Fuutarou was standing in front of everyone in the auditorium, ready to give his speech. He stayed quiet for a bit, before speaking into the microphone.

Fuutarou:"Thank you for coming here to listen to my rambling. As the long winter winds down, the sun begins to shine brighter than before. In the same way, the students that are about to set out on their new journey shine just as brightly."

He gave a quick glance around the room.

Fuutarou:"To the teachers, I appreciate you giving me a platform to speak on this day, even if some tried their hardest to keep my grades down."

The history teacher with the buck teeth rubbed his bald head.

Fuutarou:"To the students we leave behind, your school lives will surely not be as interesting as mine, but an adventure may just find you, in the same way it found me."

He closed his eyes.

Fuutarou:"I hated a lot of things. I hated interactions, I hated wasting time, I hated...myself. After an important event in middle school, I came with the explicit purpose of being number 1 in grades. The undisputed champion, with everyone being below my feet."

Takeda comforted himself in Tsubaki's arms, with a single overacted tear.

Fuutarou:"And for my first year, I certainly kept to those ideals. I kept to myself in every way, I refused to talk to others. That is, until everything changed in my second year. A day like any other, I met a peculiar red haired girl. There was nothing remarkable at first glance, just a girl with terrible test scores that transferred here."

Itsuki:[Didn't need to mention the test scores, dummy.]

Fuutarou:"But there were multiple things that happened the very next day. I found out I was assigned to become her tutor! Just like that, this was sprung onto me. Not only that, now I found her with 4 others surrounding her. I thought 'Wow, making friends sure was easy for her!' But it turned out that they were all sisters. All quintuplets. And all extremely dumb!"

Nino:[This guy…]

Miku:[Now you know how I felt at the festival, haha.]

Fuutarou:"To think that I had to take care of all of them was already a daunting enough task, but I went through with it. A task truly fit for someone with far more patience than me. A girl with a career in the making, yet constantly showing a fake smile. Feeling that she needed to have a face fit for an older sister."

Ichika:[Fuutarou-kun…]

Fuutarou:"A girl that really hated me being there and did her best to make sure I didn't put a drift in their relationship. A complete worrywart."

Nino:[Fuu-kun…]

Fuutarou:"A quiet and reserved girl that was hard to guess what she was thinking at any time. She had thought that she was below her sisters and that they would be embarrassed to be associated with her."

Miku:[Fuutarou.]

Fuutarou:"A seemingly happy-go-lucky idiot that had serious self-esteem issues, where she tried to discard her own identity in an attempt to become a pillar of support for the rest at the cost of her happiness."

Yotsuba:[Fuutarou-kun…]

Fuutarou:"And a clumsy gluttonous girl that hid her pain of losing a loved one behind walls of food. A girl so distraught that she thought becoming that person was a good way of living."

Itsuki:[Uesugi-kun…]

Fuutarou:"I...am a jerk, I pride myself on that. I'm an insensitive idiot. I comment on a girl's weight, I don't pick up on clues, I think that even being second to me means that they are lesser. So then...why couldn't I leave them alone? I could have given up, I could have turned everything down...But I…"

{Miku:"Sue Harukata!"}

Fuutarou:"She…"

{Miku:"So you were all talk, huh?"}

Fuutarou:"She pissed me off! She really challenged someone like me!? No way I was going to take that lying down! But...in the process of that, I began to open up to them, even if I didn't want to...That was the true beginning of my high school life."

…

Fuutarou:"Their house, the fireworks festival, the ski field trip, the hot springs, Kyoto, the sports festival, the artificial island, that rival school, the Sunrise Festival, Otsu...not to mention the cavalcade of tests and exams. It sure wasn't a smooth road. Lots of drama, fights, and ghosts from the past coming to haunt us."

Irigaku:"It's been a tough journey for you kids."

Maruo:"..."

Fuutarou then smiled.

Fuutarou:"But even with all of that, they surpassed all of it. They shed their masks, they came face to face with their superiors, they found their purpose, they came to terms with their past, they came to terms with themselves...Watching them, all this time, even with the speed bumps, it was some of the most fun I've ever had."

Fuutarou glanced at the quintuplets, who all had tears in their eyes.

Fuutarou:[Haha, don't give me those faces.] "I'll never forget that gentleness, that...taste…I really had some wonderful experiences. They also helped me achieve so many things I couldn't have done on my own. Of all my experiences, these memories will be what I treasure the most." [I don't want this to end.] "There will be hard times ahead, but no matter how many stepping stones I see, I'll pass them with the experiences I have cultivated here." [I want to be with you.]

Isanari, Raiha and Maruo were looking intently.

Fuutarou:"To conclude, despite what happened in the past, I don't regret coming here. I don't regret being with those I care about. Thank you for everything."

