Shout out to Dima Hanzov, I think I got the name right this time, thank you.
Eid Mubarak!
*******************
Nozomi walked through the bustling streets, a bottle of cold green tea in hand. The afternoon sun cast long shadows, and the cicadas buzzed relentlessly, adding to the summer's oppressive heat. With a sigh, he pushed open the door to the school library, the scent of paper and ink immediately cooling his senses.
He spotted Kawasaki Saki sitting at a desk, flipping through a book absentmindedly. Without a word, he placed the chilled drink in front of her.
"Here. My treat."
Kawasaki Saki blinked in surprise before looking up at him. "Thank you..."
Her tone was polite, but there was a trace of hesitation. She sighed, her gaze shifting downward as if troubled by something. Nozomi raised an eyebrow.
"Why the long face? Seeing me makes you sigh that much? Do I bother you so much?"
Saki quickly shook her head. "No... It's just that I have something on my mind, but I don't know if I should say it."
Her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt, betraying her nerves. She hesitated for a moment, then finally gathered the courage to speak.
"Can you... lend me another one million yen?"
Nozomi's expression remained unchanged, but he gestured for her to continue.
"My mother was hospitalized due to a work-related injury. Her company won't cover the medical expenses, and we're expected to pay everything ourselves." Her voice trembled slightly. "We still owe the hospital 500,000 yen, and the daily costs keep piling up. My mother wants to check out early to ease the burden on the family, but... I don't want her to leave before she fully recovers."
She gritted her teeth. "I know this is shameless of me to ask, but... I really have no other options."
Nozomi reached into his pocket and, without hesitation, pulled out two thick stacks of banknotes, placing them on the desk in front of her.
"Here, take 2 million."
Kawasaki Saki's eyes widened. She quickly untied the school uniform jacket she had tied around her waist and discreetly stuffed the money inside, looking around nervously. Only after ensuring no one else was in the library did she exhale in relief.
She turned to Nozomi, staring at him incredulously. "How do you even carry so much money on you? And where did you even pull that out from? Your pocket isn't nearly big enough!"
Nozomi smirked. "Magic trick."
Saki's lips parted slightly in disbelief. "And... you're really just giving this to me?"
"What else? Do you see anyone else around who could be getting this instead?"
Saki lowered her head, gripping the edges of her skirt. "Thank you. I'll work hard to pay you back."
Nozomi reached out and casually pinched her cheek. "Are you stupid?"
"O-Ow! Don't pinch my face!"
Rolling his eyes, Nozomi let go. "Then tell me, how exactly are you going to explain where all this money came from?" He leaned in slightly, studying her expression. "And last time, how did you even explain it? Didn't your parents get suspicious?"
Saki hesitated before muttering, "My father... he mortgaged the house for 100,000 yen. I used part of what you gave me to buy it back, but I never told them where the money actually came from..."
"A mortgage over such a small amount?"
She bit her lip. "We were desperate. The hospital fees couldn't wait, so my father accepted a low price."
Nozomi sighed. "You really need to learn how to handle these things better."
Without another word, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello? Haruno-nee?"
On the other end of the line, Yukinoshita Haruno chuckled. "Oh? Nozomi-kun, what a rare call. What's up?"
"Do you need a secretary?"
There was a pause before Haruno's voice turned teasing. "I think you need a secretary. Tell me, which girl do you have your eye on this time? Want me to train her for you?"
Nozomi smirked. "She's my classmate, Kawasaki Saki. I think she's got potential. Can you take her in for a while?"
"Oh? How interesting." Haruno hummed. "Sure, I'll play along. Have her call me after school, and I'll set everything up."
"Appreciate it, Haruno-nee."
"You owe me dinner for this, Nozomi-kun."
"Fine, fine. See you."
Ending the call, he turned back to Saki, sliding a phone number across the table. "Here. After school, give this number a call. She'll set you up with work. It'll also help explain where the money is coming from."
Kawasaki Saki took the number, staring at it blankly. A mixture of relief and something else—something heavier—settled in her chest.
