Sorry, I was held captive by horsegirls..
In exchange there will be 10 chapters each for 3 days to compensate.
Enjoy~
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As soon as Yukino, dressed in a pale long dress, arrived at the set, she spotted Makoto giving acting direction to the extras, with Itsuki standing by, listening intently.
It was a strange sight.
A high schooler giving acting direction?
But Yukino knew—Makoto did know his stuff.
And he was very professional.
She recalled that phrase he often said: "I've studied it."
No need to guess—he was clearly acting this professionally because he'd immersed himself in it again.
Yukino didn't interrupt him. She stepped forward to help organize equipment. When she noticed Itsuki glance her way, she nodded back like usual.
The two got along well—they were already friends.
That's why Yukino immediately noticed that Itsuki seemed distracted.
She glanced around and realized—someone was missing.
Where was Ichika?
Did she really back down because she was afraid of me?
But considering how clingy she was with Makoto, even if she was scared, it wouldn't be enough to make her not show up at all.
Yukino's suspicion deepened.
Ichika not being here couldn't just be due to fear of her. There had to be something more.
That's what it meant to have high stats.
Among her peers, Yukino had one of the sharpest minds.
Makoto, after finishing his chat with the extras and classmates, suddenly looked in Yukino's direction.
He had already noticed her gaze lingering on him now and then.
"Are you looking for me?"
Makoto decided to make the first move.
Yukino checked the camera equipment as she casually replied, "Why didn't Ichika come today?"
"She didn't have any scenes today, and she said she wanted to take the chance to rest."
Yukino didn't respond to that right away.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Makoto asked.
Yukino turned toward him, her beautiful face completely expressionless. "I'm waiting for you to come up with a more convincing excuse."
Makoto: "I'm not making anything up. She really just wanted to rest today."
Yukino stared into his eyes for a moment, then said in surprise, "You're actually telling the truth?"
"Isn't your tone a bit rude?"
"I don't think so. You do have a bit of a record."
Yukino then tapped her chin thoughtfully. "For Ichika to stop clinging to you just to rest, doesn't that mean… something happened between you two?"
Makoto suddenly chuckled. "So you finally couldn't hold it in and had to say what you were thinking."
She'd been playing it cool this whole time—couldn't suppress it anymore, huh?
Yukino replied calmly, "Say it if you want. If not, that's fine too."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie about something like this?"
"Good point."
Makoto nodded like he agreed.
Then he glanced around. "Since not everyone's here yet, want to talk somewhere else?"
Yukino agreed surprisingly quickly.
She really did want to know the truth.
But what she said earlier was also sincere.
If you're willing to talk, I'm willing to listen.
If not, I'll investigate it myself.
Right now, Yukino considers herself very clear-headed.
In the past, she'd underestimated a certain someone's tricks one too many times—always getting caught off guard, ending up either with him grabbing her leg or holding her in his arms and kissing her.
…Not that she minded the kissing.
That inexplicable experience could even make a girl as rational and sharp as herself fall into it uncontrollably.
She even secretly looked forward to it: When will it happen again?
And whenever she realized that she was anticipating it, she would become annoyed at herself.
There's a saying—expectation is beautiful, but it can also lead to frustration.
So even though she was extremely curious about Ichika's situation, she kept up her calm exterior.
Yukino followed Makoto off to the side. Before she could say anything, he blurted out:
"Ichika confessed to me."
…Huh?
What did he just say?
Did she mishear?
Yukino was stunned for a full two seconds.
Just one second ago, she was cool and composed—now, her defenses had been pierced.
Makoto was watching her.
It was rare to see her look this stunned—totally incredulous.
Adorable, 10/10.
Two seconds later, Yukino asked in a calm voice, "You're not joking?"
Makoto: "Nope."
Yukino nodded slightly. "And then?"
"What do you mean, and then?"
"I've heard this part. Do you have anything else you want to tell me?"
Makoto teased, "You're really selling this performance."
Yukino: "..."
She finally broke character, scowling. "That's all you had to say?"
Makoto: "Depends—what else do you want to know?"
Yukino kept her cool. "Even if I ask, it's not like you'll tell me."
"I never said that," Makoto replied, feigning innocence.
Yukino gave a faint smile. "In that case, let's get back to work."
She turned to leave—but immediately felt someone grab her arm.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned back with a calm face. "You still have something to say?"
Makoto looked straight into her beautiful eyes and stayed silent.
Yukino suddenly felt nervous.
He's not going to kiss me here, is he? In front of everyone?
