It was a new day for Kiyomaro, he was outside of the Nakano's department waiting for someone to answer the call of the intercom.
"Kiyomaro" he heard a familiar voice behind him, he wasn't going to admit it but she did make him jump a little.
"Oh Miku, hello"
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for someone to open, what else?"
"They must be noisy inside to not notice the the ring" Miku opened the door and turned to give him a smile "let's go Mr tutor"
Now with Miku in the room four of five sisters were reunited In the living room.
"Kiyomaro-san! Good morning" Yotsuba was ready with her material "I'm all ready to go"
Ichika and Itsuki were also seated near the table, the former already had her red glasses on.
"You? staying?" kiyomaro asked the oldest quint.
"I'll think I'll just watch today"
"Ok let's do this!" He was feeling very good about today.
"Ah" until he heard Nino from upstairs "you still don't understand?"
"Nino"
"I already told you we don't need you"
"Three out of five"
"What?"
"I've been teaching Miku this week. so with Yotsuba and Itsuki That we of yours is not even most of your sisters anymore"
"Mhn! Don't think that getting me will be as easy"
"C'mon don't be so stubborn, at least do like Ichika, and just watch."
"I prefer to watch paint dry than see you act all smart."
"I'm just doing my job though."
While kiyomaro and Nino discussed, the other sister's just watched like it was a usual occurrence by now.
"Woah, they're at it again." Ichika just laughed at the scene, while kiyomaro was fighting Nino he hadn't really reached the point of making her leave the room in almost tears, like in his first day on the job. It was clear he was more careful with his words now 'he's really a softie, big sis doesn't dislike that'.
"They're so noisy" said Miku while putting on her headphones. it seemed that this would go on for a while and she already got tired of this situation.
"I really want to start" Itsuki was wondering if she should take off her glasses or not.
"Hahaha but it's like they're getting closer with each fight I'm sure in no time they'll become good friends" Yotsuba was either being wishful or too optimistic, the other three sisters could decide which one was it.
"Like hell I'll accept you" after flipping her Nino gave kiyomaro a wicked smile "Yotsuba a friend of mine told me they're short one member in the basketball club for their tournament, you're good at sports why don't you go and help them?
Kiyomaro just looked at Nino then Yotsuba it was clear the girl was resisting her impulse to go help the club.
"I hear they worked really hard to reach where they're. it would be so sad if they aren't capable of participating for missing one member"
"I'm sorry but I really can't abandon people in need of my help" when Yotsuba tried to run off kiyomaro grabbed her by the neck of her shirt, stopping her on her tracks "eck!"
"Hey!" Nino was the first to jump at the sudden action against her sister "let's her go! You are not our dad to treat her like that!" Nino was practically showing her teeth with how much she hated kiyomaro right now.
The tutor in question didn't pay her attention "just wait a little, Yotsuba, you know where the tournament is?" he let go of Yotsuba, kiyomaro didn't even put strength while grabbing the collar of her shirt, he mainly wanted to bring back her attention to him.
"Yes, I'm friends with the basketball members" Yotsuba arranged her clothes a little.
"You reach there by bus or walking" while kiyomaro was saying that he pulled from his bag some small papers and started writing on them.
"Is a little far the place. so I'll take the bus" she put a finger on her shin while thinking on distance "but Kiyomaro-san I'm running late!"
"You're not, you're literally doing them a favor they asked at the last minute, they should be thankful with you just going there" Yotsuba tried to think of a away to convince kiyomaro of letting her go, she looked at her sisters but Nino was too angry and the other's were wondering what kiyomaro would do here.
"Eh?" With that Kiyomaro showed her some small papers, Yotsuba took them and there were notes to help with english.
"There, with those you can study in the bus a little." He looked at the confused girl in front of him "what? Weren't you going out?"
"Ah! Yes thank you kiyomaro-san" with that Yotsuba took the papers and left the apartment.
"You should treat a lady with more delicacy" said Ichika, she had a reprimanding tone and she was doing the flick gesture with her hand.
