Fushimi Makoto took a stack of papers from under the desk and handed them to the girls. "The detailed plans are all here. I've checked them over and over, so even a complete beginner should be able to follow them."
He'd worked out the details during the Time Loop, so he'd put everything together early that morning.
"Let me see!"
Nakano Ichika was the most eager.
That was exactly what made Fushimi Makoto wonder: Was Nino really so interested in the club? Or had Ichika talked to her about it at home?
The three girls looked over the plans for a while. Nakano Itsuki spoke first. "Did you make all of this yourself?"
"I did." Fushimi Makoto nodded.
Nakano Itsuki made no attempt to hide her admiration. "That's amazing. You can't even call this a plan anymore. It's more like..."
"More like an extremely detailed furniture assembly manual." Nakano Nino picked up where she left off, sounding astonished.
Just as Fushimi Makoto had said, even beginners could understand it.
He'd carefully annotated everything, from the basics of photography to all kinds of technical details. He'd marked the important parts and explained them in plain, easy-to-understand language.
"That's amazing."
Nakano Nino sighed in admiration, too.
Looking through the detailed plan, she realized Fushimi Makoto wasn't just good at photography. He seemed to excel in other areas as well.
Nakano Ichika was the only one who didn't comment.
At the moment, she was feeling touched and happy.
After all, she stood to benefit the most from the club, and the more seriously Fushimi Makoto took it, the more she'd gain.
That even brought back the same "down bad" thought she'd had before: Makoto did all this for my sake, didn't he?
She suddenly regretted playing a prank on him today. Otherwise, she could have thanked him openly right now.
The three girls each had their own thoughts. As Fushimi Makoto explained the plans to them, his earlier suspicions only grew stronger.
Ichika was acting strange! She was far too calm.
Nino was acting strange, too. The way she kept sneaking glances at me was too intense.
Before, he'd only had the faintest inkling.
Now, he'd found proof.
Fushimi Makoto discreetly glanced at Nakano Itsuki. She seemed no different from usual.
So, had they switched identities?
It was just the sort of thing Nakano Ichika, who loved pranks, would do.
He'd reached a conclusion, but had no intention of exposing them just yet.
He was thinking about how to join in on their little game.
To put it another way: Have you had your fun? Now it's my turn.
Right then, Nakano Nino suddenly asked, "Can I take a look at your room?"
She didn't have any ulterior motive. She was simply curious to see the room of a boy who'd made such a good impression on her.
But the moment she said that, Fushimi Makoto smiled to himself.
Thanks for giving me an opening.
Now I know how to join your role-playing game.
"Of course. You girls can keep looking over the plans. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
After saying that, Fushimi Makoto stood up.
Nakano Nino had no idea she'd been found out, and followed him with an expectant look.
Watching the two of them walk away, Nakano Ichika pinched her fingers in frustration.
I haven't even been to his room yet!
Once Fushimi Makoto and Nino had entered the room, Nakano Itsuki glanced at Ichika. "Regretting it?"
Nakano Ichika gave an awkward smile.
"I told you this childish game was pointless, but you insisted on dragging me into it. You even pulled Nino in."
Nakano Itsuki shook her head helplessly and went back to reading her copy of the plan.
Nakano Ichika tried to hide her embarrassment. "I'm not regretting it. I'm just curious why Nino's doing this."
"She's probably just curious about Fushimi's room."
Nakano Itsuki pointed out the truth, then delivered another sisterly blow. "Of course, I can also tell you're even more curious than Nino. You'd love to take her place and go look around."
"I'm only a little curious~ But it's no big deal. We're just looking around, after all. They're not going to shut the door and hide in there."
Nakano Ichika smiled, putting on a carefree air.
But just as she finished speaking, a thud came from the other room.
The door, which had been open a moment ago, suddenly shut.
Nakano Ichika's smile froze on the spot.
Nino, what are you doing?
Nakano Itsuki muttered in confusion, "Did they accidentally bump the door?"
Meanwhile, inside the room...
Nakano Nino was panicking like crazy.
She'd been inside for less than five seconds when Fushimi Makoto shut the door.
More importantly, he was walking toward her step by step. She backed up without thinking until she was against the door, her back pressed to it.
"What's wrong? Do you have something private you wanted to discuss away from the others? If that's really the case, I'm looking forward to hearing it."
Nakano Nino was really dedicated. Even now, she kept up Ichika's carefree act.
