Day 1
The first day of testing was the time where anxiety was at its highest. All of that studying could come apart and your momentum could crash before anything of note happens. This was a big worry in Ichika's mind coming in. She had been absent for a few months and many favors had to be made for her to come back without repeating the grade. At first, she was scared of how much help she'd need when Fuutarou was already busy with everyone else, but she was reminded of what Itsuki said.
{Itsuki:"Uesugi-kun won't judge you."}
Ichika, no matter how dumb she seemed in front of others, was not afraid to ask as many questions as possible. Not only did she need it, but she knew she had all her sisters behind her, supporting her. All that combined with her responsibility as big sister meant she couldn't fall behind any longer. She looked at the question in front of her, being a math problem.
Ichika then looks at Yotsuba tapping her pencil on her forehead.
Ichika:[Poor gal, there's 130 of these questions and this is one of the easy ones. If she has any questions about this, I must be able to answer.]
Ichika began to defeat each question one by one.
Ichika:[As the big sister, I'll carve a path for my adorable little sisters and show them I've still got it.]
…
Day 2:
Nino's confidence wasn't exactly sky high as she and Yotsuba asked Ichika specific questions, she didn't feel as anxious as Yotsuba, but this was still her chance to make it up. Now a rather long passage stood before her, all of which she had to translate to English. Nino could feel the dread coming out of Miku as she looked at each character carefully.
Nino:[Miku's never been great at English and it shows. But, while it's slow, it looks like the tips I gave her are working quite well.]
Nino started writing down the passage in English as well as she could.
Nino:[I can still turn things around, but by today and tomorrow, that confidence might shatter. All I can hope is for Fuu-kun's efforts to show off the best they can. As for me, no way in hell am I falling behind my sisters. We're all graduating together!]
The second day of testing continued, the first half of the week was slowly losing its time.
…
Day 3:
The middle of the week of testing could be seen as one of two great halves. For some, it was at this point where students could give up, realizing what little hope they had to pass, or it could be simply another confidence boost. For Miku, she was in between these two emotions. She felt fine with her math portion, but the English one was an unbearably slow drag. But once she stopped swimming through the tar, her specialty was up next.
Miku:[Social Studies, this is what I'm talking about.]
Miku took a peek at Nino, who would slam her head against the desk before, was now making a great effort to remember the subject and Itsuki, who was trying her best to visualize the scene placed upon her. Miku thought to check her luck that day, but decided against it.
Miku:[What we've practiced for, there's no reason to rely on luck. I just have to do it. After this, both the worst and the best will be over. From here on, it's all about what I can do for myself.]
The third day resumed, the week was half way done.
…
Day 4:
On the fourth day, Yotsuba almost cried tears of joy once Japanese rolled around. She was hit hard by her worst enemy, math, on the first day. But as each day passed, the more relaxed she felt. Now, it was her time to shine. Her helping Ichika and Nino here helped her own studies to get better than before.
Yotsuba:[I've always been the dumbest one, including back in middle school. I let my emotions overtake me and I overworked myself nearly to death. Thanks to the wake up slap Fuutarou-kun and my sisters gave me, no way I'll let that happen again.]
Yotsuba began to clear out the questions far easier than ever before.
Yotsuba:[All of these characters are complicated at first, but inside, there's a far simpler fellow just waiting to be found!]
Most of the week was almost behind them, only one day remained.
…
Day 5:
There was certainly a lot of pressure for Itsuki on this final day of testing. Her teaching job was dependent on her understanding of these concepts, and while she didn't do bad on the first two days, her resolve was put to the test with Social Studies. But, once she got herself in check, the fourth day was far better. Now, here she was, with her best subject, Science.
Itsuki:[It's not all about ending strong, it's about building up to it to make the end as satisfying as you can!]
Itsuki looked to Miku and Yotsuba, who were clearly slower than the previous day. But even so, they did their best to tackle these questions without hesitation.
Itsuki:[We've all gone through a lot, but at the end of the day, what we've learned, what we've experienced helped us into the far more mature women we are today.]
The fifth sister had a sigh of relief looking at Ichika and Nino as well. By this point, everyone was usually exhausted, but here they were, still giving it their all despite the jaws of the finals being in front of them.
Itsuki:[I wonder if this sense of pride is what Uesugi-kun feels every time we do better. It's such a great feeling!]
The fifth day carried on, leading to the end of this rigorous testing. The week was finally over.
…
The weekend ahead was one of pure exhaustion. At this point, the girls didn't ask questions to each other or Fuutarou. They did their best, and now they just had to wait. Then, the day finally came when they received their scores. Fuutarou booked it to the bakery he worked at to open their envelopes together. Fuutarou had a smile on his face, no matter what the scores were, he was proud of all of them. Once he came inside, the five sisters were already there, all anxious to open their envelopes.
Miku:"You're here."
Fuutarou:"Came as fast as I could."
Nino:"Looks that way, you look like you ran a marathon."
Kari:"You could have asked for the motorcycle."
Fuutarou:"I'm already in your debt by letting us take time off. So, shall we open them?"
Yotsuba:"Fuutarou-kun should open them first!"
Fuutarou:"Huh?"
Ichika:"Yes, I believe Fuutarou-kun should show us his first to prove he didn't worry too much about us."
Itsuki:"Although, if his scores aren't perfect, what would that mean for us…"
Fuutarou:"Fine, fine. Here."
Fuutarou opened the envelope and showed off his scores without looking at them first.
Fuutarou's Scores:
Japanese:100
Math:100
Science:100
Social Studies:100
English:100
Total:500
Ichika:"Wow."
