Mashiro had a big day ahead—she was finally going to meet her editor and present her latest manga manuscript. The air was filled with a quiet buzz of excitement and nerves. Nozomi, ever the watchful guardian, couldn't help but worry. Mashiro might have talent beyond comprehension, but her sense of direction and general understanding of the world outside her art was... well, let's just say, not exactly S-rank.
Nozomi wasn't about to let her go alone. Not when there were shady people out there, and not when she looked like she could get lured away with just a taiyaki. So, he reached out to someone he trusted—Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Yukino," he messaged, "I need a favor. Can you accompany Mashiro to meet her editor today? She's heading out soon. And besides... don't you have plans to swing by Sakurasou to pet the cats anyway?"
Yukino had initially planned a peaceful weekend—no drama, just feline fluff therapy. So when she saw the message, her expression twitched. "So I come here to relax... and I get tasked with babysitting a child?" she muttered with a sigh. Of course, Mashiro wasn't a literal child, but based on Nozomi's descriptions, she was barely distinguishable from one in behavior. More like a rare breed of pet with ultra-high artistic talent.
Still, Yukino's kindness ran deep, even if she kept it under a layer of ice. And the idea of Mashiro wandering around the city like a lost lamb activated her sense of duty. So she accepted it—under protest, of course. In her mind, this was just another assignment from the Service Club.
"If I can, I'll try to guide her a little too..." she murmured to herself, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Before Mashiro left, Nozomi gave her a small gift—a cat ear hairpin.
"Wear this when you meet Yukino," he said with a mischievous grin. "If there are no cats for her to pet, you'll be the stand-in, okay? My very own pet girl."
Mashiro blinked, then nodded without resistance. "Okay."
Yukino, of course, was mildly exasperated when she saw Mashiro in cat ears. "He really... has no shame," she muttered. But even she had to admit—it was kind of adorable.
With Mashiro now under Yukino's watchful eye, Nozomi turned his attention to his own plans. He was spending the day with Mahiru and Sayu—and the agenda? A full-blown friend group date.
Though the movie they were scheduled to watch wouldn't start until 4 PM (courtesy of tickets bought by the ever-clueless Tobe Kakeru), they had a whole day to kill. The plan was to visit the amusement park and brave the haunted house.
Nozomi, however, wasn't sold on the haunted house.
"What if someone sneaks in to prank people for real?" he joked, but there was a hint of truth. "Also, isn't the haunted house just a tool for guys to show how manly they are?"
He gave a side glance at Tobe Kakeru. "And yet... that guy's terrified of ghosts."
Seriously, how was he planning to court Ebina Hina with that level of courage?
But Nozomi wasn't about to get involved in Tobe's love life. His own goals today were simple—grow closer to Yumiko. A quiet, but meaningful advancement in their relationship.
At the tram station, they spotted Yumiko, Hina, and Yuigahama already waiting. The trio looked stunning—no longer in their school uniforms but stylish weekend wear. Each carried a small handbag, and their outfits were light, perfect for the sunny weather.
Nozomi greeted them with a casual wave. "Morning, Yumiko. You're early."
Yumiko's response was soft, her smile gentle. "We just got here."
But the sparkle in her eyes—bright and focused solely on him—told a different story.
Ebina and Yuigahama exchanged looks. They had definitely arrived much earlier, and Yuigahama in particular had the under-eye concealer to prove it.
Nozomi glanced around. "Where's Hayato and Tobe?"
As if on cue, his phone buzzed.
Hayato: "We're near the platform. Where are you guys?"
Nozomi: "Already here. Waiting."
Hayato: "!!! Be right there!"
On the other end, Hayato dragged the sluggish Tobe Kakeru by the wrist. "Pick up the pace!"
To be honest, Hayato had little faith in Tobe's romantic prospects. Sure, he was friendly and good at lighting up a room—but some girls liked peace and quiet. Tobe, unfortunately, was a one-man marching band.
When they finally arrived, Hayato bowed slightly. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Yumiko huffed and crossed her arms, offering no forgiveness. The scowl said it all.
Nozomi stepped in to break the tension. "Alright, let's get going."
They boarded the tram, destination: the park playground.
Onboard, Nozomi noticed Tobe sneaking glances at Ebina. Today, she looked especially radiant in a white sleeveless blouse and a soft lace skirt. Her hair was done up simply, and her whole vibe screamed "girl-next-door." If not for the BL obsession, she'd be the picture of elegance.
Miura Yumiko and Yuigahama Yui were just as eye-catching. Matching tops, different skirts, and the kind of casual coordination only close friends could pull off.
To Nozomi's amusement, Mahiru and Sayu wore matching outfits too. The synchronization was too perfect—it had to be planned.
Watching Tobe fumble through his attempts to look cool, Nozomi chuckled inwardly. He might be hopeless, but his feelings were genuine. Nozomi would never stomp on a guy's heartfelt crush.
