Nino: You Sit at the Kids' Table Too

As soon as Yukino, wearing a light-colored long dress, arrived at the film set, she saw Fushimi Makoto explaining the scene to the extras, with Nakano Itsuki listening attentively beside her.

This scene looks rather strange.

A high school student knows how to talk about acting?

But Yukino knew that Fushimi Makoto truly understood.

And they are very professional.

Yukino remembered his often-repeated phrase, "I've studied it."

It's obvious that he's been working on this for quite some time now, given how professional he is.

Yukino didn't bother Fushimi Makoto. She went over to help organize the equipment and noticed Nakano Itsuki looking at her. She nodded as usual.

The two got along very well and had already become friends.

Therefore, Yukino immediately noticed that Itsuki seemed a little distracted.

She then looked around and realized that someone was missing.

Where did Ichika go?

Is it really because they're afraid of me that they've decided to avoid confrontation?

But given how clingy she is to Fushimi Makoto, even if she's afraid of me, she shouldn't be completely too afraid to come.

Yukino's suspicions deepened.

Nakano Ichika didn't show up, so it's impossible that she chickened out simply because she was afraid of herself.

There must be a deeper reason behind this.

That's what happens when the value is high.

She was one of the smartest among her peers.

Fushimi Makoto and his classmates, Makoto Fushimi suddenly turned to look at Yukino.

He had just noticed that Yukino's gaze kept lingering on him.

"Did you need something from me?"

Fushimi Makoto chose to take the initiative.

Yukino turned on the camera to check, casually replying, "Why isn't Ichika here?"

"She doesn't have any scenes to film today, so she wants to take this opportunity to relax and rest."

Upon hearing this, Yukino remained silent.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Fushimi Makoto asked.

Yukino turned around, her beautiful face devoid of any emotion. "I'm waiting for you to come up with a more suitable reason."

Fushimi Makoto: "I'm not making this up, she's really determined to rest more today."

Yukino stared into his eyes for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "It's really true?"

Isn't your tone a bit rude?

"I don't think so, after all, you have quite a criminal record."

After Yukino finished speaking, she rested her finger on her chin, looking thoughtful. "Ichika- san actually stopped clinging to you because she wanted to rest, does that mean something happened between you two?"

Fushimi Makoto suddenly laughed, "You finally couldn't hold back and said what was on your mind."

You were acting so calm just now, but you couldn't hold it in any longer, could you?

Yukino said casually, "You can talk if you want, or it's fine if you don't."

"Real?"

Why would I lie about something so trivial?

That makes sense.

Fushimi Makoto nodded as if in agreement.

He then glanced around and said, "Since everyone hasn't all arrived yet, shall we find another place to talk?"

Yukino agreed very quickly this time.

She really wanted to know the truth.

But what she just said was also the truth.

If you're willing to talk, then I'm willing to listen.

If you don't tell me, I'll investigate myself.

Yukino currently believes she is perfectly lucid.

In the past, I always underestimated someone's tricks and would always fall for them unintentionally. In the end, I would either be played with by him or held in his arms and kissed.

Although she doesn't mind kissing...

Even a girl like her, who prided herself on being clear-headed and intelligent, couldn't help but be captivated by that magical experience.

Deep down, I even vaguely hoped: When can we do it again?

Whenever she becomes aware of her own anticipation, she feels annoyed.

There's a saying that goes, "Expectation is a wonderful thing, but once you have expectations, troubles may arise."

So even though she was very curious about Ichika's situation today, she still maintained a calm demeanor.

Yukino calmly followed Fushimi Makoto to the side, but before she could ask anything, he blurted out, "Ichika confessed to me."

Um?

What is he saying?

Am I hallucinating?

Yukino was stunned for a full two seconds.

The calm and composed demeanor that had been firmly established just a second ago was suddenly breached in the next.

Fushimi Makoto was looking at her.

She rarely showed such a shocked and incredulous expression.

Adorable to the max.

Two seconds later, Yukino asked in a calm voice, "You're not kidding?"

Fushimi Makoto: "No."

Yukino nodded slightly. "And then?"

"What do you mean by 'then'?"

"I already know about this. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Fushimi Makoto remarked, "You acted so realistically."

Yukino: "..."

She seemed to be losing her composure, and said coldly, "Is there nothing else?"

Fushimi Makoto: "That depends on what else you want to know."

Yukino remained calm. "Even if I asked, you might not tell me, right?"

"I never said that." Fushimi Makoto naturally denied it.

Yukino smiled faintly, "In that case, let's get down to business."

As soon as she finished speaking and turned around, she felt her arm being grabbed.

In that instant, her heart skipped a few beats.

But when she turned around, she said with utter indifference, "Is there anything else?"

Fushimi Makoto stared into her beautiful eyes without saying a word.

Yukino suddenly became a little nervous.

Would this guy really kiss me in front of so many people?

She tried to change the subject by being sarcastic. "I almost forgot, Ichika already had a crush on you, and now that she's confessed, should I congratulate you on winning over another girl?"

Fushimi Makoto repeated his earlier comment, "You acted so well."

Yukino was immediately annoyed. Just as she was about to retort, she Fushimi Makoto say softly, "Nino also confessed to me."

Yukino: "???"

No, are there any other experts?

Wait a minute, is the reason Itsuki is acting strangely today because her two older sisters confessed their feelings to the same boy?

That makes sense.

Yukino was brainstorming Fushimi Makoto spoke up, "Your expression is more vivid this time, and there are fewer traces of acting."

"... Should I praise your professionalism?"

Yukino slapped his hand away in annoyance, took a deep breath, and continued, "You're really something, getting involved with two girls from the Nakano Family at once."

Fushimi Makoto: "I think you're even more impressive. You were clearly on the verge of breaking down, but you still managed to keep acting."

"If you can't speak properly, then shut up!"

"That won't do. I still need to direct the crew. If I shut up, who will handle these things?"

Yukino didn't want to talk to Fushimi Makoto anymore.

Because she could no longer calm down, that feeling of displeasure from before resurfaced clearly in her mind once again.

Are you angry?

Yes, there are.

Are you jealous?

Yes, there are.

Yukino felt a headache coming on; at times like this, her usually strong sense of self-control was always severely affected.

She was angry that her heart was still wavering and conflicted, and jealous that the two girls had acted so quickly.

It seemed like there was no plan before, but now it's suddenly exploded.

And it exploded so violently.

Stimulated by various emotions, Yukino felt guilty and realized that she had actually started thinking, "I was here first."

How foolish!

She said that to herself.

I don't know who they're talking about.

Fushimi Makoto stood beside her, gazing at her fair face, waiting patiently.

A moment later, Yukino turned back to him and said, "It's time to get down to business."

Her defenses had been breached, and she could no longer maintain a calm mind.

She didn't want the other person to see her jealous, so she turned her back.

Fushimi Makoto didn't pull her any further.

It's not just tsundere girls who need stimulation; awkward girls like Yukino need it too.

After a while, Nakano Nino and the others arrived.

"If you want to observe more closely, you can go over there first."

Nino didn't rush over, but instead said this to her two younger sisters.

"Aren't you coming along?" Miku's eyes held a different emotion.

Nino didn't notice and said to herself, "I'm going to buy drinks nearby. They must need them if they're tired from filming."