Fuutarou:[This feeling...I've...I've felt this before, haven't I? I had done my best to forget about it, I believed it was truly an accident. But even if it was...That doesn't change it happened…]

…

Miku had fallen on top of Fuutarou. In the middle of the night, the only two people that were in this building, as far as they were aware, were now facing each other vertically. No sounds other than the muffled happenings of the outside. Their eyes were unflinching, both of them thinking something, but not saying anything. They could see each other's expressions perfectly even in the depths of the darkness. Fuutarou could see Miku's blush. Miku could see Fuutarou's blush. They stayed like this for a bit, unsure of what to do.

Fuutarou:"Um, Miku…"

Miku:"Let's help our sisters."

Fuutarou:"H-Huh?"

Miku:"I'm tired of just standing around seeing everyone get hurt. We've all had the same lifestyle, yet our experiences feel so different already. Even so, I know when they're hurt and I don't want to leave them like that without fixing anything. But, I know when I can't do something alone. I need the assistance of someone I truly trust, of someone I believe in. You asked me for my help before, so I shall do the same. Will you help me, Fuutarou?"

Fuutarou:"...Ah! Of course!"

Miku:"Haha, you hesitated a little."

Fuutarou:"T-That's because you caught me off guard...You've really grown into a dependable woman."

Miku:"I'm not so sure. I've been holding those feelings in for a long time. I was holding in that question...but I knew that I shouldn't have been afraid to ask, because you'd know just what to say."

Fuutarou chuckled.

Fuutarou:"So you were holding that back...You know, when it comes to me...You really shouldn't be so reserved. So if there's anything else you truly want to do, ask away."

Miku looked surprised, but then gave a small smile.

Miku:"Are you sure?"

Fuutarou:"I'm sure."

Miku:"Really, honestly sure?"

Fuutarou:"Correct."

Miku:"No holds barred, absolutely sure!?"

Fuutarou:"How many times do I have to confirm it?"

Miku:"Because you might get mad. It's pretty selfish."

Fuutarou:"Hit me with your best shot."

Miku:"Alright...It's just that..."

Fuutarou:"Don't hold back."

Miku:"I...want to kiss you."

…

Fuutarou:"Eh?"

Miku smiled.

Fuutarou:"You're smiling, but I can tell you're not joking."

Miku:"That's correct."

Fuutarou looked away.

Fuutarou:"H-How did that come from w-what I said…? Besides, that should only be with someone…" [What am I saying? I know she...]

Fuutarou looked at Miku again.

Fuutarou:[I already know how she feels about me. Those feelings are clear as day.]

Miku:"I know that's a very weird question. Even when I'm already planning on moving away, even when my sisters still need help, I still have the gall to ask that of you. Do you think I'm being selfish?"

Fuutarou:"N-No, I don't believe that at all."

Miku:"It doesn't matter what kind of insane obstacles I come across. As long as I believe in myself, I can go as far as I want. I may not be able to do everything myself, but finding an answer with the ones I love is part of the fun. That's why..."

Fuutarou:"..."

Miku:"I won't hesitate anymore."

Miku began to lean down. Fuutarou simply stayed put as Miku was coming closer.

Fuutarou:[This is…]

Fuutarou closed his eyes.

…

Fuutarou:"Huh?"

He didn't feel anything pressing down on him. In a bit of confusion, he opened his eyes to see Miku with a saddened look on her face.

Miku:"But you only do that...with someone you love, right?"

Fuutarou's eyes widened. Miku's pained expression was clear to him.

Fuutarou:"Y-Yeah, that's right."

Miku:"I love you,you already know that. But…"

The two stared at each other once again.

Miku:"That's not the same...for you?"

Fuutarou:"Miku, that's…"

It was almost as if time stopped.

Fuutarou:"That's not-"

Suddenly, the class door opened revealing a light.

Irigaku:"Is this the class? Hm?"

Irigaku pointed his flashlight to see Miku and Fuutarou sitting together. Miku was blushing like crazy and Fuutarou gave Irigaku a death stare.

Irigaku:"Aside from that crazy stare, great to see you're doing fine. Come on, your sisters are waiting outside."

The two grabbed their stuff and began to follow him.

Miku:[So our teacher was still here. I wonder where he went after I lost him.] "Hm? Fuutarou?"

Miku turned to see Fuutarou's blushing face. In an attempt to hide it, he put a hand over his mouth.

Fuutarou:"Nothing, I'm just...a little frustrated."

Miku:"E-Eh, you promised you wouldn't get mad."

Fuutarou:"It's not about what you said, rather...I think I've found an answer to something myself."

Miku eventually formed a smile

Miku:"That's great."

Fuutarou:"...B-Back then, wer-were you...holding back that one too…?"

Miku:"...Yep."

Fuutarou looks away, but he turns back when Miku continues.

Miku:"But to be honest...There's still a lot I'm holding back."

Fuutarou:"...As am I."

{"But, you wouldn't lie like that, huh?"}

Fuutarou:[We all have our reasons, including you...Back then...]

Fuutarou thought back to Miku's face. He could clearly see her expression even in the dark.

Fuutarou grabbed his bangs.

Fuutarou:[I was truly acting like the biggest idiot here.]

…

Itsuki:"There you are! I'm sorry for leaving you there, Miku! Come on, the others are waiting…"

The two said goodbye to their substitute teacher before following Itsuki, who was walking quite far in front. Fuutarou whispered something to Miku.

Fuutarou:"...By the way, about the help I wanted...Would it be selfish on my part to start tonight?"

Miku:"Yep! But that's what makes you you."

Fuutarou smiles.

Fuutarou:"Honestly...I should pay back the manager with how many favors he's giving me…"

...

Itsuki:"I should let Nino know."

Fuutarou:"Say, Itsuki. Do you know where Nino is?"

Itsuki:"Yeah. She was near the entrance. She said she would wait for Miku before she would meet with us. She seemed down, I guess our dad never came."

Fuutarou:"Yeah...Hold off on that text for now."

Itsuki:"Huh?"

Fuutarou:"Just do it."

With that, Fuutarou ran off somewhere.

Itsuki:"What was that about?"

Miku:"We should go on home without her."

Itsuki:"Eh?"

Miku:"Don't worry. He'll bring her home safe and sound, I promise."

Itsuki:"But he's not even running to the direction where she is."

Miku:"Yeah, he needs some evidence if he's going to win her over. There's a certain club that stays a little later than the others."

"So the stall that got shut down was your class!"

At that moment, Miku saw two boys, one of them being from the takoyaki stand.

"Yeah. We got totally screwed."

"Come on man, you were getting so cocky, I was looking forward to it. What are you gonna do about my empty stomach now?"

Miku tried approaching them, but stopped once he heard something peculiar. As the two boys left, she stood there, pondering.

Miku:"...Just now, he…"

…

"Bye, Nino-chan."

Nino just finished saying goodbye to her friends while she stood there next to the festival entrance watching all the students, including some from her own class get picked up by their parents.

Nino:"...When are they getting Miku?...Why am I even here…? Papa's not coming anyway yet I'm still not with my sisters. I'm wasting both of my time with them. I even ran from Fuu-kun...How pathetic am I?"

"Huh?"

"Coool."

"But like, who's that?"

"It has to be Takeda-kun. So cool~"

"Isn't it Maeda? This would suit him."

Nino:"Ah!"

Without delay, a motorcycle pulled up next to Nino. The figure got up and took off his helmet to reveal Fuutarou underneath.

Fuutarou:"Nino, you're coming with me."

End of Chapter 76