During the afternoon classes, Yukino found herself unusually distracted.
"I never once felt happy learning scriptwriting."
When Makoto had said that, she could tell he wasn't lying.
When she asked him why, he answered,
"Everything is repeated every day. The longer it goes on, the more frustrating it becomes. I had to spend a lot of time learning new things, just to distract myself."
Those words had left a deep impression on her.
At the same time, it further confirmed that the time loop was real.
Yukino had even imagined it herself: every day the same, everyone around acting like NPCs who "reset" overnight.
How long had he endured that alone?
Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Ichika had been present when Makoto said that.
Yukino could tell Ichika didn't quite understand — she had a lot of questions but ended up suppressing them.
On the surface she seemed sunny and gentle, but underneath, she had a little cunning and calculation.
Just a little, though.
Yukino pushed Ichika to the back of her mind.
She knew very clearly: right now, her mind was full of Makoto.
It wasn't love — it was her thirst for knowledge burning brightly.
I'm really very interested in you.
Yukino said to herself.
Meanwhile—
Makoto was attending art class.
Because of their conversation that morning, Mayu was paying special attention to him.
As a result, the very gentle-natured teacher discovered that Makoto hadn't lied.
His drawing skills were truly exceptional.
Even better than her own!
She stood behind Makoto and watched for quite a while before reaching this conclusion.
This inevitably piqued her curiosity.
For a high school student to have such impressive drawing skills, he must have started practicing from a young age.
The beautiful teacher found herself a little distracted.
Makoto had long noticed this scene. To avoid disturbing other students, he picked up a prepared pen and paper, wrote a line, and handed it over.
Mayu took it curiously and saw the words: I wasn't lying, was I?
A smile appeared in her eyes as she wrote back: Have you been studying art for a long time?
Makoto: Guess.
Mayu: You shouldn't talk to your teacher like that.
Makoto: It's a long story. Let's find another time to talk about it.
Mayu was about to write a reply but suddenly remembered something.
Wasn't she passing notes with a student during class time?
She snapped back to her senses and realized many students around were sneaking glances at them, clearly puzzled by her behavior.
Just as she blushed in embarrassment, Makoto suddenly whispered, "Matsukaze-sensei, maybe I should ask you for guidance another time. I feel like this might disturb the class."
Mayu froze.
He was helping her out of the situation.
The curious students around them suddenly understood.
So he was asking the teacher for advice — no wonder they were writing and drawing. He probably didn't want to disturb others.
With their curiosity satisfied, the students lost interest and stopped sneaking looks.
Suppressing her embarrassment, Mayu lifted her chin and said softly, "It's alright. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"I understand."
This little incident was completely resolved.
Mayu returned the paper and pen. As she bent down, a waft of her fragrance enveloped Makoto, flooding his senses.
"We'll talk after school," she whispered by Makoto's ear.
He could even feel the warm breath from her lips gently brushing against his ear.
For members of the opposite sex, this was an obviously flirtatious gesture.
Yet Mayu didn't find it strange.
They lived in the same apartment building, and he was her student — and had just helped her out of a tight spot. Her affection for him was steadily growing.
More importantly, Makoto's drawing skills had completely piqued her curiosity.
Just like how supernatural phenomena like time loops attracted Yukino.
After school.
Makoto had just arrived at the schoolyard when Hayato and his cheerful group of friends approached him.
"My family gave me some movie tickets. I happen to have an extra one. Want to come along?"
Hayato smiled warmly as he extended the invitation.
Makoto was puzzled. He wasn't particularly close to Hayato, so it was odd that he would seek him out after school and invite him to a movie.
Then he noticed Yumiko and the others watching him nearby and realized.
As expected, it must have been their idea for Hayato to invite him.
The sunny and handsome boy who belonged to "everyone," not to just one person — that was Hayama Hayato.
Makoto was about to reply when a familiar female voice called out, "Fushimi-kun~!"
