[Host IV]

Following the arrival of Yamanobe and Igarashi, the sales of Nishino increased. 

However, it is not a very large sum. Compared to the bottles that Rose and Francisca put in today, the amount they could get out of their wallets was small. Naturally, it is not enough to catch up with Yuya-kun. 

For the former Futsumen, it was a very touching event, but the odds still remain against him. His sales are still steadily increasing the gap between them. At this rate, there is no way to escape Francisca's supervision. 

"I wonder until what time this place is open?" 

"Until 1:00 a.m." 

"Well, then, we have a couple of hours to win this thing." 

Francisca speaks with ease to Nishino, who is working in a brisk manner, making drinks and doing other things. Francisca smiles at Nishino. She has been emptying her glass in a good mood since a while ago.

Rose, by contrast, has been talking less. 

She prefers to spend time alone with Nishino. 

Incidentally, the Kurogal and the self proclaimed saba saba girl left the store after enjoying themselves for about an hour. Not only for financial reasons, but also because they had seen Rose in the same place, they were naturally distracted. 

" ... Business hours are not over yet" 

"That being said, the guy you're dealing with is an ace, right?" 

"Apparently." 

Glancing around, Francisca peeks at the floor. 

She saw Yuya-kun standing in line with a customer, being picked up by the customer. Several expensive looking bottles lined up on the table. And this is a scene that has been repeated endlessly since a week before Nishino came to this store. 

Not needing to be told by the old lady, Nishino was sensing signs of defeat. 

Then Yanagida walked up to him again. 

"Nishino, you have a first time client......" 

"........Again ?" 

After so many first time clients, the former Futsumen seemed to have developed suspicions. 

It is strange to have a request before meeting him or her for the first time. The only possibility for a novice host like Nishino is to come to the store as an acquaintance, like a Kurogal or the self proclaimed saba saba girl. 

"The owner wants to see you. I'm sorry, but can you go?" 

"Something wrong with the clientele?" 

"No, no, it's not a problem, it's more like he needs to check with you...." 

Yukky talks to Nishino with a somewhat troubled look on his face. 

As he was doing so, a customer came across to the floor. 

For some reason, they were two men. 

Moreover, one of them is dressed as a woman. 

The owner of the store follows behind the dashing pair with an impatient look on his face. He is calling out something to them, but they walk on without paying attention to this and start scurrying around the floor, looking for something. 

Soon their gazes meet with Nishino's. 

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"Oh, it's really lively, isn't it?" 

"Oh ... oh ! I'm here to play" 

The two customers were Adam and Tarosuke. 

They saw a handsome man in one corner of the floor and strode up to him, heading downstairs. With three guests at one table, the exotic Rose and Francisca stood out. 

In contrast, Nishino, who had been captured by them, had a dreary look on his face.

"What are you doing here?"

"We came to see how well you're doing." 

"I heard you're competing for sales. Who are you competing with?"

They settled down on the sofa where the Kurogal and the self proclaimed saba saba girl had been sitting just a few moments before, regardless of the attention they were receiving from their surroundings. The owner's eyes widened in astonishment when he saw this, and he quickly returned to the rear bar. 

The guests and hosts who were present were astonished. Tarosuke's presence seemed to have caught the attention of many people, and voices began to be raised here and there. Rose and Francisca were not amused by this, as they were hoping for Nishino's defeat. 

"I heard that men are not allowed in this store?" 

Rose stares at Tarosuke with a stern look on her face. 

The handsome man who replies is in panic. 

He doesn't expect to run into a blonde Lolita in the store. 

"I heard that more and more stores are allowing couples to enter these days." 

"Taro-chan begged me to go with him." 

Following the appearance of their mutual acquaintance, the guests began to talk about this and that. Rose, in particular, began to torment Tarosuke. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yukky asked Nishino. He had been tense next to Nishino since Tarosuke and Adam's appearance. 

"Nishino, you really know him?" 

"Kinda" 

"Oh, I see......." 

"Sorry, by the way, but I don't think I can handle it alone. If you are free, I would like to ask you to help me, Yanagida. If you have a nomination, I'll find someone else." 

Nishino earnestly tries to keep his job as a host. 

In response to his request, Yukky nodded his head with a mysterious look on his face. 

◇ ◆ ◇

After Tarosuke and Adam's visit, sales at Nishino jumped. 

