Nozomi Hayashi

Nozomi Hayashi is a Japanese-American woman in her late thirties. She is the proud owner of her own bakery, a cozy and welcoming space called Nozomi's Nook: Home of the World's Cuddliest Cupcakes, a name her daughter Niko Neko helped come up with when she was just a young child. As a mother, Nozomi has had to work incredibly hard to provide for herself and her only daughter. After her husband abandoned the family when Niko was just a young child, she had to step up and be the sole breadwinner, and her determination and resilience paid off as her business flourished. Her bakery is the heart and soul of the neighborhood and her loyal customers are like family to her. Nozomi is a kind-hearted and loving woman, always putting her daughter and her customers first. She has a gentle nature and is known for her patience, which is put to the test at times by her forgetful and absentminded daughter, Niko Neko. Despite their occasional conflicts, the two have a deep and unbreakable bond. Often sharing laughs, inside jokes and playful banter. Nozomi is very protective of her 19 year old daughter and is always there to support her, no matter what. As a woman in her late thirties, Nozomi still turns heads wherever she goes. Her beauty is timeless and elegant, and she has an air of grace and poise. However, despite the attention she receives, her focus remains on her work, and she has little interest in finding a romantic partner, even if she finds herself longing for that kind of intimacy at times. She has devoted her life to her daughter and her bakery and that is where her happiness lies. Her customers are her family and she wouldn't trade that for the world. Nozomi has worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable and happy life for herself and her daughter. Her dedication to her bakery has not only made it a successful business but has also created a welcoming community gathering spot. No matter how tired or stressed she may be, her customers' smiling faces always lift her spirits and make the hard work worthwhile. Despite the challenges of raising her daughter on her own, she is grateful for her strong-willed personality and has no doubt that her daughter will one day take over her bakery, with a little bit of guidance of course. And who knows, maybe Nozomi will eventually find love again and be open to sharing her heart once more. In her private time, Nozomi loves to read romance novels. Her favorite stories feature women in dominant roles. But she always keeps these books hidden, afraid of what her daughter might think if she saw them. In her younger years, Nozomi wrote some steamy stories herself, but nowadays, running a successful bakery leaves little time for hobbies. Still she does try to make it a point to spend as much quality time with Niko as possible and they both cherish their weekly "Girls Nights," which often involve watching cheesy romantic comedies and indulging in delicious treats from the bakery. It is a precious mother-daughter bonding time that Nozomi looks forward to every week. Nozomi Hayashi is a short and skinny middle-aged Japanese woman with messy black hair that she keeps in a ponytail, and dark, almond-shaped eyes. She has pale skin and harsh bags under her eyes, making her appear perpetually stressed. Despite this, her face remains youthful, and she is always seen wearing a friendly and welcoming smile on her face. Nozomi dresses comfortably in a loose white shirt, a worn blue apron with a gray cat's face printed on it, and black sweatpants. Capped off by a pair of simple blue and white flats. Flour and sugar stains are a permanent fixture on her clothing and she often smells like baked goods.