Chapter 5

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Megumi sank onto the couch beside his backpack, a deep, weary sigh escaping his lips. His gaze wandered upwards, first to the blank ceiling and then to the unlit lamp, lost in thought.

Another day of school had come and gone, just another stretch of monotonous hours like the first day.

It had been uneventful, marked only by brief interactions with Itsuki and Yotsuba, and dull. Opting to spend his break in the classroom rather than braving the cafeteria had only deepened his sense of isolation. But in truth, Megumi had no interest in engaging with his classmates.

And his classmates seemed to feel the same. No one approached him or addressed him directly; they were indifferent to his presence. The only attention he received was the occasional glance, probably because of his undeniable good looks, and some low teasing from a particular group of boys because of his name.

But he met it all with silence—after all, it didn't really matter what they thought of him. Megumi had faced far worse than being teased by random teenagers.

As the quiet, monotonous moments passed, his eyelids grew heavy. Megumi was tired—no, he was exhausted. After all, he hadn't slept last night.

The four long hours he spent at school had done nothing to alleviate his fatigue, and he felt even worse than he had in the morning. He could easily pass out at any moment.

But he couldn't afford to. His thoughts turned to his next obligation: teaching the Nakano sisters.

Maruo had mentioned that he should tutor them twice a week, leaving it up to Megumi to choose which days. It seemed fair enough.

It was Tuesday, so, it made sense to pick one of the other three days to hold his lesson—he was definitely not in a position to do it today.

But it's not like it would make a difference.

The Nakanos would likely dodge his class again; what would make their opinion change so suddenly? Sure, he could wait until the end of the week to teach the lesson, but… he just wanted to get it over with.

The sooner he taught this second lesson, the more time he'd have without having to deal with this job. And why put off until tomorrow what you can do today? That's what Tsumiki always told him.

Okay, this particular situation was different, and his sister would probably be frustrated with him for applying her advice to something she wouldn't approve of, but... whatever.

With that thought, Megumi pushed himself up—or tried to. Every muscle in his body protested as he forced himself to stand, his limbs feeling heavier than usual.

The couch, though uncomfortable, was preferable to moving when he was so drained, which was pathetic. He really was out of shape.

Megumi stretched lightly, letting out a quiet sigh before straightening up. After a few seconds, he grabbed his backpack and headed for the apartment door.

It was tragic, really, that he had spent only a few minutes at home before leaving again.

He took the apartment key from the table, walked to the door, unlocked it, and stepped out into the dim hallway, closing the door behind him.

He headed toward the elevator but turned left, opting for the stairs as usual. Megumi descended with a growing sense of detachment, his expression becoming increasingly distant.

His hands slipped into his pockets as he passed through the lobby, not even bothering to glance at the employees. He knew better than to expect them to look up from their work to acknowledge a mere nod from him.

He made it as far as the building's exit before stepping outside and being greeted by the afternoon light. His eyes squinted briefly, but he quickly forced himself to adjust. He had been out here just minutes ago, so it shouldn't have been difficult to acclimate again.

He walked, and kept walking. The streets were quieter than usual, with only the occasional rustle of leaves along the sidewalk breaking the silence. He lowered his head slightly, feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

This is so stupid...

He took a deep breath, trying to maintain an upright posture as he lifted his gaze. The Pentagon wasn't far, so his walk wouldn't be long, but every step made his feet ache.

This is a huge problem. He couldn't afford to let exhaustion get the best of him, not now when he needed to stay vigilant for any threats. Megumi frowned at the thought.

He was in no shape to tutor the Nakano sisters, let alone protect them. What kind of protector was he?

Shaking his head, Megumi tried to push those thoughts away. He had strong shikigami that could handle any threat. Being out of shape didn't mean much when his shikigami were as formidable as ever.

Thinking of his shikigami made him pause, his eyebrows raising slightly. He hadn't checked on the Rabbit Escape clones yet, he reminded himself. He should probably do that, just in case.

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as he stopped walking. He focused on sensing the presence of the clones, hoping to reassure himself that he still had a grasp on the Nakanos' location.

Seconds passed, and he felt nothing. His frown deepened. Was he really so out of practice that he couldn't sense his own shikigami?

But then, a hint of relief washed over him as he began to feel five faint presences a few hundred meters ahead. Tiny emissions of cursed energy, almost imperceptible, but there.

Three were at the Pentagon, likely inside the Nakano penthouse. The other two were outside the building, possibly just arriving home. He could sense them.

So, he wasn't completely out of shape after all.

But that didn't mean his situation was good. The fact that he had to concentrate so much to sense the shikigami was troubling. Megumi made a mental note to train his senses more diligently when time—or perhaps his will—permitted.

With that thought in mind, he resumed his walk toward his workplace.

...

After a few moments, the large building came into view, looking as luxurious as ever.

As he got closer, Megumi scanned the surroundings, searching for the two sisters to confirm his senses were accurate.

Within moments, he spotted a pair of girls heading toward the automatic doors, walking side by side.

One wore the standard Asahi High white dress shirt, with a green cardigan tied around her waist. Short, tomboyish hair. The girl next to her wore a black blazer over a blue cardigan, with medium-length hair and a pair of headphones around her neck.

Judging by their hairstyles and accessories, he guessed the girls were Ichika and... Miku? If he remembered correctly. He approached them silently as they entered the building, unaware of his presence.

He considered calling out to them, but the truth was, he probably wasn't capable of speaking out loud right now.

Megumi glanced at the security guard, who recognized him and responded with a nod of acknowledgment before inputting a code on the electronic panel behind him.

The automatic doors opened, and Megumi stepped inside after Ichika and Miku, briefly closing his eyes to shield them from the harsh lights before reopening them.

The sisters remained unaware of his presence as they moved further into the lobby. Knowing that sneaking up on them would be a bad idea, Megumi cleared his throat.

"Hey," he said in a low voice but loud enough for them to hear, causing both Ichika and Miku to stop in their tracks and turn to face him.

"Hmm?" Ichika murmured, but as soon as she recognized Megumi, a polite smile spread across her face. "Oh, hey Megumi-kun. I didn't expect to see you here today."

Miku regarded him silently for a few seconds, her dark blue eyes analyzing his face before she turned and continued on her way. Megumi remained unfazed by her indifference, but Ichika's expression shifted to mild frustration as she noticed her sister's behavior.

"Hey," she called softly to Miku, her voice gentle but firm. "Greet Megumi-kun." Education is the basis of everything, after all.

Miku glanced back at Ichika, then at Megumi, and murmured, "Good afternoon," before turning away once more.

Megumi watched her go, not particularly offended by her curt response. After all, he would be a hypocrite to dislike short answers.

Ichika sighed and turned back to him with an apologetic look. "Sorry about her," she said quietly.

"No problem," Megumi replied simply, and a brief silence settled between them.

Ichika studied him for a moment, her expression gradually turning into a frown as she noticed the tiredness etched into his features. It was clear that he needed a few hours of sleep.

She considered asking if he was okay but hesitated for two reasons. One: it was obvious that he wasn't exactly okay. Two: she didn't want to nag, something she understood all too well.

So instead of prying into his life, she decided to test him a little.

"So..." Ichika began, leaning in slightly as her tone took on a playful edge. "You know who I am, right?"

"Ichika," he replied plainly, and Ichika clapped her hands in delight.

"Bingo!" she exclaimed, grinning. "What about the one over there?" She pointed toward Miku's retreating back.

"...Miku," Megumi replied, though he wasn't entirely sure, it seemed to match what he remembered. The headphones were kind of a giveaway after all.

"Good job!" Ichika said, pleased with his performance given that he had only just met them. She then gestured for him to follow. "I guess you're here for a lesson, right? Well, let's go!"

Though he looked more ready for a nap than a class, Ichika refrained from judging his choices, opting instead to lead the way.

Megumi followed Ichika, instinctively slipping his hands into his pockets. He lowered his head slightly to shield his eyes from the harsh glare of the construction lights overhead as they approached the elevator, where Miku was already waiting with her back turned.

Ichika moved to stand next to Miku in front of the elevator doors. Miku briefly met her sister's eyes before looking away, not returning the smile Ichika offered. This was typical behavior for the two of them.

Silence fell between the three as they waited for the elevator, a silence Megumi was grateful for. He had no interest in making small talk.

A few seconds later, the elevator arrived with a soft ding, the metal doors sliding open to reveal the small, enclosed space inside.

Miku stepped in first, followed by Ichika, who stood to her sister's left. Megumi entered last, positioning himself as far from the sisters as possible within the cramped quarters.

The elevator doors closed with a gentle whoosh, and soft, familiar music began to play from hidden speakers. Ichika sighed contentedly. "Ah, I love this song," she remarked with a nostalgic smile. "It brings back so many memories."

Both Megumi and Miku remained silent. Undeterred, Ichika tilted her head slightly as she looked at Miku. "How long have we lived at the Pentagon?" she mused aloud, raising a finger to her lips. "Three years?"

"...Three years," Miku confirmed quietly.

Ichika hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze drifting to the overhead light. Moving to the Pentagon had marked a significant change in their lives, a gradual end to the struggles that followed their mother's death.