This is because the former, who had received information from Marquis in advance about the sales competition with Yuya, took advantage of the opportunity to place a high order. Rose and Francisca could not stop this, and the table was the sole domain of the handsome man. 

"By the way, are you sure you can casually visit a place like this?" 

Glancing at Adam's figure beside him, Nishino asked Tarosuke. 

The duo had said they were visiting as a couple when they entered the store. 

"If I were to hang out with this person, it would be seen as a business relationship. I've been in his good graces a few times in the past, and I'm sure the world knows about those times, don't you think? " 

"......Okay." 

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Tarosuke, who speaks with an air of aloofness, appeared to be in a good mood even to the casual observer. 

He is sipping a glass of wine comfortably. 

On the other hand, sitting in the corner with a resigned look on her face is the Chairwoman.

The guests and hosts on the floor are constantly looking at Nishino's table. In contrast, none of the seated guests except for Shimizu seemed to be bothered by this, and they were all talking to each other in a lively manner, so what was going on? 

A lower caste accidentally blended in with a higher caste group.

It was the Chairwoman who understood the feelings of someone like that. 

If it were on campus, she would be in the position of Nishino and Tarosuke on a regular basis. 

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

Unable to join in the conversation, I cover up my loneliness by eating and drinking. 

I plucked a piece of jerky from the plate and tasted it with a crunchy bite. I am now tasting the jerky, which costs the same as the moist lip I bought last week for a day out, oh, this lip is delicious. Very juicy. It's very juicy. 

Still, only Nishino had something to say to her. 

He keenly checked Shimizu's eating scene and approached her.

"Chairwoman, if you are feeling hungry, you can order from the food menu. This man will take care of the payment. It's a bit expensive compared to other places, but compared to the bottles the girls there are drinking, it's a small price to pay." 

"Whoa? Oh? In that case, you can order anything you like!" 

Tarosuke responded with a big smile on his face. 

He nodded cheerfully. 

He looked very happy. 

Putting aside Shimizu's honest feeling that there was no way she could do such a thing, Tarosuke the wallet man, who was in high spirits, ran to order from every single item on the menu with his hands in his pockets. Witnessing this scene, the Chairwoman gave up thinking. From then on, he decided to try to fill his stomach. 

Yukky, carrying the order from Tarosuke, runs to the kitchen. 

Rose's frustration was palpable. 

Not to be outdone, her mouth moves and she throws the order to the handsome man.

"Nishino, in that case, I'll have this cheese platter, too." 

"Yeah, I got it." 

"Hey, hey, hey, Rose-chan " 

"What are the instructions?" 

"That may be true, but I don't understand." 

She is a blonde Lolita who is desperate to turn the attention of ex-Futsumen to herself. 

As if competing with Tarosuke, she drowns herself in the swamp of hosts. 

Witnessing the liveliness of Nishino and his friends, other places paid more attention to them than ever before. Yuya, who was serving customers at the other end of the table, was no exception. The presence of Tarosuke and Adam, who unexpectedly came to the store, made him more impatient than ever. 

It seems that he felt more or less grounded in the background of the former Futsumen, who was full of confidence in vain. But even so, the store was his territory. No matter what connections he had, his self-respect would not allow him to lose out in sales to an amateur high school student. 

When I checked with the owner, he told me that at this point, the sales of the two were very close. 

The last order was coming in every minute. 

It was a close race. 

Meanwhile, a new customer arrived on the floor. 

The first to react to this was the Chairwoman. With nothing to do but enjoy the food, her attention was distracted from the people enjoying conversation nearby, looking at the majestic interior of the store. 

65

The customer was Sumika, an English teacher at the cram school that Shimizu and Nishino attend. 

"Eh ... maybe Shimizu-chan ?" 

"Oh, Sensei......." 

The other person also seems to have noticed the Chairwoman and they look at each other. 

As for Sumika, who has only been in the club for a short time, it is a sight that makes her wonder why a high school girl is in a host club. At the same table with her, she also sees Rose and Tarosuke, making it even more difficult to grasp the situation. 

However, she did not have time to voice such doubts. 

Yuya-kun comes quickly after confirming Sumika's appearance on the floor. 

"Sumika, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to come over today." 

"Oh, I'm sorry ... " 

"Welcome to our store. I'll show you to your seat." 

