(AN: I was reading the first couple of chapters and realized you guys were pretty hard on Ren, yet they were some funny comments š¤£. Join my Patreon to get early access to chapters and monthly illustration, link in my profile."
A new week had already begun, yet I found myself longing yesterdayānot because school was about to start again, but because of how unforgettable the day had been.
Yesterday felt almost like a dream. I spent so much time with both Nino and Miku. Things with Nino hadn't progressed as much as I'd hoped, but I cherished every moment we shared nonetheless.
As for Miku... the memory of the smile she gave me before we parted still sent a shiver down my spine. Even now, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
It had been a day I knew I wouldn't forget anytime soon.
Still, my plan to convince them to pass the first midterm wasn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped.
I had intended to talk to Nino about it yesterday, but our conversation kept drifting in other directions, and I couldn't bring myself to force the topic. Most of the blame lay with meāI lost focus far too easily.
At least I managed to convince Miku.
Yotsuba didn't need my help yet. She was already determined to improve academically, and Futaro's guidance only fueled that determination further.
As for the remaining two, I simply hadn't found the right opportunity yet.
I guess I'll have to put in a little more effort today.
By the way, it had been a while since I'd walked to school alone.
It turned out Miku had overslept and was coming by car with her sisters instead. Well, a little change from the usual routine wasn't so bad.
Just as I was about to reach the school gate, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. The moment it came to a stop, the rear door swung open.
"Good morning," Miku greeted with a gentle smile as she leaned out from the back seat before stepping onto the pavement.
I glanced inside the car, where each of the other four sisters wore a different expression.
Nino frowned the instant our eyes met, practically glaring at me. I guess she had a rough time after Miku returned home yesterday.
Itsuki gave me a polite bow.
Yotsuba, meanwhile, was completely engrossed in a conversation with Ichika, the two of them chatting without minding me.
Miku stepped out of the car and immediately slipped her arms around mine.
"Let's go," she said softly, gently pulling me into the flow of students heading toward the school.
Well, well... someone is feeling a little possessive today.
"Did you have a fight yesterday?" I asked.
"A little argument," she replied with a small pout. "And who do you think was the reason?"
She was clearly trying to sound upset, but that adorable expression completely ruined the act.
"You know I love you, right?" I said without warning.
"M-Don't just say something like that so casually..."
Her face blushed, yet instead of letting go, her grip around my arm only tightened, silently revealing that she knew how I felt.
"I just wanted to make sure you remembered," I said with a faint smile.
----------
"Come to the cafeteria with me today," Miku suggested.
For the past few days, we'd been having lunch together on the rooftop. It was peaceful, and more importantly, it gave us time alone. Still, going there every day wasn't exactly a good idea. Students weren't really allowed on the rooftop, and could earn us an earful.
There were plenty of other places we could eat, but... why the cafeteria?
Not that I was complaining.
"Is that okay?" I asked. "What about your sisters? Won't they feel uncomfortable with me?"
The cafeteria meant she was planning to have lunch with her sisters today. If I had to guess, she was worried I'd end up eating alone and decided to invite me instead.
How thoughtful of her.
"...It'll be fine. Just come with me."
She paused for a brief moment before reassuring me, making me wonder what had crossed her mind.
"Alright. You go aheadāI need to refill my water bottle first."
If she say so, I had no reason to refuse.
With a small nod, we left the classroom together. Miku headed toward the cafeteria while I made my way to the water tap.
As I filled my completely empty bottleāwhich should have lasted much longer if Kundo hadn't kept stealing sips from itāa pair of hands suddenly covered my eyes.
At the same time, two soft, fluffy... "things" bounced gently against my back.
"Guess who?" a familiar voice whispered playfully.
I am no Sherlock Holmes, but I could recognize that voice... and that fragrance...
...On second thought, maybe I was just a dog instead.
"It's been a while, Ichika," I said with a smile, not turn around.
Meanwhile, the water continued to overflow from my now-filled bottle.
"Boo... you're not calling me Big Sister today?" she complained in a playful tone as she uncovered my eyes. She then took a few light steps back, clasping her hands behind her back while watching me expectantly.
The first thing I did was turn off the tap, save water.
While tightening the cap on my bottle, I finally turned around to face her.
She was standing there, smiling at me with that familiar teasing expression.
"If that's what makes you happy, then I should," I replied casually, my tone carrying a playful hint of teasing.
