Ep 19: Begin The Offensive
A/N: It's been a while since I came back here and I've got a thing to take note of.
Note 1: Whoever the unknown guest is, again, thank you for yet another generous comment. Firstly, as for the Itsuki-revenge thing, I will make sure it happens sometime either before or during the revelation. I'm not entirely sure how to word it just yet, but right now I'm doing this as a build-up before the actual thing blows out. Second, the Nino plot twist suggestion was an interesting one. I could try and come up with it, but again I might have to think of this one hard since I don't exactly have a clear mindset for it. And lastly, Fuutarou's current issue. Maybe leaning towards sensitivity path might be a reasonable thing to do yeah. But again, I'll have a think about it. I will take those suggestions in mind for the upcoming chapters though, if I can find a gap to fit them in. Thanks for suggesting them as always.
"Itsuki..." Fuutarou asks the only quintuplet who hasn't moved anywhere other than to the edge of the couch.
"UGH! Uh... y-y-yes? U-U-Uesugi-kun?! What do you n-n-need from me?" Itsuki stammers in surprise as she rapidly whips her head to face him. Crap... he knows doesn't he?! That I was... the girl he met?!
"I'm just curious, Itsuki." Fuutarou calmly continues as she trembles. "About this Rena situation... is there anything else you know about her? That the others don't know?"
Rena: Call me Rena. Wow it's been five years, huh?
Fuutarou: Rena... Why are you here?
Rena: So I could check out the new you!
"Uh... w-w-well..." Itsuki stammers as her ahoge immediately twists into a zigzag in fear. How is she going to stand up for the fact that she was the girl in disguise? How would she defend herself and the one who could not lie? Since she was Rena, but Yotsuba was also a part of it, how would she word her defenses? Will it be enough to divert Fuutarou away? Will it end her student-teacher relationship prematurely? Will it worsen Yotsuba's current state of mind if the latter happens? There are so many questions that are-
"I-I mean I'm not calling you out or anything. I just... um..." He scratches his head before continuing with hesitation. "I just want to find out. Whether you or your sisters know um..."
"About Rena? Uh... no actually! I-I don't h-have the slightest idea eheheh..." Itsuki nervously replies as she scratches her head. But then she second guesses her own statement at the last minute, thinking that this may not be enough to cover the façade that she was responsible for. So she decided to play along, just for Yotsuba's sake. "No wait actually um, well, I actually wasn't present and neither were Yotsuba or Miku. I mean, we had things to do on that day, so neither of us were able to meet her face-to-face."
"So she did see you. Or at least, your sisters, am I right?" Fuutarou clarifies. "I mean I get why Yotsuba but I didn't know you and Miku had things to do after school besides studying."
"Correct." Itsuki affirms, despite knowing that it was all false. "She saw Ichika and Nino actually. That was before they headed back to our previous home, the one that got demolished."
"But if that's so, then how would she know where you girls lived?" Fuutarou says sceptically. "I mean neither of us have-"
"She didn't." Itsuki immediately replies, having already braced for that kind of question to slam her in the face. "From what Ichika and Nino told me when I got back, they met Rena on the streets before she handed them the photo."
"I see. So that's how it ended up with you girls. The thing is though, why would she meet with me only to take my photo and hand it over to the five of you?" Fuutarou continues as he notices even the tiniest shudders on the youngest quint. "There has to be a valid reason for her actions. I mean, if she knows that the girl I met was either herself or one of you, why hand it back when she could have kept it for herself?"
"Well uh... The thing is..." Itsuki says before she suddenly suffer from a brain freeze. Even though she was amazed at herself for masking up the act, it was almost as if, she couldn't think of things to help prevent a misunderstanding. And to her, it was a dangerous thought. Come on Itsuki! If you want to avoid a major fallout you gotta up your game too! Stay one step above Uesugi-kun and find something to appease him yet throw him off course for the time being! She thinks in her head as she winces.
"Is something the matter?" Fuutarou asks her.
"Uh- no! E-everything's ok!" Itsuki stutters as she snaps herself back to reality. "Again, from what Ichika said to me, Rena said to treasure our special bond up until uh, the very moment we part ways. And um... *thinks really hard* ...She um, she also said that Rena felt like the photo um, the photo would be safer in uh, the hands of the five of us. After all... she thinks that the five of us are special to you. And I agree with her in a way. We've been together... we studied together for so long at this point, I could honestly say that... you're not just our tutor anymore, but rather, you're our friend. Don't you think?"
Usually Fuutarou could come to a sensible conclusion when it comes to things related to tutoring, his family or even just trying to get the quintuplets to get along again. But this was a different scenario. This no longer involved his problems that surfaced during the times he spent as a tutor. He has successfully achieved this already; This issue is now revolving around Rena, the girl he thought was in his photo. And having gone through this reel, just makes him ever more doubtful about his current friendship with the quints, let alone their romance for each other. It made his heart stir with uncertainty every now and then. And... was Itsuki really telling the truth or was she hiding something even great behind all of this? He couldn't tell from the bottom of his heart just from this. In fact, there was also something else on his mind that bothered him. Just one, tiny visual cue that he picked up whilst he watched Part 2 of the Seven Goodbyes Arc...
Rena: Let's catch up! I heard that you've been studying hard since we met and now you're at the top of your class! Plus you got a job as a tutor isn't that right? That's great!
*Fuutarou stares at Rena before he starts to feel sus...*
Fuutarou: Who told you that?
Rena: Uh... don't worry about all the details! What are your students like?
Fuutarou: Sigh... uh well this'll probably sound crazy... but they're a set of quintuplets who are in the same class as me.
Rena: Uh-huh.
*Fuutarou sus mode x2*
Fuutarou: I... thought you'd be shocked.
*Rena feigns surprise*
Rena: Oh really?! I never realized quintuplets actually exist! I've only seen them in TV shows!
"I guess you're right. But still, she hardly flinched whenever I expected her to be shocked when I told her that I was teaching you five." Fuutarou points out. "I didn't expect her to be this calm during our meeting. You think... she might have an interest in someone else already? Would that mean why she looked slightly less disinterested about the day of my first meeting with her?
"Possibly. Though honestly I think you're being hard on yourself. Rena would for sure never think of that." Itsuki replies as she rubs her hands together. "But... I mean, I get that she was your true love. And it must have been painful to hear that she has moved on without you. She's not wrong in some aspects. I mean just look at yourself! She's finally pointed out that you've become the person everyone depends on!"
"Yeah you're right. But still, I still found it kind of amusing when she repeated what you just said as in, that I'm the kind of person people needs now. It's as if... She lead me back to you..." Fuutarou says before he suddenly becomes quiet. Somehow, there's this one part of his conscience telling him that Rena is in fact, the quintuplet he's talking to right now; Deja Vu in a sense. But even so he's still not clear about it...
Rena: You've faced your problems head on now. Like in adulthood! You're the kind of person people need.
Fuutarou: That's interesting. Itsuki said the same thing.
Nino (Flashback): You should have never barged into our lives!
"Um... well, in retrospective though, I'm kind of with her in a way." Itsuki continues as her ahoge twists. "I also agree on why she would desire for you to move on too. It isn't ok for someone to just heavily rely on past memories to keep themselves afloat when it would endanger themselves right?" She scratches her head, wondering if she could just word her second sentence a little better. "I mean, I'm not sure If heard it correctly but, you once said, the present is more important than the past... you did say it yourself once if I recall during one of our lessons together?"
She's got a point. Even deep within his insensitive but logical brain Fuutarou himself agrees with what Itsuki reminded him of. Maybe it is better to dwell on the future than the past. Maybe it is time to let this speculation go after so long, just as Rena once said. But, being the pushy tutor he always has been, maybe it was best to dig further. He opens his mouth to press Itsuki for more information, specifically on why the girl in his photo decided to adopt her mother's name. But before he could let his next wave of words out though, they both hear some footsteps trotting from above.
"Ok I'm back. I told Nino that we're all ready to resume as well. Shall we get going?" Ichika asks everyone, but only Miku and Yotsuba responded with a nod; Itsuki and Fuutarou stared at each other blankly for five uncomfortable seconds before the former decides to break it...
"Uh s-s-so is t-there anything else... y-y-you need to know?" Itsuki shivers.
"Uh, nah. Nothing serious or anything, really. I was just wondering if you know some details that's all. At least what you said um... t-t-that's a start." Fuutarou finally says as he notices the others returning. "Anyways, the others are back. Let's continue the show shall we?"
"Uh... um... *Silence for three seconds* ...yeah. W-w-we should." Itsuki slowly says as she sits back down too before taking a moment to wipe her forehead free of her own sweat. She successfully managed to dodge a bullet that could have costed her friendship with not only Fuutarou, but Yotsuba too. Phew... that was close. He doesn't know the full story yet. At least... I hope he doesn't know. Because if he does, then Yotsuba will... well, I already get the idea. I'm certain that... she doesn't want me to do so either... right?
A while later, the five of them reorganise themselves on the couch to resume watching. (New seating order: Ichika, Fuutarou, Miku, Itsuki, Nino, Yotsuba.) In fact, as they sit down, Nino herself begins to make a series of excited squeals as she rubs her knuckles to the point where they become blazing hot from the intense friction; Alongside this, her two butterfly ribbons persistently flap in accordance with her enthusiasm.
