Resolute Message

At Shinichi's request, Mafuyu slowed down her car, first dropping him off, then heading to Nakano's apartment.

Itsuki, sitting in the passenger seat, talked to Mafuyu about all the interesting things that happened today.

Ichika wore headphones, immersed in music.

Yotsuba stared blankly at the passing scenery outside the window.

In this quiet atmosphere, the car finally came to a stop. The three of them bid farewell to Mafuyu, walked side by side towards the apartment door, and took the elevator.

.....

Unexplainable silence enveloped the air. They watched the elevator number change. None of them spoke first.

The recently lively conversation felt like a dream; now, they concealed their own thoughts, avoiding eye contact.

After a brief moment, the thirtieth floor was reached.

They exited the elevator, but before reaching the front door, they heard sounds coming from their bags almost simultaneously.

It was a quick message.

They exchanged puzzled glances, stopped together, took out their phones, and unlocked the screens.

Itsuki muttered softly, "It's from Asada-kun..."

Holding their phones tighter, Ichika chuckled helplessly, "Me too."

"I as well..." Yotsuba clicked on the lengthy message in the midst of her slightly accelerated heartbeat.

[To Yotsuba:

Initially, I wanted to have a more literary opening, like the letters written by Haruki Murakami in "Norwegian Wood." Still, thinking that you are the recipient, I decided to be straightforward.

I've worked hard today, and thanks to your charm... No, it's the protective saint's relay baton and our respective efforts; we were able to achieve perfect results without regrets.

I don't know if you've considered your future path?

Sports University is indeed the right choice for you, where you can participate in both domestic and international competitions and shine in the world of sports.

If you really enjoy running, I suggest you take it seriously. If not, just forget about it. Whatever happens, don't force yourself.

Of course, this is just a one-way suggestion; do as you please! It's precisely because you can make choices that life is full of surprises and joys.

I'm sure you understand this yourself, so I won't be too verbose here like an old woman.

The end of today doesn't mean the end of high school youth. There are still sports festivals, devotional festivals, and other activities that require hard work. I think there's still plenty to keep us busy.

The only thing to remember is that you can strive as hard as you can, but you must remember to take care of your health. Origami cranes are quite troublesome, and my skills are terrible.

So, please do what you can! This is not a concern but a threat. You surely don't want to worry Ichika and the others, right?

Although this is somewhat awkward for me as an outsider, I've stated it directly to the point, so I won't be too verbose with you.

Finally...

Eavesdropping is bad.

And are you a ninja? I didn't even hear the sound of footsteps after running that far; remarkable, isn't it?

Considering that eavesdroppers usually take quotes out of context and create various misunderstandings, plus what Ichika said during the celebration feast, I think I need to tell you something...

It would be embarrassing to say it directly, and there's no chance. Please selectively forget when we meet tomorrow; otherwise, I might be a little embarrassed.

Honestly, this is just a bit embarrassing; furthermore, it's not a confession.

During the summer vacation, I told Ichika: I like her, and I like everyone.

Not to mention the profound meaning of this sentence and its background, so I won't tell it in detail. I just want to express my feelings.

By the way, I told Nino the same thing. On the day Miku fell ill, we discussed this outside the door.

Don't rush to call me a scoundrel. I won't listen even if you say it. Please save it for the end.

Okay, this should be the longest message for you, right? I still have to think about how to type messages for others, so I'll end it here.

I think now, how do you feel when you see this?

But anyway, Yotsuba's head is not suitable for thinking about complicated things other than school tasks, and Yotsuba's face is not suitable for showing expressions other than a smile.

Just say it when you feel upset, to your family, teacher, friends, and me.

Although there are many things I can't bear, Nakano Yotsuba's problems are not among them.

...Just like that day when you clapped my hands until they turned red to cheer me up.

So now, I'll attack you mercilessly! The parts include the palms, backs of the hands, and forehead, so you can understand what I felt initially.

Yes, Asada Shinichi is quite petty.

The gloomy autumn wind and the weather are getting colder. Please stay warm, idiot Yotsuba.

Last but not least.

I like you, and everyone]

After reading it word by word, Yotsuba seemed to remember how to breathe. Her chest rose with a strong heartbeat. She pressed her phone firmly to her chest and closed her eyes.

(I have to feel awkward until the end. It's really Asada-san's style.)

"Huh? Yotsuba, what's wrong?"

Ichika turned her gaze away from her phone, confused by Yotsuba's behavior.

"Did Shinichi-kun say something interesting in the message he sent you?"

Yotsuba opened her eyes and looked at Ichika and Itsuki beside her.

Her rabbit ears started to tremble rapidly, and she giggled.

"Um, he said a lot!"

"How specific?" Ichika asked, then unconsciously took a step back, shaking her head.

"No, I won't ask anymore..."

"Shinichi-kun said he likes all of us!"

Yotsuba couldn't lie, speaking plainly, looking at Ichika and speaking with a clear voice.

"Because he found me eavesdropping on him talking to someone else about our relationship in the corridor, so he specifically explained it to me."

"Another thing is caring for me and preparing me for the sports festival."

"Eh? Ha, so that's it..." Ichika showed a surprised expression similar to Itsuki's, and said with a slightly bitter smile.

"I... During the summer vacation, I heard him say the same sentence."

Yotsuba nodded unsurprised, "Yes. It seems he also told Nino."

"Nino?" Ichika's mouth wrinkled, her smile turned slightly frightening, her blue eyes dimmed, and a hint of black energy slowly appeared behind her.

"How many girls did that guy say the same sentence to?"

"Wait a minute –"

Itsuki thought of a crucial moment and shouted.

"Of all people, am I the only one who hasn't heard Asada-kun say this?!"

Ichika and Yotsuba looked at each other and nodded hesitantly, "Maybe, Miku... Maybe she was the first?"

"Uh..."

Itsuki puffed up her cheeks, opened the message board with an uncertain expression.

"You really receive different treatment; Asada-kun is quite biased! No, I have to ask for an explanation from him!"

"Don't get too excited~" Ichika poked Itsuki's cheek with her finger, like deflating a balloon, returning it to its normal round shape.

Then she rejected the idea of asking her.

"Itsuki-chan, do you want Shinichi-kun to confess to you? Do you want to hear him say 'I like you' to you?"

"Eh!?" Itsuki suddenly panicked. A blush appeared on her face, and she quickly defended herself.

"No, that's not what I meant – ah, really, I retract my opening words! I retract the message! I just said what I said without thinking, please don't pay attention!"

"I know, alright, let's set this aside for now..."

Ichika turned her gaze away and stepped forward to follow Yotsuba as she opened the door. There was a slightly tense smile on her lips, and she spoke with a serious tone.

"Yotsuba, what do you think? After being told that he likes all of us."

"Like in terms of friendship, right?"

Yotsuba turned around, her raised eyebrows, puffing her chest, smiling confidently, and said without hesitation:

"I also like Asada-san! Isn't that fine? There's no law saying you can only like one friend!"

"Not many..."

As if lamenting Yotsuba's overly innocent thoughts, Ichika shook her head helplessly, trying to explain to her.

"Indeed, if we're friends, there won't be a problem."

"But clearly, apart from me, his feelings towards Nino and Miku are definitely between a man and a woman... Maybe you can't differentiate, can you?

"I went to the zoo before..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Yotsuba's words.

"So what?"

"Eh...?"

Ichika looked at her back in surprise.

Yotsuba opened the door, her profile blurry in the living room's unlit space, and her expression was not clearly visible.

She stepped into the darkness without looking back, her voice sounding like she had made a decision.

"Everyone is the same."

"We are quintuplets."

Only these words remained.