Chapter 4?
Nino's POV:
"Huh?"
"Nino, what did you do to our tutor." asked a rather serious Miku, clearly disturbed what she had just heard Nino tell Itsuki.
"Hm? Oh, I just put something in his drink to make him go to sleep." Nino nonchalantly responded, giving a casual wave of her hand as if to brush the matter aside, as if to signify her not believing to have done anything wrong. "If you're worried about Itsuki, you can go with her to drop him off. Actually, yeah do that. You know how much of a baby she can be. I'd hate for anything bad to happen towards our dear little sister."
With this finishing line from Nino, she turned towards Itsuki, believing that she would be red due to her teasing, yet found that that wasn't the case. Itsuki has completely ignored anything Nino said towards her and was holding Futaro, making sure he's ok.
'Did she just ignore me for this guy? Even after he made her cry?'
She then quickly glanced at her other sisters, Miku shooting her a murderous glare, for whatever reason though, Nino couldn't think of.
Yotsuba herself looked horrified, and quickly began to walk over towards Itsuki to make sure their new tutor was ok. Nino even noticed the ever so straight ribbon slightly bending over, no longer able to hold itself up.
Worst of all however was Ichika, who simply looked disgusted at the action Nino took, and this was something that definitely caused Nino to stagger for a moment, quickly trying to think about what to do next.
'They're mad at me? He hurt Itsuki! My actions were perfectly reas-'
*smack*
However, before Nino could think further, she was instantly pulled from her thoughts when she felt a sharp pain sting her right cheek.
"Nino, why would you drug our Tutor. Please give me your reasoning." asked a very calm and collected Miku, once again causing Nino to stagger, not only due to the stinging sensation in her cheek, but also the fact that Miku was standing up for a total stranger, and against her own sister no less.
She then decided that the first course of action she should take, being the brilliant individual she is(self proclaimed), was to slap her sister back. Surely this would lead Miku to calm down and allow Nino to explain why she put the boy to sleep. Surely!
*Slap*
However, nothing in the situation changed in Nino's favor. Miku continued to glare at her older sister, not even flinching at the painful slap she had received, and Ichika had now gotten up to stand next to Miku quickly asking if she's alright, clearly illustrating even further who's side she was on in this matter.
Thankfully, before things could possibly take a turn for the worse, Yotsuba got between the 3 quintuplets to act as a sort of mediator between them, worried that they sisters might not stop at simply slapping.
"W-wait guys! Let's calm down! I'm sure this is just a big misunderstanding, right Nino? You didn't really do what you said you did to Uesugi-san, right?
She looked to her older sister, practically pleading for her sister to have a good explanation. She had hoped for an explanation, despite what the situation was. She knew her sister could be protective, but to go this far? Yotsuba couldn't bear to believe what she heard to be the truth.
Unfortunately for Yotsuba, Nino didn't beat around the bush.
"No, Yotsuba. I did what I said. I had a good reason to, believe me! He made Itsuki cry! I couldn't let this guy into our family! He was no good! If he reduced Itsuki to tears after one da-"
As Nino pleaded her case, she was quickly interrupted by the remaining quintuplet who has remained silent ever since Miku has confronted Nino.
"What are you talking about? Uesugi-kun never did anything of the sort to me." glared Itsuki, still holding Futaro's head to make sure he wasn't in any true danger. She was extremely serious in her mannerism towards Nino, and actually seemed a little infuriated, which was yet another strike against Nino, once again causing her to stagger back.
'Huh? Is she really lying for him? Against her own family?'
"Why are you lying to defend him? Lying to your own family!?"
"I am not. Uesugi-kun has been nothing but considerate towards everyone, including myself. In fact, I'm incensed at the fact that you insinuated that idea in an attempt to pass your act as a righteous one."
"Then why, when I went to get you for dinner, you were crying in your textbook murmuring his name? Huh? Explain that. Please, I'm dying to hear." spat Nino, causing Ichika, Miku, and Yotsuba to all widen their eyes.
Yes, they have seen Nino tease Itsuki from time to time, but for a majority of their relationship Nino was always there to comfort Itsuki whenever she needed it. Nino would never be one to aggressively go after Itsuki like she had just done. Miku would be a different issue in its entirety, that was practically a daily occurrence to see those two at each other's throats. But Itsuki?
