Meatbun Monster Rampage is STILL ongoing, hahaha. The other quints will have to step up their game when they finally enter the scene, because Itsuki is leaving them in the dust and I don't think she is even aware of what she's doing! In this one, we'll be seeing if she's really going to confess and make her relationship with Fuutarou official. They are soulmates, so this was inevitable. Brace yourselves for the climax of the Meatbun Monster Rampage!

Discord link: [discord . gg / 4y5QVPj]

Disclaimer: I don't own the Quintessential Quintuplets, or any of its characters...

"Are you sure you're going to be fine on your own from here? I could go with you until you get home safely, because it's what I should do as your tutor." Fuutarou asked, worried that something bad might happen to her. It wasn't because he would be blamed for it, but rather he was truly concerned for her safety.

What a big development from being afraid of someone's death being pinned on him.

"I really appreciate your concern about my well-being, Uesugi-kun, but I will be fine." Itsuki just shook her head in amusement, somehow finding their situation funny. "I've already texted our family butler to pick me up here. He'll arrive in a few minutes."

"Alright, I'm not going to push it any further then." Fuutarou raised his hands in defeat, though it didn't stop him from getting worried. He wanted to be absolutely sure that Itsuki would get home safely, because he felt like he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight without being sure that she was safe and sound. Not that he didn't trust the butler that Itsuki was talking about, but he needed a confirmation from the girl herself.

Others might think that he was being too concerned for Itsuki, but this was his soulmate and he was now embracing this situation he was in! Itsuki was someone dear to him by now, and he wanted to keep her safe at all costs! While they weren't currently in a relationship, she was someone that he already considers as a part of his family! There has to be a way he can be assured that she had gotten home safely!

"Is it so much trouble if I ask for your number?" he asked, which caught Itsuki off guard for a moment. "As your tutor and as a friend, I can't help but be truly worried for you. This is the first time you've been here, after all, and you needed my help getting yourself familiar with this new landscape. While I can't accompany you all the way to your home, I can at least be assured that you got back safely."

She thought about his idea for a moment, before nodding. "I think that's okay. I can send you a message when I get home," Itsuki pulled out her phone and Fuutarou did the same before they exchanged devices and punched in their contact information into the other's. While she was typing in her number, Itsuki couldn't help but chuckle. "Though I have to ask… what has gotten into you, Uesugi-kun? You've been worrying about me too much that it reminds me of my sisters. Not that I don't appreciate your actions, but I can also look after myself because we're of the same age."

"Can you really blame me? You heard it from Raiha, you're the first friend I've had in a long time." He gave her a smirk before giving back her phone. "Forgive me if I don't want to lose such a thing that easily. Oh, and you're right, by the way. You should be honored that I consider you my friend even if we only met today."

"I am deeply honored, Uesugi-kun. I truly am. In return, you should feel the same way because I wanted you to have lunch with me, and I chose you as my tutor." Itsuki returned the smirk with one of her own, as she gave the young man his phone back. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Itsuki started to giggle in a cute manner while Fuutarou shook his head in amusement, a small smile lingering on his lips. How many times have they had an exchange like this today? It felt like the hundredth time already, from how well they clicked with another the moment they met. This little moment between them lasted until Fuutarou took a glance at the horizon, and the sun was starting to go down.

Clearing his throat, he quickly got Itsuki's attention and caused her to stop in her giggles. "Well, since I now have a way to contact you whenever I can, I suppose that's my cue to leave." He straightened his posture and gave the girl a polite bow. "Take care of yourself, and make sure to send me a message when you get home. I'll see you tomorrow, Itsuki."

With that, he turned around to leave, but was stopped when Itsuki held his arm and kept him right where he was. He glanced back at her, wondering what Itsuki was planning on doing until the girl stepped forward and slowly wrapped her arms around him in one last hug. Fuutarou didn't do anything to stop her and simply let her do what she wanted, which caused her to chuckle with a sad smile on her face.

"You must be getting tired of me clinging on to you… ne, Uesugi-kun…?" Itsuki asked quietly, leaning against his chest where she could hear his heartbeat clearly. She didn't hug him too tightly nor did she want to let go, which showed that she was only asking for his answer and not anything else.

