[Host I]

Nishino, who left the cram school, went to a host club in Tokyo. 

This was due to an incident with a host, Yuya, who came into the classroom. He didn't think that a student would agree to accompany him, so he went to work not only with Sumika, as he had originally planned, but also with a guy from somewhere he didn't know. 

The problem there was the presence of a blonde Lolita who was waiting for Nishino to return from the classroom. 

Futsumen avoided this one by using the fire escape. With the help of Sumika-chan, who wanted to be as gentle as possible with Yuya-kun's presence to her colleagues at work, she was able to easily use the stairs, which were originally off-limits

He doesn't forget to email Rose. 

Sorry, I've got some urgent business, it said. 

She replied immediately. But by the time she received this, he had already left the cram school. When Rose visited the classroom, she did not see Nishino there. 

He then visited a high end shop in one of Tokyo's most prestigious downtown areas. 

From the location and the quality of the interior, it was considered to be a fairly high class shop. The fact that he was a Futsumen who was reasonably familiar with the area made him appreciate that Yuya's place of work was even more splendid than he had expected.

"The suit they gave you, it's not the right size, is it? "

"Is that so ?" 

"Well, okay, I'll give you a brief description of the shop then."

The location is the back room of the shop. There, Nishino met Yuya-kun.

A person claiming to be the manager can be seen immediately beside him. 

In this shop, the Futsumen was to be treated in the position of a rookie host that Yuya had scouted. In response to this, a kind of briefing session on the first day of work was held in the back of the shop.

From the manager's point of view, this raised eyebrows. 

However, Yuya-kun was apparently in a fairly good position at the shop, and although there was some unease, Nishino was not kicked out. The ID check that would normally have been required was not carried out. 

The uniform he used to wear for school was nowhere to be seen, he came to the shop after buying a set of clothes at a major mass retailer and changing his clothes while on the move. The plan, from Yuya's point of view, was to put him on the floor just after the shop opened when there were few customers, make him fail lightly, and get rid of him by the end of the day. 

He thought that if he humiliated himself in front of the customers, he would give up immediately.

".....do you have any questions?" 

The explanation that Futsumen received from Yuya is a very common one given when entering a Host club. Violations of rules such as tardiness and violence are fined. Sales must be paid back to the shop, even if it means borrowing money. Requests are permanent, and other taboos as a host, such as so called sabotage, come with serious penalties.

"I just want to make sure of one thing." 

"What is it? " 

"You promised to teach me how to pick up women....." 

"........"

Yuya was sick and tired of Nishino trying to make him come on at this stage of the game.

When it came to the manager, he said, What? What is he talking about? The other person he was talking to was not a host in any way. The odd eyes shining here and there add to his doubts. 

13

" I'm also busy, and I'd like to take on the challenge for a period of time." 

"Oh, yeah? Then why don't you give it a week or so? Newcomers are out if they don't get a promotion within a month, but after what you said, a week should be enough, right?"

"Okay. Let's compete on sales over the next week." 

"........"

Nishino was ready to challenge Yuya-kun on sales.

"If I win, I don't want you to touch her again. Don't try to barge in on her at work. You should also refrain from aggressive sales without considering the other person's wallet. On the other hand, if you win, use her for whatever you want, cleaning toilets or whatever" 

Moreover, they try to make out on the premise that they are going to win. 

As for Yuya-kun, he was more uncomfortable than irritated. The rage he had felt at the beginning of the meeting had somehow gone to sleep, and his honest feeling was that he wished he could just go home already. 

If the person he was meeting had been a socially respectable, he might have been more interested in him. He might have thought he could be useful in some way and would have taken the bet in high spirits. But a high school student's capacity for responsibility is limited. 

However, as the Futsumen who spoke in this way, he was betting his time after school and on weekends, which could be called the main stage of his youth. By far, they are serious. It was something that Marquis would have raised his voice to stop if he had heard it. 

"You don't mind?" 

"Uh, yeah, it's fine. If that's what you want." 

"By the way, how much did you sell last week? " 

"You're asking me that now?"

"Please tell me if you don't mind " 

"You know what? I'm gonna need you to make at least one profit." 

"Okay."

The Futsumen responds in a casual manner.

"But that's another story." 

"Huh ?" 

"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think tutoring is that lucrative a profession." 

"...... Ugh, shut up! Just get on with it and go wait for help!" 

"I understand" 

At the screams of the senior host, the new host turned his feet to the front. 

◇ ◆ ◇

Apparently, they had already been told about Nishino's presence. 

As soon as he moved to a different place, he was approached by a host who seemed to be from Yuya's faction. He is a strong type person with black hair stroked back. He is also thought to be over 190 cm tall. His muscular physique, compared to other players, was clearly visible through his suit. 