Ichika placed a hand over her chest and puffed it out proudly, causing the buttons of her uniform to do some extra work. I quickly forced my eyes to stay where they belonged. If I let my guard down for even a second, there was no doubt my gaze would wander there on its own.
Lifting her chin with a proud smile, she declared,
"Of course. I'm everyone's big sister."
I let out a quiet chuckle and slowly walked toward her.
"As I thought... your natural smile is far more beautiful."
She blinked once, seemingly caught off guard, before letting out a light laugh.
"Geez... I'm just following your advice."
Crossing my arms, I gave an approving nod.
"Good. This little brother only wants what's best for his big sis."
I flashed her a wide grin, earning another soft chuckle as she covered her mouth with one hand.
"By the way, did you come here for water?" I asked, smoothly changing the subject.
"No. I saw you heading this way, so I thought I'd come say hi."
"Ah, I see. In that case, are you heading to the cafeteria now?"
"Yes?" she answered, tilting her head in confusion.
Then, almost instantly, a mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Or..." she drawled, "...were you planning to take me somewhere else?"
I knew she didn't mean anything by it.
Still... damn, she was a good actress.
Just like her smile, her teasing now feels completely natural. Whether she intended it or not, there was a subtle, almost irresistible hint of seductiveness woven into her words and expression.
"Hmm..." I rubbed my chin, pretending to seriously consider her suggestion.
"Not a bad idea. Let's go somewhere together when we get the chance."
Whether she had meant it as a joke or not, she'd handed me the perfect opening, and there was no way I was letting it slip by.
For a brief moment, Ichika simply stared at me, seemingly caught off guard. She neither accepted nor rejected the invitation, her usual playful composure replaced with a rare look of speechless surprise.
I couldn't help but smile inwardly.
"Come on," I said, taking a step forward. "I'm heading to the cafeteria too."
Then, with a light smile, I added,
"I hope you won't mind my intrusion."
"W-Wait a second."
Ichika hurriedly stopped me.
"What are you actually planning?"
This time, I was genuinely confused.
"What do you mean?"
The atmosphere shifted in an instant. The playful teasing from moments ago vanished, replaced by suspicion and quiet scrutiny.
"I mean... with Nino."
She took a small step closer, the smile on her face growing noticeably more uncertain.
"I heard everything yesterday... but I couldn't help noticing something."
I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
My expression didn't change in the slightest, nor did I move, even as she stopped just inches away from me, searching my face for an answer.
"You already have Miku... so why do you keep saying things that could be taken the wrong way?"
Ichika held my gaze without looking away.
"I noticed it before, but after talking to Nino yesterday, I became even more curious about what kind of person you really are."
It was a fair question.
Whenever an opportunity presented itself, I had a habit of teasing them with words that sounded suspiciously close to flirting.
Anyone in her position would question my loyaltyāmy character.
The truth was, I often chose ambiguous words to bend the truth without outright lying. It was only natural for her to wonder whether I was being honest or simply hiding behind carefully chosen phrases.
Even so, I wasn't deliberately trying to deceive them.
I showed them who I was.
I just couldn't reveal everythingānot yet.
Some truths were far too heavy. If I laid everything bare from the beginning, I'd only end up pushing them away.
...And that was the last thing I wanted.
One day, when the time was right, I would tell them everything.
But today wasn't that day.
"I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to imply," I said calmly, meeting her eyes without hesitation. "But in my defense, I don't go around talking to other girlsālet alone flirting with them."
I paused for a moment before continuing, my voice unwavering.
"My loyalty is absolute."
Even if that loyalty didn't belong to a single woman...
...I couldn't change it.
That's how it is.
The way it had always been.
"T-Then... what about us?"
Ichika's voice was noticeably softer this time, laced with nervousness.
I understood exactly what she was asking.
And this time...
I could answer honestly.
"I don't think of you as 'just another' girl."
Silence.
Ichika froze.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as her lips parted ever so slightly, her usual composure crumbling for just a moment.
She was probably trying to decipher what I had meant.
Was it because she was Miku's sister?
Because, in my eyes, the five of them were inseparable?
Or...
Did I already see her as something more?
That was for her to figure out.
Sometimes, the truth sits right in front of you.
People simply overthink it until they can no longer see it.
"Let's go," I said, deliberately steering the conversation elsewhere. "Miku's probably waiting for me."
