After arriving at Shinjuku’s legendary “Host Club Street,” Ayumu Genno noticed the atmosphere was utterly different from the city outside. Nearly every shop’s sign glowed in garish reds and greens, casting the whole street in a dazzling, decadent shimmer.
“Kid, I haven’t even asked your name yet?”
“Ayumu Genno.” He replied casually.
“What a lovely name! And how old are you, Ayumu-kun?” Michiko Sakai pressed on.
“Seventeen.” Ayumu remained calm and unruffled, acting as if he hadn’t noticed her deliberately sweet tone.
“A bit young… but that might make you even more popular,” Michiko murmured to herself.
“Ayumu-kun, are you still in school?”
“Yes.”
“Where do you live?”
“Saitama City.”
“That’s so close! You could easily work here in Shinjuku after school.”
“I have another part-time job after school. It’s impossible.”
Only then did Ayumu realize host clubs usually opened at night—clashing directly with his schedule.
“I’m sure your current pay can’t compare to what I offer. Just quit and come work for me,” Michiko said with confident ease.
She was certain he’d accept. But Ayumu’s thoughts were worlds apart. He’d signed a contract—he wouldn’t break it willingly.
“No. I have no intention of quitting,” Ayumu stated plainly, hoping to end her persistent probing.
“What about weekends? You can’t possibly be busy then too?” Michiko refused to let go.
*Weekends?* Ayumu recalled the tutoring agreement covered every day. Since weekends weren’t excluded…
“Weekends…” he began—
“We’re here.”
Ayumu thought they’d reached the club, but glancing out, he saw only the parking lot. He stepped out, ready to clarify and leave—no point visiting if schedules clashed.
“Ms. Sakai, I…”
Before he could finish, Michiko pressed close, looping her arm through his. Her curvaceous frame deliberately leaned into his side. A wave of heavy perfume flooded his senses, short-circuiting his thoughts. Overwhelmed by warmth and scent, Ayumu completely forgot his intent to leave.
…
“Here’s my club.”
Dazed, Ayumu found himself at the entrance of the “LOVE” Host Club. Only the massive sign snapped him back to awareness—he felt hypnotized, with no memory of the walk from the lot.
“Actually, I’m busy on weekends too. I won’t go in.” The moment clarity returned, he turned to leave. But Michiko wasn’t about to let her prize escape. Using the same trick, she effortlessly pulled him inside.
Inside, the space was vast—booth-style seating like a lounge bar, a few private rooms tucked at the back. To Ayumu’s surprise, though it was barely past 2 p.m., the club was already open. A handful of booths held customers chatting with hosts.
Their entrance drew every curious glance. The owner, bringing in an unfamiliar young man? Michiko gave a nod to several hosts and led Ayumu straight to her backstage office.
“I already said I’m busy! Why won’t you drop it?” Ayumu sighed helplessly.
He had no words for how shamelessly she’d “hypnotized” him inside.
“Normally we open 6 p.m. to midnight. Weekends start at 1 p.m. It’s already 2—you’re still in Shinjuku. Even heading home now takes an hour. I simply don’t believe you’re busy weekends,” Michiko countered smoothly.
Ayumu felt she was twisting logic, so he reluctantly shared his exact tutoring hours. Yet her expression showed no retreat—unsettling him. He sensed Michiko was the type who’d stop at nothing.
Truthfully, he wasn’t unmoved. But timing was impossible. Everyone knew evenings were prime time. Even if he worked weekend afternoons with few customers, he’d earn little, bring no sales—it’d waste everyone’s time. *Surely she, as owner, knows this.*
“Could you give me the contact of the person who hired you?” Michiko asked slowly after a long pause.
Ayumu blinked. *Is she planning to call Masami herself?*
Speak of the devil.
Just as Michiko mentioned it, Ayumu’s phone rang—Masami Miyamoto.
“Hello, Miyamoto… I mean, sis? What is it?” He quickly corrected himself, recalling their closer bond from that morning.
“Ayumu-kun, it’s the weekend. Rest properly,” Masami’s voice was cool yet gentle.
“Why?” Ayumu asked, puzzled.
“Your progress has satisfied me. Skip tutoring these two weekend evenings. Rest. You’re still a high school student—focus on exams, hang out with friends. Earning money isn’t your priority yet. Understand?”
Her unusually warm words left Ayumu slightly stunned. *She’s actually looking out for me.*
“I understand. Thank you for your concern, Sis Miyamoto.”
“Mm.” She hung up promptly.
“Ayumu-kun~ I heard everything!” Michiko’s eyes sparkled with unrestrained excitement. “Looks like your weekends are completely free now!”
