Meeting Takebayashi Miyako

Upon hearing that voice, Akira already knew who was calling his name. Turning around, he saw an elegant woman in a white yukata with flower accessories adorning her black hair.

Yamato Nadeshiko perfectly described that woman.

The woman was none other than Takebayashi Miyako!

"It's really Akira-kun."

Seeing Akira's face, Takebayashi approached with a charming smile.

The men who witnessed that smile were captivated by her charm.

"Happy New Year, Akira-kun."

Standing in front of Akira, Takebayashi smiled gently.

"Happy New Year, Takebayashi-san. Did you come for a New Year's visit?"

"Um. I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Yeah. Out of so many people here, we could meet. It's an extraordinary coincidence."

Seeing them talking familiarly, the quintuplets felt neglected.

"Ah, long time no see, everyone."

Realizing the quintuplets behind Akira, Takebayashi greeted them, albeit a bit late.

"Happy New Year, Takebayashi-san."

Ichika and the others responded politely. Their relationship was just an acquaintance and couldn't be considered as friends. Besides, they once misunderstood that Takebayashi was Fuutarou's girlfriend.

But all of that was in the past and no longer important.

They had given up on Fuutarou and let Yotsuba, the winner of the love war, enjoy her youth filled with romance.

"This is quite surprising. Takebayashi-san knows Akira-chan. If I may ask, how did you two get to know each other? Onee-san is very curious."

Ichika put on her friendly smile.

"Ichika-Nee, that's bothering Takebayashi-san. She still needs to pray at the shrine." Akira said.

"It's okay. I've finished praying. If you don't mind, let's chat together."

Takebayashi didn't realize that Akira was trying to keep them apart.

"Let's find a cafe. It's too crowded here."

Opening her phone to find the nearest cafe, Nino suggested.

"Eh, I still want to eat snacks here." Itsuki complained.

In order to enjoy the food at the stalls set up every New Year, she ate a small breakfast to leave some empty space in her stomach. Itsuki didn't want to miss this opportunity.

"Then I'll accompany Itsuki." Yotsuba volunteered. She felt she wouldn't fit into their conversation.

"What about Miku?" Nino turned and asked Miku who was silent.

"I'll go to the cafe." Miku said.

"Well, let's split into two groups. Yotsuba and Itsuki stay here, I, Nino, Miku, and Akira-chan go to the cafe to chat with Takebayashi-san."

After making sure everyone agreed, Ichika looked at Nino and said, "Nino, show the way."

"Um." Nino nodded and led everyone.

Akira and Takebayashi walked in the back row.

"You look beautiful in that yukata, Takebayashi-san."

"Thank you for your compliment, Akira-kun."

Which woman doesn't like being praised?

Takebayashi's cheeks were tinted red.

"Hmm~, you're very good at complimenting girls. Onee-san wonders how many girls you've charmed to act so naturally like that."

Ichika turned and smiled at Akira.

"Ahem... The weather today is quite nice."

Seeing him changing the subject, Ichika didn't press further.

"Akira is reckless. Guilty, seppuku." Miku whispered quietly, but still audible to Akira.

"Your relationship with your sisters is very good. I envy you. As an only child, I want to experience having siblings." Takebayashi said.

"If you want, Ichika-Nee and the others can be your sisters. Takebayashi-san wants to know how?" Akira smiled.

"Is that possible? What does that mean?"

Takebayashi looked at Akira in disbelief.

"It's not impossible. They can be your sisters-in-law."

Akira whispered in her ear. Instantly, Takebayashi's face turned as red as an apple.

"W-What are you talking about?! Something like that is too early for me."

Walking while looking down, she didn't dare to look at his face.

If she followed his suggestion, wouldn't that mean she had to become his wife?

They hadn't even become a couple yet!

After three months of getting along with him, Takebayashi had a good impression of him. If Akira confessed to her, she would likely agree and become his girlfriend.

But their relationship remained ambiguous because Akira didn't take the initiative to confess, while she was too embarrassed to confess to a 13-year-old.

Takebayashi didn't want to be seen as a shotacon.

"Takebayashi-san, are you okay?"

Miku noticed Takebayashi's slightly red face, as if she had a fever.

"Ah, I'm okay, just a little hot." Takebayashi answered nervously.

"Oh." Miku nodded.

She stared at her younger brother suspiciously.

Sensing her gaze, Akira shrugged, indicating he was innocent.

After walking for ten minutes, they arrived at the cafe.

The business at the cafe was quite good, bustling with visitors returning from the shrine.

The waiter escorted them to the last empty table, took note of their food orders, and left.

"Huft... It's warm~."

Feeling the room temperature, Miku felt comfortable.

"So, can Takebayashi-san tell us about your meeting with Akira-chan?"

While waiting for the dishes to be served, Ichika didn't forget her goal.

"At the school festival in October, I remember you two didn't know each other. Now you seem to be good friends. I'm a bit curious about your relationship."

As a habit, Nino crossed her arms and raised her chin.

Miku remained silent, but her facial expression didn't hide her curiosity.

"..."

Takebayashi seemed to be facing an evil mother-in-law. She glanced at Akira for assistance.

Akira shook his head, indicating that he was leaving this matter to her.

(Akira-kun can't be relied upon in moments like this.) Takebayashi complained in her heart.

Taking a deep breath, she composed the complicated atmosphere in her heart. After calming down, she explained with a smile on her face.

"Really, there's nothing special. Our meeting started from... Bla Bla Bla...."

Ichika, Nino, and Miku listened attentively.

The more they heard, the more it felt like the meeting between Akira and Takebayashi was like a story of protagonists and heroines meeting.

In the midst of the conversation, the waiter brought the dishes.

After Takebayashi finished her story, Ichika and the others no longer brought up this matter and discussed other things.

Although confused about why they changed the topic of conversation, Takebayashi was grateful that they didn't interrogate her relationship with Akira.

On the other hand, Akira was ignored by them and could only be a spectator.