There is no doubt that he was placed there to intimidate Nishino. 

"Hey, help over there. " 

"I understand " 

14

However, the Futsumen try to respond to it. 

When instructed to do so, the host and a pair of customers were already present. 

While the Futsumen caught the minimum of customer looks, he was far inferior to him and Yuya-kun, who had just given the instructions. The grade of the suit they wore was not much different from the suits rented by the shop that Nishino had utilised. The wristwatch on his wrist was also a relatively inexpensive brand. 

And this is also true of the customer he was attached to. At a quick glance, they appeared to be very ordinary office ladies. The same was true of her shoes and other accessories, which gave an indication of her financial situation.

It was relatively early in the day, so it was no surprise that she was a small customer. 

It was thought that the customer himself had come to the shop early, understanding their position. 

"Help is the highest priority. I don't know what Yuya-san thought about when he brought you, but you don't think about yourself when you're sitting there, and think about the host sitting next to you first." 

"Yeah, Yuya told me about that." 

".........." 

The man's brow quivers at the mention of Yuya. 

If he had not been in the shop, his hand might have been on the floor. 

Because the person he spoke to in that way was a Futsumen with a fragile body shape.

He has the appearance of someone who could be mistaken for a junior high school student. 

"I'm off then." 

"... Ah." 

Sent off by his stare, Nishino stepped forward with great enthusiasm. 

He heads for the designated table and stops in front of it. 

He then decides on a pose that he thinks will look good. 

He puts his hands on his hips and stretches his chest out, but still feels slightly scruffy and sad around the collar of his suit due to the lack of pectoral muscles. And yet he looks confident, with a smug look on his face, as if he is appealing to the audience to take a look.

 "Thank you for requesting me, I'm Nishino."

Speaking of hosts, here's one. 

It's a Futsumen, I wanted to see just once.

Naturally, the hosts responsible are annoyed. 

"No, no, no, wait a minute. He wasn't requested, was he?" 

" ..... Oh, that's right. " 

" Wait, why is this kid so funny?" 

As a result of the unusual feelings that preceded him, the customer experience has been positive.

His fearless character has paid off. 

However, such good fortune does not last long. 

I am a futsumen who has been eating for many years in a job that is the opposite of the hospitality industry. Even though Yuya had given me a briefing beforehand, it is difficult to say whether I can move my body on the spot. Even for free, he thinks that cynical pretensions are manly and cool. 

"Hey, fire !" 

"Fire ?" 

"As soon as a customer puts a cigarette in his mouth, you light it up." 

"Oh, I'm sorry " 

The female customer was in the shop for an hour or so after Nishino arrived. 

During that time, scolding repeatedly flew against him. 

15

This is not to say that he is bullied but he is a Futsumen who did not have enough previous knowledge as a host. Even taking into account that it was his first time, he made a lot of mistakes. Because his attitudes towards hosting were firmly set in the early zero's. 

He is an old-type, prehistoric host who operates with an old-fashioned attitude.

"You're late in making the drink. " 

"Sorry, I'll make it quick." 

"I mean, what about your personality?" 

" ..... " 

Naturally, he was frustrated.

If he is slow in making drinks, he cannot be expected to give a hand towel to a customer who has just left the bathroom.

However, as he is in front of the customer, they have to be restrained to help and instructions.

The same business day was entirely training newcomers.  

Naturally, the female customer will also leave the seat earlier than usual . 

"Sorry, Miyu. Today is the first time he's done this..."

"No? I'm rather glad I got to see Michio's generous side." 

"Really? That makes me so happy." 

"But in exchange, next time you come back, you'll let me take it easy, okay?" 

He was escorted off the floor by his supervisor, and the female customers left the room. 

What was left behind was a Futsumen who couldn't do his job as far as he was concerned. 

No matter how much of a talkative Nishino was, he understood that he had dragged the senior host down with him. The customer service industry requires more skill than initially assumed. Having actually experienced this, his awareness had changed significantly. 

The Futsumen witnessed the smile on the customer's face as she left. 

The full smile that the help dragged his feet and still showed to the person in charge. 

".....This is quite a job, a worthwhile learning experience." 

Thinking this way, Nishino was filled with motivation. 

However, on that day, the hosts who were out at the shop gave him a negative reaction. He was offered help dozens of times. Before he realised it, opening hours had ended before he knew it. He was a Futsumen who could not even stand on the floor, let alone make sales. 

◇ ◆ ◇

The next day, Nishino went to school as usual in the 2A classroom. 