"We haven't even started the next episode yet. What are you so excited to see?" Ichika asks her sister as she presses the remote.
"Wait for it." Nino responds as the next episode flickers to life on TV.
*The episode begins with Nino waiting for her father at the old apartment... with her own thoughts of Fuutarou surfacing every time*
Nino: Don't think about it! *Flashbacks to the exam preparations with her being on the sidelines* Forget him! He doesn't think of me that way.*And then at the theme park where Nino was too scared to advance in the haunted house and staring at Fuutarou as he leaves to find Yotsuba* It's just how it is! *And then back to the present* That's why I'm not going to see him anymore.
"Was that what you told us to wait for? That you were staring at him because of your unwavered feelings?" Miku pouts at her second big sis.
"Wait for it." Nino repeats as she utterly ignores her jealous remark.
*Maruo then shows up to talk to Nino*
Maruo: I see you're back, daughter.
Nino: Yeah I am. And I thought I told you to stop calling me daughter it totally creeps me out.
Honestly if I was in Nino's shoes I would kinda say the same thing too. Fuutarou thinks.
Maruo: It appears you succeeded in spite of everything. Well done.
Nino: Um... Thanks a lot?
Maruo: And so per the agreement I made with Uesugi-kun, I will allow him to return.
Nino: No I'm done with him! *Zoom up of Maruo feeling shocked on a rare occasion* Besides we've decided to stay at out new place for a while!
Maruo: Excuse me?
"Is that it?" Miku asks her again, only to get her to frown. "Then what?"
"No wait that's not it, never mind..." Nino mutters. I thought it would come in this episode but, maybe I was wrong.
"I've never seen your dad looked so surprised before." Fuutarou says astonished. "Did he actually hoped for you five to better get along with me in the long run? Was that why he was so stunned?"
"Who knows. Maybe he did. Maybe not." Ichika replies.
"That was a rhetorical question by the way." Fuutarou instantly addresses.
"That was so poorly timed, Uesugi-kun. Seriously?" Itsuki groans.
"What?!" Fuutarou snaps back.
Nino: I mean, we won't just depend on Ichika! I can get a job too! We're still learning to stand on our own and... maybe this isn't the smartest move, but... *Flashbacks to a happy study session of theirs* I think living this way is going to change us for the better! *Back to the present* And I feel like we've already made some good progress!
Maruo: Huh. You sound absurd. Abstract ideas like 'progress' mean nothing in the real world. And besides I've seen that hovel, you call your new home.
Nino: Uh?
Maruo: I'd say you've taken a step backwards. Five years isn't long enough to forget.
Fuutarou really felt like he wanted to give their father a piece of mind, only to make a forceful punch to his stomach that causes him to sag deeper into the couch, confusing the quintuplets in the process; He's just remining himself that this is all on TV and not currently happening anymore.
"Uh... Uesugi-san? You ok?!" Yotsuba asks puzzled.
"Sorry, your father's words stung me hard... T-T-That's all." Fuutarou speaks slowly.
"You weren't any better than him back then though just saying." Miku reminds him.
*Nino becomes shocked as Maruo approaches her*
Maruo: You don't want to live that way. Now stop being selfish...
*But then Nino get blinded by a light as she hears a motorcycle approaching*
Nino: Ugh... What?! *Cue the shiny horse from her prince charming dream two episodes before as Fuutarou appears* UH?!
"Ahhh! No it is! I was right!" Nino suddenly squeals as her bright smile returns again.
"What is?!" Ichika fumes impatiently.
"Wait for it!" Nino resumes as she repeats the phrase a third time. Only to witness...
Fuutarou: Nino! Hey! Time to go!
*Insert Nino's shocked exe closeup*
Shocked Nino: HUHHHH?!
At this stage Fuutarou and everyone that wasn't present back then blew the loudest raspberries under their mouths and drown in their pools of laughter over the latter's ridiculously funny face onscreen; As for the shocked quint, her smile evaporates into thin air for the second time and her face reddens drastically.
"WHAT THE HECK, NINO!" Itsuki screams as she emits streams of tears from laughing her heart out.
"WHAT KIND OF FACE WAS THAT?! GAHAHAH!" Yotsuba cackles in her most deafening volume ever.
"OH MY GOD THAT CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD FOR REAL TOO!" Miku wheezes as her headphones plummet to the floor from her neck at 9.8 metres a second.
"WAS THAT WHY YOU KEPT SAYING WAIT FOR IT?! GOOD TIMING NINO AHAHAHA!" Ichika bawls as her soul almost exits her body in the process.
"WHAT THE HELL- NO?! RATHER WHAT IDIOT DREW MY FACE LIKE THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" Nino yells out in embarrassment and anger.
Nino: WAIT... WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!
Fuutarou: Can't talk! I'll be late for my shift! Just hop on the back!
*He tosses the helmet over to her*
Nino: Uh?
Maruo: Nino? (Nino: Huh?) You're headed down a dangerous path. It will not end well. You will certainly regret this in the future. *He holds out his hand* Now come with me.
*Nino's like 'who the hell do I go with?!' before she finally makes her decision*
Nino: Just wait! We'll prove that you're wrong! *She hops behind Fuutarou* I'm ready!
Fuutarou: Ok. Uh... goodnight... sir. Don't mind me just taking your little girl away!
*He zooms off leaving Maruo and Ebata behind*
Maruo: Ebata... all of my girls have passed their exams. I should be pleased by that, yes? I'm smiling am I not?
Ebata: Of course you are sir.
Maruo: Indeed. *Cue his smile-but-not-a-smile as a sort-of creepy background forms around him* I'm their father... after all.
"Wait was... was dad... *Cough Cough* was he actually happy or something? Because *Cough* I really can't tell from the menacing background enveloping him on TV!" Itsuki gasps hoarsely as she and her sisters and Fuutarou finally stop laughing, since she had never seen her father's little grin even once.
"I honestly have no clue either and I'd rather not ask. But besides, I've never had such a good laugh since a few months back to be honest!" Fuutarou even admits.
"My goodness what in the nine hells was this mess?!" Nino pouts as she furiously releases the last of her steam from the ends of her nose. "So glad it was only once though. And besides, that's not even the thing I wanted to reveal."
"Yeah what is it then, seeing that it *Cough cough* ...seeing that it wasn't your silly face that you were waiting for?" Miku asks her again as she bends over to pick up her headphones.
"Wait for it!" Nino says for a fourth time as everyone groans.
*Over on the busy streets*
Tsundere Nino: I thought I told you I was done with you?!
Fuutarou: This might surprise you but relationships involve more than one person and I say that this isn't over yet.
Tsundere Nino: Are you crazy?! And where'd the bike come from?!
Fuutarou: I borrowed it from my boss. *He stops at a traffic light* I told you I used to do deliveries remember? That's when I got my license?
Tsundere Nino: Well... you look kinda tacky riding this thing. *She spots Fuutarou's exam results and picks it up* Uh? Your exam results?
Fuutarou: Hey that's private! Back off!
Tsundere Nino: Oh who cares I'm sure you got a hundred points in every subject anyway.
"Oh yeah! We didn't hear your signature 'Oh no I'm so embarrassed' phrase that night despite knowing that you got a hundred!" Yotsuba realises, except that this time, she has no idea that she was actually wrong.
"Not to mention that we didn't hear the results from you." Miku addresses too.
"Miku? Uesugi-san got a hundred didn't he?" Yotsuba asks her. But Nino knows what score he got that night.
*Nino reads his exam results... and gasps in shock*
Nino: Uh?! *Fuutarou Uesugi: 459 points; Japanese- 89, Math- 97, Science- 94, History- 91, English- 88* What?!
Fuutarou: It's the biggest embarrassment of my life...
"What?! So you didn't get full marks in every single subject that time?! No way!" Yotsuba exclaims baffled as she, Ichika and Miku imitate their sister's reaction onscreen.
"Was that why you didn't have your exam results in front of us in full view that day?" Ichika asks him as he nods in defeat. "No wonder why you were so quiet..."
"459 points is still incredible though! Even though you consider it an embarrassment, that's still a super high score. Far higher than the average actually! I'm still jealous!" Itsuki says astonished by his performance.
Nino: Is this our fault?!
Fuutarou: Of course not. I'm about to floor it ok? So hold on tight.
*Nino gently grips onto Fuutarou's waist as Fuutarou moves off*
"ACK!" Ichika, Miku, Itsuki and Yotsuba couldn't help but drop their lower jaws in shock as they witness their sister actually holding onto Fuutarou, even though it was a safety thing that she had to comply.
"You... y-y-you actually... i-i-i-is t-this why...?!" Miku stammers.
"Sort of, but not really." Nino replies with a smirk.
"Seriously? Then what are you actually referring to?" Ichika asks again.
"Wait for it." Nino says for a fifth time.
Fuutarou: Now that exams are done... My extended tutoring assignment has been completed! She's right, they don't need me... So our relationship's over too. I'm gonna miss it.
