Time Loop in Anime Multiverse, I Do Whatever I Want

Makoto Fushimi was unaware of any of this.

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

Yumiko: [Do you want to hang out? We could grab a bite to eat while we're at it.]

Makoto: [Just you and me?]

Yumiko: [My friends will be there too. Come to think of it, the two boys who went out with us that day are really interested in you. They keep talking about wanting to become your apprentice; what does that even mean?]

Become my apprentice?

They must have seen how I was flirting with you that day, right?

Makoto thought to himself that he wasn't taking on any students. He had spent so much time training within the time loop to make progress; he couldn't just teach that to anyone.

He replied immediately: [If there are others, then forget it. I thought it was just the two of us.]

Yumiko, on the other end of the phone, froze.

Was that a date invitation?

Is he that interested in me?

While feeling a sense of secret delight, Yumiko also felt her face flush.

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

Yumiko: [I figured you were joking.]

As she typed those words, the speed of her slender fingers increased.

On the other side, Makoto chuckled.

A beautiful girl who says the opposite of what she feels is truly cute.

However, he wasn't lying; he really did have plans today.

At noon, Ichika had secretly told him that she would come to find him after school.

She had even specifically asked Makoto for his address.

Such a sudden visit clearly meant something was about to happen.

Makoto didn't ask; he was happy to enjoy the feeling of anticipation.

Meanwhile, at the Nakano Family residence.

Nakano Ichika had just stepped out after a shower to find Nino and Itsuki staring at her in the living room.

She wasn't surprised that Itsuki was waiting outside, as she had already made plans with her.

But Nino was not within her expectations.

"Taking a shower as soon as you get home? Are you going on a date?"

Nakano Nino scrutinized her with a sharp gaze.

Nakano Ichika didn't rush to answer, instead using her eyes to secretly ask Itsuki.

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

Nakano Ichika felt relieved. Wrapped in a bath towel, she smiled and stepped forward, grabbing Nino's arm.

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

Nakano Nino immediately bristled, trying to pull away in disgust.

Nakano Ichika hugged her sister tightly and laughed, "Itsuki and I are going to do something very interesting. Do you want to come along, Nino?"

"What kind of thing?" Nakano Nino's struggling stopped.

"A classmate told me something fun at noon. She said that if the five of us dressed exactly the same, it would be impossible for anyone in the world to tell us apart."

"What's fun about that?" Nakano Nino expressed her confusion.

The five of them were already skilled at impersonating each other, and they used to play games of swapping identities when they were younger.

But now that they weren't children anymore, she didn't think such a thing was very interesting.

Nakano Ichika smiled and said, "If I told you that I plan to swap identities with Itsuki and visit Makoto's house to test if he can recognize me, would you still think it's boring?"

Nakano Nino was stunned.

She turned to look at Itsuki and said in disbelief, "How could you go along with Ichika's nonsense?"

Nakano Itsuki said embarrassedly, "Ichika promised to bring me delicious food often in the future."

Nakano Nino looked at them with utter disdain: "You two are really bored."

Then, she held her head high and puffed out her chest: "However, I'm going with you!"

Nakano Ichika's smile didn't waver; she had already guessed that Nino would say that.

As the saying goes: it is better to guide than to block.

Nino had a strong personality, possessed good leadership skills, and cared deeply about everyone.

If she kept avoiding Nino, it would only lead to unnecessary trouble down the road.

It would be better to let Nino know about her intimate relationship with Makoto sooner rather than later.

That way, when she and he eventually become lovers, Nino would surely be able to adapt and then offer her blessings as family.

Yes, Nakano Ichika had already thought quite far ahead.

She had secretly practiced the "cucumber technique" so many times at night that she had long since become a Cucumber Immortal!

As the Cucumber Immortal, Nakano Ichika was fully confident in her ability to handle Makoto Fushimi's "sharp weapon and killing intent."

Chapter 42: Are you done playing? Now it's my turn to play

In Nakano Ichika's original plan, she and Nakano Itsuki would disguise themselves as each other and head to Makoto Fushimi's house to begin their performance.

However, the performance was merely a superficial excuse; her true goal was to spend more time alone with Makoto Fushimi.

Her logic was clear: Itsuki was the type to take things seriously, so as long as Ichika went over and suggested they discuss the future development of the club, Itsuki would listen attentively.

Perhaps she would even work hard on her own under Makoto Fushimi's guidance.

When that time came, it would be showtime for the Cucumber Immortal, Nakano Ichika.

She could find an excuse to pull Makoto Fushimi away from Itsuki, and later, when they returned home, she could claim they were discussing serious business—with Itsuki there to vouch for her.

This way, even if Nakano Nino wanted to pick a fight, she wouldn't be able to find any faults.

But now, she decided to make a slight modification.

