Here I am again, back with another daily dose of fluff in this new chapter! First, of all I have to say thank you for continuing to support this story, and thank you to all who have favorited/followed this up until now. Thanks to all of you, we FINALLY got past the 300 mark for both categories and we're just continuing to take this to taller heights! We wouldn't have gotten this far if it weren't for you guys, so thank you once again. As always, if you liked this story and want to see more of it, don't hesitate to favorite/follow this, it only takes a few seconds and you can always change your mind later about it. Join us in the journey to taking this fic to the very top, because Gotoubun fluff will rule!

Alright, last chapter, we saw a little talk between Fuutarou and his family, and then transitioning to meeting Nino in school, WHERE SHE TOLD HIM THAT SHE WANTED HIM TO BE HER DATE FOR THE FESTIVAL! What's gonna happen? Let's hop into the chapter!

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Disclaimer: I don't own the Quintessential Quintuplets, or any of its characters...

Fuutarou could only stare at this girl in complete shock, to the point that he thought his own mind had stopped for a few moments. Yes, yes, this happens almost every time he gets caught off guard by something, but come on. Cut the guy some slack. Was his hearing okay? Did he hear her right? Or did he turn deaf for some reason? Those were all pointless questions, but seriously...

Did she just ask him… to go with her to the festival… as her date?

Well, this isn't the first time that he reacted like this in front of Nino honestly, but… maybe this takes the cake. Making a bento for him was one thing and he was really thankful for her doing such a thing, but… being her date?

It wouldn't be surprising if he suffers from a heart attack out of nowhere.

After snapping out of his temporary trance, Fuutarou gave her a confused stare as a sign of him being out of the loop. "Huh…? What did you just say?"

Nino's cheeks grew hotter and her eyes widened for a bit, before she gave him a big pout. "I said… I want you to go with me to the festival as my date! D-Didn't you hear me...?!" she cried, leaning closer into his face which only resulted in the two of them becoming redder from how close they were to each other.

"S-Sorry, I was just… just trying to process what you just told me," he muttered, looking to the side for a bit to cool himself down. Yeah, that was too intense, even for him. Fuutarou then took a deep breath, before glancing back towards the girl. "Alright, just to make sure that I wasn't hearing things... you want me to accompany you to the upcoming festival as… your date?"

She groaned, before stomping her foot on the ground in frustration. "Ugh, yeah! That's exactly what I said! Don't make me repeat myself, idiot! Do you know how embarrassing that is?!"

"I can only imagine," he shrugged his shoulders, before releasing the deep breath that he was holding in.

Now that he had a few seconds to recompose his thoughts, Fuutarou was able to take in her words and think about them. So, she wanted him to go with her to that festival, huh? Welp, that's the first shocker that he's witnessed today, and it'll only get better/worse from there. He can never catch a break with these soulmates of his, after all… and he's only met three of them so far!

Who knows what Itsuki and Yotsuba are gonna do today?

"Anyway, I don't think that's a good idea… wait, no. That's only gonna make things worse, uhm… okay, uh… yeah. I can't. As simple as that," he explained.

Nino frowned, unable to figure out what the young man was trying to say. "What the hell? Mind repeating what'cha said?"

Fuutarou sighed, before shaking his head as he repeated his words. He was already preparing for this girl's stubbornness, because she would surely throw a fit once she understands what he said. "I can't do it, okay? I can't accompany you as your 'date', that's it. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I simply can't."

The girl threw him a dirty look, thinking that he was hiding something. "And why not? Didn't you say that your sister wants your family to go? Don't tell me you're gonna let your sister go on her own?"

"I never said anything like that. I said that I can't accompany you, but I can still go with Raiha and keep an eye on her," he continued to explain, before noticing the frown that still remained on Nino's face. Okay, he could tell what she was thinking, better continue on with the explanation. "Let me guess, you're gonna ask why? It's because I don't have a kimono that I can wear to that festival. I outgrew the one that I have so I can't use it without looking like an idiot. However, that matters little when Raiha has one of her own and she wants to attend that event. Even if I don't have something appropriate to wear, I can still make sure that my sister enjoys the festival."

