Fuutarou was waiting outside of a certain facility. It was a very fancy looking building. According to he guid right outside the front door, it was a small zoo with an aquarium underneath.

Fuutarou:"I've never been in this part of town before. How did I get dragged into this?"

{Fuutarou:"What is it?"}

{Miku:"Well, I wanted to know if you could go out with me."}

{Fuutarou:"!? Go out…!?"}

{Miku:"I didn't mean that in a weird way! I was wondering if we could go somewhere this Sunday..."}

Fuutarou:"She should have made it clearer that she just wanted to hang out."

Fuutarou let out a sigh.

Fuutarou:"Moreover, why did I accept? I barely have enough time as it is with all the Student Council work."

Fuutarou was fidgeting.

Fuutarou:[Is Miku running late?]

As he thought that, he noticed in the corner of his eye an approaching figure who he recognized as Miku.

Miku:"You're here early."

Fuutarou:"I am?"

Fuutarou looked at his phone in a confused manner.

Fuutarou:"I guess I am. Whatever, what are we here for?"

Miku:"Well, I was thinking we could have a day off to just unwind during these work heavy times."

Fuutarou:"That simple, huh?"

{"Will you hear what I have to say?"}

Fuutarou:[Is that really it?]

Miku:"I am excited for the school festival. We just need to make sure our spirits are up."

Fuutarou:"Speaking of working too hard, you haven't been pulling all nighters practicing, have you?"

Miku flinches.

Fuutarou:"Bingo."

Miku:"How did you figure it out?"

Fuutarou:"You think I haven't seen you sneaking off with those big bags of ingredients?"

Miku sulks.

Fuutarou:"I know you're serious about improving, but we shouldn't push ourselves too hard."

Miku:Like how we did at the sports festival?"

Fuutarou:"Yes...Like that…At the end of the day, it looks like we'll have to do both pancakes and takoyaki. Why couldn't they just have picked one?"

Miku:"That just means everyone is serious. "

Fuutarou:"We'll have to keep track of the concert, the play, the food stalls, the bonfire, making sure the students are acting in line and more. Ugh, why am I in this situation?"

Miku:"It's not all bad, you and Yotsuba have really gotten things on track. I'm sure you can handle it all. I know you'll be very busy, but drop by when you can. I'll make you a pancake that'll restore all your energy!"

Fuutarou:"...I'll try."

Fuutarou and Miku entered the building, to which they saw something akin to a pet shop with little to intermediate sized animals on display.

Fuutarou:"There's a lot of people here. Stay close, we don't want you getting lost or hurt."

Miku nods with a slight blush.

Miku:"Ah."

Miku noticed a baby hippopotamus and took a picture.

Fuutarou:"What an odd animal to have on display.

Miku:"That's Ichika's favorite, I'm sure she'll like it..."

Fuutarou:[Her tone got lower at the end there...Oh.] "Don't worry, she'll show up at the festival, I'm sure."

Miku:"A-Are you psychic!?"

Fuutarou:"Correct. I've been hiding my powers all this time."

Miku:"Fuutarou..."

Fuutarou:"Anyway, look at those rabbits

Fuutarou pointed at the rabbit display, where they were all playing peacefully.

Miku:"Ah, let me take a photo for those too! Nino loves them."

Fuutarou:"That's nice. Hm, there are two more back there…"

Both of them look to the back of the display to see two rabbits almost out of sight.

Miku:"You're right, looks like they're...oh...let's move on…"

Fuutarou:"Y-Yeah, I agree."

The two ignored what they just saw and towards the next displays.

Fuutarou:[That reminds me, I never cleared up the magazine misunderstanding...but in a way, the real answer is much worse, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.]

Miku:"Kangaroos! Itsuki loves them."

Fuutarou:"That does make sense…"

Miku:"A camel, Yotsuba's favorite!"

Fuutarou:"They do look pretty funny."

Miku:"We're almost done seeing all the displays."

Fuutarou:"We've found all your sisters' favorites...What about yours?"

Miku:"They should be around he-There!"

Fuutarou turned to see a display for hedgehogs. The staff was giving people an opportunity to hold them. Miku grabbed the biggest one and held it in her hands.

Fuutarou:"You don't need gloves?"

