Nakano Ichika Appears in This Chapter

The autumn sightseeing destination is a natural tourist spot that combines mountain scenery, flowing water with red maple trees, ecological conservation areas, and wildlife tourist areas; the attached hotel even has various hot spring pools that can be enjoyed.

There are acidic springs, alkaline springs, sulfur springs, iron-containing springs, milk baths, rose baths, green tea baths, mixed baths. Almost all types of hot springs are available here for bathing and relaxation after visiting. This is a famous resort that is both far and near.

The price, of course, is very high. A one-day, one-night trip is almost equivalent to a three-day, two-night trip at other schools. Fortunately, for students of Shuchi'in Academy, anything that can be solved with money is nothing.

Mostly.

However, civilian students like Uesugi Fuutarou and Yuiga Nariyuki, whose families cannot afford it, gave up on this autumn trip early to save money to support their families. Shinichi didn't have to rely on his parents because he got his first salary. He didn't even need to use scholarships; he could participate with the money from his own hard work and have fun.

Moreover, he is also the student council president and can receive exemptions and reductions in various aspects according to school policy, so he certainly isn't afraid of not being able to live without money.

The bus stopped in the parking lot, and the second-year students got off the bus with their bags and gathered at the entrance to the amusement park.

They will take the bus again around five in the evening. After arriving at the hotel, they will pick up their belongings and start room assignments and check-in. After dinner, there will be activities like a bravery test meeting.

They lined up by class and student number. Shinichi stood at the front of the line because the top-ranked student didn't come today. Right in front of him was the familiar leader of Class B, Kirisu Mafuyu.

"Attention, you will start free activities after a while. Try to find someone to socialize with, don't go alone, and stay in touch with your phone at all times. Everyone should have a map in hand. If you encounter any difficulties, go to the visitor center; there will be teachers staying there. The meeting time and location are..."

With a portable loudspeaker hanging from her waist, after giving detailed instructions before departure, Mafuyu wearing simple sports clothes, looked around and made sure everyone was okay before turning off the loudspeaker.

She stared at Shinichi, took a few steps forward, and whispered:

"Furuhashi-san and Ogata-san, will they continue to be in the student council?"

She didn't mean to beat around the bush. As the student council advisor, Mafuyu was asking directly what she wanted to know.

Shinichi glanced sharply, shook his head, and said, "I'm not sure. At most, I can only guarantee that it won't affect the student council's operations."

"...Then do your best." Mafuyu nodded, then said.

"If you fight, make up quickly. It will lower your academic status."

Her tone was somewhat stiff, but there was a touch of tenderness in it. It was her concern expressed from a teacher's perspective.

Shinichi couldn't help but smile: "Don't worry, we all prioritize learning and set aside other things."

After all, everything had to come after studying.

"Hah, it's okay."

The corner of Mafuyu's mouth curved slightly. After that smile disappeared.

As she turned around to leave, she suddenly stopped.

She turned her head, her eyes shifting unconsciously, and hesitated.

"Also, in this rare autumn excursion, don't look too worried... Whatever happens, remember, you are a student and you can still seek advice from teachers... No, it's not just me, Yamamoto-sensei and others can too..."

Mafuyu's voice became weaker. If Shinichi couldn't read lips, he might not know what she was saying.

Mafuyu clenched her side hand tightly, and her anxious expression quickly faded.

That's why she couldn't be relied upon like that.

Shinichi turned to her with a firm gaze, looking directly into those eyes without hesitation.

"Asada-kun, if you feel confused, please come and talk to me."

"Although I'm not reliable enough and have messed up a lot, I can't be trusted like you..."

"But, for all the things in the past, I'm very grateful."

"So please give me a chance to repay them."

"Even if I'm just listening, even if I can't give you any advice... I think there's something I can do for you."

After Mafuyu finished speaking very seriously, she turned around with a cold expression and walked towards where the teachers were gathering.

Only among the fluttering pinkish-red hair, a faint blush dazzled her ears, causing the steps beneath her feet to quicken slightly.

Shinichi silently gazed at her back, murmuring from his mouth.