He had been up late at night working as a host and had only had a few hours to sleep. Even so, he was determined not to neglect his studies and took a taxi to his beloved school. He is a virgin who can't stop going to school at any time of the day. 

At home, Rose pursued him, but he brushed this off on the excuse of work. She was also vulnerable when told by [Normal] that it was work. As a result, Futsumen's hosting business was never perceived by her.

When he visited the classroom, he finished his morning greeting and went to his seat. 

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he begins to prepare for his first period class. 

Then he sees a student calling out to him.

"Nishino-kun, I've got something to tell you." 

"What is it? Chairwoman." 

16

With a nonchalant look on his face, Nishino turns to the person standing in front of his desk. 

There, Shimizu was staring at him with her arms crossed.

"I never thanked you for what you did yesterday, so......." 

"Thank you ?" 

"Just come with me for a minute, okay?" 

"Yeah, that's fine........" 

At the urging of the Chairwoman, Nishino stood up from his seat. 

The two leave the classroom together. 

As a classmate who was there, this is another intriguing sight. It has been rumored in various places for the last month or so that Nishino and the Chairwoman are close. This, plus the change in her relationship with Risa, has made Shimizu a hot topic of conversation for the past few days. 

Both left the classroom together. 

Behind them was Rose, who visited Class 2A. 

As soon as she visited the classroom, she turned her attention to the Futsumen's seat. After confirming that his bag was there, she tilted her head and wondered where the owner of the seat had gone. And the morning homeroom is about to begin in a few minutes. 

"Rose, what's wrong?" 

Takeuchi called out to her.

With Nishino out of the picture, now was his chance. 

"Is Nishino absent ? " 

"I don't know. He went out with the Chairwoman." 

"Oh, really? Thanks for letting me know." 

"If you want, I can go with you." 

"No, that's not a good idea." 

Rose turned on her heel in nonchalant response to Takeuchi's invitation. 

The class's number one handsome guy could not be overpowered in this situation. The attention from the surroundings was directed at them more than usual, influenced by the flow of Nishino and the Chairwoman who stood up fast and left. In the meantime, the bell rang, it was morning homeroom. 

For Takeuchi-kun, the response was too straightforward. 

If it had been any other female student, it would have been an absolutely impossible reaction. 

That is why the handsome man thought about it. 

He needed to make a drastic change in his strategy for capturing Rose. 

◇ ◆ ◇

In the meantime, here are Nishino and Shimizu

They had moved off-campus. 

The Chairwoman and Matsuura-san had an argument in the classroom some time ago, and Nishino was invited to visit a newly opened coffee shop in the area near the school. 

It was a unique meeting for Nishino. 

He was invited by a classmate to visit the coffee shop. 

When it comes to skipping class, he is a very excited virgin. 

This was very adolescent, and his heart was pounding as he took his seat. 

"Is this right? I had to skip class." 

"........"

The tension of the Chairwoman suddenly dropped as a result of these words 

Still, he accepts the invitation because she invited it herself. 

17 

Still, he accepts the invitation because she invited it herself. 

"First period today is P.E., so it's easy to make excuses for anything." 

" I see " 

The fact is that the Chairwoman was thinking about missing class today because of her period. 

With the recent poor test scores, she has been constantly drawn to her internal examinations, but in the case of P.E., missing the class would not cause her any problems.  Fortunately, the school is always very considerate about this kind of situation. 

"I mean, after what happened..."

"You mean yesterday?" 

"You didn't really go to a host club?" 

"Oh, I got a lot of opportunities to learn." 

“……… .”

I don't expect my schoolmate to start working in a host club. 

If it had been Takeuchi, I might have been able to accept that such a thing might happen. However, the person I am talking about here is a handsome guy. He is an ordinary male student who can be found not one, not two, but three times in the class. 

His eyes, which were once fixed by Adam's hands, are now regaining their original lushness. 

"Well....." 

"Well, it's none of the Chairwoman's business. No need to worry about it." 

The words that followed were also worthy of repulsion. 

She was more than a little disturbed by yesterday's events. 

That's why she was so anxious to speak to Nishino. 

"Wait a minute. Don't talk like that, okay?" 

"Why ? "  

"Because I'm still feeling a little guilty about this......" 

The Chairwoman properly remembered the boy in front of her when she was entangled with a host man in the cram school classroom, who bravely jumped in front of her to. It was an irritating sight in many ways, but she thought she should at least thank him for his spirit. 

This is the reason why she invited the Futsumen.

"Then there's nothing to worry about. This is as good an opportunity as any. "

"What is that..."

"It means exactly what it says." 

And yet, Nishino didn't seem to give a damn.

He does not give the Chairwoman a chance to say thank you. 