"Wait for it." Nino says a sixth time.
"I don't get it..." Miku mutters.
*Her eyes begin to water but then notices Fuutarou is going too slow...*
Tsundere Nino: Uh? Hey what happened to flooring it?! You're going way too slow!
Fuutarou: What did you expect? A bike can only carry so much weight.
Tsundere Nino: EXCUSE ME DID YOU JUST CALL ME HEAVY?!
"Wait for it." Nino says for the seventh time.
"Wait for what?!" Yotsuba pouts.
Nino: You're the worst. You know that?
Fuutarou: Hm?
Nino: And you've been like this from the beginning too. You're the biggest jerk I've ever met… *The camera preciously zooms up to her lips* ...and yet, somehow…
"Waaaaaaaiiiiittt for it…" Nino says for the eighth and final time as her enlarged grin becomes unremovable.
"You've been saying wait for it for the past few minutes or so already!" Itsuki scolds her sister whilst she adjusts her own glasses and glares furiously. "What else are you expecting us to hear-?!"
Nino as she whispers the three golden words: …I love you.
*And with that, the bike zooms off in the distance before the opening theme rolls on*
Time froze... alongside every single person in the room... For two. Minutes. Straight. With their jaws hanging like hangars in mid-air... and eyes bulging drastically. Minus Nino who releases the biggest victory smile on her face yet. Even Fuutarou couldn't comprehend on what she just said as they were making their way to the cake shop on TV. He especially, couldn't believe that he was unable to hear it back then, even though he did say that the bike's engine was too loud especially when coupled with the traffic that night. And then one by one, starting with the quints on Nino's left, they creaked their heads towards the quint who confessed onscreen and quiver substantially.
"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-YOU?!" Itsuki finally blurts out as her hands and ahoge tremble in shock.
"You… you actually confessed to him... before all of us… directly?!" Miku growls furiously as she and Yotsuba pant and activate their ferocious blue and green auras respectively to terrify their sister… but to no avail since she just shrugged them off with her everlasting smug. "Was that why… you didn't want us to confess to Fuutarou… back then?! Was that why you were so hostile about us-?!"
"About time you got that right! Though I was unfortunate to have been ignored that night just as we arrived…" Nino grins even more before pointing to Fuutarou whose brain is letting off steam. "And you! Since you couldn't hear me on the bike previously, I said it on the TV for you this time! You heard that nice and clear now right, Fuu-kun? And yes, you're welcome!"
Fuutarou meanwhile tried to release even a decent sentence or a couple of words out… only to make incoherent noises alongside Itsuki over the confession he couldn't hear on the noisy city streets. Miku and Yotsuba meanwhile didn't know whether they should proceed to pummel their sister or reel in defeat as they kept staring at her with hostile intents.
"What's wrong Fuu-kun? Did I stump you? Twice? Or was it because I hated you the most out of us five and yet I confessed first in the end? Pretty ironic as I had learnt in English class huh?" Nino teases as she leans closer into his blushing face.
So does that mean… *GASP* Oh my god no! Ichika covers her mouth as she imagines the unstoppable Nino train for the third time. Even before I tried to confess... ack! WHY DID I LET MY GUARD DOWN AGAIN?! *Nino express train* Nino's freak train of love had been rolling since the exams ended… AND the time we were in the cake shop?!
"I warned all of you right?" Nino turns and points her fingers to each of her sisters. "Fuu-kun as I said, is mine for the taking! If you want to take him away from me, then come at me with all that you've got! I swear on my heart I will not lose when the race is near the finish you hear me?!"
No one could produce even a decent argument at this point as they let the episode continue against their will. Not even Yotsuba and Itsuki, who were arguably the closest to confessing to Fuutarou beforehand, had a decent counter.
"Yeah, I thought so! Not so funny anymore huh?" Nino continues as her smile widens upon noticing the devastated states of her sisters. "Try and stop me all you want, but just so you know, I will do whatever it takes to win Fuu-kun's stubborn and tactless heart! Remember that well!"
"Ugh..." The other four groan as their heads released four separate vapours of steam, just like their tutor currently.
"Alright, unexpected love confessions and debates aside, can we like move on please?" Fuutarou says awkwardly as he too has no idea on how to challenge this by himself, now that he finally knows...
*Nino and Fuutarou finally reach the cake shop when Yotsuba spots them and waves*
Yotsuba: Uesugi-san! (Fuutarou: Hmm?) I'm so happy that you found Nino! Come have a seat!
Fuutarou: Kay.
Tsundere Nino: I said it! *Her heart thumps wildly* I said it! How could I let myself fall for this loser?! That was my first confession! Gah what the heck's gotten into me?! And the biggest question is... *The screen turns blue* Why isn't he reacting at all?!
Literally, no one could even comment on this scene now that they know what occurred behind their backs.
*The five quints have reunited and are now celebrating*
All five as they clink their cups: Cheers!
Ichika: Congrats on a job well done!
Miku: To be honest, I still couldn't believe we pulled it off!
Yotsuba: I'm so proud I wanna frame up our test papers and hang them up on a wall!
Ichika: Why don't we do that when our grades get a little better?
Nino: I know we're celebrating, but can we really afford all of this cake?
Eatsuki: The owner knows how hard we've worked. And so he's treating us for today!
Revival Manager: Rate us five stars!
"Rate us five stars my ass..." Fuutarou grumbles as he breaks his silence only because of his unnecessary reduced paycheck that night.
"Heh?" Nino and Itsuki smirk as their smugs became visible all of a sudden.
Eatsuki: Hey I just realised... When you look at our dessert orders they're really all over the place aren't they?
Yotsuba: I guess that's pretty typical for us.
*And then Miku hands a piece of cake to her sister on a fork*
Miku: Here, Yotsuba.
Yotsuba: Huh? What's this for?
Miku: The lit questions. You predicted them perfectly.
Itsuki: She totally did!
Nino: Yeah that was a big help!
*Ichika follows suit with her cake*
Ichika: Have some of mine!
*Then Nino with hers*
Nino: Mine too!
*And Itsuki's with the world's smallest cake piece*
Eatsuki: And mine!
Yotsuba: Aaaah! Well ok! Nom! *She eats Miku's slice first before moving onto the rest* So yummy!
"Kinda hilarious that Itsuki's piece is drastically smaller than the others don't you think?" Fuutarou chuckles as the atmosphere lightens a little as of this.
"You really didn't want to share yours with me huh?" Yotsuba pouts slightly.
"Of course I did! You passed for the first time so I had to reward you like the others!" Itsuki pouts back.
"Well your attitude towards the desserts already says it all." Miku grins slightly.
Yotsuba: Uh! But you guys helped me out too so I have to return the favor!
Miku: True it was a team effort.
Eatsuki: Then let's all share a little bit of everything! That's what got us through our exams in the first place right? *Turns into Chibi Eatsuki* That way... we get to sample every last flavour!
Chibi Ichika: You just want extra cake...!
"Yeah what Miku said, Itsuki-chan." Ichika says as Nino laughs.
Miku: Here, Ichika. *Another cake for her* (Ichika: Mm?) Thank you. And congrats.
Nino: I never thought that you would get the highest grade!
Ichika: Ahaha! Aw I just got lucky!
*She eats her cake as Miku glares fiercely*
Miku: I'll win next time!
Ichika: Yeah.
"Might wanna choose your words carefully, Miku. Don't forget we're all in this time!" Nino smirks as Miku once again pumps her arms competitively and Fuutarou grins.
"Oh don't you worry. Just wait till I finally outscore all of you in the third year finals! Including you, Fuutarou!" Miku proclaims. Ichika though, felt the burning sensation spread across the edges of her stomach and all the way to her upper spine again as she cringes unnoticeably.
*Nino however, glances at the kitchen, which is where the next scene is*
Revival Manager: I'm gonna take a little break. Hold down the fort.
Fuutarou: O-oh hey, boss? Do you mind if I set aside some pudding?
Revival Manager: Since when do you like pudding?
Fuutarou: It's a repayment for a… valentine…
*Cue the manager's 'Good job you legit murdered me' response*
Revival Manager: AAAAAHHHHH?!
Everyone including Fuutarou himself bursts out laughing over the manager's ridiculous reaction.
"Oh my gosh you really got him good there, Fuutarou!" Miku bawls as she gives Fuutarou a high-five.
Revival Manager: And I all this time I thought you were one of us… you… traitor…
Fuutarou: It was from my sister!
Raiha: Love you Onii-chan!
"Aww. Even Raiha-chan gave you something for valentine's day! How sweet!" Itsuki purrs.
Revival Manager: Oh so that's all it is! I thought I might have been one of those quintuplet girls!
*He finally leaves, but not before one of them comes into the kitchen with empty plates*
Fuutarou: Like that would happen... Well... I have been getting chocolates *Imagines Miku giving him valentines chocolates* all the time since January. Nah that's silly...
"Yeah about um, about last year's valentines... sorry." Fuutarou admits to Miku as he sheepishly looks away from her cute smile.
