"Love"
…
…
[These girls...no matter what, I'll have them graduate with smiles on their face!]
"Yeah. I know."
[I knew I shouldn't have let them get involved with me like this]
"...But-"
[Was this...my fault?]
"Yep. I really do love my family."
Fuutarou:"Huh-"
Nino:"HUUH!?"
Fuutarou turns around in shock and fear when he realizes there was someone behind him the whole time. His face contorts into a horrified look once he sees it was Nino screaming.
Fuutarou:"HUUUH!?"
Nino:"Ah."
Itsuki and Yotsuba come out from hiding, now that their spot has been found. Fuutarou turns his head fully, changing his attention from Nino to the newly appearing twins.
Fuutarou:"Why are you guys…"
Yotsuba:"You knew we were here, Miku?"
Itsuki:"Since when…"
Miku:"So I was right...I thought it was strange when I heard Ichika and Nino's voices."
[Fuutarou:Voices? Why couldn't I hear them…? Wait…]
Fuutarou:"Wait, wait. Let me process this. This means...When you said "love" just now…"
Miku:"I was pointing at everyone who was hiding there."
Fuutarou's face jumps in shock once again. Miku, seeing this, decides to approach him so that her head is under the umbrella where Fuutarou is sitting. With their faces only a few centimeters apart, Miku continues with a grin…
Miku:"Hm? Could it be that you're...Mr. Overly Self-Conscious?"
In that moment, every bit of Fuutarou's head turns red in both embarrassment with a hint of anger. His eyesight gets foggy. In that moment, he jolts up and starts strutting away, refusing to let Miku have any more satisfaction over his moment of weakness.
Fuutarou:"Y-You don't mess with people like that!"
As her grin continues, she tries to not start laughing so as to not humiliate Fuutarou more than necessary. Yotsuba approaches her.
Yotsuba:"Are you sure about this, Miku? You finally managed to tell him, but now you're brushing him off."
Miku:"It's fine. I'm not like some idiot who'd launch a suicide attack despite having no chance at winning."
Nino grits her teeth together in a way that shows a shark like pattern, aware of the not so subtle insult directed towards her.
Nino:"Who are you calling an idiot?"
Miku:"Besides...Fuutarou isn't as dense as we think either."
Miku smiles solemnly as she watches Fuutarou walk away, scratching his head.
Fuutarou:"..." [So...That must be what's going on then…]
Miku:"With that said, thank you for helping with the bread, Yotsuba."
Yotsuba, also looking at Fuutarou, notices what Miku said.
Yotsuba:"...For a moment, I wasn't sure if it was gonna turn out okay."
Miku grabs her waist.
Miku:"Itsuki, this one was from you, right…? Thank you."
Itsuki:"S-Sorry."
Miku:"Nino."
Nino:"It's alright, no need to be formal."
Miku:"Yeah, thank you. Lastly, Ichi-"
Before Miku can react, she's hugged right off the bat by Ichika.
Ichika:"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Miku…"
Miku was overflowing with emotions. Despite her outer shell, she hated fighting with her sisters. She was more than glad they could put everything that happened in Kyoto behind them. At this moment, Miku began to tear up.
Miku:"No worries. Love hurts, doesn't it? Thank you, Ichika."
As they hugged, Fuutarou saw them from a distance, smiling. But, deciding not to impede on them anymore, Fuutarou decided to give them the privacy they deserved. He had other matters to tend to as well.
Fuutarou:"First of all, I need to find those two guys. I can't believe they'd just leave me. Though, I can't help but wonder..."
…
…
Nino:"Alright, we should go."
Itsuki:"Yeah, come on-"
As she says this, Itsuki notices Miku going to Yotsuba. She grabs on to her shoulder.
Miku:"I'm sorry, Yotsuba. Please, don't hold back for my sake."
Yotsuba jolts towards Miku, who begins to walk away. As Itsuki continued to stare at Miku, she wondered...if Miku knew something more. Before Yotsuba herself asked her, Ichika came in as well.
Ichika:"Sorry you had to get caught up in this."
Yotsuba:"It's fine, I shouldn't have been so loud at that moment. Not to mention I forgot Miku's bread! I almost messed it up again!"