It was a horrible situation. 

"Are you seriously planning to work in a host club?" 

"I'm going to be competing for sales over the next week with a host ." 

"Eh ... " 

The Chairwoman was speechless as Nishino threw one bomb after another.

What was he thinking?

There is no way we can win this thing. 

What was going on in the first place? 

However, the kind hearted Chairwoman kept his cool and continued to answer the question.

"...... Did you get any customers?" 

"No. That's the hard part." 

"......."

18

What came to the Chairwoman's brain was the image of an isolated Futsumen on the floor. 

At the same time, she somehow understood the actual situation from Nishino's reaction. She wondered what kind of conversation had taken place at the scene, and imagined the scene in Class 2A being reproduced in the host club, and for some reason she felt embarrassed as if it were her own. 

"You know, Nishino-kun. What happens if you lose that bet?" 

"I'm supposed to serve there until I graduate from high school." 

And it's more important than she thought. 

Rather, even as the host club in question, the need to be so obsessed with the person in front of her is an honest thought that came to the Chairwoman's mind. Even she, who is a first-class Nishino expert, does not think he would have come up with the idea on his own. 

That is probably why a bad idea naturally popped into Shimizu's mind. 

The Chairwoman also remembers Nishino's crisis management skills. Even if he lost the bet, he would take care of it by himself. In the first place, he probably had it coming to him. However, the cram school teacher involved in this is another story. 

"I have to tell you, that English teacher's classes are so much more valuable than the ones I get in school, and they are the ones I look forward to the most in that school. " 

"Yeah, it was a very easy class to understand." 

"Our school English classes are terrible, aren't they?" 

"It's, well, it's something. Not so complimentary......." 

"I took a trial class with that English teacher and decided to join the school."

"Is that so? " 

"That's why I don't want her to quit the cram school now! " 

"......I see." 

"I can only imagine the future of she being treated like a woman of convenience and being ruined if I don't do anything. The teacher seems to have an oddly calm and easygoing personality." 

"I can't deny that point." 

"So, um... I'll help you out!" 

"...... Help me out? "

"I know you are Nishino-kun, and you were always saying strange things to customers and getting frowned upon, weren't you? So, I'm just telling you that I'm going to teach you the bare minimum you need to know to talk to girls." 

"........." 

The casual suggestion by the Chairwoman shook Nishino's heart.

What a youthful development, he thought. 

It was like something out of an anime or manga. 

19

"Is that okay?" 

"But this is not for Nishino's sake, okay? I'm doing this for the teacher of the school....."

"Thank you, Chairwoman." 

"......Well, then, let's go" 

The Chairwoman said in a loud voice and got up from her seat vigorously.

Her face, which had been turned away from him, was a little red from the words that she did not hate. 

◇ ◆ ◇

They left the coffee shop and came to Shimizu's house. 

At first, the Chairwoman thought of visiting Nishino's house. However, she hesitated, recalling the presence of his natural enemy the blonde Lolita there. After considering other places, the only place that satisfied the condition that no one could watch the two of them was her home. 

At school, Rose is beginning to move around in Nishino's absence, just as she imagined. Shimizu's phone had also received an incoming call earlier. But she had replied in a nonchalant manner that she had gone home because she was not feeling well. The Chairwoman decided to take a half day off in the morning for the Futsumen today. 

On the other hand, the Futsumen is inwardly frantic. 

For the first time in his life, he is invited to a room of the opposite sex.

The fragrance of the room made his heart skip a beat. 

The room was a six-tatami mat room with a study desk, a bed, a cute design chabudai (tea table), and a zabuton (Japanese cushion). The presence of stuffed toys decorated here and there gave a sense of femininity, while the gap between daytime and nighttime at the base of the room stimulated Nishino's heart. 

A banana cuddly pillow drawn on the bed. The feeling of being a little dirty with sweat gives a sense of life. He was a virgin who loved this kind of unrefined feeling.

This is the room of the Chairwoman, which is the opposite of the old Rose department. 

The two of them are facing each other in her living room. 

20

"Therefore, I don't mean that, I give them more credit!" 

"But wouldn't that be sarcastic?" 

"That's fine! From a boy's point of view, it's better to exaggerate a little! " 

" I see ... " 

The Chairwoman sitting on the chair of the study desk . 

Nishino, who sits upright in front of Chabudai, responds to this . 

The sense of distance between the two is about one meter . 

What is eiscussed between the two is a dialogue in which Nishino, playing the host, talks to the Chairwoman, who is dressed as a customer. Naturally, the talk between the two of them, whether they are hosts or not, is not good enough. 

"Well, let's start again, from the beginning!" 

