissed her cheek. His hand, bold as ever, slid upwards, eliciting a tiny gasp from Momo.
"H-Hey! You really are a pervert!"
"Didn't you just say you needed a perverted boyfriend? I'm just fulfilling my role, senpai."
He tilted her chin up gently with his fingers, eyes gleaming with mock seriousness. "You ruined my image at Toshobu High, made me the infamous 'pervert boyfriend.' If I'm already the villain in everyone's story, shouldn't I at least enjoy the benefits?"
"W-Wait… what are you talking about now?"
"Tell me, senpai… do you still have your first kiss?"
Momo stiffened, blinking rapidly. "O-Of course I do! What kind of question is that?!"
"Good. Mine's still intact, too. Well, if we're being technical—since you and I haven't done anything like that yet, we're both on even ground."
"Hah! You? With your shameless flirting? Don't make me laugh."
Nozomi smirked. "Believe it or not, it's true. But that ends now. Since you made up the story, I'll help you make it real."
Before she could protest, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Her words vanished, replaced by wide eyes and muffled sounds.
"Mmm—?! Wuwu… mmh…!"
The world blurred for a moment. Momo's face turned the color of sakura petals, her body tensing before slowly melting into the moment. She reached up, hesitantly wrapping her arms around his neck as if instinct guided her.
Though surprised, she didn't resist.
Nozomi smirked inwardly. He remembered that in the original work he had read, the person obsessed with Momo wasn't just any guy—but a yandere girl.
And judging by today's developments, that plot thread might just be unfolding.
Still, Momo had thrown herself into his arms willingly. If he just stood there and did nothing, he'd be the biggest fool in the multiverse.
But someone else wasn't enjoying the moment.
Just a few meters away, hidden behind a camouflaging row of trees, a small figure in a baseball cap clenched her fists tightly. Her petite frame trembled slightly with emotion.
She had followed her idol—Sakurahara Momo—only to witness her being held and kissed by some arrogant, smooth-talking guy.
The cap's brim cast a shadow over her eyes, but the glow of silent fury burned clearly.
"That… That pervert! He dared to defile President Sakura… in public no less! He'll pay for this…!"