We are still continuing in updates after a month?! Hell yeah. Last chapter was the conclusion of the Isanari, Maruo, and Rena backstory, and we won't be touching on that again at least until Papa Nakano is properly introduced. Yep, we're back to your daily dose of fluff, and I can't wait to jump into this chapter! As always, please show this story your love by adding it to your faves or following it, because we are about to beat Quintessential Maids in terms of follows, guys! It helps out a lot so let's keep pushing fluff into the very top! With that said, let's dive straight into this chapter!

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

"Oi, Fuutarou! You better not let these girls out of sight, you hear?! They could easily get lost out here because it's night and you never know who might be lurking around the corner! It'll be a blow to your pride as an Uesugi if you let anything happen to a beautiful girl who's with you!"

Isanari shouted from the doorstep of their home, giving his son a very firm look which... couldn't be taken seriously at all. Fuutarou could only deadpan at his father while Itsuki and Yotsuba sweat-dropped, offering their tutor a good pat on the back in comfort. Seriously, even when they're about to leave, this guy can't stop with the damn teasing! Hmph, at the very least, Raiha had some better words of farewell for them!

"Bye, Itsuki-san! Bye, Yotsuba-san! I hope you come by again! I'll miss you two!" she waved her arm happily. "Have a safe trip home! Onii-chan, please stay safe too! We'll be waiting for you!"

Fuutarou's sour mood immediately brightened upon hearing his younger sister's words, his deadpan expression turning into a smile as he waved his arm in return. Well, he loved his sister so much that he couldn't stay in a negative expression for very long when she's around! Beside him, Itsuki and Yotsuba bid their goodbyes towards the young girl, while also thanking Isanari for inviting them to dinner and telling them everything they wanted to know about their parents.

It was finally time for the two quints to go home and of course, Fuutarou would be accompanying them all the way to the station where they'll be picked up by their butler. Before leaving, they decided to tell Raiha that this may likely be the last time that they would hold a tutoring session in the Uesugi residence, because they were planning to do their studying in their own home instead. While both Itsuki and Yotsuba both promised the young girl that they would drop by for a visit every now and then so that she wouldn't be sad, Raiha insisted that she was fine with their decision and supported it with a smile on her face.

After one final wave to his family, Fuutarou turned around to face the two girls and gave them a small nod, telling them it was time. They nodded in return, before turning around as the small group of teenagers began to walk towards the station.

Well, it's gonna be a tiring walk for the young man but at the very least, this was the last time he'll be doing this, right? Once Itsuki and Yotsuba tell their sisters that they wanted to hold their study sessions in their home, it'll be way easier for all of them as a whole. He had spent a whole week doing this everyday, and it's not a stretch to say that his legs hurt when he goes to sleep at night. He's not gonna tell these girls about that little bit, though… who knows how they might react?

Fuutarou turned his attention to the two girls, where he noticed that they were giggling to themselves while talking about a particular topic that was still stuck in their minds until now, even to him.

"Itsuki, how do you think everyone else would take it when we tell them what we found out tonight?" Yotsuba asked, already imagining what their sisters might say when they reveal everything that they learned about their parents from Isanari.

"There's no telling how they might take this newfound knowledge," Itsuki hummed to herself, before a look of amusement took over her features upon thinking of one particular quint among them who would have a blast regarding all of this. "But I can bet that Nino will have lots of questions to ask us."

"Yeah, I can see it happening! I'm not sure about Miku, but I can tell that Ichika might be the same way as us!" Yotsuba giggled.

"I see you two are enjoying yourselves from learning all these new things about your parents," Fuutarou joined their conversation with a little smirk on his face, directing their attention towards him. "Can't say I'm not excluded, because I was also taken aback upon finding out that my old man was somehow friends with yours."

"That's because we are!" Yotsuba grinned, before waving her arms wildly in excitement. "We never knew about all our parents being friends and how they went through school together! Oh, and don't you think it's strange? Our parents were all friends in high school and now we're friends too!"

Fuutarou shook his head in amusement. "If you are implying that it's because of fate that I met Itsuki last week, I don't believe it is. I think it's just a coincidence that we placed our lunch trays at the same table when your sister and I met."

