The girl that began talking was a perfect example of the school uniform, with a pitch black blouse that had long sleeves and a long black skirt, She had long hair up to the waist. Her uniform contrasted with her 3 necklaces that shone brightly against the sunlight.
Takebayashi:"It's an honor to meet you all today."
Itsuki:"Wow, that girl is so pretty."
The girl looked at the group and noticed Fuutarou. After some confusion, she proceeded to give him a smile.
Fuutarou:"Hm?"
Takebayashi:"This is the first time our school has experimented with this exchange of student bodies for a cultural exchange. Learning about yourself starts with understanding others. I believe that the thousand stepped road of betterment starts with the simplest of first steps. We must do our best together to ensure a worthwhile experience. Thank you for allowing me to guide you today."
The girl gave Fuutarou another smile. While this only furthered Fuutarou's confusion, Miku noticed it this time. With a stare resembling death, Fuutarou was asked only one question.
Miku:"A secret girlfriend!?"
Fuutarou:"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Yotsuba:"Miku's getting scary again!"
Irigaku:"Alright, everyone get into your designated groups."
Takebayashi:[Hm?]
Maeda and Takeda were in a separate group this time, so they had to say goodbye to Fuutarou. Alongside them was Rito, who waved towards the girl showing some new jewelry on his hand. She in turn waved back and then gave him a thumbs up.
Yotsuba:[They know each other?]
With the remaining students remaining, Fuutarou and the quints stayed in front of the school while the rest of the groups began to go in. Once they were inside, Takebayashi walked up to Fuutarou's group. The students that expected her to simply give them instructions were surprised when she said something else.
Takebayashi:"Fuutarou. You sure grew up."
Miku/Nino/Itsuki/Yotsuba:"So you do know him!/Huh!?/Um?/Eh?"
Fuutarou:"Uhm...Excuse me, who might you be?"
Takebayashi:"Hahaha, that sure stings for a joke. As if you could ever forget your long lost big sister."
Fuutarou's face proceeded to lose as color as he desperately tried to count his family members on his hands.
Takebayashi:"Wait, for real? You don't remember me? It's me! We've both grown a lot since elementary school, huh?"
Fuutarou:"No, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Takebayashi:"Man...we hung out a lot!"
Fuutarou:"You've lost me."
Takebayashi:"Hmm...Oh! You had a cru-"
Fuutarou:"And I just suddenly remembered!...Wait, that means you're.."
Takebayashi:"Honestly! To think that you'd so easily forget me. Would you have never found out if I didn't tell you? Come on, tell me!"
Fuutarou:"Now that I think about it, you still act quite similarly from how you acted back then. Aren't you, Takebayashi?"
Takebayashi:"That's rich coming from someone who forgot about me."
Fuutarou:"You look completely different."
Takebayashi:"That's just overly rich coming from you, it's borderline a ripoff."
Right next to them, a menacing aura seeping out of Miku could slowly be seen enveloping the surrounding area.
Miku:"Fuutarou..."
Yotsuba:"Uesugi-san sure knows a lot of girls."
Nino:"Her personality changed too."
Itsuki:"She sure is something else."
Miku:"So it really was a secret girlfriend…"
Miku's aura got much darker than before.
Yotsuba:"Miku, you're turning into a black hole!"
Takebayashi turned to the quints, who almost jumped at how suddenly she walked towards them.
Takebayashi:"So this is your class? Thank you for always looking after Fuutarou."
Itsuki:"Um…"
Nino:"And who might you be!?"
Nino was beginning to get annoyed.
Takebayashi:"Oh, I'm sorry. I believed I already introduced myself. My name is Takebayashi. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a classmate of Fuutarou's from elementary school."
Nino:"Is that so? We're his classmates, but we have also developed a tutor-student relationship. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our relationship has evolved far past simply classmates."
Miku continued staring at her.
Takebayashi:"Oh, really? What a coincidence! I used to teach Fuutarou too!"
Nino:"Ehh!?"
Takebayashi:"It's shocking when the problem child who never listens to anyone comes for help, isn't it?"
Fuutarou:"They're my students."
Takebayashi:"Really!? That's wonderful, your bond must be incredible if Fuutarou hasn't tried getting rid of you."
Itsuki:"Not without trying."
Takebayashi:"Remember when you would try to prank Sanada and I every day?"
Yotsuba:"Uesugi-san did that?"
Takebayashi:"Yeah, you know, the usual. Eraser at the top of the door, mayonnaise in the locker, lizards in the backpack."
The girls turned to Fuutarou, clearly expecting a response.
Fuutarou:"...Please stop embarrassing me."
Takebayashi:"Hehe, sorry. That wasn't my intention. If it makes you feel any better, Fuutarou would always work diligently, even if his test scores didn't reflect that."
Fuutarou:"You weren't there for the finals, I did much better on those. I got far more serious."
Takebayashi:"...That's good. Anyways, I really should stop holding you back. I hope you'll have a good time here today. Make sure you stop by the Japanese history lecture, that one is my favorite."
Suddenly, the darkest aura was gone and Takebayashi was met with Miku's gleaming eyes.
Miku:"Are you just as interested in Sengoku history?"
Takebayashi:"I love all history, I'm usually seen as an encyclopedia by my peers. I'm a big fan of classical dishes."
Miku:"Ah! Nino, maybe she can teach us some recipes!"
Nino:"You sure changed your tune."
Takebayashi:"It sure was a tough road, I started cooking out of necessity."
Fuutarou:"Necessity?"
Takebayashi:"Ah, I actually stopped living with my father. There was a time when I was mostly alone, which led to me having to learn how to cook. Now, I usually cook for my new family with my allowance."
Fuutarou:"What kind of allowance are you getting?"
Takebayashi:"Are you interested?"
Fuutarou:"Not really."
Takebayashi:"Boo, I was shot down. Oh, well, have fun."
Takebayashi walked away, leaving Fuutarou and the girls behind.
Takebayashi:[You've grown up, Fuutarou...Unlike me…]
...
Itsuki:"She sure was a character, huh?"
Miku:"I wonder if we'll see her again."
Yotsuba:"Maybe."
Nino:"Hm, wait. Lecture? We're having a lecture?"
Fuutarou:"Yeah, didn't you know that?"
Nino:"I thought this was a trip!"
Fuutarou:"It is a trip, just an educational one. Here's the schedule they have planned out."
Nino snatched the paper and started going down the document. Her face slowly became filled with more and more dread as she reached the bottom.
Nino:"...They're all lectures...What kind of dumbass 'cultural exchange' is this!?"
End of Chapter 32
