Chapter 3

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"Home sweet home!" Yotsuba chirped cheerfully, hopping out of the limo with her face alight with enthusiasm as she set her eyes on the grand Pentagon building before her.

"We're not quite home yet," Miku muttered in her usual emotionless tone as she followed her sister out of the car.

Nino, on the other hand, stepped out with a huff of annoyance, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and her expression set in a deep scowl. "It won't be 'sweet' for long," she shot back dryly, her irritation evident as she trailed behind her younger sister.

Ichika raised an eyebrow at Nino's comment, her gaze softening as she put a comforting arm around her sister's shoulders. "Come on, Nino, why the gloomy outlook?" she asked with an amused glint in her eye.

Miku observed silently, her thoughts drifting as she mentally noted, She's always gloomy, but kept her opinion to herself as she casually adjusted her headphones, tuning out the conversation.

Nino shrugged off her sister's comforting gesture with a frustrated grunt as the five sisters approached the entrance of their home, dismissing their driver, Ebata, with a curt nod. "Should I remind you that soon we'll have a tutor we barely know invading our personal space?"

Itsuki, trailing a bit behind, let out a weary sigh at her sister's relentless pessimism. "Nino, don't start. It's just a tutor."

"Just a tutor?!" Nino's voice rose in exasperation as she shot a glaring look at Itsuki. "What if this tutor turns out to be a perv?!"

"Oh, God..." Miku murmured quietly, turning her gaze away as she braced herself for the inevitable argument that was sure to follow.

"A perv? Do you really think Dad would hire someone like that to teach us?" Itsuki asked, bewildered by her sister's concerns. "Come on, Nino, Dad has high standards for hiring people."

Ichika, noticing a new face at the building's entrance, asked with mild curiosity, "Did they change the security?"

"Aw, that's a shame!" Yotsuba chimed in, having overheard her sister's comment and observing the new security guard. "Takahoshi-san was so kind..."

"Dad can make mistakes too!" Nino retorted vehemently, her frustration unyielding. "What if it's an old man?"

At the mention of "old man," Yotsuba's eyes lit up with delight. "Like an elderly person? Oh, I adore older people! They're so endearing!" she beamed enthusiastically.

"Shut up, Yotsuba," Nino snapped sharply, throwing a disapproving glance at her sister. "Elderly and old men are two completely different things."

"Really?" Yotsuba asked, her confusion evident. "But what's the difference between the two?"

"Ugh..." Nino muttered, turning her head away in frustration. "Sometimes I forget how stupid you are."

Yotsuba pouted slightly, but Ichika placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Naivety and stupidity are not the same thing," she said with a gentle smile. "Don't listen to this pain in the ass~"

"Who are you calling a pain in the ass?" Nino shot back through gritted teeth as they entered the chic reception area of the pentagon building.

The local officials at the entrance, well accustomed to the sisters' frequent bickering, merely waved at them with practiced indifference as they resumed their duties.

Miku let out a deep sigh, her eyes reflecting a mix of affection and exasperation. She loved her family dearly, but moments like these made her question if they truly shared the same genetic makeup.

The five sisters entered the elevator in a rare moment of silence, though Nino's irritation remained palpable. Ichika casually crossed her arms and wore an amused expression.

"Does the identity of the tutor really matter that much?" she asked with a playful smile.

"Of course it does," Nino replied simply, her tone firm.

"And why is that?" Itsuki shot a skeptical look at her sister. "If I remember correctly, you said you wouldn't participate in the lessons anyway. Why does it matter to you?"

Nino's face contorted into a grimace as she gritted her teeth. You four will participate in the lessons, idiot! I don't want a stranger having access to you! she thought, though she only huffed in response.

Sensing the rising tension, Ichika decided to diffuse it in the way she knew best. "What if the tutor is a handsome guy?"

"Shut up, Ichika," Itsuki and Nino said in unison, finding common ground for the first time that day.

"Aw~"

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Megumi cast one final, weary glance at the contents of his backpack before making up his mind. With a resigned motion, he zipped it closed and slung it over his shoulders. He picked up the key to his apartment from the table and made his way toward the door, his movements lacking any kind of vigor.

The clock on the wall read 1:00 p.m., a reminder that he needed to head to the Pentagon as soon as possible. The prospect of tutoring five girls held no appeal for him; it was far from a choice he would have willingly made.

A wave of bittersweetness washed over him as he thought about the proposal he had accepted. If Maruo had been upfront about the tutoring responsibilities from the outset, Megumi might have had a chance to assess whether it was worth the hassle. But now, it was too late to reconsider his decision.

The arrangement was clear and straightforward: protect them seven days a week and teach them two days a week. It seemed simple enough but felt overwhelmingly exhausting.

As he left his apartment, his mind buzzed with unanswered questions. How would he approach teaching them? What methods would work best? Megumi had no answers, only a gnawing sense of unease. The task seemed daunting, especially since he hadn't done anything productive in over six months. Still, he begrudgingly admitted that it was better than spending his days wallowing in his own thoughts.

He sighed deeply and made his way down the stairs in silence, deciding that taking the elevator was unnecessary given he lived on the second floor. As he exited the building, he barely acknowledged the reception employee's greeting and stepped into the bright afternoon sun.

Over time, the brightness had become less of a shock to his senses, and he barely noticed it now. He glanced down at his attire: he was still dressed in his Asahi High School uniform—brown pants, a long-sleeved white shirt, a school coat, and black boots. He hadn't bothered to change into casual clothes, deciding that the uniform would suffice for his role as the girls' tutor.

The walk to the pentagon was marked by an unusual sense of heightened awareness. The wind felt colder than usual, the nearby voices seemed louder, and the sensation of his foot against the sidewalk was more pronounced.

This would be the longest social interaction he had engaged in months, and he couldn't say he was looking forward to it. Megumi fixed his gaze ahead and mentally steeled himself for what promised to be an uncomfortable day. Then again, his days rarely held any promise of enjoyment.

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Ichika let out a contented sigh as they stepped into the house, stretching her arms in an exaggerated manner. "Phew... I forgot how much I missed being home!" she exclaimed with a warm smile.

The 'home' she referred to was a lavish two-story apartment, replete with numerous rooms and a massive front window that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The space was decorated with various luxurious pieces of furniture, creating an ambiance of both opulence and comfort.

Nino, however, was in no mood to enjoy the luxury. Without acknowledging her sisters, she marched toward the stairs, ascending in silence and heading directly to her room.

Yotsuba watched her departure with a nervous smile, her eyes tracking Nino's retreating figure. "Wow, she's really upset..." she murmured, concern evident in her voice.

Miku, who had removed her headphones and now draped them around her neck, merely sighed. "She's super dramatic," she said with a hint of exasperation.

Itsuki, setting her backpack on the table, furrowed her brow as she contemplated the situation. "This is going to cause problems..." she muttered thoughtfully. "Nino shouldn't refuse to receive lessons. We all need them."

"Yeah, but I think she's too proud to admit she needs help," Ichika said with a carefree shrug, placing her own backpack next to Itsuki's. Itsuki gave her a pointed look.

"And you?" Itsuki asked, arching an eyebrow. "Will you participate the lessons?"

Ichika paused for a moment, considering whether she would have time amidst her other commitments. She doubted it but didn't want to worry her younger sister. Instead, she put on a casual smile.

"Of course," she said, causing Itsuki to visibly relax. However, she quickly added, "But I'm going to take a nap first."

"A nap?" Miku interjected, walking beside her older sister with a blank expression. "Your naps last for hours."

"Aww~ Don't be too hard on your big sis." Ichika said playfully as she turned and started up the stairs.

Without much reaction, Miku simply tossed her backpack into a corner before following Ichika up the stairs..

"Miku?" Yotsuba called out, drawing her sister's attention. "Where are you going?"

"My room," Miku replied simply but with a hint of kindness, prompting Yotsuba to glance at the clock.

It was 1:02 p.m. Yotsuba looked back at Miku before shifting her gaze to Itsuki. "Do you know what time the tutor arrives?"

Itsuki checked the clock before answering, "In about eight minutes."

"That's enough time for a nap." Ichika said casually as she continued up the stairs, her nonchalance making Itsuki frown.

"I have my doubts about whether she's really taking this seriously..." Itsuki murmured to herself, watching Ichika's retreating form.

"I'll wait in my room." Miku said bluntly as she followed Ichika up the stairs, leaving Yotsuba and Itsuki alone in the entrance hall.

Itsuki sighed deeply as she settled into a chair, opening her backpack with a thoughtful expression. She pulled out a notebook and a pencil case, placing them on the table with a sense of purpose.

Noticing her sister's contemplative mood, Yotsuba approached and gently placed a hand on Itsuki's shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Itsuki took a moment to collect her thoughts before nodding slightly. Her gaze remained distant as she replied, "Just worried." Seeing Yotsuba's puzzled look, she elaborated, "You know... about them."

"'Them'?" Yotsuba tilted her head in confusion. "You mean our sisters?"

Itsuki nodded again, her expression a mixture of apprehension and concern. "What if they don't take this seriously?" she murmured. "What if they end up with bad grades and don't make an effort?"

Yotsuba's brow furrowed as she sat down next to Itsuki, offering a comforting squeeze to her shoulder. "Don't say that," she encouraged. "We have to believe in them!" Her voice carried a note of determined confidence.

"Yeah, yeah..." Itsuki muttered, flipping open her notebook and skimming through the pages. "Confidence..."

Yotsuba glanced at the notebook, her eyes widening at the sight of the densely packed notes. "Did you take all these notes today?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

Itsuki nodded with a resolute expression. "Yes, I have to focus more on studies."

