Bonus: The five parts that are unbreakable
A/N: Apologies for the super long wait but I decided to split the finale into two parts. Other than that, a mix of a writer's block and IRL were other things that. Now that I've finished both sections, will Fuutarou be able to repair the special bonds between him, the former and her remaining sisters? Or will the events leading up to the Gotoubun finale occur differently for them after this tragedy?
"...Was that why she was so hesitant about watching the show up until now?" Fuutarou begins as he tries not to blow up a second time. "You girls… Did you all know… That the girl that I met in Kyoto five years ago… was her?"
Ichika, Nino, Miku and Itsuki remained standing as they fixed their eyes onto Fuutarou in paranoia. Each of them felt cornered; They all wanted to hide just like their weeping sister beforehand. They want to escape the thought of the tutor, who once respected them, took the pain to enhance their , had just come face-to-face with the heart-wrenching reality. Yet, they just can't. Their legs aren't complying to run at all; Neither of them could even move a muscle to step away from Fuutarou and his menacing glare.
"Tell me the truth. About all of this." Fuutarou again breathes so heavily that steam could be seen puffing out of his nostrils. "You... all of you... Now that I've seen it, I demand an explanation. To everything that you've all been hiding until now!"
Each of the five quints tried to open their mouths to defend themselves, but nothing could be heard from either of them all the same. Nonetheless, Fuutarou remains unfazed.
"And also... you spoilt it once with Miku during the vacation arc, and then twice with my photo in that stupid opening scene. So tell me: what was going on your mind when you were dressing up as Rena, now that you've spoilt me thrice... Itsuki?!" He scowls as he redirects his mean look onto her seeing that beans have finally been spilt.
"Um u-u-uh?!" Itsuki gasps in shock as her masquerade has finally been seen through. "Well... I-I mean... I-I know you weren't expecting the opening-"
"Don't hide this from me any longer!" Fuutarou snaps. "That opening scene was enough to make consider bearing a huge grudge on you after all you did to me whilst you were pretending to be Rena! No wonder why Ichika handed me back my photo before this entire season began! And... when you said I'm the kind of person people need... that was the final nail in the coffin... you... you know that?!" He then snaps before he furiously stares at the eldest.
"Teach... p-p-please... Itsuki-chan, s-she-!" Ichika panics as she desperately raises her arms. Thankfully for her Fuutarou had no intentions for ramming her as he remains stationary.
"When I heard you girls talk about you being Rena I..." Fuutarou resumes as he lets out a massive breath. "I... I also happened to see my photo drop out of your box and into Ichika's hands on TV the moment I exited Ichika's room after Raiha called me... Yet... I chose to let that go until now!" He then chokes for a bit before he raises his voice again. "Did I... no... Did you really think... I pretended not to notice that all this while?!"
All four quintuplets gasp in absolute horror and briefly cover their mouths when Fuutarou brings this up.
"So you did find out after all... You know... who Rena is...!" Miku had to release from the depths of her throat. But even so, they all wondered why he chose to hold it in until now. It was that moment wasn't it, in Episode 22...
No... it was wasn't it?
Unbeknownst to all five sisters though, Fuutarou had actually finished his call with Raiha early and was about to head downstairs.
"Hey girls... what's with all the shouting-" Fuutarou replies as the first thing his golden eyes catch on TV...
Ichika: Hey you dropped someth-... It's from Kyoto... I see.
"So you were the one pretending to be Mutsumi before the finals!" Ichika exclaims at Itsuki as her yandere-like smile returns.
In response to seeing this, Fuutarou swiftly ducks back into the bathroom and closes the door again. From there covers his hands in shock and widens his eyes in horror as he finally understands how it all came to be, plus how his photo actually returned to him via Ichika...
Rena: 'You're kind of person people need.'
Fuutarou: 'That's interesting... Itsuki said the same thing.'
All four quints couldn't help but stare at each other in disbelief as the realisation hammers them hard. And then they see Fuutarou clenching his sore fists even tighter as he speaks and homes his anger on Itsuki.
"So spill. All of you. Especially Itsuki! Unless if you want me to tell your father about what we saw!" Fuutarou demands as his voice slightly breaks; Looking more paranoid than either of her older sisters, Itsuki was the first to break as she sweats even harder than the other three upon being singled out. "Why... Why did you disguise as Rena, huh? You took my photo to your sisters. You dressed up as the girl in my past even though it became clear that you were not the one I met five years ago! I trusted you all, hoping that you'd be able to follow the example, minus the lies I had to tell to repair your bonds, that I expected you to follow as your tutor! I... I'm tired of all of your games and the lies that were hidden underneath them. I need to know why you all did so! NOW!"
Again, especially Itsuki, all four of them couldn't give an immediate reply. But they knew that Fuutarou was dead serious this time especially when he did bring up their father, so they either the one being addressed had to spill it, or risk having their special bond with him shattered for good.
"Um... Uesugi-kun, w-w-well..." Itsuki begins. "...um, look... I... listen. That day when I was Rena... I knew that Yotsuba would be close by from the start; The night before I... well... you probably knew this already but when we ran off, I dipped into the bushes and saw Yotsuba inside... with my belongs and..."
"So you spoke to Yotsuba after I lost track of you that night. Was that it? Was that why she instructed you to be the girl in my photo?" Fuutarou tries to clarify.
"Even then, she came to me, asking if I could help her." She takes off her glasses for a moment before sliding it between her shirt. "Um... look, Yotsuba She already knew that after the day you snuffed us out of our zero score tests... You thought the girl was one of us and you were close to figuring it out. So when she deduced it um..." She takes a moment to reconsider her words. "You have no idea, uh I mean... you knew already how much she can't lie in front of your face right? She was experiencing so much pressure when you almost cracked the case. As much as she cared for us sisters, she cared about the relationship with you too. That's why... I had to listen to her that night. Yes I was Rena. But... if I didn't do it then I thought Yotsuba's hopes would be shattered if you had somehow found out before the exams, that's all! I stood besides her even though I had to deceive you as much my older sisters did too."
"And what about Yotsuba now?" Fuutarou counters. "Obviously you snuck away from me that night to dress up as Rena for more than one reason; You clearly had your own reasons in doing so, other than to protect this so-called secret that I never knew about until now as well as trying to make me accept the past and move on. Now that we've come full circle, it concerns me that whilst I've been told about one thing, this movie already proved to be telling me a whole another story. How would you think she felt? How would Yotsuba be able to deal with this now that we've seen it all? Now that I myself, have seen it all too?!"
"Fuutarou-kun. Y-you never knew this but Itsuki-" Ichika speaks up again, only to be cut off abruptly with a raised hand from him.
"I didn't say your name, did I?" Fuutarou sternly warns her. "Go on, Itsuki. What else do you have to say?"
"Uesugi-kun, I... I didn't dress up as the girl in your photo... and... and take our mother's name because I wanted to. If Yotsuba didn't instruct me I wouldn't have done so!" Itsuki shudders along with her ahoge. "I... I never wanted to disguise myself for the fun of it. I did... because I needed to help her. It was for Yotsuba. In fact, she told me because she... she wanted to help you move on... To help herself move on. She wanted you to forget about her, so that she, and us sister can maintain a good relationship with you!"
"Even so." Fuutarou goes on. "That night, The day after when I failed to coerce Nino I felt that strange feeling. You knew it was bound to happen didn't you? You and your sisters... with... with Yotsuba's secret, never mind the fact that it was involving me. It was what the five of you have been keeping from me despite our mutual agreements, wasn't it? Well guess what? Thanks to this flashback movie about us... it happened any way right in front of my eyes. It happened in front of yours too. Was that was you hope to happen? What that what you and the other hoped to expect? Even though you knew I would find out one day and realise it will bring down one of your sisters in the process?!"
"Of course not, duh! But... even so..." Itsuki falters. "The truth is... Up until now, you kept recalling the girl from your past so many times as if the scenes had been burned into your brain. But you knew that it was one of us. You knew that one of these days the truth would come clean and... you know... " No reaction from him. "Um... You don't notice it yourself. But... Yotsuba... she was hiding this ever since she met you. Even though she has changed and moved on from the past in a way, she... she holds her heart especially for you, Uesugi-kun."
"So that means she can lie, right? I thought for a second that she was a horrible liar. But as it turns out, like the rest of you, you all... you... she was aiming to hide something big from me. She put on this helpful façade and tried to mask it as best as she could under her smile until it was too late am I right?! Because that's what the situation seems like to me! Now look where we all are!" Fuutarou again snaps back, his voice noticeably raising slightly as he lets it out, though he does manage to suppress last minute. Even so, that wasn't enough to vanquish the fury in him for this moment.
