Seeing Yui Yuigahama look at him, Hozuki Nozomi quickly waved his hand.
"Don't look at me, Yui."
"I do have an affinity for cats and can ask them to do things, but it doesn't work for dogs."
"Then… should I try with my Saber?"
"As you wish, if you really want Saber to also end up in the trash can, or even be caught as a stray dog…"
"Hmm… then let's not."
Yui Yuigahama quickly shook her head, her pink hair swaying with the motion. She didn't want to risk her Saber.
Yukino Yukinoshita sighed, the afternoon light catching the dark curtain of her hair as she turned toward the window.
"It seems I thought too simply; Kaguya-san is indeed difficult to approach."
"However, I'm even more certain of one thing: Kaguya-san might not be that difficult to approach."
"Then, Yukino, how do you plan to approach her? The cat charm plan failed."
Nozomi asked, a smile playing at his lips.
Yukino Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow and said directly:
"Let's just go see her directly."
"The matter of inviting her to meet is up to you, Nozomi."
"Huh? You want me to invite her?"
Nozomi was a little speechless.
"Yukino, you are Miss Yukinoshita; it's most appropriate for you to invite her."
"I'm a guy, and I'm also Soubu High School's infamous incubus. Do you think she'll agree to my invitation to meet?"
"Hmph, how do you know if it'll work if you don't try? I can certainly invite her to a girls' tea party, but you know, I have no experience socializing with other young ladies."
Nozomi: "…"
Watching the Second Miss say this, she hugged his arm like she was acting spoiled. The soft press of her chest against his bicep, the warmth seeping through his uniform sleeve, her cheek nearing him—close enough that he caught the delicate scent of vanilla and something floral that clung to her hair.
Nozomi instantly fell for it.
This was simply cheating.
But, is it really okay?
Yukino, aren't you afraid that your fiancé will turn Kaguya Shinomiya into your good sister?
Moreover—
You're giving up so easily and pushing the problem to me; are you sure you're not being lazy?
With some doubts, Nozomi left Soubu High School.
Looking at his retreating back, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but tug on Yukino's arm.
"Yukino, is it really okay?"
"What could be wrong? The club problem was originally attracted by that bad guy, so he should solve it."
"Besides, there's no one more suitable than him. We just need to trust him."
"Are you sure Yukinon isn't trying to be lazy? Pushing all the difficulties to Nozomi, won't that be a bit bad?"
Yui Yuigahama said with some concern.
Yukino Yukinoshita answered her righteously: "What's bad about it? That guy is probably feeling smug inside. After all, I, the prideful Second Miss, now only wants to rely on him."
It must be said that Yukino Yukinoshita understood Hozuki Nozomi quite well.
Although Hozuki Nozomi was a bit suspicious that Yukino was being lazy, he was still a little smug inside.
Even if it was Yukino's task, he naturally had to do it beautifully.
Among other things, the Service Club also held many beautiful memories for him. He couldn't let Kaguya Shinomiya cancel the club just because of one unqualified remark.
….
[Shinomiya Villa — Evening]
At this moment, Kaguya Shinomiya had already returned to her luxurious villa in her private car. The grand entrance with its imported marble floors echoed with her heels as she walked through, the scent of fresh-cut flowers arranged in crystal vases greeting her at every turn.
The Student Council work was exhausting.
Especially as the president, there were even more matters to handle.
And maintaining the air of a young lady was also very tiring.
It was necessary to always maintain a dignified and elegant demeanor, so as not to damage the Shinomiya Family's image.
On her slender body, quite a bit of pressure had actually accumulated.
Therefore—
She was now soaking in the bathtub.
To relax.
The bathroom was palatial, all white marble veined with gold, fogged with steam that carried the heady scent of rose oil and jasmine. Kaguya had sunk into the deep copper tub until only her shoulders broke the surface, the water scalding enough to turn her pale skin pink. Her raven hair was pinned up in a loose twist, a few damp strands clinging to the elegant curve of her neck.
Finally... some peace.
A moment later, Kaguya Shinomiya called out:
"Ai, bring a bottle of red wine."
Although it wasn't good for her to drink at her age, what was wrong with relaxing by herself in private?
