This Chapter Contains Very Important Information

"By the way, about Asada-kun..."

After the bullying was over, Itsuki suddenly thought of something and asked the others, "Should we go shopping with him?"

As she asked, she felt her proposal wouldn't be accepted. After all, the whole family acted together, and there was always resentment if they let outsiders join them; Nino, in particular, would be the first to strongly object.

Nino: "Okay, what about the others?"

Itsuki: "Huh?? Nino, you agree?"

And the first one?!

"Yeah, what's the point of disagreeing? He's already kissed all of us, and you still treat him like an outsider?"

Instead, Nino looked at her with a puzzled expression, then folded her arms around her chest and nodded in realization.

"Right. Besides, only you haven't been kissed yet. It's understandable to think that way."

"That's enough, stop talking about kissing!"

Itsuki punched the air in embarrassment and anger.

She didn't know why, but now that she mentioned the topic, she felt a strange tingling feeling in her heart, as if she shouldn't have been kissed before, and like an obsessive-compulsive disorder seeing the last piece of herself. The puzzle remained unsolved. So she volunteered and threw herself into the trap.

No, she didn't want to give away her first kiss just because of this –, as a girl, wouldn't being romantic be bad?

Even if they didn't kiss in front of everyone like Nino, at least they would be by the beach, riding the quiet waves, reminiscing about all the things that happened between them, and in unintended eye contact.

"Yum!"

Itsuki pulled out a meat bun from her bag and interrupted her random thoughts by eating, covering her flushed cheeks.

"It's not good to be xenophobic." Ichika smirked and pretended to have a deep voice, "He will use this to not be responsible to us, by saying, 'At first, I wanted to be a family with you, but in the end, you only played for fun... Forget it, I will fall into Fumino and Rizu's arms. You quintuplets can post your own posts. Goodbye! This way, we can fly away."

Her voice heavy and lonely, mimicking Shinichi's tone, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

Nino's eyes narrowed sharply: "How dare he? I'll chase him to the ends of the earth and I won't let him go!"

"Nino, trust Shinichi more." Miku's voice softened, sighing helplessly.

"I also have confidence in us five. Can we still lose five against two?"

Itsuki held the bag in her mouth: "Looks like mud got me in..."

"By the way, what's mud?" Yotsuba tilted her head, thinking hard.

Ichika burst into laughter, dismounting from Itsuki's back, and explained wickedly, making Yotsuba blush slightly.

The topic veered off, and when Itsuki brought everyone back to where Class B was disbanded, not only Shinichi, but everyone else was no longer where they were.

"I'll make a call."

As if afraid of Ichika's worrying words, Nino took out her phone without much thought.

The other four, of course, didn't mind. The importance of Shinichi in their hearts had already been proven. Even if it was a family trip during winter and summer vacations, they probably wouldn't mind letting him join them.

Of course, it's hard to say if their father would object.

Who made Shinichi popular? If they didn't seize this opportunity, they might lose five against two, as Ichika said.

When Nino was about to make the call, none of the five realized that figures were gathering from all directions.

△

"Fumino, let's go shopping together."

After the teacher announced the disbandment, Shinichi firmly grabbed Fumino who was trying to sneak away into the crowd.

Unconsciously, Fumino wanted to pull her hand away, but Shinichi held it tightly and wouldn't let go. She bit her lip to keep from trembling. She looked left and right for help. When she saw Kashima's figure, she quickly raised her other hand and shouted:

"Kashi—"

"Inomori-san, Chouno-san, let's go to the protected wildlife area first!"

As if unaware of her greeting, Kashima dragged two other followers and quickly ran off with an enthusiastic smile on her face.

Fumino's face stiffened a bit, but she wasn't one to give up easily. She looked around with a threatening gaze, holding onto the idea that even if it was a male classmate she didn't know, it didn't matter. After all, she wanted to use someone as a shield. She planned to scream at anyone she saw and prevent Shinichi from succeeding.

Unexpectedly, all the Class B students who had just gathered and were busy discussing where to go suddenly dispersed!

They naturally divided into several groups, talking to each other and quickly entering the park out of sight.

The two of them were left alone in the open space.