"Uesugi-kun you're, y-you're misunderstanding. You never knew this but everything we did was to help Yotsuba. Think about it! What do you think would happen if Yotsuba was the one to hide it all by herself in front of you? What impact would it have on her if you found out way before all of us, including me... find out our feelings for you? Yotsuba, she... she was on the verge of collapsing mentally. The last thing that our mother needs to hear from the five us from above; To hear all five of us end up unhappy together... We were trying to uphold it not just for ourselves, but for the two of you! You and Yotsuba especially! Just like what our mother would also expect-"
"What your mother said has nothing to do with the fact that you and your big sisters now have to deal with something that might be too late." Fuutarou chides. "Your mother is gone, Itsuki. Doesn't matter if you're trying to become like her or not. I know for sure that this wouldn't be how she'd behave right? Raiha-chan, she... she looks up to you and Yotsuba a lot. Can you also imagine what she would feel if she had to see this? If she had to hear everything that you said, Itsuki?! What if your father suddenly came back and saw all of this? How are we, not just myself, going to explain the things that happened behind each other's back to him as of now?! How are we going to explain the reasons behind Yotsuba's unhappiness?!"
"Please, Uesugi-kun. I'm not revealing this to you for nothing ok? There is a big reason for doing so! Especially when she needed me to cover up her mistakes in order to prevent a broken past from catching up to her!" Itsuki pipes up with obvious frustration.
"Just remember, Itsuki, when we were at the shopping mall with Raiha and Yotsuba, I already knew that when you came to me as Rena for a second time that she was one of you quintuplets. Don't think I had been stupid not to remember your mistake at the mall! I thought you said we weren't going to see each other again did you not?" Fuutarou again chides.
Itsuki felt her heart throb at that; It was the last thing she needed to recall. "Um... No I meant, Uesugi-kun-"
"No. I've heard enough." Fuutarou snaps as he holds up his hand to silence her. "What you told me, that Yotsuba told you to disguise as Rena rather than come clean herself... T... t-that's all I need to hear. I'm getting rather tired of this already! I'm not mad because you... and the rest of you... have tried to help your sister cover this up. I'm mad because... well... up until I wasn't told why you were all acting like this. The reasons behind everything we all did together up until now... Especially with your tomfooleries alongside Ichika's... I've seen it all! You have no idea how much I want to scream again like when you all scored zeros on your first tests after the campfire dance!"
"B-b-but...!" Itsuki stammers back.
"Forget it! I thought that despite being students and teacher, you would have at least showed me the most maturity out of all five of you. I thought that you'd also set an example as much as I have to when I'm around you five. And you said that you wanted to follow in your mother's footsteps? Is that how your mother would want you to grow up like? Would she really want to see you do this... would you think she'd be happy seeing you and your sisters act like this all this while?" He cross his arms as he immediately averts his gaze on the youngest with a sour grimace. "I've got no words... I expected you knew better after all of this time throughout the course of our tutor-student relationship. When you asked if we could all change for the better whilst I was in the hospital, I... that wasn't the change I was hoping for in you now that I've seen this. I've got no words anymore. I... I'm utterly disappointed in you, Itsuki."
In response to Fuutarou shutting her down, Itsuki sank down to her knees in defeat and buried herself in her arms, wishing that this entire nightmare hadn't occurred; Ichika swiftly grabs her by her waist and holds her before the latter could even bruise her kneecaps. As for Fuutarou, his face already tells that he too has reached his limit, both physically and mentally.
"Teach... We know you're mad. We... we're sharing the guilt together and... we are reeling in this together; yes its our fault, but..." Ichika breathes before she was abruptly cut off without warning.
"Doesn't matter if you girls are sharing the pain or not. And I believe I've rambled too much about Rena, aka the girl who I thought was in my photo. Right now I'm now concerned about another matter in this scenario. Right now... I... I don't even know if Yotsuba, your most faithful sister... and the actual girl in my photo..." He pauses to glance upstairs where he can hear the fourth's incredibly loud sobs. "I... I don't... I don't know if Yotsuba... would even want to talk to me again. I..." He suddenly falters midway; his chest tightens from his built up anguish and sorrow in the process. "Itsuki, or anyone. Any of you. If you had just come clean about it..."
"Fuutarou... please listen to her... Itsuki, she was protecting-" Miku tries to speak only to get shut down by another glare from him.
"No. Enough about her antics. As for the rest of you... I... I-" Fuutarou breathes, but before he could resume and question the others, the last quint who never said anything up until this point decided to force him to move on and resolve this.
"Shut up! Shut the hell up, Fuu-kun! Enough is enough!" Nino snaps as she furiously grabs his collar and points at him like in the previous episode. "If you're sick and tired of listening to us then just... Just stop your useless ranting and go resolve this whole issue with Yotsuba! You yourself alone! Since we had no idea how you two got together! It's what Itsuki would have wanted from you! And from Yotsuba, the quint who relied on her for help! It's... it's what I would have wanted too! Even though you heard me... when... when I pressured Miku on TV!"
"I thought you sisters looked out for each other?!" Fuutarou snarls back; unlike the previous times where she confronted him, now he was the one adopting the second quint's brash attitude. "Now that she's crying aren't her problems yours to worry about?! I thought the bond between you sisters are as strong as superglue?! Isn't it your job, no, your responsibility to-"
"Back then yeah! But right now we'd only just make things worse! Now that we've tangled ourselves into a war when she's fallen in love with you too, she ain't gonna respond to us! You're her special one right?!" Nino aggressively interrupts before she shoves Fuutarou to the stairs and struggles to hold in her tears. "Remember... Remember what I said in Episode 11, when I yelled at Ichika for tearing down Miku's hopes and dreams?!"
"What are you trying to-" Fuutarou tries to say but then she cuffs his mouth and repeats herself loud and clear for him to hear, causing him to flashback to that sorrowful recap.
Nino: 'Even if you were the one chosen, I… I'd still celebrate… with all of us.'
"Even if Ichika, Miku, Yotsuba, or even Itsuki, were the ones chosen… even if you end up falling in love with them and not me... I'd still celebrate… with all of them! No matter what happens... when one is in sorrow..." Nino chokes as she lets go of him and blocks the stairs to the living room. "Argh forget it! You already know our stupid quintuplet rule don't you?! Now beat it! Get upstairs now and talk to her! Since you as the goody-two shoes who wants to solve everything knows more about this than us four, you better get out of here and never come back until you've fully corrected this misunderstanding!"
"Nino's right. Even if we wanted to help, you need to help us pull the reins and resolve this too. You're Yotsuba's last hope if you don't want her to fall into the abyss. Please, Fuutarou!" Miku begs as she too, struggles to hold her tears.
"But even so, she's your-" Fuutarou tried to say, only to be cut off again as the second quint bursts into tears.
"GET UP THERE! NOW! GO! GET TO IT!" Nino screams as she slowly loses her voice with every sentence she breathes. "AND… AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR BORING, STUPID, WEIRD-LOOKING... GAH WHATEVER I HAVE TO SAY... JUST GO AWAY… UNTIL... *Sniff* UNTIL YOU'VE RESOLVE THIS WITH HER THOUROUGHLY! AND I MEAN IT!" Fuutarou had no choice but to comply and head upstairs. As he does so, Nino's sorrow gives way and she buries herself into Miku's chest before crying uncontrollably, just like how the latter did when she hid in her room and the former found out. "I can't *Sniff* I can't fix her this time... even if... *Sniff*"
"Fuutarou…" Miku worriedly mutters as she glances at the two quints on the ends of the age spectrum, who held their heads down. "It wasn't... we shouldn't have watched this..."
"Well none of us didn't know what it would show, Miku. There's... There's nothing we can do... even if we are able to repair this bond... We may not be the same again... I... I didn't realise that this show must have been more brutal on her either…" Ichika sorrowfully concedes as she and Itsuki embrace Nino too despite suffering the same kind of mental damage from the nightmares they had recapped. "I just... *Sniff* I just hope we don't lose them..."
"Neither of us did Ichika, but that's not the concern that's on our minds now. Right now, we have no choice… but to leave the rest to him." Itsuki add on as she stands up and then peers over at the balcony whilst she sheds her own tears too. "Uesugi-kun… Yotsuba… I'm... I mean... we're sorry…"
"*Bam bam bam* Yotsuba! Open up! It's me Fuutarou!" Fuutarou yells as he pounds on her door rapidly.
