[The host's point is quite valid.]
[System contemplating…]
[Detected that Nakano Ichika extremely likes these high heels. To relieve host's worries, the system has decided to help deliver the shoes.]
"Huh?" Shirase was startled by this. "Hold up, don't you think that decision's way too reckless?"
[The system does not think it's reckless. As a system that solely exists to serve the host, it must help manage the host's interpersonal relationships.]
Once the system made up its mind, it took the shoebox from the saleslady and turned around, heading straight toward Nakano Ichika.
"They're making eye contact!" Nakano Yotsuba, hiding at the shop's entrance, inexplicably grew tense.
Nakano Nino wore a grave expression and remained silent.
"Shirase-kun, why are you buying high heels?" Nakano Ichika tilted her head, the corners of her lips rising mischievously. "Don't tell me these shoes are actually for you to wear yourself?"
The system straightforwardly answered on Shirase's behalf: "No."
Ichika playfully winked. "Then you're giving them to someone? Let me guess—you specifically came to this store to buy high heels, which means they're probably for…"
"You."
Before Nakano Ichika could finish, the system had already spoken.
At the same moment, it handed over the shoebox.
Nakano Ichika froze on the spot.
After a brief moment of surprise, her actress-senpai beside her gradually broke into a teasing smile.
What's going on here?
What did Shirase-kun just say?
He's giving these shoes to me?
Nakano Ichika, always striving to be a mature, composed woman, was suddenly left speechless by sheer shock.
"Shirase-kun bought shoes for Ichika?" Nakano Yotsuba, still hidden at the door, was thoroughly baffled. "Could Shirase-kun owe Ichika a favor or something? Otherwise, why would he gift her shoes? Nino, what do you think?"
"How. Would. I. Know?"
Nakano Nino squeezed out each syllable through gritted teeth.
She was clenching so hard she nearly crushed her molars.
What the hell is this?
Flirting with Ichika right in front of my face?
Nakano Nino bit down tightly on her lip, her mind overheating so badly she couldn't even process what kind of stance she should take as she rushed forward.
Instantly releasing her grip on Yotsuba's hand, she stormed directly into the store.
"Eh? Nino, what are you doing?" Yotsuba remained utterly bewildered. Seeing her sister storm in, she had no choice but to follow.
At the very instant the two sisters took their first steps, Nakano Ichika regained her composure. Instead of accepting the shoebox, she smiled playfully at Shirase: "Why are you giving me shoes? Could it be that you're interested in me?"
[Critical misunderstanding detected. System must help host resolve the misunderstanding.]
Just then, the dumb system emitted a notification that instantly put Shirase on high alert.
"Of course not! Shirase already has someone he likes, and you definitely know who that person is!"
The voice rang out clear and bright, utterly confident, its declaration so bold it instantly drew stunned glances from everyone in the store.
Nakano Ichika shrugged lightly, the situation confirming her previous suspicions.
Her actress-senpai, standing beside her, had a large question mark floating above her head.
Nakano Nino, having only taken five steps forward, instantly froze in place.
Nakano Yotsuba wore an expression of absolute astonishment.
Because Shirase typically said so many strange things, none of the three Nakano sisters present noticed how unusual it was that he'd just referred to himself as "Shirase."
Oh my god, do you have any idea what you just said? Shirase's voice was low and heavy.
[Host, please relax. The system absolutely won't let you be misunderstood, nor will it allow you to fall into clichéd conflicts. After all, the system exists precisely to solve all of the host's troubles.]
Shirase was left utterly speechless.
He absolutely had feelings for Nakano Nino; there was no doubt about that.
But openly declaring his inner thoughts in front of everyone?
And in such a confusing, roundabout way, no less.
Well, actually, this wasn't such a big deal—he'd planned to find a chance to confess eventually anyway.
What truly left him dumbfounded were the astonished gazes of the surrounding onlookers.
Their expressions clearly conveyed: Did we just accidentally stumble into one of those viral short videos online?
Nakano Nino's stiff legs suddenly turned, her flushed red face quickly fleeing the scene.
"Nino, wait up!" Yotsuba hurriedly chased after her.
Nakano Nino said nothing, but her pace grew even faster.
She didn't know if looking back at him once more would cause her heart to leap out of her chest.
But what she did know for sure was that if she stayed there staring at Shirase a second longer, she'd definitely explode from embarrassment in front of everyone.
Idiot.
Stupid.
The one he's talking about… has to be me!
She cursed someone silently in her heart as her cheeks continued burning hotter.
She was clearly cursing him, but there wasn't even a hint of anger in her heart.
Only an overwhelming embarrassment that made the girl utterly incapable of calming down.
"Nino, just now Shirase-kun was—" Yotsuba displayed her natural talent, quickly catching up to her sister.
Nino immediately cut her off. "Whoever he likes is his freedom. I have no right to interfere with that."
"I wasn't going to say that. I meant—"
"I know exactly what you mean, but right now I just want to go home and bake cookies. I suddenly came up with a new, delicious recipe."
"The cookies can wait! What I'm concerned about is—"
"You're absolutely right, but I haven't prepared all the ingredients yet. That's what we really need to consider right now."
"…"
Nakano Yotsuba's every attempt was deftly blocked by Nino.
Yotsuba, simple-minded and honest, had never been skilled at these verbal exchanges. Now, faced with Nino—who was practically on the verge of a shy explosion—she was easily deflected by Nino's sharp counters.
"I hate Shirase," Nakano Nino suddenly announced.
Hate him, my ass!
Yotsuba gave her sister a subtle, skeptical look.
Even I—the one everyone calls the dumbest—can see you're lying. How could you say that with a straight face?
Nakano Nino feigned calmness, thoroughly ignoring her sister's questioning gaze.
She no longer dared to slow down.
She certainly didn't dare look back.
Because if she did, she'd probably explode immediately.
...
At the same time, back inside the shop.
The onlookers finally recovered from "Shirase's" shocking declaration earlier and began whispering animatedly.
"This counts as a confession scene, right? The boy gave shoes to the girl in front of him, then said something that direct."
Nakano Ichika overheard and politely clarified with a bright smile: "You've misunderstood. The girl he mentioned is my younger sister, not me."
Naturally, mature Ichika had no intention of causing any misunderstanding.
But as soon as she explained, the gossip among the bystanders grew even more excited.
"Confessing that he likes her younger sister right in front of the older one? What's going on? A love triangle?"
"No, no—I think he was deliberately loud to prevent misunderstandings from escalating. See how calm he is? He clearly just wants to resolve everything quickly."
"Wow~ How come you understand this so well?"
"I'm no expert, but I've played gal games for thirteen years straight, so I'm pretty qualified on this matter."
"Amazing! With your wealth of dating experience, you must've had plenty of girlfriends, right?" someone randomly asked.
The young man, smiling proudly just a second ago, abruptly fell silent.
Then tears began to glisten in his eyes as he stared mournfully up at the ceiling and muttered softly, "I've been fucking single for twenty-seven years."