That said, he wasn't about to help him either.
His eyes lingered on Ebina. Nozomi had always wanted to "correct" her behavior just a little—not because he hated her, but because if she led all her female friends astray, he'd have a real problem on his hands.
Poor Tobe Kakeru… he had no idea that his sneaky little glances had long been noticed by Ebina Hina.
But Hina, the mischievous imp, chose to play dumb. She laughed and chatted casually with Yumiko and the others, as if she hadn't caught him red-handed. They discussed their plans for the day, throwing out ideas with light-hearted smiles.
Meanwhile, Nozomi shifted his gaze toward Yumiko. She gave him a playful, almost teasing glance—her amber eyes soft and glimmering like sunlit waves. A glance that could make any guy's heart skip a beat.
Yep, that's how you know you've won a girl's heart.
Yumiko looked at Nozomi like he was her entire world, full of unspoken affection. And just like that, the sweet opportunities for dates and activities blossomed naturally between them.
Compared to that, poor Tobe was stuck in an endless loop of awkwardness. Hina completely ignored him, treating him like the background scenery.
Nozomi chuckled inwardly.
He didn't visit amusement parks often. In his past life, they weren't exactly welcoming to lone wolves. It felt pointless to stroll around solo, watching couples and families having fun.
Well, he did go to karaoke with some girls back then, but amusement parks? Nah.
Come to think of it, he barely ever took Suo Yuki out to have fun either. When they were young, they spent most of their time around the shrine. And when they grew older, life pulled them apart—until destiny led them back together again.
He decided—next chance he got, he'd take Yuki somewhere fun. She deserved it.
He and Sayu had been to an amusement park once before—an attempt to cheer her up. It turned into a night full of laughter… and maybe a little "extra" fun.
—Cough.—
Focus! Today's mission was different.
The tickets for today's adventure had been graciously paid for by Hayato Hayama. Guilty about the "incident" with Yumiko, he treated everyone as a form of atonement.
Since they were all "friends," Nozomi accepted without fuss.
Meanwhile, Tobe Kakeru clutched his wallet, looking like a tragic protagonist from a drama. He had only budgeted for the movie—totally forgetting about amusement park fees.
Thankfully, Hayato's generosity saved the day.
From that moment onward, Tobe decided—Hayato-kun would be his best friend forever!
(Confessing to the wrong person though... classic Tobe.)
Amusement parks weren't just about Ferris wheels and food stalls. There were sky-high roller coasters, adrenaline-pumping bungee jumps, and even a special arcade zone.
It was a paradise for adventurers and gamers alike.
So, what did Nozomi choose to ride first?
The… carousel.
Tobe Kakeru nearly faceplanted.
"Nozomi, seriously?" he sputtered. "We're at an amusement park, and you pick… the kids' ride?!"
"You don't get it," Nozomi said with a sage-like air. "This ride is the ultimate happiness-generator."
"Huh??" Tobe blinked, absolutely baffled.
Hayato wore a similar confused look.
But the moment Nozomi smiled at Mahiru and invited her to ride with him, everything clicked.
The blonde girl—a real-life angel—beamed and hopped onto the carousel with Nozomi without hesitation. Her golden hair fluttered like a ribbon in the breeze as she sat gracefully in front of him.
The carousel spun, music chiming sweetly, as Mahiru giggled and leaned back a little against Nozomi.
Tobe Kakeru's jaw practically hit the floor.
He watched with open envy, wishing desperately he had the guts to invite Ebina Hina onto the ride too. If only he could sit with her, maybe even… hold her waist?
But—what if she rejected him? Or worse, laughed?
Paralyzed by fear, Tobe Kakeru hesitated.
Meanwhile, Hina acted.
Waving cheekily, she called over to Nozomi.
"Hey! Pause the ride for a second!"
Nozomi, raising an eyebrow but amused, helped stop the spinning.
Then—without waiting—Hina shoved Yumiko onto the wooden horse right in front of Nozomi. Then she hopped on herself, squeezing behind Yumiko.
The horse Nozomi had chosen was a slightly bigger model—designed for groups—so it could easily fit more than two people.
Not stopping there, Hina also yanked Yui and Sayu along, making them climb onto another big horse.
Tobe Kakeru's soul left his body.
How… how could this happen?!
He'd barely even moved!
In the end, with everyone else riding, Hayato Hayama, looking deeply betrayed by fate, awkwardly climbed onto a horse… right beside Tobe Kakeru.
The two guys sat stiffly together while the girls laughed and twirled nearby.
And as the carousel turned, Tobe Kakeru whimpered internally as Hayato gripped his waist a little too tightly.
"Dude, seriously! It's just a carousel, why are you trembling?!" Hayato thought with a tearless cry.
Meanwhile, Nozomi simply smiled, watching the colorful world spinning around him, the laughter of the girls ringing like music in the summer air.