Can't Control My Heartbeat

　　Instead of looking for answers, it's better to say that she was looking for confirmation.

　　In a casual tone, Ichika asked him under the night sky.

　　And Shinichi said it had nothing to do with himself.

　　"I do nothing but give advice after watching movies."

　　"The host is your sister, I am at best just a staff member helping to move the sofa, don't put all the credit on me."

　　Saying this is not to cover up, with Shinichi's personality, it was naturally impossible to admit such a thing.

　　The good intentions needless to say, and the outcome was flawless, so there was no need to worry about that. He had already gotten what he wanted in return, and this matter was over for him.

　　What's more, Shinichi really didn't do anything, but he only talked about preparing the fireworks film, using the projector, etc.

　　Maybe this kind of statement that puts everything aside sounds a bit indifferent to others?

　　But Ichika wasn't upset by this, instead smiling.

　　"Oh, I knew you would say that~ Then, I also have my own thoughts, please listen carefully?"

　　Taking a deep breath, and speaking softly: "Thank you. Whatever it is, thank you for always thinking of me, and thank you for always cheering me on."

　　Ichika closed her eyes, with a gentle expression, letting the night wind blow her short hair.

　　"...All this time, glad you're here, Shinichi-kun. From now on, I will ask for your guidance."

　　Thanks to the support from Shinichi, Ichika can continue to move forward in the path of her dreams.

　　After finishing speaking, Ichika didn't open her eyes, the atmosphere became silent, and no one spoke first.

　　Before Shinichi answered, Ichika's body stiffened slightly, thin sweat dripping from her forehead.

　　(Oops... Will my heartbeat be too loud... What if he thinks this is a confession... Will he take it previous joke seriously...)

　　Thoughts started to go awry, lots of strange thoughts popping up and the hand holding the railing looked sweaty.

　　Although this time it's not a joke, it's a confession from the heart, but it's not the same as the kind of love between a man and a woman, Ichika just wants to thank Shinichi for what Shinichi has been doing lately.

　　But...

　　Even if it was considered as a confession between a man and a woman asking for friendship, if Shinichi really accepted it like this, she definitely wouldn't explain it, right?

　　Even though Ichika felt that there would be many troubles in the future but no matter what, first acknowledge this relationship and hold on tight to the hard-earned opportunity before talking about anything else.

　　The throbbing in her chest was so exaggerated that she even forgot about Miku for a while, thinking only that after the two of them interacted, she should tidy up her room first. Shinichi came to play or she goes to his house to play alone. First of all establish good relations with his parents, and in the future she will be invincible in any rival for love.

　　Thinking more and more strangely, Ichika came back to her senses, blushed slightly, and allowed herself to focus on the current scene.

　　Fortunately, after the fireworks bloom, her acting skills improve, so Shinichi shouldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

　　While showing her true self, she hides a side she doesn't want to show, this is her real and fake self.

　　This is what Shinichi said to herself, the best acting.

　　And now that those words had been said, no matter what answer Shinichi made next, Ichika could respond in kind.

　　Enjoying the cool night breeze with Shinichi, Ichika waited for his response.

　　"…As chairman, this is what I have to do."

　　A few seconds later, as expected, a slightly embarrassing excuse sounded.

　　Ichika felt that Shinichi was a little cute.

Shinichi is definitely someone who isn't good at complimenting and thanking others, but he can reach out his hand at the most critical moment and encourage others who hesitate. Even if it made him feel embarrassed afterwards, he still did it.

　　Thinking about him like this, Ichika kept complimenting him, and kept telling him from the bottom of her heart how important he was to her and how great he was, how would Shinichi react?

　　After thinking for a bit, Ichika nodded.

Shinichi had to tell her to shut up while covering his red face, and run away if he couldn't take it anymore. If he gets caught, he just crouches on the ground like an ostrich, pretending he didn't hear it with a sullen face, right?

　　As this scene came to mind, Ichika couldn't help but laugh

　　"What are you laughing at?"

　　"It's okay~"

　　Answering in a long tone, while contemplating whether to do such an experiment, Ichika opened her eyes, looked at Shinichi beside her.

　　After being dazed for a moment, Ichika lowered her head and covered her chest with a red face.

　　(Now that's enough... Don't do anything else.)

　　(As long as I can be by his side, this moment is enough.)

　　As if nothing had happened, Ichika moved a little further to Shinichi's side, letting her shoulder rest against his, feeling the heat of the skin under the light shirt, and warming her mind.

　　The other four girls are playing mahjong, and Ichika finds an excuse to run away, so she doesn't have to worry about being seen by anyone. With Yotsuba around, it usually took a long time to play a round.

　　So, until someone else bothers her, Shinichi's time is her alone.

　　Just as Ichika showed a reassuring smile, she heard Shinichi speak again.

　　"You too, as a sister, as a role model, you are very competent."

　　When this heartfelt compliment fell, Ichika was not only displeased, but her eyes opened slightly.

　　The blush on her face stopped, and slowly turned white.

　　In her mind, Miku's face resurfaced, as well as all the she he had confessed to her.

　　(Yes, I am big sister...)

　　From a girl trapped in a love vortex, Ichika has returned to become the eldest sister of the Nakano family.

　　By the time her heartbeat subsided, the responsibility of being an older sister turned into chains again, tightly locking her heart and making her face the truth again.

　　Her younger sister took a liking to the man in front of her, even changed herself for him, and broke out of the shadow of the cowardice she had always been.

　　If she could be with him, she must have a more cheerful expression, right? Presumably she can get the happy life she dreams of, right?

　　Besides, there might be Nino, it would be dangerous for Itsuki to continue hanging out with Shinichi like this... In the long run, since she and Miku both fall in love with him, the quintuplets all fall in love with Shinichi.

　　As a sister, would she snatch away a man with her beloved family?

　　Ichika wants to be a role model, telling his sisters that they should do whatever they can when they're in love, and that they should act first and then fall into disaster? Holding back even if she becomes a rival in love? !

　　How could it be!

　　Her mother in heaven would definitely scold her for being such a negligent big sister

　　Thinking of this, Ichika showed a helpless smile.

　　"...You're overreacting, I'm still far from competent."

　　Hide these feelings well, and explain to Miku when she comes back, tell her that she didn't betray her, it's just that...

　　If she wasn't careful, she couldn't control her own heartbeat.

　　Ichika came into the room, but in her slightly downcast eyes, there was a fleeting trace of loss and regret.

　　Shinichi looked at Ichika's back and said.

　　"By the way, I have to stay the night, can you let me sleep on the couch?"

　　"...Staying overnight?"

　　Ichika stopped in her tracks.

Shinichi didn't know what Ichika was thinking, her face turned red again, she looked at her chest, and found that the tides had become a little faster, and her heart began to beat faster.

　　Ichika wanted to cry but no tears.

　　(Oops, looks like I can't control my heart anymore...)