Shoutout to Dima Hamzov, I hope I got the name right, my latest patron.
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Meeting Nanami Aoyama was an unexpected but pleasant surprise for Hozuki Nozomi.
After stopping by the convenience store to grab some sake, he casually handed the items to Nanami, letting her handle the payment. She hesitated at first but, remembering her earlier promise to treat him as thanks, she nodded firmly. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink as she mustered the courage to ask for his phone number.
Nozomi smirked and handed it over without a second thought. He wasn't in a hurry to push her towards moving into Sakurasou just yet—there was still plenty of time.
As he stepped into the dorm, he barely had a second to process before something soft and warm launched at him.
"Waaahhh…!!"
A sweet voice filled his ears as he was tackled into an embrace.
"Nozomi-kun! You're finally back!"
The sensation of warmth and softness pressing against him made Nozomi blink before realizing who it was. Misaki Kamiigusa, completely flushed and clearly intoxicated, had latched onto him like an affectionate cat.
"Yeah, I'm back," he replied, adjusting his hold on her slightly. "Misaki-senpai, drinking without me? That's cruel."
He raised the bag slightly. "And after you asked me to bring some sake too?"
Before Misaki could answer, another voice cut in.
"That was me," Chihiro Sengoku said casually, stepping in and taking the sake from his hand with practiced ease. "I told you to bring it."
Nozomi sighed in exasperation. He tightened his hold around Misaki and soothingly rubbed circles on her back while giving Chihiro a knowing glance.
"Sensei, another failed gokon?" he teased.
Chihiro's eye twitched as she cracked open a can. "Brat, you see the truth but don't say it out loud," she huffed. "Say another word and I'm not paying you back for the sake."
"Fine, fine," Nozomi chuckled. "I'll cover it this time. But seriously, you should drink less. It's bad for your health."
Chihiro scoffed, taking a long sip. "What do you care? It's not like you're gonna marry me or anything." She glanced at Misaki still nestled in his arms, her expression unreadable for a moment before she turned and walked off toward the administrator's office.
Shaking his head, Nozomi turned to Sayu Ogiwara, who had come out to greet him. Giving her a nod in passing, he scooped Misaki up in his arms and carried her straight to her room.
She didn't stop sobbing until he sat her on his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her.
"Wuuu… Nozomi-kun," she whimpered. "How could Mitaka do this? Do you think… do you think he ever cared at all?"
Her voice trembled, raw with emotion.
"How many times did I compromise just so we could create anime together?" she sniffled. "And then he just leaves! Ignores my calls! Blocks me! What the hell is that?!"
Nozomi exhaled, his expression softening.
Mitaka Jin. A childhood friend, creative partner, and the man Misaki had admired for years. They had worked on countless projects, sharing dreams of making it big in the anime industry. And yet, one day, without a word, he vanished. No explanation. No goodbye. Just… gone.
It was a deep betrayal.
"I'm sorry, Misaki-senpai," Nozomi murmured. "Honestly… I think he left because of me."
She blinked, staring at him in confusion.
He gave her a self-deprecating smile. "Because of the project I gave you. He probably thought that with me around, you didn't need him anymore."
Misaki's teary eyes widened.
"If I hadn't written that proposal, if I hadn't started working with you… maybe he wouldn't have left. Maybe—"
Before he could finish, she pressed her forehead against his chest, her arms tightening around his neck.
"Idiot," she whispered. "How could I blame you for that?"
Nozomi gently combed his fingers through her messy hair, feeling her body relax slightly against him.
"But… you liked him, didn't you?" he asked hesitantly.
Misaki shook her head with surprising vigor. "No! I don't like that stupid playboy!" she declared. "Six girlfriends at the same time? Ugh! No thanks."
Nozomi let out an awkward chuckle. "I mean… technically, I'm in a similar situation right now."
Misaki pouted. "No! It's different!"
"How so?" Nozomi smirked. "I won't lie to you, Senpai. I'm greedy. I have Sayu… but I still can't stop thinking about you. That makes me a scumbag, doesn't it?"
Misaki didn't hesitate. She clung to him, her voice fierce.
"No. You're different."
She wasn't sure how to explain it, but in her intoxicated, emotional state, logic didn't matter. She only knew that right now, in this moment, she didn't want to think anymore. Didn't want to hurt anymore.
She tilted her face up to his, her eyes glazed with something desperate and yearning.
"Make me forget, Nozomi-kun…" she whispered.
He gazed at her trembling lips, then at the longing in her teary eyes.
She didn't have to ask twice.
A skill honed by experience activated—Golden Gun/ Infinite ammo
Nozomi's arms tightened around her as he pulled her down, the world around them fading into the background.
Just like that night before.
And soon enough, Misaki was no longer crying.
Only bliss remained.
Heh. Guess he owed Sayu a thank-you. That skill was broken as hell.
