Time Loop: Doing Whatever I Want

Makoto had smoothly avoided a potential battlefield and also politely refused the girls' offer to walk him downstairs.

He knew Ichika and Itsuki were full of thoughts at the moment. If they saw him off, more drama might unfold.

If you want to become an expert at examining report cards, you have to treat every elementary school homework with caution.

After Makoto left, Ichika didn't bother talking to Nino anymore. 

She quickly went to handle her clothes and underwear, then sat down to carefully plan her counterattack against Yukino.

Nino, meanwhile, had already sat up. 

She wanted to shower and change her underwear too — only for Itsuki to block the door and ask, "Nino, you're being selfish."

"Huh?"

Nino's face turned slightly red. T

hough she was feeling a little guilty, she still had her reasons: 

"What are you talking about? Like Makoto-kun said, I was just a customer experiencing the skills of a professional massage therapist."

Itsuki stared straight at her. "Did he talk to you beforehand?"

Nino froze.

Itsuki calmly analyzed, "With your tsundere personality, if he hadn't talked to you beforehand, you would've totally blown your cover when you saw us."

"Meatbun freak, who are you calling tsundere!?" Nino snapped back.

…

Over at the elevator, Makoto had just stepped in when he heard hurried footsteps.

"Wait a second, Fushimi-kun."

A familiar voice.

It was Miku.

Makoto held the elevator door and saw Miku run up, slightly out of breath.

"Miku-san, did you need something?" He was genuinely surprised.

Miku looked a bit bashful. "You've already exchanged contact info with Ichika and the others, haven't you?"

"Yes." Makoto had a rough idea what she was getting at.

"Then… can I exchange contact info with you too?"

"Of course."

Such a quick answer left Miku a little stunned.

She thought he would at least ask why.

Then she heard him say, "Actually, that was my mistake."

"Huh?" Miku looked up in surprise.

Makoto smiled awkwardly. "Didn't I say before? I've always wanted to become friends with all five of you as soon as possible. 

But I wasn't close to you or Yotsuba, and I couldn't find a good chance to talk to you, so…"

Looking at his embarrassed expression, Miku's nervousness faded, and she softly said, "You really should have gotten to know me sooner."

"Oh? Why?"

"Compared to Itsuki, I'm closer with Nino."

"I get it — if I ever get into a fight with Nino, I'll come win you over."

"...That's not what I meant."

Miku said with some reserve, but still successfully got his contact.

"I'll head back then. Be careful on your way home."

"Thanks… Oh, and you should be more confident."

"Hm?"

Miku stood frozen.

As the elevator door closed, Makoto's voice came through: 

"Ichika told me in secret. She said you might be a little sensitive and insecure. She really wants to help you, so I've been trying to help her think of ways too."

Makoto had lied — Ichika never said that.

But he really did intend to help.

The elevator doors closed.

"That nosy Ichika…"

Miku whispered, but her heart was warmed.

…

On the weekend, Makoto headed out with three beautiful girls from the club and a load of filming equipment.

Hayato had helped them rent a very affordable shooting location, and even brought some friends along to be extras.

Makoto wanted to transfer the money to him, but Hayama just smiled and declined.

"I want to see with my own eyes what kind of short film a bunch of high schoolers can make. If it turns out great, then I'll treat it as an investment — and my family will fully support me."

Those were Hayato's exact words.

Whether the other party truly felt that way or not, Makoto was genuinely grateful for their help.

So, when he arrived at the filming site and met up with Hayato and the others, Makoto immediately approached him and said seriously, "I want to entrust you with an important role."

Hayato laughed. "Acting? I'm actually kind of interested. But you showed me that story already—aside from the grandmother and the heroine, no one else seems to have much screen time, right?"

Makoto nodded sincerely. "Exactly. So, how about you play the grandmother's old flame?"

"I refuse!"

Hayato rejected it lightning-fast.

The group on set couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Makoto didn't even bother pretending anymore and joked, "Don't you always say you never turn down a friend's request?"

Hayato said helplessly, "I'm a high school student. How am I supposed to play a grandmother's old flame?"

"Makeup will take care of it. After all, with makeup, it's like wearing a mask."

"Hm?"

Hayato was briefly stunned.

He subconsciously stared at Makoto's face. The latter seemed unaware and continued, 

"With today's makeup techniques, that kind of transformation is totally possible. But wearing a mask like that might make you uncomfortable."

Hayato fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed heartily. "I've learned something new. Then this time, I'll seriously observe. If I get the chance in the future, I'll play an old man."

With both Makoto and Yukino—two professionals—overseeing things, along with skilled extras and the presence of lead actress Ichika, the early stages of filming went very smoothly.

Until later, when one of the male students who had volunteered to help started having issues.

"Aizawa, are you okay?"

During break time, Makoto went over to him and handed him a bottle of water.

Yukino stood behind, watching. She wanted to improve and learn, to see how Makoto would handle the situation.

Ichika and Itsuki were also nearby.

"Sorry, I've never acted before. And now I'm playing the grandmother's son—it just feels really weird."

The boy, Aizawa, looked apologetic. 

He was the one who had shared his milk with Makoto earlier, which was how the two had gotten to know each other in class.

"It's fine. It's always like this the first time." Makoto smiled.

Seeing the tension still on his face, Makoto glanced at Yukino and the others. "Why don't us guys have a chat alone?"

"Alright."

Though Yukino was reluctant to leave, she agreed.

The three girls walked off a bit. Ichika suddenly asked, "Master of Makoto, what do you think Makoto's going to do?"

Yukino replied calmly, "He'll help Aizawa relax and adjust his mindset. Since he deliberately asked us girls to leave, it must be a topic only boys are comfortable discussing."

Ichika clapped cheerfully. "Wonderful, as expected of the Master of Makoto!"

Yukino chuckled. "Miss Catgirl, didn't you wear your cat ears today? If you had, maybe you'd have understood his tone earlier instead of asking me."

They were back to their playful bickering like during their phone exchanges.

Trying to stay composed and win points, Ichika raised her delicate hand, made a tiny paw gesture, and said, "Meow~"

Itsuki looked dumbfounded and thought, Ichika, have you gone abstract now?

Yet Ichika still smiled and asked, "Well? Was that cute?"

Yukino, however, frowned.

That "meow" just now didn't sound like the same voice she heard over the phone.

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