"Go away! Leave me alone you jerk!" Yotsuba screams from inside her room as she keeps the door shut tight with her brute strength. "It's all your fault for spoiling this… It's… *Sniff* It's all your fault for-"
"Yotsuba! Listen! It's just me!" Fuutarou yells again as he fails to push her door open. "None of your sisters are with me right now! I just want to talk with you! You and me! About what we just saw! It wasn't our faults to begin with! Neither of us were even prepared for what was in that video ok?! Please hear me out!"
"No I won't!" Yotsuba counters sorrowfully. "Y-y-you already saw it! I-I-I *Sniff* I don't even want to hear your stupid reactions! I can already *Sniff* foresee it… if I let you in! Y- *Sniff* You're gonna humiliate me even more aren't you?! I know that... *Sniff* from the... *Hic* I KNOW THAT FROM-"
"What makes you so sure I'll react that way?" Fuutarou argues back. "Truth be told, I never had any responses planned when the final scene came up! Only surprise! No dirty thoughts! Whatever was bubbling inside your head, they never existed to begin with! How about we settle this alone? You and me, about the events that-"
"LIAR!" Yotsuba roars with sorrow. "DON'T LIE TO ME! I know you're *Sniff* I know you're gonna make fun of me I just know it! Like the time where *Hic* w-where I got every question wrong when you tutored me! *Sniff* What's going to happen to our friendship now?! What if everyone decides to cast us two away just because of this mess?! What's going to happen to the rest of my sisters?! How will they take in all of this?! Then who's gonna take the blame huh?! You... *sniff* YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN THOROUGH UP UNTIL NOW!"
"Yotsuba, please listen! The last I need is for you to be one acting out on your sisters! It's already happened with Itsuki and Nino first, then Ichika and Miku. I don't want this tragedy to repeat on you!" Fuutarou pleads as his attempts to bust down Yotsuba's bedroom door continue to remain futile. "Have I ever even spilled something that is meaningful to you? Even if the movie wasn't here and I found out, I would never do something like this especially when it belongs not only to you... but also to me! I'm not kidding! I would never do that... just like how you would never to me!"
As Fuutarou continues to push on the door hopelessly, again his brain floods with the memories of himself and Yotsuba whilst they were both in elementary school, where they got lost together in Kyoto...
Young Nakano: "You looking for someone? That makes two of us!"
Young Fuutarou: "Leave me alone! Get someone else's help!"
"Yotsuba. Please." Fuutarou calls again. "As your tutor I... It's my responsibility to... to not only... urgh! To not only make sure you girl... p... pa-AAH-ss... with your... head... held high... AGH!" He briefly slips on the floor before he gets up and pushes again. "...Remember what I said to Nino at the hotel?! When I was disguised as Kintarou?! There's nothing more important to me than the five of you passing your exams... other than making sure you're always together with smiles on your faces! Can you just... take a moment... to heed these words I said?! Just for a moment?!"
No response from her this time, other than a couple of strained grunts and sniffles. A bad sign for Fuutarou as he opens his mouth again...
Young Nakano: "But it has to be you! We're both lonely all by ourselves right? So let's stick together!"
Young Fuutarou: "Why are you still bugging me?! Just go away!"
"Yotsuba..." Fuutarou pants as his throat dries up.
"What do you want?!" Yotsuba finally responds after a while.
"Yotsuba. Let's... let's just sort things out! Just... the two of us! Remember the promise you made... with your mother... your sisters... with me. Isn't this also a priority? As much as you treasure your own memories and mine? Think this thoroughly... before your sorrows turn the summer festival into a mess too. And we... not just your sisters... but me too... we still need you no matter what happens! Let's settle this matter... like we both remember it yesterday! Please!"
At this point, seeing that the fourth has sapped his strength, Fuutarou releases his palms off her door as he stares at it in vain. His eyes dilute and breaths slow down. There was nothing but a wave of silence coming from the entire room, other than the supposed whimpers of the four quints downstairs. It persisted for five minutes, which almost convinced Fuutarou that the damage inflicted would be irreparable as of this point in time.
Sighing as he turns to walk downstairs, he was forced to acknowledge one thing: It's over. There was nothing else he could to convince Yotsuba. To convince the quints to retrace their steps and accept the past... To finish third year with five (or four, since Ichika said she's leaving) smiles on their faces... To reconcile with the girl in the photo for real, the one who made become someone who was needed...
Fuutarou to Itsuki: "Back then... when I met that girl... I decided I wanted to become the kind of guy who was needed. That's my real reason for studying."
Young Nakano: "You're necessary to me!"
And then... much to Fuutarou's surprise, he hears a creak coming from the door and feels a light tap on his shoulder as Yotsuba squeezes her hand through the gap.
"Ok… fine." Yotsuba finally concedes as she peers out even more, though her eyes appears stained from the tears that continue to be shed. "Come in." And with that, Fuutarou enters her bedroom for the first time ever as the fourth shuts the door behind them.
Inside her room, Yotsuba's belongings were tidy and neatly organised. It appears to be an absolute contrast to Ichika's messy layout, from her study desk to her well-made bed and finally all of the sports awards standing proudly on her cupboard shelves. Her level of tidiness seemed to be on par with Itsuki's too, considering that the tutor only had a brief glance at it at the start of his tutoring career. Though there was also something unique about her room that neither of her sisters have. And it seems to have piqued Fuutarou's curiosity too.
"Yotsuba..." Fuutarou begins as she enters her room... only to be distracted by the arsenal of potted plants resting peacefully everywhere, from her shelves to the tiniest gaps on her desk and floor and even on the edges of her bed. To Fuutarou, it felt like he was inside a mini forest of some sort. "Wow. You've got so many plants in your bedroom. I never knew you were a keen gardener yourself."
"It's uh... It's a small hobby that I've taken up ever since we moved here..." Yotsuba replies shakily. The small talk immediately dies out as Yotsuba breathes. Tensions remained uneasy amongst the two whilst they shuffle amongst the edge of Yotsuba's bed, before they uneasily sit down side-by-side, hands fidgeting underneath their pockets as they couldn't bear to catch a glimpse of each other. For nearly 5 whole minutes, the reunited pair heard nothing but their own unsteady breaths coming from underneath their noses.
At last though, Yotsuba did take the chance to start off the conversation, albeit with a lot of hesitance.
"Um... Is there..." Yotsuba breathes, but nothing else came out after that; Awkward silence.
"So uh... that day... six years ago..." Fuutarou attempts to start off, only to let the cat get his tongue too. At least, until he breathes again. "I mean, six years ago... in the same place... Kyoto..."
"Uh-huh. Go on." Yotsuba says.
"I mean... the things we did together, you following me wherever I went... you not being shaken by my rowdy attitude... You... You were there right?"
No response. Other than a curious blink.
"Um... what else? Remember when we hung out together and saw Kyoto station from the same lookout as the one we went with Itsuki? And... the five charms... you bought them right? And gave one to Itsuki... or as I saw her before midterms... Rena?"
"Mmm... yeah. Pretty much. What you said is all true. I don't really have much to add. Especially about the Rena bit. I mean in her defence, I was the one who told her to do it anyways." Yotsuba faintly says. Other than the following days after that where Fuutarou never reunited with her or any of her sisters, she feels like she's time travelling back to the past with what he said.
"Um... It seems like to me, what you said..." Fuutarou quivers. "Uh... You are telling the truth with your own voice, right? Surely?"
"Well as for a fact, you already know I can't lie. So whatever flies out of my mouth, it's obviously true." Yotsuba points out.
"But... ok, I mean, we'll get to that point later um, but the day where you said..." Fuutarou shudders.
"...That I'd set an example for both of us when we were little?" Yotsuba trembles. "Yeah... I remember that day well... because you were there. It's as if... just like you... I remembered it yesterday."
Fuutarou had to lock eyes with the quint this instant. Whilst he already knew that Yotsuba is the worst liar of the five, he needed to make sure that he either wasn't hearing things or Yotsuba has actually improved on her lying.
"Remember when I kept bugging you to buy the five charms and you got mad at me for using all of my money? I still remember your angry reaction clear as the night sky." Yotsuba carries on and smiles. "And... everything that we watched together on TV... from me saying that you're necessary, to... to the vow that we made together... even when I posed for your selfie too. Everything we saw, has been burned into my brain as you also said... really. And look where we are right now, Ue... Uesugi-san."
