Classic Questions

　　Why did Shinich really want to attend their birthday party?

　If someone were to ask Itsuki this question, she would not tell the real reason, as it was her own decision.

　　Apart from kindness and pure concern, the most important thing is for her sister.

　　First, Miku and Yotsuba were not against letting Shinichi participate in the birthday party, and even showed more anticipation than before. While Ichika said that it was fine, and there didn't seem to be any reluctance.

　　Second, even though Nino had always said that she didn't want outsiders participating in a party that belonged to their own family, ever since she joined the committee, Itsuki had noticed a change in her attitude.

For example...

　　If the two met Shinichi at the shrine festival earlier, would Nino allow him to go to the shrine fair with her?

Itsuki felt that Nino would refuse, then accept Shinichi half-heartedly after persuasion, and halfway through, if Shinichi wanted to leave without permission, she would complain angrily.

　　This attitude would never have existed half a month ago.

　　Even though Nino's change was not obvious, for Itsuki who had been paying attention to her sister.

　　Not only her, but also Ichika, Miku, and Yotsuba, even herself, had more or less grown in different directions during this half month.

　　Such a change definitely wasn't a bad thing, Itsuki firmly believed.

　　As a secretary, Itsuki had been in contact with Shinichi recently, from her frequent observations, from every conversation and every contact with him.

　　If Shinichi leads them, not only in forest school, but in the next two years of studying at Shuchi'in Academy, they will never be like before, without the energy to tackle their studies, and feel that they are stupid. Confused and can't see the way to the future.

　　If he influences them, the quintuplets will be able to learn, grow, improve, and face high school life!

　　This is the reason why Itsuki insists on inviting Shinichi to the birthday party, to see how his behavior brings more changes to the family, and to learn more things from him.

　　The scene outside the window continued to flow backwards. Sitting in the passenger seat, Itsuki glanced at Shinichi in the backseat through the rearview mirror, an expectant smile on her lips.

　　(Then, Asada-kun... What are you going to do at our birthday party? Let me wait and see...)

　　*Gruuuu*

　　Clutching her hungry stomach, Itsuki pondered.

　　(I'm waiting on an empty stomach... Wait, there doesn't seem to be such an idiom...)

　　...

　　At this time, the atmosphere in the back seat was extremely awkward.

　　Nino was sitting next to Shinichi, and there was a cold atmosphere around her. She tilted her head to look out the car window, crossed her arms, and deliberately ignored him.

　　If it was just like this, it would be fine, at worst, the two were competing over who was the quietest, but judging from the reflection reflected by the window, Nino looked awkwardly waiting for Shinichi to say something.

　　(She doesn't want to talk to me, but if I ignore her, she'll be even more unhappy. If she's not happy, the mood in the car will become unhappy.)

　　Thinking about it this way, Shinichi found it strange that Nino knew that he was going to the birthday party but didn't insist on rejecting him.

　　Logically speaking, Nino highly values the integrity of her family and doesn't want outsiders in, should at least give her opinion when Itsuki says Shinichi is going to their birthday party.

　　Unexpectedly, she only frowned, and hummed softly to express her agreement, which surprised everyone.

　　Just when Shinichi was wondering if Nino was softening her attitude because she felt guilty for drinking his black tea, the girl took an awkward posture as soon as she got into the car, without saying a word.

　　To be honest, it's okay to clash with Nino. After all, Shinichi doesn't have to go to this birthday party. There's really no need to get used to Nino's grumpy temper. At worst, just get out of the taxi and go home.

　　But since he had promised Itsuki, and Itsuki was also looking forward to her birthday party, try not to make things unpleasant for everyone, so as not to make it difficult for him to be human.

　　This is also his responsibility as the boss.

　　So Shinichi suddenly broke the silence.

　　"Nino."

　　Through the shade of the window, Shinichi saw Nino raise her eyebrows, and slowly loosen her expression to a "this person finally spoke" expression.

　　"...What is it?"

　　Shinichi thought for a moment, what's wrong? (I'm fine, but you're the one with the problem, right?)

　　(If you don't want to do anything, wouldn't it be good for us to maintain a harmonious and calm atmosphere until we get off the taxi? If something happens, if you don't say it directly, who knows?)

　　Too bad, if girls were really good at communicating, there wouldn't be so many single men in this world.

Shinichi has just comforted Ichika, and now he has to deal with Nino, and Miku's expression at the convenience store makes him a little worried... Why are there so many problem children in the Nakano family!

　　It didn't matter, all in all, Shinichi started with some casual compliments to lighten the mood.

　　"Your yukata looks good, do you like purple?"

　　Ding dong!

　　As if seeing the words "mood value 10+" coming out of her head, Nino slightly lifted the corners of her mouth, shook the purple and black swallowtail headband on her head, and she casually answered.

　　"Just normal."

　　(Hehe, if I really said that, why don't you roll down the car window and punch me in the face?)

　　Shinichi sneered, only at this moment a girl's heart would become so predictable.

　　Of course, he wouldn't continue to bombard her with compliments, not to mention that he couldn't live with embarrassment, and he didn't think girls liked too much compliments. A magazine says that one compliment is two compliments. Just kidding, girls won't get tired of compliments.

　　Shinichi's job isn't to please Nino, but to get her to get along with him in a good manner, and not make things awkward.

　　So right now, all he had to do was change the subject.

　　"Do you know how to say yukata in English?" With an intellectual smile, Shinichi said in a gentle tone, "Although most foreigners can immediately say yukata, but going back to the origins, yukata is usually called a bathrobe, that is, a robe worn after bathing..."

　　With one hand resting on the car door and supporting her cheek, Nino interrupted: "Shut up, I don't want to know."

　　Ding dong! Mood score minus 50.

　　Shinichi will talk about some interesting and inspiring knowledge of English.

　　Forget it, let it be like this... Anyway, Nino took the initiative to tell him to shut up, and Shinichi didn't want to talk.

　　As a result, Shinichi didn't intend to talk anymore, and let the back seat fall into silence for the second time.

　　But before long, Nino let go of her reluctance to pay attention to him, put her hands on her knees, and turned her head.

　　"...Hey, let me ask you something."

　　The light outside the window flashed at the right time, and the light and shadow like water waves swayed on her face, illuminating her serious and clear eyes.

　　Shinichi was stunned for a moment, the correct posture suddenly made him slightly unresponsive.

　　"...What is it?" He spoke calmly.

　　"You are teaching Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu. You almost became their tutor, right?"

　　Nino paused for a moment, without giving Shinichi time to answer, she continued talking to herself.

　　"If one day the affairs of the forest school conflict with their teachings... Which will you choose?"

　　Nino stared straight at him.