"That's right," Itsuki agreed with their tutor, before chuckling at her sister's train of thought. "There's no possible way we could have known that our parents were all acquainted with one another when they have never even mentioned each other to us."

The ribbon-wearing girl then rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "Well… I guess that's right, hehe…"

Both him and Itsuki smiled at her, before things became quiet between the three students afterwards as they continued on walking through the dark road, with the street lights being their only way of making sure that they are going in the right direction.

However, while they were slowly treading through the street, Fuutarou couldn't stop himself from turning his attention towards the two girls with a solemn look on his face. Who was he kidding? He couldn't stop thinking about what happened to these girls, especially after how the name 'Rena' clicked in his mind after Isanari revealed to them that Itsuki and Yotsuba's mother was already dead.

A sudden idea came to mind, but the young man didn't think of putting it into action immediately. It involved telling something completely personal to these girls, one which he would prefer to keep to himself if he was still his old self until now.

Yeah, he began to get soft while being in the presence of these girls who are his soulmates, which he could admit that it wasn't a bad thing. Before meeting Itsuki, he could never imagine himself becoming a tutor for anyone because nobody would bother asking him anyway. That's not even counting the fact that he smiled multiple times around them that at this point, it's impossible for him to imagine a day where he won't see even one of them.

Okay, internal monologue is over. Time to put his idea into motion.

This was both stupid and crazy, but it only felt right after what they just talked about during dinner earlier and they were also curious about it anyway. Plus, these girls trusted his father enough to let him reveal the passing of their mother. What kind of guy would he be if he can't trust them in the same way? It may even help him find out why 'Rena' suddenly popped into his brain as if he remembered it, even though he was completely sure that it's the first time he learned about their mother.

"By the way, uhm..." Fuutarou cleared his throat, internally preparing himself for his next words as the girls turned to face him again while walking. "I'm sorry about your mother. I didn't know that she was already gone."

Both Yotsuba and Itsuki were hit with a wave of confusion afterwards, so much that they looked at each other for a brief moment before turning back towards him with different expressions on their faces. Itsuki had a little frown, while Yotsuba bore a reassuring smile.

"I-It's okay, Uesugi-san. Like we told Raiha-chan, it's already been many years since that happened and we've already moved on from it!" she exclaimed in her usual energetic tone, but it felt like something was missing from it.

"Why bring this up now? You were strangely quiet about this earlier at the table," Itsuki asked while tilting her head.

Fuutarou rubbed the back of his head, quickly thinking of something he can tell them as a little excuse since Itsuki did make a good point. However, he can't just tell them any excuse! He'll have to mix in a little bit of truth in his words to ensure they don't get suspicious…

"…I guess I was nervous about saying something that would have made things worse. I'd have done the same thing that Raiha and I prevented my old man from saying," he spoke while letting out a deep breath, looking up at the night sky.

Itsuki raised an eyebrow at him. "What were you going to say earlier?"

He shrugged his shoulders. This was it. "That it's okay and we know what it feels like to lose a mother?"

That one statement nearly caused both Yotsuba and Itsuki to freeze in their places, taken aback with this sudden revelation as well as how calm Fuutarou seemed to be while speaking about it. Their eyes widened from both shock as well as the implications of what he just said, causing the two to send him a look of deep concern. Why would he say something personal like that out of nowhere? He can't have been kidding around with something as serious as this, and Fuutarou wasn't even someone who would joke around! He wasn't a liar, so it must be true but… why?

Why would he say such a thing while he was with them?

There has to be a reason why he said something like that, right…?

Yotsuba took a deep breath and began to speak, mustering up the courage to ask him the reason behind this. "Uesugi-san, are you okay? Why are you telling us about this?" she asked.

He shrugged again, already knowing that they would get worried for him over this. "You were curious about why I stopped my old man from talking when he mentioned my mother, right? I could see it in your eyes earlier."

Both sisters flushed red out of embarrassment at being caught red-handed. How could he have known?!

"Y-You didn't have to… that's why we chose not to ask about it, Uesugi-kun!" Itsuki cried out.