"So... It was really you after all." Fuutarou breathes with his head arched down towards the bedroom floor. He couldn't believe. He had felt like he just remembered it yesterday. Everything, from the elementary school trip, to the entirety of second year, the Kyoto trip on the third year, Rena, the movie and... now. All this time as he phases out, it was Yotsuba. Who changed his life for the better... It was her.
"Don't worry Uesugi-san! I'm totally studying hard!"
"I got every question wrong, heheh!"
"Hey."
Fuutarou snaps back to reality to notice a tiny voice reaching the edges of his eardrums... plus Yotsuba pointing at his notebook, safely tucked in the depths of the only pocket on his shirt.
"Can... c-can you... take out... t-that photo again? Please? I-I just want to see it." She softly asks, a trickle of tears pouring down her eyelids.
Fuutarou doesn't respond other than a solemn stare back. But eventually, he complies. Arms feeling shaky, he slowly reaches into his shirt pocket to pull out his notebook. Yotsuba takes it from him, pulls out the photo from its slip and proceeds to stare at it with a feint smile. Her eyes water slightly upon locking eyes with her own, younger self in this still image.
"Does it remind you of something? That day... when we met?" Fuutarou asks her.
"Of course. Even after six years... I... I still remember this day too." She beams without removing her eyes off the photo. "It... *Sniff* it was from the day... where I saved you. Where our friendship just begun."
"That reminds me, I never got the chance to say, thank you." Fuutarou says. "For standing up for me when I least expected it. I can't imagine what my elementary trip would have turned out to be if you didn't, really."
"Aw please. You don't have to say it like you mean it you know." Yotsuba blushes. "I... Already knew that, despite your obvious dense frown. It was the least I could do, eheh."
"But... there's one thing I still need to clarify with you." Fuutarou interrupts.
"Huh? What is it?" Yotsuba asks. She trembles a little and drops the photo gently onto Fuutarou's lap, who picks it back up and puts it away. It seems that he really needs to know the truth in full, as he pauses for a long while and take a moment to inhale a good breath as he continues. Her shudders increase in intensity as she braces for-
"Um..." He points at Yotsuba with a rather deadpan look. "I hope those six years in between aren't the reason why you're hiding your stash of kiddy panties in your closest are they?"
"No of course... wait... ACK?!" Her ribbons perk up in time with her blushing face. "How did you still know I'd be wearing them?! And why ask me over something indecent you jerk?!" Yotsuba gawks, totally unprepared for this.
"Heh, relax. I already know you're hoarding onto them, but I won't peek this time. You should've seen your look in the mirror when I mentioned it." Fuutarou chuckles back, hoping to brighten the mood a little between the two of them.
"Geez...! You made me anxious for nothing!" Yotsuba pouts as a black anger mark appears over her head.
"But, in all seriousness, um what I meant was... it was... after we met, actually. And the years leading up to it, um..."
"Starting with the night where you were at our inn. Is that what you wanted to say?" Yotsuba says, already bracing for it a second time.
"Correct." Fuutarou nods. "I'm just thinking, now that I've seen the show, what was, or what were, the chain of events that made you become the way you are right now? I mean... surely there's just something... something... That made you-"
"Because that quintuplet wasn't me, Uesugi-san."
"Huh?" Fuutarou had to eye Yotsuba for this. How could she be so sure that the quintuplet he met at the inn was one of her sisters and... and not her specifically? "I don't get it."
"It wasn't me." Yotsuba repeats with a sniffle. "Before you reunited with your school group... you played sevens with one of my sisters. That was also the triggering point for me. It was Ichika you met. Not me. Remember the conversation we had about you on the rooftop at grandpa's?"
"Um... what? I... Ichika...?" Fuutarou is struggling to connect the dots together. Context? He wanted to ask, but something, just something, told him to eat this word for now.
"I mean, sigh... I can explain why I'm mentioning my biggest sister um..." She notices Fuutarou's arches eyebrows and flails her arms for no reason. "I mean... I-if you don't want me to explain it, it's fine. But... I will have to bore you with the details... soon. And besides, that incident involving you and my sisters, um..." She shyly cups her hands as her signature ribbon wiggles. "Um, yeah. As I had said when explaining about grandpa at the inn... it's how I came to have cut my hair... and have me wear my ribbon!"
"Right... Ok." Fuutarou nods, afraid that whatever he might try to argue with would end up unknowingly sour the fourth quint. But still, he almost forgot that Yotsuba also had long hair like her sisters before she transferred. Of course there has to be some reason why she cut it short too like Ichika and Nino.
"But enough of that for now. I want to get to the big points as much as you though. Starting with... what was it? Ah! I know! Remember your first day as our tutor? And how you came over to our apartment for the first time?" Yotsuba brings up, hoping that he would still remember why she was so eager.
"I... Sorry come again? What happened when I started becoming your tutor?" Fuutarou replies puzzled.
"Oh come on! Don't be such a dense airhead, silly! This was what you said! And we even saw it on TV!" Yotsuba pouts. She then stands up, grabs a few books into her hand and pretends to read off them just like Fuutarou did.
"Yotsuba? What are you-"
"My name is Uesugi Fuutarou-san. Starting from today I'll be your tutor. Let's all make studying fun and uh..." She then raises her arms and head into the air and takes a deep breath. "WHAT THE HELL! WHY IS NOBODY HERE TODAY?!"
"Yotsuba?! Keep your voice down! What if your sisters hear this?!" Fuutarou squeaks with a reddish hue on his face; It was already embarrassing to have her recall this, but to hear her mimic his volume made it a thousand times worse.
"ULP-! S... sorry!" Yotsuba squeaks and shrivels, putting the books back onto her desk. "But... that's not the point. The point is... You remember that day right? Where no one was willing to trust you as their tutor? Remember that day? No one came... except for me!" Yotsuba points out with her huff.
"And what's that got to do with this, huh?" Fuutarou densely asks again.
"Obviously it's for your tutoring, why else would I ready to start learning with you?" Yotsuba pouts as she sits back down. "I was the only sister to accept you as our new tutor at the start of second year you know that? Because... I remembered you. Five years ago from that point, even though it was clear that one, I had no interest in studying and two, you obviously never recognised me... you have no idea... how eager I was to see you again."
Fuutarou gasps for a moment; The time where Yotsuba came down to accept his tutelage... it's because she remembered him? Was that why she never rejected him once outside of extra curricular hobbies? Was that why she also continued to support him in everything? That was a constant red flag that Fuutarou had never even accounted for once, until now.
"But... when I locked eyes with you that day..., no, when you sat alone in the cafeteria and I came to pick up your test..." Yotsuba continues. "...I was reminded of my failure to change like you did. Instead... I went the opposite direction, almost as if I mirrored your younger self..." Yotsuba hears from Fuutarou... nothing; He had nothing to say as he breathes a heavy, sympathetic sigh, so she thinks it's best to continue... "Um... yeah during that five year gap, in Kurobara... My own attempts to change for the better, to change for my family, my mother... it didn't go well, as I said on the Ferris wheel. That's what I was reminded of... Even when we powered through second year together I..." She stops speaking, afraid she might worsen herself and her tutor.
"What happened exactly? Can you remember the details? I mean even though you thought of yourself as a failure, like I said, I... I still don't want to disrespect your efforts." Fuutarou reassures, prompting a gasp from Yotsuba.
"Uh? Um... ok." She hesitates, but then takes a breath. "So... in a nutshell, um, it became, kind of like a chain of events that led up to why I was thinking this. Basically, um... after the ski trip... especially when... Miku said she wants to dance with you, um..."
"Uh-huh." Fuutarou replies in case Yotsuba doesn't know he was listening.
"I... Sorry, not when she danced with you, but when she first wanted to study with us; Before Ichika, Nino and Itsuki joined us too, the way she acted right in front of you and told you to take responsibility, um... I..." Her ribbons quiver midway before she continues. "I... I don't how to explain, really, but I knew Miku started to change from that moment... um..."
"Ok. Go on." Fuutarou says, though he's kind of assuming that she isn't making sense.
"Then... yeah the campfire was next and as usual, when you hid in that igloo with Miku whilst she and Ichika planning to dance with you. After that, starting from the conversation you had with Itsuki at the hospital, then the time where you found out we all got zeros. And then when Nino and Itsuki fought, just like I once thought: We may be quintuplets, but it's apparent we're slowly diverging. And that's also when this familiar feeling suddenly returned to me..."
