Yotsuba:"It's a tradition for third years to run a food stall of some kind, so we're going to take a vote on what we should make."
Fuutarou:"Looking at the patterns of previous years, we've come up with this list, showing the most popular food choices, with Takoyaki at the top, followed by Choco-bake, Yakitsuba, Frankfurter, Churros and Octopus crackers. Of course, if there's anything anyone wants to do that's not on the list, feel free to let me know."
Nino:"I vote for takoyaki. No real sense in doing something new when the old way works just fine. Plus you went through the trouble of making that list, I don't want to make it meaningless."
Maeda:"My takoyaki skills have improved from my part time job, I'll show you how to make them!"
Takeda:"This is gonna be fun, yeah?"
While the support for Nino's option was big, there were concerns from other classmates.
Fuutarou:"Any other ideas?"
While other options were brought up, there wasn't anything big for a large number of people to cling to. But right before the time for new options ended, Fuutarou noticed something.
Fuutarou:"Miku. Any ideas on what to do?"
Miku:"Huh?"
Miku began to ponder for a second. With some hesitation, Miku gives out her first answer.
Miku:"Pancakes…"
Yotsuba:"Hmm, I don't see that from the data we've gathered."
Fuutarou:"But that might just work. Nice idea."
"I think that'll be good too!"
"That's a cute idea!"
"Thanks, Miku-chan!"
Miku blushed at the praise.
As the bell rang, the class decided to leave the situation as is. As soon as it ended, many students began to ask Yotsuba questions. A group in a band asking if they could participate, a girl asking for invitations to the rest of her family, and a design made by the fashion club. Fuutarou, Miku and Nino were looking at the crowd that gathered around Yotsuba.
Miku:"Yotsuba's pretty popular."
Fuutarou:"Why am I not the one being relied on?"
Miku:"Reputation. Most people still see you as the villain."
Fuutarou:"Geh. I should give the extra invitation papers to Yotsuba. I'll need an extra one as well. I'll need to ask the manager to do me a favor."
Miku:"Hm?"
Fuutarou simply nods, as he signals the number one. Miku picks up on this and nods back.
Nino:[Hmm, an invitation…] "A stall, huh? I can't wait to see what we'll make."
Miku:"Yeah, I'm eager too."
Nino:"Huh!? Just remember that they'll be real people getting the food! You got experience from our trip during the summer, and while you did fine, barring some suspicious plates I had to confiscate. There won't be a fancy kitchen, you'll only have a stall. You better not give anyone food poisoning!"
Miku:"I'm aware! I've tried my best to improve everyday."
Nino:"Fuu-kun, what's Miku's death rate right now?"
Fuutarou:"She hasn't given me anything life threatening for a while. Either way, I'm looking forward to what you girls can make."
Miku:"I'll save the best for you!"
Nino:"Well, I'll be there. I can at least make sure no one dies."
Fuutarou:"Nino is a pretty hard worker."
Nino:"That's just because this family needs a leader or it would crash into a maelstrom daily."
Miku:"I'm not even going to deny it…"
…
…
A few hours later, Ichika's manager, Oda, opened the door to his studio only to see Fuutarou there.
Oda:"Oh my! How did you get here?"
Fuutarou:"Drove here by motorcycle. Where's Ichika?"
Fuutarou had driven an hour to get to Ichika's current location after school.
Oda:"Right down to business, I see. She's out back, she was feeling a little down."
Fuutarou:"Thanks."
Before Fuutarou left, Oda continued.
Oda:"Ichika-kun has been acting strange, especially since you last came in with her sister. I just want to ask. Do you know what Ichika truly wants?"
Fuutarou:"Nope, but that's why I'm being a pain, in order to find out."
Oda:"I see, but be quick, it's already late."
Fuutarou:"No problem."
…
Fuutarou went out into the garden, where he began to hear a distinct song. Using that to find his way in the dark, the voice became more and more vivid, revealing more of the song. Eventually, he saw the source of it, being Ichika, at the top of a small hill. Fuutarou stayed to see, waiting for her to finish. Once Ichika noticed Fuutarou was there, she panicked and put her arm behind her back.
Ichika:"F-Fuutarou-kun! What are you doing here!?"
Fuutarou:"Just came to give you this."
Ichika:"An invitation for the Sunrise Festival? You could have just texted me."
Fuutarou:"I didn't want to impede of the busy life of the famous Nakano Ichika."
Ichika:"..."
Fuutarou:"But I also wanted to let you know, I haven't given up on getting you back."
Ichika:"You're still on about that?"
Fuutarou:"Yeah, I'm a stubborn prick."
Ichika:"Are you only doing this because Miku asked you to?"
Fuutarou:"No, this is of my own volition. Miku helping is just her doing what she wants as well."
Ichika:"I see...I was just asking…Well, if you go out with me, I might change my mind."
Fuutarou:"Geez, stop joking around like that."
Ichika:"Eh...You thought that was a joke?" [I wonder what changed…]
Ichika began to think back to a certain day.
…
…
Six years ago.
Yotsuba had showered on her sixth day of her school trip. She was looking forward to ending the final day on a good note. But at the end of the hallway, she saw Fuutarou walking with someone who looked just like her.
Yotsuba:"Ichika…?"
…
Fuutarou:"This game is hard."
Ichika:"You've never played Sevens?"
Fuutarou:"Nope. I kinda like it though."
…
Fuutarou:"This is the last day of our trip. After this, I'll have to go back to my normal life."
Ichika:"I'll have to start thinking about my future soon. I don't want to go to university."
Fuutarou:"You wanted to be an actor, right?"
Ichika:"Eh!? That's right...How did you know?"
Fuutarou:"You told me."
Ichika:"Ah, right…I guess I did...I do have another dream, but I'm really not good at it, I can at least act pretty okay."
Fuutarou:"What is it?"
Ichika:"I want to be a singer."
Fuutarou:"That's a cool dream."
Ichika:"But I'm not sure about it. People say I have a good, loud yell but that's about it."
Fuutarou:"It can't be that bad. Try to sing and I'll judge ya!"
Ichika:"Alright…"
That night, the staff would recall a shriek resembling something similar to a dying animal. It became an urban legend of the inn.
Fuutarou:"...D-Do you want the bad news?"
Ichika:"Or the good news?"
Fuutarou:"There are no good news."
Ichika:"Oh…"
Fuutarou:"Well, it was horrible, yes, but I don't think it would be impossible for you to eventually become better."
Ichika:"...Do you have a dream as well?"
Fuutarou:"Just what I've already said. I want to get money for my family. It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as someone depends on me, I'll do anything."
Ichika:"...Huh…"
…
…
Present Time
Ichika:"Well, I'm still going to have to say no to coming back to school for now. But I can at least stop by and go to the festival."
Fuutarou:"Right, thanks. I should head back now, I have to wake up early again."
Fuutarou began to walk away before stopping.
Fuutarou:"That was a nice song. You have a pretty soothing voice."
Ichika blushed. Fuutarou finally left after waving goodbye. Once she was fully sure he wasn't there, she saw what was in the hand she was hiding from Fuutarou. It was the recorder that was given to her by Tsubaki.
Ichika:"Honestly, what am I doing?"
End of Chapter 34
