[Host III]

Nishino continued to visit the host club after school the next day. 

This was all for the sake of a sales competition with Yuya. 

There are only three days left until the promised date, and he is a former Futsumen who is determined to work hard. At the same time, he is thinking that he has a lot to gain from this. He feels that he has learned a lot from the interaction with the opposite sex that he has gained through his hosting business. 

And if Nishino was on his way, Rose was also on her way. 

She showed up just as the store opened for business and picked out a good-looking guy with a great atmosphere. 

"...... You're here today, too?" 

"Oh, sorry? " 

Despite this being only her second visit to the store, Rose's attitude is familiar. 

She interacts with Nishino as if she were relaxing in her living room at home. She is dressed in a luxury brand one-piece dress without her uniform. Other than that, however, she is no different from the woman he see on a daily basis. The attitude of the ex Futsumen in response to her is also naturally relaxed. 

"How can you drink the next day after drinking so much yesterday?" 

"Perhaps Nishino-kun doesn't like women who are good at drinking?" 

"Neither." 

"Well then, let's get on with it and get the same one as yesterday." 

"... I understand." 

She then asked for an expensive bottle. 

With Rose's favor, Nishino's sales really increased. Yesterday and today, the new host has already made several million in sales. If she continues to do the same over the next few days, she could exceed the 10 million mark. 

In this case, Yuya could not afford to sit on his laurels. 

The sales competition, which had only been a pretext, was now becoming a reality. 

He was not going to just stand by and watch, helplessly. 

About an hour had passed since Rose's visit. Yuya moved in response to a new customer's visit. He moves quickly through the shop, which is getting more and more crowded, and comes to the table where a handsome man with a great atmosphere is in charge. 

There, as he did yesterday, he poured drinks for the blonde Lolita. 

"Nishino, you have been requested by a customer." 

"What, really?" 

"........" 

The former Futsumen's honest astonishment irritates Yuya-kun. 

Unfazed by this, he continues. 

"I'll help you with this princess, and you can say hello to the one who wants to see you." 

"Yeah, I got it." 

The former Futsumen, full of motivation, stood up from his seat, a complete change from the smug look he had shown to Rose until then. This was the first time he had been requested from anyone other than Rose. Putting aside the sales battle with Yuya, Nishino was frankly happy. 

"I wonder if the host I request doesn't stay with me forever?"

Rose asked after seeing off Nishino's back. 

Yuya answered her with a smile of satisfaction. 

"My apologies. He seems to be getting more and more popular too."

"...... Right." 

As the two stared at each other, Nishino headed for the table he was indicated. 

Waiting there was a woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties. From her reasonably well-worn suit and the contents of a stuffed bag she had placed beside her, one would assume that she was a woman on her way home from her job. Even to the untrained eye, she appeared to be a fine customer. 

48

Standing in front of her, the former Futsumen finally speaks his desired line. 

"Thank you for your request. My name is Nishino." 

He never stops believing that this is the best looking. 

And today's Nishino is a handsome man with a great atmosphere. What he would have said or done in the daytime with his makeup off would have been completely out of place, but with the makeup technique Adam had taught him and the suit Sasaki had chosen for him, he was accepted without any resistance. 

The customer invited him to sit next to her without any difficulty. 

The ex Futsumen was thrilled. 

A sense of accomplishment, a kind of unexplainable accomplishment, rushes through his chest. 

He begins to think foolishly that being a host may be his true passion. 

"Nishino-kun, I saw you on the panel, is it true you are 18 years old?" 

"Yes, it is true. I celebrated my birthday just last month." 

"In a host club, many people falsify their age, but Nishino-kun has a baby face, so he really looks like a teenager. What happened to high school? Did you drop out? Or did you graduate from junior high school and go straight to work?" 

"I dropped out of high school right after I entered the school. " 

"Hmm ?" 

He talks about the settings he prepared in advance without hesitation. 

By the way, this female customer is an acquaintance of Yuya's. 

It was a trick by Yuya, who was concerned about a former Futsumen who had greatly increased his sales yesterday. Yuya, who was suspicious of Rose's presence in the industry, where people often use their acquaintances to cut their own expenses, had already taken action to deal with the situation. 

He had already approached several other women, and was planning to use them against Nishino one after another until Rose left the store, thereby lowering his sales. And if possible, he plans to get her as his biggest customer from the following week onward.

He does not believe that the blonde Lolita in front of him is truly in love with Nishino.

"You're doing a pretty good job with the makeup, aren't you? It's cute." 

