Nakano Ichika's Eyes Were Practically Sizzling / Both Prey and Hunter

Nakano Itsuki had naturally seen it too, and murmured in confusion, "Why is Ichika with Kasumigaoka-senpai?"

Chapter 22: Nakano Ichika's Eyes Were Practically Sizzling

Fushimi Makoto could guess why Utaha was here.

She'd probably gotten a lot out of their last conversation and wanted to come ask him for more advice.

The proper kind of advice, of course.

"You're finally here."

When Nakano Ichika saw Fushimi Makoto and Itsuki approaching, a smile immediately bloomed across her face.

She wasn't surprised to see the two of them together. After all, they were in the same class.

Utaha heard Ichika's voice and looked up. When she saw Makoto, her otherwise expressionless face softened.

"Ichika, you and Kasumigaoka-senpai..." Nakano Itsuki asked, looking at them curiously.

Ichika smiled. "Senpai's waiting for someone, just like me."

As she spoke, she glanced at Utaha as if in passing. "Senpai hasn't said who she's waiting for, but I have a feeling we're waiting for the same person."

Utaha admitted without hesitation, "I am waiting for Fushimi-kun."

Just as I thought!

This woman seemed like the type to go all in.

Ichika's smile didn't change, but she was on her guard.

Makoto found the scene amusing.

Could this be the beginnings of a love-triangle showdown?

He turned to Ichika first. "Good timing, Ichika. There's something I wanted to discuss with you."

Then he looked to Utaha on his left. "Would you like to talk as we walk, senpai?"

"Sure."

That was exactly what Utaha had in mind, too.

And so the four of them, each with their own thoughts, left beneath the curious gazes of their classmates.

Nakano Itsuki was looking forward to the club activities.

Nakano Ichika was wary of Utaha.

Utaha was thinking about asking Makoto for advice.

In this atmosphere, Makoto naturally took the initiative. "Ichika, I'm planning to start a club. Itsuki has already joined..."

"I'm in." Ichika made up her mind before he could finish.

Nakano Itsuki wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

Makoto smiled. "You're not even going to ask what kind of club I'm starting?"

Ichika said on purpose, "Itsuki's joining, so of course I have to join too. We're sisters, after all."

So now you remember we're sisters? Then why don't you tell everyone your secret?

Nakano Itsuki pursed her lips.

Makoto had expected this. "In that case, with Yukinoshita, there'll be four of us."

Nakano Ichika froze.

So I'm the third person to find out?

Was that normal?

Just as she was about to get lost in her thoughts, Makoto's voice rang out. "Ichika, the club I'm planning to start is a little unusual. And I've always pictured you as its ace."

"The ace?"

All three girls were drawn in this time.

Makoto met their gazes. "That's right. The ace has a lot to do, and it might be tiring, so I was hesitating over whether to tell you."

"That's okay. I'll work hard." Nakano Ichika's smile instantly brightened.

The little disappointment she'd felt earlier had already vanished.

So I'm the ace in his eyes~

Utaha's interest was piqued. "What's the club you're starting called, Fushimi-kun?"

"The Occult Research Club."

The name that came out of Makoto's mouth left the girls bewildered.

"What's that?" Utaha asked, utterly perplexed.

Nakano Itsuki was puzzled too. "It sounds kind of strange."

Only Nakano Ichika stared straight at Makoto.

Her attitude could be summed up by a meme: I don't care what it is! I'm joining!

Makoto didn't rush to explain. Instead, he suggested, "Why don't we find somewhere to sit first?"

Utaha immediately chimed in. "Could we go to a bookstore? I was planning to buy a book."

"Oh, so you're going to the bookstore, senpai? I know one nearby. People in our class go there all the time to take pictures. Why don't we go there?"

Nakano Ichika smoothly cut in.

As far as she was concerned, she absolutely wasn't going to give Makoto and Utaha a chance to talk alone.

Her quick interjection finally aroused Utaha's suspicions.

Interesting.

Utaha had noticed something. She gave Ichika a smile that wasn't entirely sincere. "I don't mind."

Fushimi Makoto and Nakano Itsuki agreed as well.

When the four of them reached the bookstore, Makoto immediately remembered it as the trendy bookstore he'd seen during the time loop.

With competition in this era growing fiercer by the day, the store's decor was nothing like a traditional bookstore. It had a whole wall devoted to plushies, as well as decorative lights that were popular with girls.

Makoto remembered seeing people online say that the owner had apparently hired influencers to promote the store, leaving it with a sharply divided reputation.