Yuya speaks to Sumika in a somewhat juvenile manner, a complete change from the way he spoke to Nishino.

However, Sumika's expression was not clear. 

She took only a few steps and then stopped. 

" ...... Sumika-chan ? " 

"Um, Yu, Yuya-kun. I came here today because I really wanted to say something." 

"Something you want to say? What is it? Say whatever you want." 

The Chairwoman's reaction brought Nishino's attention to them as well. 

Yuya-kun and Sumika-chan stood in the center of the floor, facing one of the many tables. The sight of a familiar teacher there naturally heightened their awareness of the ex Futsumen. The exchange between the two was audible to his ears.

"You're, Nishino-kun, right ?" 

Sumika looked back at the former Futsumen and said. She seemed to have noticed at once the identity of the handsome man in a suit. The fact that the Chairwoman and Rose, who were also students at the school, were sitting very close to her may have been a clue.

After leaving Yuya-kun's hand, she moved to Nishino's table. 

"Hey, hey, hey, what's wrong with you, Sumika? " 

"I don't mind if I have a hard time, but I don't think it's right to involve my students in this kind of thing. I like you, Yuya, but I can't go along with that kind of thing. I know sales are important, but there are more important things than sales, right?" 

"Eh... " 

"So, can I spend today with him over here?" 

Up until now, she has always done whatever Yuya told her to do. It was an uncharacteristic behavior for Sumika, who had even been forced to come to the workplace. After the events of the past few days, she must have come to her own conclusions. 

She spoke with a serious face.

However, from Yuya's point of view, it was an outrageous story. 

Rather than being involved, it was Nishino who dashingly stepped in on his own and even stayed for a while. Even if I wanted him to leave, he wouldn't. Even as a business, we don't want to cross any more dangerous bridges. In fact, Yuya feels that he is more involved in the situation now. 

"Wait a minute, Sumika...." 

66 

"So, you can leave now" 

"........" 

She seemed to feel responsible for her own students. Her attitude has changed from the fluffy and unreliable way she used to be, and she now speaks with a resolute attitude. Witnessing her words and actions, Yuya also noticed a change in her. His gaze shifted and went to Nishino, who was sitting beside her. 

I wondered inwardly to myself if it was this little shit again. 

The ace of the store's moves attracts a lot of attention from those around him. Not only the customers but also the hosts looked at her, wondering what was wrong this time. The fact that the exchange was taking place in the middle of the floor made it a bit of a spectacle. 

There were noises coming from all over the place. 

Even the owner, who was watching from a distance, was on tenterhooks. 

In this situation, there was one person who couldn't help but raise his voice, no matter what it took. 

That's right, Nishino. 

"In that case, I will help Yuya." 

"Huh ? " 

"Eh? Nishino-kun?" 

Not only Yuya but also Sumika voiced her doubts. 

Why are you coming out at this timing? 

The Chairwoman, who was watching the series of exchanges from the corner of the room, thought to herself. 

Nishino-kun is starting to say strange things again.

This is not going to end well. 

However, the wise Chairwoman did not raise his voice. In order to soothe her mental state in the midst of the turmoil, she mindlessly devours a bowl of ginger pork fried with ginger. Ah, the ginger is so good, it tastes so good, she said, somehow escaping from reality. 

"Good grief, it's tough being a successful host." 

Standing up from his seat, Nishino muttered in an air of disdain. 

Naturally, the other person voiced his denial. 

"Um, Nishino? I don't mean that......." 

"You can pick Yuya as you usually do." 

As usual, Nishino talks big. 

If he had been a handsome guy until last week, he might have said no. What was he mistaken about? However, today's Nishino was not an average looking guy. He was a handsome man with a good-looking atmosphere. And he was wearing a suit of the finest quality, chosen by suit of suit Sasaki. 

Perhaps that helped, Sumika gave a small nod. 

"Uh, yes......" 

Because she was a big fan of younger boys. 

The same is true of her nomination of Yuya at the same store. 

And Nishino is visibly younger than Yuya-kun. She could be described as a junior high school student. I was hesitant at first sight because of his handsome appearance, but today he is surprisingly good looking. 

I suddenly thought of the word pillow in my mind. 

Youth and good looks weighed in the balance, and the two were balanced. In addition, he was a student at the tutoring school where he worked. Sumika felt the maternal nature of the relationship between the two. She was also aided by the presence of Shimizu, who favors her, and she responded honestly. 

