Omniverse Time Loop, I Do Whatever I Want

As it turned out, this very gentle teacher discovered that Fushimi Makoto had not been lying.

His drawing skills were incredibly strong.

Stronger than her own, even!

She had watched from behind Fushimi Makoto for quite a while before finally reaching this conclusion.

This couldn't help but pique her curiosity.

For a high school student to possess such an impressive level of artistic skill, he must have been practicing since he was young.

This beautiful teacher became somewhat distracted.

Fushimi Makoto had already noticed this scene, and to avoid disturbing the other students, he picked up a prepared piece of paper and pen, wrote a line, and handed it over.

Matsukaze Mayu curiously took it, only to see it read: I wasn't lying to you, was I?

A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes as she wrote back: Have you been studying art for a long time?

Fushimi Makoto: Guess.

Matsukaze Mayu: You shouldn't talk to your teacher like that.

Fushimi Makoto: That's a long story; let's find a time to talk about it later.

Matsukaze Mayu was just about to write a reply when she suddenly remembered something.

Did this count as passing notes with a student during class?

She snapped back to reality, only to realize that quite a few students around them were stealing glances; clearly, her behavior had already aroused everyone's suspicion.

Just as she was blushing with embarrassment, Fushimi Makoto suddenly whispered, "Matsukaze-sensei, I think I'll ask for your guidance next time. I feel like I'm disrupting everyone's class."

Matsukaze Mayu was stunned.

He was helping her out of a tight spot.

The curious students around them also had a sudden realization.

So he was just asking the teacher for advice; no wonder they were writing and drawing—he must not have wanted to disturb everyone.

With their curiosity satisfied, everyone lost interest in sneaking peeks.

Matsukaze Mayu endured the embarrassment, feigned composure, lifted her chin, and said in a soft voice, "It's fine. If you have anything you don't understand, feel free to ask."

"I understand."

This little interlude was completely over.

Matsukaze Mayu returned the paper and pen. As she leaned over, the fragrant scent surrounding her enveloped Fushimi Makoto, rushing into his nostrils.

"Let's talk after school," she whispered quietly in Fushimi Makoto's ear.

He could feel the warmth from her lips and teeth gently brushing against his ear.

For members of the opposite sex, this was a very obviously flirtatious gesture.

However, Matsukaze Mayu didn't feel that anything was wrong.

She and Fushimi Makoto lived in the same apartment building, he was her student, and he had just helped her out of an awkward situation; her favorability toward him was constantly rising.

Most importantly, Fushimi Makoto's drawing skills had already piqued her curiosity.

Much like how supernatural events like time loops attracted Yukino.

After school.

As soon as Fushimi Makoto arrived at the playground, Hayato Hayama and his popular friends caught up to him.

"My family gave me a few movie tickets, and I happen to have an extra one. Want to come along?"

Hayato Hayama smiled as he extended the invitation.

Fushimi Makoto was suspicious; he wasn't particularly close with Hayato Hayama, yet the other boy had specifically sought him out after school to invite him to a movie.

He then noticed Miura Yumiko and the others watching him from the side, and it suddenly dawned on him.

It was highly likely that these people had prompted Hayato Hayama to invite him.

This sunny, handsome boy at school was the Hayato Hayama who belonged to "everyone," not to any single person.

Fushimi Makoto was just about to answer when a familiar female voice called out from ahead: "Fushimi-kun~"

He turned to look and saw Nakano Ichika waving at him from the school gate not far away, with four other equally beautiful and moving girls standing beside her.

Fushimi Makoto waved back in acknowledgment and said to Hayato Hayama, "Sorry, I have something to take care of today."

"No worries, we can talk about it another time."

Hayato Hayama didn't seem to mind at all, which clearly confirmed Fushimi Makoto's guess.

As Fushimi Makoto quickened his pace toward the school gate, Hayato Hayama turned back to Miura Yumiko and the others, smiling helplessly. "See? I told you he might be busy lately and wouldn't have the time."

"To think the quintuplets are waiting for him together—could he really be dating Nakano Ichika? But then, what about Yukinoshita-san?" someone remarked with envy.

Hayato Hayama reminded them, "Try not to gossip about other people's private affairs behind their backs, especially topics that easily lead to rumors."

"Oh, sorry..."

Yumiko heard this and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Are you two close?"

"We aren't even that familiar, but the soccer club really wants him to join."

"No wonder you're always so proactive with him. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had a crush on him."

Yumiko teased.

She understood now; Hayato Hayama was a member of the soccer club, and if he could recruit Fushimi Makoto, the club would only become more famous.

On the other side, Fushimi Makoto arrived at the school gate, greeting Nakano Ichika first before acknowledging the other four.

The five sisters reacted in different ways: Ichika had a radiant smile, Nino was staring at him, sizing him up with shimmering eyes.

