Having Fun Yet? Now It's My Turn

Fushimi Makoto had no idea about any of this.

After school, he received a message from Yumiko on his way home.

Yumiko: [Want to hang out? We could grab something to eat while we're at it.]

Fushimi Makoto: [Just you and me?]

Yumiko: [My friends will be there too. By the way, those two guys we went out with the other day seemed really interested in you. They kept saying they wanted you to take them on as disciples. What does that mean?]

Take them on as disciples?

Did they see how I flirted with you that day?

Fushimi Makoto thought, I don't take disciples. I've only gotten better after training in the Time Loop for so long. How could I just teach anyone?

He replied right away: [If other people are coming, then never mind. I thought it was just the two of us.]

Yumiko froze on the other end of the phone.

Was that an invitation to a date?

Was he that interested in me?

Yumiko felt secretly delighted, but her cheeks flushed a little too.

But then she saw another message from Fushimi Makoto: [I was just kidding. Actually, I already have plans with someone today.]

Yumiko: [I guessed you were joking.]

As she typed those words, her slender fingers moved faster and faster.

On the other end, Fushimi Makoto couldn't help laughing.

A tsundere beauty really was adorable.

Still, he hadn't been lying. He did have plans today.

Around noon, Ichika had secretly told him she would come see him after school.

She'd even asked him for his address herself.

A sudden visit like this clearly meant something was going to happen.

Fushimi Makoto hadn't asked what. He was happy to savor the anticipation.

Meanwhile, at the Nakano Family home.

Nakano Ichika had just finished showering and stepped out to find Nino and Itsuki staring at her from the living room.

She wasn't surprised to see Itsuki waiting outside, since she and Itsuki had already made plans.

But Nino's presence was unexpected.

"You just got home and you're already taking a shower. Are you going on a date?"

Nakano Nino eyed her suspiciously.

Nakano Ichika didn't answer right away. She first glanced furtively at Itsuki.

Itsuki shook her head, signaling that she hadn't told Nino.

Ichika relaxed. Wrapped in a towel, she smiled as she went over and hugged Nino's arm.

"What are you doing? Let go! You're all wet, and I don't want to change clothes right now!"

Nakano Nino immediately bristled and tried to wriggle free.

Nakano Ichika held her sister tight and grinned. "Itsuki and I are going to do something really fun. Want to come, Nino?"

"What are you doing?" Nakano Nino stopped struggling.

"At lunch, a classmate told me something fun. She said that if the five of us dressed alike, no one in the world would be able to tell us apart."

"How is that fun?" Nakano Nino asked, confused.

The five of them were already good at impersonating one another. They'd even played house and switched identities before.

But they weren't little kids anymore. She didn't see what was so fun about it.

Nakano Ichika smiled. "If I told you I planned to switch identities with Itsuki, then go visit Makoto and see if he can tell us apart, would you still think it was boring?"

Nakano Nino stared at her, stunned.

She turned to Itsuki in disbelief. "Why are you going along with Ichika's nonsense?"

Nakano Itsuki said sheepishly, "Ichika promised she'd bring me tasty food more often from now on."

Nakano Nino looked disgusted. "You two are so childish."

Then she lifted her chin. "Still, I'm coming with you!"

Nakano Ichika's smile didn't change. She'd known Nino would say that.

As the saying went, it was better to divert a flood than try to dam it.

Nino had a strong personality, was a good leader, and cared deeply about everyone.

If Ichika kept avoiding her, it would only cause needless trouble later.

She might as well let Nino find out sooner about how close she and Makoto were.

That way, when she and Makoto became a couple someday, Nino would be able to accept it and give her family's blessing.

Yes, Nakano Ichika had already thought that far ahead.

After secretly practicing with cucumbers so many times at night, she'd become the Cucumber Immortal!

Nakano Ichika, the Cucumber Immortal, was completely confident she could handle Fushimi Makoto's "weapon and killing intent."

You Guys Done Having Your Fun? Now It's My Turn

In Nakano Ichika's original plan, she and Nakano Itsuki would impersonate each other, then visit Fushimi Makoto's home and put on a little show.

The show was only an excuse, though. Her real goal was to spend more time with Fushimi Makoto.

Her reasoning was sound. Itsuki was earnest and hardworking. If Ichika went over to suggest that they all discuss the club's future, Itsuki would listen seriously too.

She might even put in some effort on her own under Fushimi Makoto's guidance.

And then it would be time for Nakano Ichika, the Cucumber Immortal, to put on a show.

She could come up with an excuse to take Fushimi Makoto away from Itsuki. Once she got home, she could say they'd gone to discuss important matters, and Itsuki could back her up.

