Isanari and Fuutarou were mopping the bakery downstairs. Ever since that night, they made sure to keep it as clean as they could. It had been a few days since graduation and life was seemingly back to normal, for at least a little while.

Isanari:"Okay, Fuutarou. Let's get ready to run."

Isanari poured the cleaning solution and began to sprint out with Fuutarou as the gases filled the facility.

Isanari:"Phew, what a strong smell."

Fuutarou:"If that thing was any more potent, it could melt through the floor."

Isanari:"Well, with that done, it's time to get everything else."

Fuutarou:"Yeah, we got two hours left."

The reason for this planning was for one last party. In just a week, the plans for college would go into full effect. The girls would need to start moving out. Ichika had already planned an out of town tour and Miku would have to go overseas quickly. Takeda and Fuutarou already planned out their shared room, in which everything was paid for thanks to their full scholarships. The place to visit would be the bakery as a testament to their hard work. That time would come and go.

Isanari:"Not a lot of decorations, but plenty of food to go around. Actually having money from my job is one hell of an experience."

Fuutarou:"Don't spend too much. We need to make sure we're never in another debt again."

Isanari:"Right...I'll miss pachinko."

Fuutarou:"..."

…

{Maruo:"Fuutarou-kun."}

By the end of the festivities during graduation, Maruo had come up to Fuutarou with a large envelope.

{Maruo:"This is your complete payment for your services."}

He handed Fuutarou the money. Fuutarou was taken aback with money signs replacing his eyes, but he held himself back.

{Fuutarou:"T-Thank you. It's been a pleasure doing business."}

{Maruo:"Good, now let's never work together again."}

{Fuutarou:"Agreed."}

{Maruo:"In any case, may I recommend opening a bank account for your family? It wouldn't be safe keeping all of it together."}

{Fuutarou:"..."}

Fuutarou thought back to how his parents lost everything. How Isanari changed upon going into debt. He put on a serious face.

{Fuutarou:"Agreed. I want some recommendations on what bank to go with. I promise, for my family, that we'll be responsible."}

{Maruo:"Good. Now let me call the bank I use. I can set up an account for your family that's protected under my name.""

{Fuutarou:"Thank you."}

…

Fuutarou grabbed his pocket where his wallet was.

Fuutarou:[The first thing we did was pay back our debts. I didn't think we would actually be free of all of that. In college, I also applied to a finance class. I swear we'll take this second chance at life seriously. We won't mess this up.]

Isanari:"Uh, Fuutarou? Why are you staring at your pants…? Don't tell me you're finally-"

Fuutarou:"Whatever you're thinking, you better shut that mouth before I shut it for you."

Isanari:"Oh, right. You've barely learned to like someone, the little guy down there probably has problems saluting the troops. When are you thinking of-"

Fuutarou picked up a broom.

Fuutarou:"Start running, you."

Isanari:"Ekk!"

But before he could do anything, the door opened.

Raiha:"They're here! Big brother, why are you holding the broom like a sword?"

Fuutarou:"Uh…"

Fuutarou put the broom down.

Fuutarou:"Never mind that, let them in." [You got lucky, old man!]

Isanari:"Let me get the drinks." [You got lucky, old man…]

As the two set up the desks, a number of people came in. The quintuplets, Takeda, Tsubaki, Maeda and Matsui.

Ichika:"Yo, Fuutarou-kun."

Nino:"Looks like you followed my advice and kept this place nice and clean."

Miku:"We brought food."

Yotsuba:"We ran into another group on the way here."

Itsuki:"So we all decided to come together."

Matsui:"Kinda feels weird being part of this group."

Tsubaki:"Don't worry about it! It's never too late to make a friend."

Maeda:"Yo, Uesugi, need help with something?"

Takeda:"I am here to show my brilliance for the last time!"

Fuutarou:"Just sit down."

With everything ready, the party was about to start, but Fuutarou stood up to make a statement.

Isanari:"You sure you want me here? This should be a time for you kids to celebrate."

Fuutarou:"It's fine, you helped with it, after all."

Fuutarou looked around the room.

Fuutarou:"Thank you for coming here. Now that we've graduated, our next goal is for college and our careers. We only have this week to take a break, but I have full faith that you won't be defeated. You're all strong and believe in you. As such...next monday, Takeda and I will take the train to Tokyo U."

Miku:"Next monday…"

Takeda:"We've already planned out our apartment."

Raiha:"You're already gonna leave…?"

Isanari:"Damn."

Fuutarou:"I know this isn't the greatest of times to bring it up, but I felt like I needed to let you know."

Ichika:"It's alright."

Yotsuba:"Moving away…"

Nino:"..."

Maeda raised his hand.

Maeda:"I got some news too. I'll be going to Nihon University. They took a liking to my strength and offered me a spot in their boxing team."

Matsui:"Seriously!? That's wicked!"

Takeda:"That's great, now you can use that brute strength to your benefit."

Maeda:"Can it, you."

Matsui:"Then I'll say mine too! I'm going to Matsuyama for my education."

