บท 723: Which Is Stranger, Reality or Script?
September 15, Monday.
This morning, Shinichi and Ichika met at their usual spot, then went to school together.
It's been a while. Since Ichika started working, her schedule has been almost full. She goes to school as often as possible. Her spare time is entirely filled with her acting career. After school, she can have dinner with her family, but her dinner time is greatly reduced, let alone dates or the like.
According to her, because she's too tired to do anything when she gets home from work, she has to do everything like morning showers, and she has a physique that makes it easy for her to stay in bed.
Yes, she associates the reason for staying in bed with her physical condition.
Therefore, even though it's a pity to wake up early to go to school with someone, Ichika says she can't do it anymore. "If Shinichi-kun misses me so much later on, you can take my personal clothes to school with you, and I'll stay with you."
"That sounds like a very strong suggestion... Of course, I refuse."
Shinichi replied like this.
Ichika didn't mind; it's better to say that she knew she would get this answer, and she just wanted to enjoy teasing someone.
"Um, just that I'll be busier during this period because I intentionally set my working hours like this!" She raised her chin proudly and hummed a little.
"Is this preparation for being an exchange student? How?"
"Amazing, I didn't expect you to be so wise." Shinichi took a sip of his hot coffee and continued, "I remember Seisho Music Academy is a boarding school, there will be a two-week exchange there, so there shouldn't be a problem with your studies and work."
Ichika also sipped her hot latte, her other hand behind her back, and she followed Shinichi with a relaxed expression on her face.
"Of course..."
Shinichi glanced at her.
"There's a problem!" Ichika puffed her chest confidently.
Shinichi sighed as expected.
"I know that..."
"There's nothing I can do~" Ichika pouted, "Originally, I wasn't good at studying, and I took a lot of leave from classes, but now I'm trying my best just for work. It's impossible to have both..."
In short, this school is even more uncomfortable than the school in the forest.
She stared at Shinichi, a sudden mist of sadness appearing in her large, bright eyes, and there was even a hint of mischief in her tone.
"Shinichi-kun, what should I do~"
Shinichi thought for a moment and answered seriously.
"Study hard at Seisho Music Academy, sleep early and wake up early, remember to do your homework, and don't disappoint everyone's expectations of you."
Like a pufferfish in anger, Ichika puffed up her cheeks.
"Wrong! I don't want this formulaic answer!"
"Then just focus on your work. Moreover, after you achieve results in the exchange meeting, you might be able to pass successfully. Isn't it good to move towards realizing your dreams?"
"This is completely different from what you said to me at the beginning!"
"According to the circumstances of the times, times have changed."
"Is this the reason why you're not responsible? Why don't you face your responsibilities like a man!"
"If there are no Japanese pufferfish in the nest, are there dragon snakes in the mud?"
"Hmph, forget it, don't talk about it!" Ichika drank the latte in one gulp as if to vent her anger.
To show her determination to lose patience, she decided not to talk to Shinichi in the future.
Five seconds passed like this.
"Hehe."
Ichika approached Shinichi with a smile, as if she had just forgotten everything, and her smile was still cheerful.
"Okay, can I ask?"
"...Usually, people who say this won't give others room to refuse." Shinichi flatly complained, then accepted his fate.
"Come on, I'll do my best to answer."
This sentence also means "I won't answer as much as possible."
Ichika ignored the deeper meaning of his words and asked as usual:
"Did you enjoy your date with Miku yesterday?"
"..."
Shinichi sighed.
He knew she would ask this.
"Did you not ask her?"
"I asked, and she really replied with words like 'guess'! Haa~" Ichika stretched her hands.
"My little sister has entered the rebellion stage, which is really sad."
"So, I..."
Before Shinichi finished his words, Ichika continued with a smile.
"So after that, I played with Miku like this."
Ten fingers moved flexibly as if doing finger exercises, and Ichika accidentally sighed.
"Miku's endurance is not good. She can't last more than ten minutes. However, a man should be able to endure longer..."
Shinichi: "..."
Her casual and cheerful tone contained a hint of a pornographic threat, leaving him no room for banter.
As expected of Ichika, as a female driver, her driving skills became more and more proficient.
Although a little curious about how she would touch someone, given her scale, Shinichi unintentionally provoked her but answered honestly.