"Uh-huh." Fuutarou nods blankly.
"Which also leads us to that night... when you and Itsuki ran off from each other... yeah that was me in the bushes. Sorry."
"Sigh... so it was you all this time, you rascal?" Fuutarou teases with a nudge, though his smirk doesn't last long. "Anyways, why were you up so late by then? You know that it's dangerous for you be out and about even if you're giving Itsuki's belongings to her? Why didn't you convince Itsuki to-"
"I tried, Uesugi-san. Itsuki was still shaken by what Nino said. She never wanted to budge... as much as never wanted our little secret to be spilt so early... That's when I told her to act the way she is... as Rena. She isn't to blame Uesugi-san. I heard everything from my room when you scolded her. Please. If I couldn't lie, I wouldn't have ordered her to do so because... other than that..." Yotsuba continues before she glances out of her bedroom window. "...I was scared. Scared that our secret might suddenly tear us apart and remove the happiness I've maintained for so long..." A pause was then enacted as she looks to a troubled Fuutarou again.
"Um... you done?" Fuutarou asks.
"Uh, not really. Just want to see if you're listening." She replies.
"I am. Believe me. But..."
"I believe you Uesu..." She pauses again, thinking that Fuutarou does have something to say. "Um... sorry. Go on."
"No it's just when... when that secret spilled, I was thinking the exact same thing. How would I come face to face with the girl I met six years ago by now? How would I even compare myself to her if we somehow met? Would she have done better than me despite all of my determination to help my family? You know... all these things that worries me..."
Yotsuba widens her eyes back. To hear Fuutarou worrying about the same thing despite going through his own problems was phenomenal. It was like she always longed for someone to attune and maybe compare themselves if they were in her position, just like how she did with her sisters and those who valued her in school. This was definitely not the tutor that her father expected least of all, and in a good way.
"Is there... something wrong?" Fuutarou asks without making eye contact.
"No, but um... Remember you talked to Miku at the ski trip?" Yotsuba brings up. "How you said you don't want to disrespect my efforts? That struck a chord in me. You have... you have no idea how much that brightens me every time; I've always wanted to her such praise from you ever since... really. Thank you..."
Fuutarou didn't respond to that, but the fourth suddenly heard a quick, but dramatic inhale from Fuutarou and turns to face him again. A single tear streaks from his left eye unknowingly as he does so.
"Uesugi-san? You ok? Please don't cry." Yotsuba pleads with a shoulder tug.
"I'm not. Don't be ridiculous. We still need to cover so much." Fuutarou scoffs, though it is apparent that he's failing to conceal it through the first streak of tears. "Um... let's just start from the beginning. So, when you said... you didn't live up to your expectations... was it... was it because you... you were thinking of me?"
"Partially. Even when I wasn't on your mind I... I tried to set an example for myself. But still, I kept thinking of you every time in Kurobara. I never stopped thinking of you. Even as I became the first sister to diverge, to fail balancing athletics with academics." Yotsuba sniffles. "Except... this way of thinking made me... a little more like your past self, in a way. As I said... I never did find solid ground during that five year gap."
"So... all this time, you tried to prove to your sisters you wanted to change, is that it? You kept thinking of the vow we made together? Is that what you mean?"
"Mhm. Back then, on the ferris wheel, when I told you my reasons for moving to Asahiyama in second year with my sisters? I became competitive and alienated from my sisters. Despite this though, when I failed, they would always repeat what our mother used to say. That's what I was reminded of especially when Itsuki was Rena. And even though I heeded your words and put it aside, every now and then it... it comes back to shake me. So instead of focusing on myself, it was how I came to focus on others and my sisters, like a heartbreak basically. And that includes you too. It's"
Whilst he didn't mind Yotsuba confirming the truth of her troubles, Fuutarou still felt an immense amount of guilt surging through his brain. I didn't know that Yotsuba would've struggled and failed through this entire six year gap partly because of me. She must have felt awful especially when she failed. Damn it... I wonder if we had met during that time, would she have avoided failing? But then that means... I wouldn't have been her tutor...
"Sigh... what else? Oh yeah." She clears her throat. "'Tell me, Uesugi-kun. What's the real reason you study?' That was what Itsuki said to you at the hospital wasn't it?"
"All true." Fuutarou says.
"Well I heard nice and clear too... and not because of the show." Yotsuba says as she flashbacks to herself eavesdropping on the two and causes Fuutarou to widen his eyes.
Itsuki: 'Tell me Uesugi-kun... What's the real reason you study?'
"Wait... you were...?" Fuutarou puzzledly says. Was that why they hadn't 'found' Itsuki for their needle appointment?
"Hiding behind the door? I heard everything alone. That was a big trigger for me back then." Yotsuba reveals shyly. "I mean I could've interrupted you both, but I decided to listen in on you two. Until my big sisters came to me that is."
"So you did pick up on what we said, huh? No wonder why you were so angsty the following days later..." Fuutarou grumbles.
"Also, remember the time you had cream on your face and um... you know. I, uh, gave that 'peck' eheh." Yotsuba flushes.
"I remember it alright. I thought you were just being silly. I knew why you wanted to eat it off my face but still-"
"Actually, Uesugi-san, um... I... partially wasn't... I kinda wished I uh... I could it again."
"What?!" Fuutarou turns wide eyed at what she said about the peck on his cream covered cheek.
"It's not just that either. The ski trip too. The test of courage, well... when we scared everyone together I... I felt my heart rushing as I stood by your side. In fact I've never had so much fun up until that moment! That is... until the camp fire dance." Yotsuba continues. "When I heard from a distance that Ichika and Miku wanted to dance with you I... my heart sank, Uesugi-san. It's kinda of ironic; I brought the topic of the whole campfire dance yet I hoped to make this wish come true with you in a way, as much as I wanted to make it come true for my sisters. You had no idea, how much I wanted to do it with you though."
"Is that so...? Well I had fun too. And yeah, be glad I fell sick so that none of your girls could dance with me. Not that I'd still believe in the holding hands bit." Fuutarou huffs.
"Mmm! Seriously?!" Yotsuba pouts in annoyance. "After everything I explained to you?! Sure go ahead and be pessimistic for all you want, then!"
"But there is one thing I still don't understand from you, Yotsuba..."
"Huh? What is that? We've gone through everything that has happened up until now." Yotsuba questions.
"You said though... you could never lie to others. So why..." Fuutarou dryly says with a nervous look to her face. All Yotsuba gave in return, was a pause, followed by a weary smile, and then, she breathed.
"When we said we'd study for our sisters... for Raiha-chan and... my own... after that I also... uh, I didn't keep my mother's words in mind. I... I thought I was far superior than my sisters. Especially when, I'll admit... I... um... sorry... I... hang on a moment... l-let me compose myself... please."
Fuutarou had nothing to say as she resets.
"In short," Yotsuba resumes with a deep breath. "I thought to myself... that memory... because of that, I only thought of myself as someone special. Not thinking about my sisters as special is the one thing that consumed me before I transferred. It feels like... I was cheating, for being the only one that's special. Which I know for sure you wouldn't allow me to! Going back to Rena, I... I wanted Itsuki to... to help me erase this memory and my feeliong for you for... for good. To help the two of us move on from the past. That's why... everything you went through in those episodes and last year... that's why... what I am now... exists... because of my sisters... because of my mother... because of you. These are my honest words to this day, Uesugi-san!"
"Then why... if you could just... casually say this in front of me now, why not do it so, even before the start of third year, without having your sisters get in your way? Especially during our 'date'?" Fuutarou asks her tentatively. A long pause followed, before Yotsuba inhales...
"Our special meeting six years ago... It was the biggest lie I've been keeping underneath my smile, Uesugi-san. If there was anything I treasure more than keeping other people happy, it was this. It was the thought of meeting you and making sure that the next time we meet, we would compare to see how much we have both changed within the six years. That's why I can't lie the way you and my sisters can. I wanted to cover something bigger, to maintain the peace... up until now..." Streaks of tears can be seen running down from her eyelids again, only this time, they were much bigger than before. "Remember when I said... 'let's make the ski trip with no regrets?' I... I'll admit-"
"No, Yotsuba... I... I understand already. You didn't want to cause another regret in yourself didn't you? Well neither did I." Fuutarou hastily responds, which shocks her a little.
"Heh. Typical Uesugi-san. Always reading me and my sister like a book, huh?"
