Time Loop in Anime Multiverse, I Do Whatever I Want

But hearing Fushimi Makoto call for his elders on such short notice now, he immediately felt at ease.

After all, this kid was just a high school student.

Nakano Maruo figured that Fushimi Makoto must be feeling insecure, which was why he chose to call for backup.

Because they had come in such a rush, Nakano Maruo hadn't made a reservation, so he simply found a high-end restaurant nearby.

Upon entering the restaurant, Nakano Ichika was visibly nervous; she stole several glances at Fushimi Makoto, wanting to say something but holding back.

Fushimi Makoto squeezed the girl's soft little hand, using his eyes to reassure her that she should just relax.

Nakano Ichika hadn't expected him to dare hold her hand right in front of her father; beyond her shyness, she took the initiative to respond with a sweet smile.

This scene made Nakano Maruo's blood pressure skyrocket!

Especially the sight of his daughter looking so shy and happy made him nearly boil over with rage.

He had never seen his daughters smile so sweetly at him!

While he was angry at Fushimi Makoto for being a little punk, he was also inwardly annoyed that he had been too busy lately; if he could have made time to spend more with them, they wouldn't have been so easily snatched away by some boy.

After the three were seated, Nakano Maruo signaled for the waiter to leave and handed the menu to Fushimi Makoto: "You order."

"No rush. I can tell you have things you want to ask me, so why don't we wait for the other two elders to arrive before we order," Fushimi Makoto said, taking the menu.

Is he pretending to be confident again?

Nakano Maruo tried his best not to think about the scene from earlier and said in a steady tone: "In that case, let me ask you... are you and Ichika on a date today?"

Nakano Ichika's cheeks flushed red, and she felt a secret joy in her heart.

Fushimi Makoto answered truthfully: "You are mistaken. We came out together to discuss forming a club. Before you arrived, Itsuki and Kasumigaoka-senpai were both here."

Nakano Maruo was good at grasping the main point: "So, after the other two left, you decided to go on a date?"

Fushimi Makoto: "You are mistaken again. Because Ichika is the future ace of the club, I had many important things I needed to explain to her clearly."

What do you mean I'm mistaken again?

Can I not be right even once?

Nakano Maruo was expressionless: "What do you mean by ace?"

Fushimi Makoto: "The club we are forming has a little bit to do with acting; I'm sure you'll understand if I put it that way."

Nakano Ichika spoke up, looking a bit anxious: "Um..."

Fushimi Makoto said gently: "Don't worry, Mr. Nakano must have known for a long time that you are working as an actress in private."

Nakano Ichika froze, turning her neck mechanically to look at her father.

"That's right, I am indeed aware that Ichika dreams of becoming an excellent actress," Nakano Maruo admitted.

Nakano Ichika lowered her head in embarrassment.

The feeling of having such a secret exposed on the spot, especially by an elder, was just too awkward.

Only now did Fushimi Makoto speak in a serious tone: "Therefore, you can understand that the purpose of establishing this club is to help Ichika become even more outstanding."

Nakano Maruo clearly wouldn't accept this explanation: "In my impression, the way for high school students to become more outstanding should be through their studies."

Fushimi Makoto: "Then I am even more suitable to be their friend."

Nakano Maruo's expression stiffened.

Not Ichika, but them, right?

Have you finally exposed your true intentions?

Fushimi Makoto acted as if he were oblivious and said: "It might sound like I'm showing off, but I am indeed qualified to speak on the subject of studies."

Nakano Maruo: "Because you are the top student in your grade?"

Fushimi Makoto suddenly smiled: "Have you finally admitted that you've investigated me?"

Nakano Maruo: "..."

He had been played!

He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Nakano Ichika beside him, and just as he expected, the girl was full of astonishment.

He pretended not to see it and returned his gaze to Fushimi Makoto.

This time, he put away his arrogance as a superior and his air of certainty.

He had reason to suspect that everything from Fushimi Makoto holding his daughter's hand right under his nose to the other party mentioning "helping his daughter become outstanding" might very well have been intentional.

These actions were equivalent to triggering the conditions for him to incriminate himself.

Lowering his guard, then suddenly delivering a precise sword strike.

Within seven steps, fast and accurate.

By admitting he had investigated Fushimi Makoto in front of his daughter, he had already lost a round in terms of momentum.

After all, he knew very well that girls who had entered puberty were in great need of their own private space.

What's more, his relationship with his daughters was not exactly harmonious to begin with; now that he had exposed that he was secretly investigating his daughters' friends, it would undoubtedly have a very negative impact on their relationship.

Nakano Ichika took a deep breath. The usual lazy expression on her face was gone, replaced by a look of intense seriousness: "Father, I truly care about Makoto as a friend, and I am very happy when I am with him."

No, my blood pressure is spiking again.

Nakano Maruo watched his daughter, who had finally summoned the courage to speak, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin.

He could only turn his head toward Fushimi Makoto and say: "I acknowledge the value of being top of the grade, but I can find plenty of students who hold that rank."

"But they might not necessarily be able to help your daughters excel," Fushimi Makoto countered.

"You're that confident?"

"There is a saying: just because someone has good grades doesn't mean they are skilled at teaching. There are many such examples; even the players coached by the basketball god Michael Jordan turned out to be a complete mess."

Fushimi Makoto paused for a moment before playing his trump card: "Most importantly, how can you be certain that Ichika and the others won't resent the person you choose?"

