Chapter 15 —You From Yesterday

Curved desks descended down the theatre. Rows of vacant seats for trickling bodies, steadily filling the room within the passing minutes. Between every murmur and every chuckle that echoed through the halls, the well rested and rejuvenated students slowly began to settle back into their busying lives. Summer recess had finally come to its end; another academic semester had begun. Another stanza and another beat to the song and dance that encompassed life as a student in Tokyo University.

Another seat had lost its vacancy. In all of the slow minutes that had already passed, Fuutarou could only question why he had bothered to arrive at his first lecture so early. Too soon to have been greeted by a soulless lecture theatre, void of any other presence but him for what seemed like hours. He mindlessly tapped through his laptop. A bit of dead time before lecture would normally have been no problem to the overly studious boy—he often made use of it by reviewing notes and future lessons—but there was hardly anything to bide his time when the first lecture had not even started.

In truth, Fuutarou had his own suspicions of himself, and what reasons brought him here to this classroom so early. These past days leading up to his fourth semester had regretfully become monotonous. A little dull and a little uneventful. A boring desire to exchange one routine for another—one that could busy his mind for a while longer, if it would help him stop counting the days. It had been almost three months since Ichika had left Japan, and no matter how many times Fuutarou would think he would have gotten used to it, there would always be a sense of longing that loomed over these quiet days. He tiredly yawned. Even now, he could not help but seek a bit of comfort looking over their most recent conversations.

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 12:53 a.m.): "Does filming really move that quickly? Seems like the work doesn't stop."

「 Ichika 」(sent at 12:59 a.m.): "Mm… yeah, you could say that. Jeez, let me tell you, they really do keep you BUSY here. I could barely keep up at first, but I think I've gotten the hang of it a lot more now. Already finished starring in two student films."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:02 a.m.): "Glad to hear that, and congratulations! I just hope you're not overdoing anything, Ichika."

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:03 a.m.): "You worry too much about me, Fuutarou-kun. It's really sweet. I am just SO glad it's Sunday. All day of lazing around, here I come!"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:03 a.m.): "I thought you said earlier that you would be going out with Sasaki-san on Sunday? The film museum, right?"

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:05 a.m.): "…"

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:06 a.m.): "Shoot. You're right. Ugh… that means I have to get ready. Sorry, my lovely bed. You'll have to wait for me a little longer…"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:09 a.m.): "Ha. Guess I was wrong to worry about you not getting your rest. You're just as lazy as ever."

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:11 a.m.): "You don't get it. My bed and I are practically married."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:12 a.m.): "I can't believe I'm actually feeling jealous over a bed."

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:15 a.m.): "Oh, you had better be. Nothing makes me happier than thinking of my two favorite things fonding over me :)"

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:15 a.m.): "Though… the thought of coming home and seeing you both waiting for me doesn't sound bad either…"

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:20 a.m.): "I can see you trying to type, you know."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:21 a.m.): "Just… never mind. I'm not giving you the satisfaction."

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:25 a.m.): "Oh! I forgot to tell you the good news too! One of my instructors gave me pretty high mark for my vocal performance. Turns out, I'm quite the singer. She was even surprised I never tried it sooner!"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:29 a.m.): "That's right. I almost forgot. Vocal training is part of your curriculum, right? I don't think I've ever heard you sing."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:31 a.m.): "Congratulations on getting praise from your instructor though."

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:32 a.m.): "Hmph."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:34 a.m.): "?"

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:36 a.m.): "Unlike SOME teachers I've had, mine knows how to praise their students for their hard work."

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:37 a.m.): "…"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:37 a.m.): "…sorry."

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:39 a.m.): "It's too late for apologies, Fuutarou-kun. Though…maybe if you're nice and beg me enough, I could maybe give you a private little serenade when we video chat again ;)"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:39 a.m.): "…I actually thought about it for a moment, and I would love to hear you."

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:40 a.m.): "Then you know what to do, Fuutarou-kun~"

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:40 a.m.): "Beg."

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:45 a.m.): "Joking! I'm joking! Didn't I just say I can see you typing and erasing your message? Were you really thinking that long? Haha!"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:47 a.m.): "Sigh…"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:48 a.m.): "I just really liked the idea, okay?"

「 Ichika 」(sent yesterday at 1:50 a.m.): "Mmk~! Just because you're you, Fuutarou-kun, and you're so sweet, I'll make an exception. I better not hear you laugh though!"

「 Fuutarou 」(sent yesterday at 1:51 a.m.): "I wouldn't. I promise"

「 Ichika 」(sent at 1:55 a.m.): "By the way, aren't you up a little late? I thought the first day of your semester started tomorrow?"