A contemplative look crossed Ichika's face before she shook the thoughts away. Her gaze then dropped to Megumi, who appeared lost in thought. Deciding to start a conversation, she asked, "So, Megumi-kun, what are your plans for class today?" She wasn't particularly interested—studying wasn't her favorite thing—but the silence felt heavy, and she wanted to fill it.

Megumi didn't need to think before replying flatly, "Anything you guys ask."

Ichika paused for a moment, her eyebrows raising slightly in surprise. Then, a playful smile appeared on her lips. "Bold of you to assume that we will participate," she joked, though there was a hint of truth in her words.

Megumi didn't respond, his gaze growing distant. The scent of Ichika's perfume was strong in the confined space, and it was starting to make him feel nauseous.

The smile slowly faded from Ichika's face as she noticed his lack of response. She quickly remembered that he looked exhausted, and she realized that reminding him of the challenges that awaited him at work wasn't the best idea.

Awkwardly, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her mind racing for something to say. Her gaze eventually settled on the elevator's control panel, and a memory surfaced.

"Miku?" Ichika called, turning to her sister with a mischievous smile. "Remember that day we got stuck in the elevator?"

Miku glanced at her, her expression darkening a bit. Ichika put a hand to her chin, thinking back. "It was just a few weeks after we moved here... We didn't know much about elevators back then."

Ichika chuckled at the memory. "You must remember it well, right?" she teased. "After all, you were the one panicking."

Miku's face soured further. Was Ichika really going to bring up such an embarrassing moment in front of someone else?

"I can still see your face when the elevator stopped moving," Ichika continued, nudging Miku playfully with her elbow.

Miku narrowed her eyes at Ichika, giving her a look that clearly said, "Please stop," but Ichika, caught up in the nostalgia, didn't seem to notice.

"You clung to me, crying like a baby and calling for Dad, remember?" Ichika added, making Miku's face flush with embarrassment.

"I was just a kid..." Miku muttered through gritted teeth. "Of course, I would react badly."

"Yeah, and naive too!" Ichika exclaimed as more memories surfaced, her expression brightening. "You even said the oxygen would run out and we'd suffocate!"

"Ichika..." Miku whispered, her expression worsening by the second. "Stop talking."

"And for a moment, I really thought you were going to pass out," Ichika continued, clearly not done yet. "You turned pale as a sheet after just a few minutes."

"You've said enough," Miku said dryly, her patience wearing thin.

"Oh, and remember what happened afterward?" Ichika grinned, enjoying the situation. Miku's eyes widened slightly, dreading what her sister was about to share. "You asked to sleep in my room for two whole weeks!"

The pure amusement on Ichika's face as she embarrassed her sister was priceless. Like a true older sibling, she thrived on teasing her younger sisters—after all, that was the natural order of things.

"..." Miku remained silent, clenching her fists as her expression tightened.

Ichika brought a hand to her mouth, clearly reveling in her sister's reaction. "You didn't even want to go near an elevator for months," she added casually. "But don't worry," she said, stepping lightly on the elevator floor as if testing it, "It's safe. And I can hold your hand if you want."

Miku wanted to disappear, to vanish into thin air or sink into the ground. "You're extremely inconvenient..." she hissed quietly, unable to come up with anything else to say.

Ichika chuckled. "They're just memories, y'know," she said, trying to sound wise. "Good or bad, they still shape who we are."

Ichika suddenly seemed to remember that there was a third person present. Her gaze shifted sideways until it settled on Megumi. Her smile widened as she leaned towards him. "Don't you agree, Megumi-kun?"

Miku looked away from them, her face a mix of frustration and embarrassment. She didn't even bother to glance at Megumi's expression after everything Ichika had just said. Damn her sister and her big mouth.

But Megumi didn't respond to Ichika. In fact, he kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling, entirely unbothered by the conversation. The smile on Ichika's face faltered as she absorbed his silence.

"Megumi-kun?" she murmured, trying to get his attention. But it didn't work. Was he ignoring her?

Not exactly.

Megumi wasn't paying attention to them at all. He hadn't even heard Ichika's story; he had no interest in overhearing the Nakano sisters' business, even if it was happening right next to him.

He was more preoccupied with trying not to cough uncontrollably due to Ichika's overwhelmingly strong perfume. No matter how much distance he tried to maintain, that sweet scent still assaulted his senses.

I should have taken the stairs...

A sudden snap of fingers caught his attention, and his eyes shifted to the side, meeting Ichika's confused and slightly concerned gaze.

"Did you hear me?" she asked, making him blink in confusion.

"...Were you talking to me?" he asked in return. His response answered her question all too well.

Ichika's frown deepened. How could he not hear something happening right next to him?

"...Forget it," she murmured, leaning back slightly to give him more space. Her eyes studied his face for a moment before she asked, "Are you okay?"

Megumi didn't respond immediately, then simply shrugged. "Yeah," he said flatly.

Ichika continued to study him for a few moments before sighing and turning back to Miku, trying to regain her carefree demeanor.

"Did you hear that, Miku?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips. Miku still avoided her gaze. Ichika continued, "He didn't hear our story. Can you believe it?"

"...Good," Miku replied, her tone dry and embarrassed.

"Maybe I should repeat it?" Ichika suggested innocently, making Miku's eyes snap back to her.

"Don't!" she said, her voice a little louder than usual. Which was still low, but still.

Ichika chuckled again, easing the small tension that had built up. Teasing her sister was far simpler than trying to decipher Megumi, after all.

Finally, the elevator reached their floor, and the doors slid open with a soft mechanical whir, revealing the hallway leading to the Nakano apartment. This time, Megumi was the first to step out, eagerly inhaling the fresh air.

Miku followed closely behind, still visibly affected by the teasing. Of course, showing that it bothered her had been a big mistake.

Ichika trailed after her, a glint of amusement in her eyes as she watched her sister. "Are you okay, Miku?" she asked innocently, her voice dripping with feigned concern. "You seem upset... Did something happen?"

Miku shot her sister an unimpressed look before focusing on the penthouse door ahead.

Ichika giggled softly, positioning herself between Miku and Megumi as they walked. "I'm trying to have a conversation here," she said with playful reproach. "It's quite rude to ignore your big sister."

"You talk too much," Miku muttered, her tone blunt but not hostile. She fumbled in her pocket for her keys and began unlocking the door.

"But that's a good thing, isn't it?" Ichika commented casually as Miku opened the door and stepped inside. She then turned to Megumi, trying to engage him once again. "What about you, Megumi-kun? Will you indulge me in conversation?" she asked.

Megumi didn't respond, simply waiting for her to enter the apartment. It was rude to enter before the hosts, after all.

Once again met with silence, Ichika hesitated slightly before realizing he was waiting for her to go in first. She stepped inside, with Megumi following a moment later.

As the three finally entered the apartment, Ichika bit the inside of her cheek, casting a final glance at Megumi before focusing straight ahead, deciding not to push any further.

Unlike Yotsuba, Ichika wasn't overly insistent. Or maybe she was just more perceptive.

Being constantly met with short answers or silence from Megumi was enough for her to understand that backing down was the better option rather than continuing to be stubborn.

Megumi let his gaze wander around the apartment, searching for any of the other sisters. It didn't take long before he spotted another figure deeper in the house. Upon noticing him, she immediately spoke up.

"You're here again?" Nino's voice cut through the air, sharp with exasperation. An apron was tied around her waist, and she was clearly on her way to the kitchen but halted the moment she spotted him. "Two days in a row?"

Megumi merely shrugged. He understood her frustration and shared it. But again, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Nino narrowed her eyes slightly before sighing and turning her attention to her sisters. "And where were you two?" she asked, trying to ignore his presence. "You missed lunch."

Ichika managed a casual smile as she stepped deeper into the house. "We had lunch out," she said simply.

"Without telling us?" Nino muttered, her frown deepening. "I left two dishes for you. Now they're going to get cold, and I'll have to wash extra dishes for nothing!"

Ichika chuckled, raising her hand slightly in apology. "My bad for not being considerate." she said lightly.

Nino huffed, her expression growing more tired as she turned her gaze back to Megumi. "And you, what are you doing here?" she demanded.

Megumi stared back, arching an eyebrow. What did she think he was doing here? "I'm here for the lesson."

Nino hesitated, her expression tightening slightly. She really wanted to press the issue, but she remembered what Miku told her yesterday and held back. After a moment of contemplation, she sighed and simply shook her head.

Nino then turned to Miku. "Miku," she said, "help me with the dishes."

Miku paused, frowning. "Why me?" she asked.

"Because," Nino said simply, gesturing for Miku to follow. "Now, come on."

Miku stood still for a moment, her expression darkening before she sighed and followed her sister to the kitchen.

Left alone with Ichika, Megumi let his gaze wander aimlessly around the room. Eventually, his eyes settled on a particular spot in the far right corner, just beyond the sofa. There, five small creatures with snowy white fur huddled together, their sharp eyes surveying the room.

His eyes met those of the rabbits—his shikigami, Rabbit Escape. As their ears perked up in acknowledgment of his presence, a subtle unease crept into Megumi's chest. Even though they were his own, there was something off about them that made it difficult to recognize them as such. A nagging sensation of unfamiliarity lingered, as though his connection to his shikigami had frayed in some way.