Ichika:"I'm sure Miku would forgive you. Especially when…"
{Miku:"I'm sorry, Ichika."}
Ichika:"...Miku sure is an idiot, isn't she?"
Yotsuba:"Aren't we all idiots?"
Ichika:"Yeah...I guess we are…"
…
…
Once everyone in Group E got in the bus, the teacher in charge made sure to get attendance.
"Alright, is everyone accounted for? Good. Hm? It looks like we have four extra people."
"Man, that trip was fun!"
"I wish I had more money. I saw this beautiful black jewel on sale."
"It wasn't worth it, there were plenty of prettier ones."
"What did you wish for?"
"You're not supposed to ask that!"
…
...
Fuutarou:"There, now I have your contacts."
In the front seats, Fuutarou gives Takeda's phone back to him.
Takeda:"My apologies, Uesugi-kun, I didn't think you were the type to care for social interactions."
Fuutarou:"I can't really say I do, but it's fine to care once in a while."
Fuutarou grabbed his seat to see Maeda fiddling with a camera behind him.
Fuutarou:"And you, put that away. I told you to be more secretive with that."
Maeda:"Sorry, that was my bad. I didn't think the camera would be so loud."
Fuutarou:"Eh, whatever, sorry I gave you such a short notice. Thanks."
Maeda:"No problem, what are friends for?"
Fuutarou:"Friends, huh?"
Takeda:"By the way, what was the point of all this?"
Fuutarou:"...I forgot their birthday…"
Fuutarou quickly turns and glares at Takeda, already aware that he would chastise him for forgetting such a thing. Takeda, sensing the hostility, seals his lips.
Fuutarou:"I don't have the money to use, so I thought I could give them a photo album. There's still...another gift I haven't given yet, for Valentine's...But I thought this might be better to give first."
Takeda:"Haha!"
Fuutarou goes back into his glare.
Takeda:"Oh no, please don't be mistaken. I think it's great that you've become so considerate of their feelings. It's become clear you're a far superior tutor."
Fuutarou stops his glare, then proceeds to look down. Takeda follows his eyes to see that Fuutarou has his fists clenched.
Takeda:"But a gift for White Day, huh? I wonder…"
Before Takeda can continue, Fuutarou jolts up, startling him.
Fuutarou:"That's right! I almost forgot. Hey, Maeda, give me your camera."
Maeda hands the camera over to Fuutarou, who then begins to walk over to the back of the bus.
Fuutarou:"I guess I should be grateful you girls got so tired...This was one hell of a trip, wasn't it? Now, say cheese."
Fuutarou takes one final picture of all the girls sleeping together.
...
The war between sisters had ended. Fuutarou stares at the picture he just took.
Fuutarou:"...Damn, what am I doing?"
Takeda:"Uesugi-kun! The bus is about to move, come on!"
Fuutarou quickly puts his finger over his mouth, signaling Takeda to shut up. He didn't want the sisters to wake up. As Fuutarou began to walk back, he couldn't help but to look back one more time. The more he thought about it, the more confused his face became. In the end, he shook his head and continued to go back.
Fuutarou:"Alright, let's go."
Takeda:"We might as well get comfortable, the ride will be a few hours long, no doubt we'll go into the night."
Maeda:"Oh, I hope I sleep well. My snores can get pretty loud."
Fuutarou:"I'll shake you awake, I don't feel like enduring that."
Maeda:"That'd probably be for the best."
…
…
A few hours later, Itsuki woke up.
Itsuki:[Ah, is it already night time? We should get back home soon]
As soon as her thought finished, she noticed Miku looking out the window. Itsuki turned to see Yotsuba silent.
Itsuki:[That's good, her snores can get pretty loud]
She then turned back to Miku. Whispering as to not wake up the rest, asked Miku what was up.
Miku:"Ah, you're awake. I'm just thinking about today…"
…
…
Takeda wakes up as he almost falls out of his chair. Once he recomposes himself, he sees Fuutarou looking out the window. Takeda, making sure his voice is low as to not wake Maeda, asks Fuutarou why he's not sleeping.
Fuutarou:"Oh, I'm just thinking about how to apologize to Ichika."
