After laughing, the five returned to their respective rooms, even though it was only past 8 pm, they wanted to quickly rest and save energy to enjoy tomorrow's activities.
Miku stayed in the room for a while, and came down again not long after, when she was about to go to the toilet she heard voices from the balcony.
"Shinichi-kun, are you sleeping?"
Is that Ichika?
What did she say...
Miku was suspicious, lightened her steps, and quietly approached the balcony door.
There, Ichika was talking into her cell phone's microphone, the night wind was blowing her short hair, and there was a smile on her face.
"About tomorrow's matter, I thought of a pretty good idea, remember to call me back when you see this voicemail in the morning."
"Anyway, it's too much to still ignore me today, I always feel that 'accomplices' have no sense of existence at all..."
"Well, that's it~ good night, let's work hard together tomorrow."
Ichika released the record button, looked at the voicemail, and didn't get the reminder that it had been read after more than ten seconds, and finally let out a helpless sigh.
She understands Shinichi's busy life these days, but like the relationship between a man and a woman, once a positive change occurs in the relationship, she wants to be closer to him and communicate more.
That's why she was acting like a very clingy person, sending him more than 24 messages of different lengths in less than 24 hours after confirming the 'accomplice' relationship, she knew that she would definitely be caught by Shinichi.
But knowing that was one thing, and whether she could refuse to do so was another matter… After all, humans were creatures that could easily become unintentional.
Ichika raised her hand, took a sexy but cute pose, took a photo under the night sky and walked out of the balcony.
"Hmm~ I don't know if she likes taking pictures enjoying the cool night breeze..." Ichika stretched her waist so that her thin pajamas revealed her plump figure, pressed the send button, and put down her cell phone.
"Although it may not get good reviews, but who cares, he dares to ignore my message, then I will take a selfie to harass you~"
Ichika hummed softly and was about to return to her room.
"Ichika."
"!?"
Ichika's body froze, and she turned around.
Miku stood still by the balcony door, her fingertips gripping the hem of her dress at some point.
"Mi-Miku, when did you..." Ichika changed her expression to a relaxed smile, "Really, did you play peekaboo with Onee-san? Standing quietly at night scares me~"
At this time, Miku took a step forward.
Ichika stepped back reflexively, her smile becoming a little forced.
In the end, in Miku's dimmed eyes, Ichika realized that she had made a mistake out of guilt.
"Ichika..." Miku whispered softly, her chest rising and falling, stabilizing her emotions, "... What did you just do?"
Ichika replied as if nothing had happened.
"No, it's fine... Haha, if I put it like this, you'll only get angry."
She approached Miku who lowered her head.
"I can explain..."
Wanting to put her hand on her head, Ichika hesitated, then grabbed her arm and shook it.
"Didn't I tell you? You liked Shinichi-kun before I did. As a sister, I won't argue with you until you get the result… Don't worry."
Obviously saying that, Ichika bit her lip, an unwilling expression on her face.
When Miku raised her head to look at her, this look was hidden again, and the tenderness and guilt that a sister should have returned to her face.
"Then… What does 'accomplice' mean?"
Miku asked with anticipation and hope.
Ichika didn't mean to crush that hope, but he couldn't tell Miku the truth.
This was a deal between her and Shinichi, if she says it, it means she betrayed the person she likes and trusts.
And...
Even though she's weak, even if it's just wishful thinking, Ichika doesn't want to give up just like that, the 'accomplices' relationship is so hard to come by.
For her, it is valuable and can warm.
"Sorry, this is a secret between Shinichi-kun and me. At least for now, I can't tell you."
"...Mmm." Miku nodded and expressed her understanding.
Now that Ichika said that, it wasn't easy for her to keep asking questions… Even though she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart, she didn't want to force Ichika to confess to herself because of her selfishness.
(This feeling of pressure really sucks... Obviously Shinichi is not mine, and we are not lovers, why...)
Seeing Miku's sad face, for some reason, Ichika felt a little... Proud.
Just like the feelings generated in the bath back then, because of the imbalanced information, she was deriving the prideful pleasure of her sister with great disdain.
The heart hurts, but brings the opposite pleasure.
She tried her best not to look weird on her face.
Miku loosened her fist, and continued.
"Then why... You selfie?"
Ichika can answer this question without guilt.
"Because I wanted to tease him. This is how I get along with Shinichi-kun. Didn't Miku know that from the start? I thought you didn't care."
She smiled slightly disappointed, and said, "Sorry, I won't be doing this in the future. After all, sending a selfie to someone my sister likes is a really bad thing."
From the bottom of her heart she thought so.
Therefore, Miku easily believed her words.
"It's not that serious, I really don't care..." Seeing Ichika showing a self-blame expression, Miku comforted her.
"Ichika can do whatever you want, don't care about me, and don't change your attitude towards Shinichi because of me... I believe in you, but I don't want to hold you back..."
"Now, how should I put it... Actually, I don't really know, like I said before... I can't always confirm my own thoughts, so... I..."
Miku was still hesitating, unable to decide to face her own heart.
To bystanders, Ichika pity her.
(Really... Silly child...)
Thinking of this, she spoke. "...Yeah, after all, liking someone doesn't mean wanting to monopolize him."
She raised her hand and touched Miku's head,
However, her eyes were dyed with a strange color.
"Because I want to monopolize him, Miku is currently very depressed because of my relationship with Shinichi-kun... But, who said that if you like him, you have to date him? Since there is no relationship, it doesn't matter how many people like him, right?"
Leaning against her ear, Ichika whispered softly.
"Don't think about monopolizing him, it will only worsen our sister's relationship… Before he actually gets along with someone, let's both like him, in our own way."
Miku slowly opened her eyes wide, and an expression of realization appeared.
Ichika reached behind Miku, made her feel comfortable, hugged her gently, and patted her back.
Pressing her chin on her slender shoulders, Ichika looked at the dim night view beyond the balcony and she flashed a bright smile befitting the occasion.
"Then this is our new rule. Miku, remember that…"
Yes, during this period of time, they could always get some unexpected changes.
Either for better or for worse.
—The chains still tightly locked onto her heart, without breaking.
However, Ichika found space to stretch out her arms and legs under this restraint.
So, she decided to change the way she did things.
In order to be closer to the person she likes without guilt.
—Also, for the sake of Miku, who is stupid and doesn't know how to like Shinichi.