She tried to distract him by firing back,
"Oh right, Ichika already had a crush on you, and now she confessed. So should I congratulate you for winning over another girl?"
Makoto repeated his earlier jab. "You're really good at acting."
Yukino's temper flared—just as she was about to shoot back, he said softly:
"Nino confessed to me too."
Yukino: "???"
Wait, another one?!
Hold on… Is that why Itsuki's been acting weird today? Because both her sisters confessed to the same guy?
…Actually, that checks out.
While Yukino's mind was racing, Makoto suddenly commented, "Now your expression looks more genuine. A lot less like you're acting."
"…Should I compliment your professionalism?"
Yukino slapped his hand away in irritation, took a deep breath, and said, "You managed to provoke two girls from the Nakano family at once. Impressive."
Makoto: "You're more impressive—clearly at your limit, but still holding it together like a pro."
"If you don't know what to say, then shut up!"
"Can't do that. I'm supposed to be directing. If I shut up, who's going to run the set?"
Yukino didn't want to talk to him anymore.
Because her heart couldn't stay calm anymore. That annoying, frustrating feeling had come back again.
Was she angry?
Yeah, a little.
Jealous?
Also yes.
Yukino felt a headache coming on. In times like these, her usually unshakable self-control always took a hit.
She was mad at herself for still wavering—and jealous that the other girls moved so fast.
Just a short while ago, it seemed like none of them had a plan. But now they'd made their moves—big moves.
With all these emotions swirling inside, Yukino reluctantly realized that she was even starting to think: "I was here first."
How foolish.
She scolded herself in her mind.
Not even sure who she was mad at.
Makoto stood silently by her side, looking at her fair face, patiently waiting.
A moment later, Yukino turned around again and said with her back to him, "Let's get back to work."
Her defenses had been breached. She couldn't keep pretending to be calm.
And she didn't want him to see that she was jealous—so she turned away.
Makoto didn't stop her again.
Not only tsundere girls need pushing—girls like Yukino, who are difficult in a different way, need it just as much.
After a while, Nino and the others arrived too.
"If you want to watch up close, go on ahead," Nino said to her two sisters.
"You're not coming?" Miku asked, her eyes hiding deeper emotions.
Nino didn't notice and said casually, "I'm going to buy drinks nearby. They'll need them after shooting for a while."
Miku and Yotsuba didn't say anything more and kept walking inside.
Nino, however, stood rooted in place, dazed.
She still hadn't figured out how to face Makoto.
She had just confessed, and Ichika swooped in out of nowhere.
As she silently fumed, a pleasant voice reached her ears. "Nakano-san?"
Nino found the voice familiar.
She turned around—and the first thought that popped into her mind was: Long legs… and black stockings.
She glanced at the shopping bag in the woman's hand and quickly said, "Hello, Senpai Kasumigaoka. I'm Nakano Nino."
"Oh, hello Nino-san."
Utaha smiled warmly, relieved she had gone with the safe "Nakano-san."
She had mistaken her just now for Ichika in a wig for filming.
"You came to visit the set too, Senpai?" Nino asked in surprise.
I'm actually here to make a move.
Utaha replied calmly, "Yes. I've been meaning to come by, but I was worried I'd disturb Fushimi and the others."
Nino paused. "Then why today…"
Utaha smiled faintly. "After thinking it over, I decided it was necessary to visit. Otherwise, someone might forget he has a friend like me."
Since the person in front of her wasn't Ichika, Utaha didn't bother speaking in riddles.
But she didn't realize—Nino had quietly evolved into a rival.
Another pretty girl showing up?
That guy really is popular…
Nino was already feeling gloomy. Now, hearing Utaha say this, her mood grew even worse.
Friend?
If you're just a friend, why do you keep glancing in his direction while talking to me?
Already rattled by Ichika this morning, Nino's instincts were razor sharp. She started picking up on details others wouldn't.
Just then, she heard Utaha casually ask, "I haven't seen Ichika-san. She didn't come today?"
Nino grew even more suspicious. "Senpai, are you close with Ichika?"
"Not really. But I'm interested in her becoming an actress, so I wanted to talk to her more."
Utaha's real motive was to scope out the competition early.
But her answer confirmed Nino's suspicions.
Interested in actresses?
You're the real actress here!
If you really wanted to get to know Ichika, you had plenty of chances at the start of the semester.
Nino grumbled to herself.
The next second, she looked toward Makoto and said expressionlessly, "Senpai, I'm not sure if I should say this…"
"What is it?"
"You might be sitting at the kids' table today too."
Utaha: "???"
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