Maybe it was because they had a guest today, but after the five sisters had a delicious dinner together, they didn't go back to their rooms like they usually did.
Ichika used the opportunity to share some news:
"My agent called me a few days ago. He said after we finish the short film, I'll have a big chance to land a supporting role in a movie."
"A movie?"
Everyone was surprised.
They were still high school students, and yet Ichika was already getting movie roles?
Makoto was calm. "That's great news. Your agent probably has high hopes for this short film. That's why he suggested waiting until it's finished before auditioning."
"That's because you've all been helping me~"
Ichika smiled sweetly, deliberately dragging out the word you.
"Ichika, what's the name of the movie?" Nino asked, clearly interested.
"I can't say yet—there are industry rules. But I can tell you in advance—it's a horror movie."
"Horror? And you're playing a supporting role?"
The girls clearly couldn't picture it.
Makoto instead recalled the horror movies he'd watched before his reincarnation: Ju-on, One Missed Call, Ox-Head Village, and so on.
Those classic Japanese horror films always had a common trait: beautiful young girls as cast members.
Even characters who died quickly after appearing were usually stunning.
"Makoto, what are you thinking about?" Ichika noticed him spacing out.
Makoto didn't hide it. "I was thinking... This kind of movie is a great opportunity for you. You've got the acting chops, and visually, you're more than qualified."
"Why specifically mention looks?" Itsuki asked curiously.
Makoto briefly explained the casting trends in Japanese horror films.
"So basically, if Ichika has enough screen time, people might remember her—even go viral?"
"That's a stretch. She's just a supporting character," Nino said, skeptical, and Ichika didn't seem sure either.
Makoto didn't argue.
Even a short, cute clip could go viral. Asuka Saito went viral once over a single gif.
Cuteness is justice.
That saying may be cliché, but it still holds true.
Makoto looked at Ichika's hesitant face and said honestly, "Just focus on doing your best. Show off your acting. Don't worry about anything else."
"I got it~" Ichika replied with a smile.
Then Miku suddenly said, "Makoto, have you been paving the way for Ichika all along?"
"Huh?"
The other girls, including Ichika, froze.
Makoto's expression didn't change. "Do you have another theory, Miku?"
Miku's eyes flickered—clearly, she was hesitating.
Makoto smiled. "Didn't I tell you before? Just be straightforward. We're all friends here."
Miku blinked, recalling what he'd said in the elevator about being sensitive and insecure.
The other girls all blinked too, silently thinking: Wait, he's that close with Miku now too?
After a moment, seeing that Makoto still had that encouraging look, Miku took a deep breath and said,
"I just realized... Since you already knew Ichika was secretly acting, you started a short film club to help her.
Even if the film's quality doesn't matter, the process would still help her improve."
"Right! Why didn't I think of that?" Nino said in sudden realization.
Yotsuba nodded repeatedly. "No wonder Ichika's performance was so good. Fushimi-kun was secretly giving her private lessons!"
Itsuki pursed her lips, saying nothing.
As for Ichika, while feeling a wave of sweetness in her heart, she also began secretly watching Miku.
Miku normally didn't say much, especially around boys.
But tonight, not only had she voiced her thoughts, she'd exchanged several glances with Makoto.
Could it be… Miku's not safe either?
Ichika was anxious and conflicted.
"Miku is absolutely right."
Makoto smiled in agreement, then added with a chuckle, "But your statement about how the short film's quality doesn't matter isn't entirely accurate."
Miku blinked. "Because you're all working so hard to complete it?"
"Exactly." Makoto affirmed,
"The fact that you noticed that is impressive. If you have your own thoughts in the future, you should share them just like you did today."
Miku paused. "I…"
"I understand what you're feeling—and where it comes from.
I used to go through the same thing. Like thinking my opinion wasn't good enough, so I stayed quiet and used silence as a kind of camouflage."
Makoto paused briefly, then shifted into a more encouraging tone.
"That kind of silence and retreat can be a layer of protection, but over time, it quietly snuffs out a lot of sparks that could have been inspiration."
Miku seemed to be deep in thought.
Ichika also set aside her earlier emotions and smiled gently.
"Just like Makoto said, Miku, if you have different opinions, you can always speak up. We're family, after all."
Makoto picked up the thread. "If you want to change, Miku, the first step is crucial. There's a saying in a book: Great changes often begin with small voices."
"That's a good quote," Nino said with her arms crossed, clearly touched by it.
By now, Yotsuba and Itsuki had both realized that Makoto was using this moment to encourage Miku.
They joined in to help bridge the bonds between sisters.
"My opinion... really matters?" Miku looked at Makoto, her beautiful eyes sparkling faintly.
"Of course it matters. When everyone's discussing something, not every view is going to be the same. Your opinion might be just the unique and helpful suggestion we need."
Makoto finished and slowly extended a finger. "Want me to tell you a secret, Miku?"