People who liked reading didn't come here, but people who liked taking pictures and checking in loved the place.

That was around the time he'd been using the time loop to win over beautiful girls while studying the advice compiled by online experts.

The four of them went inside and found seats. A number of girls were already taking pictures by the decorative lights.

Utaha frowned at the sight. She clearly didn't like this kind of bookstore.

Nakano Ichika and Itsuki turned to look, though. Their personalities were more in tune with the spirit of youthful girls, and pretty things easily caught their attention.

Makoto noticed and brought up the club. "I've thought it over. Since it's the Occult Research Club, we'll definitely need a camera to film our investigations."

The girls quickly turned to him.

Makoto continued, "If we can't capture any supernatural phenomena, we'll have to write our own scripts. That'll help us develop our creative skills and gain filming experience."

"Wait!"

Utaha realized something was off and couldn't help asking, "Isn't that just a film club?"

Nakano Itsuki had thought the same thing. "Is that why you decided to start a new one, Fushimi-kun? Because the school already has a film club?"

Only Nakano Ichika held her face in her hands, gazing at Makoto with shining eyes.

She even had a thought that would make anyone cringe: Oh my god, this club was made just for me.

She was an actress on the side!

She'd only played extras so far, but she'd always been working on her acting.

If the club really was going to be as Makoto described, then the Occult Research Club would be a "monster-farming dungeon" for her!

A place where she could grind experience.

No wonder he'd said I was the ace.

The corners of Nakano Ichika's lips lifted in a sweet smile.

She felt deep down that she couldn't miss this opportunity.

Not only could she improve her acting at school, she'd have more chances and reasons to be with him.

"You can think of it that way," Fushimi Makoto said, making no attempt to deny it.

Utaha didn't comment further.

It was his business, after all.

In any case, she wasn't going to join a club with such a strange-sounding name.

Nakano Itsuki, on the other hand, was thinking it over seriously. "So I might have to learn how to write and use a camera? But I've never done any of that before..."

She looked troubled.

Just then, Nakano Ichika took her hand and said earnestly, "Itsuki, don't think that way. No matter what difficulties we run into, I'll be there with you. I'll work hard alongside you, too."

"Huh?"

Nakano Itsuki blinked in confusion. She didn't know what had gotten Ichika so fired up, but it was kind of inspiring.

Still, she was touched by Ichika's sincere and passionate concern.

So she told Fushimi Makoto, "I'll do my best, too."

"Then it's settled. I'll message Yukinoshita tonight. She shouldn't have any objections either."

As he spoke, Makoto looked at the sweetly smiling Nakano Ichika. "All right, now we can talk about something else. For example, you were waiting for me at the entrance, Ichika. Was there something you wanted?"

Nakano Ichika shook her head with a smile. "No. I just wanted to chat with you."

But I didn't expect this bonus surprise!

Fushimi Makoto had already noticed the watery gleam in her eyes.

What, planning to be a sugar mommy for your little brother?

He turned to Utaha. "What about you, senpai?"

Compared with the way Ichika's gaze practically dripped with affection, Utaha seemed much more formal. "I learned a lot from you last time, so since I'm free today, I wanted to invite you to a meal."

Invite him to eat?

Nakano Ichika's eyes shifted.

Her expression practically said, My homewrecker-detection radar is online!

Fushimi Makoto's expression didn't change. "There's more to it than just a meal, right?"

Utaha smiled faintly. "That's right. I do have something else I'd like to ask your advice about. Also, I spoke with Teacher Matsukaze and found out that you live in the same apartment building. I was planning to visit her, so I thought I'd let you know in advance."

"Why did you have to tell Makoto in particular, senpai?" Nakano Ichika couldn't help asking.

"Makoto?"

Utaha was surprised for a moment.

No wonder Ichika had looked at me strangely just now. Their relationship had already gotten to that point?

Looking at Nakano Ichika's outwardly friendly but guarded expression, Utaha suddenly had a mischievous idea.

Chapter 23: Both Prey and Hunter

Under the watchful eyes of Fushimi Makoto and the other two, Utaha unhurriedly picked up the tea the bookstore owner had brought over. She parted her red lips to blow away the steam, then leisurely took a sip.

Her obviously deliberate, slow movements made Nakano Ichika's friendly expression look less natural.

That was precisely why Utaha found it amusing.

I thought she was an outgoing, cheerful girl. Looking at her now, she's no different from the lovesick girls in my class.