Haruto suspected he was hearing things.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Nino, could you say that again?"
Was Nino speaking in a sweet and playful tone?
Haruto looked at his arm and saw goosebumps.
But this didn't mean he felt uncomfortable. On the contrary!
It sounded wonderful.
It was so pleasant to hear.
Moreover, the one speaking to him this way wasn't Miku or Yotsuba, but the fiery Nino!
He wanted to hear it again.
Haruto continued, "Nino, say it again and I'll tell you where we are."
"No way."
Nino's cheeks felt hot, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Tell me where you are."
Haruto refused, thinking for a moment, then said, "No, Nino's voice just now was too good. I want to hear it again. If you don't, I won't tell you."
"You..."
Hearing his threat, Nino bit her lip hard. She knew that if it was Haruto, he would probably do it.
But… thinking of the photo she had just seen, Nino felt frustrated.
Haruto was clearly just a reckless guy who took every chance to tease girls and lacked any sense of decency.
Yet… somehow, Nino couldn't help but like him.
Even though she knew Miku liked him, she couldn't stop herself, couldn't control her feelings.
"Kuromori~"
Haruto fell silent when he heard Nino's sweet, touching voice.
Was this Nino actually being playful? Had she taken the wrong medicine?
Haruto suddenly doubted whether the person talking to him was really Nino.
With Nino's character, would she really call him with such a tone?
It wasn't logical!
Feeling a strange tingling in his heart, Haruto thought for a moment and said, "Nino, please be even more intimate."
Nino's cheeks flushed, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Pervert Kuromori, just you wait!"
She hung up the phone in embarrassment and anger, then took a deep breath. After her cheeks cooled down, she walked back.
Yotsuba looked at her curiously, "Nino, how did it go?"
Just as Nino was about to speak, she suddenly felt her phone vibrate. She took it out and saw a message from Haruto: "We're treasure hunting on a sunken ship. If you want to come, hurry up."
'Don't think I'll let you off. You really made me act all flirty with you twice.'
Even though she thought that, Nino couldn't help but smile a little. She turned aside, fixed her hair, and pretended to be calm: "I asked them, they're treasure hunting on a sunken ship. Let's go quickly."
"Treasure hunting on a sunken ship?"
Itsuki pointed to the left, "Is it over there? It's not far from here."
"Huh?"
The sisters exchanged glances, and Nino fell silent.
Because the treasure hunt on the sunken ship was less than a hundred meters from them!
Itsuki: "🤨"
For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that Nino's smile seemed forced now!
In fact, while Haruto and the others were away, it was easy for them to be found.
The treasure hunt was actually not far ahead!
Miku looked at Nino, who was slowly walking behind them, "Nino, what's wrong? Did you twist your ankle?"
"I accidentally twisted it earlier."
In truth, her ankle wasn't twisted at all; she was just embarrassed.
Nino hadn't realized it yet, but now, every time she thought about meeting Haruto, she wanted to turn and walk away.
It was so embarrassing!
What had she just done?
Nino sighed and forced herself to stay calm.
'Mom said you have to fight for your own happiness!' she thought, comforting herself.
At that moment, Yotsuba's surprised voice rang out: "I see Ichika, and Kuromori-san."
At this point, Haruto and the others emerged from the sunken ship.
Their eyes met.
Suddenly, Nino's cheeks flushed, and she glared sharply. Unfortunately, combined with her earlier flirtatious tone, her current fierce expression only made her look incredibly cute!
Next, Haruto introduced the Nakano quintuplets and the Nishimiya sisters without panic.
As for any guilty conscience?
He couldn't say there was none, but it was very little.
Although Haruto had never abused his superpowers and always followed human rules, the truth was that he was no longer an ordinary person. No matter how much he told himself otherwise, his mentality had completely changed!
So, guilt?
Sorry, can that be eaten?
After the introductions, Shoko couldn't help but exclaim: "Ichika, are you really quintuplets? That's amazing~"
"Really?"
Ichika smiled brightly, "We also think our mom is pretty incredible."
'Not just incredible! It's astonishing!'
Yuzuru, standing nearby, couldn't help but silently complain in her mind.
In normal circumstances, twins or triplets are already rare.
You couldn't explain this with just the word "incredible."
Itsuki whispered, "Mom is the best person in the world."
She was indeed a very strong woman.
Haruto's face showed a look of nostalgia, then he looked at Itsuki and said, "Itsuki, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Itsuki shook her head. Though she said that, the ahoge on her head that represented her mood was clearly drooping.
"Want some meat buns?"
Seeing the bun in front of her, Itsuki widened her eyes and complained: "Kuromori-kun, where did you get that meat bun?"
"Want to eat?"
"I do."
After hesitating for a moment, her face slightly flushed, Itsuki quickly took the bun.
"Hurry up and eat. After you're done, we'll head to the next place."
"Mhm."
Itsuki nodded quickly, opened her mouth, and suddenly turned her eyes away: "Kuromori-kun, don't look!"
'Why are you so shy? It's not like I haven't seen you eat a meat bun before!'
Though he thought that, Haruto still looked away.
Thanks to the super delicious meat bun, the ahoge on Itsuki's head finally began to sway slightly.
The other Nakano sisters, noticing this scene, sighed in relief. Itsuki had changed ever since their mother passed away.
She became diligent and serious.
She also quietly took on the role of their mother. Whenever the sisters had conflicts, Itsuki would step in to defend them.
Itsuki becoming a foodie was actually influenced by their mom.
When they were little, their family was very poor.
They were so poor that the five sisters even had to share a single lollipop.
That's why Itsuki would work hard to eat enough. Whatever she ate, she would savor it because that was the only way her body could stay healthy. Eventually, she became a foodie.
And to this day, Itsuki still insisted on visiting their mother's grave every month.
"It's almost time again."
"This time, let's go with Itsuki."
"Because of Itsuki, I feel much more confident now."
"All of this is thanks to Kuromori-san."
"I'm really glad we met him."