The quintuplets found themselves in their room after another day of mostly relaxation. Fuutarou had left to take a dip after their talk with Grandpa Ren.
Itsuki:"I'm hungry! Hey, Miku, can you make me something?"
Miku:"Keep eating like that and you'll get fat."
Nino:"I'm surprised you haven't, especially if you eat your failures."
Miku:"Exercise helps for sure. But hey! I don't mess up nearly as much."
Ichika:"Okay, girls, don't fight. I, for one, want to hibernate for 5 years."
Yotsuba:"Being lazy sure sounds nice."
Nino:"I've almost forgotten what a bed feels like."
Miku:"Haha, such is the life of a doctor."
Ichika:"Just wait until those 24 hour surgeries hit you."
Nino:"Ah! No more! I don't want to think about that right now!"
Itsuki:"Just one more day and we'll be on our way again."
Yotsuba:"...Look on the bright side, we're halfway done with college."
Nino:"I'm not."
Yotsuba:"Ah...Well...We're not at 0%."
Miku:"Hopefully we can see each other next year."
Itsuki:"..."
In the silence, someone's phone rang.
Nino:"The hell is that?"
Miku:"Ah, that's my phone."
Nino:"I mean the song."
Miku:"Ah, that's from Sengoku Warriors 7. Sung by the previous lead singer of REAL x ROID, it's a great-"
Nino:"And I'm not interested anymore."
Miku:"Hey!"
Itsuki:"You should pick that up."
Miku:"Right!"
As she answered, she would have a conversation which ended in her agreeing to go somewhere.
Miku:"Um, I have to go."
Ichika:Was it Fuutarou-kun?"
Miku:"Yeah. I'll be right back."
Once she left, Ichika raised her hand.
Ichika:"Someone better pick up that phone."
Yotsuba:"Hm? Is someone else call-"
Ichika:"Because I called it!"
…
Miku found herself outside, staring at the stars which lit up the night sky. After admiring them for a bit, she continued moving to her destination. Slowly going up the mountain, she wondered what Fuutarou had called her for. The closer she got, the more obvious the location they would meet. At the top of the mountain, she saw a lone bell, overlooking the entire island.
Miku:[This place…]
Her memories immediately flared up. On that day, she took a risk. Right after getting her identity right, she had gained a massive amount of confidence, which led her to dressing as Itsuki. But after he couldn't, after she slipped…Miku stopped and facepalmed.
Miku:"Ah, not a great moment."
That moment hit her hard, she tried to move away from disguises, to try to approach Fuutarou with a clean slate.
Miku:"I was a big idiot."
As she continued to wince at her past, she would notice a figure showing up from behind the pillars under the bell.
Miku:"Oh, there you are."
Miku approached him only to see something odd about him.
Miku:"Uh, why do you look like that?"
Fuutarou's face was swollen with marks all over his face.
Fuutarou:"D-Don't worry about it. Just had a talk with your grandpa and dad."
Miku:"Jeez, don't say it like that. You're going to make me worry even more."
Miku sat down and leaned against the bell. She pet her thighs.
Miku:"Come on. Nino taught me about some techniques for swelling."
Fuutarou:"R-Right."
As he laid down on her legs, he would look up at her as she massaged his face.
Fuutarou:"Your hands are really soft. I hear cooks hurt their hands alot."
Miku:"I have to keep them soft for when I do things like this for you."
Fuutarou blushed.
Fuutarou:"You…"
He grabbed her left hand.
Miku:"Hm?"
Fuutarou:"Hm...Right, I think I got it."
Miku:"D-Do you want to hold hands?"
Fuutarou:"Every day. But, right now, I thought we could reminisce a bit. Uh, you know, before we have to go our separate ways again."
Miku:"Eh? Is that why you brought me here of all places?"
Fuutarou:"Hey, this place has just as many memories for you as it does for me. This was our first kiss after all."
Miku:"Hnng."
Miku poked Fuutarou, which caused some mild pain.
Fuutarou:"Ow, my face. I only have one of those."
Miku:"That's for the teasing."
Fuutarou:"Haha, in all seriousness. As embarrassing as that moment was, I do have fondness for it now. That face that I failed to recognize, it wasn't that I didn't know, rather that I was afraid of telling myself the truth. I was afraid of a relationship and if you would truly enjoy being with someone like me. Now whenever I think about it, your face is as clear as day. But, I can also see the sadness you had. For that, I can't apologize enough."
Miku:"Is that so?"
Fuutarou:"So, I wanted to come here so we could make a new memory."
By this point, the swollen parts were gone and Fuutarou got up.
Fuutarou:"Any longer and I would have fallen asleep on that soft pillow.
Miku:"I'll have to try out your pillows one day."
Fuutarou:"...Yeah."
Fuutarou stretched out his hand to Miku. She grabbed it and was pulled up.
Fuutarou:"What do you say?"
Miku:"To what?"
Fuutaoru pointed at the bell.
Fuutarou:"Let's ring it together."
Miku:"Eh? I thought you weren't a big fan of fate."
Fuutarou:"I'm not, but that's not what we're using it for. I just want to ring it with you."
Miku:"Alright."
The couple approached it and grabbed the rope, one hand each.
