Nozomi Kamiya joins the class as a supporting character during the second year of high school, becoming a classmate to Kyouya Sata and Erika Shinohara. He sports distinctive neck-length wavy red hair swept to either side, ochre or reddish-brown eyes, and a gold hoop earring with a blue bead in one ear, frequently opting for fashionable clothing over the standard uniform.

His personality is exuberant and flashy, embodying a playboy mentality. He possesses a notable talent for remembering names, especially of attractive girls, openly admitting this skill helps cultivate attention. Initially viewing romance as transactional and boring when confined to one partner, he prefers multiple casual flings to sidestep emotional ties. This outlook fuels envy towards Kyouya and Erika's relationship, leading him to believe Kyouya's commitment is beneath his status. He actively attempts to convert Kyouya into a playboy, surrounding him with other girls and orchestrating situations like a kissing game on a field trip, efforts consistently thwarted by Kyouya's unwavering loyalty to Erika.

A pivotal confrontation occurs when Kyouya rebuffs him with the analogy that accumulating superficial relationships is like amassing "a pile of trash," regardless of quantity. Witnessing Kyouya and Erika's genuine connection alongside this reproach prompts him to abandon his manipulative tactics. He experiences embarrassment seeing their affection and concedes that finding one meaningful partner is more fulfilling than numerous shallow encounters. Subsequently integrating into their social circle, he befriends Kyouya, Erika, Takeru Hibiya, and Ayumi Sanda. He occasionally expresses anxiety about being the group's only single member as others pair off, humorously declaring he doesn't need a girlfriend if he has Kyouya and Takeru as close friends. He attempts to ask Ayumi to a fireworks festival, but she dismisses it as insincere based on his past behavior.

Later, he demonstrates personal growth by supporting Kyouya's efforts to express affection toward Erika, offering advice during her birthday celebration. His reformed perspective solidifies in the manga's epilogue, set seven years after graduation, where he remains single but has established a career as a local reporter. This contrasts with the live-action film adaptation, where his character is merged with Yoshito Kimura—a minor manga figure seeking revenge against Kyouya—resulting in a divergent portrayal devoid of his original redemption arc or integration into the main group.