Immediately, the customer began face-dissing him. 

This was another request from Yuya. 

This was a measure to break Nishino's mentality and ensure that he would leave the store. 

"Really?" 

"Yeah, yeah, it's quite a transformation, isn't it?" 

"This is quite a deep experience to start with makeup. I don't usually wear makeup, but when I get compliments like this, I don't feel bad. I think it might be a good idea to take this opportunity to continue learning." 

"Oh, yeah?" 

However, it does not reach former Futsumen who spend their days in sarcasm and ridicule. In the first place, he considers his own evaluation of his own facial features to be negligible. The face-dissing that has been done repeatedly by the Chairwoman was taking effect.

He took it at face value, and was quite happy with the result. 

"If you don't mind, can you give me a frank opinion from a woman?" 

"What? Uh, let's see........." 

"As far as I'm concerned, you don't see any signs of pressure when you visit a high-end store like this. I guess you usually share your life with good men. I consider honest remarks from such a discerning woman to be of great value." 

49

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

At the same time, he demonstrated an unparalleled desire to improve. 

From then on, every criticism by the customers was taken seriously the ex Futsumen who earnestly faced the host business. When he was given the honor of being chosen as the host, the virgin who was hungry for the opposite sex had his own spot.  

His mentality was steel. 

Perhaps that is why, when she left, she said one word to him in a small voice. 

"...... You, you're just plain cool." 

"I learned a lot today, too." 

The woman who requested Nishino stayed for an hour or so. 

With a small smile on her face, she left the store. 

This was frustrating for Rose, who had been watching the whole thing. 

"Hey, I think he's available, the guy I requested" 

"That's right." 

She also told Yuya, the store's ace Host who had come to help her, in an exasperated tone. She was talking as if to appeal to him to send him over to her quickly, and even though she was smiling, she was clearly rejecting him. 

While Nishino had managed to serve his customers, Yuya-kun was struggling more than ever. For Rose, who wanted to make out with Nishino no matter how she tried, he was nothing more than an obstacle. Naturally, he was salty.

They didn't even talk to each other as far as they were concerned until the customer with Nishino on his side left. 

"I'd love to throw in a champagne tower to celebrate his return." 

" ......... " 

Finally, Yuya had to compete in earnest with Nishino for sales. 

◇ ◆ ◇

While Nishino worked hard at the host club, there was a woman who was quietly and impatiently feeling the mood. She is Chikako Shimizu, the cute and reliable Chairwoman of Class 2A. After school that day, she watched the back of the Futsumen as he headed off to his workplace in high spirits, with a look of disapproval on her face. 

Then, after finishing her club activities and cram school, she returned home for a while. 

After preparing dinner and other things, she was alone in her room when she heard the melody of an incoming call on her phone. Sitting on her desk chair, she turned her attention back to her reference book and saw Francisca's name on the screen. 

" ....... " 

It is the Chairwoman, who has been in touch with her frequently in recent days. 

Wondering what the matter is, she takes the call.

"Shimizu, can I have a word with you?" 

" ...... What is it?" 

"It's a message for my former supervisor..." 

The subject was about a part-time job. 

Francisca routinely sends love calls to Nishino. The idea was to correct the content of those calls to the liking of the Futsumen. In fact, Francisca finds value in the relationship between the Chairwoman and Nishino as well as in the content of the messages. 

50

Shimizu, on the other hand, took this as a way to earn a little extra money. 

For her, who prefers to spend her private time studying for exams, the job from Francisca, which allowed her to work from home, was very attractive. The pay was also comparable to that of a part-time job at a convenience store. 

So the two of them kept in touch with each other. 

Today's call was part of that. 

It took a few minutes. Francisca gave instructions to Shimizu over the phone regarding her immediate work. After confirming the details and deadlines, the notebook in the Chairwoman's hand fills up. 

When all of this was over, Shimizu suddenly raised her voice. 

"That ...... Wow, can I have a word with you?"

"Oh, what is it?" 

"I'd like to ask you about the recent events regarding Nishino......." 

"Is there something bothering you about him?" 

"He seems strangely busy, doesn't he?" 

For the past few days, the Chairwoman has been carrying a sense of guilt as she watches the sleepy Futsumen in the classroom. Although the incident started with her own fault, she felt that she was responsible to some extent. 

That is why she even invited Nishino to her home for host study sessions. 

Furthermore, she says that if he loses a bet, he will have to work at a host club until he graduates from high school. At first, she thought that Nishino had it coming, but as the deadline approached, she began to feel more and more sorry for him. 