"Oh, please." 

How many times has this been repeated? 

Shimizu, who was sitting up straight in her chair, spoke to Nishino. 

"Come on, tell me something interesting!" 

The scene of the lesson was somewhat out of place. 

He was a virgin, just like in other worlds, such as host clubs. 

In contrast, the 1st time host, Futsumen, responded in a straightforward manner. 

"This is a story I heard from a friend who runs a bar in Roppongi. At the time of World War II, the situation for the U.S. troops who landed on Iwo Jima in the Ogasawara Islands was extremely harsh. What was initially expected to last only a few days turned into more than a month of hellish guerrilla warfare. ......" 

The reckless gestures from Shimizu were repeated over and over again. 

However, this did not stop Futsumen from drawing from a wide variety of sources. Most of them were things that he had heard from his peers in the same line of work. His international friendships gave Shimizu stories that were different from those circulating at home. 

This is quite interesting. 

However, it was hopeless.

"Because of this, the grudge of the soldiers of that time still exists at the same place......." 

"Hey, hey, hey!" 

"What is it?"

"Why is this suddenly turning into a weird story!" 

"Is it boring ? " 

"What kind of woman wants to go to a host club to listen to weird stories?" 

"......Well, I doubt it." 

On the other hand, Shimizu, too, was listening in unintentionally, and suddenly remembered her original. Whether or not this is really useful in the host club business is something that the two of them, who have no knowledge of the host business, have no way of judging.

"Hey, I'm going to the bathroom!" 

"Yeah, take your time." 

"Oh... It's all part of the act! Don't get me wrong!" 

"I see, I understand. " 

The Chairwoman leaves the room angry. 

This is the third time for her to go to the bathroom. 

Perhaps it is because of stress, but Shimizu is suffering from a sensitive stomach. 

The name of the disease is irritable bowel syndrome. 

It is a disease caused by inviting his love interest into her room. 

21

Then, just after relaxing on the toilet seat, I remembered. Stored in the chest on my desk was a pornographic book that I use for masturbation. How could I have forgotten about it until now? was my lone thought from the crisis of self esteem that I had lost track of during my two previous trips to the bathroom. 

After taking out what she needed to take out, Shimizu rushed to her room. 

Just as she entered the room, she saw Nishino standing there. 

He speaks to her, holding out his hands to her.

"Here's a hand towel." 

Naturally, there is nothing on his hands. 

It was all part of the host's practice, as directed by the Chairwoman. 

It was a simulation of the customer service scene. 

And this was the third time for him to offer a hand towel. 

Naturally, her words were harsh.

"Huh? How many times do I have to give you a hand towel? " 

"No, this seems to be the rule " 

"What? Don't tell me you have to get a new hand towel every time I go to the bathroom?"

"Yeah, that's what I was taught." 

"Wow, that's amazing, what is a host club..." 

It was an adult society where not only Nishino but also the Chairwoman herself had learned a lot. 

Shimizu still does not know that the air hand towels offered in this way have a nice aroma of herbs.

◇ ◆ ◇

On the same day, Nishino went straight from Shimizu's home to the host club where he worked. 

He boycotted his afternoon classes. 

This was also out of concern for the Chairwoman. She had claimed that she would return to school in the afternoon, and he thought that visiting her classroom at the same time might cause trouble for the Chairwoman. 

This seemed to have an unexpected effect on the other person, and the Chairwoman left for school with an apologetic look on her face. For what it's worth, Shimizu understands Nishino's passion for school life. 

However, when it comes down to it, the host club that admitted him, even if only temporarily, is not going to be able to stand it. Yuya, who was there, showed his face unexpectedly to the Futsumen right after the end of a part of the business, and showed him a dreary period as if to say, This is enough.  

"Hey, hey, hey, what's up with school?" 

"I have voluntarily cancelled classes for today." 

"............" 

A casual remark from the Futsumen is so annoying. 

He was thinking of skipping a part of the job by going out of his way to show up for the second part of the job because he did not want to see Nishino's face. 

He was also willing to spend the week without giving a seat for help to the Futsumen. 

"Oh, yeah? Well, anyway, it's over now." 

They stand in the back room. 

Yuya-kun points with his gaze at the other hosts who are getting ready to leave. 

But the Futsumen refused to budge. 

"Then I'll just clean the floors and toilets." 

"............"

22

Yuya clenched his fist in response to Nishino's very positive response.  Maybe he didn't go out of his way just to harass me, right? Such doubts began to swirl in my mind.

But I can't let him get away with it. 

Yuya, a successful host, had a high pride. 

