"Listen up, boys!"
"The Izu Spring Festival is here!!!"
"OOOOOOH!!!"
...
The May sun was unusually fierce, its scorching heat making even the cats on the roadside doze off drowsily.
But for the university students of Izu, this weather only made their youth shine even brighter.
As if they had all planned it in advance, boys and girls dressed in light, breezy outfits, basking in the sun, enjoying the seaside, and living their best youthful moments at the festival.
"Ah~ Now this is what youth is all about!"
Shiro sighed as he admired the vibrant and beautiful girls all around.
If possible, he wanted festivals like this to happen more often!
As he walked, countless girls cast glances his way; not just because of his irresistibly handsome face, but also because of his insanely toned body on full display!
Yes, at this moment, Shiro was walking shirtless down the street, his perfectly sculpted eight-pack abs practically stealing the souls of every girl who saw him.
Of course... this wasn't by choice. He wasn't desperate enough to flaunt his body just to attract girls. His face alone was enough for that!
And yet, not a single girl had approached him for his contact info.
"Haaah~ It's so much more comfortable without a shirt. Wearing one just gets all sweaty and gross~"
A seductive voice murmured beside him, the very person responsible for this entire situation!
Hearing that voice, Shiro sighed in despair.
"Azusa-nee, please have mercy on me. If someone sees me walking next to you dressed like that, I'm 100% getting arrested for indecent exposure."
Yes! The culprit behind everything had arrived—Azusa Hamaoka!
Because they were neighbors, Azusa and Shiro had planned to go to the Izu Spring Festival together.
But on the way, Azusa had given Shiro a huge surprise!
Since she was wearing a blouse, the heat had made her unbearably uncomfortable.
So, she simply took off her outerwear!
Which meant... she was now only wearing a bra on top as she prepared to go to the festival with Shiro!
This move had completely stunned Shiro!
After enjoying the view for a brief moment, he immediately handed over his T-shirt.
No way in hell!
If Azusa walked around like that next to him, they wouldn't even make it to the festival grounds before getting escorted straight to the police station for "a nice cup of tea."
Worst case scenario? Tonight's dinner might be pork cutlet rice from behind bars!
"Eh~ Is that so? Or maybe... are you jealous, Shiro~? How mean! I thought for sure you were jealous~"
Azusa teased, poking Shiro's cheek with a playful grin.
Watching her act like a mischievous child, Shiro let out a helpless sigh.
This was exactly why no girls were approaching him!
"Yes, yes. I'm super jealous. Now let's hurry up and find our senpais—they're already selling Okonomiyaki."
Hearing Shiro's half-hearted response, Azusa finally let go of his face and stretched lazily.
"Haaah~ No need to rush. It's not like you can help with making pancakes anyway~"
"...You really have no faith in me, huh, Azusa-nee?"
"Haha, well, it's just that your talents lie elsewhere~"
Shiro's mouth twitched.
His dream of becoming a god of cooking was being trampled on once again!
Sorry, my chef dreams, I have to leave you in the trash bin for now!
Chef Dreams: "YOU—!!! At least try to pick me up again!!!"
...
"Hmph! I can do way more than just make pancakes!"
Unwilling to back down, Shiro puffed out his chest proudly.
What was the point of making pancakes if you had no customers?!
He lifted his chin and gestured for Azusa to look behind them.
Azusa turned her head in confusion, only to see a group of young girls following Shiro from a distance, their faces flushed red.
The moment they noticed Azusa looking their way, they shyly ducked behind cover.
Of course, the bolder ones continued snapping photos from afar, their cameras flashing so frequently that Azusa started worrying if their phones could even handle it!
Watching this unfold, Azusa's eye twitched.
Are university girls always this crazy...?
Shiro's charm was truly terrifying...
"Shiro... have you ever considered becoming a host? I bet you could surpass the current top host in no time!"
Azusa had no idea what else to say.
This guy—who always got bullied by their friend group—was somehow this popular outside?!
And this was just with university girls. If he actually became a host, wouldn't the women of society go absolutely wild?!
"Huh? How'd you know I used to work as a host, Azusa-nee?"
Shiro blinked at her in confusion.
His innocent expression could've fooled anyone into thinking he was a pure-hearted young boy.
But Azusa's expression had completely frozen.
Wait...
Did she just hear something really dangerous...?!
(-ι_-)
Wait, wait, wait… Let me process this for a second.
Azusa felt like her brain was tingling, as if she was about to grow a few extra IQ points.
"A host?"
"Yep!"
"You worked as a host?"
"Yep!"
"Aren't you a high school student?! Why the hell did you become a host?!"
Azusa was in shock. This brat actually worked as a host?! Wasn't he supposed to be a light novel author?!
"Eh? Isn't it normal for high school students in Japan to have part-time jobs?"
"I've never heard of a high school student working in a damn host club!"
Azusa was losing it. What kind of host club would even hire a high schooler? Did the owner have a death wish?
"Sigh, there's nothing I can do, Azusa-nee. My handsome face always leads people down the path of crime~"
"..."
(-ι_-)
Azusa was speechless. She seriously considered calling Iori and Kohei to help knock some sense into this narcissist.
"Then why did you quit?"
Shiro, who had been looking all smug, suddenly stiffened. His expression changed as if he was recalling a traumatic memory.
He let out a deep sigh and muttered, "Because… it wasn't like the anime at all. The customers were all old ladies. I had no choice but to quit."
"..."
Azusa suddenly understood why he even went there in the first place. As expected of you, Scumbag Shiro.
Also… why the hell did you think a real-life host club would be like in anime?! Do you really think rich, gorgeous older women frequent those places?!
And last but not least, apologize to those old ladies right now!!!
Shiro's words hit Azusa so hard that she swore her chest size increased by one from sheer rage. She jumped onto his back and started aggressively rubbing his head.
"You're something else, huh, Mr. Host?!"
Feeling her movements, Shiro sighed and carried her on his back. If she fell, he'd become the bad guy here.
"Stop rubbing my head, you'll stunt your growth…"
"You're already 185cm tall, Shiro. You don't need any more height! Now, charge! We still have a festival to enjoy!"
"Yeah, yeah. Says the freeloader getting a piggyback ride."
"Haha! Well, isn't it only natural for Host Shiro to escort his guest?"
"Not with that attitude! Who the hell would be my guest?!"
"Eh? There's a whole group of them behind you~ Looks like they all want your contact info. How about a deal—buy one okonomiyaki, get Shiro's number for free?"
"..."
At that moment, Scumbag Shiro felt a sudden surge of motivation!