Just how screwed is my mind?

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Ichika's voice. "Looking for someone?" she asked.

"Yotsuba and Itsuki," he replied almost instinctively, the lie slipping out as he quickly averted his gaze from the rabbits. "Are they home?"

Ichika nodded, her brow furrowing slightly as she glanced toward the stairs. "I think they're in their rooms," she said thoughtfully. "Do you want me to call them?"

"I can manage," Megumi replied, his voice steady as he turned his attention away from Ichika and began heading toward the stairs without a second thought.

As he walked, Megumi tried to focus on his situation as a tutor rather than the unsettling feelings stirred by the shikigami. Ichika and Yotsuba had been the most welcoming toward him, while Itsuki was reasonable but stubborn. Miku remained neutral, indifferent to his presence, and Nino was openly hostile, having gone as far as trying to drug him.

With this in mind, Megumi wondered if he had any hope of getting another tutoring session in today. Yotsuba might be willing to participate, but the others? He wasn't so sure.

Not that it really matters to me...

As he ascended the stairs, Megumi paused in front of the first door, recalling what Yotsuba had mentioned the day before: the first two rooms belonged to Itsuki and Yotsuba, respectively.

It was in order of youngest to oldest, after all, and they were both the youngest. That much he could remember.

He knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before it slowly creaked open to reveal Itsuki. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as she met his gaze.

"Fushiguro-kun…" she murmured, glancing briefly past him as if expecting someone else before focusing back on him. "What are you doing here?"

"My job," he replied plainly. Itsuki frowned as she processed his response, and realization dawned on her.

"I see…" she said, falling silent for a moment before adding, "I'm studying now." She opened the door wider, allowing him to see her room.

On her desk were two notebooks, a book, and a browser open on her notebook—a clear sign that she was indeed studying.

Megumi nodded slightly in acknowledgment and then asked, "Do you need help with something?"

Itsuki hesitated, her pride making it difficult to ask for help after her previous attitude. She eventually shook her head.

"I can handle it on my own," she responded, trying to sound confident.

"Alright," Megumi said, his voice devoid of any attempt to persuade her otherwise.

Her reaction to his nonchalant acceptance was a mix of surprise and discomfort. She almost expected him to insist, but when he remained silent, she sighed.

"…I should get back to studying," she said, moving to close the door. "Good luck with the rest, I guess," she added, fumbling over her words slightly.

With a soft click, the door closed. She made sure not to slam it, despite her frustration.

Megumi stood there for a moment, his expression resigned.

"Stubborn," a voice hummed from behind him. He turned slightly to see Ichika walking up the stairs. "But I wouldn't worry about her. Itsuki-chan is very committed. She'll study on her own just fine."

Megumi simply nodded and continued toward Yotsuba's room, sticking to his routine.

"You probably already know Yotsuba's answer, right?" Ichika continued casually, falling into step beside him. "That girl can't say no."

Megumi acknowledged Ichika's comment with a brief nod, his focus still on his task. He paused in front of Yotsuba's door and knocked.

When no response came, he knocked again with a bit more force. The seconds felt unusually long until the door finally creaked open, revealing Yotsuba. Her face instantly brightened with recognition.

"Fushiguro-san! Are we having another lesson today?" she asked eagerly, stepping aside to invite him in.

Megumi didn't move to enter, keeping his distance as he replied, "If you want to." His tone carried no hint of encouragement or discouragement.

Yotsuba nodded enthusiastically, undeterred by his lack of enthusiasm. "Of course! I'll grab my notebook!" she chirped before dashing into her room.

Beside him, Ichika let out a soft laugh, her eyes following her sister with a mix of amusement and affection. "As expected," she remarked, her voice warm, contrasting with Megumi's cold demeanor.

He muttered a noncommittal "Hm," barely acknowledging her comment before turning to her. "And you?" he asked. "Will you participate in class?"

Ichika paused, placing a hand on her chin as if deep in thought, though her playful smile revealed the act. "I don't know... should I?" she teased.

Megumi raised an eyebrow, his expression clearly showing his lack of interest. He wasn't in the mood for games.

Ichika, faced with his silence once again, couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. She chuckled nervously before giving him an answer.

"I think I'll try," she finally conceded. "After all, I did skip class yesterday, didn't I?"

Deep down, Ichika wasn't particularly eager to attend classes. She knew her academic performance was lacking, but she had other priorities in mind.

Even though her schedule probably wouldn't allow her to attend classes regularly unless she made a real effort, seeing Megumi's current state made her reconsider. Adding to his burdens would be unkind.

So, being the considerate person she was, Ichika chose to make an exception this time, hoping to ease the poor guy's day, which likely hadn't started off well.

Megumi just nodded again, not exactly thrilled by his success. But he quickly realized he had barely answered Ichika today and that he might be coming across as disrespectful. So he added, "Good to hear."

"Really good to hear!" Yotsuba's voice chimed in. She had overheard the conversation and approached the door with a notebook in hand and a smile on her face. "It's good to know you'll be participating, Ichika!"

Ichika waved her hand dismissively. "Hehe… no big deal, Yotsuba," she said with a carefree smile. "Even I can admit I need a little guidance."

Yotsuba chuckled. "We all do," she said sincerely before leaving the room and glancing down the hallway, searching for her other sisters. She frowned slightly, her gaze soon resting on Megumi. "Have you tried talking to any of the others?" she asked.

"Itsuki, Nino, and Miku won't participate," he replied simply. Although he didn't know for sure about Miku and Nino, it was easy to assume their opinions wouldn't change so quickly.

Yotsuba's expression fell upon hearing this, and she let out a sigh. But this wasn't surprising, so she pushed aside the negative feelings and straightened up before deciding to lighten the mood with a joke.

She turned to Ichika, a playful smile forming on her face. "It's kind of funny knowing that Itsuki won't be participating, but you will," she commented.

Ichika arched an eyebrow, matching Yotsuba's playful smile. "Is that supposed to be an insult?" she asked.

Yotsuba giggled and shook her head. "Not exactly!" she said. "It's just that she was the most worried about you not taking it seriously, and in the end, she's the one skipping the lesson."

Ichika laughed at that, placing a hand on her chest in mock offense. "Oh, so Itsuki-chan doubted me?" she asked. "It's sad that my little sister thinks so little of me."

Megumi watched the interaction briefly before deciding to head toward the stairs. "Let's go," he murmured without looking back. "We need to start as soon as possible," so that I can return home as soon as possible. but he kept that last part to himself.

Ichika and Yotsuba exchanged a glance, with Ichika grimacing slightly at his tired tone.

Yotsuba nodded. "Yeah, let's go!" she said excitedly, preparing to follow him downstairs, but Ichika stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

Yotsuba gave her sister a confused look. Ichika met her gaze for a moment before glancing at Megumi, who was already walking away, then back at Yotsuba.

"...Did you notice his behavior?" Ichika muttered quietly.

Yotsuba paused, then looked toward where Megumi had been standing. A contemplative expression crossed her face. "...He doesn't seem much different from usual." she murmured.

"Maybe," Ichika said, but quickly added, "It's just... I don't know. He looks really tired."

"Oh..." Yotsuba whispered, frowning as she looked back at Ichika. "Do you think so?"

"I can tell when someone's tired, Yotsuba," Ichika replied with an amused smile. "You know, I am the sleep expert, after all."

"You're right..." Yotsuba let out an amused huff, but her expression soon turned to concern. "But if Fushiguro-san is tired, shouldn't he be resting?"

"Probably," Ichika agreed with a shrug. "But he's here, pushing through despite the headache and exhaustion." She then added, "So let's try not to make things worse, how about that?"

Yotsuba raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do you mean?"

Ichika explained, "We probably didn't leave a great impression on him yesterday with all our lack of interest in studying and whatnot." A shameless smile formed on her face. "Me included, of course."

Yotsuba nodded slightly. "Yeah, it wasn't the best first experience." she whispered.

Ichika agreed, placing a hand on Yotsuba's shoulder. "So let's try not to give him any trouble today, okay?" she suggested. "Let's just let him do his thing so he can go home and take a nap or something."

"Yes... that's a good idea," Yotsuba said, a determined expression forming on her face. But her face soon turned wary. "But... if he's really tired, it's not healthy to overwork, right?"

Ichika tilted her head in amusement. "Look who's talking..." she whispered.

Yotsuba gulped lightly, looking away. "I mean... let's not talk about my habits, okay?" she murmured.

Ichika chuckled, shaking her head slightly, while Yotsuba seemed lost in thought.

Teaching them complicated subjects would probably be exhausting for Megumi—after all, they weren't exactly the brightest. The harder his work, the more drained he would become.

Yotsuba, more than anyone, understood the toll of pushing oneself beyond their limits. She didn't want that for Megumi, so she had to find a way to lighten his load. But how?

Her mind wandered back to their earlier conversation, where Megumi mentioned a few things he liked. Reading and writing were the only activities he spoke of positively.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in Yotsuba's mind, and she looked at Ichika with newfound excitement. "Hey, I know what we can do!" she announced.

Ichika glanced at her curiously, surprised by the sudden shift in Yotsuba's mood. "You do? About what?"

