In the school's cafeteria.

Nino:[Who's that?] "Hey, Itsuki."

Both Itsuki and the woman turned towards Nino. Nino then noticed what Itsuki was working on.

Nino:"What are you doing in the middle of the school festival?"

Itsuki:"Ahaha, well, I thought I would take this time to study hard."

Nino:"Come on, shouldn't you enjoy the festival? You have a shift tomorrow, so you shouldn't spend all your time like this."

Shimoda:"A shift tomorrow?"

Itsuki:"Well…"

Nino:"Say, who's this, by the way?"

Itsuki:"Oh, this is my cram school teacher. Shimoda-sensei."

Shimoda:"Pleasure to meet you. You're Rena's daughter, aren't you?"

Nino:"Y-Yeah." [So this is the person Itsuki sees when she goes to cram school…]

Itsuki:"Well...I was thinking about it, and I decided it would be best to just take this time to purely focus on my studies."

Nino:"Huh!?"

Itsuki:"I can't afford to waste any more time…"

Nino:"Is hanging out with us 'wasting time'?"

Itsuki:"No, that's...not it, it's just that I've spent so long trying to be like mom, but I haven't gotten very far in that…"

Nino:"Again with that? Itsuki, this is our last year here. We should spend it the best we can!"

Shimoda:"If I may interject. I'm with Itsuki on this one, she needs to realize her dream, and I intend to help her."

Nino:"Her dream!? Of what, becoming someone she's not!?"

Itsuki:"Nino...I will become mom! I will become a teacher! That is…"

Shimoda:"That's her dream!"

Nino:"You stay out of this!"

Shimoda:"I knew your mother better than anyone."

Nino:"What was that!?"

Itsuki:"Nino!"

The three began to calm down as soon as they realized they were making a commotion.

Itsuki:"Nino...Did you know I got a D on my prospect exam?"

Nino:"Ah!"

Itsuki:"I need to catch up to everyone, then surpass you and become as perfect as mom. It will be best for all of us in the long run, believe me."

Nino:"Itsuki…"

Shimoda:"There you have it."

Nino:"...You...And what happens next? You're constantly trying to study, away from us. Are you going to overwork yourself in the future? Do you want to become like dad and neglect us too!?"

Shimoda:"Dad? Oh, him. I see."

Shimoda then stared at Nino with scary eyes, this caused Nino to step back from how sudden her change in expression was.

Shimoda:"So that piece of trash has been neglecting you, has he?"

This choice of words shocked both Nino and Itsuki, but Nino suddenly widened her eyes as she quickly tried to come up with a response.

Nino:"N-No, you see, he's just busy. I mean, he has to take care of 5 girls, so of course has to work to feed us. He's just doing his best."

Shimoda:"I see. Well, just don't mention that trash again. I can't stand to hear him be praised. Oh, it seems I have to go for now. I wish I could stay longer to see your progress, but I'll come by tomorrow all the same. Make sure you make up for your lost time."

Nino:"Why you-"

Itsuki:"O-Of course. Do have a good day."

Shimoda left, leaving only Nino and Itsuki.

Itsuki:"Sorry your meeting was like that."

Nino:"Ugh, whatever."

Itsuki:"You're usually not so quick as to defend father."

Nino:"...There's something going on with him right now...I know that I'm being selfish...I know that he has more important things to do right now...but I at least want us to have more time together, even if it's just a little…"

Itsuki:"What's happening with father?"

Nino:"Ebata sent me a message...It said that papa's hospital is currently being sued for malpractice..."

Itsuki:"..W-What?"

…

4:10 PM

"Welcome!"

Miku:"G-Good afternoon."

"Nakano-san!"

"What does the pancake faction's leader want with us!?"

Miku:[When did I become the leader?]

"We're busy right now. Come back later."

Miku:"U-Um-One order of takoyaki, please."

The boys stared in confusion as Fuutarou held tight to the tree he was behind.

"What's this? Did the other girls in the class put you up to this?"

"You're just planning to make fun of us."

Maeda:"Comin' right up."

"Maeda!? What's the deal?"

Maeda:"We're aiming for that most excellent shop award, aren't we? How can we get it if we're too afraid to serve our competition? By the way, Nakano-san...Ichika told me what happened before summer break. I never got to apologize for the trouble I gave you during the school trip. I'm sorry."

Miku:"Nah, it was my fault for deceiving you. Besides, not everything about that was bad."

