Truth

"As expected of you, you actually came up with the best way to get something for free in such a short time." The boys burst into laughter.

Yukino was very satisfied with this.

She had been wondering where to find extras for the later group scenes in the script, but Fushimi Makoto.

The group then returned to filming.

At 2 o'clock sharp, Nakano Ichika left on time; she had to go to the film set to shoot a movie.

Without a female lead, Yukino switched to filming supporting roles.

During this time, Fushimi Makoto even gave her a suggestion. "How about having Nino and the others play Ichika?"

Yukino firmly refused. "They can't achieve Ichika's level of perfection."

The film crew disbanded at 3:30 PM.

Although Yukino really wanted to film until night, everyone was a classmate, and many of them were only helping out because of Fushimi Makoto, so she couldn't possibly take up all of their vacation time.

Everyone went home, including Fushimi Makoto.

Around 8 PM, Fushimi Makoto received a message from Nakano Ichika: [I'm almost done here, can you come pick me up?]

Fushimi Makoto: [No problem.]

He guessed that Ichika probably hadn't informed Nino.

In that case, does Ichika perhaps want to be tortured by me?

After being tortured, it will turn into a cream puff.

Although Nakano Ichika always loses, she is, after all, a teenage girl, at an age full of energy.

Her firepower is actually quite strong.

But when he arrived near the film set, he discovered that Nakano Itsuki was also there.

"Makoto? What are you doing here?" The girl seemed very surprised.

Fushimi Makoto pointed in the direction of the film crew. "I'll pick up Ichika, what about you?"

"Me too... Wait, did Ichika send you?" Nakano Itsuki suddenly became alert.

Fushimi Makoto did not answer, "So, you were summoned by her?"

"No, we've already discussed it ourselves. Whoever has time will come and pick Ichika up from school. After all, it would be troublesome if she, a girl, were to go home so late and encounter any danger."

"I see." Fushimi Makoto nodded.

He almost thought that Itsuki was also summoned by Ichika.

That's why, for a moment just now, he thought Ichika had decided to secretly team up with Nino's Itsuki.

Nakano Itsuki stared at Fushimi Makoto for a moment, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, said in a cryptic tone, "Ichika will be so happy to see you pick her up Ichika."

Fushimi Makoto didn't take the bait. "You can't say that. She'll be happy that you're willing to pick her up so late."

Nakano Itsuki shook her head. "What I mean is, if I hadn't come, she might have happily gone to your house for a while."

Um?

Why is Itsuki so perceptive today?

Fushimi Makoto was slightly taken aback.

He quickly sensed the restless emotions stirring within Itsuki.

Oh, so she also wanted to come to my place for a... no, a visit.

That's why she was able to guess Ichika's true purpose.

Etc.

Wouldn't this be a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation?

For example, "re-teaming"?

Fushimi Makoto suddenly perked up.

He said calmly, "That's possible. It's not that late yet, Ichika might actually be planning to come over to my place for a while."

Nakano Itsuki pursed her lips and remained silent.

This means she's unhappy.

To everyone's surprise Fushimi Makoto extended an invitation with unparalleled smoothness. "If Ichika really intends to do that, and you happen to be here, why don't you go and have some fun? I can cook you something delicious."

"Huh?"

Nakano Itsuki's beautiful eyes lit up.

She considered it for only half a second before answering, "I'll go."

Not long after, Nakano Ichika came over from the film crew. When she saw Fushimi Makoto and Itsuki chatting and laughing, she was taken aback at first, but then an idea came to her mind.

I might as well take this opportunity tonight to lay my cards on the table. It's time to talk to her face-to-face about the matter of Itsuki impersonating Nino.

As always Nakano Ichika wore a bright smile and swayed gently as she walked towards the two of them.

Chapter 253 Truth

When Nakano Itsuki saw Ichika walking towards her, she felt a little nervous and guilty.

Although many members of the Nakano Family are now "secretly dating," in public, or rather, in the eyes of their classmates, everyone thinks that Fushimi Makoto and Ichika are a couple.

Nino and the other three often felt the same way.

Therefore, when Itsuki thought about how she could openly Fushimi Makoto's house late at night, she inexplicably didn't want Ichika to know.

That would make her feel guilty.

But she soon changed her mind.

When Nakano Ichika arrived, she greeted the two of them with a smile and affectionately said to Itsuki, "You came to pick me up today, thank you, Itsuki ~"

Before Nakano Itsuki could answer, Ichika smoothly raised her hand and took Fushimi Makoto's arm right in front of her.

The most ingenious part was that Nakano Ichika jokingly said, "Everyone online is debating whether Yukinoshita is your CP (couple pairing), so I'll just take advantage of her absence tonight and secure that position."

Her words, combined with her expression, seemed like a joke no matter how you looked at it.

Nakano Itsuki was completely dumbfounded.

She had a problem with Ichika's behavior and was unhappy about it.

However, since Ichika has shown through her actions that she was joking, why should others take it seriously?

