In the living room—
Ever since the bedroom door suddenly closed, Ichika found herself unable to sit still.
Yet Itsuki calmly said from the side, "It's not like Fushimi would do anything to Nino. Why are you so restless?"
Ichika pointed out the crucial detail: "But the problem is, he doesn't know it's Nino pretending to be me."
"You're overthinking because you care too much. Nino's not an idiot.
If she really felt uncomfortable, she'd speak up right away." Itsuki sighed a little, thinking Ichika was getting too carried away.
Ichika paused. "That's true."
After Itsuki pointed it out, she did feel a bit more at ease.
After all, she knew Nino and Makoto had only just met. There was no way anything would happen between them.
Looking at it that way, the door closing earlier must've just been from the wind?
Ichika reassured herself with that thought.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom—
Nino was far from calm like Ichika and Itsuki imagined.
The moment she was pinned against the door in a kabedon pose by Makoto, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Her breathing grew rapid from nerves, her ample chest heaving quickly.
She was ready to blow her cover right then!
But at that moment, Makoto smiled and said, "Ichika, you're really cute, huh?"
"Eh?"
Nino froze.
Then she realized—he was teasing her!
So this is how you two usually interact?
As she relaxed, her curiosity about Ichika and Makoto's relationship only deepened.
Mimicking Ichika's tone, she pouted, "You're being kind of mean. I almost got scared, you know?"
Was she still going to keep the act going?
Makoto had thought she would give herself away at this point. He hadn't expected her to stay so committed to the role.
Nino, seriously, I'm crying.
With a plan forming in his head, he withdrew his hand and casually said, "Didn't you say earlier that all those things were wearing you out? How's your body feeling now?"
"All those things?"
That must be what Itsuki mentioned… Ichika's secret!
Nino's eyes flickered. "I'm feeling fine now. Thanks for asking."
"Fine? Didn't you say yesterday that your muscles were sore?" Makoto asked with a puzzled look.
Crap.
Something outside the script had come up.
Nino had no idea Makoto was bluffing. She thought Ichika really had said that, so she quickly adjusted her answer:
"What I meant was, I've been paying extra attention to rest these past few days. I'm feeling much better now."
"I knew you'd be stubborn about it. Whatever. Go lie down on the bed first—I'll give you a massage."
"…What? On the bed?"
Nino was stunned.
Ichika, your relationship with him… are you already close enough to just hop into bed with him?
Makoto smiled teasingly.
"What are you thinking? I'm just talking about giving you a massage to help with muscle soreness. I've actually studied this a bit."
"R-Really?"
Nino hesitated.
Maybe I should just blow my cover after all?
Going to bed for a massage—just hearing that made her feel shy.
Then Makoto said, "It's perfect timing, with Nino and Itsuki out there looking over the plan. We can talk privately about your situation.
Honestly, I still think you need to manage your time better. Otherwise, you'll just keep napping during the day, and your studies will suffer even more."
Hearing that, Nino finally made up her mind. This was the perfect chance—not only to investigate their relationship but also to uncover Ichika's secret.
"You're right. I really should pay more attention to that."
Blushing, Nino walked over to the bed.
It's fine. Just a normal massage. He looks completely serious—he won't try anything inappropriate.
She comforted herself as she bit her lip, closed her eyes, and lay down on the bed.
The motion wasn't subtle. Her skirt swayed with her movement, revealing smooth, white thighs.
Fortunately, she noticed it right away and quickly pulled her skirt down, acting like nothing had happened.
She changed the topic: "How come I never knew you could give massages?"
"Well, I used to have a lot of free time, so I picked up some random skills. There's a saying—'you can never have too many skills.'" Makoto was actually telling the truth this time.
My instincts were right—he just seriously wants to help Ichika relax.
Nino relaxed a lot.
"I'm going to start now," said Makoto.
Nino quickly added, "Sure, but I think just getting a massage is kind of boring. Chat with me while you're at it."
"What do you want to talk about?"
Nino pretended to be casual: "Anything's fine... Oh right, I kind of want to talk about those things.
After all, you're my only male friend, and I'm happy to share the things I've seen and experienced elsewhere with you."
After saying that, she praised herself in her heart—what a genius she was to find a conversation hook so quickly.
But Makoto was thinking: No wonder she hasn't come clean yet. She's trying to dig for information.
He smiled and said, "That's fine. I've been curious about how you've been getting along with the elders over there. If there's anything troubling you, don't bottle it up—talk to someone."
Elders?
Where exactly does Ichika go after school?
Nino fell into thought.
But the next moment, she couldn't think anymore—
Because Makoto began the massage.
A very proper, professional massage.
Makoto had practiced massage techniques during his time loop experiences and had long since reached professional level.
As he seriously massaged Nino's back, even through her clothes, the girl could still feel the warmth of his hands.