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

Before Fuutarou had realized it, the murmurs and shuffles around his classrooms had grown that more plentiful. More students and fewer vacant seats to match the minutes that had quickly slipped by him, and he was none the wiser. Fuutarou was unsure of exactly what kind of face he was making as he had been staring at his phone screen, but he felt strangely flustered to even face the person. "N-no…" he finally said as he scooted his things aside. "Sorry. Feel free to—"

The look on Fuutarou's face stiffened the moment he glanced back, staring at his new desk neighbor with a little of his mouth still held agape. Long, flowing black hair fell past her shoulders, swept past one ear and clipped back with a hairpin. Framed in between was an amused, somewhat mischievous grin that matched the look in her large, rounded eyes. The girl greeted his gaze with a single carefree wave. "Hey, Stranger."

"You're—" Fuutarou abruptly coughed, almost sitting up from his seat. "Ta-Takebayashi?!"

The dark-haired girl pleasantly smiled as she took a seat beside him. "Wow, you actually remembered me this time, huh? You are just full of surprises, Fuutarou."

Fuutarou slightly turned away, sighing. "That's my line. I never expected to bump into you all the way here, Takebayashi."

"That surprised, are you?" She smirked, leaning her head over the desk so that she could follow Fuutarou's gaze. "What? Did you think that your old big sister—who, by the way, was the one who taught you—wouldn't also make it all the way to Tokyo U?" She playfully chuckled. "You insult me."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know. It was just a joke!" Takebayashi leaned back, eyeing the lecture theatre as more students trickled in. It was still some time before the lecture would officially begin, and there was plenty for them to catch up on. She lightly patted the cover of her Microbiology textbook. "Looks like we're going to be classmates again."

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"Doesn't it feel nostalgic? It's kind of exciting. All that's missing is if Sanada were here as well."

"Sanada? Oh, that's right. You two still hang out all the time? How has he been?"

"He's doing pretty well! Well, at least he was when I last spoke to him. It's been a couple of days."

Fuutarou raised a brow. "Is he not here with you too? I thought he would be."

"Hmm?" Takeyabashi exchanged a similar look. "No, why would he?"

"Well, I figured since you two—" Fuutarou held back his tongue. He knew well enough about the troubles that came with saying things without thinking. Was it that outlandish of a thought to assume that those two former classmates of his have been dating this entire time? They were practically inseparable together; they even went to the same high school. Though, the more Fuutarou thought about it, the more senseless of an assumption it all seemed. It had been years since then. Years! Even in middle school, he had only assumed the two of them were perfect for each other. Who knew what kinds of potentially awkward topics he could be unboxing if he said something like, 'Well, aren't you two together, or something?'

"Since we…?" Takebayashi's voice trailed after him.

"Since you two… said that you were always in the same class and stuff. Figured you two would be in the same college… or something."

To Fuutarou's relief, Takebayashi chuckled. "Oh, was that it? Nah. Sanada goes to Kyoto University. Always said that was his dream school and that it was closer to home. Good on him for making it!"

"I guess that makes sense."

"Don't get me wrong though; I miss the hell out of that guy. I always worried if he could survive out there all by himself, but he manages to get by alright."

"You still worry about people all the time don't you?"

"Of course!" she confidently replied. "How else would I call myself your guys' big sister?"

"You're not even that much older than me…" Fuutarou sighed. He looked down to the textbook under Takebayashi's palm. "Speaking of nostalgic things, I just remembered what kind of class we're both taking. So, you ended up sticking with science after all. You still have plans on becoming a veterinarian?"

"Whoa, you actually remembered!" She looked a little shocked. "I'm impressed."

"Well, you always did love animals. Do you remember that time we found that injured bird during passing period?"

"Did we? I can't recall."

"I remember, alright. You outright refused to go back to class until we brought it to the infirmary, but when we got there, the school's nurse wasn't there. You ended up forcing me and Sanada to help and keep watch while you tried to nurse it back to health." He crossed his arms in a weird sense of self-satisfaction. "And all three of us got in trouble for that."

"Whoa, now that is an old memory." Takebayashi gave a slightly hesitant laugh. "That's a little embarrassing, thinking back on it. I can't believe I almost forgot all about that. I'm surprised you didn't."

"How could I forget? When someone like you—who never missed a single second of class—would suddenly go out of her way to not only cut class, but threaten us to do the same too. Almost like some kind of delinquent."

Takebayashi pouted. "Oh, that is rich coming from you. It hardly went like that."

