Having successfully persuaded Miku, I went into the library to study.
And there, I saw Uesugi-kun and…
Gohan: "Uwaah!? How many books are you planning to read!?"
So many books… and all of them about the Sengoku period…
Fuutarou: "No matter what, I have to persuade Miku to let me in…! I can't back down…!!"
Wait… did he fail to persuade her just now…?
Although I had already convinced Miku, and I could tell Uesugi-kun, it didn't mean anything if Miku only opened her heart to me.
She had to open up to Uesugi-kun as well. She needed to understand that it wasn't just me—Uesugi-kun was serious too.
Gohan: "Mm. Do your best, okay?"
Fuutarou: "Yeah! I finally found a way for Miku to blend into class! I can't give up now!"
If I look at it from the perspective of "being caring," maybe Uesugi-kun is more suitable than me…?
After all, he's working this hard to gain Sengoku knowledge just so Miku will find class more interesting.
Considering that, Uesugi-kun might actually be better suited as a tutor than I am…
Well, tutoring is something we can do together anyway. Let's both give it our best.
The next day…
After school, Uesugi-kun went off to his "duel."
Good luck, Uesugi-kun!
That aside, today isn't a tutoring day.
But since Itsuki said she had some questions, I'm in the library with her now.
Itsuki: "It's rare not to see you with Uesugi-kun."
Gohan: "Ah—… yeah, true. Since if it's not a tutoring day, I'm usually studying with him."
Itsuki: "Why study together? And with Uesugi-kun of all people…"
Gohan: "Probably just because our academic levels are the closest…? Ah, but that's also how we became friends in the first place…"
Gohan: "Compared to struggling alone with a problem, if we think it through together it gets solved faster, right?"
Itsuki: "That's not what I meant. He's a dense and rude guy. Why choose Uesugi-kun?"
Gohan: "Ahaha… well, true, Uesugi-kun can be the type to say whatever comes to mind, but he's actually very kind, you know?"
Itsuki: "That's… hard to believe."
Gohan: "Recently, he's been constantly thinking about you quintuplets. Like, 'Maybe this question can be used in class,' or 'Explaining it this way might make it easier to understand'…"
Itsuki: "…Uesugi-kun?"
Gohan: "Yeah. That's why I hope you can forgive him. Rather than staying in constant conflict, I want you all to get along."
Itsuki: "…If Uesugi-kun apologizes for that time, then I might consider it."
Gohan: "…Thank you."
Itsuki: "Well, I didn't say I'd forgive him yet!"
Even though she said that, she'll probably forgive him.
Uesugi-kun also wanted to apologize, he just missed the timing, so I really need to create the right moment for him.
As long as I give Uesugi-kun a little nudge to apologize, everything should be fine.
I'm sure he sincerely wants to say sorry too…
Growl—
Itsuki: "Ah, I'm hungry…"
Gohan: "Ahaha… want to eat this?"
Itsuki: "That's… a meat bun!? Can I really have it!?"
Gohan: "Yeah, I'm not hungry."
Itsuki: "Thank you!"
Itsuki happily accepted the meat bun.
But before she put it in her mouth, she said…
Itsuki: "…Actually, I've been wondering about something."
Gohan: "Hm? What is it?"
Itsuki: "Well… have I been eating too much…?"
Gohan: "…? Really…?"
Itsuki: "Maybe that's why I got mad when it was pointed out…"
Gohan: "W-well… if someone suddenly says 'You'll get fat,' it's natural to get upset."
Speaking of which, when Goten once said, "Mom's gotten kind of chubby, hasn't she?"… oh boy, that was chaos…
Girls must really be sensitive about their weight…
Itsuki: "…What do you think, Son-kun?"
Gohan: "Eh? Me? Uh…"
Itsuki: "..."
She was asking seriously. Then I should answer seriously too.
Gohan: "Even if you eat a little too much, as long as you do some exercise or use your brain studying, it should balance out, right?"
Gohan: "Besides, most high schoolers are still growing. I think eating a bit more isn't a problem. Especially since you're always working so hard at studying, Itsuki-san…"
Itsuki: "R-really…?"
Gohan: "Mm. Ah, but I've heard you should avoid late-night snacks or eating right before bed. If you just watch out for that, you'll be fine."
Itsuki: "Y-you're right! Eating a little should be fine then! It feels like the fog in my head just cleared! Thank you!!"
Gohan: "No problem."
Girls really are sensitive about their figure, huh…
Gohan: "…Ah, I'm out of drinks. I'll go buy one."
Itsuki: "Okay~"
Huh? Besides the meat bun, she's holding a melon pan too…?
W-well, I also eat a lot, so I'm in no position to say anything… whatever…
As I was thinking that, I walked out of the library and bumped into Uesugi-kun.
Fuutarou: "Oh, Gohan. How's it going?"
Gohan: "Mm. No problems. By the way… how did it go…?"
Fuutarou: "..." [smug grin]
That expression…
No mistake.
At least the result wasn't bad.
Fuutarou: "I made some progress. Though I don't know if she'll come tomorrow…"
Gohan: "That's good…"
Fuutarou: "Oh yeah. Is Itsuki here?"
Gohan: "Itsuki-san? She's in the library."
Fuutarou: "I see… I missed my timing to apologize because of everything that happened, but now's my chance…"
Gohan: "…Yeah. It's definitely better if you all get along."
Fuutarou: "Right… then I'm going!"
Gohan: "Mm!"
(Gohan's inner thoughts) Looks like I don't even need to say anything.
(End of Chapter)
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