I stepped into the classroom and immediately spotted Miku already in her seat.
It happens every time—my eyes automatically search for her the moment I walk in.
I was a bit late today since I'd been washing the pile of dishes that had built up over the past few days. Miku sat in the middle row, which meant I had to walk right past her desk. As I walked, a thought crossed my mind.
Should I greet her?
We were a little closer now… right?
While I was still debating what to do, I suddenly found myself right beside her desk. At that exact moment, she looked up—and our eyes met.
I flinched, panic kicking me into making a split-second decision.
"G-Good morning?" I blurted out with an awkward smile.
She didn't smile back.
Well, she rarely showed much expression anyway—she was always hard to read.
At least for other people.
Not for me.
But she did return the greeting.
"Good morning," she replied softly—and despite her usual calm tone, it didn't sound indifferent at all.
"Dude, she isn't ignoring you anymore. Did something happen?" Kundo, my desk mate, whispered with barely contained disbelief the moment I settled down.
I couldn't stop the grin that tugged at my lips. Leaning closer, I whispered back,
"You could say that."
For some reason, his comment made me feel oddly… pleased.
Since Miku wasn't ignoring me anymore, I'd planned to invite her to lunch today.
However, it seemed she already had plans with her sisters and left the classroom early.
I let out a disappointed sigh.
Well… I was heading to the cafeteria anyway.
Might as well check on them.
I absolutely cannot let any progress happen between them and Fuutarou. If I could've prevented it, I would've stopped Yotsuba from falling for him too—if not for the fact that she's already in love with him without even realizing it.
And I don't want to manipulate any of them. That's absolutely unacceptable.
I'll face them honestly, head-on, with my own feelings.
And if—despite everything—they fall for someone else, then I'll congratulate them sincerely and pray for their happiness.
That would be my loss, which is irrelevant.
Because as long they're happy… i would never lose.
------
I made sure to head to the cafeteria a little late—just enough so it wouldn't look like I was following her. The place was crowded as usual, and I had to stand in a long line before finally getting my tonkatsu sandwiches and some other side dishes.
All the while, I kept scanning the room.
I eventually spotted them—all five sisters—sitting together near the middle of the cafeteria. The place was huge, so spotting them wasn't very easy.
I found an empty table in the far corner and settled down by myself.
Honestly, that was my preference anyway. Here, no one bothered me, and I didn't have to pretend to care.
Though, soon after, someone sat down at the same table without a word. Not that he needed my permission in the first place.
When I lifted my gaze to see who it was, I found Uesugi Fuutarou—the so-called protagonist. He shot a brief glance toward the Nakano sisters before turning away with a frustrated look on his face.
I stayed silent, focusing on my lunch and not bothering with him at all. I hate this guy. There was a time when I genuinely liked him, but his ultimate ignorance completely changed my opinion of him.
He didn't say anything to me either—which was only natural. The guy's a bit of a narcissist and a loner after all.
I slipped a slice of peach into my mouth and stole a brief glance at the Nakano sisters before lowering my gaze. Under my breath, I muttered, "You should just give up."
I hadn't intended to say anything to Fuutarou—but I guess some of my frustration still leaked through.
Fuutarou paused mid-bite and frowned.
"…Excuse me?" he said.
I didn't look at him.
"You heard me," I muttered again.
His frown deepened. "I don't know what you're thinking, but this has nothing to do with you."
That was when I finally lifted my head. My gaze met his—steady, sharp, and serious.
"It does," I said quietly.
"Because if this continues… you'll end up hurting the girl I love."
He looked taken aback at first, but then something seemed to click in his mind.
"…I remember now. You're that guy from the rooftop," he said, pointing a finger at me. Thank god he kept his voice low enough not to draw attention.
"By the girl you love, do you mean Miku?" he continued. "For your information, I was hired by their father to tutor them."
He shrugged, wearing a nonchalant smile as he said it.
"In that case…" I muttered, my voice low and steady.
"What if I pay you the same amount?" I asked seriously. "Would you give up on them?"
The reason he'd taken this job in the first place was to earn money and ease his family's financial burdens. And even though I didn't currently have the means to match his pay, if he actually agreed…
I would do everything in my capability to get that money.
However, he returned my offer with a faint, disdainful look.