"About this lesson!" Yotsuba explained eagerly. "Teaching us must be really tiring, so why don't we do something simpler?"

"Oh..." Ichika murmured, catching on to where Yotsuba was headed, though she wasn't quite sure how to simplify things in this case. "But I don't think there's such a thing as a simple subject."

Yotsuba shook her head, a smile forming on her face. "There is something everyone knows how to do, and it's not difficult to explain!" she said, before triumphantly revealing her idea. "Let's practice our writing!"

Ichika paused, momentarily taken aback by the suggestion. Writing? Really? A playful smile spread across her face. "You sure you don't just want to skip the lesson?"

Yotsuba flinched, her expression shifting completely. "What? No!" she insisted. "Do you think he'd think of that?"

Ichika chuckled, waving her hands to reassure her. "Relax, I'm just kidding," she said. "It's just that writing doesn't really feel like a proper subject."

Yotsuba sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I know... it's just that it's something simple," she explained. "And... Fushiguro-san mentioned he likes writing, so..."

This caught Ichika's attention. She raised an eyebrow slightly, her smile widening. "Oh... so he's a writer-type?" she asked, humming in thought before nodding in agreement. "I guess that suits him."

It was interesting to Ichika that Yotsuba had already picked up on some of Megumi's preferences, but she decided not to comment on it.

"... Now I see where are you coming from," Ichika said. "Doing something he enjoys should be less taxing."

Yotsuba nodded, lifting her gaze to meet Ichika's. "That's the idea," she said. "Do you think it will work?"

Ichika opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden clearing of the throat interrupted her, drawing their attention.

They turned to find Megumi standing by the stairs, watching them with his usual disinterest. It seemed he had come back upstairs after realizing they were still missing.

"Do you two have something to do?" he asked flatly.

Yotsuba and Ichika exchanged a quick glance before the older sister turned her attention to Megumi, smiling as she nudged Yotsuba to follow her lead.

"Sorry for the hold-up, sensei," Ichika said, deliberately using the title that made Megumi frown. "Just some girly stuff, don't worry." she added with a wink.

Yotsuba appeared momentarily nervous but quickly tried to compose herself as she followed her sister downstairs.

Megumi raised an eyebrow but chose not to press the issue. Turning away, he said, "Let's go," prompting the two girls to catch up to him.

They descended the stairs in silence, Megumi's gaze casually drifting around the house. In the kitchen, he noticed Miku and Nino still washing the lunch dishes, though he paid them little attention.

Once they reached the living room, Megumi gestured for Ichika and Yotsuba to sit on the sofa in the center of the room.

Yotsuba quickly plopped down, while Ichika followed at a more leisurely pace. "So, what are we learning today, sensei?" the older sister teased, trying to gauge his plan despite suspecting he'd likely ask for their preferences.

"Any preferences?" Megumi asked as he sat across from them, just as Ichika had expected. He quickly added, "No math."

Ichika smiled at this, amusement evident in her response to his specific condition. "Aw...really?" she murmured. "But math is my best subject..."

Megumi didn't respond. In fact, he recalled that Ichika's report card showed math was her strongest subject. But that meant she needed to focus more on other areas.

Yotsuba cast a hesitant glance at Ichika, her eyes filled with apologetic concern. "He already gave me a math lesson yesterday, Ichika..." she said softly, her tone regretful. "I'm really sorry."

Ichika turned to her sister with a curious smile and shook her head. "Why are you apologizing?" she asked gently. "You didn't do anything wrong."

After all, their plan wasn't to focus on difficult subjects like math, so Yotsuba's concern seemed misplaced.

"Oh..." Yotsuba's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Ichika's response. Realizing her mistake, she offered a nervous smile. "Sorry..."

Ichika let out an amused chuckle. "Stop apologizing," she said playfully. "You apologize for everything!"

"Sorry..." Yotsuba repeated instinctively, still not fully grasping the irony.

Megumi watched the interaction, his expression growing weary. Before he could comment, a new voice cut through the air.

"Hey, Yotsuba, did you drop your plate?" Nino's voice carried a serious, almost judgmental tone as she approached from the kitchen, holding a cracked plate. She shot her sister a pointed look. "Again?"

Yotsuba looked up at Nino, confusion written all over her face at her sister's sudden appearance. Her eyes widened in dismay upon seeing the broken plate. "Oh... Uhm..." she stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"Be honest," Nino pressed, her tone firm, knowing full well her sister's inability to lie, specially under pressure.

"I... I..." Yotsuba's lip quivered as she struggled to control her emotions before finally blurting out, "I did! Sorry!"

"Oh, God, it's the third time in two months!" Nino exclaimed, frustration clear in her voice. She glared at Yotsuba with irritation. "You really need to be more careful!"

"I'm sorry!" Yotsuba repeated, clasping her hands together in a pleading gesture. Her anxiety about being scolded in front of Megumi was palpable. "It's just—"

"It's just that you always rush through your meals," Miku interjected quietly, emerging from the kitchen with a neutral expression. "If you took your time, you wouldn't keep breaking dishes."

Yotsuba's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she glanced at Megumi, who observed the scene with detached curiosity. This is so embarrassing... she thought, before trying to justify her actions. "It's just... I don't want to waste time in my day!" she explained. "Life is too good to pass up!"

Megumi internally disagreed.

"Yeah, but if you keep this up, we'll run out of dishes," Nino said sternly. "How am I supposed to cook if all the dishes are broken?"

Yotsuba's mortification grew as the reprimand continued, her distress evident. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find a way out of the situation. It seemed someone needed to intervene.

"Calm down," Ichika said, making a soothing gesture with her hand. "You're being too harsh on Yotsuba."

"She's already 16, she should know better." Nino replied dismissively.

"But is it really a good idea to embarass your sister in front of our tutor?" Ichika asked lightly, glancing at Megumi, who stared blankly at the ceiling. "You're just making her more uncomfortable."

"Look who's talking..." Miku muttered, narrowing her eyes at Ichika.

"He's listening, so what?" Nino shot back indifferently. "It's none of his business anyway."

Megumi sighed internally but made an effort to maintain a neutral expression. He was starting to accept that he would need to get used to Nino's attitude.

"But it's still embarrassing..." Yotsuba muttered, letting her gaze drop to the floor to avoid her sisters' eyes.

"And whose fault is that?" Nino pressed, her frustration evident. It wasn't meant to be hurtful; it was simply exasperating to see a 16-year-old making the same mistakes as a 10-year-old.

"Alright, enough," Ichika interjected, aiming to ease the tension. "I think she understands," she said, turning to Yotsuba. "Right, Yotsuba?"

Yotsuba nodded slightly, her face still flushed with embarrassment. "Yeah... it won't happen again."

Ichika nodded in satisfaction. Nino's expression softened slightly, and she let out a tired sigh. "It better won't." she mumbled.

The eldest sister then looked at the other two sisters, her smile widening. "Well, we're about to start studying here," she said. "Do you intend to join us?"

"No," Nino replied immediately, her tone firm. "I've already said we don't need a tutor."

Miku said nothing, merely staring at the broken plate in Nino's hand. They did need a tutor, but the idea was... difficult for her to accept.

"But we do!" Yotsuba protested, shaking off her earlier embarrassment. "Our grades are bad, and you know it."

"We can improve on our own," Nino responded dismissively, crossing her arms. "We don't need to depend on someone else." Her tone grew more dismissive, as if relying on someone outside the family was unthinkable.

Ichika's expression softened. She understood where her sister was coming from very well. "But this is different," she said. "Knowledge isn't something you acquire alone."

"He's a teenager," Nino retorted, glancing at Megumi, who was staring at her impassively. "What kind of knowledge does he have?"

"Fushiguro-san is very smart!" Yotsuba insisted, her expression determined. "He taught me many things I didn't know yesterday."

"Oh, he teach you things you didn't know?" Nino asked, emphasizing "didn't know" with a sarcastic tone. "What an achievement."

Yotsuba hesitated for a moment, not fully grasping what her sister was implying. "...Does that mean you agree?" she murmured.

"She's calling you stupid." Miku clarified simply, causing Yotsuba's eyes to widen in realization.

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Ichika said, trying to hold back her laughter. "We won't be able to study if we keep this up."

"You, wanting to study?" Nino scoffed, narrowing her eyes. "Do you have a fever or something?"

Ichika chuckled openly, waving her hand in an exaggerated manner. "Oh, come on. Why does everyone think studying is so out of character for me?"

"Because it is." Miku muttered quietly.

"And I don't think you're going to study anyway." Nino commented judgmentally.

Yotsuba frowned, a look of confusion on her face. "And why is that?" she asked.

Nino glanced at Megumi. "Isn't it obvious? Just look at him," she said dryly, analyzing the fatigue etched on his face. "He's practically passing out."

Which was a little frustrating, since her pills from yesterday didn't have anywhere near that effect on him.

"...I appreciate your concern." Megumi muttered.

Nino's comment reminded Ichika that they needed to be mindful of not adding to Megumi's stress. She swallowed hard, feeling embarrassed for letting her interactions with her sisters overshadow her earlier concern.

Clearing her throat, she turned to Nino and Miku. "I'm sure he can teach us just fine," she said, forcing a smile. "So, if you're not going to participate, could you leave the room?"