After that night, one thing became certain—Mitaka Ren's presence in Kamiigusa Misaki's heart had completely vanished. In his place, Hozuki Nozomi had taken root. Unlike Ren, who lacked the courage to confess, who wallowed in inferiority and chose to distance himself rather than taint Misaki's purity, Nozomi had no such reservations. If anything, it was Misaki who had initiated things in the first place.
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The next morning, Misaki stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as sunlight peeked through the curtains. The moment she saw Ogiwara Sayu lying beside her, a deep blush painted her cheeks.
"Uwaaa… What have I done…?"
She covered her face, her mind flashing back to the events of last night. She had been exhausted, completely drained, and called Sayu over to support her. What she hadn't expected was for Sayu to end up in the same position as her—begging for mercy alongside her.
Just thinking about it made her body heat up in embarrassment. But strangely, she didn't feel lost.
Last night, she had drowned her sorrows in alcohol because of Mitaka Ren's departure. She had sought comfort from Nozomi, but now…
Now, she realized something profound—Mitaka Ren wasn't that special after all.
Maybe it had just been the lingering nostalgia of childhood. After all, Ren had always been a flirt. He was the kind of guy who could juggle six girlfriends at once, and her own sister had even been among them. A true playboy through and through. Looking back, Misaki couldn't believe she had ever been swayed by him.
But when compared to Nozomi… Ren was utterly lacking.
Nozomi didn't just have good flirting skills. He didn't rely on tricks or cheap sweet words. Instead, he cut straight through a girl's heart, leaving no room for escape. He made them fall completely, without hesitation.
And unlike a certain someone who had left without a word, Nozomi had stayed. He had listened, he had comforted, and well… he had done a whole lot more than that.
A warm, strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a firm embrace. She felt his steady breathing against her hair.
"Misaki, ohayou," Nozomi murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.
She shivered slightly but turned to meet his gaze. "Nn… Nozomi-kun, ohayou."
No more "Nozomi-chan" or playful nicknames. She had called him "Nozomi-kun."
That small shift in how she addressed him marked a change in their relationship—one she had unconsciously accepted. He wasn't just her kouhai anymore. He was her man.
Nozomi gently brushed his fingers through her hair before tilting his head slightly. "Misaki-senpai, what are you thinking about? About us… and the future?"
Misaki rested her chin on his chest and smiled playfully. "Then tell me first, Nozomi-kun. What do you hope for in our future?"
Nozomi didn't hesitate.
"I want you to stay here in Sakurasou, Misaki." His tone was gentle yet firm. "I won't lie to you. I'm greedy, I won't settle for just one person. There will be others in the future. But I promise that I'll make sure everyone around me is happy. Otherwise… I won't confirm a relationship with anyone."
Misaki puffed her cheeks out in a pout. "Geez, you really are greedy. Did Ren rub off on you or something?"
Nozomi just smirked. If Mitaka Ren wanted to take the blame, he wasn't going to stop him.
"So, what about you, Misaki-senpai? Am I qualified?"
As he said that, he subtly activated his 'passive skill.'
Misaki's face turned red in an instant. "Y-You're such a baka!"
She couldn't deny it though. Neither she nor Sayu had been able to resist him.
Although she was still a little annoyed, she let out a resigned sigh and sat up slightly. "Alright, I've decided. I'll maintain my current relationship with you, just like Sayu-chan."
"No need to label it?" Nozomi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mhm." She nodded firmly. "I don't want to get caught up in complicated things right now. I just want to focus on making anime. My dream is to become a famous animation producer, and that's what I'm going to do!"
Nozomi's smile widened, and he gave her an encouraging nod. "No problem. Let's make it happen together. I'll support you however I can. Look forward to my next plan, Misaki."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I will! Speaking of which, the production for Magical Girl Misaki is still in the early stages. We're waiting for Kashiwagi Eri to meet up with us for a proper discussion before we can get things moving."
She nestled closer to him, rubbing her cheek against his chest as she spoke. "But I've gone through all the scripts and plans you gave me. It should make things a lot easier for Eri-sensei when she starts working on it."
The two of them, who had just been discussing things as scummy as relationships and dating, had suddenly switched gears into talking about work.
Truly, the power of Nozomi's skills was something else.
After everything that had happened, Misaki had completely let go of Mitaka Ren. She was no longer dwelling on his departure, nor was she feeling lost. Instead, she was focusing all her energy on her dream.
Nozomi, cunning as ever, hadn't even given her the chance to overthink things.
Just as she had asked, he had made her forget all her worries.
And in the end, the only thing left in her mind… was him.
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Gosh, this level of gaslighting, even I am impressed. I like to think I'm straightforward but some gaslighting skills would be good too. Straightforwardness ain't helping careerwise or in the girls department.
"Gokon" (合コン) is a Japanese term that refers to a group dating event, typically involving a mix of men and women who come together to socialize and potentially find romantic partners. These gatherings often take place in a casual setting, such as a restaurant or bar, and can involve activities like eating, drinking, and games to help break the ice. Gokon can be organized by friends or through matchmaking services, and they are popular among young adults in Japan as a way to meet new people.