"Could it be that he works at a host club?" 

"Oh, you know about that?" 

The reply from Francisca more to the point than she had thought. 

It was the Chairwoman, whose voice rose, wondering how she knew. 

"I know, right? He's starting up with the weird stuff again."

"Um, how did you know ......" 

"I had a chance to listen to some gossip from a mutual acquaintance of ours." 

Francisca speaks without hesitation. 

Her demeanor was completely otherworldly. 

Perhaps that is why Shimizu muttered, feeling particularly remorseful. 

"I'm sorry, but it's my fault." 

"Oh, really?" 

"I got involved with a host at a cram school, and that's where the sales talk started. ......." 

"Hmm ?" 

She understood in advance that the Futsumen was dressed as a host, and Francisca had long been aware of Shimizu's involvement in this. That is why she once again saw value in the Chairwoman in attacking Nishino. 

According to her words, she is the best person to move [Normal]. 

"I've heard rumors that he's having a good time with it."

" ...... Really?" 

"Yes, he is. If you want, we can go check it out together this weekend?"

"Eh ......... " 

The Chairwoman's body tenses up at the unexpected suggestion.

That means visiting the host club where Nishino works. 

"Oh, I'm a minor ..." 

51

"You don't have to be nervous, okay? We're just checking things out. We're not going out to drink, we're just going to visit the store for a while. If anyone finds out, you won't be blamed." 

"I heard that no one under 18 years old is allowed to enter." 

"You're supposed to go in as a guest, right?" 

" ....... " 

The proposal from Francisca was met with a lot of resistance from the Chairwoman. 

It would be a lie to say that she was not concerned about Nishino's work environment. There was a feeling in her heart, as if she were afraid of what she might see. Declining the invitation from Francisca might also mean denying her own words.  

"I'll escort you to the place. Besides, Shimizu-chan, when you grow up, your friends may invite you to go out and have fun, right? Knowing this now will help you prepare for the future." 

The Chairwoman is weak when she is told so. 

"But I, oh, the money and ......" 

"It's okay. When you need it, I will give it to you. " 

" ...... " 

The Chairwoman had no alternative when it came to this. 

How could she enter without going in as a guest? The questions were endless, such as how she would tell the host and mislead him. However, the guilt over the Futsumen preceded her feelings, so Shimizu nodded and accepted the invitation from the bad adult. 

If it looked like she was in trouble, she would turn around and go home immediately. 

"...... Um, so may I join you for a moment?" 

"Sure, why not? I'm sure he'd love to." 

" ....... " 

It was an unpleasant Chairwoman for that matter. 

Furthermore, she would never have dreamed that the blonde Lolita was having a grand time at the same store. Fine brandy, champagne towers, Pocky games. If she had known in advance of her presence, she would have definitely turned her down. 

◇ ◆ ◇

Saturday passed quickly, and on Sunday, the final day of the sales competition finally arrived. 

At first, Yuya's victory was expected to be overwhelming, but due to the presence of Rose, who had been visiting the store for the past several days, Nishino also caught up in the second half of the day. Unfortunately, however, Yuya is still leading in sales as of today. 

"Hey, Nishino. I know I've said this before, but this is the last day, okay?" 

Yuya said, right after closing the pre-sales meeting. 

He gazes at a the ex Futsumen.

"Don't worry, I remember everything." 

At first, Yuya was ready to kick him out on the first day. An active high school host full of problems even if it was only a week's work. To Nishino, who answered with enthusiasm, he said with a fed-up look on his face. 

"That's all I'm going to talk about. Now get your ass on the floor." 

"Yes, sir." 

However, it was still true that Nishino was contributing to the store's sales. It was a small amount compared to the store as a whole, but for one week, it was quite a lot. It is not a bad thing for Yuya to say that he brought that to the store.

52 

However, in order to accept this comfortably, victory in the sales game is a must. Fearful for Blonde Lolita's still-bottomless purse, Yuya is also preparing for today's business. 

The store opens at 6:30 p.m.

The floor is opened to customers at exactly the right time. 

And just as if they were waiting for him, Rose arrives. 

She has been standing at the front of the store, in front of the sign that says the store is closed, and has been waiting for a long time. Yesterday and the day before, she had come home as soon as she finished her studies, changed into a dress of her choice at home, and stormed into Nishino's place of work. 

