Draconis found himself face-to-face with the bearded man, tension flickering across his features. Was he being mistaken for a creep hassling Ichika? This guy was clearly trying to protect her—and judging by the vibe, their relationship wasn't exactly ordinary.
Before Draconis could say a word, Ichika slapped the man's shoulder. "Hey! Someone's messing with your car window!"
"What!?" The man spun around instantly. Seizing the moment, Ichika grabbed Draconis's hand and bolted.
"Uh… Ichika?" Draconis barely managed to keep up, confusion swirling in his mind.
"Don't ask, just run," Ichika called back, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
He let the questions go for now, following her into a narrow alley.
Back at the car, the bearded man checked his windows, scratched his head, and returned—only to find Ichika and Draconis had vanished. He stood there, dumbfounded, turning in circles as the crowd surged past.
In the alley, Ichika pressed Draconis against the wall. With a sharp slap, she planted her palm beside his head—a classic kabedon.
Draconis stared, deadpan. What was this supposed to be?
He kept his cool, meeting Ichika's gaze as she locked eyes with him. After a long silence, she finally smiled, a hint of sadness flickering beneath the bravado.
"Can you keep what just happened a secret?" Her voice dropped, heavy with regret. "I can't watch the fireworks with them tonight."
Draconis tilted his head, maintaining eye contact. "You know they all want the five of you together."
"Of course I know." Ichika's smile was bittersweet. She wanted it just as much.
"It's just… work came up. I can't join them."
"Work?" Draconis's mind clicked into place. "So that guy's your colleague?"
She chuckled. "Pretty much."
"And the others don't know?"
Ichika flushed. "I was hoping to make a name for myself before telling them…"
"Are you sure it's fine, missing out on the fireworks together? It's your memory with your mom, right? You've always watched them together."
His words stopped her cold.
"How do you know about that…?"
"Miku told me."
"That kid even told you that, huh…" Ichika laughed softly. "Anyway, we're quintuplets. All look the same. If I'm missing, it's not a big deal, right?"
Draconis raised an eyebrow. "Would you dare say that to their faces?"
Ichika fell silent, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "You're ruthless."
She glanced away, then asked, "Why do you care, Draconis? What's it to you?"
He shrugged, voice calm. "Maybe I just don't want to miss my chance to show off my mature charm."
She shot him a look. "You really have no shame."
Just then, Ichika spotted the bearded man searching near the alley entrance. Her face paled.
"Oh no, he's coming this way… If he catches me, I'll get chewed out for ditching him…"
On impulse, she wrapped her arms around Draconis's waist and spun herself behind him, using his body as a shield. Anyone glancing in would see a couple locked in a lover's embrace.
Draconis sighed. "This wasn't in the job description. That's extra."
"Oh, come on!" Ichika whispered urgently. "Help me out, or I'm toast!"
With a resigned shrug, Draconis put his arms around her, his broad shoulders easily hiding her figure. With so many people in yukata at the festival, there was little risk of being recognized.
Ichika pressed close, her entire body fitting snugly in his arms. Draconis couldn't help but notice the softness beneath her yukata—she was more developed than he'd realized.
"If someone saw us right now, would they think we're a couple?" Ichika murmured, cheeks tinged pink.
"No doubt about it. They'd definitely think so."
Draconis's tone was flat, eyes flicking to the alley entrance where the bearded man had sat down, apparently settling in for a stakeout.
"Ahaha… We're just friends, but it feels like we're sneaking around doing something naughty," Ichika said, her face growing even redder.
The sound of fireworks exploded outside, and for ten seconds, neither spoke.
"You're not really worried about getting scolded," Draconis said quietly.
"Huh?"
"You're torn about leaving. You want to be with everyone, watching the fireworks together, don't you?"
His words hung in the air, soft and close. Ichika's breath caught.
She managed a half-smile, bittersweet. "You can see through everything, huh…"
"What do you expect?" Draconis replied smoothly. "I am a demon."
Ichika laughed quietly, a hint of awe in her voice. "You're scary, Draconis."
He shrugged. "You're just easy to read. I bet you don't want to give up this job, either."
She fell silent, then whispered, "I love this work. That guy's a photographer—we brainstorm how to capture better shots, make better art. It's the happiest I've ever been."
"I get it."
For Ichika, watching fireworks with her sisters was precious—a memory of their mother. But her work mattered, too. No wonder she was torn.
She wanted to chase her dreams, but didn't know how to explain it to her sisters.
Draconis saw her struggle.
"People say not to waste your life on things you'll regret. But some choices are never easy."
He paused, voice steady. "Nothing in life is perfectly balanced. Sooner or later, something has to give. But I think, as quintuplets, you'll always understand each other—no matter what you choose."
—
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