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Itsuki took the initiative to clarify what Miku dropped.
"Oh, so that's what Miku meant when she said Ren was your boyfriend. I was really confused for a moment," Ichika muttered with a light chuckle.
"Seriously! I was wondering what was even going on," Yotsuba added, laughing.
Nino sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly... you're unbelievable."
I nodded in agreement. "You're right. I was rash. I could've handled it more calmly, like beating him up behind the—"
"Stop...! No violence!" Yotsuba cut me off immediately.
I gave an awkward smile, suddenly embarrassed that I'd let something like this slip.
"B-but... I did control myself," I quickly defended myself. "I was seriously furious when he casually said he already had three girlfriends, yet still wanted to get close to Itsuki, like it's the most normal thing for him."
I wasn't about to let them think I was some muscle-headed brute who solved every problem with his fists.
"What?!" Nino slammed her hands against the table and nearly shot to her feet, her expression turning furious. "Take me to this guy. I'll teach him a lesson myself!"
She looked genuinely enraged.
"N-Nino, calm down. It's fine now," Itsuki hurriedly said, stretching her arms toward Nino as though trying to restrain her and guide her back into her seat.
"College students are scary..." Yotsuba muttered with a light shiver, voicing her own thoughts.
"When you put it that way, I'd say you did the right thing," Ichika remarked thoughtfully before glancing toward Miku. "Though... I'm probably not the one who should be saying that."
Throughout the entire conversation, Miku had remained surprisingly calm, quietly listening to everyone.
I lowered my gaze.
"I... I just didn't want her to stop going there because of something like that."
"Don't worry. I understand," Miku said softly.
Then, without hesitation, she slid her chair closer to mine until our shoulders were touching. She casually slipped her arm around mine, completely unfazed by the people around us.
Picking up a slice of apple from her meal, she brought it toward my mouth.
"You did the right thing," she said with a gentle smile.
She didn't need to say what she wanted me to do. Her actions spoke more than enough.
I leaned forward and ate the slice of apple she offered in a single bite.
"Oh my, how sweet," Ichika remarked with a knowing smile.
"Kya~! Miku, so bold!" Yotsuba exclaimed excitedly.
For some reason, I had a feeling Miku was making absolutely sure I remembered who my real girlfriend is. Whatever, I feel incredibly happy being fed by her like this.
Just then, a phone began to ring.
"Oh, that's mine," Yotsuba said, glancing at her screen.
A moment later, she gave an awkward smile and stood up.
"Someone wants to talk to me. I'll leave first."
With that, she hurried away, taking her empty tray with her.
I returned my attention to the hamburger steak Itsuki had given me. I had been saving it for last, so I finally began eating it.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Futaro leaving as well.
However, the moment I took a bite of the hamburger steak, something suddenly clicked.
Something that had completely gone over my head until now.
I leaned toward Miku. Since our chairs were already so close, I barely had to move. Before she could realize what I was doing, I leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
"That was an indirect kiss."
The slice of apple Miku had been eating for dessert slipped from between her chopsticks, the same chopsticks she had just used to feed me.
Miku mechanically turned toward me, only to find me grinning at her. The moment she realized what I meant, her face immediately flushed bright red.
She clearly hadn't thought about it until I pointed it out. Even I couldn't deny that I was blushing a little myself.
"You idiot..." she muttered, her words sounding more like a feeble attempt to hide her embarrassment than an actual complaint.
"Eh? What's wrong?" Itsuki, sitting beside me, caught Miku's words and looked at her in confusion.
I placed a hand behind my head and gave an awkward smile. "It's nothing."
Miku didn't say anything either. She simply lowered her gaze, her face still flushed as she quietly avoided looking at me.
"You two are acting weird... and gross," Nino remarked, her expression twisting as though she were witnessing something unbearably cringe-worthy.
I stood up, picking up my empty tray.
"I'm going to the bathroom, so i am leaving."
"You didn't have to announce that," Nino replied with a sigh, waving her hand dismissively as if shooing me away.
Ichika couldn't help but laugh at the exchange.