Miku and Yotsuba were curious.

Itsuki, meanwhile, pursed her lips, maintaining her composure while forcibly suppressing her desire to know the secret Ichika was keeping.

"Are you sure you won't let me treat you to dinner today? I really am free."

The first words out of Nakano Ichika's mouth immediately shocked the four girls beside her.

Four pairs of eyes fell simultaneously on Fushimi Makoto and Nakano Ichika.

Nakano Nino, in particular, looked like she had something she wanted to say but was holding back.

If she weren't so unfamiliar with Fushimi Makoto, she probably would have already started "interrogating" Ichika.

Fushimi Makoto put on a thoughtful expression: "Inviting me specifically in front of your sisters—is that to lower the chances of me refusing again?"

"Eh? Was I seen through?" Nakano Ichika giggled, showing no embarrassment at being exposed.

"After all, it's easy to guess. If you were rejected in front of your sisters, you'd lose a bit of face."

"So, does that mean you agree?"

"As sorry as I am, I refuse."

Nakano Ichika froze.

Fushimi Makoto pointed toward the school: "I didn't explain myself clearly. I have plans with Matsukaze-sensei today, so dinner will have to be another time."

The five sisters instinctively looked back and actually saw Matsukaze Mayu not far away, walking alongside Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Then let's do it next time." Nakano Ichika recovered her smile.

Fushimi Makoto asked: "If I had agreed just now, would you have taken the opportunity to drag me along to invite Yukinoshita?"

Nakano Ichika was genuinely surprised this time: "Is my thinking that obvious?"

Of course not, it's just that I've figured you out through the time loops.

Fushimi Makoto didn't explain: "Another day. I'll help you invite Yukinoshita another day."

"It's a deal then~ We're heading back now, see you tomorrow."

Before leaving, Nakano Ichika openly obtained Fushimi Makoto's contact information.

This scene shocked the other four girls once again.

Not long after the five girls left the school, Nakano Nino couldn't hold back anymore: "Ichika, what is your relationship with this famous Fushimi-kun..."

The others also looked on with great interest.

Being able to ask for contact information directly meant this was no longer a normal classmate relationship; it was time to strike hard... no, wait, it was time for an interrogation!

Nakano Ichika looked natural: "I suppose we're friends now."

Except for Nakano Itsuki, who had already guessed as much, the other three wore expressions of astonishment.

Nakano Nino asked suspiciously: "You haven't had a single male friend since we were little."

"Nino, are you so concerned because Fushimi-kun's appearance fits your type?"

"What? Don't slander me!" Nakano Nino blushed.

Even though she had indeed been critiquing Fushimi Makoto's looks in her head just a moment ago.

He was exactly her type!

"Alright, I know you all want to dig for information about him. Even though I don't know much, I'll tell you what I do know."

Nakano Ichika smiled with a mischievous glint, quite satisfied with Nino's reaction.

She glanced back at Fushimi Makoto, who was still at the school gate, and recalled what he had said at noon.

He had so many intriguing secrets; no wonder Yukinoshita-san was so concerned about him.

She wanted to have microphone access to their encrypted conversations, too.

It was at this glance back that Nakano Ichika noticed Itsuki was also looking back.

Hm?

What was going on here?

Chapter 8: Is it that hard to admit you care?

Fushimi Makoto watched the Nakano sisters leave, then asked the system in his mind: "FW System, why aren't there any tasks related to Nino and the others?"

[Because I am an intern system, there is a limit to the number of tasks I can dispatch at once.]

"You're really making things difficult for me."

[Why?]

"If you could keep dispatching tasks to me, I could help you finish your internship sooner. In other words, you're hindering your own progress."

[Stop scolding me, please! I'm counting on you for all my system internship tasks.]

Just as Fushimi Makoto finished teasing the system, Hiratsuka Shizuka and Matsukaze Mayu happened to walk over.

"Fushimi-kun, sorry to keep you waiting."

Matsukaze Mayu looked quite happy.

Hiratsuka Shizuka asked curiously from the side, "Did you two have this planned?"

"Yes, I have something to consult him about, and it just so happens we live in the same apartment building."

"I see. In that case, I won't disturb you two."

Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled at Fushimi Makoto and took the initiative to leave.

As Matsukaze Mayu and Fushimi Makoto walked home, she was just about to ask him about his drawing skills when she heard him speak first: "Are you going grocery shopping today, Matsukaze-sensei?"

"That's right. I've run out of ingredients at home."

"Then, shall we go together?"

"You need to buy groceries and cook, too?"

"Not just that. I mean, we could have dinner together."

As Fushimi Makoto said this, he looked at the slightly surprised Matsukaze Mayu and added, "My cooking skills are actually quite high."

"How high exactly?" Matsukaze Mayu asked instinctively.