Nino’s Battle

Miku panicked and instinctively looked ahead. Seeing no one had noticed them, she felt relieved.

"You idiot, what are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

Haruto looked up and said, "If I let you keep walking so slowly, it'll be dark before we get there."

"Impossible!"

Miku glared at him angrily, then whispered, "What if you get caught?"

"Then I'll let go?"

"NO!"

Miku exclaimed. Seeing Haruto looking at her, she blushed and turned away, "Anyway, I can't walk anymore, you can't just leave me."

"Alright, let's go."

With Haruto pulling her, Miku felt her steps become lighter, and even her very tired body felt lighter.

It was strange.

Did Haruto have magic powers?

But it felt really nice.

Miku glanced at him secretly, then couldn't help but gently scratch his palm.

Haruto slightly loosened his grip on her hand, then held it again, this time interlocking their fingers.

A small smile appeared at the corner of Miku's mouth. She looked around and, for the first time, realized how beautiful the scenery along the road was.

However, before long, she let go of his hand.

"Miku, you're falling behind again. You have to walk faster."

Nino's dissatisfied voice sounded from afar.

Ichika pressed a finger to her lips, "It seems like every time Miku falls behind, Kuromori-kun is always there. Hmm~ Is Miku secretly dating Kuromori-kun?"

"..."

Sensing the atmosphere was a little tense, Ichika blinked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Nino crossed her arms and hummed softly, "Ichika, don't play dumb, don't tell me you don't know Miku likes Kuromori."

Ichika hugged Nino and gently patted her back, "Oh~ you got me, Nino."

"Idiot, stop patting!"

Nino said unhappily, "It's so obvious. Miku always talks to herself at home, and she also loves to daydream. Except for Itsuki, even Yotsuba has noticed!"

Ichika asked curiously, "How does Itsuki not know?"

"See for yourself!"

The girls looked over at Itsuki.

Itsuki sat not far away, quietly eating a meat bun with a contented expression.

"Eh~"

Ichika's eyes twitched slightly, then she chuckled, "As expected of Itsuki, she's just too adorable."

"Huh~"

Nino pushed Ichika away, then looked at both Ichika and Yotsuba. She reached out to straighten her bangs, speaking in a calm tone, "Now that everything's out in the open, I'll be honest."

"I like Kuromori."

Nino placed her hand over her heart and looked at Ichika, "Didn't you ask me when I first saw him in the cafeteria? I can tell you now, Kuromori is exactly my type."

"And now, I like him."

Ichika pursed her lips, "Nino, what are you trying to say?"

Nino looked at Ichika, then at Yotsuba, and finally at Itsuki.

After a moment of silence, Nino said, "We're all sisters, and we're quintuplets; many things, like our interests, are actually similar."

When they were younger, everything was like that—even their hairstyles and outfits were the same.

Although things are a bit different now, some things haven't changed.

Miku really likes Haruto, and she does too, but what about Ichika, Yotsuba, and clueless Itsuki?

Ichika always liked teasing him. Yotsuba had been close to him from the beginning and knew him since they were young.

As for Itsuki, she was always close to him.

Even if they hadn't fallen for him, they must have a favorable impression, right?

Nino sighed and said, "Ichika, Yotsuba, I don't know what you two are thinking, but I just want to say that I like Kuromori. So, I'm not going to lose. I will be the one who wins."

Ichika looked at Nino, squinting her eyes slightly.

Nino returned Ichika's gaze with unwavering confidence.

Beside them, Yotsuba said in a panic, "Ichika, Nino, please don't fight."

Ichika twirled a lock of hair near her ear and looked away, "Yotsuba, don't worry, we won't fight."

"Neither will I."

Nino turned to the side and said, "Ichika, stop hiding it. If you really like him, let's compete fairly."

"I see~"

Ichika murmured, then stretched with a gentle smile on her face, "Originally, I didn't plan to compete with you. After all, I'm the older sister, and I should always yield to my younger sisters. I can't give in to everything."

Nino: "😐"

"But since Nino has issued a challenge, I can't refuse your kind offer."

Seeing Nino gritting her teeth and glaring at her, Ichika smiled sweetly and winked, "So, I should thank Nino~ After all, since we were young, you haven't taken anything I like away from me~"

After finishing her meat bun, Itsuki walked over, the ahoge on her head swaying slightly, "Nino, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine!"

"That's good, I thought you and Ichika were arguing."

Itsuki sighed in relief, then said excitedly, "By the way, we're almost at the top of the mountain. I heard watching the sunset from the peak is beautiful. Let's watch it together before heading back."

This slowpoke is so clueless.

Yotsuba was silent and suddenly started to worry.

What if Itsuki eventually realizes she has feelings for Haruto, but Haruto has chosen someone else?

Would Itsuki cry?

Haruto approached, fully aware the atmosphere was somewhat strange. He looked at Nino, who immediately glared at him fiercely.

Several question marks appeared in his mind, and he looked at Ichika again.

Ichika turned away.

Yotsuba...

Huh?

Why did she run so far?

Itsuki looked on in confusion.

Forget it, she continued eating.

Just as Yoruha was about to speak, Miharu beside her covered her mouth.

Miharu looked away guiltily, avoiding her gaze.

Haruto raised his eyes, "Are you guys sick?"

"Bah! You're the sick one!"

Haruto remained silent and said decisively, "Since you've all rested enough, let's keep moving."