Nakano Maruo was about to retort, but Fushimi Makoto spoke first: "To them, given the choice between a friend and a stranger, they would choose the friend without hesitation. Besides, Mr. Nakano, you surely don't want Ichika and the others to be unhappy, do you?"

Nakano Maruo was rendered speechless on the spot.

Fushimi Makoto softened his tone: "I can see how much you care for Ichika, and it follows that you feel the same for the other four. If they can grow up happy and safe, that should be the greatest joy in your life."

Is this kid really meeting me for the first time?

Nakano Maruo felt a rare chill run down his spine.

Not only was the other party close to his daughter, but he also seemed to have understood him thoroughly long ago.

Could it be that while I was investigating him, he was also investigating me?

No!

Outside of official business, I barely interact with my colleagues at the hospital, and I have no friends in my personal life. Even if he wanted to investigate me, he wouldn't have a way in.

Nakano Maruo stared blankly at Fushimi Makoto, unable to adapt to the sudden intensity the young man was projecting.

Nakano Ichika was also watching Fushimi Makoto.

That heart-pounding feeling from earlier had returned!

As someone with a slightly more mature personality among her peers, she deeply admired the sense of strategic control Fushimi Makoto displayed while conversing with an elder.

She simply couldn't resist this feeling; she lacked the iron will to do so.

For the first time in her life, she was so excited she could barely keep her legs together.

Just as Nakano Maruo fell into silence, Fushimi Makoto glanced at his phone, stood up, and said: "The elders I invited have arrived. Excuse me, I'll go to the entrance to greet them."

Nakano Maruo snapped back to reality.

Wait.

Could this also be part of his plan?

First, rely on the advantage of having studied me thoroughly to silence me with a long talk, and then, once his elders arrive, I will never be able to recover my initial momentum.

In this way, I have fallen completely into a passive position.

He looked up at Fushimi Makoto's young face, which was filled with a polite smile, and it was as if he could see a line of text written on it: The first round of the confrontation is over; the second round begins now.

Fushimi Makoto was already walking toward the restaurant entrance.

Nakano Maruo's surprise attack?

Hmph, Hakuba, make sure he doesn't leave in one piece!

Fushimi Makoto felt that the old man Nakano would thank him in the future.

Because he had a way to help him ease the relationship between father and daughters, and he would indeed do it earnestly.

It was just that by then, the number of young girls supporting him like Ichika did today would likely increase by four.

Itching for a challenge?

No, it's an itch for the craft.

My strategy is excellent, so the itch is justified. No problem there.

Chapter 26: This Reward is Too Hot

Fushimi Makoto met the Yukinoshita Couple at the entrance of the restaurant.

Both were dressed quite formally, but since most clothing for mature men falls into the "understated" category, the well-tailored, light-colored mid-length top and skirt worn by Mrs. Yukinoshita perfectly accentuated the unique charm of a mature woman.

Although Yukino was her daughter, she was not like Yukino: not tall when standing, and definitely not tall when lying down.

As for Fushimi Makoto, he was tall standing up, and tall lying down.

After the two sides exchanged greetings, Mrs. Yukinoshita walked beside Fushimi Makoto, her voice soft: "I've asked around for you. If you ever have thoughts of entering the film industry, my connections are more than enough."

"Then thank you very much." Fushimi Makoto had expected this.

Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled: "I should be the one thanking you. Without you acting as the bridge, we wouldn't have been able to meet Dean Nakano so quickly."

Fushimi Makoto asked casually: "Is Mr. Nakano difficult to meet?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded: "His social circle is very small. He rarely sees guests; unless it's official business in the medical industry, you simply can't get to him."

"I see."

Fushimi Makoto then looked toward Mr. Yukinoshita, who had remained silent the entire time: "You've been very quiet today, Uncle."

Mr. Yukinoshita gave an awkward cough: "I saw you all were discussing serious matters, so I didn't want to interrupt."

Fushimi Makoto teased: "Could it be that you still clearly remember what happened after you got drunk?"

Mr. Yukinoshita: "Makoto, let's not bring up the past..."

Mrs. Yukinoshita watched this scene and couldn't help but smile.

She had a very good impression of Fushimi Makoto, whether it was the strange sense of affinity he possessed or his talent and personality.

If this child could come to our Yukinoshita family...

This mature woman thought of a few things.

When Fushimi Makoto and the others arrived at their previous table, the Nakano father and daughter were clearly taken aback, but they still stood up quickly.

After both sides exchanged polite greetings and took their seats, Nakano Maruo said quite directly: "I truly did not expect that the elders Fushimi-kun contacted would be you two."

Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled: "It's normal for you to find it strange; Makoto and I are already quite familiar... Come to think of it, Dean Nakano, the last time we met was two months ago, wasn't it?"

"That is indeed the case."

Nakano Maruo was struggling to keep his composure; he never would have guessed in a million years that Fushimi Makoto would actually call in the Yukinoshita Couple.

Nakano Ichika was also struggling to keep her composure.

Ever since she sat back down, she had been using her eyes to ask Fushimi Makoto: What is going on here?

Fushimi Makoto signaled for her to stay calm and composed, then edited a message on his phone and sent it.

Nakano Ichika hurriedly picked up her phone and saw it read: [Because I helped the Yukinoshita family out last time, this lady felt we had a lot of potential and took the initiative to exchange contact information with me.]

Nakano Ichika: [We?]

Fushimi Makoto: [Of course, that includes the five of you sisters as well.]