Inside the mostly desolate main building, there were only two sets of footsteps being heard. One was calm, calculating, but that was only in regards to the sound it made. Once one could see the source, they would see the physical manifestation of pure menace. The father of the quintuplets was now a cloud of darkness moving along the hallway. If more people were there, it would no doubt become a legend. The other set of footsteps were far more frantic, off beat, and in distress. These were Fuutarou's steps. He knew that he would eventually need to face him, but he didn't think it would happen this fast.

Fuutarou:[I need to at least make it outside so I can at least have witnesses in the case he murders me.]

Across the hallway, a booming voice could be heard vibrating the floor.

Maruo:"Where could you be going, Uesugi-kun?"

Fuutarou:"I-I'm just getting some fresh air!"

Fuutarou looked back to see Maruo even closer.

Fuutarou:[How is he walking faster than I'm running!?]

As he keeps moving, Fuutarou begins to think to himself.

Fuutarou:[He's scary as hell, but I can't keep this up forever. If I was truly unwilling to fight back, I would have never made my decision.I know he hates me, but I hate him too! Coming to terms with my feelings is far scarier than some doting middle aged guy anyway!]

Fuutarou then stopped suddenly, sliding across the floor.

Maruo:"Ho? So you have accepted your fate?"

Fuutarou:[Damn, he's scary.] "Yeah, bring it on!"

Once Maruo got close enough, the two men were in a stand-off once again. They had stood like this once before just the day before. The two men stared at each other for a while. As soon as Fuutarou opened his mouth, both of them heard clapping.

Maruo:"Hm?"

Fuutarou:"Maybe the ghost living here is scared too and he's applauding you for it."

Maruo:"Huh!?"

"Now, now, don't feel down."

The two watched as a figure got closer.

Fuutarou:"You're…"

…

Yotsuba was running towards the figure he saw. The figure was running too, but had stopped once it reached the track.

Yotsuba:"He finally stopped!"

The figure she had been chasing was none other than Rito, the athletic prodigy.

Rito:"Not what I was planning. Why'd you chase me out of nowhere?"

Yotsuba:"I wanted to complain to you! You said some really mean things yesterday and I wanted you to eat those words!"

Rito:"Right...Well, if that's what you want, I won't stop you. But hear me out."

Yotsuba:"Huh?"

Rito pointed to the track.

Rito:"Why don't we have a little race? Winner gets all the bragging rights."

Yotsuba:"Why would I do that? I hate you."

Rito:"Eh? A little more honest, aren't we? Well, how's this, I'll personally apologize to that poor idiot if you win."

This perked up Yotsuba.

Yotsuba:"Alright...You got a challenge!"

…

Nino was walking away from the table they had eaten together at. She was signaled by Sandy. Once she caught up with him, she wanted answers.

Nino:"So why the hell did you drag me out here?"

At that point, she had a thought.

Nino:[Oh, maybe he wants my autograph for that great show I put on.] "Sorry, I only give my love to very certain people."

Sandy:"What are you talking about?"

Nino:"I'm saying you can't have my autograph!"

Sandy:"I, huh? No, that's not what I wanted."

Nino:"Then what possible reason could you want to drag me away?"

Sandy:"Glad you asked. Take a look at this!"

Sandy then opened a nearby door to a few students waiting.

Nino:"Huh?"

Sandy:"Let's have a little compe-"

Nino was already walking away.

Sandy:"W-Where are you going!?"

Nino:"Anywhere but here."

Sandy:"Oh, come on. Don't you want to know about the case your dad's going through?"

With that, Nino stopped walking and slowly turned around.

Nino:"How the hell do you know that?"

…

Ichika was going to the auditorium. The message she had heard beforehand was specifically directed to her to go there.

Ichika:"I would assume it has to do with my career. I really wish they didn't just say my name like that though. Now everyone knows I'm here. I hoped it would have to do with me coming back, but with no principal, that might be pretty hard."

Ichika eventually made it to the destination, where upon opening the door, she was greeted by a number of cheers from an audience that also heard the broadcast.

Ichika:"Ehh?"

She wanted to leave, but despite her unwillingness to act or have any interview, she would feel bad if she did. Still at the door she just gave a wave combined with a shaky smile. This riled up the audience even more.

"If only they could shut up."

Ichika almost leapt as she heard a whisper next to her ear. It was Yae.

Ichika:"Y-You startled me! What are-"

Yae put her hand over Ichika's mouth.

Yae:"Come with me backstage."

Ichika:"Are we even allowed?"

Yae:"Yeah. We've had permission all day. Thankfully, the principal is gone, so we don't have to pay him for it."

Ichika:"Eh? How do you-"

…

Itsuki was at the cafeteria. The text she had received was by none other than Shimoda. The text asked for her to come alone. Itsuki was aware that she would need to face her eventually.

Itsuki:[It's my fault for letting her view of me become so skewed. I must do the right thing.]

In front of her, the lady in the suit came up with a smile as if nothing was wrong. She put down a lot of books on a desk.

Itsuki:"What are those for?"

Shimoda:"For studying, of course! You're going to go at it all night! It seems you were pulled away from those sisters of yours. Poor Rena, you mustn't hang out with such a crowd. Now, come here and we'll begin your future path."

Itsuki:"Why are you calling me-"

She then took a crumpled piece of paper, no doubt from it being squeezed..

Shimoda:"This is a contract I made for you. We'll have you begin as a cram school teacher immediately!"

Itsuki:[So this is how bad it got…]

Itsuki clenched her fists.

Itsuki:"I refuse."

Suddenly, Shimoda narrowed her eyes.

Shimoda:"What an awful answer."

…

Miku was following the girl who had called for her to a classroom in the other building. It was Takebayashi.

Takebayashi:"So are you Fuutarou-kun's girlfriend or something? You were alone with him."

Miku blushed for a bit, but she cleared her throat.

Miku:"Y-Yes, I hope that's not a problem for someone who hadn't seen him in years."

Takebayashi:" Not at all, I was just wondering how he would continue his life is all. But he doesn't matter right now. We're here."

Upon opening the door to a classroom with its lights on, she was greeted by a number of children.

Takebayashi:"You like history, don't you? Why don't we make something out of that?"

Miku:"..."

End of Chapter 97