The system-produced Strong Red Bull really was effective. After Itsuki drank it, Makoto, who hadn't felt tired before, took a sip as well, and the feeling hit him immediately.
It was like cold water splashing on your face in the middle of winter, refreshing, but without making the inner feeling resistant or uncomfortable.
Makoto put down the cup and said to Yukino and the others who hadn't tried it yet, "You guys can try it too, the effect is really good."
Itsuki chimed in, "Yeah, I was a little sleepy just now, but now I feel really energized."
"Really?"
Seeing that both of them gave such high praise, Ichika, who originally wasn't interested in energy drinks, also picked up the cup.
After she drank it, her expression immediately changed.
"It really works, and the taste is different from the Red Bull I used to drink. This one is obviously much better, like juice."
With three people in a row reacting like this, Yukino stared at the cup in front of her and fell into thought.
Are they all in on some plan to fake it with me?
Given Makoto's personality, he might actually do something like that.
"Yukino, aren't you going to drink it?" Makoto's voice sounded.
Yukino shook her head: "I don't like these kinds of drinks."
"Good things shouldn't be wasted," Makoto said.
Good things?
Yukino didn't think Red Bull was that precious.
She thought Makoto was just messing with her as usual.
So she said bluntly, "I never thought this kind of energy drink tastes good, and the energizing effect is even less worth mentioning."
"Yukinoshita-san, it really is useful," Itsuki couldn't help but speak up.
Ichika also said, "If you don't believe it, try it yourself and you'll know."
Yukino didn't reply, but in her heart, she still thought: It's just an energy drink — how good can it really be?
Besides, she had tried these kinds of drinks before, which was why she didn't like them.
But now, since Makoto and the other two were all looking at her, she thought for a moment, then took the cup and took a small sip.
That small sip immediately froze her expression.
Ichika couldn't hold back and laughed out loud right there: "Your expression is so funny."
Makoto stared at Yukino's shocked face and asked seriously, "Miss Yukinoshita, could you give your review?"
Yukino stayed silent.
She held the cup and took another sip.
After three seconds passed, she awkwardly said, "It's okay."
Ichika laughed even more joyfully.
Yukino quietly put down the cup, feeling both surprised and confused inside.
Did Red Bull get reformulated now?
Not only is the energizing effect so good, but the taste actually improved.
This little incident made the atmosphere a bit awkward.
Fortunately, Makoto took the initiative to bring the topic back: "Next, let's finalize the candidates for the supporting roles."
While talking with the girls, he activates Yumiko's Queen Aura.
Since everyone was talking about serious matters, the aura's effect could influence everyone, and he could also test its effect.
At the moment the aura was activated, Makoto noticed blue boxes appeared above the heads of the three girls.
There was text inside the boxes.
"Wow, these boxes look really cool," Makoto thought.
Ichika let out a soft "huh," surprised to find her state suddenly became especially good.
It was that calm, steady feeling without arrogance or impatience.
Her brain was clear from the drink earlier, and now her mindset was very stable, with her thinking sharper than usual.
She had no idea that above her head, it showed [Serenity].
Yukino's was [Focus].
As for Itsuki, her buff was [First Blossoms of Love].
Makoto: ?
Now he understood why the system added notes to this aura.
Turns out some strange buffs actually appeared.
Itsuki, who had been so serious before, now had a drifting gaze.
She glanced at Makoto several times, her fair face gradually blushing, and her emotions were shifting.
Makoto pretended not to notice, wanting to see how far this so-called [First Blossoms of Love] buff could go.
Then...
"Fushimi, have you decided on the male actors for the story yet?"
Itsuki not only took the initiative to talk to Makoto but even moved her chair closer.
The distance between the two suddenly shortened.
At first, Ichika and Yukino didn't think much of it; they thought Itsuki was just serious about doing things well.
But as Itsuki got closer and closer to Makoto and kept asking more questions, Ichika and Yukino finally realized something was wrong.
Itsuki, what are you doing?
Are you trying to sneak off too?
Ichika's eyes widened.
If it weren't for the [Serenity] buff, she probably would have caused trouble right then.
Yukino, because of [Focus], was only slightly distracted but quickly composed herself and went back to looking at her documents.
Makoto answered Itsuki's questions while observing the aura's effect.
Under his gaze, Itsuki suddenly put her hand under the table.
Then she pulled out her phone.
What's going on?
Makoto was guessing when suddenly his phone in his pants pocket vibrated.
Now he understood!
Trying to get low, huh?
In his impression, Itsuki was the slowest at love among the Nakano quintuplets.