Fuutarou chuckled. "But hey, in the end, we ended up helping that little bird. Well, I guess it was more like you were the one that helped it. It doesn't surprise me at all that you've stuck with it still, after all this time." His eyes drew to the window, following the gentle sway of the tree branches, and the flock of birds that had just taken flight. He thought fondly of those girls—of those stubborn sisters that worked just as hard as he did, every single day. "You were never one to give up easily. It was your dream, after all, Takeyabashi. "

"Heh." Takebayashi pleasantly shook her head. "Like I said, 'always full of surprises', Fuutarou..."

The look on Takebayashi's face softened as she looked towards Fuutarou. Something about the look in her eyes reminded Fuutarou a lot about the past—of the days that had long since fleeted. Something not exactly somber or regretful, but something strangely in between. Something reminiscent of their time together as foolish, idealistic kids, where nothing in the world could ever tie down their ambitions.

The cherry blossoms that bloomed four years ago. Their middle school graduation. One of many crossroads that made for the short-lived days of their adolescence. A time shortly following the last moments of their ceremony.

"What will you do now, Fuutarou?" Takebayashi had then asked Fuutarou, before they would finally part ways. "You sure you're going to be okay all by yourself? Your big sister can't help but worry about you, you know."

"Who do you take me for, Takebayashi?" A younger Fuutarou crossed his arms. "I'll be fine, even without you having to always boss me around. Just you watch. You may have scored higher than me during our last year's finals, but I'm definitely going to outdo you too!"

Takebayashi laughed. "Not everything is a competition, Fuutarou. I'm already proud enough that your grades have finally gotten better. Though, maybe just a little bit, but I'm going to miss scolding you. Just a little!"

Fuutarou rolled his eyes. "See? I knew it."

"No, but really. It's just… I hope wherever it is you're going… and whatever it is that you'll be doing… that you will be satisfied, Fuutarou. That you will be happy with everything you've worked towards. So… just for my own peace of mind, what will you do now, Fuutarou?"

"What do you mean?"

"What is your dream?" Takebayashi had asked Fuutarou. "Thinking back on it now, you never really told me."

Sweeps of a distant memory's wind carried the falling flower petals. For a while, Fuutarou could only watch until it would all eventually scatter. Another spring day. Another spring memory before they all would eventually grow up.

His old self looked high above the clouds. "I want to…"

"…and by the looks of it," the present Takebayashi continued, "you chose to stick with your dream too. And you made it all the way here. All I can really say to you is—congrats, Fuutarou."

A small sense of self satisfaction buried within the simplest of words, as he slowly replied, "Yeah. Thanks, Takebayashi."

The smile on Takebayashi's face grew warmer. She had already learned when she visited him during his school's festival, but Uesugi Fuutarou really had changed. He really had grown up.

"Now, that stuff aside!" Takebayashi gave no further room for sentimentality, dialing her voice back to a cheery, amicable tone. She leaned a little closer, eagerly looking at the details of his face. "Just when were you going to tell me that you were attending the same school as me? Why'd you wait so long to say hello?"

"You act as if I had any way of knowing," Fuutarou replied. "I didn't even know we were in the same school until just a few minutes ago! Besides, I had no way of contacting you, even if I did."

"That is so like you!" Takebayashi pouted. "No social media, no email address, and you didn't even tell me where you were moving! Do you know how difficult it was to try to contact you? I ended up having to go all the way to your school's festival just to check up on you."

"No one asked you to—"

Takebayashi scooted even closer, as if she were ready to catch him if he tried to escape. "And when were you going to tell me that you went and got yourself a girlfriend?"

"I—" he paused. "Wait a minute. You knew?"

"I had my suspicions, judging by how those girls looked at me when I visited you." The look on Takebayashi's face appeared a little too amused by the thought. "But wow. Quintuplets, huh? Who would have guessed that our little Fuutarou had changed so much that—"

"I'm going to stop you right there." Fuutarou held up a hand. "I've had to explain this situation to too many people, too many times. Frankly, I am sick of—"

"It's that one actress, right?" Takebayashi interrupted. "The quintuplet with the short hair? That was the one you chose?"

Fuutarou paused. "Ye… yeah. Wait, how did you know?"

"Because I bumped into her myself."

"You bumped into Ichika? Wait, no. You might be a bit mistaken; they're quintuplets after all." He thought for a moment. "You might be thinking of the ones that sold you pancakes from our class, Itsuki or Nino. I don't remember introducing you to any of them after—"

"Oh it wasn't during the festival." Takebayashi corrected. "It was… let's see… I think it was back in… autumn? From last year. Somewhere in September, I'm pretty sure."