"Ooh..." Yotsuba whispered in awe, a look of admiration spreading across her face. "You're so committed!"

A small smile appeared on Itsuki's face as she shrugged modestly. "I need to work hard if I want to achieve my dream."

"Your dream?" Yotsuba asked, her eyes widening with interest. "I didn't know you had already decided on what your dream is!"

Itsuki gave her a look of mild surprise. "...I'm already 17 years old," she said, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "Of course I'm going to have a dream."

Yotsuba giggled at her sister's response, leaning back in her seat with a playful grin. "Yeah, I guess you're right!"

Itsuki looked at Yotsuba with a hint of amusement, her lips curving into a small, affectionate smile. After a light huff, she turned her attention back to her notebook, her expression growing more thoughtful.

"I just hope the tutor is competent," she said, her voice tinged with concern.

"Huh?" Yotsuba tilted her head, her curiosity sparked. "What happened to Dad having high standards for hiring people?" she asked playfully.

Itsuki chuckled softly, caught in her own contradiction, before her expression returned to one of wary contemplation. "I don't know... It's just that our future is at stake."

Yotsuba nodded in understanding, glancing at the clock. With only five minutes left until the tutor's arrival, her gaze shifted back to Itsuki, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"So..." she began, catching her sister's attention. "What do you think the tutor will be like?"

Itsuki raised an eyebrow, her tone matter-of-fact. "I don't think it matters much..."

Yotsuba shook her head energetically. "It doesn't matter, but it's fun to imagine!" she said with enthusiasm. "Like a game!"

Though Itsuki wasn't entirely convinced, she decided to indulge her sister's playful spirit. "Alright... you go first."

Yotsuba nodded eagerly, placing a hand on her chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm..." she hummed, her eyes lighting up as she made her guess. "Maybe a cute elderly lady with a pet kitten!"

Itsuki looked at her sister with a blend of amusement and skepticism. "Dad said it would be a 'he,'" she reminded Yotsuba, then added, "And why a cat?"

"Cats are cute," Yotsuba replied simply, her imagination continuing to flourish. "But if it's a 'he,' it could be a lovely older man with a pet kitten!"

"You certainly have a pattern," Itsuki commented with a chuckle, prompting Yotsuba to giggle in response.

"Well, your turn!" the energetic girl said, leaning in with eager anticipation. "What do you think the tutor will be like?"

Itsuki paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered the question. Who would make an ideal teacher for her?

After a few seconds of contemplation, she said thoughtfully, "Someone committed. With a lot of educational experience and perhaps a few degrees."

"I see... like a university professor?" Yotsuba asked, and Itsuki nodded in agreement.

"Something like that," Itsuki confirmed. "I wouldn't want our tutor to be someone without genuine skill," she added, her tone reflecting her earnestness.

"Well, it's the least we can expect from Dad, isn't it?" Yotsuba said cheerfully. "He wouldn't hire someone without experience to teach us. He usually has better judgment than that."

Itsuki nodded slightly, finding comfort in her sister's reassurance. "Yeah... he wouldn't choose someone who isn't fully capable of teaching."

A comfortable silence settled over them before an idea struck Yotsuba. She quickly picked up her notebook, borrowed a pen from Itsuki, and began scribbling with focused intensity. Itsuki glanced over curiously at the page.

"What are you doing?" she asked softly, noticing Yotsuba writing their names.

"I'm recording each of our guesses about the tutor!" Yotsuba explained, her eyes never leaving the page. "Whoever guesses right gets a group hug!"

Itsuki couldn't help but smile at the gesture. "It sounds thrilling," she murmured, her voice tinged with amusement.

Yotsuba nodded, her expression determined as she wrote down her name and her guess. She moved on to Itsuki, jotting down her sister's name and guess with equal enthusiasm.

When she reached Nino's name, Yotsuba paused. "...What was Nino's guess again?" she asked, tapping the pen against her chin.

Itsuki sighed, recalling the memory. "A perverted old man," she said simply.

"Oh..." Yotsuba murmured, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and nostalgia as she wrote it down. "Pessimistic as ever."

Itsuki chuckled softly, her shoulders relaxing. "That's just Nino for you," she said with a hint of resignation.

"And if I remember correctly, Ichika guessed that he'd be a handsome guy, right?" Yotsuba asked as she continued writing. "Dreamy as always!"

Itsuki nodded in agreement, her attention drawn to her sister's energetic enthusiasm.

"And Miku..." Yotsuba began, her brow furrowing. "...Miku didn't make any guesses," she said after a moment of thought. "Should I go ask her?"

Itsuki glanced at the clock and shook her head. "No, the tutor will be here in just two minutes." she said, her tone practical.

"Oh..." Yotsuba murmured, leaning back in her seat. "I see... well, just in case, let's give her a group hug too!" she added with excitement, causing Itsuki to smile softly in response.

With newfound determination, Yotsuba focused on the paper, scanning each guess intently before turning her gaze back to Itsuki. "Let's just hope the winner isn't Nino," she said with a hint of amusement, eliciting a chuckle from her sister.

"Yeah..." Itsuki agreed, her tone reflecting a touch of apprehension. "That would be the worst case."

Yotsuba's grin widened with amusement, and she glanced at her watch before looking back at Itsuki. "We still have a minute," she said. "We haven't had lunch yet, have we? Do you think he'll let us eat something?"

Itsuki paused, her eyes widening slightly as she recalled the oversight. "...You're right..." she murmured, placing a hand on her stomach. Her excitement about studying had overshadowed her love for food.

Noticing her sister's reaction, Yotsuba gave Itsuki a sympathetic look. "Do you want me to get you something from the kitchen?" she offered. "It might not be Nino's cooking, but I think it'll do."

Itsuki hesitated, her thoughts wrestling with the idea of making a less-than-stellar first impression on her tutor. However, her stomach's rumble reminded her that she didn't have much choice.

Blushing with embarrassment, she avoided Yotsuba's gaze, who chuckled in amusement. "So, is that a yes?" Yotsuba asked playfully.

Itsuki sighed, nodding shyly. "Please..."

"Your wish is my command!" Yotsuba declared as she stood up and began to head toward the kitchen, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

Both sisters turned their attention to the door, a mix of anticipation and apprehension settling in their expressions.

"It must be him..." Yotsuba murmured, her earlier excitement giving way to a lighter expression as she glanced back at Itsuki. "I'll get it. Can you manage a few more minutes without food?"

Itsuki, who had been worried about the tutor's arrival, shot her sister a defensive look. "O-of course I can! What does that mean!?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.

Yotsuba swallowed hard, a nervous smile forming on her face. "Did that sound wrong?" she asked, scratching her head. "I didn't mean it like that..."

Another firm knock on the door drew their attention again. The sisters exchanged glances before Yotsuba turned towards the door, calling out, "Coming!"

As Yotsuba approached the door, Itsuki shot a nervous glance in its direction, her mind racing with anxious thoughts. Despite her apprehension, she tried to reassure herself that there was no real cause for fear—the tutor chosen by their father was bound to be of high quality.

Yotsuba's hand hovered hesitantly over the doorknob, her thoughts swirling with the earlier game they had played. Unlike Itsuki, she was preoccupied with the anticipation of who might win.

I wonder who will win... she mused, gripping the handle with a determined expression. I hope it's me! I'd love to have a kitten to help us study!

With this hopeful thought guiding her, Yotsuba turned the handle and swung the door open, her face breaking into a welcoming smile. However, her smile faltered as she took in the figure standing on the other side.

Yotsuba froze momentarily, her eyes widening in surprise. She had imagined many possibilities but not this. Standing before her was not an elderly man with an adorable kitten, but a boy who appeared to be around their age.

And he wasn't just any boy.

He was tall—at least nine inches taller than Yotsuba. His hair was a striking shade of ink black, tousled and spiked upwards in a way that seemed almost defiant. His eyes, although not particularly expressive, were a deep, clear green, reminiscent of a dense forest, and were framed by long, dark eyelashes. The boy's features were soft and somewhat feminine, giving him an undeniably pretty face.

The girl stood there for a few moments, stunned, her gaze lingering on the newcomer with poorly concealed admiration. "Wow..." she whispered to herself.

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As Megumi approached the imposing Pentagon building, he tightened his grip on his backpack strap, a thoughtful frown etched on his face. The structure was indeed impressive in its sheer scale, a fact he noted with a touch of surprise.

He observed with some relief that the Pentagon was conveniently close to his residence, a small mercy that would ease his daily commute.

As he neared the entrance, he was met by an automatic door guarded by a security officer clad in a black uniform and gray cap. The guard's scrutinizing gaze briefly caught Megumi's attention.

It took Megumi a moment to realize the reason behind the guard's stare. He cleared his throat and spoke quietly, "Megumi Fushiguro. I'm here for the Nakano residence."

The guard regarded him for a moment longer, then seemingly recollected some information about a visitor of that name. With a nod, he punched a code into the panel behind him, and the automatic door slid open.

"Come in," the guard said, his tone nonchalant. Megumi couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The security seemed lax if a mere name was sufficient for entry without the need for proper identification.

With a resigned shrug, Megumi stepped inside. The lobby was a striking contrast to his own modest surroundings, its chic interior exuding an air of opulence. High ceilings were adorned with elaborate chandeliers that cast a warm, inviting glow over the polished marble floors. Elegant artwork decorated the walls, and plush seating areas with luxurious sofas and tasteful decor beckoned relaxation.

