Though Makoto had promised Nakano Maruo he'd take Ichika home, he never said when.
And Ichika didn't want to go back just yet—even though she had to be on set around six to keep being a background actor.
She planned to head home during the last thirty minutes to change. After all, she already knew the route well.
Makoto strolled with her for a while, chatting about the future of the club.
The club itself was being formed to bring the beautiful girls into the picture.
Anyone who plays games knows—timing your entrance is everything.
If he had built the club quietly and then informed the quintuplets later, they might not have agreed.
So he revealed Ichika's acting work early, became friends with Itsuki, and gradually brought up the club idea.
By this point, both Ichika and Itsuki would naturally want to join.
As for the remaining three—Nino and Yotsuba wouldn't be hard.
Miku, the shy and introverted one who avoids interacting with others, might seem tricky—but Makoto knew her preferences well. His intel work was already done.
As long as four of the sisters joined, Miku would follow.
Don't underestimate my intel network!
While thinking this over, he glanced at the girl holding his hand, still smiling like a fool, and suddenly said:
"The reason I was able to get Mrs. Yukinoshita to come so easily today is because I visited her at home before. We chatted a lot and even had dinner together."
Ichika turned to him in surprise. "Why are you suddenly telling me this?"
Makoto: "I think you have a right to know."
Ichika smiled happily, her moist lips curving up. "And what if I want to know even more?"
"Ask anything you want."
"Okay then~"
There was a hint of another emotion in her smile. "What did you two talk about? Anything related to Yukino?"
"You could say yes… or no."
"Eh? What kind of answer is that?"
Makoto baited the hook: "I told Mrs. Yukinoshita I hoped she could treat me as a friend, like a peer. Although I was mainly talking to her, that topic does relate to Yukino in a way."
Ichika blinked for two seconds before laughing out loud. "Makoto, I didn't think you had that kind of thought in you."
Clearly, she and Mrs. Yukinoshita shared similar ideas—they both saw Makoto as the kind of boy who, like many teens, yearned to be seen as an adult, tired of always being treated like a kid.
Makoto: "Children, this is no laughing matter."
Ichika laughed so hard her chest shook. "No, no—coming from you, it's just too funny…"
Her voice trembled as she spoke: "You're always so mature when talking with my dad. Even I thought you were the composed type. Who knew you had such… lively thoughts?"
Makoto put on a helpless expression. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have told you."
Ichika reined it in a little, though her smile lingered. "Alright, alright, I won't laugh. Go on."
"What I'm about to say next involves a secret about Yukino. I'm still deciding whether to tell you."
"A secret about Yukino? I have to hear it!"
"Then come closer."
"Okay~"
Ichika quickly leaned in, even standing on tiptoe—her fair little face was almost touching his.
At this distance, things were undeniably ambiguous.
But as the saying goes: ambiguity is the easiest way to get people emotionally high.
Ichika was a prime example.
Even though the closeness made her a little shy, she refused to back away, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Makoto lowered his head, leaned close to her soft pink ear, and said in a deliberately mysterious tone, "Aunt Yukinoshita agreed to my request, so in private, she calls me 'Big Brother.'"
Ichika had already been flustered by his breath brushing against her ear, but after hearing that last part, she couldn't hold it in anymore.
"She calls you Big Brother... Pfft, no, I need a moment to laugh."
Ichika bent over, laughing hard.
She really couldn't imagine someone as proper as Yukino calling someone her age "Big Brother."
The image lingered in her mind for just a second, and that alone made her feel it was incredibly ridiculous.
Makoto silently watched her.
The girl's well-developed figure shook with every burst of laughter.
It reminded Makoto of one of the most famous porcelain kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty—Ru Kiln.
According to historical records, with Ru Kiln, not firing it was not an option.
It had to be fired, and fired hard.
Those who don't get it are still confused; those who do are already opening their browsers.
Ichika finally straightened up after laughing for a while.
She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and muttered, "At last, I've found Yukinoshita's weakness."
"You consider that a weakness?" Makoto asked.
Ichika smiled sweetly. "Or maybe a handle? Either way, it works. At the very least, I won't be at a total disadvantage in front of her anymore."
Makoto: "Can't understand, excuse me."
"Even if you don't understand, it's fine. This is a girl's private matter."
After saying that, Ichika suddenly grinned mischievously. "Since she calls you Big Brother, how about I start calling you that in private too?"
I've been waiting for this.
Makoto kept a straight face. "If you're just joking, there's no need."
Ichika blinked slyly. "So you're saying… I need to sincerely acknowledge you as my Big Brother?"
"Of course. Ichika, you're a girl, so you might not realize that for guys, there are two things that make them really happy."
"What two things?"
"One is 'You're amazing.' The other is 'Big Brother,' said with sincerity."
Upon hearing this, Ichika didn't laugh at Makoto anymore. Instead, she looked thoughtful. "I think one of my old classmates said something similar."
Then she thought, if she really did call Makoto Big Brother, wouldn't that make them Big Brother and Little Sister?
And if one day the little sister wanted to become the Big Brother's romantic partner...
That mental image was a bit too much.
Her fair little face flushed uncontrollably.
Makoto pretended not to notice. "Well? Are you sure you still want to call me Big Brother?"
"I can do it." Ichika quickly forced out the improper thoughts.
Even if that kind of relationship felt thrilling and a bit embarrassing, as long as no one else knew, she could accept it.
She'd seen romance dramas and novels—sometimes couples played strange little games like this to deepen their connection.
With a faint smile on her face, the girl tilted her fair neck and sweetly called out, "Big Brother."
She even added, "From now on, I'll call you Big Brother. I'm not joking this time."
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the beginner mission.]
[Mission Reward (Ichika's Potential Badge): Ichika's path as an actress may seem dim, but in fact, she has top-tier star potential. With this badge, the host will have the potential to become top-tier in any industry.]
Makoto's first reaction upon seeing the reward: Did this badge mutate?
Ichika might only have top potential in acting, but once the badge fell into his hands, it became a real kaleidoscope of possibilities.
Yukino's reward had been a massive boost in learning efficiency, while Ichika's was a maxed-out potential cap—these two complemented each other perfectly.
But the system's mechanical voice continued.
[Thank you, Host, for completing the task with such enthusiasm. The system is now one step closer to graduation.]
[As we agreed, upon completing the beginner mission, the host gains access to more of the system's functions.]
[Even though it's against protocol, screw it—I'm helping you out!]
[Detected: Host has lived for decades. You are now a proper old geezer. As such, your physical condition has declined with age. The system has decided to aid you.]
[System Gift (Old Geezer Comeback Badge): Any positive physical enhancements the host gains in time loops will now be retained. Your physical improvements no longer have an upper limit.]
What a great item!
Makoto perked up.
Previously in time loops, his physical condition would reset if injured, keeping him stuck at an excellent high school student level.
Now with this backdoor from the system, he could finally develop the physique of a Baki character.
[Host has completed all beginner tasks. New feature unlocked: Use points to purchase additional time loops.]
[Points are awarded based on the host's skilled abilities. The system will grant points fairly.]
[Detected: Host's culinary skill is at a professional level.]
[Detected: Host's writing skill is at a professional level.]
[Detected: Host's repair/tool skills are at a professional level.]
[…]
[Hold on—Host, how do you know so many things? Are you cheating?]
Makoto: Just because I'm not cheating doesn't mean it's not an OP build.
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Not exactly the same but this reminds me of Everyone Else is a Returnee lol.
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Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
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Check out the other translations too
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