Itsuki was ultimately too serious; there was a high chance she would be exposed immediately if she tried to impersonate her.

If she were exposed in an instant, it wouldn't be any fun.

"Nino, how about you disguise yourself as me?"

Nakano Ichika voiced her idea.

"Me?"

Nakano Nino was taken aback.

Nakano Itsuki pondered, "If it's Nino, she would indeed be better suited to play Ichika. You two are always bickering at home, so you should already be familiar with each other's habits and details."

Great assist, Itsuki!

Nakano Ichika was overjoyed inside. Not giving Nino a chance to refuse, she quickly added, "Exactly! Nino, you're already so excellent; if you play me, you'll definitely be able to pull it off perfectly."

Nakano Nino stalled.

The refusal that had been on the tip of her tongue couldn't be spoken.

It wasn't just because of Itsuki's endorsement, but also because of the look in Ichika's eyes, which were practically screaming, "Please, I'm counting on you."

As sisters, she really couldn't bring herself to refuse.

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

"I got it. I'll go make something for Miku and Yotsuba first."

Nakano Nino put on a helpless expression, signaling that she was only reluctantly agreeing.

"Thank you, Nino."

Nakano Ichika gave her a tight hug this time. When they separated, she accidentally tugged on her bath towel, causing the entire thing to drop to the floor.

Nino and Itsuki were unfazed by this; they all bathed together regularly, so what was the big deal about seeing someone naked?

However, Nakano Yotsuba, who had just come out of her room, saw with her own eyes as Ichika picked up the towel and, without wrapping it back on, walked into the bedroom just like that.

She was stunned on the spot.

I only knew Ichika had a habit of sleeping in the nude, but why has she started walking around the house naked now?

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

"I actually look pretty good in thigh-high socks."

Nakano Ichika muttered to herself in the mirror; she finally had a legitimate reason to wear them.

"Alright, alright, stop being so vain." Nakano Nino rolled her eyes, looking even more disgusted.

Nakano Itsuki didn't care about that; she was just looking forward to getting to Makoto Fushimi's house as soon as possible.

Because when Ichika was changing earlier, she had told her that this prank was just a small interlude—the group's true purpose was to discuss serious club business, and to let a girl who liked to worry like Nino see it for herself.

She had kept Makoto Fushimi's invitation and Ichika's encouragement at the bookstore in her heart all this time.

Now that she finally had a chance to put it into practice, the anticipation that had been building up within her finally had a chance to be released.

As soon as the three of them left the apartment, Nakano Miku came out of her room and looked at Yotsuba with a puzzled expression.

"They seem to have gone to Fushimi-kun's house to discuss club matters. Nino made us dinner in advance, so I guess they won't be back to eat," Nakano Yotsuba reported truthfully.

Nakano Miku let out an "oh." She looked calm on the surface, but inside, she was thinking: Even Nino is interested in that club with the strange name?

"Miku, if Nino joins Fushimi-kun's club too, do you think we should join as well?"

"We'll see when the time comes."

Miku did not give a definitive answer.

But she knew clearly that after living together for so many years, if three of them joined the same club, she and Yotsuba would inevitably be dragged in as well.

Whether it was Ichika, Nino, or Itsuki, they were all accustomed to being together.

On the other side.

Fushimi Makoto received a message from Nakano Ichika saying, "We're at your door." When he opened the door and saw the three girls standing before him, he couldn't help but ask, "Nino came too? Ichika, why didn't you tell me in advance?"

Nino, disguised as Ichika, smiled naturally, "Shouldn't this count as a surprise? Besides, your club was just established, so you definitely still need to recruit people."

Her tone and demeanor were all imitating Ichika.

Nakano Ichika also spoke up with a knowing look, "Sorry to bother you, Fushimi-kun. We bought some fruit on the way, please accept it."

While Nakano Itsuki was greeting him, she thought to herself that Ichika's acting seemed a bit more natural.

Fushimi Makoto really didn't notice anything unusual at this moment.

He led the three girls to the living room to take their seats, and as he turned to make tea, Nakano Ichika quietly winked at Nino: He doesn't seem to have recognized you.

Nakano Nino returned a look: Isn't that perfectly normal?

She hadn't intentionally exposed herself, and with her understanding of Ichika, mimicking her was a piece of cake.

She thought proudly.

Afterward, the three girls began to observe their surroundings.

It was their first time at Fushimi Makoto's home; the floors and furniture were very clean, clearly the result of frequent cleaning.

Because of this, Nakano Nino's impression of Fushimi Makoto improved even more.

After Fushimi Makoto brought out the snacks and tea, Nakano Ichika nudged Nino with her arm, and the latter quickly spoke up, "By the way, do you have any plans for club activities?"

"You've come at the right time; I was actually planning to talk to you about that today."