There was silence between them for a few moments, before the young man placed his warm hand atop her head, while also poking her ahoge with his finger and watching it fling around. Fuutarou took a deep breath, and then shook his head as his answer.

"I don't mind at all. At first, I was indeed caught off guard but that was it. As far as I'm concerned, you've already done this several times today and I never told you to back off or anything."

"You… don't think I'm being too clingy? Or… I'm somehow invading your personal space?" Itsuki couldn't help but ask, while thinking about how she contradicted herself with her own words. Among her sisters, she pushed herself to be more mature and dedicated most of her time in studying to achieve her dream, but now she was acting like a school girl in love. She never thought that having feelings for someone could cause her to be like this, but she couldn't say that she didn't like this between her and Fuutarou. Maybe it was because she was hungry for affection that she keeps on doing these things out of nowhere? Or something else?

"No. I already told you, remember? I think your instincts just get the better of you sometimes, and you're not at fault for that. Besides, it's not like it's a bad thing. You say you're being clingy? That doesn't matter to me. Raiha does this to me all the time, anyway. I can't say I don't enjoy it when it comes from her, and the same can be said for you.."

"I see…" Itsuki smiled softly, before leaning against him even more and taking a deep breath to calm herself. This was it. She had to tell him now, or she might never get the chance again. "Uesugi-kun, I need to tell you something before you leave."

"What is it?"

"I know that you and I are well aware of the fact that we have only met today," she began nervously, but managed to muster up her courage for her next words. "But… during the short time that we've spent together, I can't help but feel that there's something fluttering inside me while I'm with you. You're someone I can trust deeply, and I feel that I'm completely safe with you by my side. I have never felt this way before, and I've never given any thought about this in the past, but…"

"Itsuki…" Fuutarou's eyes widened. Was he hearing what he thought he was hearing?

Itsuki separated from him ever so slightly, just so she could look up at him with a nervous expression on her face, unsure of her own actions but pushing forth nonetheless.

"Uesugi-kun… I…" she bit her lip, having a moment of doubt before closing her eyes. "I like you…! I… I really like you! N-Not as a friend, but… m-more than that, I… I just wanted to tell you, before… before you leave…" Itsuki's cheeks turned as red as her hair before breaking eye contact to turn her gaze somewhere else, unable to overcome her embarrassment. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say the other 'L' word, and she couldn't help but groan internally at that. Why couldn't she just say it? Was she too shy to say it? Well, now her confession was a failure, and Fuutarou would misunderstand her!

Meanwhile, the young man was taken aback immediately. He knew that Itsuki had feelings for him, but he didn't expect her to act on them this early! Was their bond as soulmates really that strong for the girl to willingly confess to him already?

Apparently, it is.

Fuutarou clenched his fists. He had to give her an answer somehow! Itsuki pushed through her own embarrassment and doubts to tell him such a thing, and it would be a blow to his pride as a man if he doesn't do the same for her! This was his soulmate, someone important to him! There's no way he'll let her do this alone!

"Itsuki…" He called out, using a finger to lift her chin up so that she was looking straight into his eyes. With a deep blush of his own, the young man pushed his other thoughts aside at the moment to focus solely on the girl. "I'm happy that you think of me that way, because I really like you too. I can see myself in you, with how you dedicate your time to studying and… you have a dream that I respect. Not to mention, uhm… you also gave me food," he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "It may not be a big deal to someone else, but… what you did surprised me, and it made me see you as someone I can trust. You also trusted me to be your tutor, which is the same as putting your trust in me to help you elevate your grades. There's no way that I won't do the same for you because of that. And… you're really cute as well, so…" His cheeks burned with embarrassment, before focusing his gaze back towards the young girl. "…yeah. I feel the same way for you, Itsuki."

Her eyes widened to the immense proportions after Fuutarou's words, while she could only bring up a hand towards her chest. So… he understood her? He understood what she really meant behind her shyness? He knew what she meant?! Her deep blush didn't even matter at this point, nor were the tears that were forming at the corners of her eyes. Itsuki could feel her heart pounding madly inside her chest that it was about to burst, which meant that she had to let it all out somehow!

