Author's note: This is the first time that I'm switching between different characters' point of view within the same chapter, so I thought I should probably clarify. The name of the POV character is at the beginning of each segment, like "Nino 1" being the first Nino POV chapter. A horizontal line break typically signifies a time skip.

Nino 1

While lounging on the couch in the quintuplets' home, Nino gets a text from Ichika.

Ichika: Are you going to be angry if Yotsuba comes home for the study session tonight?

Nino: I don't care. I'm not scared of her. She's a wimp.

Ichika: Fuutarou-kun said no talking about drama tonight or the study session is canceled.

Nino: I promise not to make Yotsuba cry. Happy?

During that night's study session, Nino quickly notices that Fuutarou and Yotsuba seem to be purposely sitting on opposite ends of the room, and they only talk to each other about the classwork.

I guess things aren't going well for them. Heh heh. Or maybe they are trying to avoid looking like a couple because they think it will hurt our feelings. That does sound like something they would do. The thought of that just pisses me off!

The study session is awkward, but it goes smoothly. It seems to Nino that she is the only one that seems particularly annoyed by the atmosphere.

As soon as Fuutarou says he is going home, signaling the end of the study session, Nino has had enough. She smacks her hand on the table and jumps to her feet.

"Okay now that we're done, I have something to say."

"Nino…" Ichika says as she starts to stand up to mediate.

"I told you I won't make Yotsuba cry, but I'm still going to say something." Nino points at Yotsuba, who looks genuinely terrified. "There'd better not be any more of this tiptoeing around our feelings. It's really pissing me off! Listen up Yotsuba. This isn't over. I'm not giving up. If you show even the tiniest amount of weakness, I'm going to take him from you!"

Nino turns to Fuutarou. "Did you hear that Fuu-kun? Best keep your guard up. I'm coming for you!" She gives Fuutarou a menacing smile, and he has a deer-in-the-headlights face matching Yotsuba's.

"Uh…" Fuutarou stands nervously. "Yotsuba, want to walk me out?"

"S-sure…"

They're both so meek. This should be easy.

A week has passed since Fuutarou's decision, and Yotsuba has been walking on eggshells around her sisters ever since. Nino watches in annoyance as Yotsuba awkwardly descends the stairs from her room and walks out the door while obviously trying to avoid making eye contact.

This is getting old.

Nino opens the oven to check the bread. Perfect. She dons an oven mitt to extract the delicious loaf.

My baking is nearly as good as my cooking now. I'm unstoppable.

"I'm home," says Ichika as she enters. "Smells yummy."

"This isn't your home, you have your own apartment. You just come here to eat."

"Yeah because my little sister has the best cooking."

"Flattery isn't gonna cut it today," says Nino. "Fuu-kun has been spending way less time here since the dumb shit that happened at the festival last week. It's annoying."

Itsuki, who has been sitting at the table studying quietly, speaks up. "He has been giving extra tutoring to Yotsuba in the library for her entrance exam."

"He has been giving her 'extra tutoring.' Is that what they call it these days?" Ichika says in her typical teasing tone.

"Well it's bullshit," says Nino. "How am I supposed to seduce him if he only comes here to study?"

Itsuki speaks up again without looking up from her book. "You shouldn't be trying to seduce someone that's not single."

"Shut up, Itsuki. That's loser mentality. Someone tell Miku that dinner is ready."

"She's probably on her computer," says Ichika. "She has been talking to a boy."

"WHAT?!" Nino slams down the bowl she was carrying as she yells.

"I caught a peek when I was here yesterday," Ichika says. "She has been talking to someone on video chat nonstop and when I asked her about it, she got really defensive and embarrassed. I wonder if she already found a new boy."

"What the fuck?" Nino says. "She's already trying to rebound with nerds online when it has only been a week since Fuu-kun made his stupid decision? She gave up so quick."

Wait a second. Miku you sly fox. I know what you're up to. You're not rebounding. You're trying to make Fuu-kun jealous. That's not a bad idea. I guess that means I have to steal her idea and do it better. Miku has never had a boyfriend, this strategy is hopeless for her. How is Fuu-kun going to be jealous of a guy on a computer screen?