Kiyomaro just rolled his eyes and lowered himself to Ichika level and took the flick.
"I don't have a problem with any of you missing a session for a good reason, but give me a warning first." while rubbing his forehead he looked at Nino who was more calm now but the mood in the room was still sour.
"Ichika don't you have a part time job at 2 pm" Nino continued with what seemed to be her initial plan.
"Ah right I'm running late" then with a sly smile looked at the teacher "what did you just say?"
Kiyomaro had already pulled some small papers similar to what he did to Yotsuba "What subject do you want?"
"I'll take math" she wasn't originally planning to study but Ichika knew it would be rude to reject a gift, she would be picked up a car anyway it did not hurt to give the paper a look on the way to the job. After grabbing her thing's kiyomaro gave her the papers and left.
"Itsuki didn't you have to pick up some books you bought today?"
"Ah! Right! The owner of the book shop goes on vacation next week" then she looked at kiyomaro who already had the small papers on hand "social studies, please" just as Ichika she grabbed her things and left with the papers.
"And Miku didn't you accidentally drink my soda, go buy me one."
"I already did" the she pointed at the bag that was on the table
Nino was just confused about the soda miku picked 'matcha soda?' but anyway nino did succeed in her plan to ruin Kiyomaro tutoring session.
Having realized what nino, Kiyomaro thought something "hey Nino"
Now that finally Kiyomaro and Nino were on the same floor, he thought that maybe now was a good time to apologize for how he acted on the first day, after all he had promised Ichika that he would do it.
While she had been nothing more than a nuisance 'a relationship can't move if no one extended a hand' didn't he also told Miku the other day, meeting hate with hate brings nothing, kiyomaro hated being just talk and no action.
"Shut up dont talk to me"
and so he failed again.
Then he felt someone pulling his sleeve "Are we going to study?" Miku was pouting.
"Right" he slapped his cheeks "is there any subject you want today"
"History"
"Eh?Eh?" Nino scowl, changed for a smile like she was having fun "could it be you're into this guy?" now she was having fun "while he's not bad looking you could aim for something better"
"Is that a praise or an insult?"
"You're just shallow Nino"
"Haa?" she pointed her finger at Miku "What's wrong with liking someone for their looks? There's nothing better than a hottie."
Many of Kiyomaro's female friends Megumi, Suzume, sister Elle were more on the demure side so hearing this side of a girl's talk, left him wondering if he should truly be here.
"See because you don't care. you wear those boring clothes."
"And those claws are supposed to be fashionable."
Nino and Miku started to fight and mention personal things. Kiyomaro wasn't sure he should listen.
"C'mon you two are sister's play nice" at least weren't throwing lighting at each other, so this was not the worst sibling fight he had seen "We have to study Miku, you two can discuss later if inside or outside is what's matter."
"He's right so stop bothering."
"Mmm if what's inside is so important, then let's have a contest." Nino walked towards the kitchen "if inside is what's important then let's see who is more family oriented, if I win there is no studying."
'Again doing anything but studying this girl' she really was a mystery to kiyomaro to go this far to negate him, 'using answer-talker for this is an option but don't want to use it on a personal matter' he took it as the equivalent of breaking into her room to look for clues, she may not trust him from the beginning but doesn't mean he had to prove her right by doing something like that.
"Miku you're not going to accept are you?" the girl In question was already in the kitchen ready to fight.
"Kiyomaro, take a seat, and wait. this will be over shortly."
It was really a cool line if only this wasn't a cooking fight between sister's, that started for such dumb reasons.
"Ta~da~ a dutch baby pancake made with fresh vegetables and raw ham~"
"O…omurice."
There was clearly a difference in level. Nino plate not only had a well made plate it also had presentation, meanwhile omurice was not even held together.
"Never mind, I'll eat this myself"
"You went through all that trouble so just let him have it" clearly had a smug smile on her face.