Her parents worked tirelessly and barely made ends meet. Meanwhile, the boy in front of her—someone her own age—had money to spare and could fix her entire situation with a single phone call.
A strange, bittersweet feeling welled up inside her.
Was this the feeling of being saved?
She tightened her grip on the paper, looking at Nozomi.
For the first time, she truly saw him not just as a classmate or a creditor but as something more.
Someone untouchable yet dangerously close.
She felt an inexplicable warmth in her heart.
"Then I won't bother you anymore. See you later."
"By the way, remember to tell your okaasan to take good care of herself."
Nozomi smiled and turned to leave.
"Wait."
Kawasaki Saki suddenly reached out and grabbed the corner of his sleeve. Her delicate face was tinged with red as she looked at him nervously.
"How can I repay you?"
This was her way of asking him to make a request.
For someone who had solved all her problems so effortlessly, she couldn't just accept it without giving something back. It didn't sit right with her.
Nozomi chuckled at her words, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
He gently placed a hand around her slender waist.
Feeling the sudden warmth, her body tensed slightly. Her heartbeat quickened as she watched him lower his head towards her.
"Mm…"
Kawasaki Saki instinctively closed her eyes.
Was he going to kiss her?
Well… if that's what he wanted, she would give it to him.
She owed him so much already. And realistically, there was nothing else she could offer in return.
At least not until she graduated high school. Until then, she wouldn't be able to repay him properly.
"Bo~"
A soft, warm sensation brushed against her forehead.
Kawasaki Saki's eyes shot open in surprise. She stared blankly at the man who had just kissed her forehead.
Nozomi smiled gently and reached up to ruffle her hair.
"Don't think of me as a scumbag, okay? I admire you, so I'm investing in you."
His voice was lighthearted, but there was an undeniable sincerity in his tone.
"The person I just called is Yukinoshita Haruno, the heir of the Yukinoshita Zaibatsu."
Saki blinked in shock at the name.
"Right now, I have a joint venture with Haruno-neesan in a gaming company. I want you to work under her for the time being."
He leaned back slightly, watching her reaction carefully.
"Once you've gained enough experience, you can manage your own division of the company. And Haruno-neesan will be free to focus on other business ventures."
Saki's lips parted slightly, unable to form a response.
"Of course… I won't lie and say I don't have some greedy thoughts about you. But I don't force things. I want you to be with me because you want to—not because you feel indebted."
His voice was gentle yet firm.
"Kawasaki-san, let's take our time and see where things go."
"…"
Silence hung between them for a moment before she suddenly nodded vigorously, a bright, genuine smile spreading across her face.
"I understand. From now on, please take care of me, shachou."
Nozomi chuckled, waving a hand as he turned away.
"Yeah, yeah. Please take care of me, too."
There was no need to rush. He had all the time in the world.
Besides—
A relationship built on gratitude was fragile. He preferred something more natural, something that could last.
He wasn't after momentary pleasure.
What he wanted was Kawasaki Saki's entire future.
As she watched his retreating figure, warmth spread through her chest.
Maybe… he wasn't as bad as she thought.
A bit of a playboy? Sure.
But deep down, he was kind.
Kawasaki Saki exhaled softly. She was lucky. If this had been some arrogant rich boy, he might have tried to take advantage of her on the spot.
She knew her own worth. She wasn't conceited, but she was confident in her appearance. There were plenty of guys who would take advantage if given the chance.
But Nozomi hadn't.
That meant something.
She clenched her fists with determination.
"I'll work hard to repay you!"
That was exactly what Nozomi wanted to see.
A Kawasaki Saki who shone with ambition and vitality, not a fragile doll to be pitied.
He didn't need a decorative vase.
He needed a capable woman. A secretary who could stand by his side.
He wanted her to grow—not just for his sake, but for herself.
And in a way, this was his own kind of redemption, too.
******************
The term "shachou" (社長) is a Japanese word that means "company president" or "CEO." It is used to refer to the head of a company or organization, typically in a business context. The term can also be used more broadly to denote someone in a leadership position within a corporate structure.