"I almost forgot to ask, Fuutarou-kun..." Ichika suddenly pipes up. "What's the name of your manager? He never mentioned it to us five since we kept visiting him." And that was enough to stop him dead in his tracks. Ichika was right. Out of all the things he focused on, this one small detail about not asking his manager's name has come back round to bite him.
"Um... I, his name was... uh... I don't know either. Sorry." Fuutarou admits with a grimace. "He just told me to call him boss and even I didn't get his name. I never actually thought about it until you mentioned it just now."
"What?! You've been working in the cake shop for nearly two years and you still didn't bother to get his name? What kind of an airhead are you?!" Itsuki gasps baffled.
"Says the one to be calling me that..." Fuutarou mutters back.
Nino: You working hard? Hey where'd the boss go?
Fuutarou: He's in the back.
Nino: Oh ok. I was gonna thank him for the desserts. I guess I can wait around a bit?
*Over in the woman's bathroom, Ichika finishes washing her hands as she sighs*
Ichika: Sigh... I hope no one could tell... *she gently wipes her hands on her small towel before facing the mirror* I really was rooting for Miku. I think... *Flashbacks to her scores* Except for one moment. *Then to the previous night's talk with Miku* Miku said she'd confess if she scored the highest. But then I did better than her. *Back to the present.* Does that mean... that I can?
"Oh so you were meant to be the one confessing instead? I'm so sorry Ichika I didn't even realise that!" Nino exclaims surprised, even though the former and Miku knew she was just feigning it.
"Shut it...!" Ichika cringes as her own defeat comes around to bite her in the back again.
Well, at least my defeat wasn't really one after all. Miku thinks.
*Over in the kitchen, Nino helps Fuutarou wash the dishes*
Fuutarou: Thanks for helping me finish up the dishes, Nino.
Nino: Sure it's the least I can do.
Fuutarou: You can go. I'll thank the boss for you. Have some fun.
Nino: Ugh?! Oh! Ok then! Thanks... I guess?
*She walks off in embarrassment but...*
Fuutarou: What's wrong?
Nino: I-I want you forget what I said on the bike... I'm sure it was a burden for you to her something like that out of nowhere and a-a-and that's probably moving too fast. Sigh I don't what's wrong with me...
"Heh. I take it all back." Was all Nino quietly let out under her soft, but cheeky smile.
Fuutarou: Nino... *Her eyes start to water as-* What did you say?
Triggered Nino: GAH?!
Fuutarou: I'm not sure what you're referring to! Could you repeat it? It was so windy I must have missed it...
"OOF! Rejected!" The three youngest quints laugh out loud; Ichika and Nino did not change their expressions as the former still reels in defeat after what she heard.
"You know, if I were you three I'd take my laughter back and ram them back down your throats." Ichika grimaces.
"Huh? Seriously? What's with you?" Yotsuba asks her as Itsuki and Miku also sullen a little alongside the former.
*Nino activates tsundere mode again*
Triggered Nino: GAH! WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK!
Fuutarou: What did I do?!
"Everything that I hoped you would NOT do!" Nino comically berates before reverting back to a teasy smug.
Triggered Nino: NEVER MIND!
"Oh wait... yeah I take it back then..." Miku realises as she and Itsuki imitate their big sister's sullen expression. "Damn it, Fuutarou... why did you forget about my-"
"Too late!" Nino interrupts haughtily.
Nino: He didn't hear me say it... whatever it's not like he see any of us as girlfriend material. Miku's valentine chocolates were right over his head! You know what?! I'm glad he didn't hear!
Nino's smile widens again over the action she took after conjuring that though inside her head; The feeling of herself asserting her dominance has filled her from top to bottom as she stares dreamily at her crush yet again. The other sisters felt their grimaces worsening in the meanwhile as they braced themselves for the inevitable...
Fuutarou: I wonder what she's so upset about... Oh! Hey! Boss! *Turns behind and...* I'm done cleaning up- uh...?
Nino: What I said was I love you!
*Fuutarou gasps dramatically as the three golden words pierce his logical brain for the first time ever*
"Wait... what the-?! That's not how confessions work!" Itsuki grumbles.
"What do you mean?" Nino questions nonchalantly.
"Once you confess you either get accepted or rejected and that's it! That's how they work from my perspective! No redos after the first time!" Itsuki continues with a sour tone.
"Oh really? I'll pretend I didn't hear that then- Oh wait I can't! I've already done it because Fuu-kun was the one who couldn't hear me not you four!" Nino smirks as Itsuki grits her teeth even more alongside Ichika and Miku. Yotsuba meanwhile... shudders.
Fuutarou: Wait wha-
Nino: I don't need a response from you! You're such a pain! If you don't see me as girlfriend material, then I'll FORCE you to see me that way! *She closes in on Fuutarou and corners him to unleash her own piece of mind* Remember how I said there would be at least one person on this planet who would be stupid enough to fall for you?! Well turns out it's me! Sucks to be you huh?
*Behind the doors though, Ichika could hear what's happening behind the scenes and gasps softly*
"So yeah uh... Uesugi-san... um... Sisters War in a nutshell I guess? Eheheh." Yotsuba nervously laughs as Fuutarou just responds with a blatant, tired look over the spiral of mess he got himself into.
*The next day, Fuutarou was out shopping when he coincidentally bumps into Miku*
Miku: Um... Fuutarou?
Fuutarou: Uh? H-hey Miku! Doing some shopping?
Miku: Yeah it's my turn today.
"No wonder why you took so long to come back huh? You ran into Uesugi-kun that day." Itsuki notes as she and her sister did their very best to shove Nino's confession away from their muddled up thoughts in their heads. In fact, since neither of them were present, they paid closer attention to the hidden conversations at the store.
Fuutarou: Mm... this isn't the closest shop is it?
*Miku panic attack*
Miku: Uh?! Well, I did remember that the store is the most convenient place for you to pick up your groceries. But that's no big deal. It's only a coincidence that I'm here. I didn't purposefully take a detour to see you or anything.
Fuutarou: This is the most she's ever talked!
"Huh? What was that all about? What were you so nervous about when you ran into Uesugi-san?" Yotsuba asks her sister, though no response was made from the latter.
Miku: Um... Uh? Right! I'm here... to do this!
*She points at the sign that reads 'Submit a receipt for over 3000 yen in purchases, Chance to win a big prize! 300 winners in all!'*
Fuutarou: Huh? I never noticed that sign...
Miku: Yeah. This is this only store that does it. *'Prize A: Hot Spring Vouchers for Two, 5 winners, Toraiwa hot springs'* Oh! That hot spring is pretty close to where our grandfather lives!
"Oh so that's how we met each other at grandpa's place huh? You both won the grand prize for it!" Nino realises.
"When I was originally trying for the coupons or the 3000 yen prizes in fact..." Fuutarou scoffs, already loathing what was yet to come.
"What? Not the rings? Booooo!" Nino comically mocks him, because that's what she would have aimed for at this point in time.
Fuutarou: But you can't trade the vouchers for the money so the gift coupons are the best prize. WAIT! *He menacingly glances at the rings with a smug and thinks...* What could you sell Prize B for?!
Miku: I feel like there'd be no win for you...
Nino takes this moment to cuff her own mouth so that her laughter does not escape her throat. She has no idea why but the thought of seeing Fuutarou's face when he contemplated on selling the rings at first sight instantly got to her. Either that or maybe she thinks it might be the perfect gift from him after all of these precious moments together; In fact, Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba are having the same train of thought too about the rings...
Fuutarou: Well we might as well try! Let's go pay!
Miku: Not yet. Nino wanted me to get something.
Fuutarou: Uh? Oh... right. Has she... said anything...?
Miku: W-w-what do you mean?
"Yeah I'm trying to forget it alright..." Miku mutters after finally realising why Fuutarou was like that.
Fuutarou: Gah- Nothing! Just forget it! By the way, Miku... (Miku: Uh?) Do you have a… crush?
*Miku just stares at Fuutarou for a brief moment with a galaxy-like background before going into a full blown panic*
Miku: AAAAAAAAA-HAH!
"Uh... what?!" The other four gasp in confusion as they navy eyes widen.
"What even was that sudden mood swing?!" Yotsuba continues, but Miku knows exactly why.
Miku: Of course not! I've told you before!
Fuutarou: So there's no one in your class you have developed feelings for since then? *Cue a Déjà vu moment from Season 1 Episode 3, only intentional this time* Let's talk dating! Come on! Spit it out!
Miku: What are you doing?! This is weird!
"Fuu-kun?! What the hell you creep!" Nino pouts as she reactivates tsundere mode.
"What's with your attitude turning 180 degrees on-screen?" Ichika gasps.
"One minute you said you hated dating and the next minute you wanted to talk about it?!" Yotsuba exclaims.
"Geez relax! I just wanted to know if Miku was in love with anyone that's all!" Fuutarou counters.
"It didn't look like it with that creepy stalker face of yours! I knew I should have been there with-" Itsuki exclaims before Miku at least holds her hand out to silence her.
"Well I'm thankful you didn't make a move on me and withdrew wisely instead." Miku deadpans.
"Give me a break. Blame Nino for inducing those train of thoughts in my head!" Fuutarou bites.
