Someone's Stealing Our Home!

It seems that my thoughts and personality have been completely controlled by the other party.

That familiar feeling from last time resurfaced in my mind once again.

Fushimi Makoto asked, "Isn't it worth asking about something so obvious?"

Nakano Maruo paused for a second, then nodded slightly. "You're right, it was my oversight."

He then leaned forward slightly, adopting a listening posture. "Are you sure you can do those two things I just mentioned?"

"Alright, I'll teach you a simple method, the kind that works immediately. You'll see the results in a moment." Fushimi Makoto was prepared.

"Good."

Nakano Maruo agreed.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Fushimi Makoto seemed to have just remembered, and said with utmost seriousness, "If I successfully accomplish these two tasks, please entrust Nino to me with complete peace of mind."

Nakano Maruo: "?"

At the same time, a system notification sound rang.

[Congratulations, host, on completing the mission.]

Chapter 74 Someone's raiding our base!

[Congratulations, host, on completing the mission.]

[Reward for this mission (Nakano Nino's Gift): Nino's strength and strictness are the five sisters' strongest support. She possesses extremely strong initiative and charisma. Whenever the host's emotions become intense in any matter, you can easily influence everyone around you.]

Fushimi Makoto's first thought upon receiving the reward was: What does "intense emotional contagion" mean?

If you're playing a game and your teammates are messing up for you, and Yukino happens to be sitting next to you watching, will Yukino also join in and become a keyboard warrior, arguing against your teammates on the spot?

Just to be on the safe side, Fushimi Makoto quickly asked himself the same question.

[The host's understanding is correct.]

Is that really what you mean?

Doesn't that equate to a powerful, wide-area control skill?

Fushimi Makoto suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.

Strong crowd control is a valuable skill; in the game, it allows for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Although the triggering condition requires one's own emotions to be intense, this does not detract from its excellence as a strong control mechanism for the team.

Fushimi Makoto didn't think too much about it, because he had other things to deal with right now.

Just like Nakano Maruo.

His tone had softened considerably because of Fushimi Makoto's initiative in showing goodwill and offering help.

As a result, Fushimi Makoto blurted out, "Please entrust Nino to me with peace of mind."

If it weren't for Matsukaze Mayu's Madonna Halo bringing her approachability, Nakano Maruo would probably be angrily kicking her out right now.

One second you're offering to help me, the next you're revealing your own "ambition." Are you even going to stop pretending?

Also, shouldn't you be closer to Ichika?

A mix of emotions welled up inside Nakano Maruo, but he maintained a composed expression on his face. "What did you mean by what you just said?"

Fushimi Makoto held up one finger. "What do you think of Nino's ability to take action?"

"That child is naturally very proactive; I've witnessed it firsthand over the years... Hmm?"

Nakano Maruo realized what was going on and asked suspiciously, "Do you perhaps know that they resist studying, so you want to get Nino's consent first?"

"That's right," Fushimi Makoto admitted.

Nakano Maruo then realized his misunderstanding and said softly, "Nino probably won't accept your suggestion so easily."

"I will find a way. As for now, I would like to ask Mr. Nakano to join forces with me. Let's do it together." Fushimi Makoto extended his hand to him.

Nakano Maruo looked at the hand. "I suddenly remembered that Ms. Yukinoshita once said that you usually act quite mature, but occasionally you also have a boyish side."

After saying that, he grasped Fushimi Makoto's hand. "Your current confidence is exactly what young people are prone to getting carried away with, but... I'm willing to cooperate with you."

After reaching an agreement, the two went to the next private room together.

Before the door even opened, the voices of the girls inside could be heard coming from inside.

"Ichika, you're being silly again! Put the seats back in their original positions right now! Do you think I don't know you arranged the seats like this so you could sit with Makoto?"

"Heh heh, even though you saw right through me, I still have to refuse your request."

"You're not going to switch, huh? Yotsuba, help me hold down Ichika."

"Alright!"

Nakano Maruo stood silently at the door for a few seconds, his expression indescribable.

His daughters' liveliness was a good thing, but this level of liveliness was giving him a bit of a headache.

Fushimi Makoto spoke up at the opportune moment, "Mr. Nakano, it's our turn to take the stage."

Nakano Maruo but remained silent.

When he pushed open the door to the private room, the noise inside immediately stopped.

Five beautiful eyes turned to look.

Nino and Yotsuba had been holding Ichika down from both sides, but when they saw Fushimi Makoto and his father appear at the door, she blushed a little and quickly let go.

When Yotsuba saw that she had let go, she stopped as well.

Ichika wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, she smiled and brought up the topic, "Father, are you finished talking? Then you can have the waiter bring the food. Itsuki has been saying she's hungry the whole time."

"I didn't," Itsuki said loudly, her face flushed.

As Fushimi Makoto and Nakano Maruo took their seats, the lively atmosphere in the private room began to fade.

The food and drinks the girls ordered were served later.

Fushimi Makoto glanced at Nakano Maruo beside him.