She was already the talk of the town, even though she had only been there for the past three days, as she waited quietly for an hour before the store opened, holding a small handbag with both hands. There is a poor blonde who has fallen in love with a host, they said. 

" ... You came today too?"

"Is it the freedom of the customer to come or not ?" 

"Don't you have better things to do?" 

Nishino, who has been in charge of serving customers day after day, muttered in dismay. 

Today, the two sat side by side on the sofa in good humor. 

At first, Rose was reluctant to go to a host club with a Futsumen, but when she tried it out, she found it to be a lot more fun than she had expected. She is even thinking that she might be willing to continue for a while longer.

Her phone is filled with shots of her and Nishino every day. 

For the past few days, Rose has been at the peak of her happiness after school. 

However, these happy times do not last long. 

"Nishino, a customer requested you." 

Yuya-kun visited them and told Nishino. 

In response, the handsome man stood up with great enthusiasm. 

" Which table? " 

"...... It's the 15th." 

While he does not intend to do so, from the perspective of others, he is overwhelmingly superior. The closer he feels the other person is to him, the more blunt he becomes. In response to this, Yuya's cheeks were drawn back and he turned his gaze to the table in question. 

Naturally, both of them turned their attention in that direction as well. 

Then they saw Francisca's figure there. 

What's going on? 

It seems that the other party also noticed the presence of Rose and Nishino. They get up from their seats, which were passed by the host who was guiding them, and come under the two of them. The contrast between Francisca, who walks with her heels clacking and her chest heaving, and the Chairwoman, who continues to hide behind her, is a striking sight.

The former is dressed in her plain, tight-fitting, suit. 

On the other hand, the latter, out of uniform, is in plain clothes. 

She wears a black flared skirt with a white blouse inside. The Chairwoman, who sensed a hint of formality in the host club, chose a monotone color after a night of deliberation. In an attempt to look a little older than her age.

"Oh? Rose, what a coincidence to meet you here." 

Francisca walked up with a smile on her face and sat down next to Nishino, as if it were only natural. For reasons of space, the Chairwoman settled down on the single sofa for help that was prepared across the table from her. 

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

Naturally, Rose has a salty face . 

She was the one who had planned to enjoy her time alone with Nishino until the store closed today, until she was the last one there. Noticing such a minor change in the customer's expression, Yuya, standing beside her, raised his voice. 

53

"Excuse me, do I know you?"

"Something like that. Uh, do you mind if we sit together?" 

"Yes, that's fine......." 

Yuya's gaze moves back and forth between Rose and Francisca. 

It appears that he is unable to determine the relationship between the two. 

"Wouldn't it be better for Rose to be able to talk with him like this, rather than fighting over him? Or do you prefer to drink alone? If that's the case, I'm happy to do it my way..." 

"...... Okay, I get it." 

After weighing the two sides, Rose nodded reluctantly. 

Then, immediately afterward, Nishino began to move. 

He connected his seat with the one next to it, instantly expanding the space. 

The former Futsumen's mood was lifted when he spotted the Chairwoman at his workplace. He also appreciated the fact that she was dressed in a cute plainclothes, which was a complete change from the familiar uniform she wore. When he was sure she was ready, he led her to a seat in the back where he had been sitting.

"This way, please." 

"Oh, thank you!" 

"You don't have to be so hard." 

"Yes, thank you very much!" 

Upon receiving the strangely pretentious reply, the Chairwoman thought that something was wrong. 

What came to her mind was a somewhat familiar feeling. 

But he quickly changed her mind, thinking that this was a host club. 

For the Chairwoman, this was a fatal mistake. 

She did not realize that the handsome man in front of her was Nishino. 

It was her first visit to a host club in her life. The luxurious and gorgeous interior. A wide variety of handsome men lined up here and there. Customers dressed in expensive-looking clothes. Everything in sight was too stimulating, and Shimizu was in the midst of nervousness. 

This tension in her mind, along with Nishino's disguised appearance in makeup and suit, led the Chairwoman to misunderstand him. 

The warmth of the opposite sex that I felt on my hips didn't bother me when I thought it belonged to a handsome man. 

Naturally, Rose raised her voice. 

"...... Why are you in such shock?" 

"What? Because I've never done anything like this before......." 

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"This is Nishino-kun" 

Rose showed the girls in front of her, lined up side by side. 

Over the table, he was sitting on a single sofa. 

His face was covered with his usual pouting expression. However, his carefully set hair has even changed color, and his face has been disguised with makeup, making him a handsome man in any way you look at him. Moreover, he is wearing some kind of a good-looking suit. 

