Nino looked at Yotsuba again: "Yotsuba, didn't you say the basketball club still has practice today?"
"Huh? But I told you earlier."
Nino took out her phone and casually said, "This year might be the seniors' last competition. They've been training so hard just to get a good ranking. If they fail... they'll regret it for the rest of their lives, right?"
Yotsuba's eyes widened, and she suddenly stood up, bowing repeatedly with tears streaming down: "I'm sorry, sensei, I really can't relax, I'm sorry…"
Haruto lifted his eyes and glanced at Nino.
Nino stared back, showing no signs of weakness, with a slight smirk on her lips, radiating a proud expression.
Nino cleared her throat and looked at Miku: "Miku, you drank my drink yesterday."
Miku looked up at Nino and said, "Yotsuba bought it for you this morning."
Nino crossed her arms and said, "No, Yotsuba is Yotsuba, and you are you."
Miku puffed her cheeks and stood up with displeasure: "I'll go buy it now."
There was still Itsuki. Nino looked at Itsuki, who was eating cake, staring back wide-eyed.
Forget it.
That's enough for now.
Nino glanced at Haruto, her lips curling up in a slightly devilish smile: "You're really unlucky, Kuromori."
Haruto glanced back at Nino: "It's all good now; I still got paid, and my job is way easier. By the way, I should thank you, Nino."
Nino's smile froze.
Haruto took a biscuit and popped it into his mouth: "Also, the biscuits were delicious. Thanks for the treat."
Nino couldn't help but grit her teeth.
Haruto continued: "Nino's presence here will affect Itsuki. I suggest you head back upstairs."
Nino bared her small fangs and retorted loudly: "What if I don't go back?"
Haruto thought for a moment and said, "I remember, on the train that day…"
"Y-You can't say that!" Nino rushed forward.
Haruto didn't expect such a strong reaction from Nino. Before he realized it, she had tackled him to the ground.
Their eyes met.
Nino's heart pounded in embarrassment, but she remained crouched, her waist-length hair brushing Haruto's face, carrying a strong scent of shampoo.
Fighting her embarrassment, Nino gritted her teeth and glared at him, lowering her voice as she said, "You rotten Kuromori, you promised me you wouldn't say anything about that!"
Yet, her words clearly had a tremor in them!
Haruto's expression remained calm as he said, "I understand, now get up."
How does it feel to have a pretty girl sitting on your stomach?
He was experiencing it for the first time.
In one word—fragrant and soft.
With his physique, naturally, he didn't feel heavy or uncomfortable, but rather, quite comfortable!
Too bad it was troublesome Nino.
Nino wanted to get up, but after hearing those words, she suddenly felt displeased again.
"You really don't like me?"
"I don't."
"You clearly do."
"Yes, yes, Nino's right."
"You're really admitting it?"
"..."
The corner of Haruto's mouth twitched, and he said expressionlessly: "Stop talking, or I'll make you feel it right now!"
With that, he immediately reached out and wrapped his arms around Nino's waist, quickly closing the distance between them.
Their breaths intertwined, and their eyes locked.
Nino's pupils gradually widened, and in the next moment, she suddenly shut her eyes.
'Huh? How unfair! Why did you close your eyes all of a sudden? Get up! You're making this difficult for me to handle!'
Haruto felt awkward. He thought scaring Nino like this would make her run away immediately, leaving him in peace.
But Nino was actually pretending to be an ostrich?
The right thing to do now would be to get up immediately, not close your eyes and shiver!
Haruto thought for a moment and reminded her: "Did I kiss you?"
"..."
Upon hearing those words, Nino suddenly snapped out of it and somehow found the strength to stand up.
Blushing and furious, she shot a sharp look at Haruto, then ran upstairs as if fleeing.
Itsuki looked up and curiously asked: "Kuromori-kun, what's wrong with Nino?"
"She must be sleepy."
Haruto sat down with a calm expression, showing no sign of guilt.
He couldn't help it; he was just thick-skinned.
"I see…"
Itsuki's eyes sparkled a little. She moved to sit next to Haruto, turned, and looked up, her eyes gleaming.
"Kuromori-kun, I don't know this question."
"Let me take a look…"
Itsuki was very serious, and of course, Haruto didn't intend to slack off, so he began teaching her carefully.
Ten minutes later, Miku returned with the drinks.
Due to Haruto's threat, Miku couldn't escape and had no choice but to study with them.
Time passed.
Itsuki fidgeted, then unconsciously touched her stomach, and the ahoge on her head drooped quickly.
She looked at Haruto eagerly: "Kuromori-kun, are you hungry?"
Haruto checked the time: "It's almost 11 AM, almost time. Let's take a break after lunch and continue in the afternoon!"
Itsuki nodded quickly: "Kuromori-kun, please stay for lunch today. Nino's cooking skills are amazing."
Speaking of Nino, she came out of her room. Haruto looked up, and Nino happened to look back at him.
Nino suddenly averted her eyes but quickly looked back at Haruto again with a fierce gaze.
Haruto coughed and declined: "No, I'll head back and return at 3 PM."
Itsuki shook her head and said: "It's hard to walk around. Kuromori-kun, have lunch here. Miku and Nino, what do you think?"
Miku glanced at Haruto and softly said: "I don't mind."
Seeing Itsuki looking at her, Nino walked downstairs, glanced at Haruto, flicked her hair as if nothing had happened, and said: "Since Itsuki said so, you can stay. It's just cooking a bit more."
'Are you the real Nino? Or are you planning to add something to the food?'
Haruto glanced at her in surprise, but unfortunately, Nino just looked at him and then walked into the kitchen, leaving him unable to see her expression.
He thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, I'll stay."
Since Itsuki had invited him, and both Nino and Miku agreed, he had no reason to refuse.
"Poke—"
Haruto looked at Miku, who pointed upstairs, then stepped up.
'Does this mean you want me to go up?'