That means: We can begin.

Nakano Maruo hesitated for a second, as if he had just finished an internal struggle, before slowly saying, "You should change your drinks to room temperature ones. Drinking too many cold drinks while eating can have a negative impact on your health."

The five sisters were all stunned for a moment.

Their father would never have expressed his concern so directly before.

Nakano Maruo naturally noticed the looks in his daughters' eyes. He didn't stop, and as planned, reached out, pretending to take the juice from Ichika, who was closest to him.

"Huh? No way."

Nakano Ichika instinctively protected her juice.

As if it were "Auto-Targeting and finding its way," Nakano Maruo reached out even further, trying to grab Nino's.

"Wait, mine is at room temperature." Nakano Nino mimicked Ichika's action and protected her drink as well.

Nakano Maruo's arms are only so long; even if he wanted to take Miku's things, he simply couldn't reach them.

So the scene looked like he was the one who was embarrassed, his outstretched arm frozen in mid-air.

"Mr. Nakano's concern has failed," Fushimi Makoto said, shaking his head as if sighing.

Ichika, who had been observing the situation closely, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Laughter is always contagious; once she started laughing, everyone else couldn't help but join in.

"Dad, you look so silly right now," Nakano Ichika laughed, leaning back in her chair.

Nakano Nino smiled helplessly, "I know you mean well, but what kind of father snatches his daughter's drink right in front of her? That's just too weird!"

Miku Nakano nodded. "To be honest, you should have just spoken to Fushimi-kun directly; that way, it wouldn't have been so awkward."

"There's a classmate in our class who's a bit slow on the uptake, and he's had that same expression on his face as his dad, that kind of blank look," Nakano Yotsuba chimed in.

Nakano Itsuki didn't participate in the roast session; she was secretly observing Fushimi Makoto's reaction.

Because she had personally witnessed Fushimi Makoto chatting and laughing with the teachers at the school.

The principal's past glorious deeds were also spread by the other party.

Therefore, she suspected that Fushimi Makoto was up to something again.

Nakano Maruo was genuinely embarrassed, being the target of his daughters' collective criticism.

Despite the awkwardness, he could clearly sense that the atmosphere was gradually becoming more lively.

Just like when the five sisters used to play around.

The trick he just used was taught to him by Fushimi Makoto. His reasoning was that a down-to-earth and somewhat clumsy father figure is often more approachable than your strict and unapproachable demeanor.

So he slowly sat back down. "Are you sure you don't need to change it to room temperature?"

"No need, girls prefer cold drinks," Nakano Ichika declined with a smile.

Nakano Maruo stopped talking.

He's already used all his skills; now it's Fushimi Makoto, to follow the rhythm.

"Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on tutoring?" Fushimi Makoto asked.

Apart from Itsuki, the other four people all showed expressions of resistance or headache upon hearing this.

Fushimi Makoto then looked at Nakano Maruo: "It seems Mr. Nakano was right. I just told him next door that I could become your tutor. But he told me that he would prefer you to offer it yourself, rather than forcing me to become your tutor."

"Huh?"

The five sisters all looked at their father.

When did I say that?

Nakano Maruo maintained a calm expression.

"I was confused at first, but after seeing Mr. Nakano's somewhat awkward way of expressing his concern, I finally understand now."

Fushimi Makoto, with an air of determination, said to the five sisters, "I will do my best to become your tutor."

"No way!"

"Makoto, have you taken the wrong medicine?"

"Fushimi-kun, please forgive me for declining."

The atmosphere suddenly became lively, but also a bit chaotic.

Although the girls were protesting, they were noticeably less reserved than when Fushimi Makoto and his companion had entered.

Nakano Maruo stared blankly at Fushimi Makoto, who had "voluntarily taken the blame," wondering if this was also part of your plan.

They drew their attention to themselves, and I became the teammate who cared about them and wanted to respect their feelings.

Is he really a genius?

Nakano Maruo recalled the scene of Mrs. Yukinoshita praising Fushimi Makoto.

He even began to suspect that the woman might want her daughter to date the man.

But if that's the case, what about Ichika?

His impression of Fushimi Makoto changed from "a young man" to "a reliable teammate".

With Fushimi Makoto providing support, the atmosphere became even more pleasant.

He could casually steer the conversation to Nakano Maruo while the girls were complaining about their tutors.

This allows Nakano Maruo to keep up with the pace and express his concern for his daughter in a slightly clumsy way.

After the meal, Nakano Maruo clearly felt that his daughters were no longer reserved, and even Ichika and the others dared to joke about him.

Never before has there been such a wonderful start!

Although this feeling made him somewhat uncomfortable, he was genuinely happy inside.

After Fushimi Makoto took control of the conversation, he quietly withdrew, and the baton of controlling the pace of the conversation naturally fell to Nakano Maruo.

Seeing that the time was right, he made an excuse to go to the restroom, hoping to create a better atmosphere for his conversation with his daughter.