That way, even Nakano Nino, who liked to pick holes in everything, wouldn't find anything to criticize.

But now, she decided to make a small change.

Itsuki was just too serious. If she impersonated Ichika, she might be exposed right away.

And if she got caught immediately, it wouldn't be any fun.

"Nino, how about you impersonate me?"

Nakano Ichika shared her idea.

"Me?"

Nakano Nino was surprised.

Nakano Itsuki considered it. "Nino really would be better suited to impersonating Ichika. You two bicker all the time at home, so you must know each other's little habits well."

What a great assist, Itsuki!

Nakano Ichika was delighted. Before Nino could refuse, she quickly added, "Exactly. You're already so capable, Nino. If you impersonate me, you'll do it perfectly."

Nakano Nino was at a loss for words.

She'd been about to refuse, but now she couldn't bring herself to say it.

It wasn't just because Itsuki had agreed. Ichika was also looking at her with an expression that practically said, "Please."

As her sister, she couldn't very well refuse.

Besides, she really was curious whether Fushimi Makoto could tell the five of them apart.

"Fine. I'll make something for Miku and Yotsuba first."

Nakano Nino put on a reluctant air, making it clear she was only agreeing under duress.

"Thank you, Nino."

Nakano Ichika hugged her tightly this time. As they pulled apart, she accidentally tugged at her towel, and the whole thing fell to the floor.

Nino and Itsuki were used to it. They all took baths together anyway, so what did it matter if they saw each other's naked bodies?

But Nakano Yotsuba had just come out of her room and saw Ichika pick up the towel without wrapping it back around herself, then walk into the bedroom completely unbothered.

She was stunned on the spot.

I knew Ichika slept naked, but when did she start running around the house naked too?

At Nakano Ichika's request, she and Nino dressed up as each other.

"I look good in thigh-highs."

Nakano Ichika said to herself in front of the mirror. Now she had a perfectly good excuse to wear thigh-highs.

"That's enough. Stop admiring yourself," Nakano Nino said, rolling her eyes in disgust.

Nakano Itsuki didn't care about any of that. She was just looking forward to going to Fushimi Makoto's home.

When Ichika had changed clothes earlier, she'd told Itsuki that this little prank was just a side show. Their real goal was to discuss the club's business and let Nino, who loved worrying about everything, see it for herself.

She'd never forgotten Fushimi Makoto's invitation or Ichika's encouragement at the bookstore.

Now she finally had a chance to put what she'd learned into practice. Her anticipation had been stirred up for so long, and at last she'd have the chance to let it out.

The three had just left the apartment when Nakano Miku came out of the room and gave Yotsuba a puzzled look.

"They seem to be going to Fushimi's place to talk about the club. Nino made dinner for us in advance, so I don't think they'll be back to eat," Nakano Yotsuba reported honestly.

Nakano Miku gave a quiet "Oh," looking calm on the surface. But inside, she wondered, Has Nino gotten interested in that weirdly named club too?

"Miku, if Nino joins Fushimi's club too, does that mean we have to join as well?"

"We'll see when the time comes."

Nakano Miku didn't give a definite answer.

But she knew that after living together for so many years, if three of them joined the same club, Yotsuba and she would surely be pulled in eventually too.

Whether it was Ichika, Nino, or Itsuki, they were all used to having everyone together.

Meanwhile.

Fushimi Makoto received a message from Nakano Ichika saying, "We're at your door." When he opened it and saw the three girls standing there, he couldn't help asking, "Nino came too? Why didn't you tell me beforehand, Ichika?"

Nino, disguised as Ichika, smiled naturally. "I thought it'd be a surprise. Besides, your club just started, so you're sure to need more members."

Her tone and expression were both an imitation of Ichika.

Nakano Ichika caught on and spoke up too. "Sorry to bother you, Fushimi. We bought some fruit on the way. Please take it."

As Nakano Itsuki greeted him, she thought, Ichika's acting seems more natural.

Fushimi Makoto hadn't noticed anything wrong yet.

He ushered the three girls into the living room, then went to make tea. Nakano Ichika quietly signaled to Nino: He doesn't seem to have recognized us.

Nakano Nino answered with a look: Isn't that normal?

She hadn't given anything away. And with how well she knew Ichika, imitating her was a piece of cake.

She thought proudly.

Then the three girls began looking around.

It was their first time at Fushimi Makoto's home. The floors and furniture were all very clean, clearly because he cleaned regularly.

That made Nakano Nino think a little better of him.

After Fushimi Makoto brought over some snacks and tea, Nakano Ichika nudged Nino with her elbow. Nino immediately spoke up. "By the way, do you have any plans for club activities?"

"You came at just the right time. I was planning to talk to you about that today."