Nino:"This guy…"
Miku:"That's to be expected."
Yotsuba:"If you'd like to donate your brain, I would gladly accept."
Itsuki:"That's reassuring."
Fuutarou:"Right, now let's see yours."
Miku:"Let's open them at the same time."
Ichika:"Sounds good."
Nino:"On the count of 3."
Itsuki:"Oh, how nerve wracking."
Yotsuba:"3! 2! 1!"
All five sisters showed their scores at the same time.
Ichika's Scores:
Japanese:88
Math:100
Science:94
Social Studies:88
English:90
Total:460
Nino's Scores:
Japanese:94
Math:89
Science:96
Social Studies:93
English:100
Total:472
Miku's Scores:
Japanese:97
Math:98
Science:94
Social Studies:100
English:91
Total:480
Yotsuba's Scores:
Japanese:100
Math:85
Science:90
Social Studies:87
English:93
Total:455
Itsuki's Scores:
Japanese:96
Math:90
Science:100
Social Studies:86
English:95
Total:467
…
Everyone was staring at the scores in front of them without movement. After a bit, Ichika reached out to both Yotsuba and Miku and brought their heads to her chest. As Miku looked up, she could see Ichika crying. Upon seeing this, Miku couldn't help but tear up. Nino was trying her hardest but she couldn't hold back her tears. Itsuki hugged her with misty eyes as well. Yotsuba reached out to Itsuki and Nino to join their hug, also with red eyes. Once they were all together, they couldn't hold back anymore. They all cried out.
Ichika:"They're not perfect…"
Nino:"But I can't believe…"
Miku:"That these scores are real!"
Yotsuba:"I never thought…"
Itsuki:"That we'd get such amazing scores!"
As the sisters cried together, Fuutarou took their score sheets and looked at all of them with his back turned towards them. After a bit, he started to shake.
Ichika:"Fuutarou-kun?"
Yotsuba:"Is...he mad at us?"
Itsuki:"Sorry we couldn't get perfect scores."
Nino:"But we did great!"
Miku:"Fuutarou…"
Suddenly, Fuutarou exploded in laughter as he held the papers up high.
Fuutarou:"Hahaha! You girls never fail to surprise me!"
Miku:"W-What is it?"
Fuutarou:"Look at this!"
Fuutarou pointed to certain parts of the scores.
Fuutarou:"Ichika with Math! Nino with English! Miku with Social Studies! Yotsuba with Japanese! Itsuki with Science! They're all 100! When put together, all five of you achieved a perfect score in every subject!"
Itsuki:"..."
Ichika:"That's…"
Nino:"That's the logic I used against papa…"
Yotsuba:"I guess...he's not wrong."
Miku:"Haha! That's true."
Fuutarou:"...In any case, I'm proud of all of you. I can't believe that the girls that only achieved 100 with all your scores combined have grown this much. All of you are the best students I could have asked for!"
The sisters then jumped for joy as Fuutarou threw the papers up towards the sky.
Fuutarou:"All of you are truly incredible!"
…
As he saw the sisters ordering their celebratory treats, something snapped inside of Fuutarou.
Fuutarou:[Now that tests are over...This is the perfect time.]
He then walked over to the girls and grabbed Miku's hand.
Fuutarou:"Come with me."
Miku:"R-Right."
Itsuki:"What's going on?"
Nino:"Oh. He's finally growing balls."
Yotsuba:"Oh my!"
Ichika:"Couldn't wait anymore, huh. Wait! You promised to tell us what you'd study in college!"
Fuutarou quickly turned around as he was leaving with Miku.
Fuutarou:"Lawyer for my major, Photographer for my minor! But that's beside the point!"
With that, he closed the door behind him.
Itsuki:"That's an interesting approach."
Nino:"Photographer?"
Ichika:"Maybe he'll show up one day to take pictures of us, Yotsuba."
Yotsuba:"I think that's more suited to popular singers, haha."
…
Miku was leaning against the wall with Fuutarou grabbing both of her shoulders.
Miku:"This is...kind of exciting, huh?"
Fuutarou kept looking straight at her, causing her to look away.
Fuutarou:"Miku."
Miku:"Y-Yes!?"
Miku jolted and looked back at Fuutarou. After a bit and many deep breaths, the red faced Fuutarou finally asked.
Fuutarou:"Will you go on a date with me?"
Miku:"Yes, of course!"
…
Fuutarou:"Ah."
Fuutarou let go of Miku.
Fuutarou:"That was…"
Miku:"You finally said it."
Fuutarou:"Yeah...I guess I did. My heart is fast as hell, but I actually did it. It's kinda weird now that it's passed. Will you go on a date with me? Will you go on a date with me? Crazy how much easier it gets every time."
Miku:"Ah, it's more embarrassing hearing it back to back like that."
Fuutarou:"I'm just happy I finally said it."
Miku smiled.
Miku:"Then let me give you something back to back as well."
As Miku put her arms around Fuutarou, it was his turn to look away.
Fuutarou:"O-Out here?"
Miku:"You have no right to complain considering what you just did."
Fuutarou:"J-Just one."
Miku:"You know it's not gonna end at one."
Miku then leaned forward.
…
After the two finished, they looked to the side to see four heads peeking out the window, slowly eating their cakes much to the surprise of the two. In a panic, they separated.
Miku:"H-How long…?"
Nino:"From the moment the lips touched."
Itsuki:"H-H-H-H-How lewd!"
Yotsuba:"You two were so focused on it."
Ichika:"So? Did you use your tongue?"
Fuutarou just put his hand over his mouth in embarrassment.
Miku:"D-Don't do that!"
End of Chapter 135