The final day of the festival was nearing its end. The closing party was now underway, and sitting alone in the middle of it all were Ichika and Nino, who had just gotten together after Nino's concert ended. But, there was a slight sense of tension.

Ichika:"Um, they were certainly ambitious this year, huh?"

Nino:"Yeah. Even if we never experienced a proper festival, you could tell there was a ton going on."

Ichika:"Makes me wish I came a little more often, haha."

Nino:"Ichika...Gah!"

Nino got up abruptly and opened up her arms.

Nino:"Hug me, you jerk!"

Ichika looked at her for a bit before finally giving in and hugging her back.

Ichika:"I worried you too much, didn't I?"

Nino:"You're such an idiot."

In their emotional moment, Ichika noticed someone standing next to them.

Ichika:"Miku?"

Miku:"Am I interrupting?"

Nino let go of Ichika.

Nino:"N-No, I just had a moment."

Miku sat down next to them.

Miku:"That's fine, but…"

She then looked away while giving off a pout.

Miku:"I want to hug Ichika too."

Ichika:"Aw, i have the cutest sisters."

The oldest sister went and wrapped her arms around Miku.

Ichika:"I was a bad big sister."

Miku:"Glad to have you back…"

Nino:"Where are Itsuki and Yotsuba? I feel they'd want to talk with Ichika."

Miku:"I don't know where Itsuki is, but Yotsuba is probably busy with something right now."

Ichika:"...Does it have to do with the festival?"

Miku:"Well, who knows…"

Ichika:[Then, could that be part of the answer Fuutarou-kun mentioned?]

Nino:"Oh, the stall awards are starting. Come on, I'll text Itsuki and Yotsuba that we'll go there."

Miku/Ichika:"Right."

…

The big monitor in the middle of the festival which had been used by the Broadcast Club was finally allowed to rest after three days of constant use. Underneath the screen was one man, who could be mistaken for a gangster by some of the guests. Eventually, a girl approached this man with no fear.

Matsui:"Yo, Maeda. What did you want to talk about?"

Maeda:"...I uh, well, I uh…"

Matsui:"You forgot how to speak?"

Maeda:[I have to do, goddamn it!] "M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-atsui-san! Please go out with me!"

No response.

Maeda:[Oh, crap, did I mess up!?]

Maeda saw that Matsui had a stone cold expression.

Matsui:"Maeda-kun...Were we not already dating?"

Maeda:"Eh?"

Matsui:"...Are you serious? All those times we went out, the times I visited your house? All the movies we saw? Are you saying I've been the only one who's thought that, are you blind!?"

Maeda:"I-I might need a pair of glasses…"

Matsui:"What an idiot...But you're my idiot. Come on, you're making it up for me."

Maeda:"Does that mean you're-"

Matsui:"What do you think!? Now, come on."

Maeda:"R-Right!"

…

The three girls made it right as the award show was starting. A little party was underway as more students came in. Nino and Miku went to go get snacks, while Ichika separated from the group upon seeing a scared Tsubaki. Ichika put her arm around her as a squeal came out of the girl.

Ichika:"What's got you feeling down?"

Tsubaki:"I-Ichika-chan...Well…"

Tsubaki pointed to a set of sparkles coming from the crowd.

Ichika:"Ah, that explains it. Come now, you're still scared after what happened?"

Tsubaki:"This and that are completely different matters."

Ichika:"Well, I won't give you any advice. You have to figure out what you want to do."

Tsubaki:"Ichika-chan."

Ichika turned away to her sisters, but only walked a couple steps before saying something else to Tsubaki.

Ichika:"I'm coming back, because that's what I want to do."

Tsubaki turned her head extremely fast, but she only caught Ichika's back as she was being drowned out by the crowd.

Tsubaki:"..."

The girl turned back to her target.

Tsubaki:"Right!"

Tsubaki speed walked straight to where the boy shining with sparkles was. Despite her face getting redder with every step, she continued to move forward. Once she got right behind him, she grabbed onto his shoulder.

Takeda:"Oh, Tsubaki-chan, what can I-"

Tsubaki got close to his ear.

Tsubaki:"Go out with me."

As she distanced herself, all Takeda could see was one big tomato.

Takeda:"E-Excuse me?"

Tsubaki:"You heard me, I don't need an answer right now. So please, think about it!"

Before she could get too far, Takeda grabbed her hand.

Takeda:"Say, can we go outside?"

As the two figures left the auditorium, Ichika, who had met back with Miku and Nino saw them from atop the balcony.

Ichika:"There they go."

Miku:"What are you looking at?"

Ichika:"Just two lovebirds. You should find your little bird soon too."

Miku:"I-Ichika…"

Next to them, Nino looked at her phone.

Nino:"No way...Could it be?"

…

Takeda and Tsubaki were now outside of the auditorium.

Tsubaki:[Oh no, I jumped the gun, didn't I? So this is my rejection...Oh, I wonder if those sparkles are what will lead me to my doom!]

