The days passed quickly, and the quintuplets had already adjusted quite well to their new school in their respective classes. In the classroom where Nino was, of course, Osamu was also present, calmly looking out the window while the class passed slowly.
Nino, who was sitting next to him, glanced at him sideways, clearly frustrated by his indifferent attitude. Finally, she couldn't help but speak.
— What are you looking at so much out the window? — Nino asked, frowning. — Is there something more interesting out there than in here?
Osamu glanced at her from the corner of his eye, barely moving his head.
— No, I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet — he replied calmly.
— Peace and quiet? — Nino scoffed, crossing her arms. — Sometimes I wonder if you have any emotions behind that stone-cold face of yours.
Osamu let out a small sigh.
— I'm glad you think I have a stone face. That way, they leave me alone.
Nino looked at him incredulously.
— That's not something you should be proud of! You're exasperating!
Osamu shrugged, as if the comment didn't affect him in the slightest.
— I've been called worse.
— Of course you have! Because you do nothing to make people like you! — Nino exclaimed, raising her voice without realizing it. — Don't you even try to socialize a bit?
Before Osamu could respond, the teacher slammed the ruler on the desk, calling the attention of the whole class.
— Nakano! — she exclaimed, frowning. — If you have so much to say, why don't you do it outside?
Nino froze, surprised.
— Eh?! But...!
— Now! — the teacher ordered, pointing firmly to the door.
Nino pressed her lips together, visibly upset, and got up from her seat with a huff. Before leaving, she shot Osamu a piercing look.
— This is your fault, idiot — she muttered, walking past him.
Osamu couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the situation, enjoying the moment of seeing Nino being expelled.
The teacher raised an eyebrow and looked at him seriously.
— Do you find that funny, Kuroda? — she asked in a threatening tone.
Osamu tried to hide his smile.
— No, teacher.
— Then you can accompany her outside if you find it so amusing — she said, pointing to the door.
Now it was Osamu's turn to be stunned. With a resigned sigh, he got up and left the classroom, finding Nino leaning against the wall in the hallway. She glared at him the moment she saw him.
— What are you doing here?! — she asked, clearly annoyed.
Osamu shrugged.
— I laughed at you... so now we're punishment buddies.
To Osamu's surprise, Nino let out a sarcastic laugh.
— Seriously? — she said while wiping away an imaginary tear from laughing. — What an idiot! You couldn't hold it in for even a second?
Osamu raised an eyebrow, confused by her reaction.
— What's going on? Weren't you mad just a second ago?
Nino looked at him with a playful smile.
— Of course I was mad... but seeing you come out with that "I can't believe this" face was too funny. — She then pointed at him. — You should see yourself in a mirror when they take you out of class!
Osamu sighed resignedly, but a small smile appeared on his face.
— Well, at least someone enjoys this.
Nino continued laughing a little more before crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
— Yeah, yeah... but I still think this is all your fault, you know?
— Sure, sure — Osamu responded, still wearing his calm smile. — Whatever you say.
Just after the small argument with Nino, Osamu continued walking down the hallway with his usual calmness, not paying much attention to the girl behind him. Nino, still furious from being expelled, followed him without saying a word, until a group of girls started approaching.
The first greeting came from a girl with long, dark hair, wearing a big smile on her face.
— Kuroda-kun! — she exclaimed cheerfully, stopping in front of him.
Osamu, who didn't seem surprised, greeted her with a calm smile and a slight nod of his head.
— Oh, Sayaka, how have you been? — he said, choosing a friendly tone but without too much enthusiasm, as if he had been expecting it.
Sayaka chuckled softly.
— Good! Although I've had some tough classes. I missed you! — she said, lightly touching her hair with one hand, in a relaxed manner.
Another girl, who was approaching from the other side, smiled when she saw Osamu. She had her hair in a high ponytail, with bright eyes.
— Kuroda! — she said, and after looking at him with a charming smile, she continued. — It's been a while since we last saw each other! How's everything going here?
Osamu looked at her and nodded with a slight smile.
— Everything's fine, just started some homework. How about you, all good in your class?
Yuki smiled even wider.
— Yes, all good, although my classmates are still a mess. I need to tell you everything! — she said, almost unable to contain herself, before turning around and looking at Nino, who was watching them in complete shock.
Osamu, noticing that Nino was staring at him intently, looked at her with a slight smile of amusement before returning his attention to the last girl who had approached them. She had a relaxed attitude and a soft laugh, with short, straight hair.
— Kuroda-kun, do you remember me? — she asked, with a playful smile.
— Of course, Haruka, how could I forget? — Osamu replied without losing his calm, even smiling a little more when he saw the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Haruka stepped a little closer, as if she wanted to tell him something.
— Well, yes! Just yesterday I was talking with Mina about that Greek mythology story! You'd love it!
Nino was completely in shock, her jaw nearly on the floor. That same guy who seemed like a total antisocial was now surrounded by cute girls greeting him enthusiastically? And he was responding so... warmly?
When the group of girls walked away, Nino glared at him.
— What the hell was that?! — she exclaimed, pointing at him as if he had committed a crime. — Weren't you the antisocial type who avoided talking to everyone?!
Osamu looked at her sideways with a calm expression.
— I never said I was antisocial. I just prefer to choose when to talk and with whom.
Nino was furious... but more than that, confused.
— That was... totally different! You were nice! You smiled and everything!
— What? Would you prefer I was rude? — Osamu asked with a teasing smile.
— That's not the point! — Nino shouted, still not processing what she had just seen. — How do you know so many girls?!
Osamu shrugged, amused by her reaction.
— It's not that hard to socialize when you have something in common.
— You're the least sociable person I know! — she retorted, crossing her arms and pouting.
Osamu gave her a relaxed smile.
— Maybe it's just you who brings out the worst in me.
— Ahhh! Idiot! — Nino huffed, completely frustrated, while Osamu continued his way without giving it much importance, knowing he had managed to irritate her once again.