Conspiracy with Ichika

　　He forgot about the time he spent with Rui.

　　Until now, Shinichi still has to rely on his strength, feelings, and gentleness to find reasons for his weakness.

'Asada Shinichi, you are a loser who can't do anything well.'

　　'Your studies will not bring good results in the end.'

　　'Why don't you wake up? Do you still fantasize that everyone can achieve happiness?'

　　"...Enough!"

　　He slammed the table and stood, grabbing his notebook.

　　The notebook was split into two parts to vent his anger.

　　Shinichi stared at the paper on the ground, his face flushed, his chest rising and falling, and his breathing was very rapid.

　　He walked towards the door with a fierce look, took a broom and swept all the papers into the trash. He then packed up the rubbish and threw it in a corner, ready to be thrown away later.

　　Because he was in a bad mood, he deliberately didn't classify it this time.

　　After tidying up the messy floor, he sat back down at the table, his angry expression gradually easing.

　　He should do something like Rui did for him.

　　The room fell silent, Shinichi thought hard.

　　It's been a long time like this.

　　"...Okay, let's try."

　　He opened his eyes and spoke softly.

　　△

　　Saturday afternoon.

　　Ichika leaves disappointed. After Shinichi waited for Rui to fall asleep, he said into the air, "I'm going to the toilet" and walked out of the room.

　　 Ichika was supposed to be back, leaning against the wall of Asada's house looking at the notes in her hand boredly.

　　Not only did Shinichi not go to the toilet, he also met a girl outside his house who was just angry at his fake girlfriend.

　　"Hmm. Compared to that, I care more…" Ichika held the note between her fingertips and shook it.

　　"Did you specifically call me to explain the fake partner issue? When did you put this note in my pocket?"

　　Shinichi replied: "When you weren't paying attention."

　　After all, to be a good spy, he practiced the skill of conveying messages without others seeing them.

　　With Rui watching, it would be a little difficult to use the phone. Shinichi writes notes under the guise of studying, putting them in Ichika's pocket using a special technique.

　　"I have something to tell you."

　　This was one of the sentences written on the note, and Shinichi said it directly to Ichika at this time.

　　Ichika laughed with interest.

　　"Are you so serious? Is this a confession?"

　　"Correct."

　　His unwavering answer made Ichika open her mouth, her face turn red, and play with the hair beside her ear.

　　"This... Um, I know it anyway, this is definitely not the confession I imagined..."

　　"I like you,"

　　"!?"

　　Ichika covered her chest in fear and stood there with her eyes wide open, her face flushed and in disbelief.

　　"And everyone," Shinichi added, "I told Nino this too."

　　 After a long silence, Ichika showed an emotionless and cold smile, real anger appearing in her eyes.

　　"Shinichi-kun, you could easily be hacked to death by a woman with this way of speaking."

　　"Forgive me." Shinichi apologized very sincerely. In order not to be gone too long and make Rui suspicious, he briefly explained what Nino had said, then explained to Ichika the meaning of the fake girlfriend.

　　"Rui did this for me. I said unpleasant words to you. I am really, really sorry."

　　"I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but I don't want to see her play with me, nor do I want to reject her kindness, nor do I want you to misunderstand... Now, all I can do is confess."

　　"I'm sorry, and I hope you can help me do something."

　　Ichika looked at him with a rare expression on her face.

Shinichi stared at her without moving.

　　Ichika sighed.

　　"Shinichi-kun, who is always awkward, actually said the word 'confession'... How strange."

　　Shinichi corrected her: "This is not surprising. I am good at treating each other sincerely. You have misunderstood."

　　"Yeah, I don't want to hear these nonsense words from you right now," Ichika placed one hand on her waist, and the corners of her lips curled up meaningfully.

　　"Then, I know what you are thinking, and I feel how much you value your family… As an older sister, it is very difficult to refuse such a request."

　　Shinichi breathed a sigh of relief, then he heard her add another sentence.

　　"It's just that there are conditions!"

　　Shinichi took a step back, and looked at her warily.

　　"What conditions? Let's agree first. It won't be too much."

　　"Who do you think I am! And your reaction is like a high school girl who meets a pervert?"

　　Ichika stepped forward.

　　"I just want you to answer a question for me."

　　"What is the problem?"

　　This time Shinichi didn't back away, looking at her and leaning towards her.

　　In the subtle distance that seemed to be touching but wasn't, Ichika stood on tiptoe, and asked softly in front of her.

　　"What are the chances of the two of us being together?"

　　Shinichi's eyes widened, under her direct gaze, then he whispered a number in her ear.

　　"…"

　　"Wow~" Ichika exclaimed in surprise, and then quickly covered her mouth.

　　Turning her head to prevent Shinichi from seeing the smile on her face, she clenched her fist and hit her chest gently.

　　"What should I say..."

　　"Next, let's work hard together~"