"September…?" Fuutarou raised a brow. That was a peculiar thought. Autumn of last year should be somewhere between their first and second semester. Moreover, she had said it was in September. That should normally be the time where he and Ichika both stayed home in Tokai. "Wait, that doesn't make any sense. September should have been during break, so—"

He quickly froze at the thought. "Do not… tell… me. Takebayashi, you—"

Takebayashi grinned a mischievous grin. "Ah, now I remember. I was just coming back from my supplementary lessons during the evening, and to my surprise, there was this really loud and really spirited guy screaming his head off from the rooftop like some kind of delinquent." Takebayashi leaned on her elbow, enjoying every bit of Fuutarou's face dissolve into panic. "What was it he said again?"

"Don't—"

"Ahem." She straightened fingers, drawing them close to the corner of her lips."'It's all bullshiiiiiit!', or something like that…?"

Fuutarou opened his mouth, but nothing other than abruptly paused sounds escaped him. He wanted to rebut—to deny, to downplay, and to trivialize—but there was nothing he could do outside of blatantly lying. The memory of that day was still clear in his mind—every fulfilling and every regrettable moment—all down to that breathless kiss, swept away within the autumn mischief.

"Wait! That was all—"

"Alright, everybody! Settle down, settle down." An authoritative figure stepped to the podium of the room. "Welcome, everyone of you, to another semester back. This is Introductory Microbiology, and I am Professor…"

Warmth of autumn's glow spread across the branches overhead. Gilded leaves strew about the wide campus grounds, brushed aside with every step she took. In the disquieting routines that made for her life as a university student, it always felt like a shame that she could not always find the time to loll around the autumn air, especially when her supplementary classes touched into the evening.

An autumn evening Takebayashi vividly remembered, one year ago.

"Ugh… I'm starving." she groaned as she looked down on her phone screen. 7:08 p.m. "I still can't get used to having classes run so late. By the time I get home, I'll be too tired to cook anything. I haven't even shopped for groceries either…"

She aimlessly scrolled through her phone. At times like this, it almost seemed as if the applications on her phone knew exactly how to taunt her, populating her news feed with photos of her friends' dinner, along with cooking videos and advertisements for delivery. She tiredly sighed. It made sense. It was a Friday night, and most students normally would indulge in the luxuries that came with summer break. Going out for dinner, watching a movie, hanging out with friends. As for her and her overly diligent self, she had taken the liberty of scheduling a few supplementary classes that took place between the semesters, all for the sake of smoothing out the schedule for the upcoming semesters. After all, she was double-majoring and the longer she spent in college, the further her loans would accumulate.

But the more she glanced at the offered promotions on the screen, the more Takebayashi grew tempted to explore the possibilities. "I guess it's been a while since I've ordered something takeout…" she muttered to herself as she stepped away from the Faculty of Science building. "I should treat myself every now and then. What sounds good right n—"

A distant murmur had reached her ears. Strangely, it sounded as if it came from far above her. An opened window on the higher floors? No, that did not make much sense; only the lower floors should have hosted classes.

"…if you won't get upset over any of that…"

Takebayashi's gaze finally made it all the way to the roof of the building. "Whoa," she said to herself, "what's up with that guy up there? He isn't thinking about doing something crazy is he…?"

A few more of the scattered students had also turned their attention upward. Takebayashi squinted. The nighttime had made it difficult for her to fully see, but there was something peculiar about his voice. Something oddly familiar about what she could make out of his appearance, but Takebayashi could not quite…

"No way…" The right corner of Takebayashi's lip twitched. A single chuckle forced out of her as she stared in disbelief. "There's no way that's—"

The voice echoed throughout the empty campus. "It's all BULLSHIT!"

As for the rest of memory, Takebayashi could only remember it as a chaotic sequence. There seemed to have been someone else with the boy on the rooftop. Someone far, far more upset than he was. Her words were like a raging tempest—a slew of frustration and temper, ripping through the air with no thought or care about who may be listening. It echoed on and on, singing a dissonant melody Takebayashi could never come close to comprehending, only that she was strangely relieved to not be a part of this girl's ire. Eventually, one of the campus's night security arrived at the scene of the commotion.

Curiosity was always one of Takebayashi's most guilty habits. It would be a waste to walk away now, especially now after the thought had popped up in her head. Was that really him all the way up there? Just what exactly was going through his mind? And just who was that girl who was with him? All the more reasons for her to be curious.

