You Can Say It, but It’s Not Necessary

"Really?"

After taking several deep breaths, Ichika still felt that this issue was too exaggerated.

Who would have thought that Naoki, who has been on Nino's mind, turns out to always appear in front of her, even helping them with lessons, but Nino doesn't realize it.

"No, I have to be careful." Ichika still couldn't calm her surprise upon knowing the truth.

A few moments later, she took out her phone and took a picture of the signature, intending to keep it as evidence and compare it later.

Even though she knew the chances of making a mistake were very small, it's better to be cautious and double-check; if both really had similar handwriting, it wouldn't be pleasant.

"By the way, Nino didn't realize that Naoki and Kamikawa-san's handwriting is very similar for a long time. That's really inappropriate."

After taking the photo, Ichika closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer while making a comment.

However, after thinking for a moment, she felt relieved.

Even if Nino likes someone else, she wouldn't be able to stare at signature continuously.

And considering the notebook's location at the bottom of the drawer, it means Nino just wanted to keep it and had no intention of reading it continuously.

If not, Nino should know the fact that Naoki and Ren are the same person.

After sorting out her thoughts, Ichika felt that she came to help Nino with this after-school assignment.

She actually knew something so important.

And again, where is the after-school assignment? She has been looking for it for a long time; why hasn't she found it yet?

After continuing to search Nino's room for a while but still unable to find it, Ichika chose to give up and leave Nino's room.

"Ichika, did you find it?"

Miku looked at Ichika walking down the stairs and asked with concern.

"No, I searched everywhere and still didn't find it at all." Ichika stretched out her hands helplessly. "I really doubt Nino left the after-school assignment in her room."

"How could that be? I didn't keep it in my school bag. Where else would it be in the room?"

Hearing that, Nino put down her phone and defended herself.

"If you carefully search your school bag, you might not find it now." Ichika returned to her seat and sat down.

"Okay."

After looking at the chat page and realizing that Naoki hadn't replied to her message, Nino took her school bag again and started rummaging through it.

"Ah, I found it. I put it inside the history book. I didn't see it earlier."

It didn't take long for Nino to find the after-school assignment in her school bag, then handed it to Miku who had been waiting for a long time.

"I just said it's in your school bag." Ichika deliberately looked dissatisfied. "You didn't search for it properly now, so I went up and searched in your room for a long time."

"Sorry, I was too panicked earlier, so I didn't search for it properly." Nino raised her phone and explained with a smile.

Just now, she was in a hurry to reply to the message, so she didn't search seriously.

"I wasted a long break." Ichika still looked a little dissatisfied.

Nino had no choice but to promise, "As compensation, can I treat you to milk tea tomorrow?"

"Um, that's fine." Ichika nodded in satisfaction.

It can be said that she gained a lot from this climb. Not only did she know Ren's important secret, but she also got an extra cup of milk tea. Perfect.

Seeing Nino tapping the screen, Ichika asked curiously, "Nino, are you still chatting with Naoki?"

"Yes, what's up?" Nino answered unconsciously.

"Nothing."

She raised her head and glanced at Ren, and found that he was also looking at his phone. Ichika's mood suddenly became a bit subtle, making her want to laugh.

"Ichika, your smile is weird." Nino realized that something was wrong with her.

"Really? Maybe you're mistaken?"

Ichika answered calmly, still with a smile on her face.

"If so, I might have mistaken it."

After staring at her for a while, she didn't find anything suspicious in her expression. Nino was no longer suspicious and continued to wait for Naoki's reply.

In this matter, Ichika didn't say anything more but observed Nino and Ren with great interest.

She could tell Nino that Ren is Naoki, but it's not necessary.

Moreover, if Nino knows about this, with her love-brained thinking, it will be very troublesome.

Therefore, Ichika chose to keep it a secret for a while. Since Nino hasn't realized it for a long time, it's not a bad idea to keep it a secret for a while.

Compared to Nino, she is more curious about Ren.

Coincidentally, she can use this opportunity to ask him something to satisfy her doubts.

For example, why Ren hides that he is Naoki in front of Nino, and whether he has any goals, etc. Ichika can use the secret she knows about Ren to inquire.

"Hm?"

Ren who had just replied to Nino's message, realized that someone was staring at him. So, he followed the gaze and saw Ichika sitting not far away from him.

Seeing the unexplainable smile on Ichika's face, it made him feel a little confused.

(Found already~)

Realizing that his gaze was noticed by her, Ichika shifted her gaze and looked to the side, pretending as if nothing happened.

"..."

Seeing that she didn't continue staring at him, Ren stopped caring about her.

······

Not long after, the lesson ended.

When Miku handed over the after-school assignment to Ren, Ichika approached Itsuki: "Itsuki, did you borrow Kamikawa-san's notebook today?"

She remembered that before, Itsuki often borrowed Ren's notebook to copy.

"I borrowed it." Itsuki didn't quite understand why Ichika asked this, but she answered honestly.

Ichika asked, "Which subject?"

"Japanese."

"Let me borrow it to look at, and I'll return it to you later." Ichika requested.

"Okay, but you have to read it quickly; I haven't finished copying it yet."

After hesitating for a moment, Itsuki took Ren's notebook from her school bag and handed it to Ichika, also giving her a reminder.

"Don't worry, it will be fast." Ichika nodded and said with a smile.

This way, she could compare the handwriting in Ren's notebook with Naoki's signature and eliminate her last doubt.