If she ask any more questions now...
I wouldn't be able to answer them.
Without giving her another chance to press the matter, I walked past her.
"W-Wait for me!"
Ichika hurried after me, quickly catching up.
By the time we reached the table where the other four sisters were already seated in the cafeteria, a heavy tension hung in the air.
Even Ichika seemed to notice it.
She let out a wry smile to herself before quietly taking her seat.
Nino was quietly checking her phone while absentmindedly picking at her lunch. The moment our eyes met, however, she shot me a look of unmistakable displeasure, as if my very presence at the table was unwelcome.
Looks like whatever progress I'd made with her had been reset.
...But who was she trying to intimidate?
I was far too thick-skinned for a glare like that to bother me.
I gave Itsuki and Yotsuba a polite bow.
"Hello... and sorry for intruding."
"Sit here."
Miku gently patted the empty seat beside her, urging me to take it.
Coincidentallyāor perhaps notāthat seat happened to be between Miku and Nino.
I wasn't sure why they'd left a seat between themselves in the first place.
As it turned out, Nino had no intention of letting that arrangement stand.
"Absolutely not!"
She pointed an accusing finger at me, her expression filled with protest.
"I'm not sitting next to him!"
Miku turned to Nino with an innocent tilt of her head.
"Why?" she asked. "You didn't have any problem pretending to be a couple with him the other day."
...Miku, chill!
Were you trying to bury her alive with guilt?
"T-That was...!"
Nino instinctively protested, only for the rest of her sentence to die in her throat.
She stole a quick glance at me from the corner of her eye before immediately looking away, letting out a defeated groan.
"You."
Miku suddenly addressed me.
My body instantly stiffened, and I stood as straight as a soldier awaiting orders.
"Sit here."
She tapped the empty seat beside her with her index finger, leaving no room for negotiation.
I raised a hand in salute.
"Yes, ma'am."
It was a futile attempt to lighten the mood, at least ichika is somewhat enjoying the drama.
Just as miku had said that day, I still wasn't in the clear yet.
I took the seat between Miku and Nino, directly across from Yotsuba.
Yotsuba greeted me with her usual cheerful smile before not minding me anymore.
The atmosphere was undeniably awkward.
Even for me.
...Yet, somehow, it also felt like heaven.
"Did you make this yourself?" Miku asked, glancing at my lunchbox.
Inside were a few simple rice balls stuffed with pickled plum and wrapped in nori. Thanks to the molds, they had turned out surprisingly well. I'd also tried making rolled omelets, though I wasn't exactly confident about how they looked.
"I just wanted to give it a try," I replied with an awkward chuckle. "Would you like to have some?"
There weren't exactly many choices.
"Then..." She hesitated for a moment before smiling faintly. "I'll have one of the rolled omelets."
Just as I expected.
She hadn't chosen the rice balls. None of the five sisters prefer pickled plum, and some of them even actively dislike it. Unfortunately, I hadn't had anything else to fill them with.
...Wait.
Just before Miku's chopsticks reached the omelet, an idea flashed through my mind.
Without thinking, I picked it up first and held it out toward her.
"Here," I said with a smile. "Let me help you."
"Ara..."
Ichika's amused voice drifted over as she watched us with obvious interest.
Meanwhile, Miku's cheeks turned a deep shade of red.
"H-Here?" she asked quietly, glancing at our surroundings.
I smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. No one's paying attention to us."
She hesitated before discreetly looking around.
Sure enough, everyone in the cafeteria was too busy with their own conversations to spare us a glance.
Still looking self-conscious, Miku leaned forward and took the rolled omelet from my chopsticks in one swift bite, clearly determined to get it over with as quickly as possible.
She had probably wanted to refuse because of where we were...
Yet she accepted it anyway.
...For my sake.
How adorable.
Unable to stop myself, I gently placed a hand on her head.
Unlike before, Miku didn't flinch.
She'd grown accustomed to it after all the times I'd absentmindedly patted her head.
She really was far too adorable.
I simply couldn't help myself.
Though, with all four of her sisters watching, a faint blush still lingered on her face.
I almost teased her about it...
But I decided against it.
Let's just enjoy a peaceful lunchā
My smile suddenly twitched.
Only for an instant.
I managed not to let even a hint of pain show on my face.
Because...
Someone beside me had just stomped on my foot.
Hard.