Eventually, more of their campus's security officers trickled in. She watched as they scratched their heads and fumbled their plans, splitting up and backing away over every miscommunicated detail. They had even left the front door completely unattended!

"You're slowing down!" A voice shouted back. "Come on! It's not like I'm Yotsuba here; at least keep up with me—Whoa!"

It was only for a short moment, but Takebayashi would remember a few things about this girl. Her eyes were a deep blue, quickly widening as she came to a sudden halt so as to not collide into Takebayashi. The girl had short, pink hair with a longer strand to one side, and a single earring beside it. Her face definitely seemed familiar, but what exactly was it?

"S-sorry!" the pink-haired girl quickly apologized, a little short on breath.

"It's… alright," replied Takebayashi. "You look a little familiar…"

"Huh?"

Before she could ask any further, another voice—void of all breath and sluggish with every additional step—trailed after her. "I am… going…" the voice huffed and huffed. "I am… going… to die…"

Quickly, the girl had turned back and grabbed the lagging boy by his hand. It was then did Takebayashi realize—it was definitely, without a doubt, Uesugi Fuutarou.

"Quit talking and keep running!" Ichika shouted. "Which way do we go?"

"Le… left!"

And as quickly as they had crossed paths, the two of them had vanished under the sound of running footsteps. Takebayashi could hardly find the time to go over what had just happened before another pair of footsteps came her way.

"Excuse me!" one of the pursuing guards had approached Takebayashi. "Did you see two students running this way? A boy and a girl?"

"Oh uhh…" Takebayashi looked away. Without thinking too much about it, she pointed down the opposite direction. "There were two people running down there. Did something happen?"

"No… I don't think so. We just wanted to ask them some questions…" The campus guard shook his head. "No, nevermind. Thank you. Please stay safe on your way home"

Without realizing it, Takebayashi had been holding back a grin. A twist of a smile, buried underneath her palm. She felt relieved that the security guard was in a hurry, otherwise her sudden fit of laughter would surely be seen as suspicious. Deep down, she had always wondered just how much Uesugi Fuutarou had changed—how much of his old self was discarded and how much of it had merely grown up. For better or for worse, their short little reunion from back at the festival had left a lot for her to think about.

Maybe she was imagining it, but right before Fuutarou and that girl had ran off, Takebayashi had thought she had seen her old student running along with a huge smile across his face. She could hardly put together a reason, but Fuutarou looked as if he was somehow enjoying himself. Like a part of the Uesugi Fuutarou that lived in her memory, and the boy that grew apart from her, had not entirely changed after all.

Troublesome and foolish—a true delinquent, even to this day. A mess for another girl to look after.

And Takebayashi could not help but laugh.

"…and I just could not believe what I was seeing!" The present-time Takebayashi could hardly fight the urge to giggle as she recalled her side of that peculiar night. Her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach as she walked. "I-I even told it to Sanada, and he kept saying that I was making it up! I… I-I hold on, I-I need a bit. I just…can't stop la-laughing!"

Fuutarou buried his face into his palm. After one of the longest first-day-of-class he had ever had to sit through, Fuutarou had somehow ended up accompanying Takebayashi on a walk around their school's campus. A part of him wanted to get as far away from her as possible, especially after the number of times she had glanced his way during lecture. He could clearly picture what sort of teasing smile was buried behind her palm and her knuckle, but he would not dare address it during the lecture. But just as he remembered, Takebayashi was hardly one to let him slip away easily.

"That wasn't…" Fuutarou muttered. "…that wasn't really me. That wasn't really us either. We were just… caught up in something. I mean it."

"Yeah. Uh huh. Sure." Takebayashi finally settled down. "Man, even after all of this time, it's still hilarious!"

"It will take way too long to explain. Just trust me, please."

"Oh, I know you wouldn't lie to me, Fuutarou. I'm only teasing." They continued wandering aimlessly around the campus. Neither of them had any classes immediately after Introductory Microbiology, so Takebayashi had suggested they could grab something to drink around campus.

"So… your girlfriend really is something, huh?" Takeyabashi continued to walk beside him, sipping a cold cup of bubble tea. "I've been checking her out here and there around social media. Never thought I'd run into a popular young actress like that."

"Ichika is definitely talented," replied Fuutarou. "Have you seen any of her movies?"

"Not a lot, really. I did check out The Vermillion Riddle when it aired around here with a few of my friends. Fantastic movie, by the way. She really knocked it out of the park there! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time."

"Ha." Fuutarou scoffed. "That's the one everyone talks about. If you really want to see her shine, I can suggest a couple to you."