*Cuts to the register as Fuutarou finally snaps back to reality*
Fuutarou: A-a-a... the thing is... a friend of mine had a girl confess to him recently.
Miku: Yeah?
Fuutarou: She said she doesn't need an answer, but... it's still... kinda troubling.
"A friend of mine? Really? Ahaha nice diversion, Fuu-kun but we all know you never had friends until now! If only I was there in there first place so I could immediately uncover your attempts to fool her!" Nino cackles yet again, seeing that she was the one being referred.
"Well I never knew anything about love up until now ok? Cut me some slack for at least... uh... asking your sister for some advice about it!" Fuutarou yells back as his face reddens slightly.
How on earth did I not notice that Fuutarou was referring to Nino that day?! Miku thinks in the meanwhile, as she scowls even more. At least, until she sees herself giggling and coos a little.
*Miku giggles a little*
Fuutarou: What's so funny?
"Aww!" Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki coo at the sight of Miku's giggles.
Miku: It's strange to be hearing you talk about stuff like that. It's like you're a normal guy-
Fuutarou: I-I'm just concerned about 'my friend'.
Miku: Yeah but you seem like the type who would brush off that sort of thing. So I'm happy! *Fuutarou looks away bashfully* My friend is having some trouble too. She tried to confess to a guy... but she didn't have the guts to. I think... once you do that, you can't go back to the way things were. Confessions... take lots of courage.
"Wow really, Miku?! You had to spill it?!" Ichika grumbles as her mood worsens again upon realising that she was the one being referred to this time.
"What? I didn't say it was actually you did I?" Miku bites back.
"Geez relax it's already over!" Itsuki tries to calm the two down, but to no avail.
"I agree with Itsuki. Though the fact that each of us saw everything behind the scenes just makes this a thousand times worse, I say." Fuutarou speaks up as he sort of shifts in his stiffened seat. Well, on the bright side, at least her tiny lie covers for my own...
Fuutarou: I get it. But...
Miku: I guess some people are just braver than I am...
Fuutarou: ...I don't know how to talk to her anymore!
Miku: ...why am I so cowardly?
Fuutarou: Either way, it's spring break.*Fuutarou's entry: 'Place a check in your desired reward. A: Hot spring vouchers for two, Fuutarou Uesugi'* There's plenty of to think it over. *Zooms onto first prize* Spring break. Yeah!
Wait didn't you say you went for the-?! Nino thinks confused after seeing Fuutarou's entry.
"Alright, seeing that the atmosphere has sort of worsened, maybe we should pause for a moment to refresh our thoughts first?" Fuutarou suggests after witnessing Ichika and Miku's moods hit the bottom of the barrel again.
"You know what? For the first time, Fuutarou-kun I can agree with you. You're right." Ichika bluntly agrees as she pauses the video before she instantly rises on her feet and rushes to the toilet to recover.
"Ichika..." Fuutarou tries to speak up, until Miku tugs on his arm.
"Just.. just let her be, Fuutarou. As Itsuki said there's nothing we can do about it." She softly speaks.
"Wow. So much for trying to get the show going..." Fuutarou mutters as he and Miku direct themselves to the balcony window. The others wandered aimlessly across the entire living room, with Nino and Itsuki standing at the dining table and kitchen sinks in victory and defeat respectively. Yotsuba though, remains fixed in her seat as her doubts resurface...
Itsuki... She thinks as her green ribbons wilt. You... you nearly blew your cover didn't you? I... I thought for a second, when I heard Uesugi-san mention Rena to you, I thought I got stabbed in the back...
"The thing is though, why would she meet with me only to take my photo and hand it over to you girls?" Fuutarou says to Itsuki.
"...Rena said to treasure our special bond up until uh, the very moment we part ways. And um..." Itsuki stutters before their voices become indistinct. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Yotsuba heard the entire conversation alongside Miku, who takes a moment to adjust her headphones around her neck. Both of their heartbeats thumped in unison as their sister's conversation unfolds with their tutor.
"Do you think... Fuutarou knows?" Miku whispers to her sister, just like in the very first episode of the entire show.
"It's better if he doesn't." Yotsuba replies softly with her head arched down. "I'd rather not spill the beans over something I can't change. In fact... it's better if I'm not with him..."
*She flashbacks to the day where Fuutarou handed Rena the photo album*
Yotsuba: Itsuki!
Itsuki: I think it's just time that you tell him the truth
Yotsuba: No. It's better that way.
'I'm sorry Uesugi-san. I can't . That's why... no matter who you end up with in the end...
"...Your feelings for him are a lot stronger than mine." Yotsuba continues as she steadily controls her breaths. "As I told Uesugi-san too, I'll-"
"I mean yeah that's true. I love Fuutarou as much, but as Nino once told me..." Miku speaks again before she rests her right arm on Yotsuba's shoudler. "...Even if I were to lose to any of my sisters, I'd still be happy for one of us. Especially you Yotsuba, now that I know. You saved him didn't you? So I think it's time... I'll support you with everything I've got in return, is that right?"
Yotsuba didn't really stomach what Miku said since she was clouded with fear and guilt. But she could hear her sister's encouragement, despite knowing that she's still her sister and rival. It wasn't until Ichika and Nino returned from upstairs that Yotsuba finally snaps out of it and gestures Miku to convey that they were resuming. Her sister nods in response before she heads towards the couch. At least, until Yotsuba grabs her left arm for a brief second.
"What's wrong?" Miku asks her before the fourth leans to her ear.
"Please Miku... pinky promise... if you... if you talk to... that you won't..." Yotsuba stutters in her quietest voice ever. Thankfully, she didn't have to explain everything, as Miku understood who and what she was referring to.
"Yotsuba..." Miku replies with a smile. "I won't ever spill it to Fuutarou. I promise. I want this friendship to last, just as much as you want it to."
After five minutes of near-uncomfortable silence (with the exception of Fuutarou and Miku's indistinct, silent chatter), the sound of a toilet flush plus a creaking door is heard, causing Yotsuba to jolt a little as she snaps back to reality.
"Oh hey Ichika. Uh, shall we resume, guys?" Yotsuba asks everyone as soon as she gets alerted.
"Might as well. I'm sorry for worsening everyone's mood. Nino's sudden confession just struck me hard that's all." Ichika apologies before she sits back down on the couch deflated.
"Uh... it's fine, I guess." Yotsuba replies as she shifts back too. The rest of them also re-join as they shift back to the positions they originally sat in since they started the episode.
"Alright, I guess we'll take things from where we left off?" Fuutarou asks the girls as he presses the uh... *Presses the menu button and returns to the title screen* "Oops..."
"OH MY GOD REALLY?!" The five girls scream in anger.
"SORRY! I-I-I DIDN'T MEAN-!" Fuutarou panics as Itsuki rapidly snatches the TV remote off him and clicks back to the seventh episode.
"GOOD JOB UESUGI-KUN NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE WE LEFT OFF!" Itsuki follows up as her red aura blazes. In doing so she wastes at least 3 minutes of constant fast forwards and rewinds until finally, she warps the TV to the last checkpoint that her sisters could remember before Fuutarou accidentally closed the program. And from there, the TV resumes the show.
"Seriously, Fuu-kun... I thought you knew better!" Nino grumbles.
*A few days later, Fuutarou and his entire family have arrive at the bell of vows, the mountain closest to their holiday destination*
Isanari and Raiha: WOOHOOOOO!
"Alright! Family vacation time, fellas!" Yotsuba finally erupts in excitement after snapping out of her distress.
"My goodness, Yotsuba!" Miku jolts after narrowly avoiding a heart attack from that sudden outburst.
Isanari: This'll be great!
Raiha: I'm so glad Fuutarou won! *She turns to him* Thank you, Onii-chan!
Fuutarou: I still can't believe I got it!
"You didn't really sound enthusiastic huh, teach?" Ichika notes after hearing Fuutarou's dry tone. No reply because he was focusing on something else on the screen.
Raiha: Hey! What's this thing over here?
Isanari: The area's top tourist attraction: The Bell of Vows. The brochure says any man and woman who ring it together will be eternally bonded. Wow.
Yep. That's right. That's what Fuutarou is so distracted on right now. And to this day, I still cannot figure who out of the five... *He flashbacks to the trip's end, where a disguised quintuplet accidentally kissed him as they rang the bell of vows upon tumbling down to the floor* Seriously... whoever's got the nerve to do so I commend them but...
As he drifts off into his thoughts yet again, the quints except the one with the single earring on her right ear began making delightful giggles over the bell of vows theory.
Raiha: Ah! *Again she turns back to wave* Onii-chan! Take a picture!
Fuutarou: Sure. *Glances at his phone* Uh- Actually, I forgot to charge my phone...
Raiha: Booooo!
"Was your phone really dead? Or let me guess: you were just acting like a little coward, huh?" Nino suspiciously asked him, seeing that it was hard to glance at the tiny screen from a distance.
"It was, give me a break. Even Raiha tried to call me several times whilst were at the inn." Fuutarou says truthfully but also irritated.
Isanari: Oh well. (Raiha: Huh?) Let's keep moving.
Raiha as she and her father move off: Time to have some fun!
"What Raiha said, aged horribly for me." Fuutarou had to let out, which only made the others giggle. "What?!"