A few minutes later, Ai Hayasaka still didn't respond.
Kaguya Shinomiya frowned.
"Ai?"
"I'm sorry, Kaguya-san, but no one can hear you now."
Hozuki Nozomi walked out from behind a marble column with a smile, his eyes drifting appreciatively over her.
Steam curled between them. Through the milky, rose-scented water, the suggestion of her body wavered—the narrow dip of her waist, the pale blur of her legs folded beneath her. Her collarbone caught the candlelight, beaded with moisture, and where her arms now crossed protectively over her chest, the soft swell of her breasts pressed together, just barely concealed.
She really is beautiful, he noted.
When Kaguya Shinomiya saw a man appear in her bathroom and stare at her so openly, her delicate body trembled. Goosebumps rose along her exposed shoulders despite the heat.
But she didn't scream. Instead, she tightened her arms over her chest and fixed him with an icy glare.
This man... the infamous incubus of Soubu. How did he—
"What did you do to Ai?"
"If you're referring to Ai Hayasaka, I didn't do anything. I just made it quiet here so no one outside can hear what's happening."
"Kaguya-san, I actually came to invite you to discuss something, but your bodyguards wouldn't let me in, so I had no choice but to resort to this."
Hozuki Nozomi had thought that as Kaguya Shinomiya's bodyguard, he would be allowed in, or at least be announced.
But he didn't expect to meet a snobby guy who pointed at him and mocked him.
"Invite Kaguya-san? Go away."
Those were the guy's exact words.
Hozuki Nozomi told Kaguya Shinomiya what had happened.
Kaguya Shinomiya was speechless.
That idiot. I'll have him fired by morning.
At the same time, her cheeks couldn't help but flush—and not just from the bathwater. It was the first time she had been seen so defenseless, so exposed. The heat that crept up her neck had nothing to do with steam.
She took a deep breath, willing her racing heart to calm, her indifferent gaze settling on him.
"Nozomi, although I don't know how you did it, your uninvited method is too rude."
"That's why I apologized. I'm sorry, Kaguya-san, I was rude."
Kaguya Shinomiya: "…"
"If you know it's rude, then get out! I'll see you after I put on my clothes!"
She was a bit frantic, water sloshing against the copper rim as she shifted.
Does this man have any sense? Is he going to watch me bathe until whenever?
Nozomi, however, showed a mischievous smile. His fingers drifted to his collar, loosening the top button.
"I think discussing things like this is quite good. If you're shy, I can also be honest with you."
His shirt parted, revealing the hard line of his collarbone, the lean muscle beneath.
"Stop! What do you want to discuss? Say it now, no undressing allowed!"
Kaguya Shinomiya's voice cracked despite herself, her crimson eyes darting away from his chest before snapping back to his face.
Calm. Stay calm. You are a Shinomiya. You will NOT lose composure to some—some—
She had no choice but to suppress the anger in her heart and urge him to speak quickly. As for shouting for help, it didn't fit her demeanor. She had to remain calm.
Even if she was incredibly frantic inside, she couldn't ruin her high-and-mighty image as a young lady.
Nozomi stopped undressing and said seriously:
"Actually, what I want to say is very simple: I hope President Kaguya will acknowledge the legitimate existence of our Service Club and give up the idea of canceling our club."
"This club was personally established by my Yukino, and it holds many precious memories."
Kaguya Shinomiya was speechless.
"So, you boldly broke in and even threatened me, all for Yukino Yukinoshita?"
"It's not just Yukino, there's also Sumireko, Yui, Asuna in the club…"
"Stop, stop, stop! I'm not interested in your harem list!"
Kaguya Shinomiya glared at him fiercely, disgust plain on her face. The water rippled as she shifted, an unintentional glimpse of her thigh breaking the surface before she tucked it back under.
Shameless. Absolutely shameless. And yet...
Her lips curved—just slightly.
"It's not impossible for me to acknowledge the existence of your club."
"Oh, Kaguya-san, what do you want?"
"Teach me!"
"...What?"
Hozuki Nozomi blinked.
Kaguya Shinomiya's smile widened, sharp and certain.
"I mean, teach me your methods! I want to learn!"