Miku:"Nope, their spikes only look scary But, if you're careful, you'll see they're just the softest. Look at him, isn't it cute?"

The hedgehog turned towards Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:[Look at that hairstyle, what a punk.] "It looks like it wants to jump me."

Miku:"Haha."

As Miku was holding it in front of her while smiling, Fuutarou had an idea. Miku would then hear the sound of a camera click.

Miku:"F-Fuutarou!?"

Fuutarou:"What's the harm? You took pics of the rest. I just got you in the picture is all."

Miku:"Ah, that face is so embarrassing. Please delete it."

Fuutarou:"Sure, but my hand might slip to the 'send to your sisters' button."

Miku:"Fuutarou!"

Fuutarou:"Heh."

Fuutarou and Miku ended their trip around the zoo. With that done, they moved down to the aquarium. As they entered, Fuutarou noticed something.

Fuutarou:"By the way, are you gonna be alright wearing your headphones?"

Miku:"If I wasn't wearing them, how would you be able to tell it's me?"

Fuutarou:"That's not...the issue. I mean, won't you need to buy another set if they get wet?"

Miku:"Hm. Well, in the case that does happen, you can always protect me. You still owe me for that time you pushed me in the pond."

Fuutarou:"T-That wasn't my fault, someone else pushed me…" [Hm? Did she just mention the trip…? Eh, I shouldn't kick the hornet's nest.]

...

Fuutarou and Miku kicked off their second half of their free day. They looked at the orca show and looked at all of the smaller fish in the tanks.

Fuutarou:"Hey, look. This one's got your expression."

Miku:"And this one's got yours."

Fuutarou:"Please, that looks nothing lik-Oh, wow, look at that scowl."

Miku:"It looks cute."

Fuutarou:"Eh?"

As they kept walking, Fuutarou noticed Miku was starting to lag behind.

Fuutarou:"You want to take a break?"

Miku:"Huh? Y-Yeah, I guess."

Fuutarou and Miku sat down on the nearest chair.

Fuutarou:"You've been pushing yourself too hard again, huh?"

Miku:"Right...I'm sorry, I'm sure you're tired as well."

Fuutarou:"It's fine, don't worry about it. But, maybe you should have spent the day resting."

Miku looks down.

Miku:"...Yeah…"

Fuutarou:"Ah, I'm not saying this was a bad idea, I just don't want you to pass out in the middle of the day."

Miku looks up and gives Fuutarou a nod.

Fuutarou:"...Oh! I heard something interesting. In Your college entrance exam, you got an 'A'. You've done a great job."

Miku:"..."

Fuutarou:"You've come so far from your measly score of 32."

Miku:"I...I...About that…I wanted to tell you that..."

Fuutarou:"It's been a long time coming. There were multiple times where I wondered if I wasn't a good enough tutor. I know I'm not the most sensitive person, and I realize that I was really hard on you girls. But, even with all the times we've butted heads, all the times we got mad and all the times we suffered through something, it'll all be worth it if all five of you go to college. It would make me the proudest tutor."

Fuutarou gave a big smile, something which Miku couldn't look at for too clasped her hands together and responded in a muted voice.

Miku:"That's...right. It's all thanks to you, Fuutarou…"

Fuutarou:[Hm? I thought she'd look happier.]

Fuutarou got up.

Fuutarou:"Sorry for bringing up the topic so suddenly, you probably want to keep walking around. Do you feel better?"

Miku:"Yeah…"

Fuutarou:"Oh, yeah. You were saying something?"

Miku:"Oh no. Um, I...I was just thinking about where my favorite studying spot was!"

Fuutarou:"...Uh-huh?"

Miku:"E-Everyone has a place they like going to to study and concentrate, right? A place they feel at ease...I'm pretty boring with mine, I usually enjoy secluded spaces where I can either be in silence or listening to music at my own leisure. I'm sure you have one as well."

Miku got up and began walking away.

Fuutarou:[It must be quite serious if she's going to clearly lie about it. But, a place I like to be at to concentrate...Hmm.]

Miku made some distance between her and Fuutarou.

Miku:[I'm such an idiot!]

Before she could turn back to Fuutarou, she saw a familiar logo off in the distance.

