Makoto could more or less guess the reason Utaha was here.
She probably gained a lot from their last conversation and had come back to seek more guidance.
Of course, he meant that in the serious, academic sense.
"You're finally here."
Ichika smiled brightly the moment she saw Makoto and Itsuki approach.
She wasn't surprised they came together—they were classmates, after all.
Meanwhile, Utaha lifted her head when she heard Ichika's voice. Upon seeing Makoto, her previously indifferent expression softened.
"Ichika, you and Kasumigaoka-senpai…" Itsuki looked at the two curiously.
Ichika smiled and said, "Senpai is like me—she's waiting for someone too."
As she spoke, she glanced at Utaha, seemingly unintentionally. "Even though she didn't say who she's waiting for, I suspect we're both waiting for the same person."
Utaha admitted frankly, "I am indeed waiting for Fushimi-kun."
I knew it!
This woman was clearly the take-action-immediately type.
Ichika's smile didn't waver, but internally she was already on alert.
Makoto found the situation amusing.
Was this the beginning of a love triangle?
He turned to Ichika and said, "Good timing, Ichika. I have something to discuss with you."
Then he looked to Utaha on his left. "Senpai, would you like to talk as we walk?"
"Sure."
That was exactly what Utaha had in mind.
And so, the four of them, each with their own thoughts, left under the gossiping gaze of their classmates.
Itsuki was looking forward to the club activities.
Ichika was on guard against Utaha.
Utaha was thinking about learning more from Makoto.
Amid such an atmosphere, Makoto naturally spoke up first. "Ichika, I'm planning to start a club. Itsuki has already joined…"
"I'm in." Ichika didn't even let him finish before making her decision.
Itsuki wore an "I knew it" expression.
Makoto chuckled. "Aren't you going to ask what kind of club it is?"
Ichika deliberately said, "If even Itsuki joined, of course I have to join too. We're besties, right?"
Now you remember we're besties? Then why don't you tell everyone your secret?
Itsuki pouted.
Makoto had expected this reaction. "In that case, with Yukinoshita, that makes four of us in the club."
Ichika was stunned.
Wait, I'm the third person to know about this?
Is that fair?
Just as she was about to start overthinking, Makoto continued, "Ichika, the club I want to form is a bit special. In my plans, you're definitely the club's ace."
"Ace?"
That caught the attention of all three girls.
Makoto met their gaze. "Yes. As the ace, there will be a lot to do. It might be exhausting, which is why I hesitated to tell you."
"No worries—I'll give it my all." Ichika's smile instantly became radiant.
The little sense of disappointment she had felt before disappeared without a trace.
So I'm the ace in his mind~
Utaha perked up with interest. "What's the club called, Fushimi-kun?"
"Supernatural Investigation Club."
Makoto casually dropped a name that left the girls baffled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Utaha looked puzzled.
Itsuki was confused too. "Sounds weird."
Only Ichika kept her eyes fixed on Makoto.
Her attitude could be summed up with a meme face: I don't care what it is! I'm joining anyway!
Makoto didn't rush to explain and suggested, "Let's find a place to sit first."
Utaha immediately responded, "Can we go to the bookstore? I was planning to buy some books."
"Oh? So senpai's heading to a bookstore? I know one nearby that's popular among our classmates. Want to go there?"
Ichika smoothly jumped into the conversation.
In her mind, there was no way she was letting Makoto and Utaha talk alone.
Her quick interjection finally made Utaha suspicious.
Interesting.
Utaha noticed something and flashed Ichika a smile that was anything but sincere. "I don't mind."
Makoto and Itsuki also agreed.
Once the four of them arrived at the bookstore, Makoto immediately recalled—it was the trendy bookstore he'd seen during the time loop.
Due to the increasingly competitive market, this store was designed unlike any traditional bookstore. It had walls dedicated to plushies and decorative lights that girls loved.
Makoto remembered seeing online that the store owner had invited influencers for promotion, resulting in mixed reviews.
Book lovers wouldn't visit, but people looking to take trendy photos loved it.
During that period, he was both charming beautiful girls through the time loop and studying tips from internet experts.
After entering the store and finding seats, they noticed several girls already taking pictures near the decorative lights.
Utaha frowned—clearly, she didn't like this kind of aesthetic.
Ichika and Itsuki, however, turned to look. Their personalities aligned more with youthful vibes and they were easily drawn to pretty things.
Makoto noticed and started talking about the club: "I've thought this through. Since it's a Supernatural Investigation Club, we'll need cameras to record our investigations."
The girls immediately looked his way.
Makoto continued, "If we can't capture real supernatural phenomena, then we'll need to write scripts. That'll help us practice creative writing and gain filming experience."
"Wait a second!"
Utaha realized something was off. "Isn't this basically a film club?"
Itsuki had the same thought. "Did you start a new club because there's already a film club at school?"
Only Ichika cupped her face in her hands, eyes sparkling as she gazed at Makoto.
A bold thought even popped into her mind: Oh my god, this club was basically made for me.
After all, she was a part-time actress!
Though she'd only played minor roles so far, she'd been honing her skills.
If this club really worked the way Makoto described, then the Supernatural Investigation Club would be like a "grind spot" for her!
A place to farm experience.
No wonder he said I'm the ace.
Ichika's lips curled into a sweet smile.
She felt in her heart that this opportunity was not to be missed.
She could improve her acting and have more excuses to be with him.
"You can think of it that way," Makoto didn't deny it.
Utaha didn't comment further.
It was his own business, after all.
She had no plans to join a club that sounded that weird.
Itsuki, on the other hand, was seriously thinking it over. "So I'll need to learn writing and filming? I've never done that before…"
She looked a bit troubled.
At that moment, Ichika grabbed her hand and said seriously, "Don't worry, Itsuki. No matter what difficulties we face, I'll be with you and work hard too."
"Eh?"
Itsuki blinked, confused. She didn't really understand Ichika's sudden passion, but it was touching.
So she turned to Makoto and said, "I'll do my best too."
"Then it's settled. I'll message Yukinoshita tonight—she probably won't object."
Makoto looked toward the sweetly smiling Ichika. "Alright, now we can talk about other things. Ichika, you were waiting for me—was there something you wanted?"
Ichika beamed and shook her head. "No, I just wanted to talk to you."
But I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise!
Makoto had already noticed the watery shine in her eyes.
What, trying to act like a doting girlfriend now?
He turned to Utaha. "What about you, senpai?"
Compared to Ichika's gooey-eyed look, Utaha was more composed. "Last time, I learned a lot from you. Since I had free time today, I wanted to treat you to a meal."
A meal?
Ichika's eyes sharpened.
Her expression practically screamed: My little homewrecker radar is activating!
Makoto kept a straight face. "It's not just a meal, is it?"
Utaha smiled slightly. "You're right. I also have a few things I want to consult you about.
And I spoke with Matsukaze-sensei—you both live in the same building, right? I was planning to visit her, so I figured I'd give you a heads-up."
"Why does senpai need to give Makoto a heads-up?" Ichika couldn't hold back.
"Makoto?"
Utaha raised her brows in surprise.
No wonder she was giving me that look earlier… turns out their relationship is already this close?
Looking at Ichika's outwardly friendly but clearly wary face, Utaha suddenly felt a mischievous urge rise up.
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