Fuutarou bowed as everyone in the auditorium clapped.

…

Later, Fuutarou found himself outside waiting while tapping his feet. He occasionally looked at the time in suspense.

Yotsuba:"That was a great speech!"

Fuutarou turned to see the five girls.

Nino:"I thought you said you weren't good at those."

Fuutarou:"I can do anything if I put my mind to it, hehe."

Itsuki:"No sense of modesty despite that speech."

Ichika:"Why did you call us here? The others are near the front gates."

Fuutarou:"I want you girls to follow me."

Fuutarou started to walk with the girls following him confused. All except Miku who seemed to know what was waiting.. They went to the main building until they reached the stairs to the roof.

Itsuki:"This is where we're going?"

Once they reached it, they found themselves being able to see all the graduates down below. There were multiple large sheets laid out with fans behind them.

Nino:"What is that?"

Fuutarou noticed something next to the door.

Futuarou:"A speaker?"

Nino:'Fuu-kun!"

Fuutarou:"Oh, you'll see. Come on, Miku."

Miku went to him as he began to kneel. He pulled something out of his pocket.

Nino:"Hm…? Wait, he could be thinking about…!"

Fuutarou:"Here's your pair."

It was scissors.

Nino:"Ah."

Itsuki:"What's wrong?"

Nino:"I just thought he was going to pro...never mind."

Ichika:"What an assumption."

Fuutarou and Miku began cutting the ropes that kept the sheets together. He signaled for them to hold on to the sheets while he turned on the fans. With a countdown, they all began to lift up the sheets.

Fuutarou:"Ready...go!"

Suddenly, the sky was filled with hundreds of wings. A giant group of birds began to fly. But looking at them, Yotsuba thought they looked familiar.

Yotsuba:"Those are...The origami I made for your birthday and Christmas!"

Underneath, the huge amount of paper birds were immediately noticed.

Maeda:"Look up there!"

Matsui:"Damn, that's a lot."

Takeda:"Look at how they fly. I'll be like that someday."

Tsubaki:"So pretty!"

Yae:"The sound of their wings, they're really well made."

Sandy:"Look at all those colors!"

Takebayashi:"What a way to show off."

Rito:"Damn."

Shimoda:"They're all flying."

Irigaku:"How nice. I don't even remember my own graduation now that I think about it."

Maruo:"Those are…"

Isanari:"Fuutarou finally found how to use them. Things were stuffing our closet for months."

Raiha:"They look really pretty, but...that's not all."

At the top of the building, the sisters were admiring the sight.

Yotsuba:"Fuutarou-kun, this is…"

Fuutarou:"I thought this would be a great way to send my goodbye. A celebration like this usually ties a wish to each piece. With how many you made, we'll make sure you can make as many wishes as you want. You really worked hard."

Yotsuba:"Fuutarou-kun…"

Yotsuba began to tear up.

Ichika:"They all look great, Yotsuba."

Nino:"So many. I can't believe all of them can fly."

Itsuki:"It's wonderful."

Fuutarou:"Miku helped put all of these up here. It took a lot of begging to let us be up here."

Fuutarou turned.

Fuutarou:"It's a success, right, Miku?"

But no one was there.

Fuutarou:"Huh? Where did you…?"

Fuutarou then saw her near the speaker. She turned on the microphone.

Fuutarou:"What are you…?"

Raiha:"It's time for her performance."

…

During the quintuplets' stay at the Uesugi household after they cleaned the bakery..

{Miku:"Psst, Raiha-chan."}

{Raiha:"Hm? What is it, Miku-chan?"}

{Miku:"I was hoping you could help me with something. I want to give Fuutarou a proper farewell to his school life. So I was wondering…"}

{Raiha:"Huh?"}

{Miku:"...If you could teach me her song."}

…

Miku sang softly into the microphone.

-Miku:"

Irresponsibility fills our thoughts but,

I will never let a painful voice flow out

Those days we spent casually are bidding farewell to us

As we lose those irreplaceable days

Snowflakes begin to melt as the sun shines upon our face. "-

Fuutarou:"This is…"

Fuutarou's voice began to shake.

-Miku:"

Just loving you, just loving you. I can't find other words.

Your crying face fell forward…

Those tears make my chest cry out in pain.

But I follow what I want. These sweet days are passing me by…

I'll hold you to heal all that suffering and sorrow.

Everything about you...Can't stop myself, my love has just begun…

Even if it means going against the world.

Without knowing anything about fate "-

Nino went over to the crying Yotsuba and began to tear up as well as they hugged. Itsuki couldn't keep it in either and Ichika comforted her with a tear in her eye.

-Miku:"

Overfilled with feelings, you are just so lovely

Together we will forge our own path

Just loving you, just loving you.

