Family Background

"What are you talking about, Mai? The war's only just beginning."

Mai's mother was even more worked up than her daughter and scolded her.

Mai had no choice but to say, "Y-yes, Mom."

"..."

Shuya furrowed his brow but said nothing.

Hanazawa Sakura had no intention of criticizing anyone. She barely knew them.

Though they talked as if they were close, their relationship was purely business.

They couldn't even be called sisters on the surface.

"Shu-chan, it's about time we headed back,"

Hanazawa Sakura said.

"Huh? Oh, okay. See you, Mai-chan. Call me if you need anything."

"Yeah! Okay, bye."

As he got into the car, Shuya said goodbye to Mai and her mother.

Once they were in the car, Hanazawa Sakura teased him. "What's this, Shu-chan? You got Mai-chan's phone number so quickly? Have you fallen for someone else?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I've always been devoted to one person. I think of Mai-chan as my little sister."

"You're a year younger than her, you know?"

"Age doesn't matter."

"...I think age matters a lot."

Hanazawa Sakura's words carried a pointed implication.

Shuya glanced at her but ignored her subtle attempt to persuade him.

Who he liked was his own business. He didn't need to care what anyone else thought.

If she weren't his mother, Shuya would've definitely snapped, "What's it to you?"

But since she was his own mom, he still had to show her some respect.

Still, Shuya turned his head away and fell silent, making the atmosphere in the car a little awkward.

Maeda Saori chuckled awkwardly, trying to say something. "Hahaha, Shu-chan really does love the Quintuplets."

Shuya: "Heh."

Hanazawa Sakura gave a bitter smile and murmured, "If the person in question were the Quintuplets, I wouldn't have to worry..."

Maeda Saori realized she'd stepped on a land mine, so she quietly shut her mouth.

By the time Shuya got home, he'd already collected himself.

"I'm heading over!"

Carrying the five outfits he'd gotten for free, he dashed next door and knocked on the door. "Hey, Quintuplets! It's me. Open up! I've got something good for you!"

"Shu-chan's back?"

But the voice that came from inside belonged to Rena.

"R-R-R-Rena-san?!"

Only then did Shuya remember that it was already seven or eight in the evening and Rena had come home.

Rena opened the door.

She lowered her head, her pink hair falling forward, and curled her lips into a smile. "Did you come to play with Ichika and the others?"

Rena-san was as beautiful as ever today.

Suppressing his pounding heart, Shuya smiled and lifted the big bag.

"No, I was shooting an ad today, remember? The people at Children's Dream gave us all the clothes, so I asked my partner for a few outfits to give to the Quintuplets."

"I see. They'll be very happy. Come on in."

When Rena heard he hadn't bought them specifically for her daughters, she didn't refuse.

If Shuya had bought such expensive clothes specifically for them, she wouldn't have accepted them, even though she knew he earned plenty of money.

It was a matter of moral principle—a teacher had to stand firm.

Shuya understood that without needing to be told. He wouldn't do something like that.

"Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki! Come here!"

"What is it, Shu-chan?"

"You're here, Shu-chan!"

The Quintuplets, who had been gathered around the TV, all came running over. Five identical faces and five pairs of matching big eyes fixed on Shuya.

"These are for you."

Shuya handed them the big bag. "Take a look and see if you like them."

The Quintuplets opened the bag and all leaned in to look.

Nino was the first to shriek. "What a pretty dress!"

"You can go try them on,"

Shuya said considerately.

"Let's try them on!"

"Try them!"

Ichika led the way and ran into the room.

The other four little girls rushed after her.

Rena went along to help them change.

A little while later, Rena smiled and ushered the excited Quintuplets out.

Then five little huskies came charging over and knocked Shuya down.

Five identical little faces chattered excitedly, their voices overlapping until Shuya couldn't make out a single word.

Rena hurried over and pulled Shuya up.

Whoa! So soft!

He felt his head sink into two soft mounds.

"Heh heh heh..."

Shuya couldn't help grinning stupidly.

But the Quintuplets weren't about to let him go. After they'd excitedly babbled away, Miku suddenly asked, "Shu-chan, which one of us do you think is the cutest?"

Shuya was startled.

His survival instinct, born of a man's soul, told him this was a question that could cost him his life!

But!

He wasn't afraid!

Because he wasn't interested in any of them.

As the saying went, desire was a man's weakness.

"I'm definitely the cutest!"

"No, Shu-chan will pick me!"

"Me!"

"Me, me, me, me!"

"It's me!"

"""""It's me!"""""

Shuya calmly watched the Quintuplets start to argue.

The five little girls clumsily imitated the model poses they'd seen on TV, striking all sorts of quirky stances.

Quintuplets, who'd have thought you were JOJO fans!

Shuya snarked to himself, then promptly and without hesitation turned around and boldly hugged Rena, who had been watching the show.

As Rena looked at him in surprise, he said, "Stop arguing, Quintuplets. I think Rena-nee is the cutest!"

Shuya shamelessly took advantage of the confusion to launch a surprise attack on the Quintuplets!

So fragrant, so soft, such long, fair legs, and...

"Oh my."

Looking at Shuya's innocent little face, Rena couldn't help laughing. She didn't mind the hand he'd placed on her lower back.

She rubbed Shuya's head. "Shu-chan, you won't get anything out of praising me like that, you know?"

No, praising you like this will earn me affection points.

Of course, Shuya didn't dare say that out loud.

Naturally, the Quintuplets weren't going to let him off so easily. All ten hands grabbed hold of Shuya and pulled him away from Rena.

Shuya was swallowed up by the five little huskies, utterly resigned to his fate.

He didn't escape until he'd exhausted every word of praise he could think of.

Shuya wasn't lying. The beautiful evening dresses really did make the Quintuplets look like fairies descended from heaven.

If they weren't so energetic, he'd have been even more satisfied.

"By the way, want to take some photos to remember this?"

The Quintuplets all agreed at once, and Rena was tempted too.

"I'll go get the camera!"

Shuya hurried home, ignoring Inoue Hikoo and Hanazawa Sakura, who hadn't had time to separate. He charged straight into their room and grabbed the digital camera.

Before leaving, Shuya considerately reminded them, "Remember to use protection! The family's nearly bankrupt—we can't afford another kid! Hurry up, I'll be back soon."

Inoue Hikoo grimaced. "My talents make it impossible to hurry."

"Inoue Hikoo! What are you talking about?!"

Hanazawa Sakura beat him up, thoroughly putting him in his place.

Shuya had no desire to get involved with those two. He quickly returned next door.

"Come on, come on. Stand together and I'll take your picture."

Shuya had picked up plenty of photography tips from Hirai Ryuji. He raised the camera with a practiced air and was definitely no worse than Teacher Chen.

Rena and the Quintuplets rarely had a chance to take photos, so they eagerly posed for all sorts of pictures.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shuya secretly took plenty of beautiful photos of Rena to keep for himself.

At the end, Shuya joined in for some photos too, at Rena's suggestion.

Section 22: 22 Family Background

While they were taking pictures, Shuya faced a very important question: how should they arrange themselves?

The Quintuplets exchanged glances.

"Hey!"

"I've got you!"