The moment Nakano Itsuki impatiently opened the bag of cookies, everyone reached out eagerly—including Nino.
"This taste is just… too satisfying," Nakano Itsuki said with exaggerated delight, nibbling the cookie with a face overflowing with happiness.
Nakano Yotsuba took a bite and asked curiously, "By the way, Shirase-kun, did you really go on a date with Nino yesterday?"
"Yotsuba! If you don't know how to chat properly, keep your mouth shut!" Nakano Nino glared at her in embarrassment. She'd barely managed to calm herself down—why did this girl have to poke at her sore spot?
Yotsuba made an enlightened expression, "Seeing Nino react so strongly, what Ichika said yesterday must've been true—you two definitely went on a date!"
Nakano Miku suddenly chimed in with a follow-up strike: "That date must've made Nino really happy. Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting this way."
"You two—shut up already!" Nino's face flushed crimson, subconsciously sneaking a glance at someone, only to see him leisurely sitting on the side, clearly content to watch the show.
Nakano Miku gave her a disdainful look, but her hand didn't stop reaching for another cookie. "With that kind of expression, who exactly gave you the courage to tell us to shut up?"
"Right, right! Nino, your face is so red," Yotsuba laughed brightly.
Nakano Nino finally snapped. Like a fierce rabbit unleashed from its cage, she leapt at Miku.
In an instant, the two sisters were entangled, tumbling and rolling together on the sofa like a pair of candied fruits on a stick.
Itsuki calmly moved aside, creating room for them while continuing to snack.
"Shirase-kun, come with me—I have something to discuss." Nakano Ichika suddenly stood up, tossing this line out casually as she headed toward the balcony.
Shirase guessed what she wanted to discuss and followed her. Sure enough, her first question was exactly as he'd expected: "Why did you cover for me yesterday?"
As she asked, the girl stepped closer. A faintly intoxicating fragrance wafted toward him; just another half-step forward and a certain place hidden beneath her white short-sleeve would brush against his chest.
Meeting Ichika's flashing gaze, Shirase answered frankly, "Because yesterday you seemed cautious about something. I figured there was some secret you didn't want anyone else to know."
"So you instinctively helped me?" Ichika clearly didn't buy that.
"Of course not," Shirase smiled lightly, spreading his hands openly. "My real intention was to win your favor."
"Oh? That sounds rather ambiguous~ What exactly do you intend to do with me?"
Though her mouth asked this question, Ichika didn't retreat at all. Instead, a faintly charming glimmer appeared in her eyes.
Shirase knew she was teasing him and responded calmly, "So that you'll join my camp in the future."
Ichika's smile gained a trace of helplessness. "Seems you still haven't forgotten about that tutoring discussion we had?"
Clearly, she thought Shirase was preparing for future "study sessions."
If her favorability toward him kept rising, naturally she'd speak up for him when the time came.
"Your guess isn't exactly accurate, but you could see it that way too." Shirase shrugged casually.
Ichika's interest immediately peaked. "What do you mean? Could you have some other goal?"
"I do, but I don't plan on telling you right now."
"Ehh? Why so mysterious? Aren't we good friends? How about telling me now? I promise I won't spill it," Ichika said softly, putting on a cute, pleading expression.
Shirase kept his composure. "Unfortunately, that little trick doesn't work on me."
Ichika wasn't embarrassed at all upon being exposed. Instead, she laughed lightly. "I've noticed, the better I know you, the harder you are to fool."
"Actually, if you learned from a certain person, maybe I wouldn't stand a chance against you," Shirase teased.
"Who?"
"Yukinoshita Yukino's older sister."
"Huh? Who's that?"
"Yukinoshita Haruno. I met her once. Even though it was only once, I immediately sensed how troublesome she was. Since you both love joking around, I figured you'd probably have common interests."
"Yukinoshita Haruno? I'll remember that."
Seeing Shirase's sincerity, Ichika grew genuinely curious about the older sister of the school's renowned genius girl.
After this brief conversation, Ichika confirmed that Shirase probably didn't know about her acting job. Relieved, she relaxed considerably.
When the two returned to the living room, the war between Nino and Miku had ended. Both girls' faces were flushed from their intense struggle, and their previously neat hair and clothes were now disheveled. Currently, they were tidying their appearances quietly.
This amusing scene reminded Shirase of cats grooming themselves after a fight, each sitting apart to cool down.
Shirase exchanged some casual chatter with the five sisters before standing to say goodbye. He hadn't intended to stay long today anyway, and besides, he wanted to start a round of [Free Hosting] to grind progress before Kojima Kana got home.
Prompted by Ichika's teasing encouragement, a blushing Nino escorted Shirase to the door. The others sensibly stayed behind.
"Maybe you shouldn't make cookies so often in the future," Nino murmured unhappily, hands clasped behind her back. "Ever since they tasted your cookies, everyone's started complaining about mine. You know, before this, they never acted so picky."
"Then, shall I teach you?" Shirase offered.
Nino was momentarily stunned, completely not expecting him to suggest that.
In the very next moment, she suddenly felt warmth around her waist—he'd boldly reached out and pulled her close.
Shameless!
How could this pervert dare do such a thing?!
Nino's soft body immediately tensed. Feeling Shirase's hand around her waist, her heartbeat instantly spun out of control.
Before she could object, Shirase leaned down close, whispering gently near her delicate, translucent ear. "Actually, I also have some cooking questions I wanted to ask you. So, whenever we have time, I'll help you improve your baking, and you can teach me cooking. What do you think?"
Nino shyly lifted her flushed face, her eyes softly shimmering, and summoned all her courage to meet his gaze. "Let go of me first…"
"I'll let go the moment you tell me to," Shirase repeated the same trick he'd used on their date.
Nino bit her lip. He really is such a jerk, doing this to me again when he knows I won't refuse.
Thinking this way, the girl lost all courage to keep meeting Shirase's eyes. She slowly dropped her gaze and buried her small head against his chest. As she stood there quietly, faint, affectionate feelings surged layer by layer through her inexperienced heart, expanding gently until they filled every corner, impossible to suppress again.