What's that? was the Chairwoman's honest feeling that was almost in her throat. 

By the way, other than Shimizu, there were other students from Class 2A in the store today. 

67

She broke through the age limit when she entered the store with her sister's driver's license.

Kanako Matsuura, 17, is an active JK student who enjoys playing with hosts. 

"......" 

She was surprised to see her schoolmates there unexpectedly. For Matsuura-san, this is an irritating sight. 

"Yuko-chan, what's wrong?" 

"No. It's nothing." 

When the host in charge calls her name, Matsuura-san brings her consciousness back to her hand. 

Yuko is a pseudonym. 

The money she got from Gabu-chan's dad, had given her the opportunity to grow up a little faster than the other girls around her. For the first time, it was only a few thousand yen for all you can drink. Just a little bit of social experience. 

She has been going to the host club for a while with this excuse.

It was Matsuura-san, who was addicted to playing with hosts. 

She was a different person from the one on campus, playing with her hair and applying heavy make-up. She was also dressed in a suit. Thanks to this, so far, she has not been noticed by Nishino and the others. The host in charge also treats her as Yuko Matsuura, a twenty two year old female office worker. 

Incidentally, the name, along with her driver's license, belongs to her older sister. 

"I'm more tired from work today. I wish I could get a foot rub. " 

"Huh? Then maybe you need at least one more bottle?" 

"Oh, I see. I'll put a bottle for Luka." 

Matsuura-san does not yet know what fate awaits her in the future. 

◇ ◆ ◇

Sumika came to the host club and proudly requested Nishino in the spot in front of everyone. Normally, Yuya's role would have been to refuse the request because of the store's rules. However, he was more concerned that he was being treated suspiciously and was unconvinced. 

Because the other person is a good-looking guy with a good atmosphere. 

He is a good-looking man with a good-looking atmosphere, but as a host, he is a fake. 

"Wait a minute. I'll give today's help to Nishino. But I think you are mistaken, Sumika-chan. I'll tell you in advance, but I don't remember doing anything to him." 

"Well, I think that's for me to judge!" 

The exchange between Sumika and Yuya-kun is parallel. 

Naturally, it is as irrelevant to Rose.

"Hey, Nishino-kun. I've run out of alcohol." 

She held up the empty glass and asked for a refill, and as far as I was concerned, the water that had not yet dissolved made a clinking sound. 

The two arguing right in front of each other were out of sight. They looked as if they were demanding that we make them a new glass of sake right away. The blonde Lolita, who had less conversation with Nishino due to the increase in the number of customers at the table, was not happy at all. 

"Yanagida, sorry can you please......" 

"I say Nishino-kun, right?"

68 

So Rose thought, I think it's effective to pretend to be drunk here. 

I thought of it, but on a good day, I consciously broke my face and talked to him. I wondered if he could settle down next to me and give me a drink. AShe earnestly wishes to lift the ban on Pocky games with thick tongue kissing will be lifted.

" ...... " 

"Ah ? What's wrong ? " 

" ... Are you drunk ? " 

"Excuse me. Do you think I'm drunk at this level ? " 

It was kind of like Francisca. 

Nishino's attention turned to the old lady sitting next to him. She said. She grabbed a glass from the table and slapped the alcohol away from her face. The boss had abandoned control of his subordinate. 

"Hey, hey, Nishino. Is that the host with whom you are competing for sales?" 

"Isn't he quite a nice guy? His tight waist looks so delicious!" 

Yuya's approach was followed by shouts from Tarosuke and Adam. Both were energetic, perhaps because of the alcohol. Without Nishino having to answer anything, they began exchanging a few words. The place was lively, even more so than usual.

"Sumika, do you maybe hate me now?" 

Yuya is also desperate to get Sumika's attention. 

So Nishino decided to take a step forward. 

"By the way, Yuya, there is one thing I want to tell you in advance." 

"...... What now?" 

"I'm sorry, but this woman is mine." 

With a casual air, the former Futsumen man grabbed Sumika by the waist, just as Yuya had done just a few moments before. She was not expecting to be treated in such a way by Nishino, and her whole body stiffened from surprise. 

What is she getting herself into, she thought honestly. 

At the same time, she is thrilled by her student's aggressive attitude. 