Nino put on a more thoughtful look, blinking a few times as his words slowly registered into her mind. "Wait, so… you can't go to the festival, because you don't have a kimono that's fitting for your size?" she recounted, making sure that she got his reasons correct.

"Yes, that's it. Nothing more," he nodded before raising his hands in surrender. Yeah, it's not like he didn't really want to, but certain circumstances prevent him from saying yes. "I apologize for declining your plea, but unless you want me to attend the festival in only my usual clothes, you'd have to find someone else to ask for their company instead of mine."

Just when he thought that Nino would indeed throw a fit about him not even considering what she wanted, the girl only let a sigh, before shaking her head and stretched out her hand towards him as if she was asking for something.

"That won't do. Give me your number."

Fuutarou blinked. "What…?"

"Hand over your phone so I can get your number, idiot!" she snapped, sending him a deep frown to show that she wasn't in the mood for any games.

After staring at the girl in wonder for a few moments, he quickly relented. "Sure…" Fuutarou muttered, bringing out his phone and pressed some buttons before handing it to her. "But may I ask what exactly is your mind then? It's alright if you don't want to tell me, but since you asked me to give you my phone, I think I have a right to know what you plan to do with my number."

Nino looked at him as though he had gone mad, before pulling out her own phone and added his number to her contact list. "What I plan to do? Well, to call you, of course! I can't buy you a new kimono if I can't even contact you…"

"And why would you need to buy —" he cut himself off from his words as his eyes widened upon realizing what the girl just said. Did he hear her right? Only one way to find out. "Wait, what did you just say?"

"Here I thought you're smart because you're tutoring two of my sisters," she teased in an almost-mocking manner, before returning his gadget. "In case you didn't hear me, I'm going to buy you something to wear for that festival, since you implied that it's the only thing keeping you from going. Once you get a brand-new kimono, you'll be able go with me. Easy, right?"

He was taken aback from hearing this, and he actually thought that she was simply bluffing at first. Buying a new kimono for him? That sounded so extreme for some reason! Was she that desperate for him to go with her?! Oh, that soulmate bond must have influenced her to this extent. First, making a bento and now this? It's like Nino wasn't resisting against her own feelings, when she was clearly in denial of it only a week ago!

She was willingly strengthening it at this point!

"Well, I suppose that's true… though, you don't need to do something like that. I can understand making a bento for me, but… buying me a kimono? Don't you think that's going too far? You're not even my student, and I don't think Yotsuba nor Itsuki would do this."

"Then that just means you still have a lot to learn about me and my sisters then, Fuu-kun," she smirked and gave him a wink, which caused him to blush for a few moments. "Yotsuba and Itsuki would definitely think of doing this if they wanted you to go with them and they suddenly find out that you needed a kimono. Plus, I don't need to be your damn student if I wanted to buy stuff, you know. I can do what I want."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why are you so adamant on wanting me to go with you that you'd go as far as to buy me a kimono? Aren't you going with your sisters since you mentioned them? Why even ask me to accompany you when you're with them?"

That question made Nino freeze in her place, as it was something she didn't prepare herself for. In fact, his words did make a lot of sense and for once, the girl was left asking herself about her intentions. Why was she pushing for him to go to that festival with her, when her family would be there anyway? Was there really a need for her to buy him something that wasn't really necessary? It was just a festival, nothing too big about it that needed utmost attention.

Oh yeah, it's because she had a crush on him but had no plans of revealing such a thing.

Nino pursed her lips together, before giving him a stern expression to make herself look assertive. "…B-Because I wanted to go with a guy, alright?! You're the only boy I know, of course I'd ask you!"

"So you came to me because you had no other choice?" he argued calmly, never taking his eyes off her.

That stopped her in her tracks again, making her widen her eyes in surprise and caused her jaw to slowly drop from his statement. This wasn't looking good for her at all and for some reason, she felt her chest tighten when Fuutarou implied that the only reason she went to him was because she didn't have a choice.