The air was subtly perfumed with the scent of fresh flowers, and the reception desk was manned by impeccably dressed attendants poised to offer assistance. Large windows provided a panoramic view of the city, adding to the grandeur of the space. Everything about the reception area spoke of sophistication and comfort, a stark contrast to the grim reality of his recent past.

The brightness and elegance of the lobby were almost overwhelming, making it all too easy to forget the unsettling news of a body discovered in a bathroom stall just the day before.

Feeling somewhat out of place and suffocated by the lavish surroundings, Megumi approached one of the attendants—a woman with blonde hair neatly tied in a bun and wearing prescription glasses. "Excuse me," he began, "I'm Megumi Fushiguro. Could you direct me to the Nakanos' floor?"

The receptionist nodded without hesitation and provided him with the information he needed. Once again, Megumi noted with a touch of irony that merely stating his name seemed to open doors, quite literally. He acknowledged the woman's assistance with a nod, mentally preparing himself for the encounter ahead.

As Megumi approached the elevator, he pressed the button and waited in silence, his hands casually shoved into his pockets. The oppressive atmosphere of the building weighed heavily on him, but he tried to push aside his unease as he waited.

When the elevator finally arrived, he stepped inside, quickly pressing the button for the Nakano residence floor. He fixated on the bright ceiling light, using it as a focal point to keep his thoughts centered on the day's plan.

For the protection of the Nakano sisters, Megumi had devised a strategy involving his Rabbit Escape shikigami. Each sister would be monitored by one of its clones, though he couldn't see through their eyes directly, he could sense their presence. This sensory link was crucial for his plan.

In the event of a direct attack, where an assailant physically harmed one of the Nakano sisters, the Rabbit Escape clone assigned to that particular sister would spring into action. The clone would multiply rapidly, overwhelming the attacker with sheer numbers. Although attackers not versed in jujutsu might not perceive the shikigami, they would still be susceptible to its presence. Being assaulted from all sides by invisible forces would significantly increase their disadvantage.

In the second scenario, if a kidnapping attempt occurred, the Rabbit Escape shikigami would track both the attacker and the targeted Nakano sister to their destination. Only once they had reached a stopping point would Megumi permit the shikigami to exorcise itself, ensuring that he could track the location and any subsequent actions.

In both situations, Megumi would be immediately alerted. He would sense the expansive multiplication of the Rabbit Escape shikigami and its exorcism as well, providing him with timely information about any threats.

And now, the plan for today's lesson: he had none. In fact, he hadn't given it any thought at all. He decided he would simply teach whatever the Nakano sisters requested of him.

As he waited for the elevator to reach the Nakano residence floor, the pleasant, albeit generic, music playing inside the elevator provided a small measure of relaxation. It didn't ease his anxiety entirely, but it helped a little.

He couldn't shake his apprehension about how the sisters would react to their tutor being a boy around their own age. However, he pushed that concern aside. He didn't consider himself a real tutor—he was here merely to follow protocol.

After what felt like an eternity, the elevator dinged as it reached the Nakano floor. Megumi stepped out and made a conscious effort to adopt a less scowling expression as he approached the door to the Nakano residence. He wasn't exactly thrilled about the day ahead, but he knew that showing up with a dour face wouldn't set the right tone.

Standing in front of the apartment door, he took a deep breath and raised his hand. With a simple motion, he knocked twice.

Knock. Knock.

Megumi waited a few seconds for a response, but it took longer than expected. He could hear indistinct female voices from behind the door but chose not to focus on their conversation.

After another brief pause with no answer, he knocked again, this time with a bit more force, and then let his hand fall to his side, awaiting a reply.

It took just over two seconds for the door to open, revealing a girl with a bright smile. Though her face was familiar from having seen it on two other people that day, her hair was styled differently. She wore a green bow in her reddish-orange hair, which was shoulder-length. Aside from that, her skin tone, eye color, and facial features were identical to Ichika and Itsuki.

Megumi thought about greeting her but hesitated as he noticed the smile falter and her expression shift to one of shock. He realized this kind of reaction was to be expected—after all, it wasn't every day that someone found out their tutor was a boy their age.

"...Wow..." she whispered, staring at him in evident astonishment. They locked eyes for a few seconds, and Megumi began to feel uncomfortable under her intense gaze. He wasn't used to such scrutiny.

After a moment, the girl seemed to snap out of her daze. She took a small step back and offered a sheepish smile. "I-I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect someone like you to show up," she said nervously, glancing down at his uniform.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly when she recognized the Asahi High School uniform he was wearing. Her initial assumption was that he must be a schoolmate. She looked back at him with renewed curiosity and asked, "Do you study at Asahi?"

Megumi took a moment to process her question before nodding in response. The girl's smile softened. "It's a pleasure to meet you!" she said warmly. She then glanced behind him and back at him. "Uh... what brings you here again?"

It seemed she hadn't yet realized he was her tutor. Her friendly demeanor reassured Megumi, so he decided to be straightforward.

"My name is Megumi Fushiguro," he said, unaware of how her eyes widened slightly at the mention of his name. "I'm here as your tutor."

A brief silence settled between them. The girl blinked, her expression one of shock, before she muttered, "Fushiguro?" as if trying out the name. He gave a small nod.

Another moment of silence followed. He braced himself for a negative reaction, but instead, her expression gradually brightened, and she stepped aside. "Alright! Please, make yourself at home!" she said cheerfully.

... Well, that's not a rejection.

Megumi hesitated for a moment before stepping inside the apartment. The luxury of the building's reception paled in comparison to the lavishness of the Nakano residence. The space was expansive and exuded comfort and affluence, fitting for the daughters of a prominent doctor like Maruo. As he took in the opulence, Megumi's attention shifted back to the orange-haired girl, who smiled at him.

"Well—" she began to say, but was cut off by a new voice from further inside the apartment.

"Fushiguro-kun!?" The voice came from a girl seated at the dining table. A quick glance confirmed to Megumi that she was Itsuki, distinguished by her hairstyle.

Megumi remained silent as Itsuki stood up and approached them, her expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The orange-haired girl looked from Megumi to her sister and back, her eyes filled with questions.

"Do you know him?" she asked, her curiosity evident. Itsuki nodded in response.

"He's my classmate..." Itsuki said simply, before turning to Megumi. "What are you doing here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Megumi raised his own eyebrow in return. He had already introduced himself and explained his presence, though he realized his voice might have been too soft. Before he could reply, the girl with the bow stepped in, her face lighting up with a bright, cheerful smile.

"He's our tutor!" she announced with excitement.

Itsuki's eyes widened in shock as she looked between Megumi and her sister, clearly struggling to process the news. "Wait... what?" she whispered, her disbelief palpable.

"Cool, right?" the girl said with a playful grin, gesturing toward Megumi. "Looks like Ichika won the game."

Megumi had no clue about the game she mentioned but chose to ignore it, instead focusing on Itsuki, who appeared completely stunned.

The red-haired girl turned back to Megumi, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Is that true, Fushiguro-kun? Are you really our tutor?"

"Yes." Megumi confirmed, and Itsuki swallowed hard, her expression reflecting a mixture of shock and dismay. This was far from what she had anticipated—indeed, it was the exact opposite. The notion of their father hiring a high school sophomore as their tutor felt almost offensive to her.

"I... I..." Itsuki stammered, her voice trailing off as she struggled to articulate her thoughts. She didn't know Megumi well, but the idea that someone her age could effectively tutor her seemed almost laughable. It wasn't just that he was a peer—he was still a teenager, just like her. How could she place her academic future in the hands of someone who hadn't even graduated high school?

Sure, she knew nothing about his academic record, but that didn't ease her doubts. The role of a tutor, in her mind, was reserved for adults, not teenagers. With her academic dreams hanging in the balance—especially after already failing once—she couldn't afford to take this lightly. Accepting a teenager as her tutor felt like a betrayal of everything she stood for.

"I can't believe this..." she whispered, her expression darkening as the reality sank in. "Isn't this just some kind of prank?"

Megumi's frown deepened slightly at her words. A prank? he thought, perplexed. What could he possibly gain from playing a joke on a group of high school girls?

"It's not," he replied simply, his tone steady. Itsuki ran a hand through her hair, letting out a deep sigh, clearly grappling with her disbelief.

"But... why you?" she muttered, still struggling to comprehend the situation. "I'm sure there are plenty of qualified tutors in Tokyo!" She paused, realizing how harsh her words might have sounded, and quickly added, "N-no offense..."

"None taken," Megumi muttered in response. He understood her skepticism all too well, but he couldn't reveal the true reason he was here. He was forced to keep the real purpose of his presence hidden, leaving him to navigate this awkward situation as best he could.

"I also have no idea why your father chose me as your tutor," he admitted bluntly, noticing the shocked expressions that flickered across the sisters' faces. They likely hadn't expected such a candid response, but Megumi wasn't concerned with their reactions.

"But he was confident in my abilities," he added, his voice steady. Although, in truth, he wasn't as confident in himself. Still, he pushed forward, hoping his words would at least plant a seed of trust. "So, I ask that you place your trust in me as well."

Megumi could only hope that his attempt at reassurance had some effect, but Itsuki's expression remained unchanged. Her mouth twitched slightly as if she wanted to say something more, but all she did was sigh.

"I don't know if you can improve our grades," Itsuki said frankly, her tone lacking any malice. "We need an experienced professional, and I just don't think you're one..." Despite her doubts, her words were delivered with a calm sincerity rather than hostility.

