The third day, the final day. After many trials and tribulations, it was finally time for the climax of the Sunrise Festival. Many didn't know it quite yet, but this would be the day where everything would come to an end, and a new saga of their lives to begin.

Fuutarou:"I'll be going."

Isanari:"See ya."

Raiha:"You can do it, big bro!"

…

Tsubaki:"Hey, Takeda-kun!"

Takeda:"Are you ready?"

Tsubaki:"I was born ready!"

...

Miku:"Are you alright, Nino? You can take a break from the stall if you need it."

Nino:"I'm fine for now. Don't think I'm so weak as to not continue my work."

Miku:"Well, you're definitely stronger than me."

Nino:"You idiot, you're plenty strong yourself."

Miku:"Is that so?"

The door to the fourth room opened.

Yotsuba:"You two are up early."

Miku:"I have other things to do, but why are you up?"

Nino:"You'll see."

Miku:"Well, we should let Ichika and Itsuki come when they want."

Nino:"Let's just hope Ichika doesn't accidentally sleep the whole day away…"

Yotsuba:"I'm sure she has her alarm on."

Miku:"...Yeah…"

Nino:"...But we should give her one of ours just in case."

Yotsuba:"No doubt."

Miku:"Good idea...In fact, we should give her Itsuki's."

Yotsuba:"Why her?"

Miku:"She needs the rest, especially after yesterday. She might get mad at us at first, though."

Nino:"I can handle some whining. Let's do it, let's take Itsuki's alarm clock."

…

The three quints made it to school and eventually split up, Yotsuba going to the representatives, Miku to the stall and Nino to the auditorium. After some time, a representative of the girls made it to the stall.

"Woah, you already made these many pancakes, Miku-chan?"

Miku:"Yep. Say, I have a question I have to ask you."

"Huh?"

…

{Itsuki:"For what reason do you try so hard?"}

{Yotsuba:"Why did you take so many of my tasks?"}

…

Miku:[Around the time we met him...I was told to believe in what I love. Thinking about it now, it's obvious he was just buttering me up into accepting him being our tutor. But even then...there's a part in me that thinks he meant it. No matter what happens...Because I love Fuutarou...I believed in him and was able to make it this far. There were many roadblocks, many failures and many times I wanted to cry. No matter how much courage I would muster up, there would be some outcomes that simply couldn't be changed. When that happens, I wonder what to do. Does it mean I made the wrong choice?]

…

Fuutarou was going around the festival. He had still felt some fatigue from the earlier days, but he was more determined than ever to finish. Thanks to the efforts of some of the clubs, his work was also a little less than the day before.

"Hey, did you hear? Apparently, they're having an extra show at the auditorium even after the bonfire."

"I hear there will be a little history class for the kids."

"I hear there's going to be even more."

Fuutarou:"Huh? I didn't hear any of those. Were they last minute additions?"

Fuutarou looked over the new paper with the schedule."

Fuutarou:"What the hell is that principal thinking? Hm?"

He saw a familiar logo, being of Magical Toys.

Fuutarou:"It's that company again, I did hear something about the principal seemingly wanting more sponsors at all costs. Something about goodwill. I guess that explains why they have a stall here to begin with. But I wish we were told about it before today!"

Right next to Fuutarou, there were two voices wondering about something.

"He's not here?"

"No, I just know he went somewhere as per a request."

"Ooo, you think he's gonna get a confession?"

"Whatever it is, I need to look for him, the bastard owes me money from yesterday."

Fuutarou:"What now?"

Fuutarou turned to see some of the takoyaki stand boys talking amongst themselves.

...

Not far from where Fuutarou was, on the main building, stood Miku, getting ready to climb the stairs.

Miku:"Right, time to do this."

Miku took a deep breath and began to go up the stai-

Fuutarou:"Miku?"

Miku:"Kya!"

Miku's meditation was interrupted and she began to cough.

Miku:"F-Fuutarou!?"

Fuutarou:"Oh, s-sorry for startling you. I was just sent here to look for one of the boys from the takoyaki side. They said he was last seen near here."

Miku:"I-I see."

She then began to ponder.

Miku:"Well, while you're here...Fuutarou, come with me."

Fuutarou:"Huh? Where are we going?"

Miku pointed up.

Miku:"Rooftop."

Fuutarou:"But isn't it off limits during the school festival?"

Miku:"Yep. But it's a pretty peaceful place, isn't it?"

Fuutarou:"Yeah…"

Miku:"So we won't cause a disturbance up here."

Fuutarou:"...Wait! You mean...you're going to…!?"

Miku opened the door to the rooftop.

"Cut the crap! I bet you were pissing yourself laughing that we can't put up a stall anymore!"

"Like I said, No one's saying that! Besides, aren't you boys in the wrong for causing the accident!?"

