Who Can Resist Nakano Nino? [190]

Thanks to Shirase’s talk-no-jutsu finally paying off, things proceeded much smoother once he got a good start.

Their conversation drifted over casual, everyday topics, yet neither felt bored or awkward at all.

After about ten minutes, Shirase stood up with a smile. “You should probably go out and see them. It wasn’t just Nino worrying about you earlier—Miku was concerned too.”

“And Yotsuba?” Nakano Itsuki blinked, eyes sparkling brightly. Her flushed face was entirely different from earlier gloominess, replaced instead by the charming liveliness of a girl in bloom, genuinely adorable.

“I'm sure Yotsuba’s worried as well, though speaking of which, why didn't I see her earlier?” Shirase suddenly thought of that little angel.

“She went out shopping for Nino,” Itsuki pursed her lips mischievously, eyes flickering playfully. “Tell me, is it good or bad for Nino to order others around like this?”

“Are you trying to sow discord here?”

“Absolutely not. I’m just curious—once something involves Nino, can you still be objective?”

“Huh? In your eyes, was I ever the type of calm, rational person who objectively judges others?”

“…I knew it.”

Itsuki grumbled softly, shooting him a hesitant look.

But Shirase had already turned away, heading toward the door.

Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Itsuki couldn’t help herself and blurted out her innermost thoughts:

“In your eyes, I’m not an ugly duckling, right?”

Nino, to you, is the beautiful swan from a fairytale. At least in my case, surely I’m not reduced to being the ugly duckling?

The thought crossed her mind clearly.

Yet she understood that this was nothing but an attempt to comfort herself. In truth, the very moment she asked that question, her heart tightened anxiously, her gaze filled with nervousness—

As if terrified Shirase might actually answer “yes.”

“Ugly duckling?”

Shirase turned around, clearly stunned.

“Yes, ugly duckling.” Nakano Itsuki’s cheeks flushed softly, and she hardly dared to meet his eyes.

Just saying those words had already consumed every ounce of courage she had left.

Shirase carefully observed her from head to toe, disbelief evident in his tone. “Who would ever call you an ugly duckling?”

“What if someone does?”

“Then that person is either blind or has serious mental issues.”

“Pfft… Who talks like that?”

“I’m just stating facts,” Shirase replied seriously. “Think about it—someone as pretty as you? There are only five like that in the whole Nakano household. If you count as an ugly duckling, then I’m ready to pay good money if you could quickly introduce a few more ugly ducklings just like you.”

Itsuki shot him a playful, reproachful look. She wanted to say something witty in return, but her thin-skinned embarrassment made words impossible.

But the joy bubbling within her heart couldn’t lie.

I’m also a swan from a fairytale!

Nakano Itsuki clenched her tiny fists, her eyes gradually brightening.

Taking advantage of Shirase opening the door, she suddenly hurried forward with small, quick steps. Coming beside Shirase, hands folded shyly behind her back, she lightly bounced on her tiptoes, asking in an adorably cautious tone, “Will you be staying to cook today?”

“Oh-ho~ So the plot is finally revealed, huh? Confess honestly—you’ve been plotting this from the very start, haven’t you?”

“You’re so annoying! I was clearly asking you a question.”

“Well, as I said earlier, if Miss Itsuki personally invited me, then I might consider it,” Shirase replied thoughtfully, rubbing his chin.

“Only consider?” Itsuki frowned, clearly unsatisfied.

“Of course, these things require consideration. After all, I don’t want to become your unpaid servant.”

Hearing that, Itsuki’s face flushed even redder, tinged like a faint blush from wine. “Then…what if I say…you can propose a condition?”

“A condition? You serious?”

“Yes, but you absolutely can’t make weird requests!” she quickly added.

She’d definitely heard from Ichika that a certain someone enjoyed watching a girl perform “stone-breaking on her chest.”

But her own chest was delicate, precious even—how could she possibly agree to something like that?!

“What kind of person do you take me for? Do I really seem like some bizarre weirdo with strange fetishes?”

“You do!”

“Well, fine, since you already think that way, I won’t pretend anymore. Here’s my condition—I want to see you imitate a cat’s meow.”

“What?”

Itsuki stood completely frozen.

Shirase ignored her surprise, continuing enthusiastically, “I've often seen girls online act cute by pretending to be cats. Honestly, even through the screen, it was adorable… Of course, if done badly, it might look incredibly silly.”

“What do you mean by ‘incredibly silly’?”

“Don’t worry about those details. You just have to answer—yes or no?”

“Tch…”

Itsuki hesitated for a moment. Seeing Shirase gripping the door handle, ready to leave at any second, she clenched her teeth and resolved herself.

Under Shirase’s amused stare, Itsuki’s already flushed cheeks deepened further. Recalling the cat-imitating videos she’d seen online, she slowly raised her hands, curling her fingers into soft paw shapes. One hand touched her burning left cheek, while the other rested shyly at her chest. Her glossy lips parted gently as she puffed her cheeks slightly, whispering softly, sweetly:

“Meow~♪”

At that instant, it felt as if the entire bedroom fell silent.

Or perhaps the entire world had turned gentle.

She remained frozen with her cheeks puffed, eyes shy yet slightly annoyed, tinged with a hint of adolescent frustration, her watery gaze fixed directly on Shirase.

I’ve already done it. Why isn’t he reacting at all?
Did I do it wrong?

Unease fluttered within the girl’s heart.

But suddenly, Shirase clutched his chest with one hand, his expression grave, and dramatically exclaimed, “Medic? Did you prepare a medic for me? I don’t think my health pack is enough.”

Itsuki felt both embarrassed and pleased. Just as she was about to retort, her eyes caught sight of Shirase’s left hand, subtly lowered by his side—holding his phone.

She instantly froze.

The next second, Shirase raised the phone high, aiming the camera straight at the utterly dumbfounded Nakano Itsuki. “Itsuki, that was way too adorable just now. Sorry, but I couldn’t stop myself from snapping a photo.”

She finally snapped out of it, yet her first instinct wasn’t to snatch the phone but rather to cover her blazing cheeks with a miserable cry, “Uwaaa!”

That reaction only made her even cuter.

“Delete it! Delete that picture right now!”

“You couldn’t make me, even if you killed me.”

“You…you terrible…awful Shirase!”

Face flushed with embarrassment, Itsuki lunged forward to grab him. Shirase, having anticipated this, swiftly threw open the door and bolted out at lightning speed.

That speed—absolutely incredible.

Nakano Itsuki stood blankly where she was for a moment before suddenly breaking into laughter.

She hadn’t heard any shutter sound earlier.

He hadn’t actually taken a picture at all.

Coincidentally, she knew that too.

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This is a fan translation of 谁能拒绝中野二乃呢？by 六花吖六花. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!