Ichika was definitely doing it on purpose.
The photos Makoto had just taken of Itsuki turned out beautifully.
At the very least, she had never seen photos of Itsuki that looked this good before.
Though she knew part of it was due to Makoto's photography skills, there was another undeniable reason—Itsuki was simply very pretty to begin with.
Since even her little sister looked that good, then as the older sister, she had to be even cuter.
Usually mischievous and a bit more mature than her sisters, Ichika was currently scheming away with confidence.
If the five sisters truly had a spiritual connection, perhaps the other girls back at home—like Nino—could hear the clatter of Ichika's mental abacus.
Naturally, Makoto agreed to Ichika's request.
Just like before, he used the skills he had learned in the time loop to snap several beautiful candid photos.
Ichika was very pleased as she looked at the photos on her phone.
As expected, I'm the cuter one—because I'm the big sister~
After that little episode, Utaha bought the two books she'd picked out earlier and took the initiative to say goodbye.
She still had to visit Mayu.
Since Makoto said he was unavailable today, she wasn't going to push it.
There was just one thing she regretted—she didn't get to see the photos of those two girls for herself.
She didn't think she'd be swayed by Makoto's photography skills, but seeing how delighted Ichika and the others were, the photos must have come out stunning.
Well, curiosity was natural—she had that too.
But from start to finish, Makoto never once said to her: "Senpai, would you like to have your photo taken too?"
She wasn't close with Ichika, so she didn't ask to see the photos either.
"Looks like he gets along well with the girls from the Nakano family."
That was the thought that surfaced in Utaha's mind as she left with her gifts.
She might not have realized it, but that feeling she had was exactly the same kind of dissonance Yukino once experienced.
Meanwhile—
To keep Itsuki from interfering with her "date," Ichika deliberately went to a nearby shop to buy her sister a meat bun.
Having received this bribe, and then being told by Ichika that she wouldn't be home for dinner, Itsuki could only say goodbye.
Before leaving, she turned back to glance at Makoto, wondering if the two were about to talk about Ichika's secrets.
Her curiosity made her want to eavesdrop, but her reason quickly stopped her.
"Now it's time to talk business."
Makoto looked at the girl beside him, smiling like a flower, and said this on purpose.
Ichika adorably shook her head. "Nope~ This is our precious alone time. Business can wait until next time."
"Are you trying to show off your laziness to me?"
"Ah, Makoto, now that's just rude~"
Ichika tried to hide her embarrassment.
She was afraid he'd bring up the whole "trash pile" incident again, so her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings—and soon, she had an idea.
"I'm going to grab a juice. You want one?"
She pointed at a bustling drink shop at the corner ahead.
Makoto replied, "I'm good."
The shop was doing excellent business. Just the line at the entrance already had more than ten people.
With customers coming and going on both sides, the small storefront looked even more crowded.
Ichika pretended not to notice the crowd. She deliberately walked into the busiest part of the street, anticipation blooming in her heart.
She slowed her pace, waiting… and then, suddenly, felt warmth in her right palm.
Her hand had been taken.
Then Makoto's voice came from beside her: "Why aren't you watching where you're going? There are so many people here. Be careful not to get pushed away."
Ichika turned her head and smiled brightly. "Thanks for the warning~"
The warmth in her hand gave her a little girlish shyness, but she covered it up with her acting skills.
As expected, high-level hunters often appear as prey first.
She felt proud of herself.
But then Makoto suddenly remarked, "Your acting still has a ways to go. Looks like forming that club was the right call—you're going to need to work harder."
Ichika's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and feigned ignorance: "Makoto, what are you talking about?"
Makoto didn't answer. He simply raised the hand that was holding hers.
Ichika suddenly felt her cheeks heat up.
Had she been seen through so quickly?
She didn't dare continue the topic and hurriedly said, "Wanna stand in line with me?"
"Sure."
While enjoying how she tried to cover up her embarrassment, Makoto thought to himself: She's even cuter in moments like this.
He could see right through the little thoughts she was having.
Your scheme has been uncovered!
But even so, since she had already tossed out the bait, of course he was going to take it.
You think you're the hunter?
