Over the course of Fuutarou's middle school career, he would speak more than ever with Takebayashi. This girl was someone that he would occasionally see from time to time, but he would never come to talk to her. However, with Takebayashi's seeming interest in Fuutarou's stories, most of which were about the quest to find the person who had scammed his family, Fuutarou began to see something in her. As a few months passed, the stories would continue. She would also invite her friend Sanada to hear the stories. He didn't really get what was going on too much and didn't want to be so close to the delinquent, but he was surprised to see Takebayashi so intent on something. Usually, during their family trips, which recently did not include her father, she would seem like she was thinking about something else at all times. This would continue until the trip to Kyoto. There, something happened that caused Fuutarou to focus hard on his studies, leading to him speaking less about his life.

Takebayashi:"Hey, Fuutarou. Don't you have any more stories?"

Fuutarou:"No. I have to study."

Takebayashi:"Eh? Come on, don't you wanna talk with me?"

Fuutarou:"..."

Takebayashi:"Ignoring me?"

…

Takebayashi:"I couldn't get him to say anything again."

"Well, try again! I think they're close to finding me!"

Takebayashi:"Finding you? Does this have to do with that Mr Arnadue?"

"Y-Yes, of course it does! Now try again! Don't you want us to live together as a family!?"

Takebayashi:"R-Right!"

However, Takebayashi would not get the chance. Suddenly, one night, she was taken by her mother and ordered to pack up everything.

Takebayashi:"W-Why are we doing this? Do Sanada and his parents know about this?"

"Don't talk back and keep packing! Damn it, that bastard of a man sold us out! Now they know we're accomplices."

…

As the two were driving, Takebayashi's mother looked at her daughter. Taking a look back, she grabbed a suitcase and developed a grin.

"Hey, Takebayashi. Do you want to see your sister again?"

Takebayashi:"C-Can I!?"

"Of course! She contacted us and said she's at the spot we last saw her!"

Takebayashi:"Huh? But isn't she still really young? How can she-"

"O-Oh, I meant her guardians! You know how the stress makes me say weird things!"

The two reached the spot the mother was talking about.

"Well, can you go pick her up for me? Here, take this suitcase."

Takebayashi:"Why bring my clothes with me?"

"S-So her guardians can see how many clothes you have…"

Takebayashi stared at her mother for a while.

Takebayashi:"...Is that normal?"

In that moment, the mother got the perfect opportunity.

"Of course! This is a normal thing we all do!"

Takebayashi:"Then you should have said that sooner! I'll be right back! It's that alleyway, right?"

"Yep! And remember, after this, your father will live with us again!"

Takebayashi's eyes lit up.

Takebayashi:"We can be a normal family!"

The girl left the car and walked to the meeting place, with hope in her heart that she could see her sister again. She wasn't sure why they left her off here before or why her mother said she abandoned her when they would eventually come back. But she didn't care, all she was thinking about was the normal lives they would live from now on.

…

…

Takebayashi:"Huh? There isn't anyone here? I'm sure this was the right place...I should ask mom!"

As the girl went back to where the car was, she was perplexed once again.

Takebayashi:"Did...I get lost? She should be here...Why isn't the car here?"

The girl then tried to look around, but didn't get far before security caught her and asked where her parents were.

Takebayashi:"I...I don't know."

"Well, we can take you to the station and wait for your mother. You have a cellphone?"

Takebayashi:"Y-Yes, it should be…"

The girl panicked as she didn't feel anything.

Takebayashi:"What is happening...mom?"

On another side of town, a pair of phones were thrown out of a car window into a lake.

"No way in hell I'm carrying extra baggage. It's all that man's fault. I won't get captured!"

…

…

Days passed, and no one had come to pick Takebayashi up. In that station, a certain man came as part of his tour. The man saw Takebayashi sitting down, her eyes having lost the life behind them.

Monogaku:[This child…] "Excuse me, where are your parents?"

Takebayashi:"I don't know, I haven't seen them...My mom was there and then she…I was going to see my sister again but she wasn't there!"

Monogaku:[Her eyes spell betrayal…] "I understand. Even since I lost my sister, I've been quite lost myself."

Takebayashi:"You lost yours too?"

Monogaku:"Yeah...How's this. I simply can't let someone like you alone like this. I'm a politician, so I'm quite trusted around these parts. What do you say you live with me for the meantime while we find your parents?"

Takebayashi:"..."

After some more persuasion, she eventually agreed.

Takebayashi:"Okay...After all, it's normal to have parents."

…

Monogaku:"I see...So both mother and father were arrested for taking part in a money laundering scheme...I can't tell her that, it would break her already fragile heart. I think I won't tell her, and hopefully she'll eventually forget."

…

Over time, Takebayashi would be treated very well by her new guardian. They would come to understand each other very well.

Monogaku:"Meet Yae-chan. She was out in the street until recently."

Takebayashi:"Heya, I'm Takebayashi!"

Yae covered her ears.

Monogaku:"Not too loud…"

Takebayashi:"R-Right...Pst, My name is Takebayashi. I hope we can get along like sisters."

Yae looked up and nodded.

Takebayashi:"Great...After all, it's normal to have siblings."

…

Takebayashi went to her new father one night as he was laughing after reading a report.

Takebayashi:"Hey, dad, what are you laughing about?"

...

Takebayashi:"You're Sanada, aren't you!?"

Sanada:"H-Hey, long time no see…"

…

Takebayashi:"Hey, Sanada. Wanna go out with me?"

Sanada:"E-Eh? A-Are you sure?"

