Faced with the questions, sarcasm and disappointment hidden in her arrogant tone, Shinichi did not explain in a panic, but answered calmly.
"First of all, I'm just saying this to you, Ichika, and Yotsuba... or mentioning it. Didn't I tell you the reason that day? Do you only remember the words 'I like you and everything' and forget everything else?"
He said in a self-deprecating tone.
"Sorry, from the first sentence 'You all caused our sisters to fight' to the last sentence 'You are smart, stupid, I already know this', and the next message... This I remember all of it clearly.
"But it seems like I'm the only one who has dreams like that. What a shame."
"W-what, you…" Nino blushed and panicked, looking like she wanted to defend but didn't know where to start, and ended up screaming into the microphone angrily.
"Don't say it as if it's all my fault, okay! I haven't forgotten it. I clearly remember what I said that day!"
"Really? I do not believe. Think for yourself, what are we actually saying? What do I need to explain to you now? Think and explain to me."
As if frustrated, his indifferent voice made Nino's face turn slightly pale, her aura continued to weaken, and she no longer looked as aggressive as before.
"I... I know... What's bad..."
Shinichi was silent for a moment, then his voice softened again.
"Sorry... It's a little late to say it now, but what you said that day really touched and warmed me. Thank you, Nino."
"…"
Watched in astonishment by the other sisters, Nino held her face which was completely red, and complained into the microphone looking very happy and embarrassed.
"I hate it, why did you say that in front of everyone? But~ hum, everything I said that day was true. If you don't dare to be moved, be careful I rush up and beat you up!"
Her tone was flirtatious, instantly turning the impending question into teasing.
Feeling a little cute, Nino couldn't help but laugh a few times, but realizing something, worry appeared on her face, and she looked at Miku aside.
She didn't have any expressions, but she didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she looked a little strange.
If it was Nino herself, how could she feel better listening to the person she liked teasing her sister in front of her?
But her reaction was calmer than she expected. It would be better to say that after listening to Shinichi's affectionate words, everyone's expressions basically didn't fluctuate much, but they were just confused and just curious.
"Shinichi."
Miku suddenly spoke.
"I am here."
"Have you confessed to anyone else?"
"Yeah, I said it. I've never dated anyone, but I've said 'I like you and everything' a few times, and they've all been sincere."
Shinichi admitted it without any shame in his tone.
Miku puffed out her cheeks.
"…You obviously never told me."
"Then what should I tell you now?"
Miku thought for a moment and smiled.
"I don't want to."
"Don't want to?" Shinichi was stunned for a moment.
Miku narrowed her eyes and said slowly: "There is a saying that confession should be a clear call for victory, not a signal for attack... Although I don't let Shinichi leave me, can I hear a different and more affectionate confession?"
"So, I don't want your confession now."
"On the contrary, the last date didn't work out…" Her face turned slightly red, but she said the next sentence without hesitation.
"How about we go to the aquarium again as a couple?"
Shinichi was silent for a moment and seemed to be laughing on the other end of the phone.
"Okay, we'll decide on a date together later."
"Okay, I'll wait for you," Miku hugged her legs, gently placed her head on her knees, and smiled on her lips.
Then, she added casually:
"And I think such a confession is very worthless, like a sentence that can only be heard by a supporting actress in a novel that is bound to fail in the end…"
"On the contrary, it's a good thing you didn't confess to me, Shinichi."
"…"
It was as if two guns were thrust into the chests of the two girls.
Ichika's cheeks twitched and the corners of her mouth turned into a non-smiling arc.
Nino clenched her teeth, her face flushed with anger, and she glared.
Yotsuba thought for a moment, that message was more of an explanation than a confession, it should be different from theirs.
At least Shinichi didn't say it himself, nor did he give an answer. They only formed a friendship under a special tacit understanding, and no one said anything about it.
Yes, it's different!
Yotsuba's mood suddenly improved.
However, the two people who were shot couldn't let go as easily as Yotsuba, and they all stared at Miku in a fierce manner.
"Hmph, Miku, you really have the nerve to say that…"
"Obviously before, I looked sad like, 'Why am I the only one who doesn't have this?'…"
Just like the reincarnated Cinderella, Miku and her two sisters with scary eyes faced each other without showing any fear.
"You are wrong. Now that I'm an adult, I will never be sad because of such a small thing!
"You're the one, right? You didn't even ask for proof. One asked Shinichi angrily, and the other seemed to suspect that Yotsuba wanted to help Shinichi start a harem. Can't you trust Shinichi's character and calm down and think carefully?"
Miku said without realizing it.
"Even though we are quintuplets, our maturity levels are still different..."
Veins appeared on the girls' foreheads. Miku's rare taunts were so powerful that Ichika and Nino immediately formed an alliance and surrounded her, preparing to severely punish this brave sister.
When the atmosphere became different and scarier than before, Shinichi spoke again.
"Ichika."
Ichika stopped approaching Miku and looked at Itsuki's cell phone.
"I'm not sure what Yotsuba is thinking, and I don't understand why Yotsuba wants to support me after becoming a companion."
"Eh..."
Yotsuba's eyes widened slightly, about to ask a question, but she stopped, and listened to Shinichi's words with a hesitant expression.
"But at least I understand that she made certain decisions not for herself, but for me and others… I respect her determination, but my feelings will not change."
"So... I hope you can consider her thoughts. After all, the source of the problem is all because of me. If you are not satisfied with anything, just come to me."
Ichika puffed her mouth in dissatisfaction.
"It seems I was intentional, and I'm not Nino..."
Nino hooked Miku's neck and looked at her pretending to be angry.
"There, do you want to be the next Miku?!"
Miku tilted her head cooperatively and said in a flat voice, "Kacha, I'm dead.", then looked at Ichika with dead eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't say anything," Ichika took a surrender stance.
Shinichi's voice was heard again.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say something vulgar to you—"
Initially, he wanted to be more serious, but halfway through his words, his tone started to become unstable.
"P-please don't fight over me! You are all my important people——!"
These words echoed awkwardly in the living room.
"…"
Everyone looked at each other and fell silent for a few seconds.
Then...
"...Poof."
Who knows who started it first, but in the end, the five of them couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah ha ha..."
The call with Shinichi didn't know when it ended, Ichika walked towards Yotsuba and said while wiping tears.
"If it weren't for this phone call, I really don't know what would happen in the end."
"Yeah... It's great that Asada-san was able to be rescued quickly." Yotsuba patted her chest in gratitude.
"I was just thinking, how can I fool Ichika! But I still didn't expect…"
"Fool?" Ichika smiled meaningfully, "Yotsuba wants to fool people..."
"Ehehe..."
Yotsuba like a child about to be scolded.
"Truly..."
Ichika stepped forward, opened her arms, and hugged Yotsuba.
"I-Ichika?" Yotsuba was confused.
"What happened? Suddenly..."
"Sorry."
Ichika was close to her ear, her smile slowly fading, and she spoke softly.
"Obviously I've done so many bad things and said so many outrageous things to you. I have no right to pressure you…"
"...If you are qualified, you are my sister."
"I'm really sorry, Onee-san is always so immature."
"Yes, maybe."
After Ichika finished speaking, Yotsuba opened her arms, hugged her gently, and whispered.
"But to me, you are also the best and greatest older sister… I'm sorry, I just don't want to be separated from everyone."
"I know."
Ichika said with a smile.
"Because we're quintuplets, right?"
Yotsuba nodded vigorously and smiled happier than usual.
"Because we are quintuplets!"