Chapter 272: A Specialized Method for Dealing with Nino?
.....
"My apologies, Seito-kun."
Ichika Nakano offered a quick apology.
"It's fine," Seito replied, his expression neutral.
The two stood in a bit of a stalemate for a few seconds. Eventually, Ichika looked at Seito with a hint of embarrassment. "Um... could you let go of my hand now?"
"Right!"
Seito nodded and reluctantly released her. He couldn't help but think her skin felt incredibly soft—a thought that seemed to make Ichika's mood soften as well.
Seito looked down at her. "Let's go. We still have tutoring to get to."
"Mhm," Ichika nodded.
The two walked side-by-side. A few moments later, they exited Sobu High and began heading toward the Nakano residence.
"Ichika, do you want to be a star?" Seito asked, proactively initiating a conversation.
In the anime, Ichika's dream was to become a famous actress. He figured that starting with this topic would be the best way to bridge the gap between them.
"I do," Ichika nodded. "I want to do what I love while I'm still young."
"I see," Seito replied. "But the entertainment industry is a tough place to survive."
No matter the world, the entertainment industry was always a mess of complications. Consequently, Seito had some reservations about Ichika diving into that world. Personally, he didn't really want her to deal with all that. However...
"How about I become your manager?" Seito suggested.
If he were her manager, he could look after her anytime, anywhere. Besides, he was already the manager for the μ's idol group; adding one more person wouldn't be an issue. He mused that he should probably just register his own entertainment company at this rate.
"Eh?" Ichika blinked in surprise. "Seito-kun, you're planning to help me?"
"Of course. You have a lot of potential," Seito nodded.
In the original story, Ichika became a superstar five years after graduation, forced to wear disguises just to walk the streets. One could only imagine how famous she would eventually become.
Ichika fell silent for a moment before asking, "Seito-kun, do you want me to become a star?"
"Honestly? No," Seito answered honestly.
"The industry is too chaotic, and once you're a big star, the paparazzi are the worst kind of headache."
"And more importantly!" Seito turned to look Ichika in the eye. "Your mindset hasn't caught up to the new reality yet."
"What mindset?" Ichika asked, confused.
Seito continued, "Moving forward, the entire world is going to revolve around the God Domain. Becoming a celebrity in an era where strength is absolute just won't work the same way. I think you should focus on leveling up in the God Domain and becoming a Goddess instead!"
"Thinking about it that way, you should see my point," Seito said, shifting his tone. "Let me ask you: which sounds better? Being a star chased by fans, or being a Goddess admired by the entire world?"
"That..."
Ichika rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She realized her thinking really was still stuck in the old era. In the coming age, which was truly better: a celebrity or a Goddess?
Undoubtedly, it was the latter. A star was just a mortal entertainer, but a Goddess? In human consciousness, a deity was a supreme being, worshipped by all living things.
"You're right. My thinking was a bit outdated," Ichika smiled, looking much more enlightened.
"So, have you decided what you're doing next?" Seito asked with a grin.
"Yes!" Ichika nodded firmly. "I'll grind levels in the God Domain and improve myself as quickly as possible!"
"Incorrect," Seito shook his head. "Next, you and your sisters are going to sit down and study hard with me!"
"..."
Ichika froze, then burst into a fit of giggles. "Right. Studying with you."
"Good girl!" Seito looked at her like a proud teacher.
The two chatted as they walked and soon arrived at the apartment building. They stepped into the elevator and, moments later, were finally inside the Nakano home.
Stepping into the entryway, they looked at the empty living room and then at each other. Seito expanded his senses. He realized the other four hadn't skipped out on coming home; they had simply locked themselves in their rooms, clearly hoping to avoid the study session.
"Um... I'll go call them," Ichika said, glancing at the shoes by the door.
"No need! I'll handle it," Seito chirped. He vanished using Spatial Movement.
Zip!
Nino was suddenly dropped onto the floor in front of Ichika, looking utterly bewildered.
Next came Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki. The five sisters were now all present and accounted for. Seito reappeared next to Ichika, a playful, mischievous look on his face.
"My, my. Were you four thinking about skipping class?"
"Hmph!" Nino pulled at her white over-the-knee socks and snapped, "Don't you know you're supposed to ask before entering a girl's room?"
Seito scratched his head with a deadpan expression. "I know. Does that apply to me, though?"
Since they were trying to dodge their lessons and he was their tutor, it was only right that he supervised them. Though, he wondered why their resistance was so much stronger today compared to yesterday.
"Hmph!" Nino snorted and pulled out her phone. "That's it! I'm telling Dad to fire you! We don't need you teaching us!"
She was the textbook definition of a tsundere. She hated studying and had a soft spot for "bad boys." For someone like her, Seito had a very specific, tried-and-true strategy.
Without a word, he grabbed Nino and vanished.
THUD!
A loud sound echoed from the second floor. The remaining four sisters looked at each other.
"What's going on?" Miku asked, looking toward the ceiling. Based on the noise, Seito had taken Nino back up to her room. But... what was he planning to do?
"I'm not sure, but let's just wait for now," Ichika said, her expression unreadable.
With no better plan, the girls moved to the dining table and sat down.
Meanwhile, in Nino's bedroom.
Nino was lying on the floor, her face as red as a ripe apple. She looked up at Seito, whose gaze was sharp and intense, and for a moment, she found herself completely at a loss for what to do.
....
Thank you for reading.