Fuutarou...: She's right. I need to enjoy this family vacation and forget all about the quintuplets! YEAH!
...plus someone extra: WOOHOOOOO... *Awkward echoes before they realise...* UGH?!
Itsuki: Wh- UESUGI-KUN?! WHAT THE HECK?!
Fuutarou: THAT'S MY LINE!
"What I just said previously!" Fuutarou snaps as the even numbered sisters couldn't help themselves from bursting into laughter for the third time in this episode.
Yotsuba: Slow down Itsuki... Uh? (The two of them: UH?!) Hey! I didn't expect to see you here!
Ichika: But why?
*Nino smirks*
Miku: So you won the raffle too?
"So much for a peaceful vacation." Fuutarou huffs one last time as Yotsuba and Nino finally calm down.
Fuutarou: Your family vacation is at the same place?! There's no way-
Maruo: Yes it's a 'Family' vacation. And I'd advise you to be careful. (Fuutarou: Mm?) Things can always go wrong when you travel.
*Random Fuutarou panic animation*
Fuutarou: Aaaa... aaaaaaa-?!
Once again, the even numbered quints couldn't not do anything besides let their laughter out under their mouths, with Miku and Itsuki following suit this time; Ichika meanwhile is still reeling from the previous scene that she was forced to stomach...
"I swear whoever animated Uesugi-san's silly face deserves a movie award!" Yotsuba bawls as Fuutarou reddens.
Maruo: Now then... I supposed we'll have some lunch. Let's begin the preparations.
*Maruo, Ebata and four of the quints began setting up the picnic mat. Fuutarou meanwhile doesn't realise that one of them wasn't present...*
Fuutarou: That's odd... when did they work things out with their dad?
"Literally after I came back from the store." Miku pipes up.
*Nino jumpscares Fuutarou from behind*
Nino: Something the matter?
Fuutarou: UH?! NINO!
*Ichika and Miku take notice of Nino's bold approach*
Nino: What's up? If you have something to say then spit it out... Fuutarou!
Shocked Miku: UH?! Wait a second... you just called him (Fuutarou: Hm?) by his first name. Why'd you do that?!
"Ugh! The way you seductively said his first name..." Itsuki suddenly cringes as Nino just cackles like a witch.
"What?!" The others including Fuutarou exclaim in shock over the word 'seductively'.
"Oh come on! What's the deal with calling Fuu-kun by his first name? Is it to only make your skin tingle, perhaps?" Nino teases as the others minus Fuutarou shoot the same look as their youngest sis.
"Alright Nino, enough." Fuutarou deadpans, though his reddish hue on his face still persists.
Nino: Well, we'd known each other for 6 whole months at this point. It's about time that we got closer, don't you think?
Miku: I mean... you... do bring up a good point but-
Nino: Ooh! Better yet, we should use nicknames! *She whips her pointed finger to Miku* Miku! Come up with something!
"As that, my dear sisters, is how he came to be known as Fuu-kun!" Nino whispers with a smirk, though there was also something more prominent on her mind too as she sways in her seat with a couple of dreamy sighs. Sigh... I also can't believe that boy I saw interacting with Ichika on the first Kyoto trip is actually him! AND I CALLED HIM FUU-KUN BECAUSE HIS NAME WAS SO HARD TO REMEMBER! GYAH!
"Once again I'm not gonna ask what Nino is up to..." Fuutarou mutters under his breath.
Miku as she jolts: A nickname?! Ue- no... Su... tarou... no... Fuu-kun then! No not that...
Nino: Yeah! That's good!
*Miku shoves her big sister away in panic*
Miku: Forget it... Let's get ready for lunch...
Nino: Oh right, whatever!
Fuutarou: Wait don't leave!
"Fuu-kun, hmm...? Hang on. I thought I heard Nino say that a while ago before..." Yotsuba mutters out loud, which immediately jumpscares every single person sitting alongside her, especially Nino and Fuutarou.
"Y-Y-YOTSUBA?!" Nino screams in panic.
"Wait d-d-did I hear...?!" Fuutarou gasps as his and Nino's hearts thumped wildly. "Nino... *He turns to her blushing face* did you actually-?!"
"...Before Uesugi-san became our tutor and after I handed him his dropped paper, duh! My goodness, Nino let me finish my sentence!" Yotsuba hastily interrupts, though she knew herself that it was a dangerous last minute thing she wanted to do. At this point Fuutarou and Nino felt their hearts stop for nearly five seconds before they gave each other dirty looks as they sank back in their seats.
Oh my goodness... Yotsuba thinks silently as her heart too, thumps soundly whilst she clutches her chest. I dodged another bullet... I mean... I nearly did it didn't I?! The Kyoto trip five years ago, when Nino called him Fuu-kun because she couldn't remember his name... I wanted to let it out. If it... I-I-if it wasn't for Uesugi-san...
That wasn't you wanted to say was it? You... you were about to spit out our unfortunate moment on the Kyoto trip five years ago didn't you?! You wanted to mention the day we saw Ichika stealing Fuu-kun's heart! YOU JUST HAD TO SCARE ME AND THE BOY WE ALL MET LIKE THAT! Nino roars in her thoughts as her heart continues to thump alongside her sister and Fuutarou's.
Geez, Yotsuba. You nearly dug your own grave there... I swear that plot twist would have been the final nail in the coffin if you couldn't keep your massive mouth shut... Ichika thinks; Miku and Itsuki chose to remain silent both in their thoughts and in person in the meanwhile.
"I wonder what was that all about?" Fuutarou randomly asks, though he got no immediate reply.
*Yotsuba walks past Fuutarou with a drowsy look on her face*
Yotsuba: Mmmmm...
Fuutarou: Uh? Hey!
Yotsuba: I'm getting so nervous... What if I can't do it?
"To this day I really wish I could peer into the thoughts of your dense skulls..." Fuutarou mutters.
"Excuse me did you just call us-?!" Itsuki yelps only to be cut off by Yotsuba.
"Itsuki enough. I mean he's right, we all were dense in a way back then eheheh." Yotsuba replies. But deep down, she knows exactly why she was feeling that way. I couldn't... my feelings for Uesugi-san... I couldn't confess to him that day. I wanted to do so, let alone talk it out with him. That's why... That's why I...
*Fuutarou turns to Ichika*
Fuutarou: Uh? Ichika? Can I talk to you real quick?
Ichika: Eheh. Sorry I'm kind of in the middle of something.
Fuutarou: What gives?! We haven't been apart that long why are they all being distant?! *Itsuki stands behind him* Uh? Hey-
Maruo: Itsuki-san dear. Why are you dawdling? Go and get our lunch boxes from Ebata.
Itsuki: Right...
"Wait a minute... Miku... did you tell them about our...?" Fuutarou suddenly turns to her as this random suspicion suddenly emerges inside his brain.
"What no I didn't! I-I-I swear! What train of thought made you jump to that conclusion?!" Miku panics as she flails her arms upon noticing Fuutarou's slightly hostile face.
Fuutarou: Uh... sir... the bike thing-
Maruo: Now, it's time for our meal. I'm glad we'll all finally be together. *He leaves but then gives off a warning glance that unnerves Fuutarou* I'd like to be alone with my family please.
Miku: See you, Fuutarou.
Nino: I bet we're staying at the same place!
Itsuki: Uesugi-kun.
Fuutarou: Uh?
*She swiftly walks past him like a blur*
Itsuki: We should talk later.
"Yeah I wonder why..." Fuutarou mutters inaudibly as he peeks at Itsuki's equally disturbed face.
"Damn that animation of Itsuki-chan walking past teach was smooth." Ichika finally speaks up as Fuutarou braces for the downfall of his vacation...
*Cuts to the entrance of Toraiwa Hot Springs where the Nakano grandfather is shown*
Raiha: Wow! It's like a haunted house!
Isanari: They're open, right?
*As Isanari writes on a paper Fuutarou's mind is on Itsuki*
Fuutarou: How late did she mean? Maybe I should call... *Proceeds to check his phone only to realise it's dead* Uh?! Damn it!
"Oh! There's grandpa!" Yotsuba gleefully exclaims.
"Told you my phone was dead." Fuutarou replies to Nino's previous remark. At least, until his heart sank upon relieving this upcoming nightmare again... "Oh wait..."
"What is it, teach? Hm~?" Ichika teases.
*Fuutarou notices 'Itsuki' walking outside*
Fuutarou: Mm? If she was headed this way... *Itsuki somehow 'teleports' upstairs as Fuutarou immediately catches wind of it* UH?! How'd she do that?! *Runs up the stairs panting* Gurgh... Ok... *Pant, pant* Now where? *Cue 'Itsuki' down below again* GRAGH?! SORCERY!
"Alright Uesugi-san! Here's your daily dose of guess the quintuplet! Which one of us is it?" Yotsuba teases him as she, Nino and Miku had to muffle their laughters into suppressed giggles.
"I'm not even gonna ask." Fuutarou bluntly deadpans.
"Why not, hm~? Is it because you don't love us, you poor thing? That why you cannot tell?" Ichika presses him with cute puppy eyes.
