Both Rito and Itsuki had fallen into a surprisingly smooth rhythm of conversation, trading bits about studying and favorite foods from the cafeteria and even laughing quietly when Itsuki scolded the sloppy way he scribbled notes on his cards. For a while, it felt strangely normal—almost comfortable.
Then, a shadow fell across the table.
"Having fun, Itsuki?"
The voice was playful, carrying a warmth that matched the bright smile on the girl's face. Rito's eyes flicked up—and his chopsticks nearly slipped from his hand.
Another girl. Same uniform. Same delicate facial features. Yet her hair was longer and styled differently, and her expression carried a calm, almost motherly air that contrasted sharply with Itsuki's more serious demeanor.
Nakano Ichika. The eldest sister.
Rito froze. His heart skipped as the realization slammed into him: seeing two of them together, in the flesh, was far more overwhelming than just remembering the anime. They looked distinct—hair, mannerisms, presence—but deep down, that uncanny resemblance was undeniable.
Without thinking, the words slipped from his lips.
"You two… look like twins…"
Both sisters blinked, taken aback by the remark. Itsuki straightened, her cheeks tinged faintly pink as she fumbled to respond. "W-We're not… I mean—"
Ichika tilted her head, amusement glittering in her eyes. "Twins, huh? That's a new one. Usually, people just say we're sisters."
Rito quickly waved his hands, flustered. "Ah, no—I didn't mean it in a bad way! It's just… you look so alike, but at the same time… so different."
The two sisters exchanged a glance, silent but telling. Surprise lingered in their expressions—like his words had struck deeper than he intended.
For Rito, though, his heart was still racing.
Ichika smiled knowingly, resting her hand on Itsuki's shoulder. "Well, he's observant, I'll give him that."
Itsuki huffed, but there was a faint glimmer of curiosity in her eyes when she looked back at Rito—almost as if she were seeing him in a new light.
The cafeteria was already lively, but to Rito it felt like the noise had faded into a hum. Ichika's gentle teasing still lingered in the air, Itsuki sat across with a faint pout, and then—
Another voice broke in.
"It's noisy here, Itsuki."
Rito turned, his eyes widening as yet another girl stepped into view. Shorter hair, sharper eyes, and a calmer expression, she carried herself with a composed air that felt almost distant. Behind her, two more walked in—one with a playful spring in her step, twirling a strand of hair as if the whole world amused her, the other with braids and a stack of books hugged to her chest.
Five.
Five faces. Five auras. Five presences.
And yet—each one undeniably similar, their resemblance so strong it tugged at Rito's sanity.
Ichika chuckled, her voice lilting as she gestured toward them with an almost theatrical flourish. "Well, since you've already guessed right, let me make it clear. These are my sisters."
"Yotsuba, Nino, and Miku," Itsuki added, her tone reluctant but carrying a trace of pride.
The newcomers gave their own greetings—one cheerful, one sharp, and one shy. To anyone else, it would be obvious they were five very different girls, each with a unique shine. But to Rito's eyes, it was overwhelming.
His mouth twitched as he tried to smile, his hand gripping his chopsticks tighter. 'They… really do look alike. Different hair, different moods… but it's like watching five mirrors shift their reflections.'
He forced a laugh, awkward and thin. "This is… uh… quite something."
Ichika tilted her head, amused at his expression. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Rito's gaze darted between them, then back to his plate, muttering under his breath, "No… more like five…"
For the first time since waking up with his memories, he truly felt like he had stepped into an 'anime scene come alive' in the truest sense.
As Rito sat there, surrounded by the five identical-yet-different sisters, his head spun. His reincarnated self could hardly process the scene—it was one thing to know about them, another to see them laugh, pout, and scold one another in real time.
And then—
A faint chime echoed in his head, unseen and unheard by anyone else.
[Hidden Quest Activated!]
Leave an Impression on the Female Leads of Other Stories.
Reward: Unique Skill—Identification
Rito stiffened, chopsticks frozen halfway to his mouth. His eyes flickered down instinctively, and sure enough, a translucent blue screen shimmered just at the edge of his vision.
Identification?
The skill icon pulsed once before fading into his skill list. He willed it open, heart pounding.
Identification (Lv 1 | 0/10)
Allows the user to discern hidden traits, emotions, or qualities of the target.
Accuracy is limited by skill level.
His breath caught. This wasn't just an ordinary skill like "Cooking" or "High School Studies." This was something sharper, something that could pierce through façades.
As if testing it, he let his eyes drift toward the sisters. For just a brief second, faint ripples shimmered over their forms, and small phrases flickered into existence:
Ichika Nakano (Eldest | Calm façade, playful core)
Nino Nakano (Strong-willed | Guarded heart)
Miku Nakano (Reserved | Romantic dreamer)
Yotsuba Nakano (Cheerful | Selfless hidden burden)
Itsuki Nakano (Diligent | Insecure beneath pride)
Rito's chest tightened. It wasn't just names—it was glimpses of who they really were, fragments that most people wouldn't notice.
He quickly dismissed the screen before anyone could notice his dazed look.
So this is the power… The system really wants me to interact with them. To connect.
His chopsticks trembled slightly as he forced another bite of soba, trying to keep his expression natural while Ichika continued to tease and Itsuki scolded.