"...I'll do it. Thank you."

△

Although fostering friendship, the school did not force them to form groups, and tour guides did not guide them boringly, but let them wander.

However, to ensure the safety of students, not only did every student have a school badge-shaped transmitter that must always be worn on their body, so that students could send a distress signal anytime when in danger.

There are many security guards dressed as thugs and undercover police officers disguised as tourists walking around the park, even park guards, janitors, and even some animals in the wild. They are all under the control of Shuchi'in Academy.

Their protection goal is the future of this country, and there is no room for any negligence.

After announcing free activities, Itsuki first went to look for her sisters. This was their first time visiting this place. Compared to her classmates, they must certainly enjoy this new feeling with their sisters first.

"Hawu~ I didn't sleep enough in the car..."

Ichika walked from Nino to Itsuki with lazy steps she didn't recognize, her eyes squinting and she spoke faintly.

"Itsuki is softer... There's also the scent of his food. The pillow is so nice..." She said while sniffing, showing a soft smile of satisfaction.

Itsuki sighed as usual and began to teach her with a serious expression.

"Ichika, if you want to go out and play, you should sleep enough the day before! You clearly didn't work yesterday, why didn't you sleep earlier? Were you chatting with Shinichi-kun again?"

"Besides, our bodies are clearly the same, so there's nothing softer..."

"Balderdash!" Nino cursed as it concerned her figure.

Immediately, she regained her graceful attitude, combed her short hair, and said with a displeased expression on her face.

"Don't think I don't know that you've gained weight lately. Being quintuplets is one thing, but weight and body shape are another! Especially you, Itsuki, if you keep eating without restraint, sooner or later you'll become very fat. You'll get a quintuplet certificate!"

"True..."

Miku approached, pinching Itsuki's waist, thighs, buttocks, and chest, rubbing her fingers, and frowned in disgust.

"A lot of fat. Let's send Itsuki to accompany the raccoon dog today. Yotsuba will take care of her."

"Eh?!" Yotsuba, who was looking around, was suddenly called and waved her hand in response.

"I-I can't handle it! I shouldn't be able to lift her..."

Before she finished speaking, she covered her mouth in surprise and looked at Itsuki, her eyes showing embarrassment and apology.

"Even Yotsuba is like this, you're going too far!"

Itsuki, who was intimidated every day, shed tears and stomped her foot. The other three sisters watched the fat quiver.

They all sighed and grimaced with disgust.

Ichika opened her eyes and said with a smile, "It means Itsuki's body is very healthy and has a lot of energy to use. When the world ends, she will continue our quintuplets' spirit... No, the only hope for all humanity?"

Everyone nodded in realization: "That's right... Itsuki, keep getting fatter. For the sake of all humanity."

"I don't want that!"

Itsuki had to reaffirm that in terms of weight, she was well below the obesity line and not exceeding it at all!

Just as she tried to use theory and data to persuade her plastic sisters to stop using the word "fat" to bully her, Ichika sniffed her upper body again, from her neck to her chest.

Then, a glint of light appeared in her eyes, and she spoke as if accusing her:

"This smells like Shinichi-kun! Itsuki has a lot of Shinichi-kun's scent!"

"...What?"

Everyone immediately set aside the word "fat" and looked at Itsuki's pale face with suspicion.

Miku: "Ohho (emotionlessly), are you finally making a move..."

Yotsuba: "Could it be on the bus? Itsuki is very bold..."

Nino: "Huh? There, do you meet the criteria to talk about it? On the school stairs?"

Yotsuba: "Uhhh... Nino, I don't remember that clearly..."

Itsuki regained consciousness and waved her hands in panic to deny it. Her whole face was as red as a monkey's butt.

"No, no, no, it's because we were sitting together on the bus and I accidentally fell asleep on Shinichi-kun's shoulder, so that's why I smell like him! Believe me, I really haven't kissed him yet!"

At this moment, Itsuki really hoped she could have sisters.

This way, she wouldn't have to be at the bottom of the quintuplet food chain and be bullied every day by a group of sisters whose condition was getting worse.