Nakano Ichika was very pleased with the photo on her phone.
Of course big sister is the cutest~
After that little interlude, Utaha bought the two books she'd picked out earlier and took her leave.
She still had to visit Matsukaze Mayu.
Since Fushimi Makoto had said he was busy today, she wouldn't press him.
There was just one thing she regretted: she hadn't gotten to see the photos of those two girls with her own eyes.
She didn't think she'd be impressed by Fushimi Makoto's photography, but Nakano Ichika and the other girl had seemed so delighted that the photos must have turned out especially well.
Well, she was curious too.
But from beginning to end, Fushimi Makoto hadn't asked her, "Would you like to have your photo taken too, senpai?"
She wasn't close to Nakano Ichika and the other girl, so she hadn't asked to see the photos.
It seems he's quite close to the girls in the Nakano Family.
After buying her gifts, that thought crossed Utaha's mind.
She might not have realized it, but her feelings were exactly the same as the sense of disparity Yukino had felt back then.
Meanwhile.
To keep Itsuki from interrupting her "date," Nakano Ichika had gone to a nearby shop and bought her younger sister a meat bun.
After accepting the bribe and hearing Ichika say she wouldn't be home for dinner, Nakano Itsuki had no choice but to take her leave.
Before leaving, she looked back at Fushimi Makoto and wondered if they were going to talk about Ichika's secret next.
Her curiosity made her want to eavesdrop, but she quickly suppressed the urge.
"Now, we should talk business."
Fushimi Makoto looked at the smiling girl beside him and said it on purpose.
Nakano Ichika tilted her head cutely. "Nope. This is our rare chance to be alone together. We can talk business next time."
"Are you showing me how lazy you are?"
"Makoto, that's a little rude."
Nakano Ichika tried to hide her embarrassment.
Afraid he'd bring up the "garbage heap" again, she quickly glanced around. Before long, she had an idea.
"I'm going to get some juice. What about you?"
She pointed to a bustling cold-drink shop at the intersection ahead.
"I'm good," said Fushimi Makoto.
The shop was doing great business. There were more than ten people in line outside, and customers who'd already bought their drinks were walking past on either side. The already small shop quickly seemed even more crowded.
Nakano Ichika pretended not to notice the people coming and going. She deliberately headed toward the crowd, anticipation building inside her.
She slowed her pace and waited and waited. Suddenly, warmth spread across her right palm.
Her hand had been taken.
Then Fushimi Makoto's voice rang out. "Why aren't you watching where you're going? It's so crowded here. Be careful you don't get swept away."
Nakano Ichika turned around and smiled as she thanked him. "Thanks for the warning."
The warmth in her palm made her feel a little bashful, but she hid it behind her acting.
Just as I thought, the best hunters often show up as prey.
She congratulated herself inwardly.
But then Fushimi Makoto suddenly said, "Your acting's still a little immature. Looks like starting the club was the right choice. You'll have to work hard to improve."
Nakano Ichika's smile froze, but she quickly composed herself and pretended not to understand. "What are you talking about, Makoto?"
Fushimi Makoto didn't answer. He simply raised the hand he was holding.
Nakano Ichika suddenly felt her cheeks growing warm.
Did he see through me so quickly?
Embarrassed to continue the subject, she spoke first. "Will you get in line with me?"
"Sure."
As Fushimi Makoto enjoyed watching her hide her embarrassment, he thought to himself, She's a little cuter like this.
He could see right through all her little schemes.
Your plan's been exposed!
But even if he'd seen through it, she'd already dangled the bait. Of course he was going to take it.
You think you're the hunter?
No, you're the prey, Ichika.
After they bought their drinks, Fushimi Makoto had been about to talk to the girl about the club when he caught sight of a car out of the corner of his eye.
More precisely, it was a high-end silver-gray sedan.
He'd seen this car before.
It's you, old man Nakano!
Fushimi Makoto was pleased. His target had shown up after all.
Today, he'd not only brought Ichika out, but Itsuki too.
With Nakano Maruo's doting nature, it would've been strange if he'd been able to sit still.
Fushimi Makoto stopped. "Ichika."
"Hmm?"
Nakano Ichika was thinking about how to keep them holding hands when she heard Fushimi Makoto call her name. She instinctively looked over.
Fushimi Makoto said nothing, only gesturing with his eyes toward the car.
"That car looks familiar... Wait, it's Father's car!"
Nakano Ichika's expression changed.
It was as though the person inside had heard the girl's cry. As the car door opened, a handsome middle-aged man with a center-parted hairstyle stepped out.