Miku:"Fuutarou, doesn't that look familiar?"

Fuutarou looked to where Miku was pointing, it was barely visible, but it said "Magical Toys".

Fuutarou:"Hm, what's so special about it?"

Miku:"That big store we went to a few months back had that."

Fuutarou:"...That's right. Although that's just a booth."

Miku:"We were told it was pretty local until recently. We should check it out."

Fuutarou:"What could it be?"

As Fuutarou and Miku approached the booth, they saw an old man with a big white beard under the guise of a classic whiteface clown with white makeup, fully covering his face, ears and neck. He also had red and orange makeup to accent his eyes and mouth. Wearing a slightly oversized costume, with a ruffled collar that had blue outlines.

"Welcome one and all! We're having a special event! If you can beat me at any game of your choosing, you get a wonderful prize! If you don't, I'll give you a big pat on the back! Just remember to always have fun, as they say, "Life is but a game!""

As the man stopped talking, he began juggling 6 balls while standing on a unicycle.

Fuutarou:"What an absolute weirdo. The hell is he doing at an aquarium?"

Miku:"Street performers like this usually just go to places that are crowded. Having a zoo and aquarium regularly brings in people. There were some booths upstairs as well. Just none quite as...eccentric as this."

Fuutarou:"Well, as long as he's not blocking the fish."

Fuutarou was about to walk away as he heard a voice aimed at their direction.

"The couple over there!"

Miku:"C-Couple!?"

The clown approached Fuutarou.

"I'm sure you'd like to win a prize."

Fuutarou:"Sure, but not right now. Miku, back me up."

Miku:"I-I mean, we are alone, but do we really look like that? It's not even the first time this has happened. Oh, but what if-"

Fuutarou:"...And I've lost her."

Fuutarou was dragged away as Miku continued monologuing to herself. Once he sat down, the man continued.

"What will be your choice?"

Fuutarou:"I don't really play games, never had the time."

"H-How awful! Very well, I shall choose an easy one."

The man got out a Chess set and laid it out in record time.

"Do you know the rules?"

Fuutarou:"I do, but I'm telling you, I'm not in the mood."

"Oh, are you afraid of losing, perhaps?"

Fuutarou:"Huh!? You're awfully cocky for an old man."

Miku:"Huh? Oh, I let myself talk too much. Where's Fuutarou?"

"Checkmate!"

Fuutarou:"What!?"

Miku looked up to see Fuutarou, elbow on the table, looking frustrated.

"That's ten in a row!"

Fuutarou:"Another one, old man!"

"Now, now. Don't feel down. Look, the pretty lady is waiting for you."

Miku:"Fuutarou's quite competitive, huh?"

Fuutarou:"Ah, sorry. You were so caught up on something, I didn't think of disturbing you."

Miku:"Ehh."

"I believe that's enough. You may have not bested me, but I will offer you this!"

The man handed Fuutarou two penguin plushies.

"Now, what should we get the pretty lady?"

Fuutarou:"Pretty lady, huh?"

Miku:"I just have my sisters' face. I'm nothing special on my own."

Fuutarou:"You shouldn't undermine yourself like that."

Miku:"H-Hm."

"Sisters, huh? How many?"

Miku:"Oh, I'm part of a set of quintuplets."

"Quintuplets!?"

Miku:"Y-Yeah, that's what I said."

"O-Oh, yes. I was just surprised. As a matter of fact, this aquarium has a set of five sister penguins ready to do a show soon, I got a bunch of penguin merchandise. Here's the penguins in key chain form!"

Miku:"Oh, thank you. I'm sure they'll like it."

"And you, let's play chess another time."

Fuutarou:"I swear I'll wipe that smug off your face."

After leaving the stall, Fuutarou contemplated his losses.

Fuutarou:"I got destroyed."

Miku:"Well, it was your first time playing. When you put your mind to it, I'm sure you'll checkmate him right back."

Fuutarou:"...Sorry we got derailed."

Miku:"I'm fine with anything, as long as you have fun."

Fuutarou:"Say, do you want this?"

Fuutarou handed Miku one of the two penguin plushies.

Miku:"You're giving me one?"

Fuutarou:"Yeah, I'm giving one to Raiha, and as for the other one...think of it as an apology for letting myself get caught up in that."

