Makoto really didn't expect Ichika to come, and the timing was perfect — Yukino had just entered and sat down when she arrived.
Through the peephole, Makoto noticed the exquisite shopping bag in Ichika's hand, which seemed less likely to contain food and more likely clothes or something similar.
He opened the door and met the girl's beautiful smile: "Why did you come over without saying hello?"
"It's more surprising this way. Don't you like surprises, Makoto?" Ichika teased with a smile.
She habitually started to tease him.
"I do like surprises, but if it's just you showing up suddenly, that surprise isn't big enough."
Makoto calmly pulled and stepped aside to let her in to change her shoes.
"Huh? Why isn't it big enough?"
"Because before you came, someone else already arrived."
"Who?"
Ichika, who was about to change shoes, suddenly looked up. Though she kept smiling, an alarm went off in her heart.
Makoto gave her a hint: "You're in the same club with her."
"Yukinoshita!"
Ichika quickly answered.
Since Itsuki was still at home before leaving, it couldn't be her.
Seeing Makoto nod, she continued changing her shoes and teased:
"Looks like I really came late. Having such a beautiful girl like Yukinoshita show up on her own is a surprise for any guy."
Without waiting for Makoto to respond, she stood up smiling brightly:
"But it's fine, we're good friends. Even if you're with other beautiful girls, as long as you have time for me now and then, I'll be happy too."
I haven't even started brewing tea, and the aroma is already floating out?
Makoto suppressed a laugh, pretending to be serious: "Got it."
Ichika thought her teasing had worked and blinked cutely, asking, "Got what?"
"You just said that you're actually just a normal friend to me. Only like that would you be so generous to let me meet other beautiful girls," Makoto said.
Ichika: "???"
Uh-oh, didn't expect this move!
How do I respond?
She was still feeling proud of her clever teasing a second ago, but now she was easily countered by Makoto.
Seeing her expression, Makoto knew she hadn't thought of a counter.
He sighed on purpose: "Looks like I was just wishful thinking. I used to think you had a strong possessiveness."
Ichika couldn't think of a comeback, so she just smiled and rolled her eyes: "You talk too much."
The two went into the living room, and she generously greeted Yukino.
Her beaming smile made it seem like they were really good friends.
"Good afternoon, Ichika."
Yukino responded flatly.
Since Makoto said he hadn't invited anyone, Ichika came over "secretly."
A beautiful, well-proportioned girl visiting a boy's house without prior notice — what does that mean?
Yukino felt a little uncomfortable again.
"Did Yukinoshita come here to see Makoto about something important?" Ichika asked naturally, sitting next to Yukino.
Yukino remained calm: "Sort of important."
"Can you tell me?"
"No."
"Oh, then I'll ask Makoto."
"…"
Ichika smiled after speaking.
Yukino's expression didn't change at all.
She knew the other was being deliberate.
Just like when they first met, she wanted to change the topic by teasing Yukinoshita.
But unfortunately, your level is too low!
Yukino sat steadily in the living room, her elegant legs neatly closed, sitting upright with the attitude of "I'll just quietly watch your performance."
Ichika's eyes flickered, expecting Yukino to stop her or chat more so she could keep going.
But Yukino's calm demeanor pressured her a bit.
In gaming terms, her current thought was: Yukinoshita's health bar is really long!
Meaning Yukinoshita was unaware of her thoughts, or else she would have lightly said: "Since when did you get the illusion you've seen my health bar?"
Meanwhile, Makoto, brewing tea on the side, was even calmer.
This kind of "beginner-level" love triangle he was not worried about at all.
He brought tea and snacks casually and said, "Yukinoshita's aunt called me for dinner today, so Yukinoshita came early. She doesn't want me to say something wrong later."
"I see."
Ichika acted like she understood but thought: So these two have met each other's parents too?
She said "too" because Makoto has met Nakano Maruo before too.
"By the way, Ichika, why did you come today?"
Makoto seemed to remember just now.
Ichika smiled: "Of course, I came to hang out with you, but you have business today, so I have to leave soon."
"You haven't eaten yet, right?"
"Yeah, I was actually going to ask you to eat together."
Ichika said this, sticking out her chest a little, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
She was hinting for Makoto to invite her so she could join Yukino's family dinner.
After all, if elders from other families were there, it would be a bit rude to ask to tag along on her own.
She quickly met Makoto's gaze, her expression working hard, almost making him laugh.
Right then, Yukino suddenly said lightly, "If Ichika wants to join us, I suggest you give up."
Ichika turned her head, showing a confused face: "Why?"
Yukino said calmly, "My mother probably wants to talk privately with Fushimi today, and those private matters are something I don't want others to know."
She spoke very directly.
Ichika smiled: "But last time I saw your parents chatting happily with my father, so I thought maybe Yukinoshita's aunt would like to know me too."
"She does want to know, but I don't want my family matters to spread," Yukino said straightforwardly.
At that moment, Makoto interrupted, "In that case, next time we'll invite everyone, so it can be livelier."
Yukino looked at him coldly, her eyes questioning: What are you doing?
Just as Makoto was about to speak, Ichika laughed twice: "Alright, Yukinoshita, if you feel it's inconvenient, I won't come this time."
She even gave Makoto a sweet, obedient smile.
The meaning was: See how sensible and obedient I am?
This time Makoto couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He could naturally tell Ichika was deliberately performing for Yukino.
But it was too obvious and too deliberate.
Really funny.
Likewise, Yukino could see through it.
She furrowed her brows slightly but said nothing, picking up the tea and taking a small sip.
Then she noticed that Ichika beside her was staring at her.
"Is something wrong?"
Yukino turned to face Ichika, meeting her gaze openly.
Ichika quickly glanced at Makoto, who had turned around to grab the remote control, then fixed her eyes on Yukino Yukino and quietly said, "Amaterasu."
Yukino: "?"
After saying that, Ichika seemed to struggle to keep a straight face and immediately bent down to pick up her bag.
"Oh, by the way, I brought a special outfit today because I want you, Makoto, to take some nice pictures of me."
"Oh? What kind of outfit?"
Makoto came back holding the remote and casually turned on the TV.
"Ichika's adorable one-piece swimsuit makes a dazzling appearance!"
Ichika actually pulled out a one-piece swimsuit from her bag.
And it was the standard type used for swimming lessons.
Paired with her lively smile and energetic voice, it was quite cute, to be honest.
But Yukino didn't find her cute at all!
Not only did she "secretly" come to a boy's house, but she also brought a school swimming lesson swimsuit — that was basically rubbing it in her face.
Yukino thought: Looks like she's not like her four sisters, not that reserved.
She didn't come here just to visit.
She came here with intentions.
That was Makoto's thought.
"Actually, I have an even cuter swimsuit, but it's inconvenient to bring it here, so I'll show you another time."
Ichika held up the swimsuit in her hand as if she was simply showing off the cuteness of the swimsuit, not deliberately showing it to Yukino.
Makoto gave a thumbs-up and sincerely praised, "Compared to bikinis often seen on TV, I actually prefer one-piece swimsuits."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, one-piece swimsuits are civilized!"
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