"U-Uesugi-kun...!"

*chu*

With the biggest smile on her face, Itsuki launched herself towards Fuutarou and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, which was an action that took him aback to the point of nearly losing his balance. Within seconds after doing it, Itsuki already pulled away, retaining her smile whilst her cheeks were clearly red but she didn't care at all. She couldn't contain the happiness she felt inside her after hearing him confess that he felt the same way for her, and it was the first thing she could think of how to let it out.

Meanwhile, Fuutarou was caught off guard with how quick it ended as soon as it happened, that he could only touch the part on his cheek that Itsuki's lips had landed on. With a burning face of his own, he looked down at the red-haired Nakano, who closed her eyes and smiled sweetly at him. That was all he needed for him to give her his own grin, as the pair came to a mutual understanding through their actions. They didn't need further words to affirm what they had in mind, because they were both mature enough to know that actions were more meaningful than anything that could be said.

Realizing that there was nothing left for him to do here, Fuutarou placed his hand on top of Itsuki's head one more time, even ruffling her hair slightly in an affectionate manner. "I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow, then. You better stay safe, Itsuki."

Itsuki giggled as the young man removed his hand from her head, and began to walk off. "I'll send you a text when I get home then, Uesugi-kun. I won't forget what I learned from you today when I study later on! Let's have lunch again tomorrow too!" she called out, waving her arm in farewell.

Fuutarou stopped walking for a bit, turning his head slightly to look at Itsuki with a smile on his face, before continuing on his way. "This day wasn't anything like I expected. I did meet my soulmate like what that oji-san told me, but I ended up enjoying my current situation. What has even gotten into me? I never cared about romance before, until I met Itsuki." he asked himself rhetorically, while also shaking his head in clear amusement.

"I could get used to this," he whispered, a fond smile appearing on his face as he walked away from the station.

While he was slowly moving away from her sight, Itsuki placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heartbeat that was going slower, but still shaken from their confession of feelings for each other. Her smile never left even after Fuutarou was gone, though she couldn't help but feel that there was still something missing from all of this.

"I told Uesugi-kun of my feelings… and he feels the same way for me, but… I wasn't able to ask him if we can try to form a relationship…" Before she could feel sad about her missed opportunity, Itsuki shook her head to get rid of that thought. "No. There's no need to rush things between us. We are both mature enough to know that we can take this slowly, because… it's the first time I've felt this way for a boy, and… I'm the first girl that Uesugi-kun liked. Maybe… we can take this even further in the future… when we're no longer tutor and student, but simply equals. I've never felt this way before, and I never thought I could feel so much happiness from this…"

Her stomach exploded in butterflies upon recalling Fuutarou saying he liked her, and she was barely able to stop herself from squealing in pure happiness. She replayed his words inside her mind over and over, almost wanting to catch up to her tutor and ask him to say those words again.

"Kyaaa! Uesugi-kun likes me! He really does!" Pulling out a meatbun that she bought on the way here, Itsuki could only munch happily on her snack, all while thinking of what would happen between them from now on. She was already thinking of texting him despite it being only a few minutes from when he left.

Before that, she had to get home to her sisters first, all of whom must be worried for her by now.

Well, it looks like she managed to confess her feelings and Fuutarou did the same, but they aren't boyfriend and girlfriend yet. I suppose that's still a win? They are now aware of the other's feelings and it seems like they are more than friends, but not officially dating. I mean, look! She literally kissed him on the cheek! How wholesome is that?! That's already more than what you can expect from someone like Itsuki! Oh well, I guess this gives a chance for her sisters, who will finally be introduced in the next chapter! I wonder who will Fuutarou meet first? Who will be the next to be affected by the 'soulmate shock'? Hehehe. Anyway, I guess this is the end of the Meatbun Monster Rampage, which ended beautifully, in my opinion. You can consider this as Itsuki's mini arc finally over with, which basically showed her developing, realizing, and then confessing her feelings for Fuutarou. We'll see the aftermath of this in the next chapter!

Goodbye... and good night! BANG! *too sweet gesture*

-Lance