Takeda:"Tsubaki-chan?"

Tsubaki:"Y-Yes!?"

Due to her deep thoughts, she had not even realized Takeda was calling for her.

Takeda:"It's just…"

Tsubaki smiled.

Tsubaki:"It's okay, you don't have to force yourself. It wouldn't be good to be so awkward right after I invited you to live with us!"

Takeda:"That's not it. I have to say this. You're already aware I've been quite...sheltered. My father was the only person I had throughout most of my life. He was the one and only person I looked up to. Due to that, I started to go on quite a wrong path. Thinking about how I used to act in front of Uesugi-kun is quite embarrassing. But...I think I can start over in a way. I may lose everything, but that just means I have more opportunities than ever. I never thought I could have such supportive friends, nor that I would ever rebel against my father. I want to try out everything I couldn't before."

Takeda grabbed Tsubaki's shoulder.

Takeda:"And that includes dating."

Tsubaki blushed.

Takeda:"Of course, I'm not too familiar with what I'm supposed to do. So, if you're willing to deal with me, will you take my offer?"

Tsubaki:"Oh, you idiot!"

Tsubaki hugged Takeda.

Tsubaki:"That's my line!"

Takeda:[...Oh, I should hug her back.]

As the two hugged, a girl passed by them, entering the auditorium.

Yotsuba:"It's time for the awards. Shame Fuutarou-kun couldn't make it, wonder if he's talking with..."

…

Fuutarou was walking through a hallway, before stopping in front of a classroom. He opened the door to see Itsuki, sitting on one of the desks.

Fuutarou:"Kinda expected you to sit on the teacher's desk."

Itsuki:"No, not yet...Thank you very much, Uesugi-kun."

Fuutarou:"What for?"

Itsuki:"Ever since mom left us, Trying to take her place was a way to deal with my loneliness. At some point, I let that drown me. I really did try to become exactly like her. I did nothing but hurt myself and...others around me on that path. But, a part of me wanted…"

Fuutarou:"You're giving me way too much credit."

Itsuki:"Maybe so. My sisters did help me realize my actions. But, you were the trigger behind them. For that, I truly thank you. Even if I can't become my mom, I will make sure I never forget what she did for us, nor her sacrifices as I follow my dream. That's how I want to honor her."

Fuutarou:"That sounds good."

Itsuki:"So, what brings you here?"

Fuutarou:"Yotsuba saw you up here, so I thought I'd come talk to you."

Itsuki:"I saw your talk with her. What happened?"

Fuutarou:"She finally let it all out. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who helped her. Her actually staying still while you were here probably means you had something to do with it."

Itsuki:"I just said what was on my mind...Nothing else happened?" [I saw her hugging, that must mean…]

Fuutarou:"Right. She confessed and I turned her down. She also told me about what happened at your middle sch-"

Itsuki:"You turned her down!?"

Fuutarou:"Y-Yeah?"

Itsuki:"But I thought...Weren't you…?"

Fuutarou pondered for a bit.

Fuutarou:"It's just that...I already have someone in mind."

With that statement, Itsuki got up and walked straight to Fuutarou. She stopped right in front of him and leaned forward.

Fuutarou:"Oh, crap."

He put his hand over his mouth, realizing that this felt familiar.

Itsuki:"Hey, take that hand away."

Fuutarou:"Eh!?"

Itsuki moved his hand away, but to his surprise, she didn't try to steal a kiss. Rather, she just studied him.

Itsuki:"Hm...Hmmmm?...Hmmmmmmmmm…"

Fuutarou:"What are you doing?"

Itsuki then stepped back with a sigh.

Itsuki:"Nope, I just can't do it!"

Fuutarou:"What?"

Itsuki:"...Oh, now that's embarrassing. Ichika, Nino, Miku and Yotsuba...They all fell for you. So, I felt like I had to know what could possibly have compelled them to fancy you. But, I can only see you as a friend. A truly wonderful friend, but a friend nonetheless. So, if I was the one you fell for, I'm sorry, I don't feel that way!"

Fuutarou:[Did...Did I just get rejected?]

Itsuki:"Say, why were you acting so weird?"

Fuutarou:"Oh, uh. Well, I thought you were going to kiss me…"

Fuutarou turned to see Itsuki's face in disgust.

Fuutarou:"Don't look at me like I'm worthless!"

Itsuki's face kept that same disgust as her head moved up.

Fuutarou:"Don't look at me like I'm trash either!"

Itsuki then went towards Fuutarou one final time and flicked him on the forehead.

Fuutarou:"Ow."

As he was recovering from the slight pain, Itsuki laughed as she posed in front of the window.

Itsuki:"Honestly, my sisters are such idiots!"

Fuutarou:"Yeah, they sure are. But...it's fine to be stupid every once in a while. That reminds me..."

Itsuki:"Hm?"

Itsuki and Fuutarou continued talking about something important alone in the classroom.

End of Chapter 92