Thanks to this, the Chairwoman was absolutely stunned. 

" ........... " 

"Oh? Maybe you didn't notice." 

Francisca raised her voice at this. 

54

Immediately after, the Chairwoman's face turns bright red. 

It was like a boiled octopus, boiling in no time at all. 

Shimizu never dreamed that the day would come when she would have to deal with Nishino as a handsome guy. The reply she had just given was recalled to her mind, and she felt a touch of shame. Chikako Shimizu was a disgrace for generations to come. 

" What ... what ... why ... really ...? " 

"Sorry for the deception. I had the opportunity to learn a lot at work and decided to start with a formality. But seeing the Chairwoman's reaction like this, I don't like to put too much make-up on it, because it's deceiving people's eyes." 

He is a former Futsumen who talks about his aesthetics without being asked.

He still insists on his masculine style.

On the other hand, the Chairwoman  is uncomfortable. 

The warmth of the other's body that she had felt on his hips has changed dramatically and instantly. She moves her body and tries to escape from this. However, even while she was doing so, she could still see Nishino's handsome face, and no matter how she looked at him, he was a handsome man with a good atmosphere. 

If you were to put him in the same grade with the other students, he would probably be counted from the top. 

In fact, the Chairwoman accepted him as a host at the first meeting. 

".........." 

When this happens, her head is a mess. 

She could not even come up with good words. 

Inside Shimizu's chest, she heard the sound of something important breaking. 

"By the way, I wonder if sales are going well?"

Francisca asks Nishino, not caring about the Chairwoman who is in a state of shock. 

She had heard about the situation from Shimizu last night and knew that Nishino was competing with Yuya-kun for sales. She even knows that the teacher at the cram school they both go to is a frequent patron of hosts and that Yuya is aggressively urging her to go to the store. 

"Why should you care?"

"Shimizu asked about it." 

55 

" ... Is that so? " 

Nishino understood this as well, although the exchange was brief. 

Recently, they have been in contact with each other in some way. 

Rose, on the other hand, did not seem to understand the situation. 

"Francisca, what does that mean? " 

"Oh, you've been going to the store without knowing it?" 

When Rose learned that she had been behind the scenes regarding Nishino, she questioned her boss with a glaring look on her face. The blonde Lolita, who had assumed that it was just the usual fits the the Futsumen, or activities in search of contact with the opposite sex. 

Then Francisca told her about the sales match between Nishino and Yuya-kun. 

"Hmm? I didn't know that was..." 

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Nothing?" 

As for Rose, it is a difficult situation to make a decision. 

Whether Nishino wins or loses, there is no gain for her in this. However, there is a significant disadvantage only if she honestly tries to fulfill the promise she made in defeat. The time she has spent living together in the share house, which she has gone to the trouble of acquiring, will be diminished. 

"If that's the case, I might get excited today." 

"No thanks. It doesn't matter if I win on your credit." 

"With that said, how are sales looking with the deadline coming up?" 

"...... Yes, the battle is not going well." 

The handsome man  who speaks has a dreary expression on his face. 

If he continues like this, he is going to lose. 

"I heard that if you lose, you have to work in this store until you finish school. Isn't that what they said, Shimizu?"

"Yes......." 

When asked by Francisca, the Chairwoman nodded her head as if she were out of her mind.

She is not in the mood for this right now. 

She is trying her best to sort out her scattered mental state. 

Then, as if to add insult to injury, a handsome man with a good-looking atmosphere said.

"Chairwoman, if you're not feeling well, I can take you home in a cab..." 

"No, no! You don't have to do that! I'm fine!" 

" Really? Well, that's okay. ......" 

The Chairwoman's face fell down with a groan as she felt as if she had just had her piled-up cargo fundamentally shattered. She was very conscious not to let the handsome man's face out of his sight any more. 

Francisca continued to speak regardless of this. 

"Then it occurred to me, if you lose out to the hosts here in sales, and I buy the place afterwards, doesn't that mean you can have [Normal] at your disposal for the next year and a few months?" 

"...... As usual, as far as I'm concerned, you're not thinking straight, are you?" 

"Oh, no? I'm just being honest and telling the truth. " 

If someone who did not know Francisca had overheard it, it would have sounded like a lame joke. In fact, the Chairwoman took it as such. However, Nishino was well aware from their past relationship that the person in front of him was the one who might actually do this. 

In fact, he was certain that she would do so. 

That is why she went to the trouble of bringing Shimizu along. 