Before the tension could grow further, the orange-haired girl, who had been observing the exchange, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Itsuki's shoulder. "Hey, Dad has high standards for hiring people," she reminded her, echoing her earlier sentiments. "You should give Fushiguro-san a chance!"

Megumi quickly noticed that this girl—her warm demeanor and friendly nature—seemed more open to the idea of his tutoring. It was something. At least one of them might be willing to give him a shot.

Itsuki's uncertainty and skepticism were still evident, and Megumi couldn't entirely blame her. It was was unconventional, to say the least—a high school sophomore acting as a tutor for five sisters. Even he found it absurd. But he wasn't here to argue; he was here because he had a job to do, no matter how strange or unwelcome it felt.

"I... I don't know..." Itsuki began again, her voice tinged with hesitation. She cast another doubtful glance at Megumi, her mind swirling with unresolved concerns. "Tutoring is... it's a serious job. And you're... well, you're our age. How can I trust that you can help us with something this important?"

Megumi remained impassive as he watched Itsuki wrestle with her decision, her brow furrowed in uncertainty. He could see the weight of her doubts pressing down on her, and though he didn't particularly care whether she stayed or left, he found himself hoping she might at least give him a chance. After all, he had no intention of forcing anyone to learn from him.

He simply offered her a calm look, saying, "I believe it would be best if you participated in the lesson today. If you don't like it, feel free to leave."

It was a straightforward proposition, one that he thought might ease her concerns. But instead of reassurance, his words only deepened the furrow in her brow. She glanced at her sister—the orange-haired girl—before returning her conflicted gaze to him. It was clear that she was torn.

Sensing her sister's hesitation, the other girl stepped in, her voice confident and melodic. "Come on, just give it a shot! You can tell just by looking at his face that he's smart!"

Megumi wasn't sure if that was meant as a compliment or just an observation, but he decided to take it as the former. He remained silent, letting Itsuki make her own decision.

Itsuki's lower lip trembled as her doubts continued to swirl. Every lesson, every study session was crucial for her dreams. She couldn't afford to take anything lightly, no matter how difficult it was. Her eyes locked onto Megumi's, but his expressionless green eyes gave nothing away. It was hard for her to feel comfortable with the idea of him as her tutor.

Finally, gathering all the courage she had, Itsuki bowed slightly and spoke, her voice steady but strained, "I'm deeply sorry, Fushiguro-kun. But I'm afraid I cannot accept you as my tutor." She straightened her posture, giving him an apologetic look as she continued, "My studies are something I can't take lightly. I hope you understand."

Megumi met her gaze with the same impassive expression, not particularly surprised by her decision. He watched as she turned and began gathering her belongings from the table.

The orange-haired girl, who had been so eager to encourage her sister, looked on in confusion. "Hey, Itsuki!" she called out, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What happened to 'it doesn't matter what the tutor is like'?"

Itsuki paused, her back still turned to them, and answered simply, "I'm a hypocrite." There was a tired resignation in her tone, as if she was already weary of her sister using her own words against her. Without another glance back, she headed up the stairs, leaving the other two alone.

Megumi watched her go, feeling a strange mix of frustration and resignation. Well, that was quick, he thought, though he wasn't entirely surprised by her reaction.

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment—though not in Itsuki's rejection. No, it was more the reminder that he might not be able to help as much as he was supposed to. But he brushed that thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.

The girl with orange hair, now left alone with Megumi, let out a small sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. But she quickly straightened up, her expression determined as she looked up at him. "Well, don't worry, Fushiguro-san!" she said, her voice trying to sound reassuring. "I'm willing to give you a chance!"

"Hm," he muttered, casting a brief, assessing glance her way before asking with an indifferent tone, "What's your name again?"

The girl blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question, her surprise evident in the slight widening of her eyes. It was as if she hadn't anticipated that he wouldn't know who she was. But she quickly recovered, her expression shifting to one of bright excitement as she pointed enthusiastically at herself.

"Yotsuba Nakano!" she declared with a cheery voice, her energy almost palpable as she added a playful salute. "At your service!"

Megumi studied Yotsuba's overt enthusiasm with a neutral gaze, trying to determine if her bubbly personality was something he could tolerate—or if it would become an immediate drain on his already limited patience. At the very least, she didn't seem hostile, which was a small relief considering his current situation.

"I see," he responded, before sliding the backpack from his shoulders. "Where should I leave this?"

Without hesitation, Yotsuba reached out eagerly to take his backpack from him. "Let me handle your things!" she declared cheerfully, grabbing the backpack and heading toward the table to set it down.

The table was only a meter away, so he found it somewhat unnecessary for her to take the backpack herself, especially when she could have simply suggested he place it there. Still, at least she was hospitable, which was more than he could say for others he'd met in his life.

Let's hope the rest of the household isn't hostile either.

After setting his backpack down, Yotsuba turned back to him, her smile unwavering. "Would you like a glass of water or something?" she offered, her tone gentle and accommodating.

"I'm fine," he replied simply, his gaze drifting around the room. Noticing that it was just the two of them, he sharpened his senses, despite their current rustiness, and detected four distinct emissions of cursed energy emanating from upstairs.

As anticipated, the cursed energy signatures were identical and indistinguishable from one another.

Noticing his wandering gaze, Yotsuba chimed in with a knowing smile. "You're wondering where the others are, right?" she asked. "They're in their rooms! Why don't we try asking them to join us?"

Megumi gave a curt nod, adjusting his posture as he resigned himself to following Yotsuba upstairs.

"Okay, the rooms belong to Itsuki, me, Miku, Nino, and Ichika, in that order!" she explained enthusiastically as they ascended the stairs. It would have been more useful information if he actually knew who half of these people were. "Fun fact: it's in order from youngest to oldest!"

Fascinating...

Once they reached the top of the stairs, Megumi's eyes fell on the five doors lined up before them. Yotsuba approached the first door but paused, turning back to him with a conspiratorial glance.

"About Itsuki..." she began, her voice dropping to a whisper as if the mentioned person might overhear. "She can be a bit stubborn, but don't worry! A little persistence will get her to join us!" she assured him with a wink.

Megumi said nothing, instead positioning himself in front of the door and knocking gently three times, hoping that Itsuki would have the courtesy to at least open it.

Next to him, Yotsuba wore a hopeful expression, which stood in stark contrast to Megumi's more reserved demeanor. The two of them waited in silence for a few moments before the door creaked open.

Itsuki peered out from behind the door, letting out a sigh of frustration before pulling it open wider. "I think I've made my stance clear on this," she said matter-of-factly.

Yotsuba, undeterred, leaned around her sister to get a full view of her, causing Megumi to sidestep slightly to avoid being brushed against. With an earnest look, Yotsuba pleaded, "Please join us! Why won't you even give it a chance?"

Itsuki's gaze softened slightly as she looked at her sister, but her resolve remained firm. "I'm going to study on my own," she said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I don't mean to be offensive, but I believe it's for the best."

That certainly came across as offensive, especially since Megumi was well aware of her academic struggles. It was a bit disheartening to realize that Itsuki would rather rely on her limited skills than give him a chance to help.

But again, whatever. Megumi kept a neutral expression as he considered how to handle the situation. After a few moments, he offered, "I noticed you took a lot of notes during class... Is there anything you're struggling with?" he asked. "I can help."

Yotsuba seemed to support the idea, nodding enthusiastically.

Itsuki hesitated, knowing she struggled with quite a bit, but she was confident that she could figure things out with the help of the internet. "I'm sorry, Fushiguro-kun, but my mind is made up," she said with a tone that left little room for further discussion. She started to close the door, but Yotsuba quickly wedged her hand in to stop it.

"Hey! It's rude to shut the door in people's faces," Yotsuba chided, trying to reason with her sister, who gave her a weary look. "We're not done yet, right, Fushiguro-san?" she asked, casting a hopeful glance at Megumi.

Megumi, however, dashed her hopes by replying calmly, "We're done." Yotsuba gasped in surprise, and Megumi continued, "If she's determined to study alone, let her. Just know that if you need any assistance, I'll be here."

Itsuki hesitated for a moment, clearly taken aback by his response. However, she soon regained her composure and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Fushiguro-kun," she said softly. "I appreciate your understanding. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

With that, she closed the door with a soft click. Yotsuba and Megumi stood in silence for a moment before she turned to him.

"You're not very pushy, are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement. Megumi simply shrugged in response.

It wasn't really about understanding Itsuki's decision for Megumi. In truth, he had little interest in the act of teaching itself; he simply found it more practical to let her be, blending convenience with what he could justify as consideration. But of course, that was a detail he kept to himself.

"Alright, let's not get discouraged!" Yotsuba declared with renewed enthusiasm, her resolve reignited as she turned and began marching forward. "We still have three more sisters to convince!"

Megumi followed closely behind, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. As they passed the second door, Yotsuba glanced over with a playful smile.

"This is my room!" she announced with pride, though they continued past it. "But I'm already here, right?" she added with a grin, her cheerful demeanor met with Megumi's customary silence. Unfazed, she proceeded to the third door.

Yotsuba turned to face the door, her hand poised to knock, but she hesitated. Megumi raised an eyebrow, mildly curious about her pause. After a moment, Yotsuba spoke up.

"This is Miku's room," she said with a warm smile. "She's the smartest of us all, so I'm sure you two will get along great!"

Though not entirely convinced, Megumi kept his thoughts to himself. Yotsuba leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, "Actually, I think you two have something in common!"

Huh?

Megumi shot her a puzzled glance, noting the playful tone in her voice. Yotsuba continued with a grin, "I mean, you both have that same stoic expression! Like, your standard serious face!"

