Conflicting Feelings

　　The girls, especially Nino and Itsuki, when they thought that their private information such as breast size and body sensitivity had been overheard by someone, their blushing faces sank into the water, and their hearts pounded.

　　However, after more than ten seconds, no one answered.

　　Whether it is the men's bath or the women's bath, both parties are silent, only the sound of water dripping on the ground is very clear.

　　"Illusion…" Miku whispered.

　　"Or something happened to Shinichi-kun, and there is no way to answer?" Ichika was worried, and looking out the door, she wanted to go and find out.

　　Hearing what Ichika said, Shinichi's imagination accidentally slipped and fell into the bath taking shape.

　　Even though they felt that the scene would be very funny, now was not the time to laugh.

　　This possibility is not impossible, it would be really terrible if there was an accident!

　　"I... I'll look to the side!" After a moment's hesitation, Yotsuba stood up and was about to step out of the bathroom.

　　She found that Miku had already stood up, despite the water dripping on her body, wrapped a bath towel and walked towards the door with hasty steps.

　　Ichika retreated into the water again, and smiled helplessly.

　　At this time, a male voice finally sounded from next door.

　　"What is it? What do you want me to do?"

　　Yotsuba was elated, and answered loudly: "Asada-san, so you're fine!"

　　Miku's footsteps faltered, her expression could not be seen from behind, but she could be seen caressing her chest.

Shinichi was confused.

　　"What can I do? I was just checking the equipment in the changing room outside, and when I came in, I kicked the bathtub to the ground, and I answered your question after tidying up... You don't think I had an accident, do you?"

　　"That's it, can't you save some time? There is no conflict between picking up items and answering questions," Nino taught him angrily.

　　"Well, it's good that you're okay..." Itsuki thought of something, and her face turned red again, "Then, Asada-kun, did you hear the contents of our conversation just now?"

　　Nino immediately glared at her, why bring up this?!

　　Shinichi immediately answered her: "No, even though I felt you were very excited there, but I couldn't hear anything clearly outside, and the only thing I could hear clearly after I entered were Yotsuba's words."

　　"I see..." Hearing her explanation, everyone felt relieved, and Miku also returned to the hot spring

　　There was no accident, and the private information was not heard by him. For them, this was the most ideal ending.

　　However, among the five people, one person frowned instead.

　　Crouching in the corner of the bath, Ichika thought and finally found something wrong.

　　Shinichi's dozen seconds of silence didn't seem like he was solving a problem, but more like he was thinking about how to come up with an excuse that wouldn't embarrass everyone.

　　Not to mention that they had been in for more than 30 minutes already, it didn't take long to check the equipment in the changing room, why was there no sound at all while he was arranging things?

　　Obviously normal voices could be heard, but even the slight sound of water drops falling on the ground could be heard clearly now, but it was so quiet that they couldn't help but wonder if he had fainted.

　　Unless he deliberately moved lightly, or as he put it, when he was "cleaning up the messy bathtub on the floor", they would definitely hear a bit of noise.

　　Not only that, but there is one more thing that is in doubt...

　　That is, the explanation is too decisive.

　　This was like explaining what they might care about, and at the same time, using an indifferent tone to ignore one's own existence. Ichika didn't know how many times Shinichi had used this method of answering when explaining accounting matters to her.

　　Ichika found it very familiar when she heard it, but after carefully comparing it now, she found that it all made sense.

　　Solving the puzzle, Ichika a licked her lips, a faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips.

　　Yes, Shinichi lied.

　　He had clearly overheard their conversation from the start, but since he didn't want to embarrass them, he told a plausible lie.

　　Maybe he wanted to pretend to go out? However Yotsuba said that she wanted to go and have a look, so as not to be exposed, he chose to stop Yotsuba's actions with a lie.

　　"Ara ara~"

　　When Ichika thought about the size of her breasts, her heart beat faster.

　　Not only would she not feel disgusted, but she would also have such a feeling of joy that she couldn't help but smile...

　　"But..."

　　Ichika turned her head and saw her sister's expression. Once the mentality is relaxed, everyone is too lazy to think about it.

　　So except for her, no one doubted Shinichi's statement, and accepted everything stupidly, letting him fool them.

　　When only a few people know the truth of something, it becomes a secret.

　　Thinking of this, Ichika leaned against the bathtub wall, and smiled.

　　Now, only she and he know this secret.

　　This is the secret, enjoying something that other people don't know, and feeling joy and satisfaction.

　　(Definitely something to look out for if you're more careful, why...)

　　With this question echoing in her heart, Ichika looked up at Miku, a half smile on her face.

　　(If you like Shinichi-kun more than me, if you care about him more than me...)

　　(You should be able to feel it too.)

　　(But you do not.)

　　(Miku doesn't, and everyone else doesn't. Only I realize this, only I care for Shinichi-kun the most, only I know what Shinichi-kun is thinking...)

　　(I guess I'm the only one who likes it the most.)

　　"?" Sensing that gaze, Miku averted her gaze.

　　Ichika didn't dodge, but turned slightly towards her

　　In the misty water vapor, that smile is like a runner standing in front of the finish line, looking back with pride and pity, looking at the meek opponent behind her.

　　(Miku, if you don't work harder... I will win over Shinichi-kun.)

　　Ichika turned her gaze back, raised her hands above her head, and stretched.

　　As her hand fell to the bottom of the water where no one could see, Ichika clenched her fist.

　　(Yes, why do I like him the most, but I have to give up on you who are still reckless and not proactive at all?)

　　(If I could declare war on him, I should be able to too, right?)

　　(I was just dissatisfied with your first attitude but then stopped, put a roadblock before the finish line to prevent others from overtaking...)

Ichika closed her eyes, and completely sank into the water.

　　(If I wasn't the older sister...)