The 3 were also shocked at the proclamation that their tutor made their little sister cry. Now they understood why Nino declared suddenly that they would have nothing to do with their tutor last night. All these factors led to all 3 of them able to do nothing but stare at the two quintuplets arguing.
'Hmmph. She can't lie to that. Now they'll see my reasoning.'
"It seems you're under a grave misunderstanding then, Nino, so allow me to reiterate."
Nino's upper hand in this argument, however small it may have been, quickly crumbled away in the blink of an eye, but she still attempted to maintain her composure. However, with sweat beginning to form on her brow, said composer was also falling.
"W-what are you talking about? What misunderstanding could I have made? It's clear as day! He made you cry, and I went to defend my baby sister. My actions were completely justified."
"That would be the case if your version of events were correct. However, Uesugi-kun never made me cry Nino. He has been nothing but considerate towards me, and I have no ill feelings towards him."
"Then why were you crying then huh? What could have possibly made you cry if not him?"
"I-I…. I can't say that."
"So it WAS him and you're just defending him."
"No! It was not him Nino, how many times must I repeat myself! You simply assaulted our tutor, a tutor you will be forced to accept, and someone who you will have to apologize to once they awake."
Nino was speechless at this.
'Why is she so adamant on defending him? If he didn't hurt her, then what could have happened, and why won't she tell me. Aren't we supposed to be together, the five of us? Why is she leaving me out?'
Yotsuba then decided that it was now appropriate to step into the conversation, perhaps in an attempt to ease tensions. She just couldn't stand having her sisters at each other's throats like this.
"Y-yeah Nino, I'm sure Uesugi-san will understand, don't worry. So why don't we all just calm down, ok?" spoke an uneasy Yotsuba, scared of upsetting either of her sisters.
'She's taking his side too? Yotsuba, don't you know him even less than Itsuki?'
Nino, already crumbling under the pressure of Itsuki's constant glare, then tried to break away, only to be met by the disapproval of Ichika and Miku.
"... Ok, I'm sorry."
At Nino's struggling apology, only Yotsuba's mood had brightened, with Itsuki still concerned over Futaro and Miku and Ichika still staring daggers.
"It's not us who deserve your apology." Itsuki quickly responded. A response that led Nino to be silent yet again.
Nino then quickly removed herself to go get medicine for what she had slipped into Futaro's drink, and gave it to a noticeably weary Itsuki.
"This will help him, right Nino?" asked a now concerned Itsuki, no longer holding onto the anger she had towards her sister, as she isn't one to stay angry for long, especially towards the sisters she loves so much.
"Y-yeah, it should help him, alright?"
"It better." glared, noticeably still angry Miku Nakano, who was one that tended to hold grudges, especially against Nino.
Nino could do nothing at this but look towards the ground in both shame and confusion.
'Why are they going so far to vouch for him? Did I really go too far? Did they really leave the quintuplet nest without me? I don't understand...'
"Hey, Nino! I thought of a brilliant idea!" suddenly interjected an energetic Yotsuba, although her mood was still slightly dampened due to what had conspired.
Nino didn't respond, just continuing to look at the unconscious boy that Itsuki was handling.
"O-ok, well I thought that you should take Uesugi-san home when he wakes up! Y'know, to ease things over!"
This question took Nino out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Why would you think that would be a good Ide-"
"I think it's a great Idea." announced Ichika, suddenly cutting off Nino, and seemingly using her prowess as the older sister to silence her younger sister.
"Don't you think so too Miku?"
Ichika believed that Miku would idmeditally back her up, seeing as not only was she the most physically opposed towards Nino, but also because she believed Nino and Futaro did in fact need to make up.
"I think I should go with Futaro."
Ichika instantly shot a questioning look towards Miku before attempting to reason with her.
"Well, I think Futaro and Nino need to ease things over with each other, don't you Miku?"
"But-" yet as quickly as she had tried to secure alone time with their tutor, Ichika just as quickly shut down that idea.
"And that's that! You heard everyone Nino, you're taking Futaro home today."