---------
Going to the bathroom was merely an excuse. Ren's real destination was the basketball club, located in the gymnasium—a separate building from the main school.
When he arrived, he spotted a familiar figure sitting near the corner, leaned against the wall, seemingly listening intently to something on the other side. The person hadn't noticed Ren's approach.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ren quietly crouched down beside him.
"Are you listening to something interesting?" he whispered.
Futaro jolted in surprise, nearly letting out a scream before quickly clamping a hand over his mouth to keep himself quiet.
"W-What are you doing here?" he whispered back, his voice barely audible.
Ren didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his attention toward the voices coming from the other side of the wall.
"Are you really sure you don't want to join us? I hate to think of you wasting your talent," a female voice asked, carrying a hint of disappointment.
"I'm well aware that the basketball team is in trouble, but there are people cheering for me despite my lack of talent."
It was Yotsuba's voice.
Her response carried a seriousness and guilt that felt completely out of character for the cheerful and Jolly girl Ren knew.
"B-But I'll be happy to fill in whenever you need me," Yotsuba quickly added.
The other girl, who appeared to be the captain of the basketball club, let out a small sigh before smiling.
"If that's your decision, then I'll respect it. I suppose we'll just have to make do with what we have."
"Yes!" Yotsuba immediately replied, her usual cheerful energy returning to her voice.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall—
"Were you eavesdropping?"
Instead of answering Futaro's earlier question, Ren turned toward him with a suspicious look.
Futaro visibly flinched.
"E-Eavesdropping? O-Of course not!" he quickly denied, forcing an awkward smile. "I just came here because I was worried—"
"Worried about what?"
Ren cut him off.
His eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and probing.
"Don't tell me you've actually started to care. Didn't you took this job because the pay was good? So just do your job, get paid, and pay off your debts."
Futaro's back pressed harder against the wall.
For some reason, Ren's piercing gaze made him feel as though the boy could see straight through him—as if every thought and feeling he tried to hide was completely transparent before those eyes.
However, his pride wouldn't allow him to admit that he is feeling scared.
So, with a deliberately nonchalant smile, Futaro waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't misunderstand. I was only worried that Yotsuba might be trying to do something to avoid studying."
He didn't bother asking how Ren knew about his financial situation. After all, it wouldn't have been surprising if Itsuki had mentioned it.
She had visited his house once before, after all.
"You don't have to worry about that. Who do you think convinced them to study?" Ren asked mockingly, looking at Futaro as though he had just said something ridiculous.
"I didn't ask for your help. I could've handled it on my own," Futaro shot back sharply, clearly offended by Ren's attitude.
"You're misunderstanding. I have no desire to help you. To be frank, I don't even like you. I was only helping them... and helping myself in the process."
"Is that so? The feeling is mutual."
Ren nodded in agreement. Futaro was beginning to find Ren's presence increasingly irritating.
He eventually stood up, seemingly unwilling to remain beside Ren any longer.
"Leaving already?" Ren asked, though he genuinely didn't care whether Futaro stayed or left.
Futaro didn't bother answering. He simply turned around and walked away.
Ren watched his retreating figure for a moment before muttering under his breath.
"Fucking coward."
Right after that—
"Ehh, Ren? What are you doing here?"
Yotsuba had finished her conversation and returned, only to find Ren sitting in the corner. She looked slightly surprised to see him there.
"Well..." Ren trailed off, offering an awkward smile.
"Were you listening? That's rude," she scolded him cutely.
Ren stood up with a small sigh, averting his gaze as he scratched the back of his head.
"After I noticed the trouble in your eyes when you left, I got a little worried and followed you. Sorry."
He gave her a slight bow.
"Haha... Was it really that obvious?" Yotsuba laughed awkwardly. "Sorry for making you worry."
Ren shook his head.
"Not really. I just happened to notice."
Yotsuba let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank goodness. I don't want to worry everyone else. Can you please keep this a secret from them?"
She clasped her hands together above her head, pleading with him.
"Fine. I'll keep it a secret... for now."
"Eh? What do you mean, 'for no—'"
"Can we talk for a bit?"