Megumi remained silent, his expression as neutral as ever. Yotsuba chuckled before straightening up and knocking on the door.

"Miku?" she called out. Moments later, the soft patter of footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal another face almost identical to the other sisters Megumi had encountered.

He quickly noted that Miku had reddish-brown hair that cascaded down her back and wireless headphones draped around her neck. What stood out most was her expression—remarkably similar to his own. Internally, he had to concede that Yotsuba's observation had been accurate.

Miku regarded Yotsuba with minimal reaction before her gaze shifted to Megumi. "No." she said succinctly, starting to close the door.

Stunned by the immediate rejection, Yotsuba almost let the door close but quickly regained her composure and stopped it with her hand.

"Wait!" she exclaimed, looking at Miku with a mix of confusion and urgency. "You don't even know why he's here!"

"He's the hired tutor." Miku replied flatly, causing Yotsuba to stumble over her words in surprise.

"How do you know that?" Yotsuba asked, bewildered that her sister—who hadn't been present—was aware of Megumi's role.

Miku fixed her sister with an impassive stare before responding, "You talk too loud."

And with that, Miku attempted to close the door once more, but Yotsuba's determination and strength proved sufficient to keep it ajar.

"Come on, you didn't even talk to him!" Yotsuba protested, giving her sister a pleading look. "You had accepted the idea of a tutor before; what's changed?"

"His age," Miku stated simply, her expression as unmoved as ever. "Isn't there a more qualified tutor in this city?"

Megumi frowned. The sisters seemed to be using the same argument to dismiss his qualifications. True, he might not be the best tutor, but his age shouldn't factor into it.

"Still!" Yotsuba pressed on, her eyes wide with desperation. "Just give him a chance!"

Miku didn't respond immediately, her gaze shifting from her sister to Megumi. The two exchanged a tense stare, but Miku eventually looked away.

I won.

Sensing the silence, Yotsuba sighed deeply and pushed the door to Miku's room open wider, her sister's resistance proving futile. "Please, Miku…" she begged, her voice earnest.

"No," Miku said firmly, casting a glance at Megumi. "And he doesn't even seem enthusiastic about teaching."

"Hey, that's not true!" Yotsuba exclaimed, glancing at Megumi as well. She quickly fell silent when she noticed his expression confirmed Miku's point. Clearing her throat, she nudged Megumi with her shoulder.

The boy took a moment to process her silent cue before sighing internally. He refocused on Miku and said, "Join us, please."

But his voice was flat and lacked any real warmth, sounding almost mechanical. Yotsuba pouted while Miku remained silent.

"That's not how you do it!" Yotsuba whispered urgently, nudging Megumi with her elbow again. "Try to be more persuasive!"

Megumi responded with an emotionless stare, prompting Yotsuba to sigh in defeat. She was at a loss with two people so similarly stoic.

Turning back to Miku, Yotsuba asked once more, "Are you sure you won't give it a chance?"

"Yes." Miku replied bluntly, making Yotsuba's shoulders slump in resignation. With a sigh, Yotsuba stepped back to allow Miku to close the door.

Once again, Yotsuba and Megumi found themselves standing in front of a closed door after another rejection. Yotsuba looked up at Megumi, her pout barely concealed.

"You need to be more inviting, you know," she said, attempting to offer him some constructive criticism. "You can't expect me to handle everything on my own."

Megumi regarded her for a moment before responding, his tone matter-of-fact. "You seem really determined to help me. I wonder why?"

Yotsuba hesitated, caught off guard by the question. She sighed before explaining, "I don't want to let anyone down. That includes my sisters, who really need a teacher, and that includes you, Fushiguro-san."

His eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise as he processed her words. It echoed sentiments he'd heard before...

Shaking his head to clear the intrusive thoughts, Megumi pushed them aside and followed Yotsuba as she took the lead, heading toward the fourth room.

Yotsuba interpreted his compliance as a small victory, and began following him closely with a renewed sense of purpose.

They soon arrived in front of the next door. Megumi glanced at Yotsuba, expecting her to provide the usual explanation.

With a bright smile, Yotsuba began, "This is Nino's room. Nino is someone who is very, very sociable!"

We must be polar opposites.

Megumi remained silent, continuing to observe her. Yotsuba's expression shifted to one of contemplation. "But she wasn't too thrilled about the idea of a tutor..." she added reluctanctly.

How encouraging.

Despite this, Yotsuba's smile reappeared as she shrugged. "Anyway, it doesn't hurt to try, right?" With that, she turned and knocked on Nino's door.

The two waited patiently for a response, but none came. Yotsuba tried again.

Knock. Knock.

Still, there was only silence. Yotsuba's smile faltered slightly as she tilted her head in confusion. "Weird..." she muttered, "I could have sworn she was here."

Megumi once again remained silent, closing his eyes for a moment to mentally tally his progress: none.

Yet Yotsuba was undeterred. She shrugged, her smile reemerging as she turned her attention back to Megumi with a renewed sense of determination.

"Well, there's still one sister left to meet!" she declared, her confidence returning as she took a few steps backward, her eyes never leaving Megumi's.

He couldn't help but think how easy it would be for her to trip and fall, but apparently, that possibility didn't even cross her mind.

After a few more steps, Yotsuba and Megumi stopped in front of the final door. The girl turned towards it, her expression shifting to one of excitement. "This is Ichika's room," she announced. "She is very easy-going, so I'm sure she'll be more receptive!"

Megumi considered Yotsuba's description. From their brief interaction earlier, Ichika had indeed seemed sociable. But as he observed Yotsuba's demeanor, her previously confident expression began to waver.

Noticing the change, Megumi murmured, "Is something wrong?"

Yotsuba hesitated, her smile faltering as she took a deep breath. "Well…" she started, her voice carrying a hint of apprehension. "Ichika is... well, she's a bit of a sloth."

Megumi raised an eyebrow at her choice of words. Yotsuba quickly added, "I mean, she's really lazy."

The importance of this warning was unclear, but Megumi couldn't shake the feeling that Yotsuba was trying to convey something more.

Taking another deep breath, Yotsuba composed herself and knocked twice on the door. When there was no response, she glanced at Megumi, her expression filled with unease. "Ichika is probably asleep," she whispered, reaching for the doorknob. "And, please, don't panic..."

With that, she turned the handle and gently pushed the door open, revealing Ichika's room.

Megumi's gaze lingered on Yotsuba for a moment, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes at her words. He then turned his attention to the room, and it didn't take him long to grasp the reason for her concern.

The room was shrouded in darkness, with only the faint light from the hallway illuminating the scene within. The disarray was immediately apparent: clothing lay strewn across the floor in a haphazard mess—shirts, sweaters, pants, shorts, and even some underwear were scattered without any discernible order. The disorganized heap covered the table, the floor, and even encroached upon the bed.

In addition to the garments, various items added to the clutter: makeup kits, bags, and even some scattered packages of instant food contributed to the overwhelming sense of disorder.

What is this place...? Megumi thought, his face contorting slightly as he struggled to suppress his reaction.

With a resigned sigh, Yotsuba reached for the light switch and flicked it on. "Every day it seems to get worse..." she murmured wistfully, casting a critical eye over the mess.

From the bed came a soft, sleepy voice, breaking the silence. "Don't talk like that about my room..." The voice was low and laced with sleepiness, drawning their attention to a figure wrapped tightly in a blanket. "You're going to hurt your big sis' feelings..."

Megumi assumed this figure was Ichika, though the blanket concealed her completely.

"I'm sorry..." Yotsuba said softly, stepping gingerly into the room to avoid treading on the scattered items. "But it really needs a good cleaning."

Ichika merely yawned and sat up, her hands moving to rub the sleep from her eyes. "Again?" she asked with a touch of amusement in her still-groggy voice. "But you cleaned just last week."

"It just seems to get messier," Yotsuba replied with a frown. "I don't understand how you can live like this."

Ichika chuckled, her eyes slowly adjusting to the light until she could make out Megumi's presence. She squinted slightly, trying to confirm her guess.

"Oh..." she said softly, her face lighting up with recognition. "Megumi-kun?"

"Yes," Megumi replied curtly, casting one final glance at the room before focusing on Ichika. "Nice place."

Ichika stretched lazily, a playful smile on her lips. "I know it is..."

Yotsuba looked between her sister and Megumi, confusion evident on her face. "You two know each other?"

"Yes..." Ichika said, adjusting her posture and giving Megumi a more appraising look. "He's the boy I mentioned earlier."

She mentioned me?

"You mentioned him?" Yotsuba asked, her expression mirroring Megumi's confusion. "I don't think I remember..."

"He's Itsuki's boyfriend," Ichika replied nonchalantly, her tone still amused.

Oh... He frowned.

Recognition flickered in Yotsuba's eyes before she shot a glance at Megumi. "So this is where you met Itsuki?" she inquired.

"If you're worried about that, I'm not dating her." Megumi said, his frown deepening slightly before he shifted his gaze back to Ichika, who remained comfortably sprawled on the bed.

"Oh, aren't you?" Ichika teased, her eyes half-closed as she maintained a playful tone. "So, what brings you here if not to visit her, hm?"

Quite the assumption...

Megumi gave Ichika an unimpressed look. "I'm here to be your tutor," he clarified.

Ichika took a moment to process his words, then smiled and nodded slightly. "I see," she murmured. "Not what I expected, huh?"

Yotsuba approached her sister's bed with urgency. "We'd really appreciate it if you could join us for the first lesson!"

"Hmm..." Ichika hummed sleepily, her eyes drifting closed again, an amused smile on her lips. "Would you?" she whispered.