There were two students from their same class, one boy, one girl arguing. Fuutarou saw that the boy was the one he was asked to look for.

"The hell did you say!?"

"What's your problem!?"

Fuutarou:"A representative for the boys and the girls, did you call them up here?"

Miku:"Yep."

Fuutarou:[I got the wrong idea!] "I-I see. It's true that they wouldn't be disturbing other people up here."

Miku:"That's not it. The one breaking the peace is me. Please stay out of this, Fuutarou."

The two representatives turned towards Miku as she approached them.

"Nakano-san…"

"Miku-chan, what's the deal with this lett-"

Miku:"...Already."

Both the boy and the girl respond at the same time.

"Huh?"

Miku:"Make! Up! Already!"

All three around her recoiled from the shock.

Miku:"Just how long are you boys and girls going to be stubborn about this? You're high schoolers, start acting like it! Next year you'll be University students, won't you? Aren't you embarrassed to be arguing like children? There isn't even a better or a worse between pancakes and takoyaki! and that's true for boys and girls too! Both taste good! Both are just trying their best! Why can't you all see that!? Ever since we started... Preparing for the festival... It hasn't been fun.. and it's been uncomfortable… I'd been holding back all this time! It's so goddamn suffocating and I've had enough!"

Clearly taken aback, Fuutarou couldn't step in.

Fuutarou:"Miku...You…"

The girl tried to diffuse the situation.

"W-What's wrong, all of the sudden…"

Miku:"You girls!"

"Y-Yes!?"

Miku:"Everyone was already worn out before today. It's no wonder since the other classes shared their workload between boys and girls. with a situation where we have lots of customers coming, it's impossible for us to come out on top with only half the staff. Do you get that?"

"Yeah…"

Miku then turned her attention to the already scared boy.

Miku:"You boys!"

"Y-Yes, sir, I mean ma'am, I mean-"

Miku:"It's a shame that your store was suspended. I know how much effort you guys put into it. I know how you feel. But you need to let your little grudge go. Takeda and Maeda helped, but the rest of the boys have been acting like babies!...I know you don't have it out for the girls. When you were talking with your friend…"

{"What am I supposed to fill my stomach with now?"}

{"Hmm, how about some pancakes?"}

Miku:"You recommended pancakes to him, didn't you?"

"Eh, seriously?"

"You saw that...?"

Miku:"If that wasn't the first time and other boys were doing it…"

"That would explain why we got even more customers on day two…"

The boy was clearly embarrassed, but he eventually caved in.

"...We were giving it our best shot at winning the most excellent shop award. but if we're not going to win the award, we'd rather see you girls win than any other classes."

"You...You should have told us earlier!"

"What good would that have done!?"

"I don't know, but if you don't tell us…"

Miku:"You're still arguing!"

Miku gave a pout that shut them both up. She then closed her eyes and came up with a plan.

Miku:"Like Takeda and Maeda, the boys are going to be helping up behind the scenes for the pancake stall."

"Huh!? But..."

The girl intervened.

"Even if I'm okay with it, who knows what the others will say?"

Miku:"Leave it to me. I'll convince them."

Miku then opened her eyes.

Miku:"Believe in me."

Fuutarou:"..."

The two looked at each other. Eventually they agreed. After some more planning, they finally left, with Fuutarou and Miku alone on the rooftop.

...

Miku:"Phew…"

Fuutarou:"Wasn't that a surprise? I don't know if I've heard you ever yell like that. Wouldn't want to be on the end of that."

Miku:"Haha."

Fuutarou:"You just keep showing me new sides to you."

Miku blushed.

Miku:"Don't be so blunt about it."

Fuutarou smiled.

Fuutarou:"In any case, will they be okay?"

Miku:"Yeah, it seems like they get the idea. It was really selfish of me, but I'm glad I could muster the courage to say what I needed to."

Fuutarou:"Courage, huh?"

Fuutarou closed his eyes.

Fuutarou:"Thank you, Miku. You really helped me there. Even though I was gung ho about finishing up strong, I didn't know how to handle this situation. I was too much of a coward back when we were choosing the topic, so I ran away and ended up drawing the line in the sand."

Miku giggled.

Miku:"I wouldn't be able to do this if I didn't have you and my sisters backing me up for all this time."

Fuutarou:"You've helped a lot yourself."

Miku:"That's the fun of it all, isn't it? We'll become each other's support."

Fuutarou:"...Yeah, you're exactly right."

Miku:"Besides, now I've gotten all smug and proud being able to do something even you couldn't. I'll go back before I start teasing."

With that, Miku opened the door and left.

Miku:[Any longer and my heart wouldn't be able to take it.]

Left behind on the rooftop was a thinking Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:[...She was right, this is a pretty relaxing place…]

End of Chapter 82