"NO IT'S NOT OK?!" Fuutarou yells back in embarrassment as the other three finally let their laughter run loose. "That was before your grandfather taught me how to identify you girls through love!"
"But even as of now, teach! You can't tell which one of us is which?" Ichika continues as she cries fake tears to up her teasy habits. "Aww, I thought you knew a lot about us already!"
"I- uh... p-p-please for crying out loud um, neither of you spoke or a-acted like you uh, like you did on TV ok? Cut it out!" Fuutarou stutters as Nino, Miku and Yotsuba finally cool down but retain their dreamy stares; Out of the five girls, only one of them remained stoic as of this commotion, however.
You know what's ironic, Uesugi-kun? Neither of those 'Itsukis' you saw were actually me. The actual Itsuki thinks with a grimace.
*Cuts to the mixed baths where all three Uesugis are bathing together, at least until Isanari and Raiha got up*
Isanari: Ahhhhhhh. I'm in heaven! And it's a mixed bath so we all got to spend some time together!
Raiha: Don't stay in too long you'll get pruny!
Nino couldn't help but squeal out loud upon seeing Isanari's well built body, with the three youngest quints staring wide-eyed in shock as well whilst Ichika lets off a smug; Yotsuba was too distracted on cute, little Raiha though. Fuutarou meanwhile, has reached his breaking point as he quickly whips his head away from the TV, even though it hasn't even focused on him yet.
"OH MY GOSH YOUR DAD IS SO FREAKING HANDSOME! AHHH! I'M IN HEAVEN!" Nino lets out in her highest-pitched voice ever as she faintly swoons.
"Hey! What about Raiha-chan?! She looks so gorgeous and cute I can almost die happy!" Yotsuba cries with (literal) tears in her eyes.
"Now I just can't unimagine how manly Fuutarou would be with a body like this!" Miku lets out with absolutely no concern whilst Itsuki couldn't say anything as she continues to stare. "Hey Fuutarou! Are you perhaps gonna be like your dad if you work out more?" The former continues as she turns to her tutor with a dreamy smile... only to get no response from him as she notices his blush. "Fuutarou?"
At this point as he looks away to the kitchen, Fuutarou refuses to make eye contact with any of the girls or the TV as the darkened crimson shade of his paints his sweating face, prompting a loud cackle from Ichika.
"Alright I think we should all leave him be for now. Otherwise we might make poor Fuutarou-kun's head explode of embarrassment!" Ichika giggles.
Fuutarou: Got it... I wonder what she wanted to talked to me about? This whole day's been weird!*He gets up and notices a note in his shelf saying 'Midnight, Courtyard'* Uh?
"Is it over?" Itsuki weakly asks, though her eyes remain glued to the TV.
"Now it's over. For you that is. Mine's only the beginning..." Fuutarou replies with the same, frail tone as the former has as his mood worsens again.
*Cuts to midnight, where Fuutarou is about to head to the courtyard...*
Fuutarou: It's from her, right? But why give me the run around? *He comes face-to-face with the Nakano grandfather and jumps* GAH! Um- Hey. The courtyard's that way correct? *No response* IS HE DEAD OR WHAT?!
"No he's usually slow to respond. That's all. Well I mean..." Nino mumbles.
"What?" Fuutarou asks her.
"Uh, nothing. That's our grandfather for you." Nino quickly responds, though she does have this awful feeling that she might not see him again in the future...
"Alright what exactly happened? Why didn't you meet me in the courtyard as I had told you to?" Itsuki suspiciously asks him, seeing that her piece of evidence is about to unfold live. One of the quints however, knew why he didn't go that day... because she was the one that threw him off guard.
*Fuutarou notices 'Itsuki' trotting down the stairs*
Itsuki (?): Huh?
Fuutarou: Uh? There you are! Just in time! *He closes in on her* (Itsuki (?): Huh?!) Now tell me... what's the deal? I'm so confused!
Itsuki (?): U-u-um... Let's go to the courtyard...
Fuutarou: No. *Fuutarou death stare* Let's talk here! I won't let you run!
Itsuki (?): Uh? Well... What kind of relationship do you think this is?
Fuutarou: Huh? Uh... I mean... let's see... You said we were partners. All of us.
Itsuki (?): No! We can't consider ourselves partners anymore!
Right. So you mistook her for me. And I mean, yeah that's what I would have said too if we met but... Itsuki thinks as she continues to stomach this.
"Note to myself, follow her advice next time..." Fuutarou silently muffles to himself.
"I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have made a difference back then." Itsuki replies seeing that she could hear him whisper from a mile away. This was starting to become really uncomfortable even for the girls that weren't even there during the night...
Fuutarou: Look... I get it! We're not studying as often these days. So things have changed! But I'm your tutor! I'm here till you graduate! And I promise... I'll help you guys-
Itsuki (?): We're through with that!
Fuutarou: Uh?
Itsuki (?): We should end it. As of right this moment.
"Ok... T-that's not what I would have brought up if I was there!" Itsuki shudders.
"But you obviously weren't. And now I had to deal with the aftermath..." Fuutarou grimaces. Three of the other quints meanwhile were... confused.
"Why would she bring that up all of a sudden though? And where was she going to in the first place?" Ichika ponders, though she got no reply.
Fuutarou: HUH?! Seriously?! *He grasps onto the quint's shoulders* Tell me what's going on!
*And throws her into a wall*
Itsuki (?): AH?! OW!
"AH?! FUU-KUN?!" Nino gasps as she and Ichika widen their eyes in shock. "Why-?! Why did you-?!"
"That's not how you usually treat a lady is it?!" Itsuki exclaims too as Fuutarou guiltily looks away.
Fuutarou: It's your dad isn't it?! Did he make you say thaAAAAA! ULP!
*Suddenly, Fuutarou gets shoulder-thrown down to the floor by their grandfather out of nowhere*
"Woah! I wasn't expecting that from grandpa! AWESOME!" Yotsuba gasps with awe.
"Yeah despite his old age, our grandfather's knowledge in martial arts is boundless." Nino remarks. "The fact that he can still do this still amazes me to this day."
"That's our grandfather for you, teach." Ichika replies with a half-grimace. "But still, the way you threw one of us down, I feel like you kinda deserved that one." Fuutarou meanwhile, wasn't feeling any better as he was forced to stomach the rest of the nightmare...
Fuutarou: Ok... so you're not dead...
Nakano Grandfather: Mmsfsfsfdfsf-
*Fuutarou gets up*
Fuutarou: HAH?! What'd you say?!
*He leans into Fuutarou's ear*
Nakano Grandfather: Don't you dare touch my granddaughter. I'll kill you!
*Fuutarou becomes dead-eyed with paranoia*
Fuutarou: Mmmf... Ah... that's enough vacation for me...
"Ok well... at least I have my proof...?" Itsuki says confused since she... oh wait. She knows who it is too. And yet she was the last to figure it out herself as she covers her face. I'm an idiot! Why did I not realise it was her all this while?!
"A bit late to say that don't you think?" Fuutarou replies.
"That aside um..." Yotsuba speaks up. "Well, I-I mean you clearly know that it wasn't me that day but who was it actually, that interfered? We were all alsleep when this happened so uh... can you explain it for me and...?" She pauses and when she was about to only include three of her sisters, the quint responsible decides to warn her with a death glare, since she knows that Yotsuba will unintentionally spill the beans. "Ulp! Yeah um, I mean... uh can you explain who it is perhaps?"
"No need to. I already know who was the Itsuki that derailed my vacation." Fuutarou sourly deadpans.
"Yeah? And who was it, hmm?" Ichika presses him with a dead-serious tone.
"I'm not going to spoil it until the end of the next episode, but even from listening to her voice on TV, I have the answer as clear as the night sky in my head. And all because I forgot." Fuutarou responds as his facial expressions remain stale. One of the quints meanwhile...
So he really has gotten better at identifying us. Or was really just assuming that it was me just because I have a soft-spoken voice? I really can't tell... The expressionless quint thinks as she shifts herself in her seat.
*The next day...*
Raiha: Onii-chan it's morning! *She shakes his brother who comically lies face first on his futon* Up and at 'em ok?
Fuutarou: Nho shthanks. I'd rather shtay in bhed... I shthink I'll shleep fhoever and fhly intho the fhuture...
Raiha: Ugh... *She contacts the real Itsuki on her phone* You still there? My brother is flying into the future right now. I'm sorry, but I guess you'll have to try again later, Itsuki-san.
*And Fuutarou jumps up*
Fuutarou: GOOD MORNING! Itsuki what happened yesterday?!
The real Itsuki: That's what I'd like to know! Why didn't you show up in the courtyard like I told you?!
Fuutarou: Huh?
"Well now we both know..." Fuutarou says sullenly.
Raiha: Hey is everything ok, bro?
Fuutarou: Give me a second! *Gestures Raiha to be quiet before calling Itsuki again* Let's try to meet again.
*Over to Itsuki's side*
Itsuki: Please believe me I would love to do that. *Maruo is shown to be blocking the way though* But it could be kind of difficult. Father's watching. He doesn't want any of us to talk to you.