"I don't see why not." Takebayashi shrugged. "Classes haven't picked up yet, so I got some time on my hands. Though, I heard that she's been working overseas now, isn't that right? How's that holding up for you?"

"You mean long-distance?" Fuutarou thought for a moment. "It's been about… three months now, and we're handling things fine."

"Seriously? Three months?" Takebayashi looked in awe. "That's crazy. I heard from one of my friends that she's been really picking up in popularity in the west! She's already starring in movies in that short of a time?"

Fuutarou nodded. "It's part of her training. The academy she's enrolled in is pretty famous across the world. They have their students accumulate graduation credits by auditioning for roles in tandem with their studying. It's mostly indie films, but still, she's a damn hard worker."

"Whoa. That sounds way harder than anything we have to do." Takebayashi took another sip of her bubble tea. "But isn't it hard to keep things steady with a relationship too? All of that, on top of being overseas?"

"The time zones will always be a problem, but we still manage to find time to spend together. It works out pretty fine for the both of us."

"So you say, trying not to yawn." Takebayashi bumped shoulders with him, knocking the straw out of his mouth. "You sure you've been getting enough sleep, Fuutarou?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb. If I were to guess, you've been staying up late these days trying to keep up with her, haven't you? What's your normal bed time? 1:00. maybe 2:00 a.m.?"

"Now you're just assuming things. I'm perfectly fine."

Takebayashi shook her head, scolding him. "'Fine' isn't the word I would use to describe someone who already looks tired on his first day of school. You should know by now how brutal it's gonna be for upper division science."

Fuutarou turned away, quietly answering, "Is it that obvious?"

"Well to me, it is." She shrugged. "Still as stubborn as always, you know that? I still remember our second year in middle school, when you suddenly started taking my tutoring seriously. I could hardly believe it, but you just wouldn't stop. I even found you in the library sometimes, fast asleep."

Fuutarou groaned. "Don't remind me…."

"It's the same thing all over again, Fuutarou. I mean, it's good on you for wanting to be a good boyfriend and all that, but you have to look out for your own health too! Any good girlfriend would understand that."

They took a seat on a nearby bench. After a tiresome sigh, Fuutarou said, "Yeah… I'm definitely aware of that. It's just that I… miss her a lot. Ichika has definitely scolded me a couple of times too, but I just can't help myself. I just want to spend all of my time with her when I can."

"I see…" Takebayashi leaned back. "Then, I'd feel bad for scolding you anymore."

"No, it's alright. You were only looking out for me, so thanks—"

"Hey, Fuutarou," she interrupted him, "are you just like… really lonely?"

Fuutarou choked on his own words, poorly mixing his shock with loud coughs. That was awfully blunt of her. "Wha-what are you talking about? Me? Lonely…?"

"Yeah, are you?" Takeyabashi glanced over, the wide gaze in her eyes as curious as ever. Casual and a tad callous in her remark, finished with a slow sip of her bubble tea. She was definitely waiting for an answer, but as he mulled over a response in silence, Takebayashi did not mind stirring his thoughts a little further. "I mean, I was always worried that you wouldn't make a lot of friends once you got into high school. You were never the friendliest with people to begin with, and it somehow got even worse when you only started to care about studying. That's why I was pretty relieved when I met those girls at the festival. They seemed to be really close to you."

"I…" Fuutarou slowly replied. "I mean, they're not my only friends. I do have a friend that goes here actually."

"Oh do you? Then I must have been mistaken. Do you guys hang out a lot?"

"From time to time. He's in a different major, and he's been saying that he's going to be joining a fraternity this year, so it might be less now."

"And? Have you made any other friends?"

Fuutarou let out a regretful sigh. He never formed those thoughts into reason before. Monotonous and uneventful days were never something he thought would be a problem in his life, but he had been wrong more times than he cared to admit. Once he had forfeited the thought of leading a solitary life, Fuutarou had also become vulnerable to the subtle heartaches that came with absence. Ichika leaving was one thing, but it was not as if it all started three months ago. He would return home to an empty apartment, he would eat food that could never compare to Raiha's, and he would sometimes forget that his father would not randomly come barging into the room again, livening up their tiny space.

"I suppose…" Fuutarou slowly admitted. "Without Ichika, Raiha, my dad, and the rest of them around… I guess I've had a bit too much free time lately…"

It should not have come as a surprise to him when he heard Takebayashi laughing beside him. "See? Is it that hard for you to be honest?" Takebayashi said. "Sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. I totally understand you, Fuutarou. Good news is that our majors are probably going to be picking up soon, so you can go back to busying yourself with more studying."