"If I want to say that I'm not happy, then of course I'm happy. What man wouldn't be happy to date a beautiful girl?"
"That's true." Ichika nodded and asked, "Shinichi-kun must be very happy when dating me, right?"
"True." Shinichi looked at Ichika's hair clip that tied her ponytail, "If there are no unpleasant memories, then it must be a very happy past."
"Also, this hair clip suits you very well. My taste is quite good."
He thought this was a pretty good compliment.
"What did you say?"
Unexpectedly, Ichika stared at him in surprise.
"I chose this hair clip style because I bought it as a joke for you... It shouldn't have anything to do with your taste."
"..."
(Whoops, I said the wrong thing)
Shinichi's smile was a bit stiff, and he felt embarrassed for a few seconds before speaking again.
"...If it doesn't suit you, I won't help you put on that hair clip."
Although he didn't take the initiative, Shinichi put on the hair clip for her at that time and gave her some compliments.
Hearing this answer, Ichika continued to stare straight at his face, asking with serious words.
"Shinichi-kun, do you remember our first date or not?"
Shinichi nodded, then shook his head, for no apparent reason, and bowed his head honestly.
"Sorry, I just remembered it."
"So that's it..."
Ichika took a deep breath expressionlessly.
But after exhaling, she showed a thin smile.
"Never mind, besides, it happened a month ago. You went on a date with Nino the next day, so it's understandable if you forgot."
She accepted that fact, and her frustrated expression made Shinichi not defend himself.
"I really didn't forget it; I just didn't immediately recall the details."
"Okay, okay, that's not important!" Ichika waved her hand and decisively ended the conversation, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"You had fun on the date, but what about afterwards? Did you do something 'fun'?"
Shinichi spoke as if surrendering:
"Basically, I did everything I do on a date with you... Except watching a movie."
Ichika looked at him, knowing that he genuinely remembered what he had done.
Relief appeared in her eyes, and Ichika raised her volume, covering her forehead as if she was heartbroken.
"Ah~ I know Shinichi-kun lacks the courage to make a move on girls! So sad. Are Nino, Miku, and I destined to just hold hands in the end?"
"...What nonsense."
Her acting was exaggerated, causing Shinichi to roll his eyes.
"It seems like you're looking forward to my move on you. Is there something wrong with you?"
"It's simple. I'll analyze it for you."
Prepared for it, Ichika put on a playful expression and explained it seriously.
"Because once you make a move, Shinichi-kun will be responsible until the end. Join our 'Quintuplet Camp,' and you don't have to worry about being intercepted by others suddenly."
"Whether you become a brother-in-law, as long as you're attached to one of us, you'll find ways to create all kinds of accidents and affairs in the future. In short, it'll be easier to get a chance to defeat you."
"Continuing the love war into adulthood, you're no longer quiet and naive like when you were in high school. It'll be difficult to decide who loses and who wins. Um, as long as there's a chance to turn the situation around, I must not give up!"
As Ichika talked about the last part, her blood started to boil, and she clenched her fists. Her eyes were bright with unclear emotions.
"How about it? This is a script that only the quintuplets can perform."
"So, that's the script..." Shinichi didn't know how to complain, but he still looked at her.
"Because reality can't be as absurd as that~" Ichika said casually.
"But whether it's a script or reality, it's all things that can easily be changed... Whether it's strange or not depends on whether we accept it in our hearts."
The last mumble wasn't heard by Shinichi; he stared at her back with an odd expression.
"Weren't we just talking about the date earlier? Why did it suddenly go far?"
Ichika turned, scratched her cheek with her finger, and smiled shyly.
"Ahaha, I actually didn't want to hear about it too much..."
Shinichi sighed.
"I really admire you."
"Sorry~" Ichika apologized with a silly smile, suddenly remembered something, and asked Shinichi again.
"By the way, Shinichi-kun, would you date Yotsuba and Itsuki?"
Shinichi answered firmly.
"No, unless there are special circumstances."
"Really?"
Ichika was surprised by his agreement and showed a satisfied smile.
"I didn't expect there to be so much discipline in you!"
Shinichi nodded; he felt the same.
"What if special circumstances arise?"
"Classmate, please don't intentionally ask about that."
Ichika sipped her cup and smiled helplessly.
"I know that."
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