"Well, there's no use in keeping it a secret from the two of you. You would've found out sooner or later from either my old man, Raiha, or me. I just chose to tell you about this right away because I trust the both of you to keep it to yourselves," he explained, before sending a nervous smile at them. "Will it be a bother to keep this as a secret from your sisters?"

Without hesitation, Yotsuba shook her head which surprised Itsuki. Just as she was about to ask her sister if it was appropriate to keep secrets from family, Itsuki stopped herself short, thinking about her own words deeply. Wasn't that kind of wrong and a bit unfair for her own sake? Everyone was entitled to their own secrets, right? If you had no intention of telling it, then the other party has no choice but to respect your decision unless you choose to say it.

Come to think of it, her sisters also had secrets of their own, especially Ichika and Nino. In Miku's case, the only secret she had was her love for sengoku and feudal warlords and they all knew about that, however, she wouldn't reveal it to anyone else and all of them respected that.

If her sisters can keep secrets of their own, then Itsuki surely can. Plus, this was something important to Fuutarou, and there's no way she can let him down! He said it himself that he chose to entrust the two of them with this secret of his, and breaking his trust was the last thing Itsuki wanted to do.

Making up her mind, the girl gave him a serious look that showed her firm resolve. "You can count on us, Uesugi-kun."

Fuutarou let a smile appear on his face once more, reaching out with both of his hands to give them each a head pat before stroking their hair slowly, which they accepted with bashful but happy expressions on their faces.

Who cares if he was getting soft around these girls? They were his soulmates, he can be as soft as he wants around them! If he wanted to be nice, then he sure as hell can! Why was he complaining about having a harem again? Oh right, because he had no idea that it would make him smile like any normal teenager in the span of a week, and it was all thanks to the girls whom he formed a bond with in the past few days.

Itsuki was the one who brought out his smile in front of other people, Nino was Kami-sama who took the time to cook a meal for him out of love, while Yotsuba is the ball of energy that never ceases to surprise him in a good way.

He could only guess what things would be like once he meets Ichika and Miku. Surely, it would mean that things will be harder for him upon having to deal with all five of his soulmates, but this is what he accepted in the end. The only thing he can do is face this situation head-on, and see where the road for him leads to.

"I'm grateful. Thanks, you two. Don't worry, by the way. If you're worried that your sisters might be on to you because of this, let me handle it."

"Yes, Uesugi-sensei!" Yotsuba exclaimed, flashing a big grin that can light up the whole town with its radiance for a whole year.

Fuutarou didn't bother correcting her and chuckled instead, showing that he was already getting used to Yotsuba and her unwavering energy.

Itsuki's serious look then shifted into something else, making her turn her gaze away from the young man. "Now that we are on the topic of your mother, what exactly happened…?" she couldn't help but ask, while also gulping deeply out of nervousness.

"Complications from giving birth," he sighed and removed his hands from the top of their heads. "Luckily, Raiha was born perfectly healthy and there was no need to worry about her. Heh, I swear I cried like a baby that day, I didn't know whether to be happy about my sister being born or my mom dying."

Yotsuba and Itsuki's eyes widened in horror, realizing what Fuutarou meant by his words and how it was connected to a certain young girl. No wonder he didn't want his father to mention anything about his mother earlier.

"But that would mean… Raiha-chan was born on the same day as your mother's passing…" Itsuki murmured in deep concern.

"Pretty much," he let out another deep sigh, before shaking his head to rid himself of any negative thoughts that he might have because of this. "But regardless, there's no way I can let this one setback drag me down. One of my goals every year is to give Raiha a great birthday, so she won't have to remember the mother that she never got to meet. Now that I have a job as your tutor, I'll be able to give her the best birthday she's ever had come February next year."

"But Raiha-chan didn't seem like she was affected when your Uesugi-san's Papa almost talked about it…" Yotsuba surmised, remembering how the younger girl looked entirely serious but not sad when the matter was nearly brought up earlier.

He shook his head slowly, looking down with a sad smile. "Raiha's really mature for her age but on the inside, she's still a young kid like who wants a normal childhood with her family, and me and my old man do our best to give that to her on our own. Remember how she hid her face while apologizing to the two of you? I can tell she's also remembering how our mother is also gone like yours."