"Ichika," Nino says. "Introduce me to some hot guys!"

Ichika 2

"Don't you think you might be going a bit overboard with the sluttiness?" Ichika asks.

"Well you told me to try to look different than you so we wouldn't get mixed up," says Nino. She smooths out the tight fitting dress over her legs.

"We have the same body, so when you show a lot of skin it makes me feel like I'm exposed too," Ichika says.

"I can't believe you of all people is saying that, miss naked sleeper."

The two are getting ready to go to a party with some of Ichika's acquaintances in the film industry.

I'm surprised Nino decided to do this. But it's probably a good thing.

The night starts out smoothly. During the first hour of the party, Ichika introduces Nino to several actors and other young men.

She's a little nervous, but she's doing better than I thought she would. I guess she has always been a social butterfly. I should probably let her go alone for a while. It's best to let the hunter hunt.

Ichika separates from Nino, but checks on her every few minutes from afar.

She's doing well. And nobody seems to be confusing her for me. I guess now is the time to find out if any of these guys are interested in a high school girl. I told her 25 was the cutoff. She'd better be careful.

"Yes I got a guy's number! He's tall and he has so many tattoos. His name's Bo. He's 23."

Nino is practically bouncing up and down in her seat in the cab on the way home, excitedly telling Ichika about the party.

"Look, he's hot!" Nino shows a selfie she took alongside a much larger guy in a tight fitting t-shirt and sporting a soul patch.

"Nino! That's the bouncer!" Ichika facepalms hard.

I can't believe she asked the bouncer on a date the very next day. She's not messing around.

Ichika is following the pair from a distance, keeping an eye on their date. She is wearing her typical disguise, consisting mostly of sunglasses and a large hat.

"Yeah, I feel like I have to leave my high school days in the past, know what I mean?" says the bouncer. "I made a lot of mistakes in those days. And I'm a single father now, so I've got responsibilities."

Ever since the two sat at the cafe, Nino has been moving closer to Bo. Her hands are both on his forearm now, and her eyes are locked to his intently.

Wow, she's aggressive.

Nino scoots her chair closer and puts one of her hands on his bicep.

"That's so sweet," Nino says. "I can really tell you care about your daughter."

"Yeah she's my number one."

Ichika rolls her eyes.

This idiot is twice as dense as Fuutarou-kun. He seems to be totally oblivious to the fact that she's interested in him. She literally asked you on a date and is practically massaging your arm. How dumb can you be?

"Hey…" Bo says. "If you're interested, I would love to hire you as a babysitter for her. If you're as good of a cook as you say you are, she'd love it."

"I'm already working at a bakery, so I don't know if I would have time," says Nino. "But fuck it. Sure."

What? Nino are you really this desperate?

"I have an idea," says Nino. "Let's make a deal. I'll babysit for you and cook for you a few nights a week, and in exchange, you will be my fake boyfriend."

"Fake boyfriend?"

"Yeah. You just need to pretend to be my boyfriend. I want to make this guy I like jealous," Nino says in her villainous tone.

Oh so that's what's going on. Nino, you are hopeless.

"I don't really know what that means, but sure," says Bo.

I thought Fuutarou-kun and Yotsuba were idiots, but these two are just beyond hopeless.

Ichika watches as Nino moves closer and closer to Bo at the table of the cafe.

She's practically crawling on top of him. And he looks like he's just having a normal conversation with just any old guy. Is he really that clueless?

Wait a minute. This might not play out like she thinks it will. There's a chance…

Ichika chuckles to herself.

That would be hilarious.

Ichika waits in the apartment to ambush Nino when she returns from her date.

"How did it go?"

"Oh it was very romantic," Nino says.

"Nino, either you are really lucky or you're a very good judge of character, because that bouncer seems like a genuinely good guy despite how he looks. But he's ridiculously dense. You're going to have to work hard to get his attention."

"Ha," Nino laughs. "Don't worry about that. He's just to make Fuu-kun jealous."

Ichika rolls her eyes.

"But don't tell anyone!"