Chapter 41 - Bento Nino

"Sorry, I was checking if you were Miku."

Miku tilted her head and looked up: "Did you do something bad and feel guilty?"

Itsuki once mentioned that Haruto came to visit but left suddenly for unknown reasons.

At that time, Itsuki had gone upstairs to change clothes, which took a while because her underwear got stuck. She was in the bedroom, and only Nino was in the living room.

Since that day, Nino's behavior has been very strange, and she refused to tell them why.

So, it must be related to Haruto, right?

Miku stared at her without blinking, but unfortunately, her expression remained calm, revealing nothing.

"Miku, please don't slander me."

Haruto said seriously: "If I wanted to do something bad, I wouldn't have carried you back that day. Instead, I would have taken you to the park."

That day, Miku had run into the neighborhood for unknown reasons and ended up getting lost. Later, she sprained her ankle, so Haruto brought her back.

"Reckless!"

Miku clearly also remembered what happened that day, and her cheeks had a charming pink hue.

She lifted her hair from her ears and turned away, her eyes filled with embarrassment.

That day, he had said she was the best in the world, that he had fallen in love at first sight and liked her.

The two had only known each other for a short time, but to say something like that to a girl, no matter how much Miku thought about it, she could never agree!

"Miku."

Nino's voice came through, and when she saw Haruto, she unconsciously bit her lip, and her face grew slightly warm.

The person who dried her hair and massaged her that day wasn't Itsuki or any of the other sisters, so there was only one possibility left.

At that time, she only had one bath towel.

Just thinking about Haruto standing behind her, carelessly looking at her body while massaging her shoulders, made Nino so embarrassed that she wanted to explode on the spot.

And she even said something about asking him for another massage next time.

Haruto felt a little guilty and greeted: "Nino, good day, do you want to go to the cafeteria together?"

Nino took a deep breath, with a soft and beautiful smile on her face, and her eyes curved: "Okay, let's go together then..."

Haruto: "😐"

Even though Nino had a sweet and very charming smile, for some reason, it always felt a little dangerous.

Maybe because girls with squinty eyes are very scary?

Not wanting to offend her.

This time, Nino pulled out a bento from behind and handed it over: "Kuromori, this is the gift Ichika mentioned for you last time."

Haruto looked at her in surprise, not expecting Nino to actually give him a lunchbox.

When a girl gives a bento to a boy, it usually signifies an expression of feelings. Therefore, such a bento is often referred to as a "love bento."

Miku frowned slightly and asked suspiciously: "Nino, when did you make a bento?"

Nino glanced at Haruto, turned away, and casually said: "When I was making breakfast in the morning, I happened to have some extra time, so I made an extra lunch."

The bento was just a small matter, but the main purpose was to dull the other side's senses and then find an opportunity to get back at him for her embarrassment!

Nino urged: "Hurry and take it, or someone might misunderstand if they see it. We Nakano sisters always keep our promises. If we promise to give you a gift, we will definitely give it to you."

'As expected, I was overthinking it.'

Haruto thought for a moment, took the bento, and said, "I'll accept it."

Since it was a reward, it was nothing. Isn't it natural for the winner to receive the spoils of victory?

Seeing him accept the bento, Nino felt relieved.

Honestly, it was the first time she had given a bento to a boy, and even though it was intentional, it still made her nervous and uneasy.

"That's it."

Nino's cheeks were slightly warm. She turned around, her waist-length hair swaying, and the two black swallowtail butterflies at her temples spread their wings, carrying the fragrant scent of shampoo.

"Hurry to the cafeteria, or we won't have enough time."

After saying that, Nino quickened her pace.

Miku looked at the bento in Haruto's hand, then at Nino, who was about to leave, and suddenly felt uneasy.

As quintuplets, they naturally talked about a lot of things in their daily lives.

On regular days, Nino only occasionally made breakfast, because preparing breakfast for the quintuplets wasn't easy and took a lot of time, so it was naturally impossible to prepare lunch as well. She had often said before that her first bento should be given to the boy she liked.

Therefore, giving a bento to a boy was very significant for Nino.

However, Nino gave the first bento she made to Haruto.

Even if she said it was just a reward promised last time, it still made her very concerned.

❀❀❀

Cafeteria.

Haruto did not choose to sit with the Nakano quintuplets. It's fine to deal with one of them, and they started chatting...

Headache.

As for the envious and jealous gazes of others, he didn't care.

Just watch, because he wouldn't lose a piece of meat. As for secret bullying and isolation... Sorry, he's a loner, so he doesn't care at all.

Haruto found an empty table and sat down, opening the bento with a bit of surprise on his face.

How should he put it?

Although Yotsuba said that Nino's cooking skills were good, honestly, Haruto had serious doubts.

But the bento that Nino gave was excellent in both appearance and nutritional balance.

Of course, in cooking, taste is the most important thing.

Haruto picked up a piece of fried shrimp and put it in his mouth, his eyes lighting up slightly.

"It tastes good."

He sincerely praised it, and his impression of Nino changed slightly.

If someone wants to cook delicious food, it's not an easy task. Besides requiring talent, it also takes a lot of hard work and time.

It was clear that Nino put in the effort every day.

Haruto lifted his head and looked at the five idiots from the Nakano family. At this moment, Nino turned and looked at him.

Those who work hard deserve encouragement.

Haruto gave a thumbs-up, and Nino understood what he meant: "Nino, the food is delicious!"

'Hmph! Don't think that just because you praise me, I'll let it go! We're not done yet!'

Nino's cheeks warmed slightly, and she quietly looked away. Even though she didn't want to admit it, the feeling of being acknowledged wasn't bad.

The proof was that her lips slightly curled up.

This time, Ichika took a sip of her drink and said, "By the way, I heard from Dad that he found us a new tutor."