In the end, Nakano Ichika never changed clothes. After a quick wash, she came into the living room completely makeup-free.
Everything played out exactly as Shirase predicted. Her earlier "I need to get dressed" was just a stalling tactic.
Facing a thoroughly baffled Nakano Itsuki, Shirase gave her a simple explanation about the high heels.
"So basically, you gave those heels to Ichika?" Itsuki asked, face full of question marks. "But that still doesn't add up. Why would a guy think to buy high heels?"
Before Shirase could answer, a nearby bedroom door swung open and Nakano Nino stepped out in a tracksuit. "Maybe because he planned for today from the start. He gathered intel in advance, bought those heels before Ichika could, and gave them to her as a gift."
She lifted her brows, smug. "If Shirase did that, of course Ichika would warm up to him. After that, 'conquering' the rest of us gets a lot easier."
Itsuki turned to her, even more confused. "You knew about the heels too?"
"Eh?"
Nino's smile froze. She'd been eavesdropping at the door, then jumped out to sound clever—forgetting Itsuki didn't know a thing.
She also noticed Shirase's suspicious look.
She and Yotsuba had tailed them that day.
And it was the very rude kind of tailing.
"Don't sweat the details." Nino coughed lightly and changed the subject. "Anyway, I talked with Yotsuba yesterday—she already has a good impression of you. So now the only one left is Miku…"
A hint of helplessness entered her eyes. "But Miku won't be easy."
Shirase got it immediately. "You talked to her last night too?"
"Yeah, but she wouldn't discuss tutoring at all… How should I put it? She wasn't annoyed, just uninterested. And while we were talking, she suddenly started grabbing my clothes," Nino said, pouting.
Itsuki rolled her eyes. "You're literally wearing her tracksuit right now. How can you say she was grabbing your clothes?"
"She doesn't wear it anyway!" Nino shot back. "Besides Miku, who wears black tights around the house? It's not even cold."
"Hmm… that part's true, I guess."
From their exchange, Shirase picked out a few useful points.
Like how Nino—despite not wanting tutoring herself—had gathered intel for him.
Or how neither she nor Itsuki believed he could "win" Miku easily.
Without hesitation, Shirase knocked on Nakano Miku's door.
Nino and Itsuki fell silent, watching.
Within five seconds, the door cracked open halfway.
Miku's tense little face appeared. With her posture slightly hunched, her silky bangs slipped down to cover one eye. She looked like a wary guard defending her territory.
"So you really came after all," Miku muttered, echoing Ichika almost word for word.
Her gaze skimmed past Nino and Itsuki. Her tone turned odd. "Nino, you're one to talk about 'traitors.' The moment Shirase showed up, you were the quickest to switch sides."
Nino's cheeks flushed. "I didn't switch! I'm just here to watch the drama."
Itsuki stared at her, startled. Aren't I the one here for the drama?
Shirase cut in. "You should come out too. You're the only one missing."
Miku pressed her lips together and stayed quiet.
Shirase smiled. "I know you're conflicted and want to resist, but in my eyes, you five are always together. It's not complete without all of you."
Miku stiffened, then shot him a quick glance. "I know you're trying to sweet-talk me into coming out."
"You're right," Shirase admitted. "By the way, I know a lot about Sengoku history."
Miku puffed her cheeks slightly. You're a top student—Kana-nee always praises you—of course you know Sengoku history.
Even though, deep down, she did want a cozy chat with him about warlords.
Wait—how did he know she liked that?
She suddenly spotted the hole in her own logic.
Before she could untangle her thoughts, Shirase added, "Also, my cooking's leveled up—especially desserts."
He wasn't lying. With recent hosting sessions and those experience cards, his cooking had kept improving.
And if it meant dodging math problems, the damned system would do almost anything.
"Really?" Itsuki perked up first.
When both Nino and Miku shot her identical looks of disdain, Itsuki went scarlet. "W-why are you looking at me like that? Can't I ask?"
"Heh." Nino and Miku scoffed in unison.
Itsuki shrank, pretending to be an ostrich.
Seizing the opening, Shirase continued, "I'll handle lunch for everyone today. I'll make some new desserts too… Oh, and I'm good at Chinese snacks—guaranteed to be treats you haven't tried."
This time, even Nino's eyes were shining with anticipation.
Only Miku still looked reluctant. She asked quietly, "I thought you'd… talk about something else with me."
"That's my Secret Skill," Shirase said confidently. "And when have you ever seen Ultraman use his finisher right at the start?"
Miku had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. Who's talking Ultraman with you?
Still… did he really figure out her interests?
Her thoughts tangled.
Shirase's voice softened. "How about giving it a try? If my tutoring feels unbearable or confusing, I promise I won't bother you anymore after today."
Miku blinked. "You mean it?"
"As everyone knows, Shirase is no Shendu—he actually keeps his word," he declared.
Of course, he'd only said "anymore," without defining how long.
"One day later" counted as "anymore." So did "one week later."
Miku didn't think that far. This time, she wasn't resisting as much.
Her impression of Shirase wasn't bad to begin with. And she really did like his desserts—perfect everyday snacks.
Seeing him put in the effort, her resolve finally wavered.
"…All right. I'll try." She nodded at last.
The door that had only been half-open swung wide.
---
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Okay, real talk: I am extremely hungry for money, so I'm raising membership prices soon.
BUT.
If you're already subscribed before the change, your current price stays the same as long as you remain subscribed.
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