By the time Shimoda's second year was nearing its final days, she had already seen Rena as a beacon of pure light. Her obsession would grow as Shimoda's parents never really changed in their apathy towards their daughter. Rena was the greatest, Rena was perfect. She would hit us sometimes, but that was just her showing us the unrest form of love. No matter what she did, we would forgive her, for she is truly beautiful! Despite this clear obsession, she would never join the fanclub created in her name. Shimoda simply did not believe anyone in the country loved her as much as she did. Shimoda would not stand by as some posers got close to her. Rena was purely to be admired from afar. Then, soon enough...

Shimoda:"Rena-sensei has been taken to the hospital!?"

"Yes, apparently it's a common thing. Something relating to her sickness."

Shimoda:"Huh!? She never mentioned anything about that. And to think I tried to hit her. Tell me what hospital it is, I'll go visit her!" [To think she's suffering...How unjust can the world be towards true beauty!]

…

Shimoda:"Okay, this should be her room…"

As Shimoda went to open the door, it suddenly opened. On the other side, she saw a face she wasn't expecting. A very serious Maruo locked eyes with Shimoda.

Maruo:"You're here to see Rena-sensei, I presume."

Shimoda:"Y-Yeah…"

Maruo:"She's inside. Do make sure you don't bother her too much."

Maruo moved away from the door, leaving Shimoda there.

Shimoda:[I don't like him. Rena-sensei!]

Rena:"Shimoda-san. Looks like you met Maruo-kun."

Shimoda:[-kun? Now I really hate him.] "Y-Yeah, but enough about him. What's this about a sickness?"

Rena:"Well…"

…

As the third year started, Shimoda once again went to visit Rena. But once she showed up, the door opened before she reached the handle once again. Expecting Maruo, she put a fighting stance. However, Maruo was not the one coming out, but the teacher that had come back after his long absence.

Shimoda:[W-Who the hell is this guy!?]

Monogaku:"Ah, how wonderful! Another student coming to show her support! You'll see her right over here."

Shimoda:"R-Right." [Now I have two assholes to deal with, great.]

Despite the amount of times Rena would become hospitalized, Shimoda would rarely visit. Her reasoning was that she didn't deserve to get close to Rena. Someone of her beauty was only to be admired from afar.

…

Shimoda was standing outside Rena's classroom as she saw Maruo, the newly reformed Isanari and some woman from another school studying with her. This was a normal occurrence these days and Shimoda was angrier than ever.

Shimoda:"How dare they try to get closer to her!"

Isanari turned and waved to her. Enraged by such an action, she held up her middle finger in response and ran away.

Isanari:"Eh?"

Shimoda:"That man thinks he can patronize me!? He thinks he can rub it in my face!?"

…

On graduation day, Shimoda was sitting outside, wondering.

Shimoda:[I can't believe I actually graduated. It wouldn't have been possible without Rena-sensei for sure. But now, I won't be able to see her. I could just not go to college and camp out here, but that would only make her angry...That's it.]

Shimoda ran to Rena's classroom. She saw Monogaku go out with a grin on his face. She didn't think too much about it rather than her general disgust at the man who tried getting close to Rena. Once she got inside, Rena was seen blushing.

Shimoda:[Huh? Does she have a cold?] "Rena-sensei, are you okay?"

Rena:"Ah! Yes! Shimoda-san, what do you need?"

Shimoda:"I promise, I'll fix your sickness!"

Rena:"...Haha. Maruo-kun promised the same thing."

Shimoda:"Huh?"

Rena:"I appreciate the thought, but I want you to live your own life. Please don't tie yourself down for me."

Shimoda:"..."

Rena:"I already tried to tell Maruo-kun, but he was adamant. Even so, I believe he's smart enough to pursue the medical field anyway. So, let's put our trust in him."

Shimoda:"...Fine! Then I'll become a teacher!"

Rena:"I see. I wish you luck."

Shimoda:[I'll do my best to follow in her footsteps!]

…

After a long number of years, Shimoda, who now had short black hair and was now a cram school teacher went to visit Rena. But, she was surprised to see that she was no longer there. Once she asked…

Shimoda:"Rena-sensei...passed away?"

Upon hearing this, with rage in her eyes, went towards where she was being administered. Once inside, she noticed Maruo in the hallway. Immediately, she ran to him and grabbed his collar.

Shimoda:"You killed her!"