Nino grimaced slightly, focusing her gaze on Ichika. "Leave the room? The house is ours too." she said.

Ichika clicked her tongue in frustration. "I know, but we need some silence to study." she tried to explain.

Picking up on the situation, Yotsuba decided to chime in. "And we've already wasted enough time," she said, giving a brief glance at Megumi before focusing on her sisters. "So... could you?"

Miku watched in silence for a moment before turning towards the kitchen again. "Let's go," she said to Nino. "We have dishes to finish."

But Nino remained still, her arms crossed and her face set in a resolute expression. "You finish them." she said curtly.

Miku paused, narrowing her eyes. "Alone? You're pushing your luck..."

Megumi didn't fully understand why Nino was so suspicious of him and honestly didn't care much. However, it was slightly unpleasant to have someone he was supposed to protect treating him with such distrust.

He considered addressing the situation, but before he could say anything, Yotsuba spoke up:

"You're staying here with us?" she asked Nino, who gave her a look. Despite knowing the potential issues her sister's presence could cause, Yotsuba smiled. "So you are going to participate in class?"

Nino hesitated, her eyebrows raising. "I never said that," she replied. "I just don't see why I should leave the living room just because he's here."

"...If my presence bothers you so much, I can take this class to the library," Megumi suggested casually. He had no intention of moving the class, but talking for the sake of talking seemed necessary.

Nino's gaze snapped to him, her face tightening into a frown. "You will not take my sisters away from me." she said defensively, her voice low.

Megumi paused, his expression growing more understanding. Maybe he was starting to grasp the underlying issue.

"Come on, Nino, stop making such a big deal out of his presence." Ichika said, frowning.

"His presence is unnecessary," Nino declared firmly. "We can handle studying on our own."

If that were true, your grades wouldn't be so bad, Megumi mused, keeping his face neutral.

But given her words, he decided to play along. "Is that so?" he asked, catching Nino's attention. "So, I assume you've been reviewing the material?"

She didn't respond immediately, then let out a low scoff. "Of course I have." Nino said.

"Hm..." he mused, weighing whether it was worth pursuing before internally shrugging. "So I can ask you anything, and you'll know the answer?"

Silence followed. Nino's expression darkened slightly, but with all eyes now on her, she couldn't back down, even though she was cornered.

"You bet," she replied, trying to sound confident. "Ask me anything on any subject."

"Just let it go," Miku advised, glancing at Megumi before turning her attention back to Nino. "We all know you haven't reviewed any material."

Nino gritted her teeth and shot her sister a sharp look. "Excuse me?" she murmured, slightly offended. "Where's your trust in me?"

Miku simply met her gaze with an expressionless stare.

Megumi cleared his throat, reminding Nino that their conversation wasn't over. His gaze remained serious and fixed on her. She turned to him, struggling to maintain a defiant facade.

"Bring it on, Fushiguro." Nino said, intending to sound confident.

"Alright..." Megumi responded, starting to think of a question. It didn't need to be too difficult; he already knew her attitude didn't match her abilities.

She had said "anything on any subject," which left a wide range of possibilities. Megumi tried to recall her strongest subject but quickly realized he couldn't remember.

So, he decided to go with a basic question about the country's history. Resting his forearms on his thighs, Megumi asked, "Who was the greatest Shogun in Japan?"

The question lingered in the air for a few seconds without a response. Megumi's gaze remained neutral, fixed on Nino's face.

It was clear with each passing moment that Nino's posture was becoming increasingly tense.

At first, she seemed to be thinking furiously, trying to recall the answer to a topic she had never paid much attention to, but to no avail.

Then, the corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyebrows furrowed in a frown—a clear sign that she had no idea, as expected.

Acknowledging her failure, Megumi glanced around to see if any of the other girls had an answer.

Yotsuba looked completely lost, of course. Ichika was relaxed, her head resting lazily against the sofa, showing no inclination to answer.

Megumi's eyes soon fell on Miku, who appeared extremely tense. He paused to analyze her. Her posture was rigid, and she stared at him silently, her lower lip quivering as if she desperately wanted to say something but remained silent.

He soon recalled that history was Miku's best subject; she had received good grades in it the previous year. Given the simplicity of the question, she might know the answer. Yet, she said nothing.

"Ugh… it's just a dumb question!" Nino finally exclaimed, her face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. "It's irrelevant."

Ichika chuckled, clearly entertained. "You told him he could ask you anything," she said with a smile, looking at her sister. "Be careful what you wish for."

Nino didn't respond immediately, her frustration evident. After a moment, she huffed. "Whatever." she mumbled, turning on her heels and heading back toward the kitchen, apparently forgetting the fact that she planned to remain in the living room.

Miku stayed behind, clearly struggling, until Nino's voice cut through her reverie. "Hey, Miku?" she called, glancing back at her sister with impatience as she reached the kitchen entrance. "The dishes." she reminded her.

Miku took a moment to process Nino's comment, then slowly emerged from her stupor, nodded, and followed her sister to the kitchen.

The remaining three continued to watch the sisters leave, each with a different expression. Ichika appeared amused, Yotsuba looked embarrassed, and Megumi remained deep in thought, reflecting on recent events.

Nino's bravado crumbles easily under pressure, but she uses attitude to mask her ignorance, He analyzed, his gaze distant. And Miku seemed a little too tense...

He rested his chin on his hand, adopting a more thoughtful expression. I wonder what this means? he mused before slightly shaking his head. Well, whatever.

"You really got under her skin," Ichika's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He glanced over to see her looking at him with a playful smile. "Maybe she'll think more about her choice of words now?"

Megumi adjusted himself in his seat, leaning back against the sofa. "Maybe." he muttered nonchalantly, before glancing at the clock. It had been about 30 minutes since his arrival, and he hadn't made much progress.

Ichika continued, "Don't let her attitude fool you, though," she said. "Deep down, she's as delicate as a flower." Her voice carried the sisterly wisdom of an older sibling.

Megumi glanced at Ichika, considering her words. He didn't respond immediately, but he acknowledged the sincerity in her observation. However, they needed to focus on the task at hand. "Let's just get on with the lesson." he finally said, redirecting the conversation to their main objective.

"Of course," Ichika agreed with a casual smile, also checking the time. "We've already wasted enough time, haven't we?"

Yotsuba muttered, "I hope this doesn't become a habit," before shaking her head and adopting a determined expression. "Well, let's get started!"

Megumi nodded, took a deep breath, and mentally prepared himself. "What material do you want to review?" he asked.

Ichika and Yotsuba exchanged a glance after hearing Megumi's question, before Yotsuba flashed a smile and turned to him. "Will you teach us anything we ask for?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied flatly. That was his job, after all. "Do you have something in mind?"

Ichika hummed, nodding slightly. "Actually, we do."

Megumi looked at her, waiting for her to elaborate. But it was Yotsuba who spoke up.

"Well, it might sound a little strange…" she began, recalling how Ichika had assumed she wanted to skip class. She carefully chose her words to avoid giving Megumi the same impression. "But we want to practice our writing!"

Megumi paused, giving her a puzzled look. "Your… writing?" he repeated.

"Yes, our writing," Ichika confirmed, her fingers intertwining as she rested her elbows on the table.

"…That's not really a subject." Megumi responded, unconvinced.

Yotsuba's expression faltered, but she quickly shook her head. "I think it could count as English or Japanese!"

"Not how it works." Megumi replied, still unsure why they were suddenly so interested in writing.

Ichika chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "You said we could choose anything."

"I did?"

"Yotsuba said 'anything we ask for,' and you agreed," she pointed out cheekily. "Now you're the one who needs to watch your words, hm?"

Megumi frowned at her, then sighed, sinking deeper into the couch and staring at the ceiling.

Would Nakano-san be okay with this? Megumi wondered, thinking about how Maruo might react if he learned his daughters were focusing on handwriting instead of the lessons they actually needed.

"So, what do you say, sensei?" Ichika asked in a singsong tone, resting her chin in her hand.

Well, it's not like a study session with just two students would make much of a difference. Megumi shrugged. "Alright," he agreed curtly.

A relieved sigh escaped Yotsuba as Ichika's smile softened into something more genuine.

"Thank you, Fushiguro-san!" Yotsuba exclaimed, placing her hands on the table as she looked at him. It was a small victory, but it felt like a step in the right direction.

Megumi watched Yotsuba silently, his expression unchanged. She eagerly packed away her materials and opened her notebook to a blank page, grabbing a pen. With a bright smile, she looked at him. "Shall we start?" she asked.

Megumi gave a small nod, picking up his own pen. "Just tell me what you need help with. Letters, syllables, rules, kanji, whatever."

Yotsuba flashed him a thumbs-up, while Ichika glanced around the table as if searching for something. When she didn't find it, she turned to her sister.

"Yotsuba," she called casually, a smile on her face as Yotsuba looked at her. "I forgot my notebook. Can I borrow a sheet?" she asked shamelessly.

Megumi raised an eyebrow at that, glancing toward the couch where five backpacks—each belonging to a Nakano sister—were piled. One of them, likely Ichika's, sat extremely close to her. He gave her a tired look, thinking, Your notebook is right there…

But Yotsuba didn't hesitate. She quickly tore out a sheet of paper from her notebook and handed it to Ichika with a smile. "Here you go!"