"..."
Futaro's POV:
Having slept for what seems like forever, Futaro suddenly awoke, only to be met with 5 eerily similar faces he believes to be acquainted with.
'Crap, did I really fall asleep? This is going to look so bad!'
However, before he could apologize for falling asleep so suddenly, he then noticed 4 of the faces peering down towards him looking extremely relieved, with another looking anxious.
'They aren't mad?'
Suddenly Futaro felt a strange sensation that was beneath his head. A very 'pillowy' sensation that held his head upright. And actually, isn't Itsuki's head right above his own?
"Hey Itsuki, I might be tired so forgive me if I'm wrong, but am I currently resting on your lap?"
Suddenly, as if she hadn't realized the position she had placed Futaro's head in, Itsuki's face grew redder than a tomato, and suddenly began to fumbling out words to answer the simple question.
"W-well y-you see I-I thought, Y-your h-head look l-l-like it hurt a-and I-I j-just kinda went a-and, ahhhhh! I-I'm s-sorry U-uesugi-k-kun! I-is this u-uncomfortable? A-ah o-of course i-it i-is! I-I d-don't k-know what I-I w-was t-thinking! H-here, I-I'll m-move!"
'Cute' were the first words that floated through the boy's head.
"No, it's ok. It feels nice, like a pillow."
While Futaro had tried to make somewhat of an attempt to calm Itsuki down, all this did was make her even more embarrassed, immediately sending Futaro flying off her lap and standing up.
"T-thank y-y-you!" was all she could usher out before running towards her room at an incredible speed, immensely embarrassed at her actions.
While Futaro was watching the ahoge girl sprint up the stairs of her apartment, he began to stand up, ready to apologize for falling asleep and to go home, yet was stopped when another quintuplet pulled on his sleeve.
"Did you like Itsuki's lap pillow?
The quintuplet in question was in fact the middle child, Miku Nakano, and someone who Futaro had recently befriended earlier that evening. And if one were to look closely into her eyes, you would be able to find a determined fire flickering within them.
"H-huh? Oh, yeah it was fine."
"I could give you one too if you'd like. I'm sure it'd be just as good as Itsuki's."
Time all but stopped in the room, with the other 3 quintuplets present all staring, eyes widened, at Miku. They'd never expect her to ever offer someone a lap pillow, especially someone who she had only met mere days ago.
And for Futaro's perspective, his cheeks turned a slight tinge of pink before being grabbed by Nino and dragged out the door.
"That's enough lap pillows for today! We're leaving!" she then leaned towards Futaro's ear, "And you! Don't you dare apologize for falling asleep! That one's on me, alright?"
"What?"
"I'll explain later."
And thus the two walked out of the apartment, leaving 3 other quintuplets to discuss among themselves.
No one's POV (lol):
"Well Miku, aren't you a little assertive today?" teased the eldest quintuplet, surprised at Miku's offering of a lap pillow towards their tutor.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about. I was simply trying to help Futaro." responded Miku, who's face had become flushed due to her sister's teasing.
"Ne, Miku-chan, there couldn't be a possibility that you like Futaro, could there?"
"N-no…." was all that Miku could mutter up, looking towards the floor in order to escape Ichika's teasing gaze.
"Oh, my little sister is in love! Oh my, wait till our dear Nino hears about this!" continued on Ichika, enjoying the sight of her younger sister growing redder by the second.
"T-that's n-not t-true Ichika!" responded Miku in an all but useless attempt to defend herself, seemingly powerless against the overwhelming teasing nature of Ichika.
Meanwhile, Yotsuba didn't really pay attention towards the two quintuplets, instead going to attempt to try and study on her own, although she was only able to write her name before simply giving up.
Nino's POV:
"Hey, Uesugi."
"Yeah?"
"I'm… sorry" whispered out Nino, embarrassed not only because she was completely in the wrong, but also due to remembering how she acted towards Itsuki.
"Why?"
"Well…. "
Author's Note: WOO! Another chapter down! I really enjoyed writing this one, and I hope y'all enjoyed it too! My favorite part was the lap pillows! What was yours?! Anyway, reviews are dope, and I Can't wait to keep writing, and peace!