"Yes," Yotsuba insisted, standing in front of Ichika's bed. "Will you participate?"

Ichika slowly turned her attention to Megumi, her eyes barely open. "Do you want me to join, Megumi-kun?" she asked quietly.

"I do," Megumi replied. Ichika chuckled softly.

"Put more emotion into it," she suggested lazily. "Don't you know how to act?"

"I don't."

Ichika's laughed again. "So nonchalant..." She blinked a few times before allowing her eyes to close fully.

Seeing this, Yotsuba leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Ichika? Don't fall asleep right now..."

Meanwhile, Megumi's gaze wandered critically over the floor of Ichika's room. His brow furrowed as he took in the disorder, his mind noting every detail of the clutter.

"I'll join..." Ichika finally whispered, much to Yotsuba's relief. "But only if you give me five more minutes."

As Megumi's eyes continued to scan the room, they fell upon a familiar sight: a black shirt, a white skirt, and a white tie, carelessly discarded on the floor. His eyebrows raised as he compared it to the identical uniform Yotsuba was wearing, then shifted his gaze back to Ichika's figure.

"No more five minutes for you," Yotsuba declared, attempting to sound authoritative, though smiling playfully. "You know very well that your five minutes end up being fifty."

She reached for the blanket covering Ichika, but her movement was halted by Megumi's voice.

"Don't," He said, causing Yotsuba to pause and look at him with a puzzled expression. Ichika, meanwhile, glanced down at her sister's hand gripping the blanket, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Why not?" Yotsuba asked, confused. "I'm just trying to get her out of bed, Fushiguro-san."

However, Megumi's gaze wasn't on Yotsuba but focused on Ichika. He asked, "Are you wearing clothes?"

A heavy silence followed. Ichika's smile became sheepish as she lifted a hand to scratch her head. "Well..." She didn't finish her sentence but made her situation clear.

Yotsuba's eyes widened, and she quickly stepped back, avoiding what could have been an awkward situation. Then, she frowned at her sister.

"Sometimes I forget about your habit of sleeping without clothes," She murmured, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Ichika shrugged nonchalantly, her smile growing more carefree now that the immediate discomfort had passed. "Can't blame me," she said with a relaxed tone. "It's comfortable."

Megumi sighed, turning his gaze away from Ichika. Then, she approached him with curiosity in her eyes. "But how did you know?" she asked.

"The uniform on the floor," Megumi replied simply. "You were wearing it earlier."

"Hmm..." Ichika hummed, nodding slightly. "Very observant."

Megumi stayed silent. Yotsuba, meanwhile, scanned the room before suggesting, "Do you want me to find you something to wear?"

"Sure..." Ichika replied, stifling another yawn. "If you're all so insistent that I participate," she added with a teasing lilt.

"Alright!" Yotsuba exclaimed, immediately dropping to her knees and diving into the pile of disheveled clothes in search of something suitable for her sister.

Ichika then turned her attention to Megumi. "So," she began playfully, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips, "should I call you sensei?"

"Please don't." he replied curtly.

Ichika laughed softly. "Alright, Megumi-kun," she said, emphasizing his name. "You're in the room of a pretty girl your age, you know?" she teased.

Megumi simply raised an eyebrow in response. Ichika's smile grew wider as she added, "And she's naked..." Her words made Yotsuba gasp in surprise.

"Ichika!" Yotsuba exclaimed, her face flushing as she turned to her sister in shock.

Megumi narrowed his eyes slightly, then sighed in resignation. "I think it's better if I wait downstairs." he muttered, prompting Ichika to laugh as Yotsuba began scolding her.

Megumi left the room, his hands slipping into his pockets. As he turned the corner, he noticed a figure in the hallway.

The figure was Miku, who watched him silently with an intent posture that suggested she wanted to speak.

Megumi's confusion deepened as he approached her. "Is something wrong?" he asked quietly.

Miku remained silent for a moment, then began to circle him, which caused Megumi to raise an eyebrow. She stopped behind him, her gaze focused intently on the back of his head.

A sense of unease washed over Megumi. He slowly turned to face her, and their eyes met again. This time, Miku didn't look away.

"Megumi, right?" she asked in a neutral tone. Megumi nodded in confirmation. Miku's eyes narrowed slightly as she continued, "Have you seen my PE uniform?"

Megumi paused, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "I haven't." he said simply.

Miku's gaze remained fixed on him, her suspicion evident. "It was in my room..." she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "...until you arrived."

The implication made Megumi's expression shift to a grimace. Was he really being accused of stealing a PE uniform?

"And what exactly are you implying?" he asked, his disdain barely contained.

Miku kept her expression neutral before asking, "Did you take it?"

Megumi stifled a scoff, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Adopting a calm demeanor, he decided that remaining composed was the best approach. "You mentioned it was in your room, right?" he asked, and Miku nodded slowly. "I didn't go into your room."

Miku paused, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. A moment later, a hint of shame colored her expression. "Ah..." she muttered, her gaze dropping as her shoulders slumped. "You're right..."

Megumi regarded her with an unimpressed look. He considered offering to help find her missing uniform but, given her initial assumption of his guilt, he decided it was best to leave Miku to her own devices.

That's not what a good person does.

He paused, a frown forming on his face. I'm not a good person.

Try to be.

This is silly, Megumi thought, lowering his head slightly. It's just a PE uniform.

Help people.

Frustration began to build as those nagging words echoed in his mind over even trivial matters. To escape this torment, he turned back to Miku, who stood with her gaze downcast, clearly embarrassed.

"Hey," he called out, and it took her a moment to realize she was being addressed. When she glanced back at him hesitantly, Megumi put on the most neutral expression he could muster. "I can help you find it."

Miku's head lifted fully, her surprise evident. Clearly, she hadn't expected such a gesture from someone she had just accused.

"...Uh... You don't need to," she said, adjusting her posture awkwardly.

"I don't," Megumi agreed nonchalantly, before adding, "But I'll help anyway."

Miku's eyes lingered on him for a moment, then she averted her gaze again. "...Okay," she murmured quietly, conceding to his offer.

An awkward silence settled between them. Megumi's expression gradually shifted to one of wary realization; he had just committed himself to helping Miku find her uniform, creating an emotional obligation. Again.

But it seemed that, for once, the universe was on his side. From downstairs, a voice rang out, cheerful and bright: "I made cookies!"

Megumi and Miku turned toward the sound, peering over the railing to see a girl with long pink hair adorned with butterfly-shaped ribbons. She wore a uniform with a red jacket and pants, and a tag labeled "Miku."

"...There it is," Megumi remarked, his gaze settling on the name tag. He deduced that this must be Nino.

Miku's face darkened slightly as she realized her sister was wearing her uniform to cook. Without another word, she started making her way downstairs.

Megumi watched her retreating figure for a moment, then glanced back to see if Yotsuba or Ichika were visible. Not seeing them, he resignedly began his descent down the stairs.

...

Megumi observed the scene before him, uncertain whether it was more unpleasant or bearable. On one hand, all five sisters were gathered around the table downstairs, which theoretically could provide an opportunity to start the lesson. On the other hand, their apparent disinterest made him doubt whether any teaching would actually take place.

His attention was immediately drawn to Miku and Nino. Miku's hand was gripping the sleeve of the uniform Nino was wearing, a look of frustration evident on her face.

"Give it back," Miku demanded, her voice edged with frustration.

"I just borrowed it," Nino replied nonchalantly. "I didn't want to get my own clothes dirty while cooking."

"So you chose to dirty mine?" Miku countered, her frown deepening.

"It's just a PE uniform," Nino said dismissively, wrinkling her nose.

"Then why didn't you use yours?" Miku pressed, clearly losing patience.

The confrontation was hardly encouraging.

Turning his attention to Ichika, Megumi saw her lounging on the couch, clutching a pillow and yawning. It seems like Yotsuba had dressed her in pajamas, out of all things, and she looked as if she was ready to drift off to sleep, her carefree smile suggesting she had no intention of participating in any academic activities.

Once again, not promising.

His gaze then landed on Itsuki, who had hurried downstairs the moment she heard about the cookies. It was no surprise to see her eagerly stuffing her mouth with them, completely oblivious to her surroundings. The sounds of her chewing indicated that she was not planning on stopping anytime soon.

Very, very unproductive.

Seeing his mounting frustration, Yotsuba called out cheerfully from her seat. "Don't worry, Fushiguro-san!" she said with an encouraging smile, waving a pencil as she scribbled in her notebook. "I've already started studying!"

Megumi glanced at her with a flat expression. His eyes fell on her notebook, only to discover that she wasn't studying at all. Instead, she had drawn a flower in the corner of the page.

Productive? Not at all.

He sighed deeply, resting his face in his hand. Even though he hadn't fully embraced this part of his role, the reality of dealing with such a chaotic environment on a daily basis was already proving to be a source of frustration.

More than ever, Megumi yearned for the comfort of home.

After a few moments of futile arguing, Miku seemed to concede defeat, letting go of her uniform with a resigned huff. She crossed her arms and pouted, clearly frustrated.

Itsuki, still engrossed in the cookies she was eating, decided to offer her praise. "They're fantastic as always, Nino!" she said after swallowing. "I can't even describe the taste!"

Nino chuckled lightly, unsure whether the comment was truly a compliment. "The heart-shaped ones are chocolate, while the square ones are strawberry," she explained.

"Wouldn't it make more sense if it were the other way around?" Ichika suggested casually.

"It doesn't matter," Nino replied dismissively, though her eyes momentarily flickered toward Megumi, her expression darkening just a touch.