She is in a complicated age when she is desired by a younger boy. 

"Huh ? " 

Witnessing this, Yuya's raised his voice. 

His expression also became severe. 

"Nevertheless, playing host is also an important way to relieve stress. There is no need to bend your will and forcibly refrain from it. I am sure we will continue to be of service to you, but could you please operate with that understanding? " 

"........." 

With a smile on his face, Nishino speaks smugly.

This is also irritating. 

69

Even with a facial deviation that raised his rank from Futsumen to handsome man, his sharpened cynicism fueled the antipathy of others. Rather, his halfway polished appearance made Yuya-kun feel competitive.

"Wait a minute. What does that mean?" 

"Any more of this is private for you. No more bombings, please. " 

"What the..." 

Finally, Yuya's face is suspicious. His expression is furious, as if he has forgotten that his customers and colleagues are even watching him. The tight grip of his hand on his forehead showed the anger he had inside of him. 

And nearby is a blonde Lolita who is just as angry and furious as he is. 

her attempts at pretending to be drunk were short-lived, and her words and actions were back to normal in a single shot.

"Hey, hey, Nishino-kun. I wonder if what you just said is true?" 

Her cheeks are shaking as she gets up from her seat. 

Rose had been seeing Nishino for the past few days, not only at school and home, but also at the  host club and cram school. She thought it was impossible, but she still felt uneasy. 

However, the former Futsumen continued to speak without regard to her. 

"At any rate, let's take our seats. We can't continue to stand around talking at this ......" 

"...... You, what was that about?" 

Immediately after, Yuya-kun moved. 

He takes a step toward Futsumen and grabs him by the chest. 

Then they stare at each other, their faces so close together that their bangs are in contact with each other.

"Oh, hey. ....." 

Out of nowhere, a voice shouted.

The situation is a flashpoint. 

If they follow the store rules, they will be fined hundreds of thousands of yen per punch. 

They even wrote a letter of caution. 

"Why don't you be a little more honest with yourself?" 

As a host, Yuya has no time to waste in building up his body, and training is an indispensable part of his daily routine. Naturally, he is a thin macho man. Nishino, on the other hand, has been exercising to a certain extent since he started break-dancing, but his body is not much different from that of most students. 

70

However, Nishino responds without seeming to care. 

"Is this woman your favorite ?" 

".........." 

The other person's reaction was very real. 

The change in their facial expressions was different from the outrage they had felt before, and it was due to surprise. His mouth quivered, and his eyes widened. The eyeballs moved just a little, and he looked at Sumika-chan, who was standing beside the handsome man. 

"As it is now, he's going to get another woman to take it one way or another." 

"Wait a minute. What are you talking about? " 

"I'm sorry, but I had to check. It's not like you to put your customers first, is it? I guess the visit to her workplace was just an excuse to meet alone with her. And the restaurant where you take your meals seems to be a cheap place for some reason." 

"Huh? What are you trying to act like you know something? I don't understand." 

"Was it a yakiniku restaurant in Ueno the week before last?"

"..........." 

What was communicated was the results of an investigation by Marquis delivered last night. 

Yuya and Sumika's past dating relationship was reported down to Nishino from the investigation by the past few days. The former Futsumen raised his voice without any hesitation and told the truth to the person in front of him in a casual manner.

In fact, the week before last, it was Yuya-kun who was having meat with Sumika-chan in Ueno. 

"I don't say the host is bad. This is a great job with this. But if you have someone you like so much, maybe it's sometimes necessary to find another way? No one can be happy as it is now."

"Yu, Yuya-kun ..." 

Sumika's expression changed after Nishino's words. 

"Incidentally, the cram school where she works has many young, good-looking male teachers. According to our own research, she has often been asked out to dinner recently, but how much do you know?" 

"........" 

"Hey, hey, Nishino-kun? How did you know that? ......" 

In the face of Yuya's dismay, Sumika's mouth spoke up in reproach. 

The fluffy joy was short-lived. 

Last month, she had received an invitation from a handsome colleague and had enjoyed a meal with him. As pointed out by the former Futsumen, she has been approached frequently at work. 

In this case, the power of persuasion is also appropriate.

Yuya's mentality was greatly shaken. 

He thought that such a thing might happen, but he was stil shaken. 

