"I'm truly fine." Hayakawa shook his head, clearly unconcerned with Itsuki's thanks, his mind focused entirely on returning to his studies.
"I…" Itsuki took a step forward and reached out, seemingly about to say something, but Nino stopped her.
"Alright, why are we standing here? Aren't you cold? Let's go back." Nino pulled Itsuki, feeling a pang of jealousy.
Why are you staring at Hayakawa with such a 'lovey-dovey' look? He's already been claimed by your older sister, so hands off.
"Ah, okay." Itsuki nodded hastily, looking timid. She was like a frightened bird now, worried that Nino might get lost again and equally afraid of upsetting Hayakawa by wasting his time.
"Mhm, let's head back." Hayakawa said, being the first to hurry away. Nino quickly followed right beside him.
As soon as they reached the forest's edge, Nino pulled her phone from her shoulder bag. Seeing the restored signal, her eyes immediately lit up. She said casually to Hayakawa, "Oh, right, Hayakawa-kun…"
Undoubtedly, she wanted Hayakawa's LINE ID.
LINE is crucial; it's the stepping stone to romance for young people, a necessity for modern dating!
Morning greetings, goodnights before sleep, comfort during sadness and confusion, invitations for weekend dates, even heart-fluttering chats while soaking in the tub—if they don't add each other on LINE, all of that is NONONONONO!!
Yes! If books are the ladder of human progress, then LINE is the ladder of human emotional progress!
Therefore…
I must take the first step on that ladder!
"Hayakawa-kun, let's add each L…" Nakano Nino casually pulled out her phone and held it out to Hayakawa, a hint of shyness in her eyes.
"Ah, Hayakawa-kun!"
A voice came from nearby. Nino jumped, retracting her phone as if she had received an electric shock.
"Oh, Furuhashi." Hayakawa waved to Furuhashi and Ogata, who were walking toward them, then looked at Nino in confusion. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
"N-nothing at all." Nino was disappointed. She said somewhat flusteredly, then looked at the two girls approaching, her heart immediately tightening.
They're the two most famous beauties at the school! I only transferred to Ichinose Academy two days ago, and I've already heard people talk about them!
What is their relationship with Hayakawa?
Nino watched Furuhashi and Ogata as they walked up to Hayakawa, her eyes filled with unease and alertness.
"Let me introduce them. This is Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu. They are the students I mentioned to you, Nino. They also helped me and Itsuki look for you just now," Hayakawa said to Nino, then turned to Furuhashi and Ogata. "This is Nakano Nino, Itsuki's sister."
"Nino-kun, I'm Furuhashi Fumino from Class A."
"Ogata Rizu, Class C, first year. Hello."
"I'm Nakano Nino from Class D. Thank you both. I apologize for wasting your time…"
The three girls exchanged introductions and quickly became a little familiar. Nino even pulled Itsuki over and held her head down to thank Furuhashi and Ogata. The two girls quickly helped Itsuki stand up and comforted her gently.
After the polite exchange, the five people walked out of the forest together. After the ordeal, neither Nino nor Itsuki had any desire to continue with the Test of Courage and planned to sneak back with Hayakawa and his students.
On the way back, Hayakawa was his usual silent self. Ogata Rizu maintained her emotionless loli persona, saying little, leaving it to the socially adept Furuhashi Fumino to talk constantly with Nino and Itsuki, keeping the atmosphere friendly.
She seems like a really good person. Not only is she pretty, but she has a great personality. Isn't that an unbeatable combination?
Nakano Nino talked with Furuhashi Fumino while secretly observing her. The more she looked, the more alarmed she became, and her confidence started to waver.
Initially, she hadn't worried at all about the possibility of Hayakawa dating the two students, as the student-teacher relationship was a barrier, and not everyone was as brazen as she was.
But now it was different. The charm of Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu was high enough to completely break through that student-teacher barrier!!
Private tutor… studying together every day…
Nino's mind was constantly assaulted by similar thoughts, and her heart gradually grew cold.
If they really turn out to be my rivals, wouldn't that be super dangerous?
Please don't be…
Nino looked at Ogata and Furuhashi, who were talking to Hayakawa, and she inwardly relaxed a bit.
Well… they don't seem to be acting that way. Their relationship isn't that close, and I can't detect any ambiguous atmosphere. It seems there's no sign of romance.
Even so, she couldn't let her guard down. However, there were too many people today, so adding him on LINE was definitely out of the question. She wasn't that thick-skinned.
I'll get Itsuki to ask for it for me later. Who told her to abandon me tonight? Sisters are meant to be sold.
Nakano Nino thought this and showed a gentle smile to Itsuki beside her.
Itsuki immediately flinched, instinctively taking a step back.
I feel… a malicious aura…
After leaving the forest, the two groups said their goodbyes and separated.
Nakano Nino watched Hayakawa's retreating figure, deep in thought.
"Nino…" Itsuki said weakly from the side. "Don't be mad… I was wrong."
"I'm not angry." Nino shook her head and turned to look at Itsuki.
"Eeek…" Itsuki was instantly horrified, looking at her in fear.
"I always thought you were a useless child," Nakano Nino looked at Itsuki and smiled. "But now, I suddenly think you might be somewhat useful."
"YAAAAH!!!" A girl's pitiful scream echoed under the vast night sky.
"Quintuplets are amazing." Furuhashi Fumino suddenly said wistfully on the way back to the dorm.
"What do you mean?" Hayakawa asked in confusion.
"Look, all five of them look exactly the same, and they're all so pretty," Furuhashi Fumino's cheeks were bright red. She covered her face with her hand and stammered, "If they ever get boyfriends, and the boyfriend mistakes one for another…"
Hayakawa Haku: "..."
"I can't believe you would think of something so pointless," Hayakawa said expressionlessly. "What are you thinking about?"
"I agree," Ogata Rizu looked at Furuhashi with a strange expression. "Fumino seems a little odd recently. She keeps thinking about things between boys and girls. The old her wasn't like this."
Hayakawa Haku's expression turned cold. "Are you perhaps in love?"
"N-no!" Furuhashi Fumino's voice faltered. She said in a panic, "That's not it. It was just a coincidence. Just a coincidence!"
"..." Hayakawa narrowed his eyes at her. After a long moment, he said, "Good."
Furuhashi Fumino finally sighed in relief, but two seconds later, she felt a little embarrassed and irritated.
Why do you react like that even if I was dating? Your possessiveness is too strong! It's confusing my heart.