No matter how many times I will say, I love you "-

Fuutarou:"Honestly...You…"

Fuutarou began to rub his eyes. He couldn't stop the water from flowing out. Miku started to cry as well. She wanted to jump into his arms, but she knew she had to finish this. She raised her voice as she started the last part of the song.

-Miku:"

This is where we say farewell

And the wind, it feels a little warmer now

This is where we saw it through

Through thick and thin, our friendship was built to last

I won't forget those days that I spent with everyone precious to me,

I will never be alone even in the darkness

Those nights when I was only with you

Those are my most wonderful memories

I will always remember you. "-

...

With a final breath, Miku put down the microphone and had a sigh of relief. She could hear the claps underneath which caused her to blush.

Raiha:"That's the first time I've heard that song fully, what about…?"

Raiha turned to see Isanari covering his face with his right hand, shaking. Maruo put his hand on Raiha's shoulder.

Maruo:"Let him be. We shouldn't intervene."

Raiha:"Right…"

Maruo:"That was Miku...She did a great job."

Raiha:"Did you know that song?"

Maruo:"I did. I heard your mother sing parts of it while in high school. Your father would always listen to it with a smile on his face."

Raiha:"Dad…"

Maruo remembered his days as a student.

Maruo:[Those days were truly comforting.]

Up on the roof, Miku went over to Fuutarou and hugged him.

Miku:"Thank you for everything, Fuutarou."

Fuutarou:"I should be the one thanking you."

Miku:"I'm sorry I made you cry."

Fuutarou:"It's fine. Your performance was beautiful."

Miku leaned over and kissed Fuutarou as the final wave of origami birds flew in the distance.

Miku:"I love you! Now and forever!"

Fuutarou:"I love you too!"

Miku turned to see her sisters hugging each other and couldn't help but join in.

Ichika:"That was so great!"

Miku:"It was all thanks to your lessons, Ichika."

Nino:"Damn it, I can't stop crying!"

Yotsuba:"Waahh!"

Itsuki:"I'm so happy...that you're my sisters!"

Miku:"You girls...I love you all!"

As Fuutarou saw them crying in each other's arms, he simply smiled.

…

The six came down after some quick scolding for littering, but let them continue their graduation. They came down to see the others, where they congratulated each other. Irigaku gave them a shining thumbs up from afar. Raiha went over to hug the girls as Isanari looked on. He was still feeling emotional. But, after a while, he came back with a huge grin on his face. Maruo and Fuutarou simply nodded to each other. Maruo then saw his daughters, all with red marks under their eyes.

Maruo:[I'm so proud of all of you…]

Once Fuutarou saw that everyone was there, he took out his camera.

Fuutarou:"Let's take a picture."

Miku:"Will you be in it?"

Fuutarou:"Of course, I'm not staying out of this memory."

Takebayashi:"I'll take it."

Miku and Fuutarou turned to see Takebayashi's group.

Takebayashi:"That was a great performance."

Miku:"Thank you."

Fuutarou:"Then I'll leave you to it."

Fuutarou handed her the camera.

Takebayashi:"Right." [You've grown up so much.]

Fuutarou:"Don't break it or I'll sue you for everything you've got."

Takebayashi:[Okay, maybe not that much.]

Fuutarou turned around and raised his hands.

Fuutarou:"Okay, everyone! Huddle up for the picture!"

Ichika:"I can't believe I get to be with all of you."

Nino:"I hope I don't cry mid picture. Oh, who am I kidding? My eyes are all red."

Miku:"You'll do fine. It's me who can't stop shaking."

Yotsuba:"Come on, Itsuki! We should do a funny pose!"

Itsuki:"Haha, let's make sure we're all in frame."

Fuutarou saw Takeda and the rest on the side.

Fuutarou:"What are you doing?"

Takeda:"Letting you take the picture."

Fuutarou:"The hell are you talking about? Get in here."

Takeda:"Are you su-"

Suddenly, he was pulled by Maeda and Tsubaki.

Maeda:"You heard the man."

Tsubaki:"Leave some room for us!"

Matsui:"No point in turning it down."

Soon, the group had huddled up. From left to right, there were Matsui, Maeda, Takeda, Tsubaki, Maruo, Ichika, Yotsuba, Itsuki, Fuutarou, Miku, Nino, Isanari and Raiha. They all got into position as Takebayashi hit the button.

Isanari:"Say cheese!"

Takebayashi took the photo. Their final memory as high school students. Their first memory as graduates. As the bell rang for the final time, their days at Asahi High School had finally come to a close. Fuutarou couldn't help himself as he put his arms around the quintuplets.

*Ding Dong*

Fuutarou:"I seriously love all of you idiots!"

End of Chapter 166