This Time, He's Getting It for Free

Nino retorted irritably, "No way! I wanted to go shopping! My friends dragged me to queue up for albums! I'm exhausted!"

She went crazy just thinking about the hellish crowds.

"That's really scary..."

"Exactly, Inoue -kun has way too many fans..."

Yotsuba and Itsuki nodded, still shaken.

"Haha, I'm lucky. My friend gave it to me directly; I didn't have to wait in line."

Ichika smiled.

"... So you all have Inoue- kun's albums?"

Miku said.

Nino stammered, "Well, I guess so. Although it wasn't my intention."

Ichika teased, "It's just an album, it's nothing. I don't mind at all."

Yotsuba scratched her head. "Yeah, it's not like we're meeting Inoue- kun. It's just an album, what's the big deal?"

Itsuki nodded in agreement. "That's right, Nino, you're being too sensitive."

"Hmph... Hmph!"

Nino wanted to argue, but considering how resolute she had been that morning, and how she had still ended up buying the album, she lost her confidence and said nothing.

"So, among us, only Miku hasn't gotten it yet?"

"It happened in Itsuki," he suddenly said.

"Um?"

Miku paused for a moment, then smiled slightly, "Recommendation... I can recommend the best song from your album."

Nino: "Huh?"

Yotsuba: "Oh."

Itsuki: "Hmm."

Ichika smiled and said, "I knew it."

Miku covered the earphones around her neck, a hint of smugness in her eyes, and said, "Actually... I bought them online at midnight, and I've been listening to them since this morning."

"What?!"

Nino was shocked.

"I pre-ordered the album a while ago and will pick it up later. I wasn't lying when I said I wouldn't buy it today."

Miku explains.

Upon hearing this, Yotsuba laughed lively, "Hahaha, you really can't compare to Miku!"

Itsuki smiled, "Really, you made a reservation without saying a word. That's so typical of you."

"Won't Nino be angry if I say it?"

Miku glanced at Nino.

"... Ugh, nothing I say now will be convincing."

Nino was dejected.

Ichika waved her little hand generously. "Come on, Nino, don't be like that! Now that we've got them, let's have an appreciation meeting! If we don't like what we hear, we'll go complain together!"

Yotsuba, brimming with energy, raises her hand. "Oh! I'm filing a complaint!"

Itsuki smiled and nodded, "Let's find the flaws."

Nino's spirits lifted. "Yes! That's it! I'm using this album for research!"

She finally found a reason to convince herself.

Miku said confidently, "Then you'll be disappointed."

Nino glanced sideways and said, "Hey, Miku, which side are you on?"

"Ah."

Miku was in a dilemma.

On one hand, she cared about her sister's feelings; on the other hand, she loved music and didn't want to lie about it.

"Okay, enough of that, let's listen to some music."

Ichika took charge of the overall situation.

So the Quintuplets brought out their laptops, put in the CDs, and listened to them from the beginning...

Yotsuba exclaimed, moved, "It sounds wonderful! I can't find any fault with it!"

Itsuki nodded reluctantly. "Although Inoue -kun has serious character flaws, I have to admit he is talented."

Ichika said enviously, "That singing is amazing!"

Miku nodded repeatedly. "I told you it sounded great!"

Nino gritted her teeth. "Wake up, all of you! How did you all defect to the enemy? Do it again, I refuse to believe I can't find fault with you!"

"Eh---but I'm hungry, Nino go cook some rice?"

Itsuki collapsed onto the sofa.

Upon hearing this, all five men's stomachs growled.

In the awkward silence, Yotsuba's laughter became the catalyst for everyone to laugh as well.

After laughing enough, Nino put her hands on her hips and said, "Okay, let's forget about Shu-chan! I'm going to cook."

Ichika: "Ah."

Miku: "Huh?"

Yotsuba: "Hahaha, Nino!"

Itsuki pointed at Nino and said, "Nino, you just said it, Shu-chan."

Nino tilted her head in deep thought.

One second, two seconds... about ten seconds later.

She walked casually to the kitchen. "Okay! Time to cook!"

Ichika lunged at him, clearly annoyed. "Nino, where do you think you're going! You had the nerve to talk back to me before! Take this!"

"Hahaha! Haha! No, don't tickle me, it's so itchy, hahahaha!"

Ichika pinned Nino down, Nino struggled desperately, crying, "I'm sorry! I was wrong, okay? Let me go, hahaha!"

"Haha! Nino so lame, Ernai!"

Yotsuba jumped up and down.

Miku and Itsuki exchanged a smile.

The Quintuplets' cheerful laughter filled the living room.

---The daily life of the Quintuplets remains as peaceful as ever.

Congratulations! Congratulations!

"By the way, have you heard this rumor?"

What rumor?

"I heard that at our school, if you fail the retake exam twice, you have to be expelled."

"Haha, how could that be!"

"Haha, that's true!"

Congratulations!

I can confidently say I'll rest tomorrow! sobs

Section 596, Page 554: This wave... this wave was a freebie.

"You mean... Mai- san is officially dating you?"

Yukino found it unbelievable.

Based on her understanding of Mai, she knew she wouldn't be dating Shuya at this time.

Since that's the case, there's only one truth---

Yukino demanded, "What despicable methods did you use? Did you force yourself on me?! You pervert!"

Shuya was taken aback and explained, "No, no, no, we're not dating. We just kissed."

"... Is that so? That's good..."

Yukino realized she had misunderstood Shuya and was initially a little embarrassed, but then she suddenly realized something was wrong and blurted out:

"Wait a minute, you two aren't dating but you kissed? That's really weird!"

"But we've kissed, even though we've never dated."

Shuya the Way.

Yukino realized. "I get it now, it was you who ambushed me again, you scum, you social trash. Please don't come within ten meters of me."

She used her sharp tongue to her advantage.

Shuya ignored her words and said, "Besides, Mai- chan already knows that we kissed."

Yukino leaned back slightly. "???"

She opened her mouth, stunned.

... Her expression is so cute.

Shuya admired her adorable, blank expression, then reached out and blocked Yukino's slap.

He asked, puzzled, "Why did you hit me?"

I'm shocked! These days, girls even hit honest young men like him. The world is going to the dogs.

"Don't you know why I hit you?"

Yukino's gaze was as cold as ice.

Shuya knew what she was thinking and chuckled easily, "Don't worry, Mai- chan already guessed what was going on between us, saying you had too many flaws."

"..."

Yukino slowly withdrew her hand, remaining silent for a moment. "... Actually, I guessed she had guessed it too."

You guys are using this set of matryoshka dolls.

Shuya chimed in, "However, I also guessed that you guessed it and she guessed it too."

"Do you think what you're saying is funny? Shut up."

"Aww."

Shuya looked as wronged as a 1.8-meter-tall child.

Yukino pondered for a moment before asking, "Didn't Mai- san say anything?"

"No, she doesn't really care."

Shuya replied.

Yukino hesitated, "Then, then I should..."

Shuya waved his hand to stop her from continuing, and said coolly, "You should resolve this by talking to her directly. I won't say any more."