---------
I led her behind the gymnasium, and Yotsuba followed without question.
"Come to think of it, we've encountered each other a couple of times, but this is the first time we've actually had a proper conversation," Yotsuba suddenly remarked, her carefree personality still shining through.
"That's true," I muttered.
I sat down on the neatly trimmed grass, resting my back against a tree.
"So, you got recruited by the girls' basketball team?"
Instead of sitting down, Yotsuba remained standing, leaning against another tree nearby.
"W-Well..."
She didn't give me a clear answer, merely letting out an awkward laugh, as though she felt embarrassed about admitting it.
"Are you really okay with turning down their offer?"
Yotsuba sighed and lowered her gaze.
"Well... you might not know this, but I'm the weakest academically among my sisters. I've always felt like I was holding them back. It was the same at our previous school."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"So, this time... I want to do my best academically."
"I know."
My response came quickly, my tone remaining neutral.
"My question still stands."
Perhaps she understood the kind of answer I was looking for. Her gaze fell toward the ground, and a faintly bitter smile appeared on her face.
"Perhaps... not entirely."
She paused, gathering her thoughts.
"People often tell me that I have a talent for sports. They say it would be a shame not to let that talent shine. So, maybe a small part of me feels guilty for disappointing their expectations."
Her expression softened.
"But I don't want to betray Futaro's expectations either. He's going out of his way to help me study, even though I'm such an idiot."
She finished with a light chuckle, trying to make light of her own words.
I sighed.
"You think too much about other people," I remarked, my tone carrying a hint of gentle scolding.
"B-But... shouldn't I help others if I have the ability to?" she retorted.
I shook my head.
"Helping others is a good thing, but don't sacrifice your own well-being for it. Don't agree to something just because someone asks you for a favor. Don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do."
I paused, making sure she understood what I was trying to say.
"Think for yourself. Do what you want. Do what's best for you."
I was genuinely trying to give her some advice. Yotsuba was simply too kind for her own good. If someone asked her for a favor, she seemed incapable of saying no.
"If you keep being this selfless, it won't take long for someone to recognize that as your weakness and take advantage of you," I warned seriously.
She tried to laugh it off.
"Haha... You're overthinking it. I only help with little things, like cleaning the classroom when someone has to go somewhere, or filling in for a club whenever one of its members is absent."
"You're naive," I remarked with a sigh.
Yotsuba fell silent.
"I'm not saying everyone is a bad person, but how would you know if someone was actually taking advantage of your kindness?"
"Umm... wouldn't I just know?"
"Perhaps..."
Even if she did realize it, I doubted she would be able to say no to someone directly. In the future there would be a time when someone noticed how easily Yotsuba agreed to help others and tried to use her kindness for their own benefit. She had ended up suffering because of it.
Not that I had any intention of letting something like that happen again.
For now, I was simply giving her some advice. Her kindness was something worth praising, not something she should allow others to turn into a weakness.
The thought of someone taking advantage of her made me slightly annoyed, and I could feel that irritation showing on my face.
I scratched the back of my head and sighed.
"Forget it. If something like that ever happens, I'll just help you out."
The moment she heard that, Yotsuba's expression brightened, her usual cheerful smile returning.
"Eh... really? Thanks a bunch!"
Uff... That smile is going to be the death of me.
I faked a cough, trying to get my thoughts back in order. Then I finally stood up and leaned against the tree like her, crossing my arms.
"By the way, do you have a dream? Something you want to become in the future?"
Yotsuba beamed at me, flashing a bright smile that revealed her pearly white teeth. She raised both hands beside her face, forming peace signs with her fingers.
"My childhood dream is to become a wonderful wife!"
I nodded in satisfaction.
"That's a wonderful dream."
"Right? Hehe."
Her cheerful response made me smile.
"Hmm... I have no doubt you'll become a wonderful and supportive wife."
I paused before changing my question.
"Then let me ask you this instead. Are you not planning to officially join any club?"
That seemed to make her think. She grabbed her chin, her expression turning thoughtful.
"I don't know. I like sports, but right now I want to focus on my studies."
"If that's what you want, then good."