"But still, I need, no, we need to... tell your sisters... everything that we went through. We need... to... reassure..." Fuutarou breathes without even batting an eyelid, unsure of what to make up for her revelation. Suddenly, a feeling that he hasn't felt in so long returns: Sadness.
"Look at me, Uesugi-san." Yotsuba continues "I caused everyone to start fighting. I entangled you in our mess. In a way, I also caused Ichika to act the way she was in Kyoto and sabotage Miku. I shouldn't have... My sister's in pain because you found out too. All because I tried to prevent you from realising the truth, I... I'm not capable of these things as you thought I would be. I should be the one in the wrong. Not all of you-"
"Yotsuba, *Sniff* Stop it. You're... you're not to blame, for doing this. Besides, why did you do all of this to try an erase things that you should be proud of too? Shouldn't you focus on of all the things you did and not just on why others should be happy too?" Fuutarou counters.
"Uh, what? I'm confused." Yotsuba replies puzzled.
"Who said I thought you'd be incapable?" Fuutarou nonetheless rambles. "I never even thought of that minus the time you dummies failed your tests. That aside, look at yourself. Whilst you... whilst you didn't become studious as I am, you... there are things that I can't do that you and your sisters can. Like..."
"!"
"You have incredible people skills, Yotsuba. You are capable of just... striking conversations and maintain a positive atmosphere. Your patience and the ability to offer your help to others without hesitation is unrivalled; It's your ability to make people happy another thing I'm jealous of. And don't get me started on trying to make others happy and athletics as usual! I know I cannot do this myself ok? And... look back on your exams! And where you are now! Aren't these simple things you should nonetheless be proud of? Just like what I told Miku: If one of you has the capability to accomplish something, then you can too! Not just your sisters As much as the fact that you have your sisters with you by your side even with the loss of your mother?!"
"Uesugi-san...!"
"You see? There's no reason... to beat yourself up over... over these little things... You've... already... you've made me happy... Think carefully Yotsuba, i-if you were to leave your sisters, leave me, all because I was the boy you met, six years ago..." Suddenly, Yotsuba could hear him grow silent, even as she doesn't even make eye contact with him. When she does, she finds that Fuutarou is indeed struggling to hold in his tears.
"No... Uesugi-san... it's not that..."
"Then what is it?" He asks forcefully. "Why do you insist on being the fittest but also the most dim-witted quintuplet that-"
"I love you."
Fuutarou blinks, before turning his head slowly towards her. "What?!"
She breathes again... steadily... as she reacts the time where Fuutarou faked his sickness in second year; She makes him lie down as she holds her head above his. Only this time, she couldn't find herself to smile.
"I couldn't lie that day, when I asked you why I've always helped you when you're trying to get everyone to study with you, Uesugi-san... no... Fuutarou-kun. I loved you... for all of these years. I've always had." Yotsuba confesses.
"!" Fuutarou couldn't speak. Least of all, he couldn't hold back his tears when the confession shatters his weakened heart. The message, it seems, despite everything she had sustained, had been made clear...
Yotsuba: 'Do you want to know why I've always helped you when you're trying to get everyone to study with you?
Fuutarou: 'It's because you want to get good grades.'
Yotsuba: 'Not exactly... It's because I like you.'
Even after all of these years of turmoil, chaos and tension between herself, her sisters and the boy she met six years ago, even after everything that she's been through, she said it. Even after Yotsuba notices he's broken down for the first time ever, after all of these years as more than just a teacher and student relationship, she finally said it.
She had always loved him for all of these years.
"Y... Yotsuba..." Fuutarou gasps as he sits back up. He was unable to gasp for air when the fourth notices him shaking and letting his tears fall down his cheeks again.
"Uesugi-san... you're crying. P-p-please don't... I'm..." Yotsuba weeps as she too, embraces him and lets her sorrow take over. "I know. I want to see you and my sisters happy again. I want to see you smile again too, Uesugi-san. I want to hear you laugh... like on our date night. At the swings. My sisters... we've never heard you laugh like that before. So... please. I hope you can do this again at some point."
"I told you I'm not crying! Don't be silly!" Fuutarou snaps to no avail.
"Yes you are! Don't lie to me, *Hic* because that would hurt me *Sniff* even more!" Yotsuba chokes.
"I'm not. But I'm scared. Scared that I might lose you. *Sniff* And your sisters. After coming this far, I... I'm scared... after all of my efforts to help you girls graduate with your heads high... I might lose the girl in my photo, *Sniff* the girl who I loved, alongside her sisters, the girl... who I loved all this while too..." Fuutarou again breaks. The two then lock each other's arms tightly whilst the top of their clothing became wettened by their continuous streams as they finally accept the truth.
"Please... Don't cry Uesugi-san." Yotsuba begs with multiple whimpers. "I won't go. I'm still holding strong! The... t-the bond hasn't b... broken, believe me! Don't... D-Don't leave us... Don't leave me either... No... matter... what happens... Like said, I... I'm sorry... I can't... support you alone... that's why... even if... *Hic* even if you end up... with my sisters... I..."
"We'll support each other... with everything we've got... I know... End the year with... no regrets... I... I'll always stay... by your..." Fuutarou chokes as he sobs for the first time ever since the day he heard about his mother's unexpected passing.
Outside, the four remaining quints continued to be bathed in their pool of sorrows as the atmosphere turns gloomier.
"Now what? What's going to happen to us tomorrow? How are we even going to face each other again? Would we even come to a decision with our class at this rate now that Yotsuba's secret has been revealed?" Itsuki rambles as she refuses to let go of Nino, who's lodged into her chest and weeping. "Besides, having to keep up that disguise for Yotsuba..."
"Look unless if you have meaningful solutions to help him stop asking pointless questions and start praying that Fuutarou-kun can find a light at the end of the tunnel." Ichika grimaces as she keeps arching her head up to the balcony, hoping that the past 45 minutes of grief was worth the wait.
"But still, the fact that... Itsuki..." Miku slowly speaks as she stares at her youngest sister. But then they hear this from their sister...
"WHAT THE HELL! WHY IS NOBODY HERE TODAY?!"
And in response, all four girls jolted for a brief bit with widened blue eyes.
"What the-" Ichika gasps.
"I hope he didn't make it worse..." Nino shivers. Thankfully nothing else was heard after that.
"I really hope not too. Um... anyways..." Miku coughs. "Itsuki. You were the one taking our mother's name ironically enough. Um, I mean... you hid your identity as Rena up until this moment just because Yotsuba wanted you to shield her... the day when you talked to him... before the 2nd year finals, it's... I still can't comprehend that all on my own... I mean... I understand why Yotsuba asked you to but, even so... you did to protect her, as much as if... you were her big sister despite being the youngest of us."
All Miku received in return was a nervous, tearful stare from her youngest sis. Right now, there was nothing she could say now that the beans have been split. It was her decision to don the disguise, let alone hide in the bushes with her. It was her decision to follow Yotsuba's request. To help protect her façade. Protect her biggest lie she managed to conceal to Fuutarou until now. To help make sure that her friendship with him and her sisters doesn't rupture.
But still... Yotsuba did have a reason for wanting her to disguise herself didn't she? Coupled with... Fuutarou telling her about his story in the hospital plus her sister's inability to lie, it would make sense. In a way, she doesn't see the point of of hiding it any longer either. So... now might be a good time to come clean for the others three to understand.
Itsuki: 'So the girl he mentioned was you, Yotsuba?'
Yotsuba: 'It's better if he doesn't know. Besides... I want you to wear this and meet Uesugi-san. You don't have to act the way I want you to be. Just be your usual self in the past, Itsuki'.
"Yeah, you're not wrong when I thought this could be my time to act like a big sister for once. But other than that, when.. when Uesugi-kun told me about his past in the hospital," Itsuki finally replies with a shaken tone as she arches her head to the side. "...It was the little things he pointed out that rang my bells. Like... um..."
"Like what? E... Expl..." Nino chokes in Itsuki's arms.
"Like how Yotsuba saved him when he was all alone. Like how he said he'd set an example alongside her, from the day the two of them met. Even as he told me how he changed from a 'bad boy' to the smartest student that our school has ever had, you get what I mean? It's all because of her... and vice-versa. They changed each other in so many ways. I could definitely tell, underneath her cheerful exterior, I mean... up until now I kept asking, why did she wanted to be different from us? Why was she wanting to stand out from us and be 'better' academically. And now, why does she insist on making others happy, even if she doesn't end up so? And then, after hearing Yotsuba rustle in the bushes that night..."