Takeda:"Ichika-san?"
Fuutarou:"I chose Route E since I thought the Studio Park would be more up Ichika's alley. Though, it didn't go according to plan…"
…
…
Itsuki:"Are you regretting going back on your confession?"
Miku:"...Maybe."
…
…
Takeda:"Do your Valentine woes have to do with her?"
Fuutarou:"Hm? No, that's something else...Although, I was reminded of that today…"
Takeda:"Did one of them tell you something?"
Fuutarou began to squint. He didn't even notice he gave Takeda a silent confirmation. Takeda sent a shining smile his way.
Takeda:"Come on, tell me. Sometimes, you need another's opinion to construct yours better."
Fuutarou looks at Takeda, hesitating.
…
…
Itsuki:"What's wrong, Miku? You can tell me."
Miku:"...I'm frustrated. Even though I told myself I would accept Fuutarou's choice...I was too afraid to hear it…I could tell..."
…
…
Fuutarou:"...I was confessed to today…"
Takeda:"Oh, that's wonderful. Are you two going out now?"
Fuutarou:"Well...she changed the direction of her confession at the last minute...I wonder if she felt it was wrong doing it in front of the others…Due to that, I couldn't give her a proper response."
…
…
Itsuki:"Why were you scared?"
Takeda:"What were you going to tell her?"
…
…
Miku:"He was going to reject me."
Fuutarou:"I was going to reject her."
…
…
Both Takeda and Itsuki stay quiet for a while, unable to see how they could continue the conversation without seeming awkward. Finally, Miku breaks the ice.
Miku:"I'm so frustrated with myself. I thought I had changed...I thought I could handle it. I haven't changed...A whole year has passed, and I'm still the same."
Itsuki wanted to disagree, but a part of her told her not to.
Miku:"...This is our last year together...After this, we'll all go our separate ways. But... I'm not giving up. My goal hasn't changed, I'll find a way for him to fall for me."
Miku smiles at a worried Itsuki. Itsuki notices Miku is on the verge of tears, and she suddenly gives her a hug.
Miku:"Itsuki?"
Itsuki:"...I'll be rooting for you."
Miku:"Thank you, I'll try my best."
Miku returns the hug. The two of them go back to sleep as their fatigue overtakes them once again.
Nino:"..."
…
…
Fuutarou covers his mouth. Takeda, finally overcoming the awkward situation, asks him what he's thinking about now. Fuutarou doesn't really hear him as he's too focused on that moment at the hot springs, when Miku had tackled him.
Fuutarou:[If what I believe is true, then she liked me far before then. Could it be-Damn, why am I thinking so hard about this? Why can't I stop fighting with myself about it?]
Fuutarou's mind continues to go all over the place. As he stares at the moon, Takeda stays still, wondering what could be so engrossing for Fuutarou to fuss over so much.
…
…
Fuutarou:"I think [I think?] that she might be them…The girl I met, and Rena...I'm sure of it [I'm sure?]"
Fuutarou quickly notices that Takeda heard everything. He just shrugs in a confused manner, clearly not knowing what he's talking about. But, Takeda makes sure to ask one thing.
Takeda:"Are you not interested in love, Uesugi-kun?"
Fuutarou once again looks towards the moon. For a second, he stutters, but he's able to say his response.
Fuutarou:"Love is...a waste of time."
Both of them fall silent, only the sounds of the road fill the bus.
Takeda:"...Do you truly bel-"
Suddenly Takeda almost squeals as Maeda's snores vibrate through the whole bus, almost as if an earthquake began. The students close to him began to wake up. Understanding the situation, Fuutarou quickly turned around and shook him awake.
Maeda:"What, huh? Where's Matsui? Who's there?"
As Fuutarou tried to get him to calm Maeda down, Takeda scratched his head, realizing that both the mood and his train of thought had been ruined. Fuutarou went back to his position, taking note of the teacher's great ability to sleep through such a guttural sound. He was also surprised to see Takeda already passed out, sparkles and all. With a sigh, he looked towards the moon one last time before his eyelids began to get too heavy for his eyes to hold back anymore. The trip to Kyoto was truly over now, it was time to go home.
End of Chapter 1