Ono Yu's brows twitched, the veins on his temple popping as he read the message sent by Ishihara Keiko and the others.
"Tch... There's no way. Mayama-san doesn't have a boyfriend. She never mentioned it!"
His voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and jealousy.
On the other side of the phone, Keiko's calm yet firm voice came through.
"Whether you believe it or not is your problem. But we've already told you — Mayama-san is meeting her boyfriend at the park right now. Be a man and leave her alone. She doesn't owe you anything."
Ono Yu's face flushed pale with anger. His fists clenched involuntarily.
"You're lying... You must be! I've been watching— there's never been a guy near her. You just grabbed some random guy to act like her boyfriend!"
"Suit yourself," Nakamura Yuri added, crossing her arms over her chest. "But if you get in her way again, you'll just be proving what kind of creep you really are."
Ono Yu scoffed, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
"Fine. Let's see how 'perverted' this fake boyfriend really is. If he dares touch her..."
With that, he stormed off, his mind racing with indignation and warped determination. If he had to, he'd fight for her. He was the Karate Club's ace for a reason.
—
Meanwhile, Nozomi sat quietly on a wooden bench in the park, bathed in the soft golden light of the afternoon sun. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings calmly.
No sign of Asaka Mayama yet.
Instead, a familiar scent wafted into the air—fresh, floral, with a faint hint of vanilla. A slender figure approached, dressed in a simple but elegant white dress. The breeze teased her sky-blue hair as she walked toward him.
"Nozomi-kun, have you been waiting long?"
Tsukimi's voice was gentle as she took a seat beside him, her smile sweet yet laced with something mischievous.
"Not at all. I just arrived."
Nozomi offered her a composed smile, his tone light.
"So, Runa-chann... What did you want to talk about?"
Tsukimi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and tilted her head, her bright blue eyes locking onto his.
"What, can't I just talk to a friend without a reason? We exchanged numbers, didn't we? That makes us friends."
"Of course."
Nozomi chuckled.
Tsukimi noticed his subtle glance at her figure. A small, smug smile formed on her lips. She leaned in, pressing her chest slightly against his arm as she looped it with hers. The sudden softness against him made Nozomi's body stiffen slightly.
Then, she rested her head lightly on his shoulder.
What's this girl playing at? Nozomi blinked.
Feeling his breath hitch, Tsukimi's smile widened ever so slightly. She wasn't just teasing — she was testing. Competing. With someone who didn't even know they were rivals.
"Nozomi-kun, I saw what happened between you and Cherry-Senpai."
Her sudden statement made his eyes sharpen slightly.
"So? Are you trying to blackmail me now?"
"Correct."
Her voice was soft, but unwavering.
"I want the same treatment. If you don't agree, I'll let Sumireko know what you've been up to."
Nozomi blinked once, then let out a helpless sigh.
"Runa-chan... Do you realize that you're giving me a ridiculously good deal here?"
"I know," she said, hugging his arm tighter, her lips pouting.
"Didn't you tell me once to treasure myself? I've thought about it."
"Both Cherry and I were drawn to Yasuo-kun's gentleness, but he rejected both of us. After that, I was really lost... But while I was hesitating, Cherry already made her move. I won't lose to her again."
She paused, her voice softening.
"So please, Nozomi-kun. Yasuo doesn't know how to appreciate me. But maybe you can. Can you treasure me instead?"
Her pleading blue eyes shimmered with emotion. Nozomi let out another sigh and gently patted her head.
"Are you sure about this? I'm not exactly a saint. I'm... greedy."
"Better greedy than heartless. As long as you don't throw me away and treat me like you do Cherry, I won't regret it."
She bit her lip.
"And besides, I want to know what it feels like to steal Sumireko's boyfriend. It's not fair if I'm the only loser."
Looking at the faint pain hidden beneath her bravado, Nozomi finally gave in. He wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
"Then let me be the one who cherishes you, Runa-chan."
He leaned in.
Her breath caught in her throat as their lips met, soft and warm. Her arms instinctively slid around his neck, pulling him closer.
So this is what kissing feels like...
Runa's cheeks flushed, her heartbeat quickening. Cherry really was sneaky — she experienced this first.
But now... she wasn't far behind.
As she melted into his embrace, she didn't notice the stunned figure watching them from nearby — Asaka Mayama had just arrived, her eyes wide in disbelief at the sight before her.
.....
Just then, a gasp broke through the air, shattering the moment.
"Y-You... you two are shameless!" cried Mayama Asaka, her eyes wide with shock.
Startled, Nozomi let go of Runa with practiced calm, his gaze turning to the flustered red-haired girl standing nearby.
"You're here. Took you long enough, Sasanqua," Nozomi said with a lazy grin. He patted the bench beside him. "Come on over."
"W-Why should I listen to you?!" Sasanqua stammered, her cheeks burning crimson.
"Because I'm your perverted boyfriend, remember? That's the role you cast me in. So hurry up and get over here before the audience arrives."
Before she could retort, a panicked voice came through her earpiece — Ishihara Keiko's voice.
"Sasanqua, Ono's on his way! Are you ready?!"
Gritting her teeth, Sasanqua stomped over and sat next to Nozomi with stiff movements. Runa tilted her head in confusion, but said nothing.
Without warning, Nozomi wrapped his arm around Sasanqua's waist.
"Eep!" she squeaked, her eyes going wide.
But it didn't stop there. With an easy lift, Nozomi pulled her onto his lap.
"Wha—!?" Sasanqua pressed her hands against his chest, flailing in sheer panic.
"Don't struggle. Just wrap your arms around my neck and sit still. Be a good girl, Sasanqua," he whispered with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Her body froze.
Face redder than a boiling kettle, tears welled up in her eyes — not from sadness, but sheer, overwhelming embarrassment.
"Y-You're the worst," she muttered, hiding her face against his chest.
Nozomi chuckled.
"Hey, don't blame me. You're the one who said your boyfriend was a total pervert. I'm just playing the role to perfection."
Runa raised an eyebrow, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief.
"So… this whole thing… was a setup?"
Nozomi turned to her with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Runa. Emergency situation. I promise I'll make it up to you later. We've still got time today, don't we?"
Sasanqua wished she could vanish into thin air. Just what kind of monster had she invited into her life?
This pervert… he's really too much!
Yet strangely, his embrace was warm, steady… even comforting.
Her first time holding a boy like this, and her heart felt like it might explode.
Just then, the atmosphere shifted.
A low growl echoed behind them.
"Where's Mayama's boyfriend?! If you're lying to me—! Huh?!"
Ono Yu froze mid-step.
The scene in front of him was like a page torn straight from a forbidden shoujo manga.
One impossibly handsome boy, casually hugging a stunning blue-haired girl with curves that could make statues blush.
In his arms, nestled close, was none other than Mayama Asakaa — his Mayama — her delicate arms wrapped tightly around the boy's neck, face buried in his chest like they were lovers.
Ono Yu's brain short-circuited.
No way… two girls at once? That bastard really is a pervert!
His fists clenched, jaw tight with fury and disbelief. But deep down, a part of him wavered — could he really beat someone like that?