Fushimi Makoto didn't answer right away. He raised a hand and planted it against the door behind her, trapping her in a classic kabedon pose.
The next second, Nakano Nino's heart leapt as Fushimi Makoto grinned and asked, "Want to play, Ichika?"
Wait!
Play what?
He couldn't mean playing with me, could he?
Just how close were the two of them?
Nakano Nino was dumbfounded. Her mouth hung open with shock and nerves, perfectly recreating a certain reaction meme.
Nakano Nino Was Thinking of Sneaking Away
In the living room...
Ever since the bedroom door had suddenly closed, Nakano Ichika had found it impossible to sit still.
Meanwhile, Itsuki said calmly beside her, "Fushimi's not going to do anything to Nino. Why do you keep fidgeting?"
Nakano Ichika pointed out the key issue. "But the problem is, he doesn't know Nino's pretending to be me."
"Ichika, you're worrying too much. Nino isn't stupid. If she really feels uncomfortable, she'll just say so." Nakano Itsuki sounded a little helpless. She thought Ichika was getting far too worked up.
Nakano Ichika paused. "That's true."
After Itsuki pointed it out, she relaxed.
After all, she knew Nino and Fushimi Makoto were only acquaintances. There was no way anything would happen between them.
Maybe the door had just closed because of a gust of wind?
Nakano Ichika thought, reassured.
Inside the bedroom...
Nakano Nino was nowhere near as calm as Ichika and Itsuki imagined.
After Fushimi Makoto pinned her against the door, her heart had leapt into her throat. Her breathing quickened with nerves, and her ample chest rose and fell rapidly.
She was ready to reveal herself!
But just then, she saw Fushimi Makoto smile and say, "Ichika's so cute."
"Huh?"
Nakano Nino froze.
Then she realized he was teasing her!
So this is how you two usually act?
As she relaxed, her curiosity about Ichika and Fushimi Makoto's relationship only grew.
She deliberately copied Ichika's tone, sounding playfully annoyed. "That was a little mean. You almost scared me just now."
Was she going to keep acting?
Fushimi Makoto had thought she'd reveal herself, but he hadn't expected her to be so committed to the act.
Nino, you're so dedicated it makes me want to cry.
He came up with a plan, drew his hand back, and said casually, "Didn't you say you'd been feeling a little worn out because of those things? How are you feeling now?"
Those things?
It must be what Itsuki had mentioned... Ichika's secret!
Nakano Nino's eyes flickered. "I'm feeling pretty good. Thanks for asking."
"Pretty good? Didn't you say yesterday that your muscles were sore?" Fushimi Makoto put on a puzzled expression.
Oh no.
Something outside the script had come up.
Nakano Nino had no idea Fushimi Makoto was bluffing. She thought Ichika really had said that, so she had to change her answer. "I mean, I've been making sure to get enough rest these past few days. I'm feeling a lot better now."
"I knew you'd try to tough it out. Never mind. Lie down on the bed, and I'll give you a quick massage."
"What? On the bed?"
Nakano Nino was shocked.
Ichika, are you already close enough with him to go on his bed whenever you want?
Fushimi Makoto gave her an amused look. "What are you thinking? I just meant I'd massage your sore muscles. I've studied it, after all."
"Is that so?"
Nakano Nino was a little torn.
Should I just come clean?
Getting a massage on the bed sounded so embarrassing.
Fushimi Makoto continued, "Since Nino and Itsuki are outside looking over the plan, we can talk about those things of yours in private. Come to think of it, I still think you need to manage your time better. Otherwise, you'll keep having to catch up on sleep during the day, and your studies will continue to suffer."
Hearing that, Nakano Nino finally made up her mind. She could use this opportunity not only to investigate their relationship, but also to find out Ichika's secret.
"You're right. I really should pay attention to that."
Blushing, Nakano Nino went over to the bed.
It's fine. It's just a perfectly proper massage. He looks so calm, so he definitely won't do anything inappropriate.
The girl reassured herself, then gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and flopped down onto the bed.
The movement was so sudden that her skirt swayed several times, revealing her fair thighs.
Fortunately, she noticed and quickly tugged her skirt back down, pretending nothing had happened. Then she found something to talk about. "I didn't know you knew how to give massages."
"I mostly just picked up a few things when I had nothing to do. Like they say, it never hurts to have more skills." This time, Fushimi Makoto was telling the truth.
My guess was right. He really is just trying to help Ichika feel less tired, and he's being perfectly proper about it.
Before you continue