"Thanks," Ichika said lazily, accepting the paper and placing it in front of her. She turned to Megumi with a grin. "Shall we begin, sensei?"

Megumi shook off his wandering thoughts and looked at her. "…Sure," he muttered, before adding, "And stop calling me that."

Ichika chuckled in response.

He didn't press the issue. Adjusting his grip on the pen, the familiar weight settled between his fingers. His gaze lingered on it for a moment, almost contemplative, before shifting to both girls. "So, what do you want to start with?" he asked, his tone more neutral now.

Ichika tapped her pen against the paper thoughtfully. "Let's start with something basic. How about hiragana?" Basic was safe, after all.

Yotsuba nodded eagerly. "Yes! Hiragana's a great place to begin!" She wasn't sure what Megumi's preferences were when it came to writing, but she figured practicing something he enjoyed might be easier for him than diving into complex content that their less-than-stellar minds might struggle with.

Megumi nodded, accepting their choice. He paused briefly before placing his pen on the paper, drawing the first few basic strokes. The fluid lines of hiragana began to form, his hand moving with the ease of someone who had done this countless times.

"Alright," he said quietly, "let's start with the first character, あ. Watch how I write it."

Yotsuba leaned in, her eyes locked on his pen as it traced the character. Ichika, though far less invested, casually mimicked his movements on her own sheet, her writing unhurried and smooth. It wasn't sloppy, just relaxed—like she wasn't putting much thought into it.

Yotsuba, on the other hand, was determined to put real effort into what she was doing, a small smile playing on her lips as she carefully traced each stroke.

For a few moments, the only sound was the gentle scratch of pens on paper. Megumi glanced at their work—Yotsuba's effort was obvious, and even Ichika's casual strokes were fine. Honestly, they didn't seem to need handwriting practice. It wasn't perfect, but their writing was perfectly legible.

Then again, this was just the first character. Maybe as they went on, he'd understand why they wanted this lesson.

"Alright," he continued, "let's move on to う."

Yotsuba hummed in acknowledgment, leaning in once more as Megumi demonstrated. Her eyes stayed fixed on the paper as his pen moved fluidly across the page.

Megumi ignored her closeness, focused only on the task. Compared to the previous character, う was simpler, and he completed it with little effort. The sisters followed his lead, both of them managing it without trouble.

But that was to be expected—it was the basics of Japanese writing. Despite their poor grades, it didn't mean they were illiterate.

For a while, the three of them practiced hiragana, moving through each character in relative silence. The quiet was punctuated only by the soft friction of pen against paper, a steady, almost soothing sound.

Megumi's handwriting wasn't extraordinary, but it was neat and precise. Writing had always been a part of his life. When he wasn't exorcising curses, training, or engaging in tasks no average teenager would even think of, his time was often spent on simpler things: talking with Tsumiki, tending to their small garden, or just sitting quietly, writing whatever came to mind.

It was relaxing to indulge in these simple moments, trying to pretend that everything was fine, that he was just an ordinary person with nothing to fear. It was a comforting lie. One he wished, deep down, he could've believed forever.

Megumi paused in checking their sheets, idly scribbling some random characters on his paper as if testing something. After a few moments, Ichika leaned back against the couch, taking a break from writing as she sighed.

"This is easier than I thought," she remarked. "Maybe these classes won't be so bad, huh?"

Megumi glanced at her, his expression quickly turning unimpressed. "It's hiragana. Of course, it's not hard for a Japanese person," he muttered.

"For some, it might be," Ichika responded casually with a shrug.

Yotsuba, on the other hand, was humming to herself as she worked, a contemplative look on her face. After a moment, she glanced over what she had written before picking up the paper and turning toward Megumi.

"Hey, Fushiguro-san?" she called, drawing his attention. "I wrote something. Can you check if it's right?"

Megumi gave a slight nod, and Yotsuba handed him the sheet of paper.

He skimmed over the content, and as his eyes landed on the line she'd written, his brows furrowed in mild confusion.

The paper read ふしぐろ めぐみ, which translates to Megumi Fushiguro.

"..." Megumi stared at the paper for a few moments, then looked up at Yotsuba. "It's my name." he said, his voice carrying a trace of curiosity.

Yotsuba nodded, a small, tentative smile on her face. "Did I write it correctly?"

"... You did." he confirmed, though he couldn't quite figure out why she'd chosen to write his name.

"Ah, that's good," Yotsuba said, setting her pen down. "Fushiguro is a tricky surname, you know?"

Megumi paused, a faint frown crossing his features. Her words felt oddly familiar, like something he'd heard before, but he couldn't quite place it. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. It was probably nothing.

He handed the paper back to her. "Let's get back to practicing," he said, his tone once again neutral.

"Roger!" Yotsuba chirped, accepting the sheet and placing it back on the table in front of her.

Ichika watched with a carefree expression as Yotsuba prepared to continue practicing, while Megumi wrote another Hiragana character and waited for them to do the same.

It wasn't a bad idea for Yotsuba to choose to practice writing. Compared to their potential studies, it was extremely simple.

She lazily picked up the pen again, glancing at the clock. They had been studying for about 15 minutes, and while she would have preferred to be sleeping in her room, it could be worse.

She looked towards the kitchen, half-expecting to see Miku or Nino, but they were no longer there. She remembered they had gone up to their room a few minutes earlier after finishing the dishes.

Ichika tapped the pen gently against her lip before deciding to focus on her writing once more. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention. She glanced back and saw a figure coming down the stairs.

A small smile appeared on her face as she recognized the figure. "Itsuki-chan is here," Ichika announced, drawing the attention of Megumi and Yotsuba.

Itsuki descended the stairs slowly, pausing at the bottom as her eyes scanned the room. Her gaze eventually settled on the three sitting around the table, and Megumi glanced up, studying her for a moment. It didn't take long for him to notice something was off—her shoulders were tense, and her jaw was clenched.

"Hey, Itsuki!" Yotsuba called out cheerfully, waving her over with a bright smile. "Finally decided to leave your room, huh? Come join us!"

Itsuki hesitated, her feet not moving right away. Ichika decided to chime in, casually gesturing to the sheets of paper scattered across the table. "We're practicing hiragana," she explained. "You like writing, so it might be fun."

"Hiragana?" Itsuki echoed, frowning in confusion. She approached the table cautiously, glancing over Ichika's sheet before giving her an inquisitive look, clearly puzzled by her sister's choice of subject.

"We wanted to do something light today," Ichika said, patting the seat next to her.

Reluctantly, Itsuki sat down as directed. "But we have more important things to focus on," she murmured. "I don't see much point in practicing something as basic as hiragana."

"Well, it doesn't hurt to review," Yotsuba said, her optimism unwavering. "So, will you join us?"

Megumi remained silent, his focus on Itsuki. The tension in her body was palpable, her fidgeting betraying her internal conflict. His pen sat forgotten in the corner of his notebook as he continued observing her.

Itsuki still looked uncertain, shifting slightly in her seat. "I'm not sure…"

"Oh, maybe you came down for another reason?" Ichika teased, tilting her head with a playful smirk. "Were you on your way to the kitchen?"

Itsuki grimaced at the comment before huffing and looking away. "I just needed some air," she said, her tone flat. "Staying cooped up in my room all day isn't exactly healthy."

Ichika hummed thoughtfully before sighing. "I wish Miku would think the same."

Yotsuba nodded, her expression shifting to concern. "You've been studying a lot, haven't you? It must be hard to do it all alone."

"I can manage," Itsuki muttered, shrugging off her sister's worry.

Megumi, sensing this might be the right moment, finally spoke. "How are your studies going?"

Itsuki stiffened for a moment, surprised by the question. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression guarded. After a brief pause, she replied, "...I did my best."

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "...That's good," he said. "But I'd like to know about your progress."

"I told you," Itsuki repeated, her gaze drifting to the floor. "I did my best."

Yotsuba's worry deepened, and she leaned forward slightly. "Are you okay?" she asked, frowning. "You seem really stressed..."

"I'm fine," Itsuki insisted, already regretting her decision to sit down.

Ichika eyed her sister carefully. "Are you hungry?" she asked, her tone still light but probing.

Itsuki shot her a wary glance. "Are you making fun of me?"

Ichika chuckled. "How badly do you think of me? I'm just checking. You've been pushing yourself lately, and I remember you said you get hungry when you overdo it."

Itsuki's shoulders relaxed slightly, and she sighed, glancing down at her lap. "...A little hungry, yeah." she admited quietly.

"Maybe we can grab you something to eat?" Ichika suggested, looking at Megumi as if seeking permission to pause their session.

Megumi gave a slight nod in response, silently approving the idea.

"That'd be nice," Itsuki mumbled, her fingers idly playing with the hem of her skirt.

"But... well, there's a problem..." Ichika began, pausing as she thought. "I don't think we have anything ready in the fridge," she murmured, her brow knitting. "Maybe we could ask Nino?"

Yotsuba suddenly bit her lip as if struck by a worrying thought. "Speaking of Nino... She'll be mad if we mess up the kitchen before dinner."

