Fuutarou:[The second sister...Truly, a family loving idiot. She's so full of pride. She'll pull and pull until she gets what she wants. She sure as hell hated the idea of me being their tutor. Always so bossy. But, even then, she has a great side to her as well. She doesn't get that confidence from thin air, rather she works extra hard in an attempt to not only set an example but to protect those she loves. She's straightforward and dominant, yet constantly exudes the idea that she's truly just a fragile girl trying to force a conclusion, as to not show her true side. In other words...She's just an idiot.]

…

Fuutarou got out of his bike and took off his helmet. He looked at Nino directly.

Fuutarou:"These are...your feelings?"

Nino:"Yeah! You know I've had these feelings out in the open for you for quite a while now...But, now is the time! I want to know your answer. Even if this isn't the ideal time, nor the ideal place, I want to face this head on with no regrets!"

Fuutarou smiles.

Fuutarou:"...I see."

Nino:"Honestly, when I said there must be at least one girl in the world that likes you, I didn't mean that as a challenge to get multiple girls to fall for you!"

Fuutarou:"I can tell you that wasn't my intention."

Nino:"So, what's taking so long!? Just say you love me and we can get this over with...please, Fuu-kun...this burning sensation in my heart can't take it anymore…"

Fuutarou's eyes widened before he composed himself.

Fuutarou:"You're right...Really, I never thought I would be doing something like this. At some point in my life, I truly believed the only thing I could do whas study. Sure, I was at the top, and I could teach others...I truly only believed good grades meant everything...But it sure was lonely at the top...You were the first person to confess to me...I think."

Nino:"You think?"

Fuutarou:"...Yeah...And I could never find the right words whenever the subject came up."

Fuutarou began to blush.

Fuutarou:"I put a barrier around me, in hopes that this would just blow over. But, no matter what I did, I couldn't get these new feelings out of my head. As time passed, they only got bigger, until they began to eat away at me...But no more, I finally came to understand these feelings, I hope."

Nino:"You hope?"

Fuutarou:"Well, it's the first time I've felt this serious about it."

Nino:"You had other crushes before, right?"

Fuutarou:"Yeah, but I always ran from them, which would cause problems. But after all this time, I can finally become someone that can look towards those feelings and answer from the bottom of my heart."

Nino:"...I'm ready."

Fuutarou:"Here I go."

…

Nino:[I hated this man. I hated him. He was the first in a long time to pry himself into my family. I did everything to keep him away, but eventually, I was the one that fell for him. This stupid, selfish, idiotic, casanova, standoffish, wonderful, caring, cool guy.]

…

Fuutarou bowed.

Fuutarou:"I'm sorry. I already have someone in mind."

…

No response, Fuutarou was ready to be slapped once he looked up, so he readied himself as he stood up right. But, to his surprise, Nino wasn't getting ready to hit him, rather she had a smile on her face, but Fuutarou could see the reflection of the lights glittering at the bottom of her eyes.

Nino:"Honestly, you couldn't have picked a worse answer! You should be proud I fell for you..."

Fuutarou:"...Nino…"

Nino:"What, are you feeling bad now?"

Fuutarou:"Of course, I've always felt bad about this. But these are my true feelings."

Nino:"Good, as pissed as I am about your answer, had you changed it, I would have hated you even more."

Nino wiped her eyes.

Fuutarou:"..."

Nino:"...But maybe I should leave a mark."

Fuutarou:"Huh?"

As Nino approached him, he braced himself for a slap again, but as Nino grabbed his shoulders, he opened his eyes to see Nino kissing him on his right cheek. Suddenly, he backed away with a blush as he grabbed his cheek.

Nino:"That was just a little taste of what you'll be missing out on, so I hope it stays on your mind for a while."

Fuutarou:"...You sure are straightforward."

Nino:"Better than being a heartbreaker."

Fuutarou:"Haha."

Nino:"Fuu-kun. You better make the one you fell for happy, you got that? Or I promise I will hunt you down, i won't even need the help of papa."

Fuutarou:"You would be the person to do that. I promise that I'll do whatever it takes. I know I'm an idiot, but that's a promise I'll keep, no matter what."

Nino:"Well, you're right on the idiot part. Come on, let's go back. The others are probably worried."

Fuutarou:"Are you fine with riding with me?"

Nino:"Of course I am. We're friends, aren't we?"

Fuutarou:"...Yeah, you're right." [I'm glad our relationship won't be damaged due to this. You're one hell of a strong girl.]

Nino:"Besides, you planning on leaving me stranded here or something?"

Fuutarou:"N-No, that wasn't the intention."

The two got on the motorcycle. Nino did her best to not show Fuutarou her face as they began to ride back to the quint's apartment. She nestled herself onto his back, hoping the sound of the motor muffled her sniffles.

Fuutarou:[Yeah, she's my precious friend. Thank you, Nino. I'm glad I met you.]

The ride back was mostly a quiet one.

End of Chapter 79