Makoto wasn't joking when he said he was going to make meat buns.
He actually knew how to make them, had ingredients at home, and since Itsuki—the "meat bun fanatic"—was here anyway, he decided to add an extra dish on the spot.
As he tied on his apron and headed to the kitchen to knead the dough, Itsuki softly called from behind, "Makoto."
Makoto turned around.
Their eyes met, and Itsuki suddenly blushed a little, shyly saying, "It's nothing, just calling out."
Makoto chuckled, "That day at the club, when you secretly messaged me, I thought you were joking."
"I wasn't joking at all!" Itsuki became even more embarrassed.
But seeing that Makoto didn't tease her any further, she naturally accepted it and became happy.
The secretly pleased Itsuki was really cute.
To avoid making the girl feel awkward, Makoto withdrew his gaze and walked toward the kitchen.
"You sit in the living room for a bit. Making meat buns takes longer than cooking regular meals, but you'll definitely get to eat some tonight."
"Tonight?"
Itsuki caught the keyword.
She had never stayed over at a boy's house until the night before.
Then she thought, Ichika and Nino should be coming over later anyway, so she didn't need to overthink it.
Three people eating meat buns together wasn't as fun as eating them alone.
Eating alone is always more enjoyable.
What Itsuki didn't realize was that her desire to eat meat buns alone actually represented a deeper feeling—she wanted to enjoy things by herself in some ways.
She was just a bit slow to understand this emotion.
Then again, if it weren't for the "First Love" buff from her aura working on her, right now she'd probably only be thinking: I want to eat big bites of meat buns and get really full!
Not long after, Itsuki received a message that Nino had already left.
Nino also mentioned that Ichika wouldn't be coming today because as the eldest daughter, she had to arrange this week's dinner with their father.
Itsuki couldn't help but imagine Ichika wanting to come but unable to.
The thought made her smile.
Who told you to run off and walk home with him holding the umbrella that day? Everyone agreed to go together.
Originally serious and obedient, Itsuki had unknowingly started to change.
She absentmindedly watched some TV in the living room but found it boring, so she got up and walked to the kitchen.
Makoto, who was vigorously kneading the dough, heard footsteps behind him.
He turned his head and saw Itsuki cutely poking her head in. "Do you need help?"
"No, just wait outside,"
Makoto said, then thought of something and asked, "Are you feeling lonely by yourself?"
Itsuki honestly admitted, "Yeah, I didn't know what to do sitting there."
"In that case, you can help me stir the meat and seasonings."
"Okay."
Itsuki happily went to put on an apron.
Judging by her reaction, she had clearly planned to help all along.
The two of them busily worked in the kitchen, and Makoto casually brought up the rumors he had been spreading, and how some classmates verbally promised "I'll definitely keep it a secret," only to excitedly tell their friends right afterward.
Itsuki listened with a big smile, "I heard many versions today too. Even during lunch, classmates nearby were talking about it."
Then she asked curiously, "By the way, Makoto, why did you suddenly want to spread this rumor?"
Makoto didn't hide it: "Because someone at school was spreading rumors about me and Utaha.
She specifically came to see me because she didn't want those rumors to affect our friendship, so she thought of a way to handle it."
Itsuki's focus was somewhere else: "Are you also close with Kasumigaoka?"
"What do you mean by 'also'?" Makoto asked deliberately.
Itsuki's eyes flickered nervously: "Classmates like Miura and Yukinoshita—they all seem to have a good relationship with you."
"That just means I'm popular."
"Just popular?"
"Think about it: Ichika, Nino, and you—all of us have a good relationship."
"Well, that's true…"
Itsuki hesitated to say more.
What she really wanted to say was: You're close to so many pretty girls; if you ever get a girlfriend, how will you handle all these friendships?
But just thinking about the word girlfriend made her feel unhappy.
So she didn't ask out loud.
Makoto, sensing her hesitation, didn't press further and changed the topic: "Itsuki, how's your relationship with Yukino?"
"Huh? Yukinoshita?"
Itsuki paused for a moment, then slowly said,
"We're okay. Even though the school is full of rumors saying she's difficult to get along with, whether in the clubroom or when I meet her casually, she's nothing like the rumors."
Makoto smiled: "Looks like my impression was right."
"What do you mean?"
"I told her before that among the five girls, you're the one who gets along with her the best."
Makoto didn't wait for her to ask and explained: "Because your earnest and focused way of working is exactly the kind of character she admires most."
"Is that so?"
Itsuki blushed a little.
Suddenly being praised made her happy.
And it was her personality that was being praised.
She recalled how she used to argue with her sisters at home, and sometimes they would say in frustration, "Stop pretending to be so obedient, I really can't stand it."
Every time she heard things like that, she felt very hurt.
Luckily, everyone would apologize and make up afterward.
Thinking this way, she suddenly felt more motivated.
If the first and second in the grade both acknowledged her, what was there to be confused about?
After working for a while, Itsuki's phone suddenly rang.
She took off her gloves and looked at the phone: "It's Nino."
Makoto stopped what he was doing: "She must have arrived, then. I'll go open the door."
Itsuki nodded and answered the call, but her expression suddenly changed.
"Wait, where are you now… Got it, I'm coming right away!"
Itsuki's sudden anxious tone made Makoto immediately stop.
When he turned around, the girl hurriedly said, "Nino twisted her ankle on the way here."
"Don't panic, we'll go together."
Makoto comforted her, grabbed an umbrella, and left with the girl.
Soon they met Nino near a convenience store.
Her umbrella was already folded up, and she was squatting down rubbing her ankle, looking in pain.
"Nino, are you okay?"
Itsuki rushed over anxiously.
Makoto followed closely behind.