Itsuki noticed his expression and was tempted to comfort him at that very moment, but held herself back for now. "And this is what you didn't want your father to talk about?" she asked.

"Yeah, but here I am, telling the two of you about it anyway. Heh, I'm so stupid…" Fuutarou shook his head, amused at his own self before he felt something attack his right side all of sudden, causing him to turn his head and see Yotsuba hugging him tightly, burying the side of her face into his chest.

"Y-Yotsuba…!" Itsuki cried out in surprise.

"I guess we're the same, Uesugi-san! We both lost someone important in our lives, but we're still here doing our best for the people we love! For me, I tried to study harder like Itsuki after Mama died, but it was useless… Papa wasn't around much either, so he couldn't help us too… I guess I really am an idiot, hehe…" Yotsuba spoke, her voice becoming melancholic by the end of her words.

While Itsuki felt confused with her sister's actions, Fuutarou was more intrigued in what she was trying to tell him. She obviously wanted to say something, but he couldn't figure it out.

"Yotsuba, what are you trying to say?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's help each other! Our parents were friends and they helped each other, right? Let's do the same! You may be our tutor, but that doesn't mean we can't help you too! We're your friends, Uesugi-san, and you won't go through this alone! Don't you think so too, Itsuki?" Yotsuba said, looking up at Fuutarou with a bright smile before turning towards her sister.

Itsuki's eyes slowly widened as the attention was directed towards her, and she quickly met Fuutarou's gaze as a result. The two stared at each other for a few moments before she blushed and shifted her focus towards Yotsuba, who was still smiling as she now stretched out her right hand for Itsuki to take.

The youngest quint looked wide-eyed at her sister's gesture and seemed deep in thought for a moment, before she eventually let a smile appear on her face.

"I agree, Uesugi-kun. You're still here, aren't you? You're doing your best for your family, just like us. We all want to work hard for the people important to us, so let us work for the same goal together. Mother may be gone and Father is rarely with us, but you're here," Itsuki spoke, taking Yotsuba's hand as she hugged Fuutarou as well, making it a three-way hug between all of them. "You're not only my tutor, but you are also my friend, my classmate, and the person that I like in this world."

Oh shit.

"What do you say, Uesugi-san?!" Yotsuba asked, not minding the fact that Itsuki literally confessed her true feelings for their tutor just now.

The three teenagers stood there, in the middle of the dark street with only a street light allowing them to see clearly. Fuutarou looked down at the two girls with a neutral expression, making them curious about what was on his mind until his lips had curved into a smile.

"That's the best idea I've heard all day," he spoke as his arms went around the two girls, willingly pulling them into a hug that Itsuki and Yotsuba before their faces flushed, becoming as red as their hair.

Were they dreaming or something?! This can't be happening! Wasn't he supposed to be the one who disliked social interactions? Of course he did and he only tolerated them because they were his friends, but… did Fuutarou just hug them out of his own free will?

Oh boy, what the hell happened to him?!

"Thanks, you two."

His last statement was enough to calm them down and make them realize that Fuutarou is really doing this on his own. It also enabled them to slowly return his shocking display of affection, albeit with massive blushes on their faces from receiving a hug from their destined soulmate.

He was truly becoming soft, indeed.

Well, this chapter was packed with the feels... I had fun writing this, to be honest. At this point, you can consider this story an alternate take on the manga because everything is different lol. You see what would happen if Itsuki and Yotsuba are the ones competing for Fuutarou? Everything is wholesome, as all things should be. Just look at that hug by the end of the chapter! MY HEART IS GOING TO BURST! Hopefully, Miku and Ichika learn the ways of the fluffy just like how Nino did when they finally get introduced. No need to hurt each other deeply in their rivalry like in canon.

I'm cruel to Raiha. :( Yeah, roast me all you want, guys... I am heartless enough to have her be born on the day their mother died... I have sinned horribly against the fandom... (Btw, her birthday was never really stated, so I used the birthday of her seiyuu, which is February 14.)

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

-Lance