"So Yotsuba was the one that spooked you two in the bushes, huh?" Ichika pipes up.
"Uh... um yeah. But she knew what me and Uesugi-kun were talking about. She understood how precious this shared memory was. And more importantly when she said she was reminded of her failures when she asked me to cover up her biggest secret. I never thought... out of all people, she was referring to our tutor. To think that is because of the day those two met, when the latter initially rejected me when we first transferred too... I... I wouldn't have known, let alone understand, the reasoning behind their character developments as much as he'd understand ours..." A wave of silence followed once Itsuki finishes. Feeling rather concerned with the lack of response, Itsuki swings her eyes towards Nino first, and then Ichika and Miku. Whilst they initially replied with a couple of dejected sighs, what Itsuki said made more sense than the most recent arguments the five of them had gone through.
So... Fuutarou... and Yotsuba... they knew each other six years ago- Wait, hang on a minute... Miku recalls in her head. She suddenly flashbacks to Yotsuba asking this one random question to her, when she became the second quint to accept Fuutarou's tutelage, and widens her eyes.
Yotsuba: 'Miku! Could it be that the secret crush you mentioned is Uesugi-san?'
Miku: 'Ew! No way!'
Yotsuba and Fuutarou: 'Huh?'
Wait... was that why she asked me...? No wonder why...! I mean... She was right but... how?! How did she remember him?! Miku finally realizes. However, as she turns to Ichika to say something, she catches her defeated face; She felt more impacted by her youngest sister's words than Miku, as she did part her lips open a couple of times, only to let out no sound.
"Ichika... Is there something you want to say?" Miku asks her with a mildly dejected look.
"Just say it..." Nino finally speaks, briefly getting up to wipe her tears and blow her nose with Miku's tissue, before sinking back into Itsuki's arms.
"Um... Yeah... I do..." The eldest finally concedes, putting her hands behind her back. "In truth, uh... I'm... I'm sorry-"
"We've already heard you say sorry for the past two episodes, Ichika-" Itsuki interjects, only for Miku to raise her hand. "Uh- S... sorry. Keep going."
"...Sigh. It wasn't just Yotsuba, um... that had an influence on Fuutarou-kun. I'll admit... even before Itsuki-chan dropped the photo and I laid my eyes on his younger self, I never thought that... he'd reignite the flame inside my heart. In second year."
Miku and Itsuki take the chance to look at each other confused before they glance back at Ichika, expression unchanged; Nino still did not rise from Itsuki's arms. Already getting the feeling that her explanation hadn't gone through, Ichika scoots over to the bench, where she picks up the photo album, containing not only the five sisters when they were young, but also the most recent one: The photo where they were sleeping on the bus back to the bullet train.
"When you and Yotsuba handed me that photo album containing the photo of us on this Kyoto trip that Fuutarou-kun gave you the other day, my heart suddenly melted inside. Ever since I've set aside my goal to reactivate a memory in him, to take me into his arms all for myself, I... I knew... that Fuutarou-kun had been more than just a memory. In fact... I think we did meet him that particular day too. Remember the ski trip, where Fuutarou-kun and Yotsuba tried to scare us? I never thought that, just by glancing at him wearing that blonde wig, when he pretended to be Kintarou-kun... I never thought he'd stir my heart to this day forward." She looks down and experiences a sequence of flashbacks, starting with the Test of Courage, then the trip to the inn, and finally
Fuutarou: "Ugh it's just Ichika and Miku. What a waste of a scare..."
*Ichika notices Fuutarou taking off his mask but not his wig*
Ichika: "You scared me! Thanks for that!"
*Fades to the rooftop*
Ichika: "After mom passed away, I noticed how much pain Itsuki-chan was in. There was no choice. I had to be the big sister."
Yotsuba: "Anyways stop holding back! Just do you what you want to!"
*And then to the swings after the Kyoto trip*
Ichika: "So you do remember Fuutarou-kun back then. If anything, I really have to apologize to you. I had no idea how you were feeling when you cheered me up that time. I'm a failure as your Onee-san..."
"Ski trip? The boy you met?" Miku again says with a question mark over her head.
"Why is that? Can you remind us... why you're telling us this?" Itsuki asks as Ichika peers back with a forced smile.
"Remember that day... we all had to tie our hair back... and he said raise you hand if we met him five years ago?" Ichika continues. "Remember during our trip to Grandpa's how Yotsuba mentioned she made a new friend who hung out with me instead?"
"Uh-huh. I remember it. Why is that?" Miku asks.
"Because..." Ichika finishes with a voice crack. "...Because the girl Fuutarou-kun met at the inn six years ago and played cards with... the friend that Yotsuba said I stole from her... It was me. I was the quint he met. Not Yotsuba."
Fuutarou: Raise your hand if you have met me five years ago!
As he says that, Ichika takes a moment to peer at Yotsuba, who does the same. Yet, both of them chose not to respond for obvious reasons.
Young Yotsuba: I met this really interesting boy today! And look! He bought these good luck charms together! He's hanging out in the main hall right now!
Young Fuutarou: I'm glad you came back! I was so bored all by myself. Hey we should play a game!
Young Ichika: Um... okay how about sevens?
Ichika: We weren't there for long... but I'm pretty sure I fell in love with you because of that short moment.
Miku and Itsuki both gasp as they stare each other in disbelief. Did they really hear the right thing? Is Ichika really telling the truth this time? Even with the sincere tone and the small streak of tears coming down her cheeks, neither of the two were sure.
Nino however, knew she was telling the truth... she's also thankful that Fuutarou had been able to hold the five together despite all of the chaos they had gone through... He had kept his words in a way despite everything.
Fuutarou: 'I don't care about the exams! I just want the five of you to be together!'
Young Nino: 'Yotsuba? That-!"
"I... as your Onee-san I... I'm so sorry... for everything I did... everything that was deemed selfish..." Ichika painfully admits.
"Ichika..." Itsuki gasps.
"No need, Itsuki-chan. I'm aware of it. Than his feeling for Yotsuba are a lot stronger than his feeling for me are. I mean... we didn't introduce ourselves so he isn't really to blame for mistaking me... for Yotsuba. He had no reason to believe me that day." She replies. "But those memories... are the reason why I was the way I was in Kyoto. as I had said to myself... it wasn't a lie."
At last though, the four of them instantly hear a creaking door before they all glance back up at the balcony. All four of them peer up to see their weary sister and Fuutarou slowly walk out of the former's room and down the stairs. Judging from the state of their faces, there are noticeable stains on both of their faces when they finally reunite with the four that still remain standing.
Geez... Fuu-kun actually broke down? And in front of Yotsuba? Nino gasps inside upon noticing his messed up expression. This was not the stubborn tutor she and her sisters once knew. Never did they find him in this miserable state once, not even when they even saw him getting worn out from cramming for the second year and mock exams.
"Yotsuba..." Miku quietly speaks, but Fuutarou holds up his hand and nods to the fourth quint.
"I... I'm..." Yotsuba sinks to her knees and bows down on all fours; Her ribbon immediately makes contact with the floor too as she does so. "I'm really sorry for my recent behaviour towards you guys! I... *Sniff* I only panicked... because... well... *Hic* I... you know that this moment clearly was the last thing I needed to go through except, um... I-I-I-I look! Please don't think that me and Uesugi-san have worsened you four too! W-w-w-w-e only just-"
"Yotsuba. Breathe. We're not going anywhere despite the current state of all six of us." Ichika instructs with her hands held out.
"Um... s... sorry. But still!" The fourth continues; Her sense of reasoning also goes out the window whilst she admits it under pressure. "...uh, as you expect, E-e-everything's ok! I'm... I'm totally not trying to be the special one as you had remember six year ago ok?! I just... I just wanted to say... I'm sorry! Sorry for all the things I caused, the things I... The things I tried to do to maintain the peace... the thing I did to help you girls be happy instead of myself, I..." She sweats for a bit whilst she still bows. "Itsuki, as much you want to be like mom, I also wanted to value what she told us! The things that she loved about us as sisters! I hope you understand..."
Silence.
"Ichika, You've been my biggest nuisance as my big sister, stealing Fuutarou-kun from me and all that-" A gasp from her sisters that goes unnoticed by her. "But... no matter what you did to me, no matter what you did to hurt Miku too I... I will never doubt or hate you, Ichika! I swear on my part... I'll still see you as a big sister, and nothing else!"
More silence.