He was indeed quite good-looking, but his face was expressionless, giving him a rather cold air.
Most importantly, his gaze immediately fell on Fushimi Makoto. The aura of authority he'd cultivated over many years as a man in power was instantly apparent.
Nakano Ichika hurriedly whispered, "That's my father. He's a little old-fashioned and strict, but he's very good to us."
Fushimi Makoto nodded.
Of course he knew that.
Fushimi Makoto also knew that Nakano Maruo wanted to spend more time with his daughters. But he wasn't good at expressing himself, was a little too proud to let go of the airs of both a hospital director and a father, and as a result, his relationship with the quintuplets wasn't especially close.
In fact, they'd grown somewhat distant.
Nakano Maruo walked straight over to the two of them. His voice was somewhat cold. "Ichika, could you introduce me to the young man beside you?"
Nakano Ichika opened her mouth. "He's..."
Fushimi Makoto cut in first. "My name's Fushimi Makoto. I'm a good friend of Ichika's."
Not just a friend, but a good friend.
Nakano Maruo understood.
His gaze settled on Fushimi Makoto, but his tone remained cool. "I understand that young people are always eager to show themselves off, but I was asking Ichika."
What he meant was: You're being a little rude.
Nakano Ichika tightened her grip on her juice. She desperately wanted to smooth things over, but didn't know what to say.
After all, getting caught alone with a boy by her father made it look like some blond delinquent was trying to run off with his precious daughter.
And Fushimi Makoto was clearly that delinquent.
"I know you were asking Ichika." Fushimi Makoto smiled politely. "I also know you've known about me for a long time."
The sentence sounded a little convoluted, and Nakano Ichika was momentarily taken aback.
Nakano Maruo's expression didn't change. "Children do tend to have vivid imaginations."
He put Fushimi Makoto in his place as a child, displaying the pressure he could wield as an elder.
But Fushimi Makoto wasn't swayed. "If you'd like to talk with me, we can go somewhere else."
Only then did Nakano Ichika get the chance to chime in. She smiled as if everything were perfectly casual. "Oh, right. We haven't eaten yet, either. Would you like to join us, Father?"
Nakano Maruo glanced at his daughter. Every inch of her was practically shouting, I care about him!
The old father felt a little put out. He stared at Fushimi Makoto and said coldly, "I was planning to have dinner with Ichika. It's been a long time since I've had a meal with my daughter."
You're not included in our dinner.
He'd made the warning clear enough.
But Fushimi Makoto played his trump card. "I'm not just close to Ichika. Itsuki's a good friend of mine too."
Nakano Maruo furrowed his brow.
He didn't like how composed Fushimi Makoto was.
It was as if the boy understood him very well.
If that were true, then it wouldn't be easy for him, as a father, to put the screws to the blond delinquent who was "making a move on" his daughter.
"Would you like to join us for dinner?" Nakano Maruo finally asked.
He'd decided to have a serious talk with this delinquent.
"Sure, but I need to make a phone call first." Fushimi Makoto took out his phone.
Nakano Maruo assumed he was going to tell his parents he wouldn't be home for dinner, so he didn't pay much attention.
But as soon as Fushimi Makoto stepped away, he called Mrs. Yukinoshita.
Time to call in reinforcements!
You want to intimidate me and talk about personal matters? Then I'll have to bring in backup, so we can all discuss business together.
Fushimi Makoto loved team-based competitive games, so he knew one thing for certain: if his lane wasn't going well, he needed to call the jungler for help.
And Mrs. Yukinoshita was clearly a top-tier jungler.
Turn the whole game around.
The call went very smoothly.
When Mrs. Yukinoshita heard that he was going to have dinner with Nakano Maruo and was inviting her along, the beautiful, mature woman immediately expressed her gratitude in a solemn tone.
"My husband and I haven't left Chiba yet, so that works out perfectly. Makoto, send me the address and we'll be there right away."
After hanging up, Fushimi Makoto returned to Nakano Maruo and his daughter.
"Finished your call?" Nakano Maruo asked evenly.
"Yes. We can head to the restaurant and wait for a bit. My elder will be there soon." Fushimi Makoto nodded.
An elder?
The Nakano father and daughter were both taken aback.
It should be Teacher Matsukaze, right? Nakano Ichika thought. She knew Fushimi Makoto was close to Matsukaze Mayu.
Nakano Maruo, meanwhile, felt a little pleased.
Fushimi Makoto's composure earlier had made him realize that the boy wouldn't be easy to handle.
Before you continue