Many Girls Like Me!
The next day, during the afternoon.
"Naoki, it's been a while."
As Ren arrived, Nino welcomed him with a smile.
"Long time no see." Ren replied.
It had been quite a while since he last met Nino as Naoki, and it was an exaggeration to say it had been a long time since he last saw her.
"Are you still going shopping today?"
Since he and Nino often went out together, Ren was aware of some of her habits, like her desire to go shopping with him.
"Let's go shopping first. What I want to tell you, I'll discuss it later." Nino nodded, "It's not appropriate now."
"Okay."
Although curious about what Nino wanted to say to him, Ren wasn't anxious. Anyway, she would tell him today, so there was no need to worry.
After walking with him for a while, Nino suddenly remembered something, raising her wrist in front of her so he could see it clearly and gestured, "Look, this is the bracelet."
"Um."
After a quick glance, Ren responded gently.
When he helped them with their lessons, he had already seen her wearing the bracelet, so seeing it again now didn't surprise him at all.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
Not seeing a surprised expression on his face, Nino looked a bit disappointed, but after thinking that he didn't have an expression all the time, she smiled again and continued asking.
"It looks good." Ren honestly replied.
"I'm glad to hear that."
After getting the answer she wanted, Nino happily put down her wrist and continued, "By the way, Naoki, is there something you want?"
"Nothing."
Ren shook his head.
"Really, quickly say something. I'm still thinking of giving you a gift." Nino shook her arm and complained softly.
"A gift?" Ren was very interested in this word.
"Didn't you give me this bracelet as a birthday present? So I'm thinking of giving you a gift in return." Nino explained, "But I never know what to give you, so I have to ask you directly."
This bracelet was very expensive, even though it was a birthday present, she couldn't accept it calmly; she had to return the gift properly.
"I see."
Ren finally understood why Nino was asking this.
Nino said sadly, "Although I know that asking directly what you want and then giving it to you will save you from many surprises, rather than giving you something you don't like, I still hope to give you something you like or something useful."
"No matter what you give me, it's okay." Ren replied gently.
It would be nice if Nino was willing to give him a gift, no matter what she gave.
"If I could decide what to give you, I wouldn't ask you this question." Nino sighed, "If you don't have something you want, it's okay to ask me to do something for you, like helping you prepare lunch boxes and the like..."
After thinking about it, Ren looked at her and said, "Then please accompany me to more places."
Gabriel prepared all his lunch boxes and didn't need Nino's help. Instead, it would be better to let her accompany him to places he had never visited.
If he went to those places alone, he wouldn't know what to do.
"Eh?! Of course."
Hearing his words, like a confession, Nino's cheeks instantly turned red, even the tips of her ears started to blush.
"Um."
Ren was very happy to see her agreeing.
This way, someone would take him to some places he wanted to visit but hadn't been to.
"..."
Nino didn't answer; she just kept lowering her head to hide her blush; she didn't want him to see her embarrassing appearance.
Realizing that Nino had no intention of talking, Ren also remained silent with her, observing the surroundings.
"Um... Naoki, you don't have a girlfriend, right?"
After walking with him for a while aimlessly, Nino felt calm, so she asked this question.
"No."
How could Ren have a girlfriend?
So Nino asked, "Then do you have someone you like?"
"No."
Because Ichika asked this question not long ago, Ren answered it casually.
Once this answer came out of his mouth, he suddenly realized.
He was Naoki now, not Ren. His answer must be the opposite of his usual response; otherwise, Nino would easily find something wrong.
But he had already answered both of these questions, and it was too late to change his mind now. He could only hope that Nino wouldn't connect him because of these two answers.
"Is there a girl who likes you?" Nino then asked after touching her face, which became hot again.
He didn't have a girlfriend, and there was no one he liked, so she had a big advantage.
"Yes."
After thinking for a moment, Ren confidently answered.
He was friends with many girls, but none of them liked him.
Therefore, to be different from Ren, he could only answer yes.
Nino's expression froze.
She knew that if Naoki was so handsome, how could no woman like him?
However, she couldn't say anything; besides, Naoki wasn't her boyfriend, and she couldn't assert her sovereignty to him.
She could only write down information that a girl liked him, and when she returned, she could think of a way to make that girl stop.
"Are there many girls who like you?" Nino continued to ask about information about her love rival.
"There are many."
No girl liked him, and many liked him.
Nino: "😐"
If there are many, it will be difficult.
Go back and ask Ichika to see if she has any good ideas.
If she rushes in directly, she feels that her chances of winning are not too good.
After asking these questions clearly, Nino's mood, which was initially good after meeting him, became much worse.
But even so, she was still happy to spend the day playing outside with him.
At least, she was with him now, right?
Time passed, and the day was already evening.
"Naoki, do you want to come up and sit for a while?"
When she was about to say goodbye, Nino hesitatedly invited him.
Before Ren could answer, the sensor door behind Nino suddenly opened, and Itsuki stepped out.
"Nino, what are you doing here? Why don't you come up?"
Seeing Nino standing in front of the door, Itsuki asked curiously. Approaching, she saw Ren standing in front of her and was stunned.
"Kamika..."
"Hello, this is our first meeting. My name is Kamikawa Naoki. Please give me your advice." Ren introduced himself in front of Itsuki.