"Damn..." Fumino was shocked and confused.

She had never seen classmates who were so well-trained... No, the feeling of being trained was still very clear, but why did they have to practice something like that?

Wait, was it the Thorn Club again?!

Fumino immediately guessed the culprit, but before she could react, Shinichi showed off his dominant style. His hand slid from her wrist to her palm, clasping her fingers tightly, and pulling the girl towards the main entrance.

"Let's go, let's find Rizu first."

"W-Wait!" Fumino stumbled after him, her ears under her blue hair already red, her struggle like unspoken words, and she began to falter.

"Aren't you afraid of being seen by others?! All the second-year students are here!"

"Why should I be afraid?" Shinichi said without looking back.

Fumino was stunned, feeling a bit sour for no reason, and couldn't help muttering softly:

"Yeah, of course, you're not afraid... Even your kiss was so excessive..."

"It's not that."

Shinichi shook his head and didn't look at her.

His tone was flat but very strong.

"I like you, why should I be afraid?"

"..."

Fumino's eyes widened and her mouth opened. Those words felt like a stab to her heart. Warmth filled the air, rendering her speechless.

Her heart was beating so fast, and blood flowed quickly.

Fumino pretended not to hear, just staring at the ground, occasionally glancing at the hand holding hers, then fell silent.

She didn't speak, and Shinichi didn't speak either.

But the fighting spirit no longer emanated from her palm.

She lowered her gaze and smiled.

They soon found Rizu, who was still at the disbandment of Class E. Beside her was a brown-haired girl in a white cloak who had been getting closer lately and started calling herself a close friend, "Sekijo Sawako."

Seeing the two holding hands like a couple, with the girl being pulled by the guy, they were inevitably a little surprised, but their doubts were different.

Sawako: "Are you two dating? Asada Shinichi, what are you going to do about Ogata Rizu?! If you don't want her, I'll take her!"

Rizu: "Sekijo-san, please be quiet... Fumino, have you made up?"

"NO!"

Fumino immediately shook her head, still looking angry.

Shinichi smiled kindly, curling his middle finger, scratching the spaces between their palms, and gently drawing circles.

"Eek~"

Fumino immediately shuddered, and a red hue appeared on her face, unconsciously hugging her arms, biting her lip, and breathing quickly.

※Tip: Fumino is very sensitive not only in the palms of her hands but also in many places.

The atmosphere was silent for a few seconds.

Then her entire body turned red from her neck to her ears, and her fist hit Shinichi's kidney, looking like she was so embarrassed and angry that she tried to hit him into a V shape.

Shinichi continued happily, even though he felt like his internal organs were going to break. After all, hitting is kissing, scolding is loving, and if Fumino doesn't hit or scold, no one will love.

"??"

Sawako looked at him with a questioning look on her face.

(Is there something wrong with your brain? Why are you showing your affection in front of us? Are you planning to show off?)

She didn't click her tongue, and when she was about to drag Rizu out of here and go shopping elsewhere to avoid making her upset, she saw her pushing up her glasses and walking away with an indifferent expression.

"Ogata..."

Sawako hesitated for a moment but still didn't stop her. She rarely saw the ups and downs of Rizu's emotions. The serious and amazing girl seemed to have suppressed her emotions and never let anyone find her true self. Walking straight ahead freely and alone.

The figure was commendable, but also sad.

If, if only... If teaching this bitch would make Rizu feel better.

Help her hold those two so she can vent her hatred happily. That's what a good friend should do!

Sawako made an instant decision, even if she had to be a lackey, even if it would get her punished by the school.

She also wanted to be like Rizu, fighting for her beliefs without looking back or hesitating!

"Ogata Rizu, I'm coming!"

With determined and resolute eyes, Sawako lifted her white cloak and was about to rush forward to save Shinichi, who was the first to be attacked.

"Fumino, you're so cunning."

Rizu puffed her cheeks, grabbing Shinichi's other hand, and clasping his palm.

"If you can do this without reconciliation... I want it too."

After holding his hand tightly, she leaned against Shinichi, and a slow smile appeared on her expressionless face.

Sawako maintained her front posture and froze in place.

"???"

The three of you...

What's the connection?