He turned and saw Ichika waving at him near the school gate, surrounded by four other beautiful girls.
Makoto waved back and said to Hayato, "Sorry, I already have plans today."
"No worries. Maybe next time."
Hayato showed no sign of disappointment, clearly confirming Makoto's guess.
As Makoto quickened his pace toward the gate, Hayama turned back to Yumiko and the others with a helpless smile.
"See? I told you he might be busy lately."
"All five of them are waiting for him... Could he really be dating Ichika? But then what about Yukinoshita?" someone speculated enviously.
Hayato gently reminded, "It's better not to gossip about people's private matters, especially topics that could easily spread rumors."
"Oh, sorry..."
Yumiko couldn't help but ask, "Are you two close?"
"We're not really. But the soccer club would love to have him."
"No wonder you're always so proactive around him. Someone who didn't know better might think you had a crush on him."
Yumiko teased.
She had figured it out: Hayato, being part of the soccer club, wanted to recruit Makoto to boost the club's reputation.
Meanwhile, Makoto reached the school gate and greeted Ichika first, then the other four.
The five sisters reacted differently: Ichika beamed brightly; Nino stared at him, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Miku and Yotsuba looked curious.
Itsuki pursed her lips, staying calm while desperately suppressing her curiosity about Ichika's secret.
"Are you sure you don't want to let me treat you to a meal today? I really have time today," Ichika said as soon as she opened her mouth, surprising the four girls beside her.
Four pairs of eyes immediately locked onto Makoto and Ichika.
Especially Nino, who looked like she wanted to say something but held back.
If she were more familiar with Makoto, she probably would have interrogated Ichika already.
Makoto put on a thoughtful expression. "You invited me in front of your sisters to lower the chances of me refusing, didn't you?"
"Eh? You saw through me?" Ichika chuckled, showing no sign of embarrassment.
"It was pretty easy to guess. If I refused you in front of your sisters, it'd be a little embarrassing."
"So, does that mean you're saying yes?"
"Sorry, but I'll have to refuse."
Ichika froze.
Makoto pointed back toward the school building.
"I should have clarified earlier. I have plans with Matsukaze-sensei today. We'll have to reschedule the meal."
The five sisters instinctively turned around — and sure enough, not far away, they spotted Mayu walking alongside Shizuka.
"Next time then," Ichika said with a smile.
Makoto asked, "Were you planning to drag me along to invite Yukinoshita too if I agreed?"
Ichika was truly shocked. "Was I that obvious?"
Not really — it's just that I figured you out during the time loop.
Makoto didn't explain. "Another day. I'll help you invite Yukinoshita."
"Then it's a promise! We'll be heading home now. See you tomorrow."
Before leaving, Ichika openly got Makoto's contact information.
This move once again astonished the other four girls.
After walking a short distance from school, Nino couldn't hold back. "Ichika, you and this famous Fushimi-kun..."
The others all looked on eagerly.
Being able to directly ask for contact information clearly wasn't just a normal classmate relationship — this called for a serious interrogation!
Ichika remained composed. "I guess we're friends now."
Except for Itsuki, who had already suspected as much, the other three showed looks of disbelief.
Nino said suspiciously, "You've never had a male friend since we were little."
"Are you this interested because Fushimi-kun fits your type?"
"I am not! Don't slander me!" Nino blushed.
Although, in her heart, she had secretly judged that Makoto's appearance was very much her type.
Very much her type!
"Alright, I know you're all dying to hear about him. I don't know that much, but I'll tell you what I can."
Ichika laughed mischievously, very satisfied with Nino's reaction.
She glanced back at Makoto still standing at the school gate and thought of the words he had said at noon.
He had so many intriguing secrets. No wonder Yukino was so curious about him.
She wanted to be part of their encrypted conversations too — to have "microphone privileges."
Just as she looked back, Ichika noticed that Itsuki was also sneaking glances.
Huh?
What's going on here?
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