Ichika, caught off guard by Yotsuba's concern, glanced at her sister with a curious tilt of her head. A beat passed before her eyes widened in sudden realization. "Oh, right," she agreed, snapping her fingers. Her gaze then drifted toward Itsuki, who was standing nearby with a look of confusion. "Looks like you'll have to wait a bit."

Itsuki frowned, puzzled. "Wait? Why?"

"Nino was fussing about the dishes earlier," she explained with a casual shrug. "She's probably not in the mood to cook anything right now. You know how she gets." As she said this, Ichika watched Itsuki's shoulders slump, clearly disappointed by the news. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, and her lips curled into a sly smile. "Unless, of course, you're willing to try Miku's cooking?"

Instantly, Itsuki's expression morphed into one of horror, and she quickly shook her head. "No!" she blurted out far too quickly, before catching herself. She coughed awkwardly, trying to mask her panic. "I-I mean, I can wait until dinner."

Ichika couldn't help but burst into laughter at her sister's quick refusal. "Smart choice. You've definitely dodged a bullet there." she teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Guess you'll just have to endure the hunger for now."

Itsuki, however, seemed less amused. With nothing else to do, she started to reconsider her decision to come down. "I think I've cleared my mind enough," she said, glancing toward the stairs. "I should get back to my studies."

Megumi observed her closely, noticing the strain in her expression. "If you're struggling with something, I can help."

Itsuki stopped, momentarily surprised by the offer. She turned to face him, her surprise giving way to a guarded expression. "I'm not struggling," she replied, her tone firm but unconvincing. "I just have a lot to cover. I don't need help."

Megumi's gaze remained steady, unblinking. Was she refusing his help just because of his age? "…It doesn't have to be formal tutoring," he said. "Think of it as a classmate offering a hand. I'm not doubting your abilities, I'm just offering assistance."

For a long moment, Itsuki said nothing, her eyes fixed on him as she chewed the inside of her cheek. "…Thanks, Fushiguro-san, but I'd prefer to handle it myself."

Before Megumi could respond, Yotsuba chimed in, leaning closer to her sister. "You don't have to do everything alone, you know," she said gently, her voice filled with encouragement. "There's no harm in asking for help!"

Itsuki's gaze shifted toward Yotsuba, her features softening slightly, though there was still an edge of frustration in her eyes. "I know," she muttered under her breath. "But I want to prove I can manage it by myself."

Ichika leaned back, observing her thoughtfully. "But you were open to having a tutor before," she pointed out, her tone more inquisitive than judgmental. "What changed?"

Itsuki tensed at her sister's question, casting a brief glance at Megumi before turning her attention back to Ichika. Her hands clenched at her sides, and her jaw tightened ever so slightly.

What had changed was her growing realization that depending on others wasn't always a reliable solution. She had put her trust in her father's decision to hire a tutor, but when the choice didn't align with what she needed, that trust had been shaken. This wasn't just about passing exams—it was about her dream. One day, she knew she'd have to stand on her own, and the sooner she started learning how to do that, the better. No matter how difficult it was.

But instead of voicing those complex thoughts, Itsuki kept her explanation simple. "I just want to handle it on my own," she said firmly, her eyes meeting Ichika's without wavering. "I've made mistakes, and I'm the one who needs to fix them."

Ichika raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Hmm... That's a pretty determined stance and all," she remarked with a hint of amusement. "But you know you won't just magically catch up overnight, right?"

"I know," Itsuki responded quickly, her frown deepening in frustration. "But I still want to try." She then shot a pointed look at Ichika, adding, "And you weren't exactly eager to hit the books either. So why the sudden advice?"

Ichika shrugged. "I'm the big sister. It's my job to call you out when you need it."

"And you're not one to question hypocrisy," Yotsuba added her own input with a nod of self-satisfaction, trying to sound knowledgeable.

Her attempt at sounding wise was met with a glance from Itsuki, though she chose to let it slide, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"Well... I think I've made my opinion clear," Itsuki muttered, her voice tinged with resignation as she prepared to stand. "I'm going back to my room."

But Megumi had other plans. "Take the rest," he said simply, his voice calm but firm. His words made Itsuki pause mid-motion, her head turning toward him in surprise. He met her gaze with a blank expression, his tone as neutral as ever. "It's just a suggestion, but you should rest."

Itsuki blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. She fidgeted slightly, adjusting her bow as if the action could give her some comfort. "I... I've already rested," she stammered, clearly not expecting this intervention. "I mean... I was sitting here for a few minutes, right?"

"Five minutes isn't enough," Megumi replied. His tone carried no hint of judgment, just simple logic. "Trying to push through everything without giving yourself proper breaks will only make you frustrated. You'll get stuck in the same place without making real progress."

Still unconvinced, Itsuki shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not that tired," she insisted. "I just need a glass of water, and I can get back to studying."

Megumi gave her an unreadable look, clearly unmoved. "You're exhausted, and we all see it. There's no point in pretending."

Itsuki bit her lip, growing increasingly uneasy under the scrutiny. Ichika, observing the exchange, nodded in agreement with Megumi's assessment. "He's right," she said gently. "You need to take a break, Itsuki-chan."

"But I need to study," Itsuki shot back, trying to stand firm. "And so do you. Just... leave me be and get back to your own work."

"Why can't you stay a little longer?" Yotsuba asked, her voice filled with concern. "As Fushiguro-san said, you need to rest. Why not relax with us for a bit?"

"But you're studying too," Itsuki pointed out, momentarily forgetting her earlier stance as she questioned her sister's logic.

"Hiragana, though," Ichika said casually, picking up her pen and tapping it rhythmically on her sheet of paper.

Itsuki glanced at Ichika's paper for a moment, her curiosity momentarily piqued by her point. The eldest sister continued, "You can join us, you know. Yotsuba can lend you a sheet of paper and everything."

"Yes, I can!" Yotsuba said proudly, oblivious to the fact that she might be overextending her goodwill with so many borrowed sheets.

"...I did suggest she rest." Megumi interjected, casting a meaningful look at Ichika. He could clearly see that Itsuki was exhausted, and he didn't see the point in trying to lecture her further if she was just going to push herself beyond her limits.

Ichika met Megumi's gaze with a carefree smile. "I know, Megumi-kun," she said, giving Itsuki's shoulder a reassuring pat. "But remember, I mentioned that Itsuki-chan enjoys writing, didn't I?"

Megumi raised an eyebrow, and Ichika's smile widened. "Even if you're tired, doing something you enjoy shouldn't make you feel worse, right?" she suggested.

Megumi himself was tired, and the choice of writing for their class was intended to avoid adding to his stress or worsening his opinion of them, which might not have been very high to begin with.

While he didn't explicitly show his appreciation, he also didn't appear more frustrated. Perhaps Megumi was just skilled at hiding his irritation, but Ichika preferred to believe he was managing just fine.

Itsuki remained silent for a few moments, hesitating as the attention shifted away from her. Yotsuba, however, soon turned back to her with a bright smile.

"Come on, Itsuki," Yotsuba encouraged warmly. "Join us for a bit. It'll be nice, and you'll feel better."

Itsuki hesitated, glancing between Yotsuba and Ichika. She felt behind and couldn't afford to stop, but she also realized she wasn't making much progress studying alone in her room.

"You know," Ichika chimed in with a casual demeanor, "It's not just about resting. Sometimes, taking a break and doing something you enjoy can actually help you study better later."

Itsuki struggled to counter Ichika's reasonable logic. The prospect of a brief respite began to seem more appealing as she weighed the benefits. With a resigned sigh, she reluctantly agreed. "Alright, alright," she conceded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I suppose a short break wouldn't hurt."

Yotsuba's face brightened with satisfaction as she clapped her hands together. "Great! I'll lend you a sheet!" she exclaimed, reaching out to tear off another page.

"No, you don't have to," Itsuki quickly interjected. "My backpack is right there." She pointed to her backpack in the corner, which contained her notebook since she had another one besides the one she took to study in her room.

"Ah, okay." Yotsuba said with a shrug, but her smile remained intact. She nodded and skipped over to Itsuki's backpack, retrieving the notebook with a hum. Meanwhile, Ichika sat back down, her expression content as she observed the small victory.

"Here you go," Yotsuba said, handing the notebook to Itsuki with a grin. "Now you can join us!"

Itsuki took the notebook, her reluctance melting away as she saw her sister's genuine enthusiasm. "Thanks," she said, her tone softer. "I'll just sit here for a bit."

Megumi watched the scene silently, not showing much reaction. If Itsuki was willing to join in, there was no need for him to push further.

He glanced at the three girls around him, reflecting on the change from having just one student the day before to now having three.

He wasn't sure if Itsuki would become a regular participant in his lessons, nor did he have high hopes. But at least it was some progress.

"Alright, let's get started," he said after a moment, picking up his pen again and turning his attention to the paper.

"Hiragana, right?" Itsuki asked quietly, taking a pen from Yotsuba.

Before Megumi could reply, Ichika interjected with a playful tone. "Actually, how about we write poetry?" she suggested. "It doesn't have to be anything complex, just some fun texts."

