Hearing Itsuki's question, Ryunosuke flinched, internally feeling something was off.
He remembered in the original story, when the quintuplets were little, they seemed to have spent time with Futaro alternately.
Now, because reality had changed to him and Yotsuba having that promise, could it be he also had a similar promise with the others?
Ryunosuke felt uneasy, but seeing Itsuki's innocent gaze, he could only let out a long sigh and was forced to lie.
"I don't think we've ever met. I don't remember ever meeting a girl as cute as you when I was little."
Ryunosuke's blunt statement instantly stunned everyone there.
Hiyori, who had just officially started dating him, couldn't help but kick Ryunosuke's leg under the table, her face showing an expression of "I'm not happy".
Ryunosuke felt very innocent! If he didn't speak like that, how could he stop Itsuki's curiosity? He was also forced to, okay?
Itsuki really stopped thinking because she was praised as cute by Ryunosuke. Her head seemed to emit hot steam, and she didn't dare look up again.
Ryunosuke shrugged resignedly. He knew these anime heroines too well; to deal with them, one sentence was enough.
Because of Ryunosuke's words, Itsuki didn't dare ask again and ate her meat bun in silence. It's just that the red flush on her face still hadn't disappeared. She didn't dare speak again because she felt the earlier incident was very embarrassing.
What was the difference between her and someone who was flirting?
The more Itsuki thought about it, the more she regretted it.
Nino gave Ryunosuke a sharp look, but she couldn't say anything. After all, her own sister started the conversation and ended up getting burned, so there was no reason to blame others.
However, Nino wondered why Itsuki was suddenly so bold as to openly greet like that. Could it be Itsuki was interested in that man?
Nino stroked her chin, as if thinking of a naughty idea to help her youngest sister.
She wasn't aware that Yotsuba also needed her help!
The second older sister played favorites!
Only helping the fifth younger sister but not helping the fourth younger sister.
If Yotsuba knew, she would surely puff out her cheeks and say to Itsuki: "But I was first!!!"
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
After everyone finished lunch, the study session resumed.
Thanks to Ryunosuke's guidance yesterday, everyone already knew how to deal with the quintuplets. Everything became much easier and not as chaotic as yesterday.
Everyone couldn't help but admire Ryunosuke for his ability to dig into opponents' weaknesses that deeply and provide appropriate solutions. No wonder he was the Class C leader, the "Tyrant King" whose reputation was indeed not just empty talk.
Originally Ryunosuke was nicknamed "Arrogant King", but after the last incident, his nickname changed to "Tyrant King". Whatever "King" would be the next nickname depended on what he would do next. After all, his title was always related to his actions.
The day was already very late, everyone ended the study session and prepared to leave.
Wang Meiyu, who was going the same direction as Ryunosuke, took her school bag and intended to go home together.
Because they were in the same class and the day was already night, Ryunosuke needed to escort her to the dormitory. After all, he had asked for Meiyu's help, so he had to provide good "after-sales service".
Wang Meiyu's appearance was also very cute, so letting her go home alone was somewhat worrying. Although this was a closed boarding school, its security wasn't absolute.
Airi's case was the best example. It wasn't impossible there were workers or staff here who couldn't restrain themselves when seeing pretty girls and committed criminal acts.
Just in case, Ryunosuke intended to escort her home.
Meiyu of course understood and only responded with a smile as a sign of thanks. The two left the Service Club together heading to the student dormitory.
On the way, Meiyu wearing long white socks felt bored and started chatting with Ryunosuke. "Akasaka-kun is truly amazing, able to give the right 'medicine' to deal with our five classmates who... um, how to say it? Classmates whose study grades aren't good?"
Meiyu felt somewhat reluctant to continue her words.
The quintuplets' grades were indeed very bad; this was the first time she met peers who couldn't even get a score of 10. She didn't know what else to say. After all, her own scores were always above 95. Even when not in top form, her scores remained stable in the 90s.
Hearing Meiyu's praise, Ryunosuke wasn't embarrassed, but felt very proud. He straightened his back and said confidently: "Of course, who do you think I am? I am your leader, the Tyrant King. If I don't understand my class members deeply, how can I command you all?"
Meiyu covered her mouth while holding back laughter. "Where is there someone who calls themselves Tyrant King?"
Ryunosuke spread his hands resignedly. "I didn't make that nickname. You think I want a nickname like that? I'm the person who least wants it. But because the nickname has stuck, I can't change it, so I just accept it."
Ryunosuke flipped his hair with a narcissistic style. Even the very polite Meiyu couldn't hold back her laughter seeing his narcissistic behavior.
Meiyu bent over while holding her stomach, clearly she couldn't hold it in anymore.
Ryunosuke thought Meiyu felt unwell, then invited her to sit on the nearest park bench to rest.
Meiyu wiped tears from the corners of her eyes from laughing, then said to Ryunosuke: "My sense of humor is very low, please don't make me laugh anymore."
Ryunosuke instantly felt interested in teasing her and brought out jokes typical of the Bamboo Curtain Country. "I see you're holding your stomach, are you hungry? Want to 'ask for food' (beg)?"
Meiyu flinched. As a native from there, she of course understood the double meaning of that joke. She looked at him with a shocked expression, as if wanting to ask: "Are you also from there?".
Ryunosuke didn't answer the curiosity from her gaze, but continued teasing Meiyu with similar jokes.
Meiyu felt very connected chatting with Ryunosuke; it felt like meeting a fellow countryman, felt very familiar.
The distance between them was increasingly eroded until almost touching, but they didn't realize it because they were too absorbed in chatting.
Suddenly, a yellow leaf fell on Meiyu's head. Reflexively, Ryunosuke reached out his hand to take it and help clean the remaining leaves on her head.
Meiyu just realized that their position was too close, their faces almost touching.
She reflexively pushed him gently and said nervously: "Akasaka-kun! The distance is too close, please don't do this! I might misunderstand."
Ryunosuke just realized he was indeed too close, then showed a regretful expression to Meiyu. "Sorry, I just wanted to clean the leaf on your head, no other intention."
Meiyu immediately looked for a reason to leave. "Akasaka-kun, it's already very late, I'll go home first. See you!"
She waved goodbye while walking without looking forward, because her head was still turned toward Ryunosuke behind.
Seeing that, Ryunosuke formed a funnel with both hands and shouted to Meiyu who was already somewhat far: "Be careful, dear!"
[In Mandarin, 'dear'—xiaoxingan—can sound similar to 'watch out for the pole']
Meiyu's heart instantly became chaotic and her face turned bright red. She didn't expect Ryunosuke would be so bold as to confess to her. But in the next second...
*THUD!*
That was the sound of a head hitting an electric pole.
Ryunosuke covered his face. "I meant watch out for the pole... the electric pole."
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