The situation had changed drastically, and he was a former Futsumen in a pinch. If it was a menial job at a host club, but if it was working for Francisca, things would be different. It is also a matter of life after high school. 

56

" ...... " 

For what it's worth, Nishino has been getting a taste of working at the club for the past few days. His job brings him into contact with the opposite sex, and at the same time, it is an opportunity for him to learn communication. He thought that if he worked hard at his job here, he might eventually have a wonderful encounter or something. 

The repulsion came from the blonde Lolita who was sitting right next to him. 

"Francisca, what are you doing here?" 

"Wouldn't Rose be happy to see me?" 

"What makes you think that?" 

"It'll make your job a lot easier for the time being." 

Rose's feeling of distance from Nishino has changed recently, and the fact that it was in front of her helped to make it a difficult question to answer. From the bottom of my heart, I am happy. I would probably decide to go to the host every day after school until graduation.

"Even if that is the case, the relationship after that is hopeless, isn't it? " 

"He's the one at fault here, because he decided to take the easy way out, didn't he? I wonder if the hosts here are so narrow-minded that they would bend their navels at such a thing. I have to admit that I was shallow, knowing that I was so close by." 

"...... Yes, you're right" 

Recently, Francisca has begun to get used to how to handle Nishino . 

He nodded solemnly when I spoke to him to boost his self-esteem. 

Even as a former Futsumen, there was a part of him that felt that he had said big things in order to look good in front of the Chairwoman and cram teacher. This happened just as he was beginning to understand the benefits of working at a host club and thought it might have turned out to be a blessing in disguise. 

"I wonder if they would consider it positively?" 

"But I haven't lost the game yet. " 

" Hmm ... " 

Based on his work for the past week, Nishino also understood how difficult it is to make sales as a host at a club. 

But even so, he had not given up on the game. 

He is an extremely annoying ex Futsumen who always tries to make it to the end, no matter what the situation. 

"Rose, don't order anything more expensive, okay?" 

"Is that your boss's order? Or is it a personal request?" 

"Of course it's an order." 

"...... Right." 

It appears that sales by Rose are not expected today. 

In this case, the gap with Yuya would only widen. 

The defeat of the good-looking guy who had no other main customers was very close. 

◇ ◆ ◇

Since Francisca's visit, expensive orders for Nishino have stopped.

At most, a few bottles of champagne priced at several tens of thousands of yen were added. 

That is not bad sales for a good-looking man with a good atmosphere. However, compared to Yuya, there is a difference. The gap between the two is widening by the minute. 

57 

Naturally, Yuya wondered about this. But while it's a disadvantage for the store, it's an opportunity for him. Given the former Futsumen, which have already made enough sales in the last few days, it's hard to hope for more. 

The Blonde Lolita is tightened the purse string . 

Fortunately, he decided to pursue his own business . 

On the other hand, at the former Futsumen table, Francisca is having a good time drinking. She's happy in contrast to Rose, who exposes a dissatisfied look. With the Chairwoman's depression, she is completely alone. 

"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I had a drink with Rose." 

"Aren't you busy with work? How long do you think you're going to be here?" 

"There is no more important job than having a drink here, right?" 

"...... Right." 

When this happens, there is nothing Nishino can do. 

All he could do was silently make drinks. 

His table was the only one that stood out from the others on the floor. There were three customers to one host. Especially Rose and Francisca, two outstandingly good-looking women, are attracting a lot of attention from the other customers. 

It was a mixture of jealousy and bewilderment. 

By the way, the Chairwoman is completely out of the picture.

I hated host clubs because I felt that there is no other place where I feel so out of place. 

"By the way, can I ask you something?" 

"..... what?" 

"I heard there's a thing called a pillow fight in places like this." 

Says Francisca, fingertips pulling down her shirt to expose her cleavage. 

She was an old lady who was enjoying herself to the fullest while talking big to Rose. The absolute gap between the host and the customer made even Francisca amused like Rose had been just a few minutes before.

It is not often that I get a chance to tease Nishino one way or the other. 

It was a spirit of venting the pent up energy accumulated. 

"I have a hotel in mind. Could you do me a favor this evening?" 

"That's the kind of thing you say when you make a very expensive order." 

"I'll do it for you, okay? I'll let you in tomorrow. I'll let you in anytime." 

"....... Sorry, I have to decline that kind of thing. " 

"Oh, that's too bad." 

The hosts around him are jealous of Nishino. 

