Love Is War

　　"That Uesugi-san turned out to be the tutor of the quintuplets..."

　　"I didn't expect to meet Shinichi-san's 'student' here..."

　　The two muttered in disbelief, and couldn't help but laugh at the same time as they confirmed that the other party shared the same feelings.

　　The difference was that Ichika smiled with interest, and Furuhashi smiled with relief.

　　"Yeah~ I should have thought about it when you said you were in Class B. I didn't expect to meet my neighbor sister and tutor's classmate, this school is really small."

　　That's what Ichika said, but all she cared about was that the person Miku might like was the "educator" of the pretty girl in front of her. And looking at her expression when she said that name, it didn't seem like it was a simple teacher-student relationship.

　　As an older sister, there is a sense of crisis worrying about her younger sister.

Furuhashi raised the corner of her mouth.

　　"That's right~ Uesugi-san and Itsuki-san don't interact at all in class, and it's completely impossible to say that he's the tutor of the five of you. If this were known, Uesugi-san would probably feel the envy and hatred of many people."

Furuhashi says so, but she doesn't care one bit about the relationship between Fuutarou and the Nakano quintuplets. She only knew that Shinichi was their educator, and her mood was relieved.

　　"Ahaha, please don't spread this news~ Even though we're not celebrities, we'd still be a bit embarrassed if this were found out…"

　　Ichika's face was red, her acting skills were good, she was calm on the surface, but she started to think in her heart, should she get some information from her for Miku.

Furuhashi looked at her curiously.

　　"By the way, does Ichika know Asada-san too? You obviously just transferred to another school not too long ago."

　　Ichika's heart trembled, she hadn't opened her mouth yet, but the other party started to give out the information?

　　Even though she doesn't know if Miku really likes Shinichi, and she doesn't know if her new friend likes him too, but before everything is clear, it's very easy to win in terms of intelligence.

　　Because love is war!

　　Ichika is full of interest.

　　(Hehehe, Miku, just wait and see... For your happiness, I'll become a sneaky evil woman for once!)

　　Paving the way for little sister's love, this is big sister's job!

　　And Furuhashi, she is a really nice person, and Ichika also considers her a friend, so she hopes Furuhashi doesn't become Miku's rival in love, otherwise... sorry, nothing is more important than her family.

Ichika shook her head and said.

　　"I don't know him, but I heard from others that he seems to be a helpful and kind person, and he's also a member of the Student Council."

　　After Furuhashi finished listening though she was a bit confused as to why Ichika had to show that fake smile.

　　"Ahaha... Although there's nothing wrong with that, but please don't praise him like that in front of Asada-san, okay? Otherwise, he would surely express awkwardly that he was only doing what he was supposed to be doing, not out of pure kindness. Asada-san is very kind and smart, but he is also easily shy. Whenever he has to find reasons to justify his actions, he has no way to frankly help others."

　　"Oh~ I see..." Ichika nodded to show that she knew, but in the end, what was with the feeling of showing off a boyfriend?

　　Could Shinichi already have a girlfriend?

　　In order to be conservative and get more information, she kept asking questions with an interested expression on her face.

　　"He's Sensei… no, 'educator', right? A position like Sensei?" Seeing that Furuhashi agreed with this statement, Ichika continued, "Then how does he teach? Can it make you improve?"

　　"Hmph, if I don't tell you, you won't know. Asada-san is really good at teaching people!" Furuhashi puffed out her chest, her face full of pride and she even accidentally forgot that Shinichi was the educator.

　　"Don't say that he prepares for lessons so seriously that people worry that he will burn out. He has devised many ways to learn math for me! For example, what are the X-file investigation methods, stupid troubleshooting steps, formula law subtitle comparison notes or something…"

　　Furuhashi started talking like this with a cheerful expression.

　　Even if she doesn't say anything, she automatically tells everything about Shinichi. Whether it's the meticulous and interesting teaching method during teaching, or the cute reactions playing games with them during recess, as long as it's not too personal, Furuhashi will tell Ichika in high spirits.

　　Seeing this, Ichika clearly understood that the girl in front of her really liked the boy named Asada Shinichi.

Furuhashi is obviously a quiet and beautiful girl with excellent temperament and looks, but she subconsciously reveals this look, she is really very cute.

　　Ichika leaned her head on the table, watching her excited expression about Shinichi's deed, and a helpless smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

　　In order to compete with someone like that, Miku had to work even harder.

　　Although judging by the looks of it, Furuhashi might not be in a relationship with that Shinichi yet, but who can say for certain about one? Perhaps she confessed on impulse after school today, no man could refuse to be acknowledged by a beauty of this level, right?

　　Ichika couldn't help but let out a sigh, even though the balance in her heart tilted slightly towards Furuhashi, her position remained unchanged.

　　During the conversation that night, Ichika wasn't sure if Miku liked Shinichi, but today she saw Miku trying to come to this labyrinth garden to get rid of Nino and her visions.

Ichika didn't need to think about it, Miku must have gone on a date with Shinichi like last time… As for Miku saying that she was only here to pick up the things she left behind, that must be a lie.

　　Even if Miku hasn't fallen in love with Shinichi, it's rare for her to have ambiguous relationships and contacts with the opposite sex. Of course, Ichika couldn't just watch her lose her instinctive happiness because of her clumsiness.

　　Falling in love means trying bravely, and love does not like those who are shy and indecisive!

　　And Ichika's responsibility was to push Miku's back and then sigh with tears, "She's finally grown up..."

　　So now, even if she wanted to make herself the bad guy, Ichika still decided to use some small means to ensure that Furuhashi wouldn't take Shinichi so Miku didn't even have a chance.

　　"That..."

　　"And Asada-san… Um? What is it?"

　　As Furuhashi spoke, Ichika suddenly cut her off.

　　Under Furuhashi's suspicious gaze, Ichika asked.

　　"Hearing what you're saying, I'm also interested in Asada-kun..."

　　She smiled slightly and asked Furuhashi with expectant eyes.

　　"Fumino, does he have a girlfriend?"

　　"If not, could you introduce him to me?"

　　The atmosphere was silent for a moment.

　　"...Eh?"

　　Furuhashi was stunned, and she didn't react for a long time.

　　Ichika apologized in her heart, but her lips curved up as if declaring war.

　　Ding dong dong dong——

　　The bell rang at this moment, as if the bell was pulling down the curtain.