Sensing a chance, Nino turned and walked towards the kitchen, her mind already formulating a plan she had been mulling over for a while.

Meanwhile, Megumi remained absorbed in his thoughts, entirely disconnected from the commotion around him. Yotsuba, on the other hand, seemed eager to engage with him. She poked him with her pencil to get his attention.

"Psst..." she whispered, drawing his gaze. "Everyone's gathered. Don't you want to use this chance to start the lesson?"

"It probably wouldn't work," he replied flatly. "Half of them have no interest in participating. Just being here doesn't mean they'll listen."

Yotsuba paused, considering his words, then sighed and returned to scribbling in her notebook. "Maybe you're right..." she murmured.

Megumi's attention lingered on Yotsuba for a moment before something else caught his eye. He turned to find Nino standing in front of him, holding a tray of cookies in one hand and a glass of water in the other, her expression gentle.

"Fushiguro, am I right?" she asked politely. He nodded slowly in confirmation. Nino smiled and extended the tray toward him. "Here, have some!"

Megumi glanced at the cookies and then back at Nino, shaking his head slightly. "I'll pass."

Nino's smile remained unshaken as she pressed on, "Come on, it would make me happy. Or do you not like sweets?"

In truth, it made no difference to him. His sense of taste had been so dulled that any flavor was almost imperceptible.

"I don't like sweets," he replied nonchalantly. The main enjoyment of sweets for him had always been their taste, but now that he felt nothing, there was no reason to indulge.

But Nino wasn't ready to let it go. Tilting her head slightly, she pushed the tray closer to Megumi. "Just a few," she insisted. "Maybe it will help me study."

Megumi eyed her warily but masked his skepticism. He couldn't fathom why it was so crucial to her that he take some cookies, but he decided to comply, hoping it would end her persistence.

He reached out, grabbing three cookies and popping them into his mouth with a nonchalant motion.

Chew, chew, chew.

As expected, they were tasteless. He felt absolutely nothing while chewing, and even less while swallowing. With a sigh, he sank deeper into his seat.

"Done." Megumi said, looking up at Nino.

Nino nodded softly, placing the tray on the table with a contemplative expression. "Did you like them?"

"They were nice," he said, his words lacking conviction. But Nino seemed satisfied with the answer. Megumi wasn't sure what to make of her yet. On one hand, she was being friendly; on the other, he suspected there might be an ulterior motive.

Yotsuba, grabbing some cookies from the tray, tried them and hummed in approval. "Really, they are delicious!" she said, giving her sister a thumbs-up.

Nino smiled, pleased with the praise. She tightened her grip on the glass of water as she cast a sideways glance at Megumi before turning her attention back to Miku, who was also enjoying some cookies.

"What about you, Miku?" Nino asked, catching her sister's attention. "What did you think of the cookies?"

Miku paused, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. She replied simply, "They're good."

"Are they?" Nino's expression turned a bit more teasing. "Maybe I could give you some cooking lessons, huh?"

Miku stiffened at that, her shoulders tensing before she sighed and shot a disapproving glance at her sister.

Megumi wasn't sure if this was an inside joke or something, but it was clear that Miku wasn't comfortable with the topic. This made him raise an eyebrow. But hey, whatever.

Nino considered asking Ichika for her opinion as well, but the older sister hadn't touched the cookies and seemed on the verge of falling asleep.

Casting one last glance at Itsuki, who was happily munching on the cookies, Nino turned back to Megumi with a seemingly friendly expression.

"Are you thirsty, Fushiguro?" she asked softly, offering him a glass of water. "Here, this might help you swallow."

Megumi took the offered glass with a distant, almost absent look, his mind elsewhere. "Thanks," he murmured, his tone flat, not giving the gesture much thought as he held the glass in his hand.

Yotsuba couldn't help but notice how unusually nice her sister was acting and felt a bit curious. "You've been really nice today, Nino..." she remarked, catching her sister's attention.

Nino raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression momentarily unreadable before she offered a small, almost knowing smile. "Have I?" she murmured in a tone that bordered on playful before continuing, "Is it that surprising?"

Yotsuba scratched her head, glancing briefly at Megumi before turning back to her sister. "I mean... you weren't exactly thrilled about having a tutor, right?"

Miku, overhearding the exchange, turned her attention toward them. Her eyes moved from Nino to Megumi, then to the glass.

She, too, had noticed Nino's unusual behavior. Miku knew better than anyone that it was out of character for her sister to be so friendly with a stranger, especially given everything they had been through.

A brief suspicion crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it; her sister wouldn't do something so careless.

Nino considered Yotsuba's observation for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as she weighed her response before shrugging. "I realized it was silly to stay in a bad mood over a tutor," she explained casually.

Megumi, though outwardly composed, couldn't shake a faint sense of unease. He wasn't entirely convinced, but then again, he barely knew Nino. It wouldn't be fair to make assumptions.

He glanced at the rapidly emptying cookie tray as Itsuki continued eating. The sight brought a contemplative look to his face, as if he were piecing together an unseen puzzle.

"Do you cook often?" he asked Nino, breaking the silence with a question that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Nino's attention shifted back to him. "Yes..." she replied, frowning slightly when she noticed he hadn't touched the water yet. "I'm the one who does most of the cooking around here."

"I see..." Megumi said in a neutral tone. "You must be quite skilled." His words were more of an observation than a compliment. It was clear from the way her sisters devoured the cookies that Nino was indeed talented.

Nino hesitated for a fraction of a second at his comment, her eyebrows lifting slightly as if she hadn't expected it. After a brief pause, she shrugged again, this time more casually. "I suppose I am," she replied.

Yotsuba jumped in enthusiastically. "She really is!" she said with a broad smile. "Isn't that right, Itsuki?" She turned to her younger sister with an amused grin.

Itsuki, her mouth still full of cookies, shot a glance at her sister but remained silent.

"That's a yes," Yotsuba confirmed with a grin.

"Hm..." Megumi hummed, lifting the glass to take a drink. Just as he was about to sip, he hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the water. Something was off.

He quickly noticed a subtle shimmer in the liquid. His suspicions were confirmed when he glanced up at Nino, who was watching him with a smile that seemed a bit too forced.

...This girl is crazy, he thought, frowning slightly. The situation was absurd.

But then again, it wasn't likely she'd drug him with anything too dangerous—probably just sleeping pills.

Deciding to take the gamble, Megumi downed the water in one go. If the pills worked, fine—at least he'd get some sleep. If not, he'd stay awake as usual.

As he finished the glass, Nino's smile shifted, darkening into a smirk. "Bye-bye..." she whispered, her tone barely audible.

...

Nothing happened.

As expected, despite being rusty, damaged, and out of practice for months, Megumi's body retained its strength as a sorcerer; a mere sleeping pill would have no impact on him.

Alternatively, it could be that he was simply unable to sleep.

Nino's expression slowly shifted from hopeful to distressed as she watched Megumi remain awake. Her brow furrowed deeply, and she swallowed hard, her frustration and anxiety becoming more apparent.

Yotsuba and Miku exchanged glances. Though they had heard Nino's whispered words clearly, only Miku seemed to grasp the full implication of what had just transpired.

Megumi adjusted his position and gave Nino a look. "What did you say?" he inquired calmly.

Nino's face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Her teeth clenched slightly before she shook her head vigorously, her demeanor shifting dramatically. "Nothing!" she snapped as she stormed out of the room.

Her sisters watched her departure with a range of reactions. The room fell into a contemplative silence, each of them processing the scene in their own way.

"...She's quite a character," Ichika commented casually, pulling her pillow tighter in an attempt to soothe herself. "But eventually, you get used to it, Megumi-kun."

Megumi responded with a simple nod, his mind still preoccupied with the encounter. He couldn't help but wonder about Nino's mental stability.

"Well, I suppose I'll return to my room," the older sister said as she glanced at the clock. "After all, time has passed, and there was no lesson, right?" she added with a hint of shamelessness before getting up and starting to leave. "Have fun~"

Megumi merely watched her go.

Itsuki hesitated for a moment, casting a glance at the cookie tray. With a sigh, she picked it up and stood. "I'm going to wash the dishes," she announced before heading out.

Miku remained silent for several seconds, attracting the attention of both Megumi and Yotsuba. Her mind raced through various thoughts before she, too, stood up.

"I'm going to retrieve my uniform from Nino." she said quietly, heading for the stairs. However, there was more to her departure than just retrieving her clothing.

And just like at the beginning, it was once again only Yotsuba and Megumi left in the room. The absence of the others didn't really bother him though.

Yotsuba watched her sisters leave, her expression momentarily serious as if weighing the strangeness of the situation. But she simply let out a soft sigh and turned her attention back to Megumi, determination in her eyes.

"I'm still here," she reassured him, forcing a smile to brighten her face. "We can study."

Megumi glanced at her, his thoughts swirling for a few moments before he finally gave a slow nod.

Looks like I'm really going to have to work...

...

When reviewing each Nakano's report card, Megumi noticed that Yotsuba had the worst grades of the group. So, it wasn't exactly shocking when she turned out to be... not the sharpest student.

"That's not how you do it," he murmured, his voice laced with exhaustion as he rested his chin on his hand, watching Yotsuba struggle with the equation in front of her.

Yotsuba stopped writing, her face reflecting the weariness and frustration she felt. She looked up at Megumi, her shoulders slumping as she muttered, "I'm sorry, Fushiguro-san... I feel like I'm not making any progress."

"It's just the first lesson," he replied flatly as he straightened up, directing more focus on her work. "Mistakes are normal. Don't worry about them too much."

