A few days later. Fuutarou was standing with Isanari, who had just been asked for help.

Isanari:"What do you need help with?"

Fuutarou:"..."

Fuutarou stayed silent with a blush.

Isanari:[Ah, I think I get it. But, if Fuutarou really wants help, he needs to say it himself.]

Fuutarou took a deep breath, then gained confidence.

Fuutarou:"I'm going to ask Miku on a date for White Day, so I want advice. Looking back, our last date was really great, but I messed up a lot."

Isanari:"I see."

Isanari pondered for a while.

Isanari:"Say, Fuutarou. I was never a great example of someone romantic. I'm lucky your mother was never angry about it, even if it pained me at times. So, as much as I want to help, my ideas may not exactly get the greatest of responses."

Fuutarou:"Then…"

Isanari:"However, I do know someone who can help."

Fuutarou:"A friend from work?"

Isanari:"Well, I guess friend isn't exactly wrong."

…

Isanari made a call and then the two of them went to a local cafe. Fuutarou couldn't believe who was sitting in front of him once the time arrived.

Maruo:"Now, if I may ask, what could be so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone."

Isanari put his arm around Maruo.

Isanari:"I want you to help my son in creating a good date with Miku."

Maruo's eyes turned black with hatred.

Fuutarou:"I don't think you should be pushing those buttons, dad. Besides...him?"

Isanari:"Trust me, he's a big romantic. He always used to plan out dates with Rena-sensei should she ever say yes."

Maruo:"You remember!?"

Isanari:"Some of those plans were really good. So, with that, please help my son."

Maruo:"..."

Isanari:"Do it or your daughters and Fuutarou might just start hearing about the stories of the founder of Rena-sensei's fanclub."

Fuutarou:"Huh!?"

Maruo clenched his fists.

Maruo:"Very well."

Isanari:"All right!"

Maruo:"But know this, I will not help again. Fuutarou-kun, you promised to make my daughter happy, so think of this as your one and only save. A second one will only result in the greatest of pains."

Fuutarou:"Y-Yes, sir."

With that, Maruo leaned forward and crossed his fingers together in front of him, looking like an evil mastermind.

Fuutarou:[Oh, so that's what I looked like. Yeah, that's tacky.]

Maruo:"First things first, when will this date be?"

Fuutarou:"White Day."

Maruo:"In only two weeks? How have you not prepared?"

Fuutarou:"I've been training to give her a chocolate that can stand up to what she gave me on Valentine's, but the days are starting to catch up with me and I realized that I want to take her on a date."

Maruo:"You've already made a reservation to where you want to go?"

Fuutarou:"No, but that's why I want to start now, before everything is booked." [Learned my lesson the hard way.]

Maruo:"...Get it together. If you are to date my daughter, there mustn't be any carelessness...Fine, I'll give you the perfect recipe for a date."

Fuutarou:"Thank you." [He didn't seem like the type, but he's serious about this.]

Isanari almost spit out his water in laughter.

Isanari:[Perfect recipe he says! No, bad Isanari! This is a serious moment for Fuutarou.]

Fuutarou:[Why is pops randomly shaking?]

Maruo:"First off, a gift. This won't work without it. And to answer any question, the chocolate will not count, as it's the least you can do."

Fuutarou:"I see." [I already gave her a necklace..I doubt she's missing any history books...I could give her that, but...for some reason I feel like I shouldn't do that.]

After some thought, he finally decided.

Fuutarou:"Can't go wrong with flowers."

Maruo:"Basic choice, but it'll pass."

Fuutarou:[He's grading me?]

Maruo:"But you must buy them beforehand and present them near the end. It must be a surprise."

Fuutarou:"How am I going to hide them the entire date?"

Maruo:"You must get to the restaurant before her with ample time, set the table and hide them beneath."

Fuutarou:"Ah, that's smart."

Isanari continued to sip on his water.

Maruo:"The next step is where you're taking her. A right atmosphere is just good, with a peaceful vibe, but it must also have a connection with the two of you."

Fuutarou:"A connection...Ah."

Maruo:"You have an answer?"

Fuutarou:"The aquarium." [That was the place where we…]

Maruo:"Aquarium?"

Fuutarou:"We saw an entrance to an exhibit that seemed to allow for dinner but we didn't go."

Maruo:[We?] "Very well. However, it might be too late to make reservations."

Fuutarou:"Even now? All these fancy places are too complicated."

Maruo:"...Dammit. I'd hate to do this, but it's for my daughter. I can't guarantee it will help, but you might get something if you mention my name."

Maruo then took out his business card and wrote something on it.

Isanari:"Holy crap, the man's got national authority!"

Maruo:"Now you've got dinner. You talk and enjoy yourselves, that's when it happens."

Fuutarou:"We pay the bill?"

Isanari almost falls out of his seat.

Maruo:"No, you idiot, you give her the flowers."

Fuutarou:"Oh, right!"

Maruo:[This is the smartest kid in his school?] "In any case, that's really about it. Simple is best, after all. Especially with someone you truly care about. Even the mundane days are a blessing."

Fuutarou:"...Yeah, they are."

Maruo:"With that, my extension of help has expired. Everything else is based on you, so don't come crying if you mess it up."

Fuutarou:"I won't."

Maruo:"Now make those reservations."

Fuutarou nodded.

Maruo:"On that note, I must return."

Maruo got ready and began to leave, but stopped at the door.

Maruo:"Good luck. You better not disappoint."

Fuutarou looked on with determination as the quintuplet's father left.

…

Right away, Fuutarou went to prepare the reservation. As expected, it was pretty full, but the staff caved in once he brought up Maruo's name.

Fuutarou:[Ichika and Yotsuba were worrying about the Nakano name being popular, but their dad's already got that down.]

The restaurant couldn't just kick someone out, so they decided on a table away from the rest. This turned out to be the best outcome, as one side had the aquarium and the other had a view of the city. Better yet, he would receive a discount, so long as a good word was put through to Maruo.

Fuutarou:[It kinda makes me mad, but his name is really helping me out here. Now I really can't mess this up.]

Fuutarou would later make his way to buy the flowers a week and a half later. With the help of Raiha's knowledge, he was able to pick out a bouquet of Royal Blue flowers.

Fuutarou:"Right, this will do great."

With everything ready, he waited until Saturday, where he would help at the bakery. There, he would find the perfect chance to ask Miku out and only a few hours later, Fuutarou found himself waiting for Miku at the same place they met right before the Sunrise Festival.

Fuutarou:"Everything is ready, all I have to do is wait for…"

Fuutarou stopped as he saw the person in his mind walking towards him.

Miku:"I'm sorry I'm late, I tried to look as good as I could. Nino helped with the fashion."

Miku had a sweater dress with white sleeves and a square pattern on the front and back. She wore sophisticated black shoes and tights. She was also wearing the necklace in full view for all to see.

Miku:"Nino wanted lipstick, but I don't know if-"

Fuutarou:"You're beautiful."

Miku jolted at the statement.

Miku:"S-So upfront."

Fuutarou reached out.

Fuutarou:"I'm just thinking that there's no reason to hold back."

Miku giggled and held Fuutarou's hand.

Fuutarou:"Shall we go?"

Miku:"Right!"

The two then began to walk.

Fuutarou:"Your sisters aren't following us, are they?"

Miku:"No. Looks like they're ready to let me go off on my own."

Fuutarou:"Then I'll have to live up to their trust."

Miku:"Fufu~"

End of Chapter 162