As a result, not only the people concerned but also the customers were involved, and Nishino was the one who made a grand statement. He thinks he did a good job, but from Yuya's point of view, it was a devilish act. He was in front of a client who was requesting him, and he was in a situation that could have shaken his life as a host. 

But even so, it seems to have made an impression. 

Immediately afterwards, Yuya made a move. 

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"Oh, I understand ! I understand ! " 

He releases his hand from Nishino's chest and takes a big step forward. 

Beyond him is Sumika, who has a confused look on her face. 

Taking her hand, Yuya-kun spoke honestly to the former Futsumen. 

"She's my girl, so I don't need you to tell me what to do with her." 

"Yu, Yuya-kun ... " 

Oh, I've done it. Yuya's emotions are apparent. It's as if he is saying, This is the end of my hosting business. It is all Nishino's fault. He is a former Futsumen who has affected the life of a single person. 

However, Yuya's face was somewhat refreshed as he spoke in this way.

"Really? Then I'll bow out gracefully." 

"I mean, how meddlesome are you?" 

"Meddlesome? " 

"I don't understand why you're going to all this trouble to investigate other people's lives." 

"I've told you that before, haven't I?" 

"...... What are you talking about?" 

Looking at Yuya-kun and Sumika-chan standing side by side, Nishino continues to talk. 

He goes out of his way to put his hands in the pockets of his pants and makes an extremely smug face.

"I'll teach you how to persuade a woman." 

" ...... "

Goosebumps appeared on the skin of everyone who was listening. 

Beyond even irritation, shame simply overflowed. 

Everyone in the room was embarrassed as if it were them. What was this good looking guy? Why is he making a smug face? Even the Chairwoman, who had somehow prepared for this kind of situation, was so embarrassed that her body trembled. 

Yuya-kun, who was involved in the situation, and others could not come up with good replies.

"But, even if it's something that goes that far ?" 

"The role of the help is to take charge, isn't it?" 

"........."

Today, Nishino's position as host also helped, and he was in a state of high-spiritedness. Yuya, who had somehow managed to survive the first blow, was crestfallen when the ex Futsumen continued to speak. He did not want to deal with this guy any more, and did not even raise a voice in response. 

Instead of taking charge, Yuya's life as a host had been one-killed. 

Still, exceptions are bound to occur. 

Rose breathed a sigh of relief that his relationship with Sumika was a lie. 

Tarosuke admires Nishino's rocky way of life in many ways. 

"The lesson ends today." 

With a short mutter, Nishino turns on his heel from them. 

His steps take him to the table surrounded by his acquaintances. 

Hey, hey, don't come over here, is the earnest thought of the Chairwoman who has just witnessed the return of the good looking man with a great atmosphere. I'll look like I'm one of Nishino-kun's friends, she said. Just as she had expected, the former Futsumen's clients were now the focus of even more attention than before. 

Then, Yuya, looking at his back, turned to the owner and said.

"Owner, put one from me in that table there." 

" ... Eh ? Is that okay ? " 

The question was voiced by the owner who was approached.

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In contrast, Yuya-kun muttered with a look of resignation. 

"In this situation, how much sales would I lose?" 

Yuya understood how pointless it was to compete with Nishino. At the same time, he understood that the person in front of him did not have any harmful intentions toward him. When this happened, his upraised arm was naturally lowered. 

Upon hearing this declaration, words were exchanged between Rose and Francisca as well. 

"It's too bad you didn't get the chance, huh? " 

"Well, maybe next time." 

The sales competition at the host club thus came to an end. 

Yuya's life as a host was sacrificed and Sumika's future was decided. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. However, standing next to her, Yuya's countenance was somewhat calmer than when he first met Nishino. 

◇ ◆ ◇

The atmosphere between Nishino and Yuya has calmed. 

The people who were present began to regain their composure. 

"Wait ! I'll check with the owner right away ... " 

Out of nowhere, the voice of the store staff was delivered. 

In time, a group of people walked majestically from the entrance to the floor. 

It was a group of several people. 

Surrounded by men of strong physique wearing dark suits, a blatantly outlaw figure in a pure white suit and black shirt could be seen in the center of the group. From Nishino's point of view, this man's style that he admires every day. It is very masculine. 

With a serious look on their faces, they intimidated the customers and hosts who were there. 

The attention of the guests naturally turns to the people who are attracting attention on the floor. 