"That's not it, I… I just… I… l-like…"

"Wait a second…"

At that moment there, Fuutarou noticed how she was struggling to get her words out, which caused him to realize what exactly he was making her do. He was unintentionally trying to make her reveal what she really felt, which is why she looked nervous right now.

Wait, that wasn't how he wanted this at all! He didn't want to pressure the poor girl regarding her feelings, and he also didn't want things between them to blow up completely! Like with Itsuki, he wanted to let things run their course and watch what happens! He didn't pressure that girl because their relationship started off as friends and from there, he let things happen without question and look where it got him. He became more comfortable with Itsuki and in turn, she willingly told him that she liked him. The happiness that he secretly felt from that cannot be denied and it all happened because he didn't pressure her to admit it, but rather let things be.

It's not just that, though. During the few hours that he spent with Itsuki alone, they were all meaningful and he felt closer to the girl by the time they said goodbye, despite the fact that they just met that day.

Nino may be feeling a lot more comfortable around his presence now and he felt the same towards her, but there's no need to take things too quickly. It's like what the old man said about guys falling in love a lot slower than girls but in the end, both sides experience the same feeling.

Yep! Better stop before she confesses because of his persistence! Abort! Let their relationship flow like running water! Don't rush or it might hit an obstacle along the way! Besides, this wasn't the place for that and who knows?! Someone might be watching them!

"You know what? Never mind. I don't think anything I say will change your mind anyway," he quickly spoke, stopping Nino's train of thought and making her look up at him. "If you want to buy me a kimono, go ahead. It's your money, like what you said. For that reason, it would only be fair if I receive your contact number as well."

"What…?" she asked quietly, feeling a bit confused on what was happening because of her earlier thoughts.

"Your phone," he repeated, this time stretching his hand out for her just like what she did for him a while ago. "Since you have my number, I believe it would be beneficial if I got yours in return."

"S-Sure…" she murmured, pulling out her phone and opening her contacts, before giving it to the young man. As she did so, Nino kept her head down to hide the blush on her face so that Fuutarou won't see her all flustered like this.

She almost confessed to him right there! What the hell was she thinking?! This wasn't the right place to do something like that, and besides… Itsuki likes him and there's no way she can… go against that…

Nino's innermost thoughts were the complete opposite of what she was thinking about on the outside.

Before he could add his number into her contacts, Fuutarou turned his attention back towards the girl for a few moments. "You're really sure about buying me a kimono? You don't have to do that when you're with your family, anyway. I just want to make sure," he said.

Luckily for the red-haired girl, his words were able to snap her out of the temporary trance she was in and made her look up to face him. Her cheeks were still red, but noticeably lower when it came to intensity compared to her state just seconds ago.

"O-Of course I am…! You're gonna be my date, and I'm not taking 'no' for an answer, got it?!" she said in a fierce manner. Nino even pointed towards him in order to solidify her point, slowly gaining back some of her fiery personality.

"I see… so you weren't planning to give me any other options in the first place," he shrugged nonchalantly as if it didn't bother him anymore, before proceeding to type his contact number into her phone. "Well, I suppose I should have seen this coming. So, how do you plan on buying me a kimono to use for the festival? Do you know what would fit me somehow?"

"Well, you're going shopping with me, of course!" she said it like it was the most obvious answer in the world, before taking back her phone after Fuutarou was done with typing in his contact details. "When are you free this week?"

"I only tutor your sisters during the weekdays, so I'm free on the weekends, but let me get this straight. You want me to go shopping with you?"

"That's right! How else am I gonna buy you the right size?" she asked rhetorically, causing the boy to shrug again. Nino's smirk returned, looking like she was finally back to normal after being in that state of embarrassment earlier. "Glad to see you agreeing. We'll meet on Saturday, is that good enough for you?"

"Sure, but I'll have to tell my old man and my sister about this first. Don't worry, I'm sure they won't say no to me going shopping with you and in fact, I can already see them teasing the hell out of me for it instead," he explained while chuckling dryly, since he could already see Isanari and Raiha giving him hell for 'going out on a date with a girl', even if it was just about shopping and not really to hang out. "I'll just tell them about it because they deserve to know where I'll be going."

