Miku:"As such, I'll be studying with you guys."

Fuutarou:"..."

Miku:"And before you ask:Yes, I am dumb."

Fuutarou:"...I won't tell you not to. If you really want to, I'll support your decision."

Miku:"Thank you."

Fuutarou:"But I want to know, why are you doing this?"

Miku:"...We promised that all of us would graduate together. But, we also promised that we would pass with perfect scores. I just want to keep that promise."

Fuutarou:"...You know I just said that to encourage you."

Miku:"Yep, but just like our friendship, something that began as fake eventually formed to become something real. Just like that, I want that wish born from selfishness to be completed by my wish to be selfish myself."

Fuutarou blushes.

Fuutarou:"...Alright, but you better not think I'll go easy on you."

Miku:"I'd be insulted if you did."

Fuutarou:"Heh."

With that, now all five sisters were studying under Fuutarou, just like old times.

...

Nino was watching her favorite channel after suffering through a cavalcade of homework forced upon her by Fuutarou. After a while, she decided she had enough and decided to take a break. After a bit, Miku went to her side.

Miku:"Don't you still have homework?"

Nino:"Huh? Yeah, some, but I don't feel like doing it right now."

Miku took the remote and changed the channel to a drama show.

Nino:"Hey!"

Miku:"I finished, so I get top privilege."

Nino:"Don't get cocky just because Fuu-kun's giving you less homework!"

Miku:"Less?"

Nino:"Obviously he'd pick you as his favorite, wouldn't he?"

Miku got up and came back with a stack of papers that made a loud thump sound on the table.

Miku:"This is what he gave me. All handwritten and designed to make my brain burn. He's not giving me special treatment. He knows what has to be done for us to pass."

Nino:"Tch. Look at you, you're so good together, you could probably read each other's thoughts!"

Miku:"Eh? Come on, I'll help you."

Nino:"...Why are you so eager to study anyway? The closer we get to finals, the closer we get to school ending and the closer we get to…"

Miku:"...Nino?"

Nino:"Ah, whatever! If it'll get you off my back, you can help with my work!"

Miku smiled.

Miku:"I'm happy you're not as stubborn anymore."

Nino:"Oh, shut it, you."

…

After a couple of hours, they both collapsed on the ground once they finally finished.

Miku:"You said you had 'some' left, not more than half left."

Nino:"Blame your boyfriend."

Miku:"So who gets to watch television?"

Nino:"...I guess we can share it."

Miku:"...Sure."

The two sisters got up and sat together, occasionally changing the channel at intervals.

Nino:"Why don't we have our own tv in our own rooms?"

Miku:"...I think it's a byproduct of when we would watch the exact same programs back in the day. Now we all have our own preferences."

Nino:"When the heck did you start watching drama shows and documentaries?"

Miku:"Back during middle school when Yotsuba gave me her games, I got really attached to history. With how emotional I found their stories, drama shows just came along for the ride. But...I also got embarrassed about the fact that I was the only one that liked that kind of stuff, especially with what my popular sister preferred."

Nino:"...You could have just told me."

Miku:"Nah, you would have called it gross and killed my confidence even more."

Nino:"Geh!"

Miku:"Haha. Well, it doesn't matter anymore, you can call it gross all you want, but I'll keep liking what I like. I like myself enough to think that way now."

Nino played with her hair as she looked away.

Nino:"You're so embarrassing…" [I was going to ask if she thought that way because she started dating Fuu-kun...but I already know the answer to that. She became like this before that...but she couldn't become like that with us alone...My failures as a sister opened the way for her and the rest to become their own person.]

Lost in her thoughts, Nino noticed Miku on her phone, texting with Fuutarou. Despite a blush enveloping her face, Nino could still perfectly see the smile on her face.

Nino:[But...Does that mean Miku will soon…] "Hey, Miku-"

At that moment, Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki came in together.

Yotsuba:"Nino! Miku! I need help with my homework!"

Without hesitation, Miku threw her phone, Nino threw the controller and they clasped their hands together in fear.

Nino/Miku:"No more homework, please!"

Yotsuba:"Eh?"

…

The next day after school, the five sisters along with Fuutarou were ready to go home once their extra tutoring was finished. At the school gate, they noticed two people.

Itsuki:"Raiha-chan!"

Nino:"Fuu-kun's dad is there as well."

Fuutarou:"What's going on?"

Raiha:"Brother! Dad has something to tell you!"

Isanari:"Heh heh! I just came back from a job interview!"

Yotsuba:"That's great!"

Ichika:"What was it for?"

Isanari:"Heh...A waiter!"

Miku:"Ah, just like Fuutarou back then."

Fuutarou:"It good that you finally moved your butt, but don't celebrate too soon, you could always get rejected."

Raiha:"Yeah! But if he does, I'll hate him forever so…"

Isanari:"Raiha-chaaaaan!"

Ichika:"Scary."

Yotsuba:"I'm glad Itsuki isn't like that."

Itsuki:"Why me specifically!?"

Nino:"...Papa?"

Everyone turned to see Maruo approaching.

Yotsuba:"What's he doing here?"

Ichika:"Probably to oversee the decisions with the higher ups."

Before Maruo could get there, Raiha ran towards him.

Fuutarou:"Raiha?"

Once getting there, she introduced herself.

Raiha:"Nice to meet you! You're their dad, right? I don't think we're properly met!"

Maruo:"Hm? You're Uesugi Raiha-kun, correct? Likewise."

Raiha:"I'm glad you employed my brother! I hope he's been doing a good job!"

Maruo:"Yes, well-"

Raiha then grabbed his hands as her aura changed.

Raiha:"And I hope no harm has come to him through your hands."

As she finished saying that, Raiha's eyes turned into complete back holes. For the first time in decades, Maruo felt true fear. For a moment, Nino thought he jumped, but she must have just been imagining it.

Maruo:"...Of course."

Raiha:"...Good."

Raiha let go of Maruo and returned to Isanari's side. Suddenly, Maruo glared at Fuutarou, to which Fuutarou returned a look of fear and confusion.

Maruo:[Did you tell her?]

Fuutarou:[Don't look at me! I told her nothing!]

Maruo:[If you didn't, then how!?]

Fuutarou:[It must be that!]

Maruo:[Yes! A woman's intuition!]

Nino:"...Why are you staring at each other.?"

Maruo:"I-In any case, good to see you all. I must go now, I must help in some decision making here."

Ichika:[Did he just stutter?]

Miku:[When was the last time that happened? Raiha-chan sure is a force to be reckoned with.]

Wasting no time, Maruo walked away as fast as he could.

Raiha:"Well! We should go as well!"

Fuutarou:"S-Sure! W-Well, I'll see you later!"

Miku:"Oh! Let me walk with you for a bit! I still have some questions, you girls can go first."

Itsuki:"Certainly."

Nino:"You're not walking with us?"

Miku:"I'll catch up."

Nino:[Catch up? I'd say you're already…]

With that,the two groups split up, walking towards their homes. Nino looked back to see Fuutarou and Miku talking.

Nino:[Maybe she's already…]

End of Chapter 129