In response, Nishino's gaze also flowed toward the outlawed man. 

The moment their eyes met each other, the former Futsumen realized their true identity. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"...... That voice, is that, uh, Mr. Nishino?" 

The man in the white suit who responds instantly shudders and shakes himself exaggeratedly. 

His confident expression instantly became tense. 

" ......... " 

It was Ohno, a yakuza with deep ties to the neighborhood.

When he saw Nishino on the floor, he rushed to him in a hurry. 

He pushed aside the men that surrounded him, rolled his back, and shrugged his shoulders. His frown faded and a smile appeared on his face. Then, with a flurry of loud footsteps, he headed toward the front of the atmospheric handsome man. 

"Oh no, Mr. Nishino, if you're here, please let me know." 

Nishino remembers this many times in the past.

"...... I don't think so, but is this your place? " 

"Yeah, well, something like that." 

"Something like that?" 

"Laws have recently been changed, regulations have been increased, and the world is noisy about anti corporation, isn't it? That's why we are taking a lot of precautions. Well, what we do is not that different from before."

" ........" 

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It sounded like something I had heard somewhere recently. 

Ohno told it without regard to his surroundings.

"I recently received a report that some of the hosts at the store were being probed. So, I came here to see how things are going. " 

The unexpected arrival of the yakuza apparently was caused by the Marquis investigation. 

From Nishino's point of view, this is a big problem. The reason is that the Chairwoman is in the immediate vicinity today. It would be a big problem if he is seen getting close to the yakuza. 

Anti company, no, absolutely not. 

But Ohno's chattering does not stop. 

"If so, I, Ohno, would be happy to assist you. If you like, I can have someone from the store come in and bring you the account books. But, you know, this is a perfectly honest store, and I don't think anything will come out of it when you hit it." 

What should we do now? 

While Nishino was hesitating to handle it, Ohno began to ramble on. 

"Oh, by the way, as a thank you for the promise we made earlier, how about this place? This is a very profitable place, and I think you can make a lot of money for a while. If you want, I can also put you in a cabaret on the floor above....." 

"...... No, thanks. And don't talk anymore."

"I understand. I will wait quietly next door." 

" ........ " 

Ohno responded by straightening his back. 

Incidentally, Kotetsu, was nowhere to be seen today. Instead, the dark-suited men who had been following him were all looking at the exchange between the two with a surprised look on their faces. They seemed to have lost the words to even question what was going on. 

"Nishino, could that person be ........." 

The Chairwoman expressed her concern. 

Her expression was visibly strained. 

"Nothing to be concerned about. He's just a friendly old man who lives in the neighborhood.." 

"Wait a minute, friendly old man? ......" 

He is a former Futsumen who shows an air of concern for the Chairwoman. 

He tries to be cynical and fails. 

Shimizu's face becomes even more tense, as if there is no way she can honestly believe him. 

"Nice to meet you lady, my name is Ohno and I live in the neighborhood." 

"...... Thank you very much!" 

Ohno, who sensed their relationship, immediately greeted Shimizu. He changed his mind from Nishino to her and bowed to her while correcting his manner. His blatantly acting like demeanor, coupled with his ostentatious appearance, is very suspicious. 

The Chairwoman was convinced that he was definitely a dangerous person. 

"Is the young lady perhaps a friend of Mr. Nishino?" 

"No, uh, I'm .... " 

Shimizu was reluctant to honestly tell her own private life, even if the information was of no value to herself, a classmate who attended the same classroom as Nishino. She turned her clinging gaze toward the handsome man. 

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"Didn't you hear me telling you to shut up?" 

"Oh, I'm sorry for this." 

The usually exasperating Nishino's verses sounded somewhat frightening only at this moment. And this seemed to be the same for everyone present. They were staring at the two men with a one-step backward look on their faces. 

The owner of the store and Yuya, in particular, looked pale. They had guessed that he was some kind of a rich man, based on his friendship with Tarosuke and Adam. They were now chilled to the bone by Ohno's unexpected appearance. 

But even so, exceptions are bound to occur.

"It's getting late, so I guess we should be going. " 

"Nishino, now that your work is done, let's go home together, shall we?" 

Francisca, a person even more formidable than Ohno, opened her mouth. 

Hearing her boss's words, Rose followed. 