Yotsuba took a moment to absorb his words before nodding, trying to muster the resolve to keep going. "Alright then..." she whispered, determination creeping back into her voice. "Teach me!"

The good thing, Megumi noted, was that Yotsuba was at least committed. Very commited, which, while not compensating for her lack of academic ability, might eventually lead to reasonable improvement over time.

Of course, Megumi knew he wasn't exactly the best teacher, far from it, but he could at least explain the basics.

"Wrong again," he remarked casually after a few moments, and she sighed in frustration. "You need to find the value of X."

"What's an X?" Yotsuba muttered, her determination faltering as she became more exasperated. "Who decided to mix the alphabet with math, anyway?"

Megumi didn't dignify that with a response, instead repeating, "Just focus on finding the value of X..."

"But how?" Yotsuba groaned, dropping her pencil onto the table in frustration. "It's too hard!"

He looked at her, his expression unimpressed, before offering an analogy. "I have X apples, and I eat one. How many apples do I have left?"

Yotsuba hesitated, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way out of this impossible situation. Finding none, she swallowed nervously and blurted out the first number that came to mind: "Uh… three apples?"

Megumi raised an eyebrow. The lack of any acknowledgment of correctness made her wince.

"I don't know!" Yotsuba finally exclaimed, her face crumpling in resignation.

"Exactly," he said calmly. "X is a number you don't know yet."

Yotsuba blinked, her lips parting in surprise as the realization dawned on her. She looked at Megumi, trying to determine if he was serious. When she saw no sign of a joke, a sheepish chuckle escaped her. "Oh... I get it now."

Megumi couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Yotsuba struggled with something as simple as finding the value of X. Yet, despite her difficulties, explaining it was fairly straightforward, allowing him to maintain the appearance of a competent tutor. At least, for now.

After several more attempts, Yotsuba finally managed to solve her first equation of the day, though it wasn't without a little discreet help from Megumi. But a correct answer was a correct answer, and her beaming expression showed just how much it meant to her.

"Wow..." Yotsuba whispered in awe, her eyes locked on the paper as if she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. A soft smile blossomed on her face as she looked up at Megumi. "Did I really get it right?"

"You did," Megumi confirmed with a calm nod, before smoothly shifting the focus. "I think that's enough math for today." He noted the visible relief that washed over her features—math was clearly not her favorite subject. "What else do you need help with?"

Yotsuba hesitated at the question, a sheepish grin forming as she glanced away, clearly embarrassed. "Eh..." she began, her voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and reluctance. "Pretty much everything..."

Megumi remained unbothered by her admission, offering another nod of understanding. "Then we can review new material tomorrow." he suggested.

Yotsuba blinked in surprise at his composed response, but her expression soon softened into a genuine, appreciative smile. "You'll come and teach tomorrow too?" she asked, her voice carrying a note of hopeful anticipation.

"Yes," he affirmed. "I'm scheduled to teach twice a week. I think it would be beneficial to have consecutive days sometimes."

"That's great!" Yotsuba exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight. A playful glint sparkled in her eyes as she added, "I'm glad my stupidity didn't scare you off."

"I expected something like that," Megumi replied matter-of-factly, watching as her expression shifted to one of confusion. "I saw your report card." he clarified.

Yotsuba's smile wavered for a moment before she burst into laughter, though there was a faint note of nervousness underlying her mirth. "Well, I guess that explains it!" she quipped, trying to mask her slight discomfort with humor.

Once again, all Megumi offered in response was a nod. Yotsuba lingered for a moment, as if hoping for more, before hesitantly asking, "So... today's lesson is over?"

Megumi took a second to process her question before giving a simple confirmation. "Yes."

Yotsuba sighed, casting a final glance at the sheet of paper before looking back at Megumi. "Thank you for today," she said. "I just wish my sisters could have joined in too..."

"Don't worry about that," he replied in a straightforward manner, offering no further explanation. However, Yotsuba didn't seem entirely reassured.

"Of course, I worry..." she responded, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "It must be frustrating not to have your efforts recognized..."

Megumi paused at her words, raising an eyebrow slightly. "You recognized it," he pointed out simply.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise before she giggled lightly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Hey, you're right..." she admitted, a grin tugging at her lips. "I guess I did, huh?"

Silence settled between them after that, a comfortable pause that Megumi used as an opportunity to gather his materials. Yotsuba watched him quietly, her expression thoughtful, before speaking up again. "Thank you again."

He took a moment before responding, standing up and slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "It's just my job," he said flatly.

Yotsuba nodded, rising to her feet as well, her eyes shining with gratitude. "But still, you're helping us when no one else could."

Her words, though they might have seemed exaggerated, carried a truth that Megumi couldn't ignore. He was the only one capable of aiding them in the unique situation they found themselves in, though Yotsuba was blissfully unaware of just how true that was.

The girl bowed slightly. "I know I'm not the smartest, but I promise I'll try my hardest!" she vowed.

Megumi couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable with her earnestness. He averted his gaze, muttering, "That's good to hear..."

Yotsuba straightened up, her expression brightening once more as she flashed him a cheerful smile. "I'll be in your hands from now on, Fushiguro-san!" she declared with enthusiasm.

Megumi turned away, making his way toward the door, trying to conceal his discomfort. "...I'll do my best." he responded, the words slipping out without much thought.

Yotsuba accompanied him to the apartment's exit, offering him a final smile and a warm goodbye. "See you tomorrow!" she promised.

As the door closed in front of him, Megumi was once again left alone with his thoughts.

It could have been worse...

Turning his back to the door, Megumi's expression shifted into one of seriousness. He cast a careful glance down both ends of the hallway, scanning for any sign of movement. It was empty.

Bringing his hands together, Megumi hesitated, a flicker of anxiety flashing through his eyes. He let out a slow, controlled breath, steadying himself.

Whatever, he thought, trying to push away the unease. I've done this so many times before...

With that, he shaped his fingers into a familiar formation, casting a shadow on the wall that took the form of a rabbit's silhouette. In a low voice, he murmured, "Rabbit Escape."

A sensation Megumi hadn't felt in what seemed like forever coursed through him as cursed energy flowed out of his body. A slight grimace formed on his face—it was almost strange how the energy felt like it tickled, a feeling he'd nearly forgotten.

In an instant, a small puddle of inky black liquid appeared at his feet, bubbling and morphing until it shaped itself into a small creature. White fur began to cover the form, transforming it into a rabbit-like shikigami. Megumi observed the newly summoned creature with a detached gaze, feeling an odd mixture of familiarity and discomfort. It was the first time in months he had summoned anything, and the act felt foreign to him now.

His eyes swept over the rabbit, taking in its small form, straight white fur, pointed ears, and soft snout. The nose twitched slightly, and its front teeth looked sharper than he remembered. On its forehead, the Snake Repelling Scarf symbol was etched clearly, and also, two pairs of red eyes—

Two pairs of red eyes!?

Megumi's face drained of color as he instinctively stepped back, his heel pressing against the apartment door behind him. Panic surged briefly until he blinked, realizing it was just a trick of his weary mind. The rabbit only had one pair of eyes, as it always had.

He exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging with the release of tension, and rubbed his eyes with his hands. It must be the lack of sleep...

The rabbit watched him in silence, tilting its head in a curious manner before it began to tremble slightly. It understood the purpose of its summoning without needing any verbal commands. Within moments, the rabbit exploded into six identical copies, all standing in a neat row before Megumi, who opened his eyes to look at them with a weary expression.

Words were unnecessary. He simply gestured for the rabbits to disperse, and the original Rabbit Escape vanished without a trace.

The five clones immediately leaped into action, bounding down the hallway with silent movements as they began searching for a way into the apartment. Megumi watched them for a moment, his gaze slowly drifting away as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

It's a start... he thought, scrolling through his contact list until he landed on Maruo Nakano's number.

He tapped the screen to initiate the call and lifted the phone to his ear as he walked toward the elevator. The phone rang for a few moments before a weary voice answered on the other end.

"Fushiguro-kun?" Maruo's voice carried the exhaustion of a long day. Megumi instinctively nodded, but quickly remembered Maruo couldn't see him and murmured a Yes.

"How did it go?" Maruo asked directly, cutting to the chase.

"Only Yotsuba participated in the lesson," Megumi replied honestly as he pressed the button to summon the elevator.

He heard Maruo sigh on the other end. "Not even Itsuki-kun joined?" the man inquired, sounding slightly disappointed.

"She thought I was too young," Megumi explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

There was a pause before Maruo spoke again. "I apologize for putting you in this situation."

"It's no problem," Megumi replied, stepping into the elevator as the doors slid open. "I understand where you're coming from."

He couldn't suppress a quiet cough as he finished his sentence, his voice slightly hoarse from a day of constant speaking. It had been a while since he'd spoken so much in a single day...

"...Thank you, Fushiguro-kun," Maruo said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Is that all?"

Nino tried to drug me, Megumi thought, but he kept that to himself. Instead, he said, "I'm already keeping an eye on them."

"That's good," Maruo responded immediately, a hint of relief in his tone. "I'm glad to know I can trust you."

Megumi's grip on his phone tightened slightly at Maruo's words.

After a brief silence, Maruo spoke again, his voice distant. "I'm afraid I have to go now. I have a patient to attend to."

"...Sure." Megumi replied, keeping his response short. Goodbyes felt unnecessary. The call ended, leaving him alone in the elevator, the hum of the machinery the only sound.

He leaned back against the elevator wall, closing his eyes for a moment.

What a day...

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