…

After a long depression, Shimoda decided to visit Rena's grave occasionally. At this point she wasn't sure what to do with her life. She just wanted to honor her legacy. All of this changed, when a few years later, she ran into Itsuki. At first, she was happy that her legacy was continued, even if it meant a man had laid his hands on her. But after their meeting and some classes where Shimoda was Itsuki's teacher, something inside snapped. Once Shimoda saw Rena in Itsuki, she couldn't stop. Over the years, she wasn't able to meet Rena, and when she finally visited, she was gone. No matter what, Shimoda became convinced that Rena could come back. Her obsession came back. She began to encourage Itsuki to become her mom. She would give her more classes and tell her some stories, to tell itsuki how to act. By the time the festival came around, she had become even more strict.

Shimoda:[Just a little more, just a little more and she'll be back in earnest! Oh, I can't wait to catch up with her! It'll be wonderful!]

By the end of the second day, tired of waiting any longer, she got an application for Itsuki ready to ditch school and become a teacher right away. She would ignore certain phone calls from what she figured out to be the reason Rena got pregnant. Her anger was swallowed by her obsession. However, when she came on the third day, Itsuki wasn't there anymore. Shimoda frantically called Itsuki over and over, but no answer. She couldn't believe it.

Shimoda:[Why!? What possible reason could she have to ditch…? It must be her sisters! Those Rena-sensei rejects must have tried to corrupt her!? Those bastards...How can I…?]

In that moment, Shimoda had an epiphany.

…

Shimoda:"Let's get this straight. I hate you!"

Shimoda pointed her finger at the clown that had been calling her.

Shimoda:"You dared touch Rena! I swear, if I could, I'd murder you right here!"

Monogaku:"Haha, I'll be dead soon anyway."

Shimoda:"Tch. You just need to do your side. By separating her from her worthless sisters and that bastard of a man, I can get her back. Not to mention, if your so-called children show how much the failures don't matter, she'll have no choice but to take after her mother in earnest!"

Monogaku:"Yes. From what I know, she's quite polite and docile. Just like her mother, you just need to butter her up and she'll do anything you ask."

Shimoda shot a glare at that statement.

Monogaku:"Oh my. You know you can't deny it, I know everything about Rena, both inside and outside."

Despite how disgusted she was, Shimoda's mind was still on Itsuki.

Shimoda:"I don't care about anything else! I just want my Rena-sensei back!"

Monogaku:"Right?"

…

But...Itsuki was rebelling more than she could have ever expected.

Shimoda:"You have to become her! Don't you miss her!? Do you think your sisters will actually replace Rena!? They're nothing but failures!? As we speak, they're being shown just how useless they are by that man's fami-"

Itsuki:'That's enough!" [That man?]

Shimoda:"...I got it! Hit me! Just like how Rena used to! Let me feel your strength!"

Itsuki:"…"

The fifth sister began to move towards Shimoda. The cram school teacher brightened up, ready to feel the pain of love. But, what she got instead was a hug.

Shimoda:"Huh? What are y-"

Itsuki:"I'm sorry for what happened to you."

Shimoda:"..."

Itsuki:"I don't know what will get you to come to terms with her death. But let me tell you things, I will never become my mother. My mother is gone forever and will never come back. I will grow up as Itsuki. As the fifth sister of the quintuplets! Now, if you'll excuse me. I thank you for going along with my own delusions. But, your services will no longer be required."

Before she could even say a word, Itsuki already turned and began to leave. Shimoda tried to reach out, but as she blinked, the Rena that was burned into her eyes had transformed into Itsuki. No matter how much she rubbed her eyes, Rena wouldn't come back. All she saw as this girl walked away was Rena's daughter.

Shimoda:"No...Please come back! Rena-sensei! Please...Please don't leave me! You're the only real family I've ever had! Please don't go!"

But she couldn't move her legs. As Shimoda began to cry, her legs buckled.

Shimoda:"Why…? Why can't I see Rena-sensei in her anymore!? Why!? She can't be another failure! She...She was my only hope left!"

In front of her eyes, Rena was no longer there.

Itsuki:"I can only hope Shimoda-san can move on properly. I'll continue my own life, as Itsuki. I love you, mother, but I can't stay a child forever. I have to move out eventually. So, please see me off!"

Itsuki walked towards the place where the Nakano family had their dinner.

End of Chapter 120