When Shirase returned to the living room, Nino told him that Kojima Kana had just left.
Nakano Miku had also taken a few cookies back to her room, and the other two sisters were busy battling it out on the balcony, leaving the living room unexpectedly quiet.
"She left without even saying goodbye to me? That's odd," Shirase muttered in confusion.
Nino's eyes flickered slightly, turning her head away, voice muffled. "Maybe something urgent came up? After all, Kana-nee is different from us; she's already an adult."
Shirase gave her a strange look. "Why are you suddenly using that line too? You know that's her catchphrase, right?"
"Because Kana-nee really is an adult."
Seemingly reluctant to discuss this further, Nino abruptly changed the subject, walking toward her bedroom. "Come with me, I need to ask you something."
Shirase obediently followed.
It wasn't his first time in Nino's room, though their last encounter here had been awkward. On that occasion, the girl had just finished showering, and he'd been tricked inside by Ichika, nearly causing Nino to greet him in a state of total honesty.
Since that incident, Nino frequently declared, "I'm currently in the 'I hate you' phase," citing as her reason: You're way too perverted, Shirase.
Of course, Shirase had his own theory.
After all, he was a top student who understood Newton's law of universal gravitation—the greater the mass, the stronger the mutual attraction.
By that logic, since Nakano Nino was clearly a girl of extremely high quality, it made sense that she attracted him so intensely.
Nino sat down on the edge of her bed, crossing her arms. Unlike usual, today her slender legs weren't clad in thigh-highs. Instead, they hung freely, gently outlining enticing curves against the bed's edge.
Shirase took a seat politely on a stool facing her. "So, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?"
"Itsuki," Nino stated bluntly.
Shirase froze momentarily, then couldn't help but laugh. "Don't tell me you think I have feelings for Itsuki?"
"Who knows about something like that?" Nino narrowed her beautiful eyes, deliberately adopting an interrogative expression as she studied Shirase closely.
Shirase responded calmly, without hesitation. "You should already know best what my true feelings are."
"But Itsuki looks exactly like me," Nino pointed out sharply. "Besides, when Yotsuba and the others were fooling around earlier, I clearly noticed you sneaking glances at Itsuki's tummy. You definitely seemed interested."
"You caught that?" Shirase's eyes widened in exaggerated surprise.
The girl's lips curled into a teasing smirk. "So, you admit it?"
"No—I was just curious."
"Curious? Isn't that the same thing as being interested?"
"Not exactly. After all, I've seen your waist—I know how slender and petite it is. Kana-nee's waist is similar, so naturally, I was curious what Itsuki's slightly plump belly was like."
"Honestly, Shirase, you're way too perverted. How can you say something so embarrassing with a straight face? How am I even supposed to judge you now?" Nino's cheeks flushed attractively, though her playful yet aggressive smile never diminished.
As if ignoring her words, Shirase lowered his eyes, staring openly at her delicate, pale feet resting lightly atop her slippers.
His gaze was so direct and undisguised that Nino involuntarily curled her toes shyly. But the thought of backing down embarrassed her further, so she feigned nonchalance, asking coolly, "What exactly are you staring at?"
"Why aren't you wearing your thigh-high stockings today?" Shirase asked in return.
Nino huffed softly. "It's my own business how I dress."
"But I prefer you in thigh-highs. Your legs already have such lovely curves—stockings would enhance them even more."
"…Do you even realize what you're saying right now?"
"What? I don't see anything wrong with it."
"…"
Nino bit her lip lightly, the aggression in her eyes slowly diminishing.
This guy really is a pervert!
The books hadn't lied—boys at this age truly were obsessed with girls' bodies.
Her heart was pounding uncontrollably, and noticing Shirase's eyes still fixed on her feet, she impulsively threw him a provocative smile, challenging, "What, you wanna lick them?"
Shirase's voice faltered, uncertain: "Is licking allowed?"
"What do you think?"
"We can discuss this later," Shirase waved dismissively. "Actually, what I'd rather see is you wearing stockings and high heels, and then…"
"And then?" Nino prompted subconsciously.
"Stepping on me." Shirase pointed at himself.
A sudden silence fell over the room.
Five long seconds passed before Nino finally erupted, her flushed face burning hotter as she yelled, "How can you say something so disgusting?!"
Shirase grinned widely. "But you said it first."
"When did I say that?!"
"You literally invited me to lick your feet."
"I was just joking!"
"What a coincidence, so was I."
Nino froze in place, utterly speechless.
She finally understood—this guy had purposely reversed her teasing on her.
No, wait. He really was interested in her legs.
If she actually put on black stockings and high heels, maybe he truly would beg her to step on him.
Imagining this, Nino's face turned even more crimson, and shockingly, deep inside she felt strangely tempted…
While lost in thought, Nino suddenly noticed from the corner of her eye that Shirase had risen and was heading toward the foot of her bed.
She watched curiously, growing instantly tense when she saw him pick up the pair of thigh-high socks she'd left there. "W-what are you doing?"
Lifting the white stockings slightly, Shirase said calmly, "I was worried your feet might get cold, so I thought I'd help you put them on."
Blushing furiously, Nino tried to mask her embarrassment with bravado. "Seems like you've finally given in to your perverted urges, haven't you?"
Returning to his seat, Shirase leaned forward slightly. "Well then, will you let me help you put these on?"
Nino blinked slowly, her eyes misty with shyness, before feigning indifference and replying, "Since you're asking so earnestly, I suppose I can reluctantly allow it—just this once."
No sooner had she lifted her right leg than Shirase gently took hold of her small, soft foot.
At his touch, Nino's entire body trembled slightly, muscles tensing involuntarily. Her long lashes fluttered upward, quivering, eyes sparkling with delicate moisture, making her appear surprisingly alluring in that instant.
Holding her dainty foot, Shirase asked quietly, "Why did you specifically ask me about Itsuki today?"
"You can guess," Nino insisted stubbornly.
"We're not children anymore—why bother with guessing games?" Shirase chuckled softly, tightening his grip on her foot ever so slightly.
He had already raised the stocking in his other hand.
Just this small gesture alone was enough to deepen the blush on the girl's cheeks, leaving her utterly charming and vulnerable before him.