He couldn't even stand on the floor as a help anyway, even if he was left alone. He thought it wouldn't be a problem. If he got into trouble out of desperation, he could kick him out for that.

"Hey, maybe it's Nishino, Nishino?" 

As I was doing so, a voice came up from among the hosts who were present. 

The unexpected call of his name shifted Futsumen's attention. 

The same goes for Yuya, who was exchanging words with him. 

"Yanagida? What are you doing here?" 

"No, no, that's my line!" 

There was Yukio Yanagida, a.k.a. Yukky. 

He was a former roommate of Nishino's who had shared a house with him in the past. From his neatly styled hair and the way he wore a suit, it was clear that he, like Yuya, was also a member of the shop. 

Witnessing his appearance, Nishino now realized that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Previously, he and Yukky's girlfriend, a Kurogal, had frequented the neighborhood where he worked. He recalled that this was a location close to the shop. Nishino had been told that the other person had a night job when they first moved into the share house. 

"Why are you here!" 

"I'm supposed to compete with that guy for sales at the store for the next week." 

"What? ....... Are you talking about Yuya?" 

"Yes." 

".........."

Oh, really? Yukky's face tightens from astonishment. 

His gaze goes back and forth between Nishino and Yuya. 

"What? Yanagida, do you know him here?" 

"We used to live in the same share house." 

"Hmm ?" 

"I mean, what's this I hear about competing for sales?" 

"... Well, whatever." 

Even for Yuya, it was not a subject he wanted to get into too much. Ashamed of his past self, who had become so angry with a high school student, he tried to muddle his words. He also remember to glare lightly at Nishino, saying, You shouldn't talk so frankly, either. 

Nishino also has this kind of knowledge, although he is not a good communicator. He responded with a small, forward bow and a smirk. This was another extremely irritating gesture, and Yuya's patience was on the edge of its limit. 

"So you're the Nishino that was rumored in the store?" 

"I don't know what kind of rumors, but I guess so." 

".........Really? " 

Apparently, the Futsumen was already a hot topic of conversation in the shop. He could tell from the look on Yukky's face that he had already received some information. Naturally, it was not a positive picture. 

"Um, Yuya, can I take care of him?" 

"What? Are you serious?"

"I won't bother the store. I just want him to come as my help." 

23

"Yanagida, do you even know what you are talking about?" 

"He's done me a lot of favors, and I'd like to repay the debt." 

Yukky and Yuya are staring at each other. 

The sight of these two handsome men facing each other with sword-like expressions on their faces was a very picturesque scene.

For some reason, it was Nishino who showed his smug face. 

"....... Well, I don't mind if you don't." 

"Thank you" 

"If something goes wrong, I'll have you take care of the problem." 

"Yes, I know. " 

Just after getting to know Nishino, Yukky was involved in trouble . 

◇ ◆ ◇

After meeting unexpectedly, Nishino and Yukky switched places to a nearby restaurant. 

There they exchanged words over lunch. 

"To be honest, I never dreamed that was going to happen." 

"For the sake of Yuya's honor, I ask you not to say anything else." 

Nishino told Yukky the story leading up to today. 

From their meeting at the tutoring school to the conversation with Sumika-chan. The proposal he gave her, and the sales battle between the two of them. From Yukky's point of view, it was a story full of twists and turns.

Normally, he would never have believed it.

However, Nishino's words had credibility because of their past friendship.

"That's true, of course, but I just can't help but wonder..." 

"What's bothering you?"

"Yuya, he is the top guy in our store. I just don't understand why someone like him would go out of his way to request to be accompanied twice by a private tutoring teacher. Oh, this is not a bad thing about that Sumika, you know. "

"There are many ways to get money, aren't there?" 

"He is the type of person who takes from those he can get without hesitation..." 

Yukky gave a small nod in response to Nishino's words. 

He had already heard from the  Futsumen that Sumika, the teacher who came up for discussion, was a pushy type of person. Along with this, he had also heard that although she is a little older, she is not bad looking and has a style that men like. 

"Well, I'll help you anyway. Let me return the favor." 

"Are you sure?" 

"It's for your teacher, right?" 

"Thank you. You're a big help." 

Smiling at him, Yukky was a handsome man, both physically and mentally. 

Then they moved to a nearby coffee shop, and for a while, Nishino learned a lot about hosting from him. He was to be tapped into the minimum requirements as a help for some of the business that would begin in the evening. 

"I feel bad to be so blunt, but Nishino is not the type of person who gets picked because of his looks. That is why it is important to have some other advantage. " 

"I see " 

"Of course, it is still important to put on makeup, dress well, and take care of your hair, and even today I intend to instruct them again when I return to the store. But for now, I want to tell them about the parts of the business that are more important than that."