Fuutarou:"Ready…"
The two pulled down, causing a familiar sound to cover the entirety of the area.
*DING DONG*
Ichika:"A bell?"
Itsuki:"Is it time for something?"
Nino:"No, that was the bell from the top."
Yotsuba:"...I wonder what's happening."
Isanari:"That bell sounds familiar to the one that rang at my wedding."
Raiha:"The same ring…? Ah!"
Ren:"Do take care…"
Maruo:"I suppose it's time…"
…
With the ringing as a backdrop, Fuutarou, with a massive blush beyond his wildest imaginations, went into his pocket and got a box out. After almost dropping it in his anxiety, he grabbed Miku's hand, which was still on the rope. Miku, who was looking up at the bell ringing, began to look down in response to Fuutarou's hand touching hers. Once she finished her rotation, she saw that Fuutarou was kneeling. Fuutarou had an entire nest of butterflies in his stomach, but he still made sure that these next words came out. He wasn't about to mess up now. He opened the box to show a handmade ring with a black jewel as the centerpiece. Miku's eyes widened as Fuutarou spoke the next words.
Fuutarou:"Miku, will you marry me?"
…
…
…
In a bit of silence, Miku stands there unable to say anything, unable to process it. Her mouth opens, but nothing comes out. In the million thoughts going through her mind, she was looking for something to say. Perhaps a joke? No, that wouldn't fit. A quip? Her head was too hot for that. She couldn't say anything. Her face, now showing the reddest reds possible, as if every blood cell in her body decided to migrate north, began to narrow her eyes. Through these eyes, small tears began to form before flowing out nonstop.
Unable to stand still, she shakes her head for a split second in an attempt to not let her feelings overflow, but that doesn't body shakes as she bites down on her lip. Small squeals came out, as Miku couldn't hold them back. With a few more seconds, she takes a deep breath and gulps. Meanwhile, Fuutarou is anxiously waiting for an answer.
Fuutarou:[I can't think straight. What if she already answered and I'm sitting here like an idiot? What if she...said no?]
Fuutarou looked up to see Miku, with tears flowing down her face and a faint smile. As they lock eyes, Fuutarou can't help but get teary-eyed. At this point, he knew the answer, but he wouldn't say anything until Miku did. Even if it didn't happen for a millenia, Fuutarou would wait for her. At that moment, Miku finally found the word she wanted to say. It was a simple one, but the way she said it would stick with Fuutarou for the rest of his life.
Miku:"Yes."
…
…
…
Miku's legs buckled and she started to fall, Fuutarou tried to catch her but he buckled as well. Now the two were once again on the ground. But, this time, it was Miku who was resting on Fuutarou's legs.
Fuutarou:"A-Are you okay?"
Miku:"...Yes."
Miku was still crying.
Miku:"In fact, I've never been better."
Fuutarou:"Ah, you're crying, let me see if I have a-"
Miku:"You're crying too, haha."
Fuutarou:"...I guess I am...Oh! The ring!"
Fuutarou looked around for the box.
Miku:[...Could it be the reason for his bruises…]
…
{Ren:"What is it, boy?"}
{Maruo:"What is it?"}
{Fuutarou:"I would like to ask for your blessing in marrying your daughter. In marrying Miku."}
…
Miku:[I can imagine how they reacted.]
Fuutarou:"You're smiling again."
Miku:"I guess I am."
Fuutarou:"A-Anyway, here's the ring. Apparently, I have to put it on like this…"
Fuutarou put on the ring in Miku's left hand.
Miku:"It looks beautiful...Wait, was this what you were working on?"
Fuutarou:"Ah, yeah. We're not in debt anymore, but I don't exactly have the money for a ring, so I used the black rock I bought with you in Otsu and made my own. I'm sorry if it came out bad."
Miku went up and gave Fuutarou a kiss. They stayed like that for a long time.
Miku:"I love it. And I love you."
Fuutarou:"I love you too."
Miku:"You've helped me in becoming who I am today. Through studying, cooking, friendships, love...You've always been there. I was able to gain my courage thanks to you, my awkward tutor. Our relationship has changed a lot, but my feelings for you will never change. I trust you and believe in you. But, I ask that if you ever feel like you can't do something alone, I hope you'll believe in me as well."
Fuutarou:"I wouldn't have it any other way."
…
…
Miku:"S-Say…"
Fuutarou:"What is it?"
Miku:"When Ichika mentioned going to the hot springs together...You said 'Later."..."
Fuutarou:"..."
Miku:"W-Would you like to come with me to the mixed bath…?''
Fuutarou saw as Miku's face became red once again.
Fuutarou:"...Yeah, I'd like that."
Miku's grip on Fuutarou's hand got stronger, and he responded in kind.
Miku:"T-Then let's go."
Fuutarou:"Y-Yeah. F-Follow me."
As the two awkwardly made their way back, ready to be assaulted by numerous questions, Miku looked to her left hand once again.
Miku:[Fuutarou is no longer my teacher and I'm no longer his student. That won't change. But everything else changed. Thank you for finding me...Thank you for loving me.]
Holding hands, they would leave the bell behind them.
End of Chapter 176
Go-Toubun no Hanayome AE Enters its Final Arc.
Break tomorrow.