Fuutarou crossed his arms. "I mean. I suppose that's something…"

"Unless, of course…" Takeyabashi continued. "That isn't exactly what you want either?" A brief glint shone in her eye as she reached for her phone. "Hey, I know this might be a bit of a random suggestion to you, but have you ever considered… maybe…"

Fuutarou turned a strange gaze her way. Just what was Takebayashi suggesting, and why had he suddenly grown a little anxious?

"…maybe, adopting a cat?"

"Huh…?" The look on his face was stuck in confusion. "Wait, you mean like, a pet…?" He looked at her as if expecting a quick remark, but the look on Takebayashi's face said that she was expecting a sincere answer. "That is a bit… random."

Takebayashi scrolled through her phone. "I know, I know, but I thought I might as well bring it up. You see, I work part-time at a shelter a few stops away from campus, and we've had a good amount of adoptions from other university students living alone." She scooted beside Fuutarou, showing him her phone screen. It was a website of a local animal shelter, complete with vibrant pictures of pets and pet owners, and the various articles concerning adoption and care.

Bits of her passion bled through her excitable tone, eager to finish her thoughts before Fuutarou had a remote chance of possibly turning her down. "A grown cat is pretty independent compared to a dog, so you won't have to worry about leaving them alone while you go to class or work. The ones I look after are the absolute sweetest things ever and deserve a good home. Oh, I should ask first, does your apartment allow pets?"

"Pets? I… think it's okay? I'm pretty sure the girl that lives a few rooms down has a cat, so—" He interrupted himself. "Wait, we're getting a little too ahead here. I've never even thought about owning a pet before."

"Well, why don't you start thinking now?" Takebayashi pushed on, more persistent than ever. "Come on, it doesn't sound too bad, right? Think about it! I'm sure you'd make a great caretaker."

Fuutarou quietly hummed to himself, cautiously thinking it over. "I don't know… I suppose it doesn't sound too bad."

"Right? And if you're not entirely sold about it, the shelter I work for also offers a fostering program."

"What does that mean?"

"It's like a temporary adoption," Takebayashi explained. "It's used as a way of letting animals get used to living in a home, so that when they are adopted, they can get used to their new families easier. Of course, since you'd be volunteering to house one, we'd be the ones offering supplies like food, shots, and health checkups. Hardly costs a thing!"

If Takebayashi was also some kind of cleverly disguised saleswoman, then Fuutarou could admit that she had a talent for it. Another particular habit of hers that she was good with; she knew exactly how to pique and involve the interest of others. "But…" Fuutarou reluctantly began, "you said it was a temporary thing, right? What happens after?"

"Ah…" Takebayashi pointed his way. "Are you afraid you might get too attached?"

"A little, I suppose."

"Whoa, you're a lot more honest than I thought you'd be." She pleasantly giggled. "Well, if a family decides to adopt a cat you're fostering then there's nothing you can really do about it. You are mostly a caretaker after all. But, since fostering is a pretty common way of having a sort of 'trial run' before you commit to adoption, it's just a few easy steps to become a permanent owner! In fact, I just thought of the perfect little companion for you!"

Takebayashi showed him her phone. It was a web page of her workplace's list of available adoptions. This one in particular was of a light-coated feline, with cream colored fur that merged to dark-colored fur at the ends of its snout, paws, and tail. Its eyes were a dull, icy blue. There was even a picture of Takebayashi as she held up the aforementioned cat for its gallery photos, with a bright smile on her face. Though, the cat did look a little unamused for this photo.

"We rescued this little guy a month ago!" Takebayashi continued. "Reminds me a bit of you, actually. His name is Tappi and he is just the sweetest thing ever. He's a bit of a loner compared to the other cats, so that's something you two have in common."

Fuutarou sighed. For some reason, it felt as if everyone had painted quite the picture of him in their minds, but correcting it hardly seemed worth the trouble. "I'll ignore those little jabs. So, this one's name is Tappi?"

"Yup! I picked out the name for him myself. Cute, isn't it? It even fits him perfectly."

"In what way?"

"I mean, just look at him. Doesn't he remind you of something?" Takebayashi shook the drink in her hand. A plastic cup of half-empty milk tea, with little black tapioca pearls at the bottom. "Get it? 'Tappi'? Tapioca? Pretty darn cute and clever if I would say so myself."

"I suppose so." Fuutarou lightly shrugged. The longer the thought lingered inside his mind, the more he realized he had been staring at the wide, glass-like stare of the cat, who strangely, looked more and more like milk tea. "It's all a little too sudden still. But I'll think it over, Takebayashi. Do you think you could send me a few articles that I can read over? Just so I know as much as I can."