24

"Is there such a thing? " 

"Youth, to be honest." 

"Youth?" 

"If Yuya and the owner don't complain, it probably means they don't care about that. Then we should take advantage of this as long as it doesn't bother the shop. A childlike face and petite figure is generally a disadvantage, but some customers surprisingly like it." 

"...... Okay." 

"I rarely see them these days due to strict regulations, but there used to be a fair number of high school student hosts. I'm pretty sure this is because the age at which a host can make money as a host has been decreasing in the last few years." 

It was not a very pleasant proposition for a Futsumen. 

He likes leather jackets and sunglasses.

But he decided to ask him honestly on this occasion. 

"I'm inclined to believe Yanagida's words. " 

"Okay, well, then let me just go with the flow of this." 

After yesterday's experience, Nishino is beginning to understand his own disadvantage. He was still a Futsumen who had not given up on Yuya's sales game. 

◇ ◆ ◇

From that evening, Nishino was to take the front as a host. 

As promised to Yuya during the day, it was as a help for Yukky. 

The surrounding hosts looked at him with white eyes. This is no exception for Yukky, who is seated with the Futsumen. Everyone in the shop already knew how Yukky offered a helping hand to Nishino, even if it did not reach the ears of the customers. 

Naturally, the reaction was not a good one. 

However, they were trying their best to serve the customers.

Yanagida, for his part, had been working hard since he had been in the business for a part of the day. 

"Yukky-san, isn't the boy who helped you today very young? " 

"He's a new guy who just got in. Eighteen years old, a former high schooler." 

"Well, is that so ?" 

The customer was a woman in a suit who appeared to be in her late thirties. 

Nishino could guess from her worn-out pumps and wrinkled suit that she was probably on her way home from work. Yanagida, who had been appointed to the job, knew that she would probably get drunk quickly and then go home. 

It would be a good time for the Futsumen to practice helping out. 

"That's why I'd appreciate it if you could forgive me for drinking. I'll drink that much. " 

"I like Yukky's older brother attitude . " 

"Really? If you're serious, I'm so happy." 

"That's really obvious. That's why I'm requesting you!" 

The female customer laughed happily at Yukky's reaction. 

He is serving the customer with even more politeness than usual, aided by Nishino's presence. 

She must have understood this, too, because she approached the Futsumen in a friendly manner. 

"Oh,  Help-kun, would you like something to drink? You can order." 

"Thank you very much, then, Laphroaig's Ten Years...." 

25

"No, no, no. Something with no alcohol." 

"Oh, right." 

"What's up with this kid? So funny. " 

Like yesterday, the Futsumen earned points from Beginner's Luck .

As with yesterday, the point was earned from beginner's luck.

Still, he was the one who had been dragging him down since the other day.

However, having learned what a host is from Yukky, he was at least much better than before. He never forgets to light a cigarette, and his timing for making drinks is perfect. He never forgets to use a hand towel after standing on the toilet. 

And at the same time, he had developed the skill of being a good listener. 

It all started with a one on one lesson with the Chairwoman this morning. 

According to her, Nishino-kun gets on her nerves when he talks, so she think it would be better if he didn't talk so much. 

It was a blunt statement. He himself is a host who sells talkativeness, and he wonder if that is a good idea. But if it's the Chairwoman's advice, then so be it. He was thoughtful and reserved, using few words. 

For a man of the straight and narrow, who appreciates taciturn dandyism, this is a style that suits him quite well. A man who can do is a man who says what he means.

As he did so, the customer said, staring at the Futsumen.

"It's nice to be young. Compared to your peers, I'm an old lady." 

"......." 

The type of comment that is both obvious and contraindicated makes Yukky's face tense. 

Nishino, don't do anything reckless, he said, trembling inwardly. 

In response, Futsumen answered. 

"Yanagida told me you were just the right age for him, I'm wrong? " 

"Eh ... " 

The strategy is to follow the teachings of the Chairwoman and Yukky. 

He was also taking advantage of the teachings of Yuya about the significance of help.

He is not a slow-witted Futsumen by any means. 

This seemed to have an unexpected effect on the customer, and she turned serious and looked at him. She had no idea that the man she had picked was dating an younger girl. They had enjoyed themselves last night. 

Yukky, on the other hand, began to think in a panic. He was thinking about two things: the existence of a customer who had informed him of his type in the past, and the existence of a customer who had contradicted this information. On top of that, he thinks about the loss or gain if the person in front of him believes in Nishino's killer words.

"Yukky, is that for real?" 

"Can I be honest with you?" 

" Of course ?" 

