Yukino was slightly taken aback.
She couldn't refute that.
Just then, she heard Nakano Ichika murmur softly, "Being a fool isn't so bad."
When she looked up, Nakano Ichika was smiling again.
It seemed like she'd only imagined hearing it.
Yukino knew it wasn't her imagination.
I'm not going to be a fool.
She said it firmly to herself.
After the three of them went their separate ways, Fushimi Makoto stopped to buy two cups of milk tea and headed straight to Matsukaze Mayu's home.
He rang the doorbell, and Matsukaze Mayu opened the door just a few seconds later.
When she saw Fushimi Makoto standing outside with a bag in his hand, her beautiful face lit up with delight. "You're back?"
Then she realized she sounded like a wife waiting for her husband to come home. Her cheeks flushed, and she added, "I mean, did your get-together with your friends end?"
"Yeah. On my way back, I saw a long line at this milk tea shop and figured it must be good, so I got you a cup." Fushimi Makoto lifted the bag in his hand.
"Thank you. Come on in."
Matsukaze Mayu happily stepped aside.
Her expression sent a clear message: she wanted someone to keep her company.
And in her heart, that someone could only be Fushimi Makoto.
Miss Ichika Living in a Garbage Heap
That evening, as soon as the woman got home, she pulled her husband aside to talk.
"Is the Yukinoshita Family one of the partners in that deal you've been working on?"
"Yes. The Yukinoshita Family isn't offering the best terms, so I'm still hesitating."
"Go with the Yukinoshita Family."
"Why?"
"I met the Yukinoshita Family's youngest daughter today, along with the Nakano Family's eldest daughter. There was a boy with them, too. Oh, and he was very handsome, and especially approachable. I felt comfortable chatting with him. His family must be important, too."
"You mean the Yukinoshita Family is on good terms with Nakano Maruo?"
"Probably. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone out together. If you work with the Yukinoshita Family, it'll be a good way to build ties. We might get the chance to meet Dean Nakano and the boy's parents later."
"That makes sense. Making three friends at once is a good thing. I'll call Mrs. Yukinoshita right now."
At eight that evening, Yukino sat in her bedroom wearing a nightgown, unable to calm down.
Her strict mother had just called. She'd shown Yukino an unusually rare degree of concern, and even her tone had been very gentle.
When Yukino asked, bewildered, what had prompted it, her mother seemed even more confused than she was. "Didn't you help the family secure a business deal? Yukino, you did very well today. You became friends with Dean Nakano's eldest daughter so quickly. It seems you're making progress, too."
Only then did Yukino understand.
She didn't like taking credit for something she hadn't done, so she explained what Fushimi Makoto had done.
"How did your classmate know about our family's affairs?" Mrs. Yukinoshita asked.
Yukino didn't know how to explain, so she stayed silent.
"If it's not something you can tell me, that's all right. That child must be an impressive person, too. You should cherish this friendship." Mrs. Yukinoshita's voice remained gentle.
"I understand." Her mother was being so kind that Yukino felt conflicted.
"The day after tomorrow is Sunday, and your father and I are free. Let's meet up together. Oh, and remember to invite that boy, Fushimi Makoto."
"Okay."
Before they hung up, Yukino heard her mother say, "You're becoming more and more outstanding, Yukino. I'm very proud of you."
Yukino was speechless for a moment.
She was certain this was one part of Fushimi Makoto's "combo."
From striking up a conversation with that woman at the cat café to getting praised by her mother, he must have predicted it all.
So this is your way of winning people over?
Yukino held her phone and opened Fushimi Makoto's contact.
Yukino: [Thanks for what you did today.]
Fushimi Makoto: [Did your mother call you?]
As expected!
He knew everything!
Yukino felt even more unsettled.
Then Fushimi Makoto sent another message: [Does she want to meet me, too?]
Yukino: [Yes. Are you free this weekend?]
Fushimi Makoto: [If you can prepare a sufficiently sincere thank-you gift, then I'm free.]
Yukino: [Is this another part of your plan?]
Fushimi Makoto: [You could look at it that way.]
He wasn't even pretending anymore.
Yukino stared at her phone screen and wondered if the thank-you gift he wanted might involve making some strange demand of her.
She'd noticed long ago that Fushimi Makoto sometimes looked at her legs.
Based on that, could he want a photo of her legs?
