Ep 14: Seven Goodbyes Part 1
"Shall we continue then, seeing that our moods haven't been affected as much?" Fuutarou asks. "Minus that one girl in my flashbacks..."
"Yes please! I want to know more about how you two met!" Miku pumps excitedly as Yotsuba's ribbon jolts in fear.
"Why is even a question? Of course we want to! I wanna know more about you and the girl you met!" Nino impatiently pushes him as she presses the play button.
"Wasn't that what I just said?" Miku growls at Nino.
"Did you? I didn't hear you say anything." Nino replies back as Miku whacks her face with another pillow.
"Stop it!" Ichika complains again.
"Geez what was that crappy attitude for?! I only wanted to ask!" Fuutarou backlashes as the second episode of Season 2 begins to come to life.
*The Episode begins with Fuutarou staying up all night whilst his father and Raiha are asleep*
Fuutarou: One more week until the final... *Flashbacks to the previous exam results* Their average on the first test was a 20. And on the midterm, they averaged a 26. Which means that at this rate... If nothing else goes wrong we can make it! RIGHT! IF NOTHING GOES WRONG!
"Or so I thought..." Fuutarou mutters pessimistically, as he suddenly remembers how it all fell apart that day.
"Honestly teach, I'm not even gonna question how late you stayed up to do all of this..." Ichika mutters.
"I mean you have to respect his efforts are though. If that was me I wouldn't have been able to finish whatever that was plus his homework in one night." Yotsuba notes, to which Fuutarou beams unnoticeably. Just like how you chose to respect mine!
"True." Miku agrees.
*Cuts to the apartment next night where Itsuki is waiting impatiently*
Itsuki: Looks like he's late. Saturday's our tutoring day. Everybody's waiting for him what the heck is taking him so long… Huh? *She opens the door only to find lying face down on the floor…* UESUGI-KUN?!
Yotsuba gawks in disbelief whilst the three eldest facepalm.
*She rolls him over and he seems to have…*
Itsuki: HE'S DEAD!
Fuutarou with a snot bubble: Zzzzzzzzz...
Itsuki: Never mind he's asleep.
"Well I guess we now know why that was the case..." Itsuki mutters.
*Fuutarou wakes up a while later*
Fuutarou: I did it again... I always get so into my studying the night just flies by!
Itsuki: Well we waited for a long time. But then we had to start without you.
Fuutarou: Uh... sorry. But anyway... I'm determined to make you pass this time!
Itsuki: Uh?
*Fuutarou plops his bag down and unveils... a mountain of papers?!*
Fuutarou: Which is why... I've prepared this.
*Dramatic Itsuki face*
Itsuki: HUHHHHHHH?!
"PFFFFFTTT!" Every single quint immediately lost it over Itsuki's silly face again and drown in their own laughter. The youngest meanwhile, hides her embarrassed face underneath her hands.
"Not again! Seriously?!" Itsuki groans.
Fuutarou: It's a problem set that covers all the topics we can expect to come up! If you guys do well on this you might have a fighting chance!
*He tries to push the papers onto Itsuki who resists*
Itsuki: But I don't know we've already lost so much time! Let's just call it a day!
*And then vice-versa*
Fuutarou: No... way! You're going to them if that's that!
*Itsuki concedes and takes the massive stack whilst she grimaces*
Itsuki: It's massive... Huh? Wait a second... were you up all night because you were working on all of this?
Fuutarou: Maybe but what difference does that make? I can't expect all of you five to put in the effort. I have to be an example as well.
Itsuki: An example huh?
Fuutarou: Well come on. Let's starts before someone flakes.
Itsuki: Uh... ok. I'm right behind you...?
"Wow. So you really stayed up all night just to complete this massive stack of papers?!" Ichika gawks speechless. "I... I don't believe it! You actually...! No wonder why you-"
"Stayed up all night only to fall asleep on the floor? Pretty much." Fuutarou replies. "And yeah as I said, it's not fair that you five have to put in all the effort. I need to do so myself and play my part too."
"And the fact that you did it without a printer... Honestly, that would be my main reason to stay motivated back then I'll give you that." Miku says astonished... but then she glares at Nino. "Unlike..."
*Fuutarou walks over to the living room with Itsuki trailing along as she finally puts up a smile. Only for both of them to notice...*
Fuutarou: Uhh...
Nino: LET... GO OF THE REMOTE, MIKU!
Miku: No! You let go!
Nino: WHAT?! BUT I NEED IT!
Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki immediately facepalm over yet another Nino-Miku bickering recap.
