Chapter 25: Inferior?
Malice.
The instant Nozomi met the girl’s gaze, a surge of tangled emotions washed over her.
Those eyes carried far too much.
Resentment. Jealousy. Contempt. Pain.
All swirling together into something sharp and hostile.
Nozomi Sakura froze. She couldn’t understand why this stranger was directing such naked animosity at her.
What did I even do?
Was it somehow her fault that the girl was short and flat-chested?
The thought slipped out unbidden.
But the girl’s openly disdainful tone grated on her nerves.
Frowning, Nozomi asked reflexively, “And who exactly are you supposed to be?”
Obviously, Alan’s future wife. No exceptions.
Akari Honne almost blurted it out.
But after a second’s thought, she decided Nozomi would probably just laugh in her face, given the current situation.
So instead, she pursed her lips and said, “Obviously, I’m the person closest to Alan.”
“The closest?”
Nozomi blinked, brows knitting together.
Her gaze dropped to the girl’s petite frame, and hesitation crept in.
“Hey… aren’t you still in middle school? I don’t remember Alan mentioning a younger sister.”
“…?”
Honne froze.
Though it was only October in Tokyo, the air seemed to frost over.
Her eyes flared.
She clenched her fists, her whole body trembling as she snapped, “You’re the one in middle school! If you don’t need your eyes, donate them to someone who does! No wonder they say big boobs mean no brains, you’re unbelievably stupid!”
“Uh—”
Nozomi hadn’t expected that explosion.
Startled by the sudden volume, she glanced around and noticed passers-by beginning to stare.
“Lower your voice,” she said helplessly, rubbing her ear. “So? Who are you really? Do you think I’m dumb enough to believe whatever you say?”
“Heh.”
Honne sneered, pulled out her phone, and shoved it toward Nozomi’s face, the photo she’d taken with Alan the day before.
“…?”
Nozomi frowned and instinctively zoomed in.
Honne waited, arms crossed, watching until Nozomi finished examining it. Only then did she tuck her phone away, smiling smugly.
“Well? Believe me now?”
Nozomi didn’t answer.
She pressed her lips together, thought briefly, then said, “So what are you trying to prove? It’s just a photo. That doesn’t mean anything. If we’re comparing pictures, I’ve got ones that are way more… intimate.”
The word intimate struck Honne like a thunderclap.
Her head buzzed.
Blood rushed to her face.
She stared at Nozomi with venom in her eyes and said coldly, “You really think you’re good enough for him? You think you’re better than Akari Hojo? That he actually likes you?”
There it was again.
Akari Hojo.
Hojo. Hojo. Hojo. Hojo. Hojo.
The name made Nozomi’s expression twitch with irritation.
“What do you mean, ‘good enough’?” she shot back. “He’s the one who pursued me.”
“Huh. What a joke.”
Honne didn’t believe a word.
Locking eyes with Nozomi, she said, “Keep telling yourself that. You know who Akari Hojo is, right? You honestly think you’re prettier than her? More talented? Kinder?”
“People who’ve seen better don’t settle for less unless they have no choice. You think Alan would choose someone like you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Nozomi’s face darkened.
She bit her lip, forcing down her anger.
“Are you done yet?” she asked coldly. “What do you actually want from me?”
Seeing her finally falter, Honne smiled with satisfaction.
Clasping her hands over her chest, she said, “So you understand now, you’re not good enough. Be smart and break up with Alan before you embarrass yourself any further.”
“Break up?”
Nozomi blinked.
The anger she’d been clinging to suddenly evaporated.
She narrowed her eyes, studying Honne closely.
“…Haha. So that’s it? You dragged me all the way here just to tell me to break up with him?”
Her gaze flicked over Honne’s underdeveloped figure, that childish yet oddly flirtatious face.
Before Honne could answer, Nozomi smiled.
“Even if he doesn’t like me much—like you claim—even if we broke up, it’s not like he’d ever choose someone like you.”
“Setting personality aside, just look at height and body. Me, and even that Akari Hojo, we’re taller, curvier. If Alan liked your type, why didn’t he pick you already?”
Honne’s smile vanished instantly, her face clouding like a brewing storm.
Seeing it, Nozomi felt a rush of cruel satisfaction.
She smiled sweetly and delivered the final blow.
“No matter what happens, he’s not choosing a flat-chested little loli. You really think Alan’s into lolis?”
There’s no way I’m breaking up with him.
Even if she was right—even if Alan didn’t truly love her—she wasn’t backing down.
It used to be about money.
Now it was about something far more important.
Pride.
Why shouldn’t she be compared to Akari Hojo?