"That's a good idea, actually! I was thinking that I should grab your contact info while I have you here, just in case you disappear on me again."

"I'm not running off, and besides, we're going to be classmates this semester…"

They exchanged each other's contact information. "You know, I brought it up as a bit of a joke," Takebayashi admitted. "It makes me happy that you're giving it some thought, Fuutarou. But don't forget to make some more friends of your own, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I hear you." Fuutarou halfheartedly chuckled. "I'll see you in class, alright?"

"Sounds good. Take care now, Fuutarou."

They stood up and parted ways. Brushes of the cold autumn wind shook the branches over her head, letting the golden leaves fall over Takebayashi's coat. A lot of autumns like this had passed in the long years since she had seen Fuutarou. Many autumns to many years. From the ambiguous autumns that followed after graduation, to the Sunrise Festival, to that eventful night, and back again on their fourth semester as university students. Each time, Takebayashi had never thought she would learn just a little more about that boy she used to call her student.

She looked back, seeing the back of that peculiar boy walk further down the campus. At some point in their time as classmates, Takebayashi had considered herself to be the closest person to Uesugi Fuutarou. There was always just something about him. Something about that faint glimmer she saw in his eyes, and all of the unseen uneasiness he had within himself. Perhaps that was why she had felt the need to call herself his big sister—why she strangely felt like it was her responsibility to keep an eye on him. Somehow, she felt like she needed to be there in case he really did fall apart one day.

But now, it seemed like she really did have a bad habit with worrying a little too much. Just a tiny bit.

Takebayashi looked high above her, past the ruffled gaps of the autumn leaves and the glints of sunlight that bled through. She had never known Uesugi Naoko. She had only seen a few photographs and heard a few stories about Fuutarou's mother when he had finally opened up to her, those years ago. A kind and lovely mother as one person could ever be, both in life and in memory. Even if it were just a baseless assumption—carried by the pensive thoughts she would sometimes find herself dwelling over—Takebayashi knew that Uesugi Naoko would have been proud. Those lessons she had left him, and the unending love that shaped the man she met again today. That much, Takebayashi could never deny.

After all, Uesugi Fuutarou had said so himself.

As vividly as the day she remembered it, underneath the cherry blossoms that bloomed four years ago. As if it had all come from yesterday.

"What is your dream?" Takebayashi had asked Fuutarou. "Thinking back on it now, you never really told me."

Sweeps of a distant memory's wind carried the falling flower petals. For a while, Fuutarou could only watch until it would all eventually scatter. Another spring day. Another spring memory before they all would eventually grow up.

His old self looked high above the clouds. "I want to… study medicine. For my mom."

Author's Note

Did I even mention that I REALLY like big sister characters?

Anywho, here's another chapter! Elden Ring has seriously messed up my productivity, but I still managed to release another one. Keeping the trend of more laid back chapters by introducing some different concepts. This chapter was dedicated to a lot of the different perspectives I've had concerning a very specific character—Takebayashi. It goes without saying that she's a completely ambiguous character, and maybe somewhere in Negi's head he had a much bigger plan for her. 'Minor' wouldn't even begin to describe her when concerning the final arc of the manga, but there was enough crumbs with her interactions to piece together what kind of person she is. It definitely took some time to bring her back into the story—I had originally planned it to be a lot earlier, but I wanted to move things along with Ichika moving to America first. Seperating Fuutarou and Ichika gave more time to focus on their individual lives, and the different kinds of people they'd meet on their own. For Ichika, it was a new friend in America, and for Fuutarou, an old friend.

Speaking of things Negi left off, it took me a while to realize that we never got any confirmation on exactly what career field Fuutarou spent all that time studying for. It's definitely up in the air on just what his future career would be, and I figured a doctor was a very suitable profession for him, considering he attends a prestigious university, has the aptitude to handle one of the hardest careers out there, and even could detail

Also in the spirit of trying new things, I've always entertained the idea in my head of Fuutarou adopting a cat as part of his bachelor's life away from from home. Nothing else really beyond that. ()

Anyways, thanks to those who left reviews on Chapter 14 and any recent chapters—Chloetuco, somereader, Bob19248, Fox McCloude, Faf1, Quintaphract, segft(x3, welcome!), TheMist33, Miimbot and any other guest review(s)!Thanks also to the reddit commenters—vonin7, SyrinxCounterparts1, and cassethf03!

_φ(。。) "Okay, time to go back to Elden Ring. Also, I swear the cat isn't a self-insert."