"I don't need that kind of money," he said. "I've already decided to make them study and graduate properly. I'm going to see it through."
With that, he stood up, tray empty in his hands.
I smiled faintly, my gaze lowered.
As expected—he didn't accept.
But before he could walk away, I made one final remark.
"They will graduate," I said firmly, loud enough for him to hear clearly. "Even if they don't study under you."
He paused, glanced back at me weirdly, then turned away and left without another word.
I left the cafeteria soon after and walked down the corridor, my thoughts drifting far from my surroundings.
Studying was a crucial factor. With their current mindset, there was no way they'd graduate. I needed to find a way to persuade them—or, change their mentality.
But before any of that could happen, there was one thing I had to do first.
I had to get closer to them.
While I was lost in my thoughts, someone suddenly sneaked up behind me. A pair of hands rested on my shoulders, and the incredibly soft sensation pressing against my back was unmistakable.
"Hello." a soft, teasing feminine voice whispered by my ear.
Goosebumps raced across my skin, and heat rushed to my face. I recognized that voice instantly—but before my mind could fully process it, my body reacted on its own, and I quickly put some distance between us.
A girl stood before me with very short, light pink hair, a single long strand falling along the right side of her face. A teasing smile curved her lips, and she wore her uniform in her usual carefree manner, the skirt sitting a little shorter than regulation.
It was Ichika Nakano—the eldest sister.
'Weren't they all the same size?' I thought to myself, 'Must just be my imagination?'
"Ahem." I cleared my throat. "How can I help you?"
"Hmm~" she hummed, stepping closer with her hands tucked behind her back. Her movements were deliberately teasing, and she only stopped a few inches away—utterly disregarding the concept of personal space. Then she leaned forward, tilting her head up to look at me.
"Are you Miku's friend?"
"Not yet," I replied without hesitation, my expression serious. "But I want to be more than just a friend."
"For example?" she asked softly, an amused smile tugging at her lips.
"First, her boyfriend," I said calmly. "Then her husband—if possible."
She froze for a moment, then took a few steps back, clearly taken aback.
"Wow… how can you say something like that with a straight face?"
I smirked. "I have nothing to be ashamed of."
She stepped to the side and gave my back a firm smack. "Haha, you're totally right."
"I've only heard a little about you," I continued, "but judging by your personality—and your looks—you must be her elder sister, Ichika."
"You're right again," she said, touching her chest as she proudly announced,
"You can also call me big sister."
"Sure, big sister," I replied jokingly—after all, I was actually a few months older than her. "I'm Ren Hayama. Nice to meet you." I smiled and offered my hand.
"You're such a good boy," she said with an approving nod, "Unlike a certain stubborn guy." Then she smiled brightly. "Hmm, nice to meet you too. If you ever need help with Miku, you can come talk to me."
Her tone was energetic and friendly—but the moment our hands met, my grip tightened. I pulled her a little closer, gently cupping her cheek with my free hand. My thumb traced just beneath her eye in a slow, deliberate motion.
"That's all well and good, big sister," I said calmly, "but your eyes look a bit strained. Have you been overworking yourself?"
Her face flushed crimson as she went uncharacteristically meek for a brief moment. Her lips parted, trembling slightly—before she hastily pulled herself together.
"How bold," she said, forcing a teasing tone and smile as she tried to regain control. "Aren't you ashamed? You know, I could end up becoming your sister-in-law one day."
I immediately withdrew my hands, raising them in surrender as I took a step back.
"Please don't misunderstand," I said calmly. "I was only worried about big sister. You look like you're in desperate need of proper sleep."
I smiled lightly.
"It wouldn't be good for your health—or for that beautiful skin of yours."
If calling her big sister please her, then I didn't mind indulging her at all.
"Is that so? I thought you were just unfaithful," she teased.
"Of course not." I placed a hand over my chest. "I love Nakano-san with all my heart."
With that, I turned around.
"Let's meet again, big sister. I'll be in your care from now on."
And before she could say anything else, I sprinted away.
Ichika remained where she was, watching his figure disappear down the corridor.
"…He does realize all five of us are Nakano, right?" she muttered.
Still slightly shaken, she placed a hand over her chest, feeling her heart still racing.
"This guy is bad news."