Miku thought back to when she was able to hold on to Fuutarou's hand. Soon enough, the takoyaki was done.

Miku:"That looks good. Thanks for the food."

Maeda:"It's hot, so be careful."

Miku:"T-Thanks."

Miku blew on the piece of takoyaki before finally eating it. The boys and Fuutarou looked on in anticipation.

Miku:"Yummy. Ah-It...It's delicious."

"...Hahaha, you really are quintuplets!"

Miku:"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Sorry, just a little thing. But we know that you're not saying that out of pity or out of modesty."

Miku:"Yeah, it's superb. The middle is so soft and fluffy... What did you put in it?"

"Nice of you to notice! We put milk in it!"

Miku:"In contrast, the outside was all crispy…"

"... it's a taste made possible by this high-powered, modded portable burner!"

Miku:"I knew it... Everyone really is giving it their all... I want to let the girls in the class try it too."

"Huh?"

Miku:"When the first day is over, I'll bring everyone over. I'm sure your determination will get through to them!"

"Even if you say that all of the sudden…"

Fuutarou began to walk over.

"They said takoyaki was lame, you know?"

"Why should we make any for them…?"

Fuutarou:"Why don't you guys admit-"

Miku:"Fuutarou, wait. Believe... I have to say it... I'm sorry to only be saying this now. But I'm sure the feeling of not wanting things to end like this is mutual. Let's all work together so that after everything is over, even after we graduate, we can look back fondly and say, 'that was a nice School festival we had!'"

All the boys present simply stayed silent for a little while. Eventually, one spoke up.

"But... What should we do?"

Takeda, who was standing behind them the entire time decided to come up.

Takeda:"Now that I think about it, you let Matsui-san have some, right, Maeda-kun?"

Maeda:"Asshole, I told you not to tell…!"

Takeda:"Ha...is that right?"

"What's the meaning of this, Maeda…?"

The boys looked at him as if they were ready to devour their prey. Maeda's life almost flashed before his eyes.

"You trying to sneak ahead by yourself!? Even though I wanted Maruyama-san to have some!"

"I wanted Yuri-chan to try them too!"

"Yoshikawa-san for me!"

"These guys…I do understand how they feel... Well... It's not like there isn't someone I want to give some to either. Nakano-san, could you help out our helpless gang?"

Miku:"Yeah! Of course!"

Miku took a bow.

Miku:"Thanks for listening to what I had to say."

In that moment all the boys began to sparkle like Takeda.

"It can't be helped."

"Guess we'll cooperate."

"Geez, what would you do without us?"

Fuutarou simply looked on in disbelief.

...

Once that was settled, Fuutarou and Miku were walking together. Miku was holding a set of takoyaki that they had gifted to her.

Fuutarou:"I should go soon or else they'll get mad at me. Will you be alright by yourself?"

Miku:"Y-Yeah, I'll do my best."

Fuutarou:"That reminds me, I'm hungry as hell. Give me one of those takoyaki."

Fuutarou then ate one.

Fuutarou:"That's better than I thought it'd be."

Miku:"Ho, so you'll eat the takoyaki before my pancakes, huh?"

Fuutarou:"N-No, that's not it-"

Fuutarou stopped as he saw Miku giggling.

Fuutarou:"Why you-Hm, well, I'll let you have this one, I don't need to get any revenge. After all, you looked plenty stupid with those crumbs near your mouth."

Miku:"W-What!? Was it like that who-Wait, there's nothing there."

Fuutarou snickered.

Miku:"Fuutarou!"

Miku clenched her fists, making sure she didn't squish the takoyaki as she approached Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:"Just poking some fun!"

Fuutarou looked down. He began to walk away before he continued.

Fuutarou:"Well, see ya."

Miku:"Oh, right. Before you go! Thank you, this was thanks to you, Fuutarou."

Fuutarou:"I don't recall doing anything noteworthy. You were the one that gave them the push they needed. You've become someone truly dependable, Miku."

With that, Miku and Fuutarou turned away, going off on their own way. But it wasn't long before she clenched her fist as she burst with excitement.

Miku:[I did it! I worked so hard for it! With courage, I can do anything!]

Fuutarou:[She looks happy. She's become a great independent girl...She'll be able to move forward without my help...Without…]

{"Why don't you guys admit-"}

{"Both sides are being too stubborn."}

Fuutarou:[Honestly, what am I doing, remembering those things…?]

End of Chapter 54