Megumi gave Ichika a puzzled look, unsure where this suggestion was coming from. Although he had an appreciation for poetry, it seemed out of place given they were supposed to be focusing on hiragana.

"Poetry?" Itsuki muttered, her expression wary as she anticipated where this was headed. "Really, Ichika?"

"Why not? You love poetry!" Ichika exclaimed with a wide grin, turning to her sister. "You're always scribbling poems, after all!"

A faint blush crept onto Itsuki's cheeks as she tightened her grip on the pen, clearly flustered by the unexpected spotlight on her personal interests. "I-I just do it sometimes..." she stammered, her embarrassment palpable as she grappled with the revelation of her hobby.

The idea of her penchant for poetry being exposed was somewhat mortifying, especially since she worried it might come across as trivial or corny.

But Megumi looked at Itsuki with a hint of intrigue. Discovering that she had an interest in poetry was an unexpected commonality, however small.

"It's still a hobby, isn't it?" Ichika pressed with a playful tone, leaning in towards Itsuki with a teasing glint in her eyes. "And why are you so shy all of a sudden? No one's going to judge you!" she added with a laugh.

Itsuki swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and regret. The pressure of the situation was starting to make her reconsider her decision to join the group again.

Yotsuba observed the interaction with a warm smile, appreciating the dynamic. Clearing her throat to refocus everyone's attention, she chimed in with a cheerful suggestion, "Hey, let's stay on track! Poetry sounds like a great idea, don't you think, Fushiguro-san?" She directed a hopeful glance towards Megumi.

Megumi considered her suggestion for a moment before giving a nonchalant shrug. "Fine by me." he replied.

"Okey-dokey," Ichika sang out, wrapping an arm around Itsuki's shoulders with a friendly squeeze. She then picked up a pen with her free hand. "Then it's poetry it is!"

Despite her lingering embarrassment, Itsuki managed to lift her gaze to meet Yotsuba's encouraging eyes. Her eyes then moved to Megumi, who wore an indifferent expression.

Ichika's words resonated with her; no one was likely to judge her. With a resigned sigh, Itsuki picked up the pen once more. "Okay... let's do poetry," she agreed softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of acceptance and reluctance.

Yotsuba's face lit up with satisfaction at the outcome, clearly pleased with how things were turning out. Once more, they adjusted the class to accommodate one participant's need to relax. It might seem detrimental to their studies, but to her, the happiness and comfort of those around her were far more important.

"Why don't we decide on a theme for our poems?" Ichika suggested with an amused smile. "It'll give us a starting point."

"A theme?" Itsuki echoed, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at Ichika.

"Yeah, a theme," Ichika said casually, giving Itsuki a playful squeeze. "How about... I don't know, food?"

Itsuki's face brightened momentarily at the mention of food. However, as she caught sight of Ichika's mischievous grin, she realized her sister was probably just teasing her.

Her mood shifted abruptly, darkening as frustration took hold. "Hey! Just leave me alone!" Itsuki protested, feeling irritated. The mention of food, especially when she was already hungry, only added to her annoyance.

Ichika burst into laughter, resting her head gently against Itsuki's. "Oh, come on, what have I done now?" she asked, her voice laced with feigned innocence.

Itsuki simply huffed in response, her expression a mixture of irritation and embarrassment as she turned away, her frown deepening.

Ichika's laughter continued for a moment before she shook her head, regaining her composure. "Alright, alright," she said, casting a glance at Yotsuba and Megumi. "But I was serious about the theme. Any suggestions?"

Megumi stayed silent, his demeanor unchanged, while Yotsuba placed a hand on her chin, lost in thought.

"Hmm..." Yotsuba murmured, her brow furrowing as she considered the options. After a moment of contemplation, her face brightened with an idea. "I've got it! How about s—" She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she remembered an important detail:

Megumi wasn't fond of sports.

Writing poetry about sports might not resonate with him. Even though Yotsuba wasn't a poet herself, she knew that creating poetry about something one doesn't enjoy could be challenging.

She bit her lip thoughtfully and then shrugged. "Never mind," she said, catching Ichika's inquisitive glance.

"... Alright," Ichika said, turning her attention to Megumi. "What about you, Megumi-kun? Any ideas?" she asked, trying to prompt him.

"None." Megumi responded curtly.

Ichika sighed with a playful smile. "Very helpful..." she joked softly before shifting her gaze back to Itsuki, who still appeared somewhat distant. "And you, Itsuki-chan? Any thoughts?"

Itsuki took a moment to process that she was being addressed, her gaze shifting towards Ichika. After a brief contemplation, she shrugged nonchalantly. "Anything is fine," she replied.

"Gee, where's your creativity?" Ichika retorted with a raised eyebrow, a sly smile curling on her lips. "Well, it looks like it's up the big sis to decide the topic!"

This was probably a bad idea, but none of the others seemed inclined to argue—they were the ones who had brought this upon themselves.

Ichika rubbed her hands together with dramatic flair, clearly enjoying the moment. "And I already know exactly which theme to choose!" she announced with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Yotsuba leaned in eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she awaited her sister's choice.

Itsuki remained silent, casting a wary glance towards Ichika. If the theme turns out to be about food, I swear...

Meanwhile, Megumi's eyes were beginning to droop slightly.

"Pay close attention!" Ichika declared in a theatrically authoritative tone. "The topic is..."

Yotsuba leaned in even closer, her excitement palpable as she awaited Ichika's proclamation. Ichika spread her arms wide in a grand gesture and declared:

"Love!"

Itsuki's immediate reaction was a frown, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her older sister. "Wait, what? Love? Really, Ichika?"

Yotsuba gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth in surprise. "Love?" she exclaimed. "What a brilliant idea! How did I not think of that?"

Megumi raised an eyebrow. While love seemed like a somewhat generic theme, it was undoubtedly an accessible one to write about.

"What?" Ichika asked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she observed Itsuki's reaction. "Are you telling me you don't like love?"

"N-it's not that, it's just..." Itsuki began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to articulate her thoughts. With a resigned sigh, she looked away, surrendering to the situation. "...Whatever."

Ichika chuckled, her hand playfully ruffling Itsuki's hair. "Don't get all flustered," she said with a light-hearted tone. "It doesn't have to be romantic love; it can be platonic or fraternal too!"

And it was precisely this kind of love that Megumi understood well, given the two extremely important people in his life who embodied that kind of affection.

He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the sleepiness that was threatening to overcome him. With a casual shrug, he picked up his pen. "Fine by me," he replied with a nonchalant tone.

"For me too!" Yotsuba chimed in enthusiastically, grabbing her pen with a determined expression. "I'm going to pour my heart into this poem!"

It would probably turn out poorly since she wasn't great at poetry, but she would give it her best shot!

Ichika, satisfied with the responses, turned her attention back to Itsuki. "What about you, Itsuki-chan?" she asked with a warm smile. "Any complaints?"

Itsuki hesitated for a moment, her fingers inching towards her pen. "None..." she murmured reluctantly.

"Then it's settled!" Ichika declared with a beaming smile. "We're writing poems about love, and the best poem will win a prize!"

"A prize?" Itsuki asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. "I didn't realize this was a competition..."

"Ooooh, a prize!?" Yotsuba exclaimed, her curiosity piqued. "What's the prize, Ichika?"

"A pat on the shoulder and a congratulations." Ichika replied simply.

Yotsuba gasped. "Woah!"

Itsuki grimaced slightly but resigned herself to the situation, knowing that Ichika's behavior was just part of her usual antics. It was nothing she hadn't dealt with before.

Megumi, meanwhile, stayed silent, his gaze shifting back to his paper. Although engaging in such a trivial activity was not typically his preference, he found it harmless enough to participate in.

"So, everyone ready?" Ichika asked, her eyes scanning the group with an expectant look.

"Yes, I am!" Yotsuba declared with renewed determination, her enthusiasm palpable. "I'm going to win this prize!" Her excitement over the modest reward was notably intense.

Megumi didn't voice his thoughts, but his silence conveyed a sense of agreement with the setup.

Itsuki shifted uncomfortably in her seat, adjusting her posture as she prepared to start. "...I'm ready." she murmured quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ichika nodded in approval, her energy unphased by the subdued responses. She took a deep breath and, with a dramatic flair, announced, "Then... let the tournament begin!"

Itsuki raised an eyebrow at the grandiose term "tournament" but simply sighed and placed her pen on the paper, ready to begin.

Yotsuba, in contrast, was radiating enthusiasm. For some reason. A broad smile stretched across her face as she excitedly brainstormed ideas for her poem.

Megumi maintained his composed demeanor, showing neither excitement nor discontent—his expression remained a neutral mask.

Ichika, observing the scene with satisfaction, allowed a smile to spread across her face. She gave herself a small nod of approval before turning her attention to her own paper.

Although this wasn't exactly a conventional or effective tutoring session, the participants seemed to be having fun. Most of them.

Besides, the day was just starting.

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A/N: I'm going to make the Nakano have some non-canonical interests for this story, since the manga didn't delve much into this. Itsuki, for example, likes to... eat. And that's it. It's a bit null.

Regarding the delay, I was hospitalized last week. Out of the blue, yeah, and the cause was appendicitis. I recently had surgery. No warnings bc I didn't expect it at all lol.