They wondered why such a dull, handsome man with a good-looking atmosphere was being pursued by a beauty with big tits. Several hosts had come to him to help out. But everyone has been turned down, and the only one at the table is the former Futsumen. 

This is not amusing from a colleague's point of view. 

It is their common view that they would like to hold her even if they have to pay for it. 

In the meantime, a Yukky came under Nishino's wing. 

"Nishino, you got a minute? " 

"What is it?" 

"Yamanobe is here at the store....." 

"Yamanobe?" 

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The former Futsumen's eyebrows twitched as he heard a familiar sound. 

It was a nicely groomed brow, on par with the handsome men around him. 

"Apparently, she heard about the sales competition between you and Yuya." 

"I see" 

"She wants to help out in any way she can by filling a bottle, but even so, she's not old enough to be in the store. So I let her through a little bit." 

"That's fine, but is it safe for the store?" 

"I've been indebted to Nishino, too. I just want to do what I can." 

"...... Okay." 

Now, they were receiving unexpected support from an unexpected person. 

Francisca was surprised at this. 

" Oh, no? I didn't know you had that kind of relationship." 

"I'm sure you're receiving reports from the girls over there, right?" 

"Even so, it makes me jealous to actually see it in front of my eyes." 

"Speak for yourself." 

Francisca is trying to spoil Nishino here and there. Yukky's eyes also glanced at her. It seems that he, too, is concerned about the relationship between Nishino and the beautiful woman. However, he does not openly ask her about it. 

He solemnly asks the ex Futsumen. 

"So what about ? " 

"I'd love to ask you for help." 

"All right, well, just give me a minute, will you?" 

With a small nod, the good natured Yanagida left the table. 

Watching his back, Rose muttered. 

"You're the guy who was lying on the floor of some abandoned building, right?" 

"He was an employee of this club. I found out after I came in. " 

"Well, that's quite a coincidence." 

"There are a lot of places to work in Tokyo. It could happen." 

"...... I agree." 

"By the way, Francisca, I'd like to know why the Chairwoman  is here at the store." 

"It's okay, okay? Like Rose, she's fine." 

"I don't know..." 

Shimizu twitched when Nishino mentioned her. 

She still can't face up to the fact that he is a handsome guy with a good-looking atmosphere. 

It was because of the makeup. It was the result of her hair color. It was the power of the suit. She is desperately trying to project the face deviation of her classmate sitting nearby on her retina as the original one, repeating the words to herself like that. 

To her, Nishino must be a Futsumen, no matter what. 

As she was doing this, a familiar face came from the back of the store. 

"Yaho !Ni... shino-kun. It's been a long time ! " 

She was about to call him Nishi when she spotted Rose right next to him and quickly corrected her words. Her heart shrinks at the sight of the blonde Lolita glaring at her. 

She didn't expect to run into her in a place like this. 

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"Oh, it's been a long time " 

"I heard from Yukky that something serious is going on. So, with that, I was wondering if I could help in any way, since you did so much for me before! If you don't mind, I was wondering if I could put one in for you?" 

" I don't think you've heard that, but you can afford it ? " 

"No problem! Oh, but, uh, I don't want it to be too expensive. ...... " 

"I'm glad you came. I'm very happy." 

Nishino got up from the single sofa and offered his seat to Yamanobe. 

His body was naturally moving after working at the host club every day. Instead, he borrowed another bench sofa from an empty neighboring table. The atmosphere around the handsome man was gradually becoming more and more crowded. 

"Oh, I'm good, okay? I don't think I'm going to be here very long." 

"A woman left standing is a distraction to others because it attracts the attention of others." 

" Uh ... I'm sorry." 

"No. Yamanobe has nothing to apologize for." 

With a fearful look on her face, the Kurogal settled down on the sofa. 

Then she saw a familiar female figure. 

" Huh ? Could it be Shimizu-chan ?" 

"...... Hello." 

They are acquainted with each other after the kidnapping fiasco in the abandoned building. 

The demoralized Shimizu responded calmly to the Kurogal who tried to talk happily to her. Just as she was thinking that she had overheard the conversation between Francisca and Nishino, she wondered if she could go home first, since her role was already done. 

"I didn't think Shimizu was with you too! " 

"No, I'm that ... " 

"Oh! Shimizu-chan, do you really like Nishino-kun?" 

"No, I don't!" 

The Chairwoman's mentality, which is already in a precarious situation, is further shaken by a casual remark from the Kurogal. It is Shimizu who is never like that. However, she has treated Nishino as a good looking guy, even if only for a short time, and the damage is done to her. 