Unless he actively talked to her about romance, she probably wouldn't think about that at all.
But now, with the [First Blossoms of Love] buff active, she actually dared to secretly send messages on her phone right under everyone's noses.
On second thought, that seemed normal.
Among Itsuki's circle of friends, Makoto was the only male who was closest to her.
They were in the same class and saw each other every day.
Whether it was daily trivial matters or girl problems, they always found something to talk about.
With the aura's stimulation, this friendship might change right then and there.
It was like a wall inside Itsuki's heart was suddenly broken.
Without that barrier, she could see farther and have more thoughts.
Makoto's expression didn't change as he took out his phone and glanced at it.
Itsuki's message read: "I suddenly remembered, Ichika and Miura are both your friends, but they directly call you Makoto. So can I do that too?"
This was the rhythm of sneaking off.
Makoto sighed inside and glanced at the bright eyes of Itsuki.
He simply replied: "You can."
Itsuki's slightly blushing face showed a faint smile.
Her fingers pressed the screen a few more times.
This time her message was: "Don't tell Ichika."
Good.
This was definitely the rhythm of an NTR plot.
Makoto put away his phone.
He roughly understood how powerful the aura's effect was.
Not only could it influence a person's mood and personality, it could even lead to action.
The only question was whether the effect would continue after the aura was turned off.
Makoto didn't turn off the aura for now.
Because Ichika and Yukino's buffs were clearly positive effects that could greatly improve their efficiency.
Hmm, Itsuki was also productive.
She was blushing and lowering her head, unsure of what she was thinking.
After club activities ended, Makoto turned off the aura and parted ways with the girls.
He had just sent a message to Hayato, hoping to spread the principal's glorious deeds, and still needed his help.
On the other hand,
On the way home, Itsuki appeared distracted.
She didn't quite understand why she suddenly cared so much about Makoto.
It wasn't that she hadn't cared about him before — they were friends, and before forming the club, he had encouraged her — so her impression of Makoto was naturally very good.
But by now, her concern for Makoto had already far exceeded her own awareness.
Especially when she thought about how she had actively suggested calling him "Makoto," and he had agreed.
The girl's heartbeat quickened.
She was a bit nervous, but also somewhat happy.
A kind of secret joy.
Itsuki clenched her fist, unwilling to let her thoughts go in a certain direction.
After all, she knew that as long as Ichika mentioned Makoto's name at home every day, her smile would grow noticeably brighter.
"Itsuki, what's wrong?"
Ichika had also noticed her sister's unusual behavior.
"Nothing, nothing at all," Itsuki shook her head guiltily.
If she didn't act this way, it would be fine. But once she showed signs of guilt, Ichika immediately became suspicious: "You're acting weird."
Itsuki awkwardly avoided her sister's gaze.
Ichika recalled how Itsuki had recently taken the initiative to get closer to Makoto, and casually asked,
"Have you been meeting Makoto in private recently? It seems like you two are closer than before."
"We're just friends!" Itsuki blurted out instinctively, her body tense.
Coincidentally, Yukino had said the exact same thing.
And the person Yukino was talking to was also Ichika.
"I'm just asking casually, why are you so nervous~"
Ichika used her usual teasing tone.
But inside, her alarm bells were ringing loudly at that moment!
What did this mean?
First it was Nino, now Itsuki?
Why did it feel like all her sisters had spies?
"I'm not nervous."
Itsuki hurried to answer.
She even repeated: "Really, I'm not."
Ichika smiled warmly at her: "I know."
She recalled something she had read online: Some people, once missed, are lost for a lifetime; others, once met, will sacrifice themselves.
Now, whether it was Nino or Itsuki, she had that feeling.
If she didn't seize the chance, she might be the one "sacrificed."
Thinking of this, she decided that the next time she went to Makoto's house, she would have to demonstrate the cucumber sage's special skill.
After all, she had practiced for several nights; her hands should be quite nimble by now.
At that moment, Itsuki's voice came from beside her: "Ichika, you like Makoto, don't you?"
Ichika was stunned for a moment, then turned her head with a bright smile: "Why would you ask that?"
"Just curious," Itsuki replied calmly.
Ichika laughed, "If you want to find out my secret, you have to trade your own secret."
"You're at it again... really, every time you mention your relationship with him, you always try to fool us."
"Can't help it, it's my secret. If I don't exchange secrets, I won't just reveal it."
After the topic ended, Itsuki pretended to look at her phone, relieved inside thinking: I think I got away with it?
Ichika at this moment thought: She thinks she got away with it?
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