Heartbeat

　　The next day, on the way to school.

　　Due to his obsession with inadvertently handling official business at home, Shinichi is out later than usual. After all, he could probably catch up on foot, so he didn't plan on running.

　　But he was not so relaxed that he could read a book while walking. He shoved his hands into his pockets, letting his eyes take in the ever-unfamiliar crowd and the streetscape.

　　As he walked, a somewhat familiar figure suddenly appeared.

　　"Ichika?"

Ichika heard the sound, turned around and met Shinichi's gaze.

　　"Shinichi-kun? What a coincidence, I was able to meet you here."

　　She slowed her pace, and walked towards the school together.

　　...

　　On the street in the bright morning light, boys and girls walk side by side.

　　 Ichika's footsteps showed a fast rhythm, seemed to be in a good mood.

　　Among the quintuplets, Ichika is actually the most popular with the opposite sex.

　　Not only because of her mature and gentle demeanor, but also because her voice, the clothes that complement her figure, are not vulgar. Everything makes her immediately attract the attention of the opposite sex around her.

　　However, the most important thing was the smile on her face.

　　Generally, men simply couldn't stand this kind of charm at all, the innocent might fall in love with her right away.

　　Nino really lost with this. Her temperament is much more flamboyant than Ichika's, and she is more popular with girls, and honest men don't dare to take the initiative to befriend her.

　　There is a so-called "conscious distance" between people, that is, instinct will judge whether you can get along with that person, to set the distance between associating with other people subconsciously.

　　As long as she had her usual smile, Ichika wouldn't be too far away from most people.

　　But also because of her smile, Ichika won't get too close to anyone.

　　Therein lies its charm.

　　Right now, walking beside Ichika, Shinichi really felt this charm...

　　He sensed it from the focused gazes around him.

　　"Ahaha, I always feel sorry..." Ichika also realized that Shinichi was influenced by her and became one of the people who got abused.

　　"How about you go first? After all, we didn't make a promise to go to school together."

　　Ichika thought that Shinichi would say things like "I'll go first" or "It's hard for you to be stared at like this every day... Then I'll go first" and other boring words.

　　Unexpectedly, Shinichi just pulled his collar slightly uncomfortable.

　　"Hmph, this level is nothing compared to the day I went shopping. If you have time to care about this kind of thing, you better hurry up and get to school."

　　Ichika stared at him in surprise for a few seconds, then smiled.

　　"Then let's go, together!"

　　...

　　"By the way, Shinichi-kun, why do you suddenly want to go to school with me?"

　　Ichika looked at Shinichi curiously.

　　Originally, she wanted to tease him with an ambiguous smile, but when she thought of Miku, she quickly rejected the idea, and put on her usual appearance of talking to friends.

　　Ignoring the envious eyes from all around, Shinichi said calmly.

　　"I have something to ask you. I didn't expect to meet you here, so I saved time to find you again… By the way, didn't you all go to school together? What about the other?"

　　"It's not like we all went to school together. After all, Yotsuba have club activities, and Nino getting dressed before leaving is a pain." Ichika answered. "And I accidentally overslept today, so I let them go first!"

　　"Going to school alone is really boring, thank you Shinichi-kun for your rescue~" She smiled sweetly.

　　"…Well, who made me go out at night by accident, thanks for the coincidence." Shinichi glanced at her a little then looked away.

　　"Shouldn't I be thanking fate this time—" At this point, Ichika realized that what she was saying seemed to imply that the two of them were a fated couple, so she quickly changed the subject.

　　"So what was it you wanted to ask me?"

　　"Hmm..." Shinichi didn't speak directly, but after pondering for a moment, he asked hesitantly, "Forest School, isn't that against audition preparations?"

　　Ichika tilted her head doubtfully, was he worried whether she could take care of both of them?

　　He really was a worrisome man… While it was true Ichika was sleep deprived and felt a bit more tired than before, but within the acceptable range, as long as she put in a little effort, there shouldn't be any problems.

　　No need to tell him the last point.

　　"It's a bit difficult at first, but I'll get used to it later.~" Ichika said with all her heart, "Besides, aren't you still helping me? I am looking forward to the 'acting experience'."

　　"Is that so…" Shinichi nodded, "How about studying? Are you sure about the midterm exams?"

　　"Study..."

　　Ichika didn't react for a while, she stopped and was stunned for a while.

　　Then, she stopped slowly.

　　"Oops..."

　　She was still smiling, but that smiling face was already an obvious "acting skill".

"Tutor-kun, you're so serious~ he even ran to find Shinichi-kun to complain to you. This kind of behavior is not worthy of praise… I thought he was a good person before."

　　Ichika's eyes were a little dark, she said to Shinichi with a smile.

　　"What did he say to you?"

　　Shinichi also stopped and was silent, he kept asking.

　　"If you are stupid, you must have stupid consciousness. Let's ignore the committee and go to school obediently?"

　　The atmosphere tensed in deathly silence.

　　Ichika's smile disappeared.

　　——Was this her true emotion hidden behind her smile?

　　Even in this situation, Shinichi could still think about unimportant things.

　　It seems Ichika isn't as good a kid as she seems.

　　Thinking of this, Shinichi suddenly stretched out his hand and pressed Ichika's head down.

　　"Eh!?"

　　——For friends, it's fine if he does this kind of behavior, right?

　　"Don't think too much, I just want to ask.

　　Ichika looked down at the ground and opened her eyes slightly.

　　It was obviously a simple and not very intimate behavior, but it was like throwing a large rock into the lake of her heart, and the calm surface of the lake suddenly raised a huge wave.

　　Stable moods begin to become irregular and turbulent.

　　Before Ichika had time to react, Shinichi let go of his hand, and continued walking forward.

　　"You have to treat it like an investigation. After all, I even know your biggest 'secret', so I'll tell you the truth about this little thing."

　　"Don't worry, even if you cry and say that you are too tired, I will not reduce your work. "

　　"😐"

　　Ichika was still standing where she was.

　　She raised her hand stiffly and touched where Shinichi touched, staring at the ground with slightly parted lips.

　　But the roots of the ears were gradually dyed a deep red.

　　After a while, she regained her senses, instinctively chased after Shinichi, and returned to his side.

　　"Wait for me ..."

　　The rhythm of the two people's footsteps coincided, and she made eye contact with him.

　　At the time.

　　Ichika finds that Shinichi looks different there.

　　The heartbeat was louder than before, a bit of warmth flowed from the chest, and the color of the street in the morning was actually a lot brighter than usual.

　　Involuntarily, she chuckled.

　　"Hey, this is outrageous! If this is the case, then I have to complain again?"

　　"Would you like to listen?"

　　"Okay." Looking at the luxurious school gate looming in the distance, Shinichi smiled slightly, "Before we arrive at school, I will accompany you to the end."

　　Gradually holding the clothes against her chest, Ichika lowered her head, the corners of her lips curling upwards, and answered softly.

　　"...En!"

　　(Only this time... This one time...)

　　(Let me appreciate... this fleeting heartbeat...)