"And... Nino, you trusted Uesugi-san the least; You drugged him twice. Miku, you sucked at running like him and never shared my positive thinking until he came! I was aware of it and I'm sorry about that!" Yotsuba continues. "And whilst I know all of you love Uesugi-san as much as I do, I... I'm such an idiot... for getting in your way! I tried to make you guys happy... I tried to ensure that you'd all be happy with him, no matter who he chooses in the end. I'd support you all with everything I've got... But I kept alienating myself even more. I admit, whilst you all were trying to feel achieved as much as I wanted you too, I never felt the same way. I tried to uphold what our mother wanted from us, but- I can't. I'm so sorry. I failed to help maintain the happiness... of all of you... please... don't be mad mad me for making these mistakes... I'm very sorry as I had said and... forgive me... for everything, please!"
More silence x3; Yotsuba suddenly becomes unnerved with the stares as she finally gets up and finishes her super long confession.
"Um... guys? Ichika? Miku? Anyone? Did I... say something wr-" Before she could finish though, all four girls that turn to face her suddenly pounce onto their precious fourth sister, embracing her tightly with four pairs of arms around her waist and neck. "WHA-?!"
"We needed this, yes!" Miku weeps as she does so.
"Yotsuba... do you even hear yourself?! How did you get in our way every time?! You never did!" Itsuki, the biggest cry-baby, bawls as she finally lets her tears run down the fabric of both hers and her sister's clothing.
"Don't... *Hic* Don't ever go into such a heart-breaking meltdown again without me you... *Sniff* You selfless, arrogant, good-for-nothing little sis! And don't go lovey dovey and call him Fuutarou-kun again you hear me?!" Nino scolds with multiple voice cracks.
"Wha? Did I-?" Yotsuba says puzzled before Ichika tightens her grip around her.
"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry that you went through this! Like Miku, please forgive your Onee-san, Yotsuba! Please don't leave us yet! Don't leave Fuutarou-kun either!" Ichika exclaims with the tightest embrace ever.
"WHA! Guys! Calm down! U-Uesugi-san!" Yotsuba cries out to the latter when her sisters immediately glomp her; It was ignored when he too joined in the mass huddle. "You too?! C... Can't breathe...!"
"Listen to your sisters, for crying out loud! I don't care if you girls end up embarrassing you in front of me right now! I just want the five of you to be together, as I had repeated a million times!" Fuutarou snaps. It was also at this point, Yotsuba began to cry waterfalls again along with her sisters as she finally embraces back with ample emotion.
The six of them maintained this standing group hug for a solid five minutes before they start to break off one by one to catch some air.
"Um... you guys need tissues? I mean... our faces..." Itsuki asks as she goes over to grab a tissue box. Everyone nods as she does so; They then get at least one as they all clean their faces after mourning for so long.
"Thank you, all of you... especially you, Itsuki and... Uesugi-san, for understanding." Yotsuba beams, picking up a tissue handed by Nino to wipe her face clean of her stained tears. As she does so, Fuutarou was the first to break away, followed by her sisters in order.
"Yotsuba..." Itsuki attempts to speak as she breaks away from Yotsuba last, only for her to raise her hand with a warm smile. She then turns to Fuutarou. "Uesugi-kun... I... I'm sorry..."
"Itsuki, please. Next time, either cover your lies better as five whole parts or... or just come clean." Fuutarou says, unsure of how to take her apologies properly. "I... I was afraid that you girls... especially Yotsuba-"
"No need, Uesugi-san. I understand." Yotsuba replies. "Even after it got spilt, I still thank you for helping me. Besides it wasn't your fault anyways. I already expected it to unfold. I really wanted to tell you all of these things actually. And Itsuki... you did nothing wrong, really. Thank you, nonetheless."
"Even so... don't just... sigh... don't just hide until I find out last minute." Fuutarou scolds her with a dejected tone as he grips onto her ribbons, causing her to squeal for a bit. When he lets go however, Yotsuba then clears her throat and straightens herself.
"As a matter of fact... Itsuki." She suddenly changes her tone to a comically serious one as she startles her only little sister and Fuutarou with a glare. "Both of you... you and Uesugi-san, you didn't have to lunge at each other's throats from downstairs! I could totally hear you two talking about Rena, who is in fact, our mother's name! From the moment I hid in the bushes I at least hoped one of you would say that you love the other, yet all I heard was 'The moon is beautiful tonight!' I'm disappointed with you two! I expected a full confession from you especially, Itsuki! Plus a short kiss if you two were daring!"
"WHAT?! Y-YOTSUBA!" The two she mentioned shriek. That didn't stop the three eldest quints from laughing out loud after almost two hours of grief though, which was a rather good sign.
"I did not see that coming haha!" Miku had to let out.
"Sigh... that's the cheeky Yotsuba I wanted to hear again!" Ichika coos, putting a palm to her face with a relieved grin.
"For a second I though either you or Itsuki were actually thinking of kissing Fuu-kun on the spot to make up for all of this. I would've actually gone berserk." Nino smugly grins.
"NINO?!" Itsuki yelps.
"Tch. You're as stubborn as ever, ain't you?" Fuutarou chuckles.
"And Uesugi-san, well..." She blushes a little upon turning to meet his gaze. Her heart thumps much faster than when her sisters shared their feelings with him throughout the show. "Um... It has been a while, hasn't it? Look how far we've come ever since we met, heheh. It's as if... I remember it yesterday too. And yes... It's me. The girl in your photo... Wow it's been more than five whole years as Rena, or Itsuki said, huh?"
"Um.. uh... yeah. It's been a while... hasn't it?" Fuutarou bashfully as Yotsuba wraps his right arm around her own without even thinking twice whilst her sisters chuckle in amusement. In doing so one last memory repeats in both of their eyes at the same time as they close their eyes...
Yotsuba: Uesugi-san? Uesugi-san? UESUGI-SAN!
Fuutarou: Ahh who the heck you?! How do you know what my name is?!
Yotsuba: Shi shi shi!
"Hey teach?" Ichika teases.
"Hmm?" Fuutarou suddenly opens his eyes.
"Your face is all red! You're thinking of something naughty aren't you?!" Nino smugly addresses with a point.
"Fuutarou!" Miku pouts; Itsuki looks away thinking if that was her.
It took Fuutarou at least 30 seconds to process this in his rather dense skull, but after finally getting the message, he overreacts a little; He temporarily shakes Yotsuba off his grasp in embarrassment and makes her let go of him, though it also prompts another wave of laughter from her sisters save for Miku who's still pouting.
"Anyways... happy reunions aside, um..." Fuutarou suddenly continues when the memory finally ends and attempts to change the subject in order to minimize the embarrassment; He also notices Yotsuba reattaching to his right arm despite the initial embarrassment. "I hope we're all still feeling better? A little?" Everyone else nods. "That's good. Um... I mean... how many episodes do we have left?"
"We've just finished episode 11 of the second season, which means there's only one more left." Itsuki confirms, kindly taking a head pat from Fuutarou as a sign of forgiveness. "And yeah... I'm sorry Uesugi-kun. But... as much as I never enjoyed deceiving you, it was also to help the one you truly loved all this while..." She suddenly takes a moment to release some steam over what she just added. "UM NO- I-I mean... T-That aside, after this one, it will be truly over and we will be able to move forward and put all of this behind us, eheh."
"Just in time to get ready to go to bed too. It's getting late." Ichika suddenly yawns. "Good grief. That's the news I want to hear. I'm just amazed that... even after this mountain of a train wreck, we're all somehow still standing together."
"Can't believe it goes to show that our bonds are a lot stronger than we realise, as Fuutarou said in Episode 21." Miku says as her warm but tiny smile returns and brightens the room just a little.
"That's more than great! To be honest I'm ready to put this nonsense to rest so I can steal Fuu-kun from the sister that fell in love with him in the first place." Nino deadpans with a huff; Fuutarou shoots her a dirty look much to her amusement as she becomes the first to sit down alongside Miku, arms wrapped around hers. Then, after a quick minute of silence, Itsuki, Ichika, Fuutarou and Yotsuba shuffle and sit back in their seats in order.
"Are we ready to finish this once and for all? I-I-I know me and Uesugi-san are." Yotsuba shakily asks as she clings on to Fuutarou's right arm like a magnet. Everyone else nods in silence... then, as Fuutarou presses the correct button for once, the final episode of their past lives begins to unravel on their large TV. (Final seating order: Ichika, Yotsuba, Fuutarou, Miku, Nino, Itsuki.)