"What—what are you looking at?"
Nakano Itsuki stood up awkwardly, stiff and hesitant, avoiding Shirase's gaze.
"At your stomach," Shirase said honestly.
Itsuki's eyes darted nervously; her usually soft expression tightened in embarrassment. "W-what kind of rude thing is that to say?!"
Still thoughtful, Shirase replied, "I was just curious. I didn't notice before, but now that I think about it—your appetite's almost as big as mine. And I burn calories all day at soccer practice."
"That's even ruder!" Itsuki's face flushed bright red.
"Ohh, Shirase-kun actually notices things like that~" Nakano Yotsuba suddenly popped out from behind him, grinning playfully. "We talk about it sometimes, too. Ichika even said she suspects Itsuki already has a little tummy, but Itsuki keeps denying it."
"Yotsuba, shut up!"
"Ehehe, I was just answering Shirase-kun's question."
"But that's just as rude as his! And for the record—I do not have a tummy!"
Itsuki's pretty face burned crimson, but her spirit flared right back. "I just ate too much just now, so my stomach's a little bloated, that's all. You guys have felt that before, right?"
Yotsuba nodded seriously. "Yeah, I've had that happen before. Though my stomach wasn't that big—it kinda looked like those actresses on TV shows, pregnant for about a month—"
"Probably two months," Shirase corrected.
"Really? I wouldn't know," Yotsuba blinked.
"I don't either. Just guessing," Shirase said.
You're seriously discussing this?!
Itsuki exploded. "I'll fight you!"
Just moments ago, she'd been slumped lazily on the sofa from overeating—but now she moved like a Saiyan possessed, fast enough to shock Shirase.
The two girls rolled and grappled on the sofa, Yotsuba laughing, Itsuki yelling in protest.
Their commotion soon caught the attention of the three others washing dishes in the kitchen. Ichika and the rest poked their heads out, saw the chaos, and went right back to cleaning—completely unfazed.
Still, Yotsuba's teasing somehow snapped Itsuki out of her food coma; she looked refreshed, even energized.
While Shirase started sorting the ingredients he'd bought, recalling online tutorials on how to make twisted fried snacks, the five Nakano sisters suddenly lined up in front of him—
Blocking his way to the kitchen.
"What's this about?" Shirase asked, puzzled.
Ichika smiled first, exchanged glances with her sisters, and then—
All five bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Shirase-kun! For tutoring us and for cooking for us—we really appreciate it!"
Looking at the quintuplets bowing so sincerely, Shirase felt a strange warmth rising in his chest.
So this is what being a teacher feels like?
Not bad at all.
He also noticed that Ichika and Miku—the ones who'd been most doubtful before—now looked genuinely grateful. That made the feeling even stronger.
Thanks to the system's boost, Shirase's first attempt at making mahua went surprisingly smoothly, his hands moving as if he'd done it countless times.
Nino, who was also good at cooking, helped him knead the dough with serious focus.
When the plate of freshly fried mahua was brought out, all five pairs of eyes locked on it.
"So these are the Chinese snacks Shirase-kun mentioned? I think I've seen them in import stores," Ichika said, her experience showing.
"Really? It's my first time seeing them—they smell so good," Yotsuba said, eyes sparkling.
"They should taste great," Miku murmured, drawn in by the fragrant aroma. Fried snacks always had that irresistible smell.
Only Itsuki stayed quiet, her eyes glued to the plate. The food she'd eaten earlier was already digested, and her hunger had returned with full force.
She was always serious about food.
"It's still really hot," Nino warned, taking off her apron. "Shirase-kun said he made them softer and sweeter, so they'll stay good even after cooling a bit."
"They harden?" Itsuki asked, seizing her excuse. She grabbed one mahua, inspected it—and took a big bite.
Nino froze. "Didn't I just say it was still hot?!"
Itsuki couldn't answer. The mahua was scorching.
Her mouth opened and closed rapidly, making muffled "oh-oh-oh" noises—like the mahua was being stir-fried again inside her mouth.
But she refused to spit it out. Instead, she performed a live demonstration of the legendary "mouth-fried mahua."
"You look so dumb right now," Nino sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Yotsuba quickly handed her some water and tissues. "Is it good?" she asked helpfully.
"It's good—ow, hot—sweet... mostly fragrant... one bite and the aroma just—boom..."
Itsuki mumbled through the heat, finally swallowing her "stir-fried" mahua.
Meanwhile, Shirase was packing up to leave, holding a small bag—the portion he'd set aside for Kojima Kana.
He'd made snacks for the quintuplets today, but he wasn't about to forget the strong-willed sister waiting back home.
"You're leaving already?" Ichika asked, noticing first.
"Yeah, I've got training this afternoon," Shirase said.
"I'll see you out."
"I'll see you out."
Nino and Miku spoke at the same time. Everyone turned to stare.
No one noticed Itsuki, sitting quietly on the left-side sofa, also raising her hand—only to lower it again after seeing the other two stand.
Nino glanced at Miku, whose expression grew awkward, and smiled faintly. "You can go."
It wasn't really generosity—more like teasing. After that talk with Shirase in the kitchen, she already had an idea what Miku was thinking.
"No... you go," Miku muttered, sitting back down.
Nino chuckled and followed Shirase out.
"Miku, you seem troubled," Ichika teased, leaning closer.
Miku blushed. "I just wanted to thank Shirase-kun properly, that's all."
Ichika's smile widened. "Because you used to be the one most doubtful about him tutoring us?"
Miku went silent, her cheeks turning even redder.
The laughter of her sisters filled the living room—but none of it reached Itsuki.
Sitting off to the side, she stared blankly at the plate of snacks.
In the midst of all that warmth and chatter, she alone seemed lost and distant.
---
T/N: i forgot if i said it already but itsuki is my second favorite
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