Maeda:"That's my girl!"

Maeda and Matsui hugged. Tsubaki was fidgeting around in her seat.

Takeda:"Tsubaki-chan?"

Tsubaki then shot up.

Tsubaki:"I'm going to Nagoya to become a proper journalist!"

Ichika:"Ah, that's great!"

Itsuki:"Looks like MAY will have another outlet soon."

Takeda:"I see, so you were eager to tell us the news."

Tsubaki:"Yeah...it looks like we'll be separated for a while."

Takeda:"You needn't worry about that, I'll never forget you."

Tsubaki:"Don't make it sound like I'm dying."

Fuutarou and Miku looked at each other and smiled. Soon after, Ichika came up.

Ichika:"I may not be going to college, but I will be leaving the city soon. By the end of the week, I'll be going on a tour with the manager. I did promise I'd put all of my focus on singing once I graduated. And I'll be taking a little group under my wing. They're called the Crossbells."

Itsuki:"I can't wait to see what you make!"

Yotsuba:"You can do it!"

Maeda:"You'll become world famous, I can see it."

Tsubaki:"I'm excited to cover it!"

Miku:"You have an amazing amount of talent."

Fuutarou:"Good to see you've found what you're passionate in."

Nino:"..."

Itsuki then stood up.

Itsuki:"Since we're all doing this now, I'll be going to Fukushima to pursue my teaching career. I'll do my best to become the best teacher I can be! Once I'm ready, I'll become a teacher at Asahi High School!"

Raiha:"So then you'll be my teacher!?"

Miku:"If she finishes before you're done with middle school, then yes."

Ichika:"So you're keeping our presence there."

Yotsuba:"It was our best school."

Fuutarou:"I just hope you don't get students as crazy as us."

Nino:"..."

Miku:"Nino? You've been quiet."

Miku then saw tears coming down her face.

Nino:"We're all going to different places…"

Miku:"Nino…"

Nino came up next.

Nino:"I'll be going to a medical school in Otsu! It's not the same school papa went to, it's a rival school! That's because I want to surpass him! I'll become the best damn doctor in the country!"

Nino then sat down and into Itsuki's and Miku arms.

Miku:"The country, huh? That's a good goal."

Itsuki:"Doctor Nino will see all of us in the future, haha."

Ichika:"Nino will be the most stubborn student there."

Yotsuba:"I believe in you!"

Fuutarou:"Can't wait to see your dad's face when you leave him in the dust."

Yotsuba looked around. She took a deep breath and went up next.

Yotsuba:"..."

Fuutarou:"Yotsuba?"

Yotsuba:"Sorry, I'm just nervous. I won't be with you girls. I've never lived by myself before, but I'll be going to Kyoto to pursue my acting career. I'll become an amazing actor! It'll be hard work to come out of Ichika's shadow, but maybe I'll even work for an agency that's a rival to Ichika's!"

Ichika:"Ehh? I'm gonna have to go up against you?"

Miku:"That'll be fun to see."

Itsuki:"Yotsuba...I'm glad you came to your own decision."

Nino:"It's about time...Seeing you depressed all the time wasn't a good look for you."

Fuutarou:"Haha, I'll have to see your movies."

Miku tried to get up, but Nino was still hugging her.

Miku:"Um, Nino?"

Nino:"Oh, sorry."

Miku:"You're stronger than you look, you gorilla."

Nino:"The hell you say?"

Miku:"Fu fu~"

She was the last one to come up.

Miku:"I'll be going overseas to go to culinary school. According to their plans, my first couple of years will be in Europe in Switzerland. But then I'll be going to America, possibly Canada for my final years. I promise to open up my own bakery in the future and I'll invite all of you."

Fuutarou:"You'll be touring the world too, huh?"

Ichika:"Maybe we'll see each other one day."

Yotsuba:"I'll go to Canada too!"

Nino:"Ask me anything if you ever need any help."

Itsuki:"I can't wait to see what recipes you'll come up with!"

Raiha:"You're all amazing! I wonder if I'll ever be like that."

Fuutarou:"No doubt about it, you're already way better than we were at your age."

Nino:"That makes us sound old."

Ichika:"We are adults now."

Yotsuba:"I can already feel the wrinkles."

Itsuki:"I wonder if I'll lose my appetite."

Itsuki couldn't see Nino slowly sliding up her body and grabbing onto her stomach.

Nino:"Probably, but that means you'll keep this dynamite body for longer."

Itsuki:"Eek!"

Miku:"D-Dynamite?"

Nino:"Don't be modest, Miku. You've got it too."

Ichika:"Like here and here."

Yotsuba:"And here too."

Miku:"S-Stop touching me! Fuutarou's watching!"

Ichika:"I don't see him looking away."

Fuutarou:"Still messing around, even now…"

Fuutarou took one last look around the room. Isanari gave him a thumbs up, to which he smiled. He then raised a glass.

Fuutarou:"Let's enjoy our last party!"

"Yeah!"

End of Chapter 167