Moreover, Ichika's image at home is that of a laid-back older sister who loves to joke around and tease her younger sister.

Nakano Itsuki opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't utter a single word.

High!

So high!

Fushimi Makoto could sense that Nakano Ichika gloating.

Her expression was impeccable.

This demonstrates her greatly improved acting skills.

Fushimi Makoto caught a glimpse of Itsuki's bewildered expression out of the corner of his eye, thinking to himself that Itsuki was still a bit too proper. If he were in that position, he would definitely take the opportunity to pretend to complain, "Is this the kind of thing you're going to use your acting skills for?"

This eased the tension and made it easier to find the rhythm for the subsequent attack.

But Nakano Itsuki couldn't have come up with this idea.

She could only stand there blankly, opening her red lips several times, but unable to utter a single syllable.

Finally, Fushimi Makoto picked up the conversation. "If someone with ulterior motives had captured this scene, you probably wouldn't just be sitting in that position for tonight."

"Wouldn't that be a perfect opportunity to see Yukinoshita's reaction?" Nakano Ichika's mind worked so fast that she instantly grasped the rhythm of the conversation.

Meeting Itsuki's conflicted gaze, she deliberately smiled and said, "Itsuki, you're closer to Yukinoshita. Do you think her expression would be quite something if she saw the photo of me and Makoto holding hands?"

"... Probably." Nakano Itsuki murmured softly.

Nakano Ichika's joking demeanor was so convincing that even Itsuki started to doubt her. Was Ichika deliberately linking Fushimi Makoto with Makoto Fushimi just a joke, and perhaps also a way to continue her rivalry with Yukino?

After all, the girls in the Nakano Family all knew that Yukino was Ichika's strongest rival, as she herself had acknowledged. The two were always fighting, but Ichika always suffered a crushing defeat.

If Ichika was trying to prove a point in this matter, then her actions tonight are understandable.

Fushimi Makoto watched Ichika's performance quietly. To be honest, she not only had a high level of skill, but she also conveyed a strong fighting spirit towards Yukino.

If Fushimi Makoto didn't know the truth, he would probably praise Ichika, saying, "Ichika is really tall and strong!"

Before the three returned, Nakano Ichika took two masks out of her bag, and she and Fushimi Makoto put them on.

Now Nakano Itsuki had even less reason to speak.

Ichika and Fushimi Makoto are both "hot topics" now. If Itsuki calls their names and passersby hear it, they won't be able to get home for a while.

So Nakano Itsuki walked silently beside Fushimi Makoto, her eyes glancing at the two of them arm in arm from time to time with a look of envy and sourness.

Fushimi Makoto at Itsuki's adorable, downtrodden expression, Makoto Fushimi suddenly brought up a topic. "Ichika, you were just joking when you deliberately linked arms with me, weren't you?"

Nakano Ichika nodded with a smile, "Anyway, you definitely won't hate jokes like that~"

I've been waiting for you to say that!

Fushimi Makoto raised his left hand and gestured to Itsuki: "Ichika, you're right, I really don't dislike you."

Nakano Ichika's smile froze.

Nakano Itsuki paused, her cheeks flushing. Shy as she was, she really didn't intend to let this opportunity slip by.

Under Ichika's astonished gaze, Itsuki shyly took Fushimi Makoto's other hand.

Now he's got two women on his arms.

Ugh, I'm so annoyed!

Didn't I just shoot myself in the foot?

Nakano Ichika pursed her lips, wanting to speak but unsure how to begin.

On the contrary, Itsuki lowered her head shyly yet contentedly.

Unfortunately Fushimi Makoto cleverly avoided continuing the topic, preventing Ichika from showcasing her abilities.

He also bought a face mask for Itsuki on the way.

The three of them, wearing masks, certainly attracted the attention of many pedestrians along the way.

Although Fushimi Makoto and Nakano Ichika are somewhat famous, they are far from being big stars, and passersby wouldn't specifically rush up to ask them about it.

The three of them finally arrived home safely.

After they sat down in the living room, neither Ichika nor Itsuki spoke.

Itsuki was still basking in the sweet emotions of the past.

Ichika, on the other hand, was thinking: How can I get Itsuki to honestly reveal her true colors?

Fushimi Makoto took in their expressions, pretended nothing was wrong, and brought them fruit.

"Thanks."

Nakano Ichika picked up a piece of apple and put it in her mouth, when suddenly she thought of a solution.

"Want to play a game?" she asked.

Fushimi Makoto and Nakano Itsuki both looked at it at the same time.

She laughed easily, "How about we play Truth or Dare? I just played it with some of the senior actors on set today, and I won every time."

Nakano Itsuki asked blankly, "Where did the big adventure go?"

"Yeah, why isn't there a dare?" Fushimi Makoto chimed in deliberately.

Nakano Ichika replied matter-of-factly, "It's too late today, let's do truth or dare next time."

Perhaps finding it boring to sit like that, Nakano Itsuki hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Fushimi Makoto, of course, would not object.