It was a great helping hand in terms of a handsome man with a great atmosphere. As for the blonde duo, they were not pleased to see Nishino's presence out in the open. Even the Chairwoman, who was intimidated by Ohno, shook her head vigorously, to indicate her understanding. 

"Oh, that's good" 

The ex Futsumen nodded briefly and took a step forward. 

Then, as if to escape, they left the host club. 

Yuya and Sumika could do nothing but watch them go quietly. 

At the very end, Nishino's work at the host club came with a terrible penalty. 

◇ ◆ ◇

After leaving the downtown area late at night, they picked up a cab on a street not far from the club and returned to the share house where Nishino and Rose lived. Lights came on in the quiet living room. The air conditioner was turned on and warm air began to flow through the room. 

Francisca was the first to take her place on the sofa. Nishino and Rose settled into the dining set chairs. The Chairwoman, who had joined the three of them on the spot, sat down on the opposite side of the sofa from Francisca. 

They had splited up with Tarosuke and Adam on the spot. 

Naturally, Nishino said goodbye to Ohno inside the club. 

"I think you're out of your mind these days, don't you?" 

Francisca said, letting out a sigh. 

Leaning back on the sofa, her wrinkled suit and shirt unbuttoned one more button than usual, she looked rather lazy. She looks like an office lady who has just returned home by the last train after a day of hard work.

"I don't remember bothering you in any way." 

"I've told you before that this attitude has led to a revision of your evaluation." 

"If I have to ask you every time, as far as I'm concerned, I can't even move around." 

Nishino has dropped his makeup and hair color and is back to his original fudgy self. 

As soon as he got home, he headed to the washroom to lightly shampoo his hair. 

"You just wanted to show Shimizu how cool you are, didn't you?" 

"Wha ... " 

Perhaps because she has been drinking to a certain extent, Francisca is more lighthearted than usual this evening. She glanced at the Charwoman sitting in front of her and spoke. She is like a middle-aged man who repeatedly sexually harasses others at work.

In contrast, Shimizu actually raised her voice out of shame, partly because she had treated Nishino as a good-looking man at first sight. After witnessing the incident with Yuya, she had a moment to compose herself, but then her heart began to clutter up again. 

75

With his makeup removed, Nishino was still a Futsumen, no matter how he tried to stand on his own feet. 

His face, which I confirmed once again, was a reminder to myself that I had reacted to him even once. 

"What the heck is wrong with you!" 

"I'll just have to drink a little more, since we're here..." 

Francisca sits up from the couch and heads for the kitchen. 

The house's refrigerator holds her stockpile of beer. Initially, she disposed of it by hand each time the householder came across it. However, no matter how much she threw away, it was always newly thrown in, so for some time now she has given up and let them do as they please. 

"Hey, Francisca, this is not your house, okay?" 

"I'm Rose's guardian, so it's kind of the same thing, isn't it? " 

"Even so, there's a time and a place. It's almost daylight." 

Rose speaks with disapproval in her head, telling her to get the hell out of there. 

From her point of view, it is unbearable together with the presence of the Chairwoman. 

It was about this time when the house began to get more and more crowded. 

The sound of the front door opening was heard from downstairs. 

"Oh, no? Rose, it's almost daylight and you look like you have a visitor." 

"I don't have a visitor. The girl who lives downstairs is back, isn't she?" 

Everyone's consciousness is directed to the corridor. 

From the door of the closed living room, I heard footsteps climbing the stairs. The more subdued look is, as Rose said, reminiscent of Gabriella's petite physique.

Somehow, the door was opened. 

What appeared from the corridor was the person that everyone expected. 

"....... I am back" 

A roommate in a shared house who sleeps and wakes on the ground floor of the same house. 

This is Gabriella. 

However, her expression was not like her. 

She looked very apologetic. 

Her outfit was also terrible. Her hair was shaggy, and blood splatters could be seen on her clothes in places. Dark circles around her eyes suggest that she is exhausted.

"What's the matter? I'm getting a bad vibe here." 

At the beginning of the encounter, a question comes out of Nishino's mouth. 

He must have felt sorry for having been taken care of. 

In response, Gabriella hesitated for a moment before continuing. 

However, she immediately raised her voice in a determined manner. 

"Gokyou Nishino , I am sorry. I failed to negotiate......." 

Gabriella's sorrowful voice could be heard echoing in the quiet late-night living room. 

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