No, Ichika—you're the prey.
After they bought their juice, Makoto originally wanted to talk to her about the club. But out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a car.
More precisely, a high-end silver-gray sedan.
He had seen this car before.
It's you—Nakano Old Man!
Makoto was quite satisfied—his target had finally shown up.
Not only had he brought Ichika out today, but he'd also brought along Itsuki.
With someone like Nakano Maruo, who spoils his daughters rotten, it'd be weird if he didn't show up.
Makoto came to a halt. "Ichika."
"Hmm?"
Ichika had been thinking about how to keep holding hands with him when she heard Makoto call her, and she looked over instinctively.
Makoto didn't speak. He just motioned toward the car with his eyes.
"That car looks familiar… Wait, that's Father's car!"
Ichika's expression shifted slightly.
As if on cue, the door of the car opened, and a handsome middle-aged man with neatly parted hair stepped out.
He was indeed good-looking, but his expression was blank and carried a certain coldness.
More importantly, the moment he stepped out, his sharp gaze immediately landed on Makoto.
That long-held aura of a superior was unmistakable.
Ichika quickly whispered, "That's my father. He's a little old-fashioned and serious, but he's really good to us."
Makoto nodded.
Of course he already knew that.
He also knew that Nakano Maruo actually wanted to spend more time with his daughters.
But because he was bad at expressing himself and clung to his pride—unwilling to let go of his roles as both hospital director and father—their relationship had grown distant.
You could even say it was strained.
Nakano Maruo walked straight up to the two of them and spoke in a cool tone: "Ichika, can you introduce this young man to me?"
Ichika opened her mouth, "He's—"
But Makoto stepped forward and said, "My name is Fushimi Makoto. I'm a good friend of Ichika's."
Not just a friend—a good friend.
Nakano Maruo caught the implication.
This time, his gaze turned directly to Makoto, but his voice remained cool: "While I understand that young people are eager to present themselves, I was asking Ichika just now."
The implication was clear: You're being rude.
Ichika gripped her juice tightly, anxious to smooth things over—but she didn't know what to say.
After all, being caught by her father while out alone with a boy—any way you looked at it, it gave the impression that this little punk was trying to steal away the old man's precious daughter.
And Makoto was clearly that punk.
"I'm aware you were asking Ichika," Makoto said with a polite smile. "I also know you've long been aware of my existence."
The sentence sounded a bit convoluted, enough to make Ichika blink in surprise.
Nakano Maruo's face didn't change. "Children do tend to have vivid imaginations."
He was putting Makoto in the position of a child, asserting his pressure as an elder.
But Makoto didn't buy it at all. "If you'd like to talk to me, we can move to a more suitable place."
At that moment, Ichika seized the chance and laughed, trying to sound relaxed: "Right! We haven't eaten yet. Father, would you like to join us?"
Nakano Maruo glanced at his daughter. From head to toe, she was practically shouting: I care about him!
This made the old father feel a little sour.
He stared coldly at Makoto and said, "I was planning to have dinner with Ichika. It's been a long time since we ate together."
Our dinner plans don't include you.
The message couldn't be clearer.
But Makoto played his trump card: "It's not just Ichika—I'm also good friends with Itsuki."
Nakano Maruo's brow furrowed slightly.
He didn't like how composed this boy was.
It was as if Makoto understood him too well.
And if that was really the case, then it would be hard for him, as a father, to give this little punk the scolding he wanted to.
"Would you like to have dinner with us?" Nakano Maruo finally asked.
He had decided—it was time to have a serious talk with this boy.
"Sure. But I'll need to make a quick call first." Makoto pulled out his phone.
Nakano Maruo assumed he was just calling his parents to let them know he wouldn't be home for dinner, so he didn't pay it any mind.
But instead, Makoto dialed Mrs. Yukinoshita.
Calling in backup!
You want to hit me with a personal power play? Then I'll just bring in someone to make this a business discussion.
Makoto loved team-based competitive games, and he understood one key principle very well: if your lane isn't going well, you call for the jungler.
And Mrs. Yukinoshita? She was absolutely a top-tier jungler on the national server.
Time to turn the tables.
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