The steam from the bathroom swirled around, eventually condensing into droplets on the white walls, falling one by one.
Mayu's face had already turned a charming shade of red. She held a towel in one hand, carefully scrubbing Makoto's back with the other, her hand gripping his arm.
The warmth from his arm seeped into her palm, causing her heart to heat up as well.
Suddenly, she noticed Makoto's breathing seemed to quicken.
She couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I just feel really comfortable and relaxed," Makoto replied.
Mayu chuckled softly. "As long as you're comfortable. I was worried that since this is my first time doing something like this, you might not like it."
That sounded a little odd.
Makoto thought to himself, if it were Ichika doing this, that comment would likely have been a teasing remark rather than an innocent comment.
Mayu didn't think much of it. Hearing his satisfied response, her heart was filled with joy, and her earlier embarrassment faded away.
Gradually, her movements became more skilled. The way she scrubbed his back was as gentle and caring as her gaze.
Whether it was tolerance or indulgence, she simply hadn't thought too deeply about it.
Living alone in the big city, she was thrilled to have someone who cared for her, someone she found quite likable, and coincidentally, they both lived in the same apartment building.
Of course, she was happy.
Perhaps feeling that the silence was making things awkward, she decided to bring up a topic.
"Today, when I was chatting with Yukinoshita-san, she specifically mentioned our school's Sawamura Spencer Eriri. Do you know this girl?"
I successfully won her over in a time loop.
Makoto thought to himself.
That "blonde, defeated dog sage" was practically a textbook case of tsundere.
Because of this, she was the girl he thought was the easiest to win over.
Makoto answered aloud, "I've met her. I heard she's quite popular with the new students. I predict that her popularity will eventually rival Yukinoshita's."
"Really?" Mayu sounded surprised. She didn't know that.
"Well, she's cute, petite, and with that blonde hair, it's hard not to notice her."
"Right, Sawamura-san really is cute."
Mayu smiled gently and continued, "Yukinoshita-san seems to have some connections with the Sawamura family. She mentioned hoping that the two girls would become friends."
"Yukinoshita and Sawamura?"
"Yes. But Yukinoshita seemed a bit troubled at the time and didn't directly agree. However, that lady is quite easygoing; she didn't force her daughter."
"Easygoing?" Makoto didn't argue.
At this point, since he and Yukinoshita had become friends, and he had helped the Yukinoshita family close a difficult business deal, the lady had probably started to warm up to him.
If nothing else, Yukinoshita's mother was likely puzzled by his family background.
Though both of his parents were ordinary, he knew a lot about the Yukinoshita family.
"By the way, Makoto, is it true you were planning to get into film and television?" Mayu shifted the topic to something more serious.
"Yes, it's true. I'm planning to form a club first."
"Then you need to find two more members. Three people is the minimum for a club, plus a faculty advisor."
"No need for an advisor. You're already here, right?"
"Ah, so you've already planned everything?"
Mayu's eyes sparkled with a smile.
Though forming a club was a simple task, she couldn't help but feel pleased that he had thought of her first.
At that moment, Makoto spoke up, "I think you're done with my back now, right?"
Mayu froze for a second and nodded, "Mm, almost."
She hesitated, unsure whether to leave, but then heard Makoto ask, "So, is it possible for you to do the front too?"
"Huh?"
Mayu was stunned.
The shyness that had been softened moments ago surged back in full force.
Makoto remained patient and silent.
After nearly a minute, her soft voice sounded, "Then you can't open your eyes."
Makoto replied, "I'll try to open my eyes as wide as possible."
"No peeking."
Mayu scolded him playfully, pressing on his shoulder, then whispered, "Really, well… just this once."
Yes, just this once. She wouldn't indulge him like this again.
She said this to herself in her mind.
...
Monday morning.
Makoto once again saw the male student lying on his desk in the classroom.
As before, the student had brought milk into the classroom, lying with the straw in his mouth, while his left hand fiddled with his phone.
He remained vigilant, occasionally looking up to observe.
When their eyes met, his smile wasn't as awkward as before. "I brought two boxes of milk today. Want one?"
"No thanks," Makoto replied. He was already full.
The student laughed, saying, "You said you were full the other day. I thought about it for a while and realized that the supermarket has been having a milk promotion.
You must have bought a lot of milk to have said that, right?"
Makoto thought to himself, I didn't even think of that explanation.
The student asked, "So, did you get full again yesterday?"
Makoto shook his head, "No, I was making soy milk yesterday."
"Huh? I've had soy milk too, but I didn't think you would be making it at home. Sounds like a hassle."
"It is a hassle," Makoto replied.
Actually, Makoto wasn't the one making the soy milk—it was Mayu.
After all, in the ambiguous atmosphere yesterday, it was only natural that they might make a mistake... right?
"Good morning, Fushimi-kun."
"Good morning, Itsuki-chan."
Itsuki greeted Makoto and then sat down distractedly.
After a while, Itsuki tugged at his sleeve. When he turned to look, he saw her hesitating. "Can't you tell me Ichika's secret?"
Makoto guessed the reason, "Did Ichika do something over the weekend?"
"She basically slept until lunchtime and then rushed out in the afternoon, not returning until evening."
When Itsuki talked about this, it seemed like she had found an outlet for her frustration.
She furrowed her brows and sighed, "I don't know what she's up to. She didn't come back until 9 p.m. last night. It's really worrying."
Makoto understood. Ichika had likely received another minor role.
Itsuki now looked clearly worried. "Fushimi-kun, if you're still not willing to tell me, can you at least answer one question?"
"What question?"
"Is Ichika's secret going to bring her danger… Oh no, that word might be too extreme, maybe I should say trouble?"
"Not really."
"Is that so?"
Itsuki let out a sigh of relief.
She rubbed her temples and gently said, "Nino wanted to corner Ichika yesterday and interrogate her, but Ichika is quick-witted, and she knows us four very well, so she managed to brush it off easily."
Makoto rarely became serious: "You don't have to worry. She won't cause any trouble or be in danger. Also, I suspect that she'll definitely tell you all about it later."
Itsuki pouted: "I wish it were true. She's the eldest daughter, but she always acts so careless at home, and she's even too lazy to clean her room..."
At this point, she suddenly muttered, "Oh right, that night, it seemed like Ichika took the wrong medicine.
She stayed up all night to clean her room, and only Yotsuba happily went to help her. The rest of us couldn't figure it out all night."
Makoto struggled to keep his composure.
Clearly, this was his fault.
Ichika, living in a mess... jpg
Then he remembered something: "By the way, Itsuki, do you have time after school today? I'm planning to start a club and I'll invite Ichika along."
Itsuki froze, her beautiful face filled with astonishment: "Why all of a sudden? Ichika never mentioned this to me."
"I was planning to tell her today."
"Then she must be willing to join."
Itsuki recalled the conversation she had with Ichika that night, where the latter almost wrote "I might be in love" on her face.
Makoto asked, "What about you?"
Itsuki seemed to not have reacted: "Me? What do you mean?"
Makoto was direct: "Are you willing to join the club?"
They were five sisters, quintuplets.
Girls who grew up together since childhood often have their preferences and dislikes influenced by their sisters.
So one could conclude: if Ichika and Itsuki joined, the others wouldn't be far behind.
Makoto thought smugly.
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