"It should be nothing serious, just my ankle hurts a bit," Nino said angrily, "There were two jerks racing their motorcycles downtown. I was walking on the side, but they still scared me."
Clenching her fists, she said angrily, "I got startled and lost my balance, twisting my ankle."
Itsuki got mad hearing that: "How could they do that?"
Makoto suddenly asked, "Were they two motorcycles—a red one and a blue Harley?"
Nino froze: "How do you know?"
Makoto replied, "I saw them before when I was buying groceries. I almost got hit too."
"Then they're habitual offenders!"
Both girls were furious.
Makoto was surprised as well. Even after escaping the time loop, Nino still ran into those reckless guys.
Only this time, it wasn't him getting scared, but Nino.
Time to give them a Leo flying kick!
Makoto crouched down in front of Nino: "Let me check it for you."
Nino initially didn't want to refuse, but when Makoto touched her ankle, her body tensed up and her cheeks flushed as she said,
"Maybe we should go to your place to check. It's outside here."
Makoto ignored that and carefully examined her ankle, saying,
"I can't see clearly with the socks on, but it's definitely not swollen. I have medicine at home, I'll treat it for you later."
After that, he turned Nino around and crouched down: "Come up first."
"Eh?"
Both girls were a bit surprised.
Nino looked at Makoto's back shyly: "Itsuki can just help me."
"That would be too slow, and didn't you say your foot still hurts?"
"But…"
"No buts, get in the car first."
Seeing Makoto so persistent, Nino finally blushed and leaned on him: "Then I'll trouble you."
She only rested her hand on his shoulder, too shy to hold on properly.
"You hold the umbrella," Makoto reminded, carrying her back.
Itsuki hurried to walk beside them.
After a while, Nino gradually recovered and muttered, "Too bad I didn't get a good look at their license plates. Otherwise, I'd definitely report them."
Makoto spoke warmly, "When you can walk again, I'll help you get back at them."
Nino was stunned. She wanted to ask more, but Makoto changed the subject: "Alright, save it for later."
Does this guy have a tough side too?
But if he's going to help me get back at them, how exactly is he going to do it?
Oh right, he said he'd seen those guys before. Does he know where they live?
If that's true, will he just show up and confront them like in the dramas?
Nino's thoughts ran wild.
Only now did she realize how solid Makoto's back felt, and it was pretty stable with her leaning on him.
Once home, Makoto put Nino on the sofa and went to get the medicine kit.
When he came out of the bedroom, he said: "Nino, take off your knee-high socks."
"Oh."
Nino didn't resist, acting calm as she took off the socks and placed them aside.
But when Makoto held her foot again, this time without the socks, her face started to flush again.
The memory of the last time he massaged her—how intensely good it felt—seemed to resurface in her mind.
Nino looked at him with reddened cheeks, feeling the warmth of his palms and the comforting touch as he rubbed her foot.
Gradually, that comfortable feeling returned.
She was so embarrassed she couldn't help but say, "Maybe I should do it myself… uh!"
Before finishing, she let out a strange sound.
Itsuki, concerned, asked, "What's wrong, Nino? Still hurts?"
Nino shook her head hard, blushing.
Not pain.
Pleasure.
He's really good at massaging!
Makoto understood perfectly and stayed silent to avoid awkwardness, focusing on applying the medicine and rubbing her foot to help absorption.
Seeing Nino shake her head, Itsuki also realized it wasn't pain.
So the question arose.
If Nino isn't in pain, why is she making strange sounds? Why is she now pressing her lips tightly shut?
At first, Itsuki didn't understand, but as Nino's cheeks turned redder and her eyes became watery,
she finally understood.
Nino was enjoying it!
Just like last time with the massage, she must be feeling really good!
Itsuki quietly clenched her fists, regretting not letting Makoto massage her legs last time because of shyness.
Now, seeing Nino trying hard to suppress the pleasure to avoid making a sound, she realized she probably missed out on something big.
And a girl's foot, held and massaged like that by a boy—Makoto, does he really not think anything more about it?
Itsuki clenched her fists tightly, feeling conflicted.
She knew her five sisters' figures very well.
They often bathed together, so she remembered that everyone's feet, including her own, were very beautiful.
For example, the small foot Makoto was holding now—Nino's ankle was slender and delicate, skin white and smooth, with faint veins showing, adding a subtle texture to the fine skin.
Nino's toes were long and slender, small and pure white, with nails a healthy pale pink, like ten beautiful petals arranged in a row, shining brightly.
No matter how you looked at it, this little foot was exquisite, flawless, and beautiful.
As someone who was both a leg and foot enthusiast, Makoto naturally might have other thoughts.
But that was at normal times.
Now that Nino had twisted her ankle, no matter what thoughts he had, he wouldn't show them at this moment.
Meanwhile, Nino felt as if she was losing control of her feet; that warm, comfortable sensation wrapped her little foot inside and out, making her feel utterly relaxed.
By the end, her breathing became rapid, and her upper body slumped softly against the sofa.
Nino, surrender!
The next moment, muffled sounds escaped from her covered mouth, making Itsuki's eyes widen in shock.
At that instant, Nino felt so ashamed she was almost desperate.
Her own sister, and a close boy, could hear everything clearly!
This despair was no less than Uchiha Obito's time trapped in hell, or the final desperate dance of 369.
"Alright."
Makoto let go and stood up.
He could see straight through Nino's embarrassed heart and immediately said, "You don't need to think too much. This is originally a small matter, and there's no outsider here anyway."
Then, he teased himself on purpose: "When I first went to a professional massage place to have my back stepped on, I was shouting much louder than you."
Nino blushed and dared not look at him, her voice muffled: "I understand. Thank you."
Itsuki stared intently at Nino's face.
I want it too!
Not only do I want a meat bun, I want Makoto to massage me!
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