Necklace on Shinichi-kun’s Neck

Shinichi looked back at her smiling face and responded.

"Of course, I know. I helped you submit the application for information. You'll be studying abroad at Seisho Music Academy for two weeks."

"Um, so I can only leave that work to you during this period!" Ichika joined her palms together apologetically, and Itsuki patted her chest as she observed.

"You can study abroad with peace of mind! Don't worry, we have enough manpower here!"

Miku nodded, "Moreover, there aren't many common affairs; I can help..."

"Wow, what's with the feeling that even though I'm very happy and relieved, I have an indescribable feeling that my existence is not important at all?" Ichika said with a wry smile, dismissing it when Itsuki and the other girls tried to comfort her.

"Don't worry; I'll work as usual. It would be troublesome if I couldn't do it without the student council."

"Don't feel pressured. The school supports your work. Moreover, the more famous you become outside, the greater Shuchi'in Academy's glory. Even if you skip school and laze around, the school might turn a blind eye to it."

Although Ichika seemed not to need comfort, Shinichi still wanted her to relax and go through the remaining period of her studies abroad without worries.

"Although..."

Ichika smiled sweetly and replied, "Although Kirisu Sensei might object, right?"

Shinichi couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Yes, she won't forgive unreasonable laziness."

"Shinichi-kun really understands Kirisu Sensei."

"Please stop teasing me about this."

"Don't worry; it's just a casual conversation." Ichika, with her hands behind her back, intertwined her fingers and swung her school bag.

"No matter how unscrupulous Shinichi-kun is, he would never take action against a young and beautiful teacher. We all believe that~"

Miku and Itsuki, who were listening, nodded, especially Itsuki, who looked at Ichika with a serious expression.

Ichika smiled bitterly and glanced at Nino... the eavesdropping cat should be thinking, "Who said that? For that guy, whether it's a teacher or a sister, as long as he sees the right person, it doesn't matter."

Nino looked dissatisfied and pouted silently.

She was not angry with Shinichi but with herself for not wanting to do anything and just eavesdropping.

"Thank you very much for your trust."

Shinichi prevented them from realizing his guilt.

Although he didn't know where this guilt came from. Honestly, he and Mafuyu now only had a pure and normal teacher-student relationship, and they basically hadn't done anything ambiguous.

Maybe because as a 17-year-old boy, he couldn't control his desires toward Mafuyu's body.

After complaining about himself, Shinichi heard Ichika say,

"I won't be here during this period. Shinichi-kun, do you want to remember to miss me? You can't forget about me."

She said this in a non-serious manner, and Shinichi responded nonchalantly,

"If you send me a message every day, I won't forget."

"Hmh~ This is outrageous. You actually want me to send you messages and threaten me to chat with you. If you don't do this, you'll drive me away. Shinichi-kun, this heartless guy~"

Wiping her tears, Ichika cried silently, causing Nino, Miku, and Itsuki to stare at Shinichi with a reproachful tone.

"Shinichi, don't disturb Ichika."

"Asada-kun, isn't this too cruel?"

"How dare you make my family cry! If you want to be a scoundrel, can't you be more careful!"

Shinichi fell silent. Seeing the three people on Yotsuba's side also watching him, he stretched out his hand and said helplessly.

"Alright, let me put it in another way... Ichika, I won't think about you even in the two weeks since you've gone."

The gazes around him became sharper, and Ichika's expression also froze, stopping her pretense of crying.

Shinichi cleared his throat, his expression becoming serious, and he continued with a low, soft voice.

"Because I never forget you."

Never forget, just because I never forget.

You're in my heart, always there.

—This is the rural love story that Shinichi read in a certain book. Although it sounds a bit embarrassing, when spoken with a soft and beautiful voice, it uses deep affection to stir the girl's emotions.

"..."

The eerie scene completely disappeared, replaced by silence.

After a few seconds, Nino left with a disgusted expression on her face, her mouth slightly pouting.

"A guy who can only say sweet words, hmph!"

Miku looked at her expressionlessly.

"As the Master, I order General Shinichi to broadcast at full frequency tonight and say ten love words similar to this to the Master. It can't be repeated."

"Mhm..."

Fumino and Rizu sighed together, and turning to Yotsuba was more interesting for them than Shinichi, holding Yotsuba's hand and continuing to talk about how to train heat-producing skills.

As for Ichika, who was directly hit by the love words, she raised her face and stared at him with wide eyes. After staying like this for two or three seconds, she blushed slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, Shinichi-kun, this teasing is too simple~ If you don't hone your skills in teasing girls, you won't be able to get a girlfriend~"

Shinichi looked at her without saying a word.

"What are you talking about?"

He had an expression on his face like, "Do I look like I can't get a girlfriend?"

"Anyway, that means, try your best next time!"

Ichika regained awareness and realized she had said something wrong in her panic. Quickly, she turned around, facing him with reddened ears.

She intentionally slowed her steps, allowing herself to fall behind the crowd. When she made sure no one was watching, she placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

Inhale – exhale –

Then she covered her face with her hands, fingers slipping into her bangs, silently whimpering.

(I'm so touched by what he said so easily. How easy I-!)

Even though she was aware of the facts, the feeling that her rejection towards someone was practically nonexistent and stimulated by it still made Ichika's heart beat fast, her face flush, and it was difficult to stay calm.

Is this why the more a man teases someone, the stronger his reaction when teased?

"Sigh—"

Pulling her ponytail back with her fingers, Ichika let out a heavy sigh and gently lifted her eyes.

Under the dim sky, she discreetly looked towards the student council members led by Shinichi in front of her, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Focusing on the two of them, Ichika pursed her lips and muttered.

"I... don't want to know if Shinichi-kun has been snatched away by them two weeks later."

To ensure that this heartbeat lasts throughout the day, it's impossible not to put the necklace around Shinichi's neck first.

If, upon returning from Seisho Academy, there is Shinichi who likes everyone, but someone falls in love with someone, and eventually decides to abandon their development, Ichika feels she would deeply regret it. She took some slightly excessive redemption actions.

Like subduing or something.

To prevent herself from being reduced to a supporting actress in the third-year script, Ichika wants to protect her love before leaving here to pursue her dreams.

How to do it, that draft has gradually been perfected in her mind.

She glanced at her sisters.

△

Nakano Family.

After dinner, as everyone cleaned the dishes and prepared to return to their respective rooms for rest.

Ichika smiled and waved at them.

"Everyone, there's something I want to say. Can we gather together?"

Nino came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands, looking at her with uncertainty.

"What's up? Is there something important you want to talk about now?"

Miku, Itsuki, and Itsuki also came. After the five of them sat on the sofa, four pairs of eyes focused on Ichika.

"Um, starting next week, I'll be going to Seisho Academy for two weeks as an exchange student. I won't be able to come back until the sports festival is over. Everyone knows, right?"

With a meaningful smile on her lips, Ichika spoke slowly.

The others nodded, their expressions still puzzled.

"All this time, I wanted to ask everyone for help..."