Miku:"I see...Then I'll gladly take it."

Miku held the plushie close to her heart as she gleamed with happiness.

Fuutarou:"...Come on, that show's about to start."

Miku:"Yeah."

"Look at all these cuties! All five penguins are wonderfully distinct in their own ways! From right to left we have:Ichika! Nika! Sanka! Yonka! And finally we have.."

Fuutarou:[Gonka?]

"Yonka Two!"

Fuutarou:[Why do I even bother?]

"Now, as they all shuffle around, I shall ask. What is this one's name?"

"They all look the same."

"I can't tell the difference."

Miku:"I want to guess…"

Fuutarou:"Come now, you should study them before coming to a conclusion on who they are."

Miku:"...I don't really wanna hear that from you."

"They all do look the same! These five penguins are sisters."

Fuutarou:"Wonder if they have the same dynamic as you girls."

Miku:"Looking closer, that one has Nino's characteristics. I could see the others in them if I tried."

Fuutarou:"Hm."

Fuutarou noticed one of them tripping and falling.

Fuutarou:"So that one over there would be you then?"

"She fell!"

"She's a bit clumsy."

Miku:"Fuutarou!"

Fuutarou:"Hehe. Look at her, she can't quite jump."

Upon noticing Fuutarou's expression, Miku looked back at the clumsy penguin. The penguin, despite having fallen multiple times, got back up and kept walking. At first, it was following the other penguins before eventually going down it's own path. Once it reached the edge, it hesitated, but it still kept inching closer and closer. At the same time, Miku began to reminisce.

Miku:[...Telling him I want to go to culinary school...sure is a lot tougher now. Ichika's still gone, and the rest of us aren't fully sure on what we want to do. I'll only end up disappointing him...His efforts...I suppose it wouldn't be too late if I were to go to university first. What Nino said...I could go to the same university as Fuutarou too...We could be together a few more years. We could hang out a lot more, and...I would have many more opportunities...to fully develop and...maybe I could truly find a way for him to fall for me…But...]

Miku looked at Fuutarou. The penguin that was hesitating was finally able to make the jump. At that moment, Miku said something.

Miku:"I want to study cooking."

Fuutarou's eyes lost their color.

Miku:"I won't be going to university. Sorry, Fuutarou."

Fuutarou:"I-I see. If that's what you've decided, then I'll support the decision."

Miku saw the expression on Fuutarou's face as he said it.

Miku:[He's making such a conflicted expression!]

Fuutarou:"Y-Yeah, vocational schools are a...reasonable option…"

Miku:"I don't believe it's wrong to go to college. In fact, Nothing would make me happier than being with you more. It's possible I'm making the wrong choice...I didn't tell you before out of that fear. The situation with Ichika made that even more apparent. But, this is what I truly believe. Without any regrets, I want to follow my dreams. None of your efforts went to waste, I know that for a fact. That's what I really wanted to say to you, because you're special to me, Fuutarou."

Fuutarou:"!? D-Do you mean…"

Miku:"In a super weird way."

Fuutarou:"..."

Miku:"I've said what I really wanted to say. I wonder if you'll be able to do the same too, Fuutarou."

Once the show finished, Miku and Fuutarou walked out of the aquarium, both looking towards the floor.

Miku:"That was fun. What are you going to do now?"

Fuutarou:"Um, well, I think I'm gonna go home. See ya, Miku."

Fuutarou waved goodbye as he walked at a brisk pace away.

Miku:[He seemed to be in a rush. I guess he was a little angry after all…]

Miku looked up at the sky.

Miku:[I'm such an idiot. Even if he was able to fall for me, it wouldn't go well with my career choice. There simply isn't enough time for us to be alone. Putting Fuutarou in a situation that would result in a hard to keep relationship is just cruel. I was selfish, but...it was fun while it lasted.]

Miku tried to walk, but began to shiver.

Miku:[I...I had a lot of fun...]

Before she could finish, she was already crying.

Miku:[Of course I'm crying...I really do love him. Thank you for everything, Fuutarou. I'm so glad I met you.]

The only sounds Miku was making were the gentle whimpers of a broken heart.

End of Chapter 39