I gave her a satisfied smile before deciding to share something of my own.
"You know, as far back as I can remember, I never received any parental love, let alone had the luxury of making demands of them."
The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.
"Growing up like that, I never expected anything from anyone. Whatever I wanted, I tried to obtain through my own efforts. Sometimes I succeeded. Other times, what I wanted was simply beyond my reach."
My expression darkened slightly.
"That's when I developed a bad habit."
My eyes sharpened, carrying a faint hint of something dangerous.
"I stopped believing in compromise. If I wanted two things, I'd put in twice the effort. If I wanted three, I'd work three times as hard, and so on."
I paused.
"There were times when my body simply gave out. But eventually, I'd get back up and push myself forward again."
Yotsuba's expression changed several times throughout my story.
At first, she looked saddened by what I had gone through. Then came confusion, followed by shock and even a hint of admiration.
Yet by the end, she was right back to looking confused.
"Umm... what exactly are you trying to say?" she asked nervously.
I chuckled.
"I'm just sharing a few quotes that I believe in."
I raised one finger.
"Don't be greedy. But if you are, never give up."
I raised a second finger.
"Don't compromise on the things you love, or you'll spend the rest of your life regretting it."
Then I raised a third.
"And if you start something, see it through to the end. In the end, the result will speak for the effort you put in."
Yotsuba grabbed her head with both hands and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Wait! Those are way too complicated! I don't understand their true meaning!"
I couldn't help but sigh with a helpless smile.
I quietly walked over to her and placed a hand on top of her head. Because of our height difference, she slowly looked up at me.
I flashed her a grin.
"Don't worry too much about studying. You're already putting in plenty of dedication and effort. If you push yourself any harder, you'll end up making yourself sick."
Perhaps she felt embarrassed by the head pat, because her face gradually turned a little red.
It was the first time I had ever seen her blush in person.
Realizing what I was doing, I quickly pulled my hand away.
"S-Sorry. It's a habit."
She tried to laugh off her embarrassment as well.
"H-Haha... don't worry about it."
Wanting to dispel the awkward atmosphere, I quickly spoke again.
"T-That's all I wanted to say. Sorry if I was being a little too much."
I gave her a slight bow.
"No, no, I understand," Yotsuba hurriedly replied, waving her hands from side to side. "You were just worried about me. So... thank you instead."
I sighed in relief.
"Then, do you want to head back together?"
Her face immediately brightened.
"Yes! Let's go. Also, it was really nice talking to you. I feel a little enlightened now."
I laughed.
"what do you mean?"
Seeing me laugh, Yotsuba began laughing as well, and the two of us started walking back toward the main building.
Then I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten to mention.
"Ah, one more thing."
Yotsuba turned toward me.
"Your four sisters never thought of you as someone who was holding them back."
My words made her eyes widen slightly.
-----------
That day was like any other at work.
Ren went about his usual duties, wiping down tables, taking orders from new customers, and helping wherever he was needed. The crowd was average—not particularly busy, but far from empty.
"Ren, could you take out the trash?"
The boss pointed toward the bags that needed to be taken to the dumpster in the alley behind the shop.
"Sure."
Ren gathered the trash and headed out the back door.
When he returned a few minutes later, he stepped inside through the same door. Perhaps it was coincidence... or perhaps fate had simply decided to stir up trouble.
At that exact moment, the front door opened.
Five girls, each possessing an almost unmatched beauty, walked into the shop.
Ren, unaware of their arrival, headed toward the washroom to wash his hands.
But the moment he returned, he spotted them.
His eyes widened for a brief moment.
Then, just as quickly, they turned cold.
Satoshi was already taking their orders with a cheerful smile, clearly enjoying the opportunity to strike up a conversation.
Itsuki, Ichika, and Yotsuba seemed relatively comfortable, offering only awkward smiles out of politeness.
Miku, meanwhile, completely ignored him.
And Nino was visibly holding herself back. One wrong word from him and she probably wouldn't hesitate to lash out at him.
Fortunately, she wouldn't have to.
Because Ren was already there to do it himself.
And if things came to that...
His retaliation would be far more brutal.