And it's bad enough that he is right in front of her. 

This is an uninteresting story from Rose's point of view. 

The conversation has become quite lively around her beloved person, whom she had been monopolizing until just a few minutes ago. It would have been much more enjoyable to sit around the dining room table at her shared house. 

So she raised the glass in her hand at once and tried to call out to him. 

"Hey, Nishino-kun. I think it's time to get the next drink..." 

Then, just before that, Yanagida came to the table again. 

He visited under the ex Futsumen at a quick pace and told him in a small voice. 

"Nishino, you got a requested from a first-time customer." 

"Mmm , is that true ? " 

"I understand that you and I are acquainted..." 

Yukky's gaze glanced elsewhere as he delivered his message to Nishino. 

There, he saw a customer heading to his seat, being guided by another host. 

The fact that the table that Nishino was in charge of was busy helped, and the destination's attention was also directed toward them as they paced the floor. The other person looked troubled for a moment, but soon came to a decision and turned her steps toward the ex Futsumen.

"Your face looks different with makeup, but you're Nishino, right?" 

"You were working part-time at a maid cafe, right? ......." 

"I heard that, right? I heard you're competing with an ace for sales here." 

She happily talks to the handsome man.

60

It's Natsuki Igarashi, a self-proclaimed Saba Saba girl. 

At the maid cafe where I worked part-time, I was batting with Nishino who planned to catch a woman at my place of employment. Fortunately, she was caught up in the turmoil. That's the question of the good-looking guy who was asked why in such a place . 

"Well, is Rose with you ?" 

"Oh, and by the way, this is ...... " 

"You know, Nishino-kun helped me out before, right? I've worked hard since then, and now that I have a chance to pay you back, I was thinking of contacting you. Just then, I heard a rumor about you from a girl I know who works at a cabaret club." 

"I see" 

I could somehow imagine where the rumors were coming from. 

I guess she knew some self-proclaimed saba saba girls among the customers I had served in the past few days. If I recall, the person in front of me had been working at a number of places that were one step ahead of the sex industry. It was only natural that I should be able to find out the connections between the two. 

"Now it's just a matter of sales? I'd like to help too." 

Igarashi said with a pleasant smile. 

"You see, I'm a saba saba girl, aren't I?" 

"....... That's right." 

Nishino's heart was warmed by the unexpected words that were given to him in rapid succession. He did not expect to meet again with the Kurogal and self-proclaimed saba saba girl in this way. The casual remark that he had made on the spur of the moment was also lost in the shadows. 

On the other hand, the Chairwoman was still feeling a little pain in her heart. 

"Oh, um, have a seat here!" 

Shimizu took this opportunity to get up on her feet to get out of the store. 

Her hands are clutching her bag. 

"You sure?" 

"I'm about to go home ... " 

"I'm sorry, I'll get a seat right away. " 

But she was not given time to talk about things. 

The former Futsumen, who moved in a blink of an eye, quickly prepared her seat. He moved an additional sofa from the seat next to her and recommended this to Igarashi. The Chairwoman stands up and just stares at the scene with a look of despair. 

Then she gets a follow-up from a self-proclaimed saba saba girl. 

She points her gaze at the dismayed Chairwoman as she stands up from her seat and says. 

"Could this girl be Nishino's girlfriend?" 

"No! It's not like that!" 

The loud voice of the Chairwoman echoed across the floor. 

The guests and hosts present all turned their gazes in response to the screams. It was Nishino's table, which had always been the center of attention. This time, she was the center of attention from all over the place. 

"......." 

This makes it difficult to take a step toward the entrance. 

After standing up, the Chairwoman sat down on the sofa with her face bright red. 

Then, without speaking, she curled her back and became small. 

"Chairwoman, are you all right? If you're not feeling well..." 

"Don't worry about it! I'm fine! " 

"...... Okay." 

61

The repeated stimulation was on the verge of a mental breakdown for the Chairwoman. 

On the other hand, the former Futsumen says this with a worried look on his face. 

"However, if this seems difficult to you, please be honest with me." 

"......." 

And a series of words and actions by the Chairwoman, if observed from the side, seemed as if he was roasting the other women surrounding the person she was interested in. At least, that is how it appeared to the Kurogal and the self-proclaimed saba saba girl, who were unaware of Nishino's position within the school. 

Her polite attitude toward Shimizu, a former Futsumen, also added to this. 

Hmmm? Nishi, you're good. 

Somehow.

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