"I don't mean to sound like a bad guy when I say this, but since I started my current job, I've been thinking about a lot of things. Young girls are fine, but I'm attracted to the sound of married women and affairs, like a mind and body that has been perfected by the heat of the moment."

"Stop it, yukky, it's not nice to make fun of old ladies, okay?" 

Nishino confirms that the topic has moved away from himself and moves on to organizing the table . 

This is also the manner of help learned from Yanagida . 

In front of him, Yukky talks to a customer who has fallen in love with him . 

"Ah, my face is burning. This story is over, isn't it? " 

"Wait a minute, Yukky, isn't that a terrible thing for this situation?" 

"I'm going to be honest with you. I think this job is a calling for me." 

26

"Eh ? " 

"Customers who come to host clubs are often looking for young men in their 20s, right? " 

Yukky continues to speak to the customer, who looks at him with a surprised look on her face. 

He seems to confirm the growing awareness of the other person and decides to take a step forward. 

"So, when I talk with such customers, I am not a pushy person, and I am easily carried away by their enthusiasm. It's a lot of fun just chatting with them, and I think I'd like to keep going until there is no more demand for my services."

"What? That's absolutely not true, is it?" 

"Oh, in that sense, Nishino, who helps out, has an average face, but to be honest, he gets a lot of inquiries because he is young. Next time, he'll get his makeup done properly, so I'm sure he'll have a face that can be seen in its own right." 

While looking for the eyes of the customers, Yukky tries to bring Nishino. 

He is trying his best to get an appropriate pass given to him by the help. The plan was to make a branch from today's customers to the Futsumen, while making fun of Nishino. It is a very difficult mission, but Yanagida is a handsome man, both physically and mentally, who tries to make a connection. 

All in all, Nishino and Yuya-kun are at the height of their sales game. 

But the enemy was formidable. 

"Yukky , but ... " 

"What ? " 

"So you're going to hit the pillow with me, too?" 

The customer, on her best behavior, went on the offensive. 

If the other person is the man who called the deriheru(type of prostitution), and Yukky is the prostitute who was called to this, the exchange is equivalent to being asked to do the real work. While it was no good for the store, there were a good number of hosts who were putting their hands in it for the sake of sales. 

Senior Yukky wanting to show a good face to the new help. It was a question from a customer who imagined this kind of context for him. The approach of a woman in her twenties to a good looking man in his twenties, who is a woman in her twenties, who is not good, but still hopes for a shot at least.

In this case, Yukky was in a pinch. 

At his new house today, a Kurogal is waiting for him to come home while cooking his evening meal. 

A young penis of over 20 years old is about to settle down in a devil's cave of nearly 40 years old. 

A chilly atmosphere flows between them. 

Then, Nishino, who had finished arranging the table, muttered.

"Understood " 

"Eh ? " 

" ……. Nishino ? " 

The unexpected sound of the voice brought their attention back to the Futsumen. 

To this he replied in a calm manner. 

"If you insist, I'll take care of the rest." 

"......" 

Immediately afterward, the customer burst out. 

Spit flew in Nishino's face as he muttered with a straight face. 

"... What's wrong?" 

"Sorry, sorry. I'm annoying your seniors. " 

"No, that's not the case ... " 

"But thanks to you, I got to hear some good stuff from Yukky today." 

The customer told Nishino, who tilted his head, in a straightforward manner. 

The customer's face was quite happy. 

Apparently, Nishino's behavior was seen by her as the awkward concern of a junior trying to help out a senior. In fact, with the deviation of the subject's face, it was nothing more than a joke, a moment when the ordinary part of a Futsumen came in handy. 

27

If it had been Takeuchi who had been there, things would not have gone so well. 

"Thank you, Nishino-kun" 

She continued calmly, wiping her laughing tears with her fingertips . 

It was a straightforward evaluation given to a new host who had just made his debut . 

"I haven't played this kind of love game since I was a student, so it's kind of fun!" 

"That's right. "

" You were a high school student until recently, right ? " 

"Oh, what's wrong with that? " 

"I don't know why you quit school, but I think it's a shame. I'm sorry to sound like I'm preaching one-sidedly, but I think you should start over if you can. " 

"What about it......" 

"I think you should cherish your youth because now is the time for you, Nishino." 

The casual words of a customer strongly stuck in Nishino's mind. 

He did not expect to have his true feelings pointed out to him in such a place. 

"Oh , sorry ? Obasan said that. "

"No, that's never the case. " 

"Teens are really precious, and I don't think they have time to be taken aside." 

" ....... " 

"Yukky, can I have the check, please?" 

The face of the customer as he spoke was a very serious one. 

That is why he saw a glimpse of the truth in them.

28