Seeing Shirase standing so close to the two "Ninos," the entire room fell into a strange, heavy silence.
Near the dining table, Yotsuba blinked innocently and muttered, "Shirase-kun wouldn't actually spank their butts, right? Should I help hold Nino and Itsuki down later?"
Her voice wasn't loud—just a quiet murmur—but in the pin-drop stillness, every syllable landed loud and clear.
This idiot Yotsuba!
Nino and Itsuki both stiffened, their faces twitching in sync.
Why would you bring that up again?!
And what do you mean "hold us down"?!
Ichika, doing her best to keep a straight face, jumped in before either could explode. "So, Shirase-kun, have you figured it out yet?"
There was a mischievous gleam in her eyes—she was clearly enjoying herself.
Shirase smiled faintly, then suddenly reached out and took one of the "Ninos" by the hand. "I figured it out."
"Eh?"
Everyone froze.
The girl whose hand he'd grabbed scoffed softly, "You've got the wrong person, idiot."
"Really?" Shirase asked evenly, studying her face.
Immediately, her cheeks turned bright red, and she fell silent.
"Oh! So he did recognize her!" Yotsuba cried, rushing over to inspect the chosen "Nino."
Still standing there, Itsuki sighed. "Dummy Nino, you gave yourself away."
In that instant, everyone realized Shirase had picked correctly.
Nino's eyes widened. "Wait—what nonsense are you spouting? I didn't move at all!"
"You didn't move your body," Itsuki said with a knowing look, "but your eyes gave it away."
Nino's expression faltered, her usual bravado crumbling.
"Is that true?" Kana leaned closer, intrigued.
Shirase nodded. "Itsuki's disguise was perfect, but in the end, they're different people. When Yotsuba made that comment earlier, Itsuki kept her composure—but Nino's eyes darted around."
Ichika blinked in surprise. "I didn't even notice that."
Miku, arms crossed, added thoughtfully, "That's strange. With Nino's personality, I wouldn't expect her to slip. She's always so stubborn, no matter where she is."
Then, after a beat, she said quietly, "Though that's just how she hides being soft."
Nino's face went scarlet. She couldn't even muster a retort.
And before anyone could tease her further, Kana clapped her hands lightly. "Oh, I see now."
Everyone turned toward her.
Kana smiled warmly. "It's simple. Nino and Shirase-kun are close, right? The moment he stood right in front of her, she was already flustered. Then Yotsuba's little comment pushed her over the edge."
Her grin turned playful. "So, Nino's actually just shy at heart?"
"It is not like that!"
With her secret thoroughly exposed, Nino couldn't take it anymore. Red-faced, she spun on her heel and bolted toward the kitchen.
Laughter filled the room—mostly Kana's and Yotsuba's cheerful giggles—while Miku just sighed, and Ichika's lips curved slightly.
When Itsuki tried to slip away to change back into her clothes, Ichika gently caught her wrist. "I'll come with you."
"…Mm." Itsuki avoided her gaze. She knew Ichika must have figured something out. But she wouldn't admit it. Never.
Though Nino had fled in embarrassment, she still helped with dinner, stubbornly fulfilling her share of the work.
One dish after another filled the table; Shirase and Kana, after washing their hands, joined everyone in the dining room.
Nino's cooking wasn't perfect—nowhere near Shirase's level—but for a home-cooked meal, it was warm and comforting.
Everyone ate heartily.
Or at least, they appeared to.
Kana, ever observant, had noticed the faint tension between Ichika and Itsuki when they'd come back from the bedroom, but she said nothing.
Then, while clearing the dishes, Yotsuba moved too fast and fumbled a bowl.
It flew from her hands—only for Shirase to lunge forward and catch it midair.
"Amazing!" Yotsuba gasped, eyes sparkling.
Shirase stared blankly at the bowl in his hand. He hadn't even thought—his body had just moved.
For a second, the others looked impressed, but then the moment passed, and conversation flowed on as normal.
Later, at Kana's suggestion, everyone gathered in the living room for a card game.
But before it began, Shirase quietly slipped onto the balcony.
The night air was cool against his skin.
He'd tested his stamina, strength, and speed before—but reaction time? Never. That catch earlier had been almost inhuman.
"The system must've boosted my reflexes too…" he muttered. "At this rate, I'll end up like Kyogoku Makoto or something."
He chuckled softly. A "Super Saiyan" soccer player—what a ridiculous thought.
"You're not joining the card game?"
Nino's voice broke the quiet.
Shirase turned, smiling. "If I joined, you'd all lose every round."
Nino snorted lightly and walked over. "That's just like you—always acting so smug."
He glanced at her sidelong. "So? You came out just to keep me company?"
She brushed her hair back, giving him a sideways look. "What do you think?"
"I think you did."
"You're wrong!" she snapped, cheeks puffing. "I came to settle the score."
"Settle the score?"
"In the living room earlier, you said I'd scream if you… spanked me. Were you just messing around?"
Her face flushed red as she glared up at him.
Shirase laughed quietly. "That was just to test you. And I didn't actually do anything."
"You wanted to, didn't you?" she shot back, her voice rising.
"Can't I at least imagine it?" he said, perfectly calm.
"You—! That's practically perver—Hey, what are you—"
Before she could finish, Shirase suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Nino froze. His warmth, the faint brush of his breath—her entire body went hot in an instant.
"W-what are you trying to do…?" she whispered, hands pressed weakly against his chest, her face buried in his shoulder.
"What do you think?" he murmured back, echoing her earlier line.
Nino bit her lip, unable to speak.
Ichika's teasing words echoed faintly in her mind: Has Shirase-kun been holding back?
Right now, his hands rested firmly at her waist—steady, unyielding.
Was this what he'd been holding back?
Her heart pounded violently, and just as she gathered the courage to look up, Shirase leaned closer. Their foreheads touched, breath mingling.
"Is this okay?" he whispered.
Nino's chest heaved as she stared at him—her eyes wide, conflicted, but undeniably hopeful.
"H-how would I know?" she murmured, looking away.
"Ah, then I'll take that as a yes."
And before she could react, Shirase lowered his head and kissed her—softly, surely, like he'd known all along she wouldn't pull away.
---
T/N: AHHH THEY FINALLY KISSED