More importantly, the pressure was just right—it felt really good.
It felt so good she trembled slightly, and even felt like letting out a soft moan.
"How's the pressure?" Makoto asked deliberately.
"V-very nice."
Nino unconsciously closed her eyes, her entire body and mind relaxing.
All the fatigue from daily life and school seemed to melt away at that moment.
Her tense muscles softened. That dreamy, tingling sensation quickly spread throughout her whole body, amplifying with each passing second.
Her legs instinctively pressed together, her lashes quivered, and waves of pleasure and comfort flooded her mind.
In the end, she couldn't hold back—her lips parted slightly, and a soft, cat-like hum escaped her mouth.
So comfortable…
Is this how well Ichika has it all the time?
No, from the way he talked earlier, Ichika probably hadn't experienced this before either.
So I'm the first one to feel this comfortable?
Lying on the bed in bliss, Nino thought proudly, Looks like I've scored big today.
As for gathering intel? She had completely forgotten about that.
Meanwhile, hearing her happy little hums, Makoto knew it was time to strike.
So he said gently, "Nino."
"Huh… mm? Mm!"
Nino suddenly opened her eyes and looked back.
She almost thought she misheard.
But Makoto still wore that gentle expression: "Just as I suspected. You're Nino, not Ichika."
Nino froze.
Her fair face instantly turned red.
Shame, awkwardness, and the anxiety of being exposed rushed in, making her instinctively want to run.
But Makoto had already anticipated this.
He pressed a hand gently against her back and said, "Don't feel embarrassed. I figured it out. This was probably Ichika's idea for a prank, right?"
"Yes, it was Ichika!" Nino nodded without thinking.
At that moment, all she could think was: Since he already knows, I might as well sell Ichika out and save myself the embarrassment.
Makoto continued, "I thought so. Ichika mentioned you to me before. She said you're the one who always worries about everyone at home, always caring for others—you're the most reliable one."
Nino stopped trying to get up. Blushing, she lay back down, and though she tried to maintain a tsundere tone, she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
"At least she knows how great I am. Seriously, she's always pranking me at home."
Makoto chuckled. "That explains your tense muscles—probably all that worrying and work you've been doing for everyone else."
"Is that so?"
Nino thought about it and found it made sense.
"So for now, just relax. Don't move. I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm really good at this."
"I can tell. You're definitely skilled."
Nino closed her eyes in satisfaction.
He's right. I work so hard for everyone—cooking, cleaning… What's wrong with taking a little time for myself?
Seeing that the timing was right, Makoto dropped a bombshell:
"What do you think will happen if we walk out and you pretend you haven't been exposed? What kind of reaction will Ichika have?"
Nino's eyes lit up: "She'll be dying of curiosity, probably freaking out inside, but she won't be able to ask directly because she's still pretending to be me."
He really knows how to talk… No wonder Ichika gets along with him so well.
The balance in Nino's heart began to shift.
She lifted herself slightly and looked back with a cheerful smile. "Are you planning to help me prank Ichika?"
"If you want, I'll play along," Makoto replied.
Then he changed the subject: "Next, I'm going to massage your legs."
Nino blinked, a little shy. "Legs too?"
I'm not even wearing thigh-highs. If he touches my legs directly, won't that feel kind of weird?
Makoto remained patient. "If you're not comfortable with it, that's fine."
Hearing that, Nino hesitated for a moment but decided to go ahead and enjoy it.
It's not like he has bad intentions. And he really does give amazing massages!
Seriously, they feel so good.
A trustworthy boy really is completely different from a female friend.
Ichika can't monopolize a friend like Makoto.
With a bit of mischief in her heart, Nino lay back down and said cutely, "I don't really need a massage, but since you're such a pro… I'll leave it to you."
And right at that moment, the system interface popped up.
[New mission triggered: Nakano Nino has come to trust you. She really likes you as a friend.
However, as a grown man, forming a friendship with a beautiful girl is no easy feat.
Your mission: In front of both her and her father, tell him, 'You can rest assured and entrust Nino to me.']
[Note: This mission is only considered complete if you obtain verbal approval from Nakano Maruo.]
[Mission Reward: A gift from Nino.]
As expected, after the beginner missions, everything got harder.
And now, to trigger future missions, the target either had to care about him deeply or have intense interest in him.
Which meant… maybe even Nino herself hadn't realized it, but she was already starting to make a move.
Makoto recalled his previous encounter with Nakano Maruo and had a general idea of how to proceed.
At the same time, his hands landed on Nino's lovely legs, and the girl's body tensed instantly.
"Please relax," he reminded her.
Nino gave a soft "mm" in response.
So embarrassing… but so comfortable.
And a little ticklish too.
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Looks like out of the 5, Nino and Ichika will be the focus here, just like that recent "cultured" fan manga.
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Check out the other translations too
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