Or, even worse, would he try to touch them himself?
Yukino felt flustered.
Her phone vibrated.
Fushimi Makoto: [Are you imagining something weird? And have you worked yourself up until you're blushing?]
Wait, do you know me that well?
Yukino's eyes widened.
Fushimi Makoto: [Don't go imagining things. The thank-you gift I want is simple. A good morning and a good night from Miss Yukinoshita. That's not asking too much, right?]
Yukino paused for two seconds before replying: [Okay.]
Good morning and good night sounded simple, but they carried other meanings, too.
People who weren't close wouldn't go out of their way to say those two things.
When a girl was willing to say good morning to you, it meant that you were the first person she thought of when she woke up, and that she really wanted you to reply.
That brought the two of you even closer.
Yukino thought about it for a while, then put her phone down.
I'm not going to care about something so childish.
She told herself that.
The Nakano Family home.
After taking a shower, Nakano Ichika couldn't even be bothered to put on pajamas. She changed straight into a pair of shorts and a loose T-shirt.
The girl's smooth, fair thighs were completely exposed to the air, gleaming under the light.
More importantly, since she lived in a house full of girls, she couldn't be bothered to wear a bra. She went into the living room just like that and started eating the cookies Nino had prepared.
Thinking about all the things Fushimi Makoto had taught her today, and how he'd started calling her Ichika, put her in such a good mood that she couldn't help showing it.
"Looks like you had a great time with Fushimi today?"
Nakano Itsuki's voice suddenly came from behind the sofa.
"Itsuki? When did you get here?"
Nakano Ichika nearly choked on a cookie. She thumped her chest and quickly turned around.
"I'm going to take a shower in a bit." Nakano Itsuki came over and sat down beside Ichika.
Seeing her sister's approach, Nakano Ichika guessed she had something to say and asked with a grin, "How did you know I went out with Makoto today?"
Her expression was like a fisherman bragging about the big one she'd caught.
"Makoto?" Nakano Itsuki froze. "Are you two already that close?"
Nakano Ichika grinned even wider.
Nakano Itsuki pressed her lips together. "All right, I don't need to ask anything else. The answer's written all over your face."
"Were you going to ask about Makoto?"
"Something like that."
"Wait, do you have a crush on him?"
Nakano Ichika asked with exaggerated surprise.
Nakano Itsuki said irritably, "I'm trying to talk to you about something serious."
Nakano Ichika nodded with a grin. "I was joking. Don't take it to heart. Though, the look on your face does make it seem like I hit the nail on the head."
Seeing that Ichika was still teasing her, Nakano Itsuki said expressionlessly, "Fushimi and I have already exchanged contact information."
Nakano Ichika's smile froze.
Nakano Itsuki continued, "He's easy to talk to, and I'd be happy to be his friend."
No way. Are you serious?
Nakano Ichika started to panic.
But Nakano Itsuki smiled faintly. "The tables have turned, Ichika."
Nakano Ichika: "..."
"You should understand what it feels like to be teased now, right? Honestly, you're the eldest, but you never act like a big sister at home." Nakano Itsuki sighed.
Only then did Nakano Ichika realize her sister was joking. She giggled. "But we have you at home. You always manage to keep everyone getting along."
Nakano Itsuki smiled helplessly. "Ichika, have you thought this through?"
"What?" Nakano Ichika played dumb.
"Whenever you mention Fushimi, you can barely keep from smiling. You know that Kasumigaoka-senpai is famous at school, and she went out of her way to approach him. And Yukinoshita seems to be on good terms with him, too."
Nakano Ichika understood what her sister meant and smiled. "Kasumigaoka-senpai probably had something important to discuss with him. As for Yukinoshita..."
She said meaningfully, "She doesn't want to be a fool, but I do."
Nakano Itsuki: "?"
Nakano Ichika didn't explain. After all, this was already a private matter between her and herself.
Ten thirty that evening.
Nakano Ichika returned to her messy bedroom.
As soon as she lay down, she took out her phone and opened Fushimi Makoto's LINE contact.
Nakano Ichika: [Are you asleep?]
She didn't have anything else to say. She just wanted to chat with him.
When a girl had free time and could only think of one particular guy, it meant she was ready to be won over.
Fushimi Makoto: [If you're up this late and want to chat with me, I'm going to charge you.]
Before you continue