Nino stared at him for a few moments with a serious look on her face, before finally shrugging her shoulders. "Fair enough. I'll text you what time we're leaving, and we'll meet at the bottom of the apartment where we live. You'll know what I'm talking about when we head there later."

Fuutarou nodded his head to show that he fully understood Nino's terms. He didn't really like how she was going to waste money by buying a kimono for him even though he didn't need to, but oh well. He should just let her do as she wants and roll with it. Who knows? Maybe he'd end up enjoying the festival with Nino by his side… somehow…

"I guess we are in agreement, then. But just for clarification, our meeting this Saturday isn't a date, is it?"

The girl blanched, having caught off guard with such bold words that came out of his mouth. Did he have any idea what he just said? Wait, was he serious? Was he really thinking that it was a date between them?! Nino found herself not particularly disliking the idea, but it wasn't a date! They were just going shopping, that's it!

"U-Uhm, I… i-it's not…" she tried to answer, but clearly failed to give a coherent response.

He gave her a small troll grin. "Just kidding."

"Y-You jerk…! Why would you say something like that and just treat it as a joke?!" she cried, banging her fists on his chest out of anger, though it looked more comical than an actual beatdown due to them transforming into chibis while it was happening.

He shrugged, letting the girl do as she wished and not bothering to stop her. "It was worth seeing you embarrassed, I guess."

Nino quickly separated from him after that, shaking her head to clear her mind. She couldn't bring herself to look at him without blushing afterwards, leading to her waving her arm lazily before turning around.

"W-Whatever. I'll… see you later, Fuu-kun…"

With that, the girl walked away while keeping her head down, obviously due to embarrassment from his last words. Nino tried shaking her head over and over to get rid of the red hue on her cheeks, which failed horribly because her mind was automatically going back to when he thought they'll have a date since they were going to go shopping together.

"Stupid Fuu-kun…! Did he really have to say something like that?! Ugh, now I can't get it out of my head!" Nino shouted in her mind, her face growing hot to the point that was beginning to emit steam.

Luckily for her, she was able to snap herself out of it by thinking of something similar that could happen in Fuutarou's shoes. Heh, did that guy think he can pull a good one over her?

Well, too bad for him! Nino Nakano can totally play his game in making the other feel flustered! She already made him blush up a storm when she made that bento for him, and she can totally do it again! But wait, doing a bento again would be obvious, and it'll take away the charm from the first time… she'll have to do something else to make him feel embarrassed!

"Fine! If that's how he wants to play it, I'll blow him away with a gorgeous look on Saturday! I'll make him so embarrassed in return!"

While Nino was cooking up a plan in her mind, Fuutarou only stared at her retreating figure for a few moments before walking away as well. That was quite an interesting discussion he had with Nino, and unlikely the last of the 'developments' he'll experience today. Oh yeah, this is just the first considering all the events that happened to him yesterday.

"Well, that happened. Looks like I have something to do this Saturday that doesn't have anything to do with studying… but before that, I'll have to get through this week first," he thought to himself with a shrug, before making his way to the main doors of the school.

DID YOU REALLY THINK THE NINO TRAIN WILL JUST SIT BACK AND LET MEATBUN MONSTER RAMPAGE AND RIBBONMANIA TAKE THE LEAD?! Of course not! From what we've seen this chapter, Nino is really persistent on Fuutarou being her date, to the point that she's willing to buy him a kimono to use for the festival. Daaamnnn, that's a really big move and now they'll meet on Saturday to go shopping! That's two big moves for Nino in a row: shopping and then the festival itself! Fuutarou is gonna be so busy when the weekend comes, because the Nino Train is charging ahead, full speed once again! What's gonna happen next? What about Itsuki and Yotsuba? What about Miku and Ichika? Find out tomorrow!

Goodbye... and good night! BANG! *too sweet gesture*

-Lance