"I guess it's because of everything that happened last night?" Fuutarou asks without expecting an obvious answer. But then he hears this:
Fuutarou: I know a good place then.
Itsuki: Uh?
*Over at the baths again as Fuutarou hears a door opening...*
Fuutarou: Demiglace.
Itsuki: Um... Hamburger!
Fuutarou: Alright. You knew the password so it must be Itsuki.
"Oh wait... they're gonna record us in the baths... again?!" Fuutarou groans as he and Itsuki redden again. The other quints braced for what was yet to come; They were about to witness what they all couldn't see back then with their own, navy blue eyes.
"I just love how despite all of the naked scenes we had to watch we still haven't gotten over this." Itsuki sarcastically remarks as she shuts her eyes in embarrassment to avoid the mixed stares of her sisters.
"You're the one to make snide comments about that." Fuutarou replies back.
"Excuse me?!" Itsuki yells back.
Fuutarou: Last night, someone met me at the desk. She told me to stop tutoring you guys.
Itsuki: Huh?
"Talk about a '4th wall' break. What is this creepy camera shot?!" Ichika notes out of nowhere as she and everyone else eye the peculiar camera position aimed at the mixed and women's baths; everyone including the featured two before they quickly shut their eyes again. It's almost as if someone actually cut the fence down so they could see both people inside.
"Bet your film crew was the one behind all of this am I right?" Fuutarou whispers to himself. Unfortunately for him, Ichika still heard the entire thing.
"NO THEY WEREN'T!" Ichika screams as she slams a pillow into his face for that comment.
"Geez Ichika calm down!" Miku shivers.
Fuutarou: I guess... that wasn't you I was talking to, huh?
Itsuki: That's right. One of them must have posed as me...
Fuutarou: In that case... *Imagines the other four quints with nightmare-like aesthetics matching their respective colours* For some reason one of the sisters is pushing me away.
"Woah. The way you see us as um, whatever we are on screen right now Uesugi-san... That was actually creepy not gonna lie." Yotsuba says as her ribbons shudder constantly. No one else had anything to say in the meanwhile.
Fuutarou: Did anyone seem suspicious? I mean... why did she feel the need to do that?
Itsuki: Well... if you ask me-
*And then the mixed bath door opens to reveal...*
Nino: Once again… (Fuutarou: UGH?!) we bump into each other in the bath.
Itsuki: Nino?! Why?!
"Oh wait… this again?!" Nino grumbles as her mood sours.
"Ah- Nino?!" Yotsuba exclaims as she, Ichika and the one who was literally next door covered their mouths in horror. Fuutarou meanwhile turns beet red over this moment and Miku looks like she's about to fire a hadoken with that blue aura of hers again. Nino meanwhile, she's acting a little... odd.
Nino: Since it's just you and me… *She bends down* ...do you want me to wash your back or something?
Itsuki: aaaaAAAAAHHHH!
"You did something bold back then behind our backs? You got a lot of nerve for someone who just- Huh?" Miku says as she turns to her sister... and notices something weird. "Wait… what's wrong?"
On a rare occasion though, Nino instead scowls rather than end up flustered over an embarrassing scene like this.
Fuutarou: Wait a second! One question: who are you?
Nino: Huh?
"Um, Nino? Is everything ok?" Ichika asks, as she and everyone else become extremely puzzled by her unusual reaction. "What did Fuutarou-kun do-"
"Shut up." Nino replies.
"Huh?"
Fuutarou: You're not Itsuki… which mean, uh… let's see...
*And that was enough to convince Nino to hurl a bucket at his head*
Nino: NGH! YOU JERK! *She slams the door on Fuutarou who now has a nasty bump on his head; Outside, she pants as she flashbacks seeing Fuutarou heading into the mixed bath, thinking that this was her best opportunity to get closer to him* Worked up all of my courage… and he ruined it!
"Uhh… who's fault was it… that a boy and a girl were in the same bath?" Itsuki grimaces as she attempts to stomach this scene for real since she only heard what was going on next door.
"Why did you enter the mixed bath after seeing Uesugi-san anyways?" Yotsuba asks Nino. "You know uh… he and Itsuki were-"
"I don't care if they were talking about something or the fact that both me and Fuu-kun saw each other naked! He ruined a perfect moment involving us together!" Nino finally complains before growling at her blushing tutor. Everyone else couldn't do anything... besides reform gigantic sweat drops on their heads.
"Really? That's what you're so mad about?" Ichika groans as she lowers her head a little. "Geez what is wrong with you all of a sudden?!"
*Back to the duo's private conversation*
Itsuki: That was your fault you know.
Fuutarou: How's that? You all look identical!
Itsuki: I know but that doesn't mean we're alike in every way. We know how to tell each other apart after all. I'm sure you could too if you just tried. *Cue Itsuki sparkling for a brief moment as she gets a zoom up* Love is the key!
Fuutarou: Come on, be realistic.
"Ironic. I thought you said you knew nothing about love, Itsuki." Miku mutters.
"As in, love for our family, not Uesugi-kun, duh!" Itsuki huffs back.
Itsuki: That was surprising though. I mean Nino used to hate you so much. Wonder what could've changed?
"As of now, that comment... aged horribly." Ichika winces as Yotsuba nods in agreement.
"Isn't Fuu-kun technically part of our family now? That means you get to love him as much as we do, hm?" Nino teases her.
"No! That's not what I'm talking about!" Itsuki panic replies back as she grits her teeth.
"I'm not giving any of you girls a reaction for that." Fuutarou cringes.
Fuutarou: That was Nino...?
Itsuki: She's not the only one who's changed. Ichika too. Miku, Yotsuba... They've all be acting funny since our spring break started. That's why I wanted to meet with you. So you and I can discuss that. Can you think of any reason?
Fuutarou: I guessed I wasn't the only person who knew that something was off with them... Nope. No idea. But for now, we need to unmask the Fake-tsuki ASAP. If we don't figure out what her motives are... then I could be fired for real this time.
Itsuki: Yeah good point. Still, I have to admit that the one thing she said to you that I did agree with.
Fuutarou: Eh?
Itsuki: I don't know why she said it because we don't know what she's plotting. But we're not partners who have the same goal anymore. All those days we spent studying, watching fireworks, the school camp, Christmas and the new year... it's a lot of time together isn't it? Hmph. So at this point, you're our friend!
*Fuutarou flashbacks to the fireworks festival though...*
Itsuki (Flashback): I'd say... you and I... are strangers at best.
"Yeah... you can say I've changed a lot too, especially after letting go of my grudge of you. It just goes to show how much you have changed something within the five of us." Itsuki warmly says as she smiles at him.
"Like the time you barged into the mixed baths to thank me after this?" Fuutarou reminds her as she gasps upon hearing that.
"YOU WHAT?!" The others scream in absolute alarm.
"YEAH WHAT GIVES?! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Itsuki panics as she makes a series of muffled squeals after dropping her guard down.
"Do I even need to explain?! You were literally there and I saw you running towards me in your towel!" Fuutarou reminds her.
*Back to the present*
Fuutarou: You say that so casually... anyways my vacation is ruined. So fine. Let's sort this out.
*Episode ends*
"Alright Fuutarou-kun. What did you say about Itsuki-chan barging into the mixed baths naked to have your private you-know-what with each other?!" Ichika fumes as her yellow aura activates this time.
"I'm not going to bother asking what you're referring to as you-know-what nor I'm going to explain it in detail." Fuutarou deadpans as Itsuki continues to squeal. "Just let the next episode play it out and leave it at that!"
"I honestly find it hard to trust that snide look of yours at this point but fine." Miku grimaces as she presses the play button. Yotsuba literally lost her words to speak for in the meanwhile.
"And Nino, just because you're the first one to spit your confession to me doesn't mean you can dump your sense of decency into the dustbin got it?" Fuutarou scolds her, though all she responded with was a smirk. "Are you even listening to me?!"
"Oh come on, Fuu-kun. What's wrong with me getting so hyped up about our special relationship unfolding again before us? You should be too you know!" Nino cheekily replies. "Or as I said previously, would you like either me or Itsuki to wash your- MMF!"
"NO! ENOUGH WITH THIS DRAMA ALREADY!" Itsuki screams as she cuffs Nino's mouth whilst the next episode plays.
A/N: The episodes are only gonna get tougher to write from here, so if I take even longer to finish, let alone upload, even one of the upcoming episodes, this is my only valid reason, besides all the problems I'm facing IRL of course. That aside, since I was away for so long again, I've managed to also finish what is arguably my favourite episode of the whole of Season 2. Enjoy. (Miku fans if you're reading this, you guys should know why ;) )
Edit from my first A/N: TWO Things to take note of; This is the second one:
Note 2: M-K T47, I saw your second comment saying that you rate my two fanfics as one of your top tiers ones and... wow. This was initially a fanfic that I wanted to let out of my brain so... I'm actually stoked. I wasn't expecting this to garner a massive compliment like this one seeing that it was just a story I wrote for fun. So... thank you again. I feel so stoked and I really appreciate it. And yes: I swear I will get this done whenever I can, possibly around early to mid next year. I will finish it. That's a promise. That aside, I hope the long wait was worth it.