Yes, Hojo was beautiful. So what? Was Nozomi really that inferior?
Being told again and again that she couldn’t measure up, it made her sick.
Hojo had just been lucky. She’d had Friend A writing songs for her nonstop. Without that, would she even be famous?
Even after their breakup, people still compared Nozomi to her.
It was disgusting.
Honne’s body trembled violently.
Her fists clenched until her nails dug into her palms.
And when she heard flat-chested little loli, something inside her snapped.
Shame flooded her chest, and she lunged.
“I’ll kill you!”
“…?!”
Nozomi froze, utterly unprepared for the sudden outburst.
“What are you two doing?”
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Honne froze as if struck by lightning.
All her rage evaporated, replaced by pure panic.
Her eyes filled with fear. She turned instinctively, as if to run.
But Alan was already approaching.
She couldn’t escape.
Even if she ran, he’d see her. And even if she somehow got away, Nozomi would tell him everything.
Damn it…
If I’d known, I wouldn’t have said all that.
What do I do? What do I do?
Panic and regret crushed her. Head bowed, fists clenched, Honne stood there like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
One thought flashed through her mind.
Should I just collapse? Pretend to faint?
No. Too ridiculous, and it wouldn’t solve anything.
Her thoughts spiraled.
She’d checked the app minutes ago. Alan hadn’t been anywhere near this building.
How could he show up now? What rotten luck.
All because Older Sister couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
If she hadn’t jinxed it, Honne wouldn’t be cornered like this.
Her chest tightened.
She’d met his girlfriend behind his back. Of course he’d be angry.
All that talk about “checking things out for him” sounded hollow now.
They weren’t that close anymore.
She had no right.
And there were too many loose ends.
Why the Literature Building? Why contacting Nozomi at all?
If Alan dug even a little, he might never speak to her again.
Would he hate me…?
Tears stung her eyes. She bit her lip and stared at the ground.
Fine. Beg for forgiveness, disappear for a while.
Once he cooled down, she’d apologize.
Watching Honne’s shifting expressions, Nozomi’s lips curled.
If Alan hadn’t been approaching, she might’ve laughed out loud.
One moment the girl had been ferocious, the next she looked like a cornered rabbit.
Folding her arms, Nozomi waited, curious to see what kind of drama would unfold, and how Alan would react.
She had no intention of mentioning the insults. Keeping them in reserve might be useful.
Alan stepped between them and glanced at Nozomi.
“What are you doing here?”
Nozomi opened her mouth, but Honne cut in.
“Ah, Alan! I… I just ran into Miss Nozomi by coincidence.”
Her heart hammered. Her smile felt stiff and fake. Whatever happened, he couldn’t find out.
Nozomi raised an eyebrow.
Just moments ago she’d been savage. Now this?
Alan shifted his gaze.
Honne’s cheeks were flushed, sweat beading on her forehead.
He frowned. “Your fever’s back?”
He pressed his hand to her brow. Still hot.
“You’re sick. Why did you run all the way here just to deliver tickets?”
Tickets? Honne blinked.
Alan looked between them. “Hand them over. I’ll take you home.”
“R-right! The tickets!” she chirped, digging into her pocket.
Nothing.
Her stomach dropped.
“What is it?” Alan asked.
Think. Think.
“I-I think I left them in the car…”
“Then let’s—” Alan reached for her arm.
And froze.
Another figure rushed into view, panting behind a mask and baseball cap, waving an envelope.
“Honestly, Honne, you sprint off to see Alan and forget the tickets…” Hojo straightened and held them out.
Nozomi’s eyes widened.
Even disguised, she recognized the voice instantly.
Akari Hojo.
Alan frowned, snatched the envelope.
“Tickets delivered. Now leave. Honne’s sick. You’re a terrible older sister for dragging her out.”
“I’ll take her straight to the hospital,” Hojo replied, eyes sliding to Nozomi.
“So this is your new girlfriend?”
Nozomi swallowed.
The distance between them felt immeasurable.
Even masked, Hojo radiated star power. Shame crawled up her throat.
“I… I’m a huge fan,” she said quietly.
Hojo’s eyes curved in a smile. “Really?” She offered her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Akari Hojo. His ex.”
Then, lightly, “Did you come here with Alan today?”
Nozomi hesitated, then shook her head. “No. We just ran into each other.”
“What a coincidence,” Hojo said with amused wonder.
She winked playfully. “Then you have to come to my concert with Alan, okay? I’d be thrilled if you did.”
“……”
Nozomi said nothing.
Alan sensed the tension and glanced at the curious onlookers nearby.
His expression hardened.
“Enough,” he said coolly. “Take Honne to the hospital. Now.”