Kiyomaro ate both lunches, the difference was way too much.
"Nino win's" he shouldn't play favorites here. I'll only hurt Miku more. That was his conclusion.
"Yes!" she threw her hands up "how much for what matter inside?" but she stopped when she noticed that Kiyomaro was not looking at her, when she turned to see Miku she finally realized her mistake "Mi-".
"Miku, do you often cook?" she shook her head, it was nino the one that cooked around the house, not wanting to let a word out. Miku was clearly sad even though she tried to hide it. "Did it frustrate you to lose?" she nodded, some sniff could be heard.
Nino looked at him with shock at what he was trying to do? It was almost like pouring salt on a wound. She wanted to reprimand him for making her sadder but Nino couldn't after all she is the one that went all out on a beginner.
"Then let's do this" Kiyomaro put the fork aside "I'll help you defeat Nino"
"huh?" said the sisters in unison
"Amazing stereo, anyway if you're frustrated about losing just challenge her again" weather kiyomaro was aware of it or not. he did have a competitive spirit "not today I just eat but I know some people that are amazing cooks" and by people he was talking about his mom 'megumi-san is a good cook but she's probably busy, Patty's bookkeeper work in a restaurant if I remember right but I don't know where he is, well it doesn't hurt to ask'.
"Wait wait what are you saying about defeating me? why are you putting me as the final boss?"
"I mean you are the one that didn't hold back with miku one bit" Nino bite her tongue not knowing how to respond "Miku if you don't care about cooking is fine but-"
"I'll do it," Miku responded with fire in her eyes.
"huh?"
"I'm going to beat nino" she usually wasn't so forward and probably was the frustration talking but right now Miku had fire in her eyes.
"That's the spirit, let's beat Nino."
"Um! Let's beat Nino."
"Beat Nino, beat Nino" she had her face red again "forget this I've had enough" and she went upstairs.
"I'm going to get another flick for this."
"Yep."
While helping wash the dishes, kiyomaro just looked at the hour.
"We didn't do any studying, at the end of the day."
"Sorry" then while washing the dishes "I said those things in the heat of the moment you don't actually have to help me with cooking."
"Actually I'm the one that's sorry when recounting the people I could ask for help, the only candidate I have left is my mom" said kiyomaro while passing Miku another dish "there is a friend but it's very busy right now and the other one I lost contact"
"What about you"
"Me?" Honestly since that time he cooked curry in the middle school excursion he had a little trauma with cooking, seeing a big number of people spitting fire due to your cooking does that to someone "haha the one time I tried cooking it went terrible, so I've never tried again."
"Umm so there is something you're bad at" Miku was surprised to find something he was bad at "let's do something?"
"Something like what?"
"What about" Miku was looking at the sink, she reunited bravery "we practice cooking together" there she finally said it.
Kiyomaro was surprised with Miku propose "well I suppose I can't live off my mom cooking or take outs forever, yeah let's do that."
"Really?"
"Yeah we should set a schedule" he passed Miku the last dish "are you free on sunday morning."
"Yes" Miku was happy this they weren't student teachers, they were going to learn together "but this Sunday I'm busy"
"Is fine. Actually, the next week is better, I can look around for some recipe books."
"We have the internet you know?" She let out a hearty laugh "how much you like books."
After finishing with the dishes, Kiyomaro let out a breath "hey Miku how could I get along with Nino?"
"Just face her with sincerity I'm sure she'll understand" Miku replied calmly even if they fought here and there she knew that Nino was a softie.
"If I get her to talk to me without running"
"That's kiyomaro's fault for being a bully."
he let out a sigh for some reason he couldn't keep his mouth shut when it involved Nino"Anyway I'll get going."
"Oh shit I forgot my notebook" while Nino and Miku were cooking for their competition, kiyomaro took his notebook to keep working on the mystery have given him. he pressed the intercom 'I hope is not Nino or this could be awkward'
"Forgot something? I'll be in the shower so just come and grab it" Miku just opened the door and ended the call.
