Walking out of the dark staircase, Shinichi leaned directly against the wall beside him, clutching his stomach, his indifferent expression slowly changing to one of pain.
——Nino is too ruthless!
When her fist hit his stomach, Shinichi really felt like he was going to vomit his bile.
Nino is completely merciless, and she is quite strong. If she practices karate and judo, it is estimated that ordinary perverts can't beat her at all.
Already anticipating that tomorrow's stomach would be black and blue, Shinichi could only smile wryly.
(I have to train my abs when I get back. Even if I get beaten up, I have to calm down and say it's okay, at least I can't make embarrassing noises like I just did...)
However, no regrets.
Some words could only be said if he was but if he could achieve the expected goal, this bit of embarrassment and torment was nothing.
——Even he grew gradually.
Nothing will stay the same, just need a little reason to push yourself that doesn't want to change.
He got enough reasons from those people, so he changed and became stronger and more mature than his past self.
(..No, maybe I'm immature, it's just that my skin is thicker.)
Enough to make excuses perfunctorily, to say something he only found inexplicable after calming down, to even contain words that hurt others.
That's really arrogant.
There is no greater vanity than to think properly of oneself about others.
Shinichi raised the corner of his mouth mockingly.
"This kind of growth, I really have no right to talk about other people..."
Rubbing his stomach lightly, letting his painful expression cover up his guilt and guilt, he slowly made his way out of this secluded corner.
He was glad that no one was around.
....
Cafeteria.
Shinichi walked back to his seat quietly, smiled at the four girls who were looking at him, but didn't explain anything.
He just sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and ate the cold bento bite by bite, as if nothing had happened.
If he didn't eat anymore, lunch time would be over.
The four of them looked at him with doubtful expressions, as if they wanted to ask something, but they didn't know where to start.
After looking at each other, Miku spoke first.
"Shinichi... How about Nino?"
Shinichi stopped eating and looked into their curious eyes.
"She should be back later, don't worry—"
Before he could finish speaking, Ichika's cell phone vibrated, she took it out to look, and read the message inside.
"I'm not feeling well so I'm leaving early, remember to help me carry my wallet and school bag home..."
Their fourth eyes focused on Shinichi again.
Shinichi maintained an even surface smile, and stuffed the rice into his mouth with chopsticks.
"Nino must have a stomach ache after eating?"
At the same time, Ichika's phone vibrates again.
"I don't have a stomachache, nor do I have a fever, so don't worry."
Shinichi almost bit his chopsticks to pieces.
Isn't this too good? ! Was that woman just going to hide and watch him make a fool of himself?
Shinichi glanced left and right, there was nowhere to hide the people nearby, it was clear there was no way for Nino to hear their conversation.
It is such a coincidence...!
Shinichi averted his eyes and felt uncomfortable.
The four of them looked at him suspiciously and nervously, perhaps wondering if he had done something bad to Nino. Although to some extent, it really is.
But can Shinichi admit it? Confessing that he mocked their quintuplets once on the stairs, and got punched by Nino?
Impossible, even if killing him, he would not say it.
So Shinichi didn't even eat the rest of his food, covered his bento box and packed his cutlery, and said to them with a gentle smile.
"It's time for class, I'm going back to class first. As for Nino's problem, don't worry, as long as you ask her, there is an 82.91% chance of getting the answer."
Then he turned around quietly and dashed away from the cafeteria door muttering, "I'm going to be late".
Ichika suddenly regains consciousness, and has a drink together.
"Yotsuba, catch him quickly!"
Yotsuba didn't respond, Shinichi managed to blend in with the crowd and disappeared.
"Yotsuba?" Ichika looked suspiciously, and saw circles in Yotsuba's eyes.
"82.91%?... How do you calculate it? Why are the numbers so odd…"
"…Idiot, he's clearly talking nonsense." Ichika covered her forehead with a defeated look, and glanced at the other sisters.
Itsuki frowned, and seemed to be deep in thought.
After Miku took out her phone and tapped on the screen, she put down her phone, her face as expressionless as ever beneath her thick bangs.
Ichika couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Miku, if Shinichi-kun really did something to Nino, what do you think?"
Miku looked at her, and said sure.
"Shinichi isn't the type to just hurt people... Even if he and Nino fight, or even fight, there must be a reason."
"What if he did it to Nino just because he was mad?" Speaking of this, Ichika's expression was slightly serious, and she carefully studied Miku's expression.
"If something like this really happened..."
Miku slightly lowered her eyelids, lightly pinched the hem of her skirt with her fingers, and quickly answered.
"I'm going to ask him to apologize to Nino... Even if he hates me, blames me, and ignores me, I know I have no right to do so..."
She spoke softly, looking a little lonely.
"But this is all I can do…"
Ichika showed a satisfied smile, placed her hand on her head and stroked it gently.
"Well, what you said is very good. Good girl ..."
"Even if Ichika is an older sister, please don't treat me like a child."
"But having said that, you really like Shinichi-kun~"
"Why did you come to this conclusion..."
"Fufufu, this is Onee-san's secret~"
...
Not long after leaving the cafeteria, the cell phone vibrated, and Shinichi took it out to see that it was a very short message.
Miku: "I trust Shinichi."
"What is this... There is no beginning and no end..." Shinichi didn't know whether to laugh. Judging from the broken sentences, maybe not only English, but he also needs to help her with Japanese when he has time.
Only...
"Thank You."
He smiled and said something in a low voice.
"When someone supports you, doing bad things is worth it."