"What secret?"
Using "secret" as an opener never failed to capture a girl's attention.
Seeing their reactions, Makoto lowered his voice accordingly.
"Speaking up does take courage. Being afraid of rejection or being ignored is normal. But Miku, you probably don't know—most people's inner 'audience' really isn't that harsh.
We tend to overestimate how much others care about what we say, but in truth, letting someone hear your unique voice is a kind of grand echo in itself."
As he continued, even Makoto became more immersed in what he was saying.
Nino's task reward was clearly taking effect.
And as a result, he noticed that it wasn't just Miku whose eyes were glowing—Ichika and the others were watching him with just as much intensity.
"I understand now!"
Miku stood up and bowed formally to Makoto, deeply grateful.
Then, she flashed a rare, radiant smile. "Fushimi, I'll remember what you said."
Watching this, Nino thought of her own joyful moments with him and suddenly felt a rush of emotion: It's time to make a move.
Yotsuba had a more wholesome thought: If I join his club later, I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
Itsuki was thinking: A unique voice… I must be unique to him too, right? So should I be braver? But how should I do that?
The romance newbie was caught in her own dilemma.
Only Ichika stared intently at Makoto, a decision taking shape in her heart.
Yukinoshita may say she wouldn't play the fool—but her actions made it clear: she wanted to try.
The crisis had arrived. The fool of the Nakano household—could only be me.
It must be me.
So, in front of everyone, Ichika suggested, "Makoto, why don't you stay the night? Tomorrow's the weekend, so we can all go filming together."
None of the other four girls objected.
They were still caught up in the emotional "buff" from earlier.
Makoto noticed something off about Ichika's expression.
She was probably trying to challenge his weak spot.
So he decided to accept the challenge.
Ichika and Nino went together to tidy up the guest room.
When they came back and sat down, Nino immediately asked for a massage to relieve her fatigue.
She didn't hide it at all—obviously still influenced by the emotions earlier.
"I want one too," Itsuki chimed in next.
Then came Yotsuba.
Miku, legs together in her black stockings, looked ready to jump in.
She was warming up.
Ichika watched it all with a gentle smile, radiating the aura of the Nakano family's eldest daughter—gracious and tolerant.
Though Makoto could tell she was just pretending…
Under the girls' watchful eyes, Makoto started by giving Nino a proper massage.
Even though he behaved professionally and seriously, his technique was so comfortable that Nino couldn't hold back and let out a light moan in front of her sisters.
"So embarrassing," Miku boldly commented.
Nino snapped, "Then you try!"
Moments later, Miku's face was bright red, and she had to struggle to stand up from the sofa.
It really felt good.
So good it made her legs weak.
After all the girls took turns, Makoto rubbed his wrist—now his hands were full of various sweet girlish scents.
As night deepened, Makoto took a shower and lay down in the guest room.
From toiletries to the towel robe, everything had been selected by Nino.
She was always meticulous about this kind of thing.
At exactly midnight, the quiet Nakano house was disturbed by the sound of a doorknob turning.
Ichika, wearing a shirt and shorts, slipped out of her room.
She glanced at the dark living room and smirked smugly.
I'm so clever—no one would expect me to sneak into Makoto's room in the middle of the night.
But just as she closed the door, the room next to hers opened.
To her surprise, Nino emerged in pajamas, staring at her with a half-smile but saying nothing.
The air grew awkward.
Ichika took the initiative. "I was just heading to the bathroom. Want to come with me, Nino?"
"You'd better just be going to the bathroom," Nino said coldly, not hiding her suspicion at all.
Ichika kept up her usual smile. "Eh? Why do you sound like you don't trust me?"
Nino chuckled darkly. "It's not just that I don't trust you. I'll be watching you all night, Ichika."
Ichika's smile froze.
She could tell Nino was serious.
Seeing her reaction, Nino felt both angry and a little proud.
Trying to sneak around?
Did you ask full-power Nino for permission?
When she's serious, Nino could monitor all four of her sisters.
Besides, if someone was going to sneak into Makoto's room… Why couldn't it be her?
Nino's intentions were no less intense than Ichika's.
1:30 a.m.
Ichika failed her second sneak attempt.
What she didn't know was that after returning to her room, Nino had stayed up drinking coffee while browsing comments and trends from her burner account used for shipping CPs.
It's hard to get sleepy when you're fuming.
At 3 a.m., Nino's sharp ears picked up another sound.
She slowly opened her door, ready to confront Ichika again—but found her sister's room completely still.
Instead, it was Miku's door that opened!
Nino's mouth hung open as she watched Miku, eyes barely open, sleepwalk to the bathroom in a daze, then stumble right back…
And enter Makoto's room.
"…Huh?"
Nino was stunned.
There's another player?!
Was she acting—or just too sleepy to realize what she was doing?
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