"I'll just take it as a sign of trust but is it really fine?" kiyomaro remembered a superstition he heard once that bad things will happen to you if you instantly go back to a house after leaving it "what was it? you have to sit three times to dispel the bad luck" having seen actual magic and curses it was hard to believe a baseless rumor like that.
Finally reaching the living room for the second time today.
He saw a girl in a bath towel. Kiyomaro just froze. The last command managed to give his body was to look the other way. The one that once helped Gash become king froze solid, kiyomaro who had fought making split second decisions was now like a stone unmoving, just because of a girl in a bath towel 'neither folgore or must know of this' but no matter how much still he was, time kept moving.
"Is that you, Miku?" the girl started putting her ribbons "I thought you would use the bath? Is free right now."
'its Nino!?' his panic just grew, he had been in life or death situation but this lucky pervert moment he was having right now was totally uncharted territory for him.
"Can you grab my contacts there in the usual shelf" she had bad eyesight, so Itsuki glasses weren't a way for her to focus?
'focus yourself kiyomaro don't run from reality,which shelf is it?' [the one on top right] It showed how nervous he was that Answer-talker activated as a defense mechanism, having grabbed the contact lenses. He put them on a close table so she would have to face the other way. While she started to put the contacts. It give kiyomaro the opportunity to walk back towards the door.
"You still holding a grudge from when I picked on you this afternoon?" He noticed how Nino changed her path towards the table where her contacts are, according to plan he took the opportunity to pick up distance with Nino "I went too far, I feel bad about it."
As he walked slowly towards the door Kiyomaro heard for the first time Nino's honest feelings that made him stop for a moment.
"So you're still mad, it's all his fault" it wasn't anymore the voice filled with hostility and rejection these were her honest feelings, while still rejecting him, her tone of voice clearly showed cared towards Miku "barging in here doing whatever he pleases just because papa ordered him to…. that's it kiyomaro is not allowed in our place anymore!"
After that sentence she turned her back to put her contacts on. An opportunity kiyomaro used to leave the living room and walk through the door.
When he finally felt safe in the elevator towards the first floor, the tutor let out a relaxed sigh.
He remembered Nino's word's, he can say he had a good opinion of her after being a pain in the ass again and again but he didn't hate her.
After getting out of the apartment and walking a little he met up with Itsuki, who clearly was happy with her bags.
"Ah! Kiyomaro-kun, you're finished?" She tilted her head wondering why did he stayed doing extra time, today the class should have ended like 30 minutes ago.
"Yeah somethings happened and we lost track of time, but not much happened" kiyomaro remembered that they were identical quints so seeing one in the state he saw Nino was not so far from seeing the other's.
"Kiyomaro-kun are you alright? your face is red" He had seen Nino in the bath towel for less than a second but with his brain that was enough to have it burned in, and now that Itsuki came closing the distance. She tried to touch his forehead to see his temperature.
"Ahem, I'm fine, it's just a little more chilly than I thought" he really tried to push away the idea of Itsuki in a bath towel out of his head, he was failing at that "ah, right Itsuki. I left my notebook in the apartment, I called in and Miku told me to go fetch it while she took a bath" he said all that in rapid succession without looking at Itsuki in the eyes "but it didn't feel right. So can you keep it until the next class, please."
"Yeah I can but why don't we go for it right now?" he had explained so fast it actually got her dizzy trying to keep up.
"I'm running out of time, my mom would get mad, so see ya" after that he just kept walking without looking back.
"Huh? Weird" she was more used to seeing kiyomaro composed but she didn't give it much thought "maybe he was really hungry" then Itsuki started to pout "I really wanted to show him, the reference books I bought, the owner even give this extra book but don't know this language. I wanted to ask him if Takamine-kun had seen it"
Then Itsuki pulled a thick white book with red letters engraved on it with characters that no matter the page, Itsuki couldn't understand any, except for one page.
'Farusu?'
she said it in her mind but nothing happened.