Takebayashi:"Yep! After all, it's normal to want to experience love!"

…

Takebayashi would learn to cook as her father was very busy with his work. Due to her family praising her on her good job, she would continue to improve her skills. All to impress her family. Eventually, she would become Student Class President at Minami Katsumi, which was the school Monogaku had enrolled her too. One day, students from Asahi High School would come for a trip.

Takebayashi:"My name is Takebayashi Noboru!" [Huh? That boy...That's Uesugi Fuutarou, isn't it?]

...

Takebayashi:"Hey, your family is pretty crooked, huh? How about you join ours, then?"

Rito:"I don't...know if I can just do that."

Takebayashi:"It's fine! Our dad can pull the necessary strings! After all, it's normal to want more family members!"

…

Monogaku:"I have a job for everyone here! We'll be setting up a stall at Asahi High School for their Sunrise Festival. Yae and Sandy, you two will try your best to dig up anything you can on the man known as Doctor Nakano."

…

During most of the festival, Takebayashi would check out the place, simply having fun. However, everything changed on the second day when a little girl ran into her. Takebayashi grabbed the little girl's arms so that she wouldn't fall down. But at that moment, that feeling triggered something in her.

Raiha:"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Takebayashi:"It's no problem!"

Isanari:"Come on, Raiha!"

Raiha:"Well, I have to go now!"

As the little girl left, Takebayashi formed a face that made those around her worry.

Takebayashi:[This feeling...There's no mistaking it. It's you, isn't it? And you're with...I know that man…]

…

Monogaku:"You want us to push the plans for tomorrow?"

Takebayashi:"Yes! I just want to get it over with! Especially with how my own sister couldn't recognize me! It must be the fault of those quintuplets! They corrupted her!"

Monogaku:"I...don't know what you're talking about, but-"

Takebayashi:"I know you have less than a year left to live!"

Monogaku:"..."

Takebayashi:"Let's just beat that family and get that lawsuit over with! Then, we can spend every day together. Isn't...Isn't it normal to want to spend time with your family!?"

Monogaku:"...Now, now, don't feel down. You're absolutely right...I'll have to call up that woman to see if she's willing to join us for tomorrow, but even if we don't have the five people...Let's do it. Much of my life has been consumed by that family...Let's prove how worthless their love is compared to ours!"

Takebayashi:"Yes!"

…

Time once again moves towards the present. Takebayashi set down a plate, ready to eat.

Takebayashi:"Now take this and see how worthless everything you worked for is."

Miku grabbed the plate.

Miku:"...It's not poisoned, right?"

Takebayashi:"Just eat the damn plate."

Miku:"Well, even if it is, I'm sure I got some form of immunity from all my failed projects."

Miku took a bite and was hit with a waterfall of flavor. Her mouth couldn't believe how delicious it was. Miku almost fell with how textbook perfect the recipe was.

Miku:[That was incredible. It's clear she's been cooking as if her life depended on it...But…]

Takebayashi:"I don't even need to taste yours to know I'll win. Give it up, you'll never amount to anything."

Miku:"...Did you taste our pancakes during the festival?"

Takebayashi:"Tch, as if I would actually try those things."

Miku:"I see."

Miku got her posture back and kept preparing her plate.

Takebayashi:"What are you-"

Miku:"I'm not really sure what you see in me. Sure, I'm not like I was over a year ago, not even close. Our sisters are closer than ever, and I've begun to go out with the greatest guy in the world...But that doesn't magically make me good at everything. I'm still far below my sister when it comes to cooking. I don't have any medical knowledge. Outside of my sisters, I can't act at all. I can't sing, I'm barely athletic enough to not pass out after 15 minutes of exercise. I can't teach at all, and I'm not a leader. Anything I can do, my sisters have me beat in every way."

At this point, Takebayashi began to chuckle.

Takebayashi:"So you admit you're useless!"

Miku:"But there is one thing I can do."

Takebayashi:"What's that?"

Miku finished her plate and set it down, showing a single piece of bread from a batch that Miku had already prepared.

Miku:"I can beat you."

Takebayashi's eyes widened. She clearly took offense to what Miku said and immediately grabbed the plate. Without hesitation, she took a bite. What she expected was to bend down and throw the food back out, but instead, her vision went blank. Upon coming back, she noticed she was sitting on a table.

Takebayashi:"What is this?"

"So, how was your day at school today?"

Takebayashi:"Huh? Dad?"

"Oh, I hope boys aren't starting to ask you out."

Takebayashi:"M-mom…"

She turned to see a little girl eating her food happily.

Takebayashi:"My little sister...How is this..."

Miku:"There's no doubt that you're more skilled than I am. Your food is top notch, but the sadness behind your dish was the flavor that drowned the rest out. It's not simply about doing something. If there is no love behind it, you'll come to regret it. It's only once you figure the true meaning of your dream can you find the true love behind your actions and apply it yourself. To me, that was the love of my sisters...and the love of the man I love myself. Despite me wanting to stay in the shadow of my sisters, he didn't care. Like a true ninja, he cut through the shadow itself and separated me from the darkness. He is my ray of hope."

Takebayashi had come back to the real world. Before she knew it, tears were filling her eyes.

Takebayashi:"But this...taste isn't normal."

Miku:"That's the trial and error. That's just the months of effort I put behind that dish. It may not be better on a technical level, but the feelings I poured into it are nothing but true."

Takebayashi:"..."

Before she knew it, Takebayashi began to devour the rest of the bread. This was what she wanted . The taste of love, the taste of family. The taste of home.

Miku:"I'm glad you liked it."

End of Chapter 118