"Ugh..." Fuutarou groans as he too glares at Nino whose mood immediately wilts over what she did that day.
"Ok fine, sorry about that day." Nino growls.
"You don't sound like it right now but ok..." Yotsuba murmurs.
"At least I apologized for my past actions didn't I?!" Nino snaps as she raises her voice a little before Ichika furiously gestures her to keep quiet.
Nino: My favourite actor is on that variety show today and it's on right now!
*She switches the TV to her favourite variety show before Miku snatches the remote*
Miku: Who cares?! There's a documentary I wanna watch! And I can't miss this episode!
*She makes the TV revert to her Sengoku documentary... and then Fuutarou shuts it off*
Fuutarou: No TV it's study time!
The two of them: Huh?! HEY! Uh? Hmph!
*They glance at each other before looking away miserably; Fuutarou then whispers into Ichika's ear*
Fuutarou: Those two always argue! Do they just hate each other?
Ichika: Eh... It's more like... they're a cat and a dog. I mean, look at Nino. She's got a rough exterior but she's actually the most sensitive one. So she's always in a fight.
"At least I can stand up for myself and my friends when were in first year. Unlike Miku when she couldn't, let alone make any friends." Nino bites as Miku follows suit upon realizing that her sister had to reactivate her awful Kurobara memories again.
"Did you really had to remind me of this?" Miku harshly replies. Ichika meanwhile gives Miku a pillow to squeeze in order to ease the tension between the two of them right now... provided that she doesn't hurl it of course.
Ichika: Kay! Let's get back to work! *She walks off... but then turns back* Are you ready, Fuutarou-kun?
Fuutarou: Huh?
Ichika: We have seven days to go! So we're all depending on you right?
Fuutarou: Yeah! This time we'll crush it!
"Or not..." Itsuki groans as she glares at Nino and vice-versa.
"Yeah I know. I honestly don't want to rewatch this too now that I remember it clearly..." Fuutarou agrees.
*The studying session went by smoothly for a couple of hours. Until this happened...*
Nino: Hey! You stole my eraser!
Miku: I just borrowed it.
Nino: Oh yeah?!
*Nino steals Miku's matcha in response*
Miku: Nino that's my drink!
Nino: I'm borrowing it!
*She sips it and...*
Nino: UGH! GROSS!
*Miku pouts as the two of them stare at each other dully*
"What's the point of taking her matcha away if you hate the taste?" Fuutarou just randomly blurts.
"I could say the same for Miku with my black tea." Nino says bluntly.
"Wait since when?" Itsuki cluelessly asks, though Nino doesn't utter a reply.
Fuutarou: I'm glad everyone showed up to study but... now we have a new problem... *Cuts to his slouched back* What am I gonna do...
*And then Yotsuba spawns*
Yotsuba: Hey! I think I have an idea! *Text: 'Operation Everyone-Gets-Along by Yotsuba'* Operation Get Along! If you can find a way to put these two in a good mood hey should stop fighting! Trust me it's totally full proof!
Fuutarou: Ahahaha! *Claps* Wow you're amazing! Great work!
The two of them: Hm?
Fuutarou: You're making progress, both of you are so... uh... studious! What I mean is... your work is... uh good! So... yeah!
Chibi Yotsuba (Thoughts): Man! Wasn't that hard!
Cue Fuutarou cringing internally as he recaps his awful method of trying to appease the bickering pair. Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki meanwhile did their best not to laugh over this in case a volcano erupts.
Miku: Fuutarou? What's wrong?
Nino: Yeah you're creeping me out!
Miku: Mmm! He isn't creepy Nino!
Nino: I'm just saying what we're all thinking!
"Well it wasn't even my thought in the first place..." Ichika murmurs.
"Neither was mine." Yotsuba pouts as she did try her best to steer Fuutarou in the right direction previously.
"You wanna take it back for all three of us there as Miku is about to say on TV?" Itsuki silently whispers.
"Can you three like cut it out with the rebuttals for crying out loud?!" Nino counters embarrassed.
"Can you all shut up please I'm trying to listen!" Fuutarou finally yells as the four of them back off suddenly, even though it's pretty obvious he doesn't want to at this point.
Guess I made the right call not to say anything for once... Miku thinks.
Miku: Take it back! You're going way too far!
Nino: Too far? So you did (Fuutarou: Uhhhh...) think it was a little bit creepy huh?
*And then their stares increased in hostility as Fuutarou withdraws again*
Fuutarou: Nope. What else you got?
*Ichika's turn*
Ichika: Maybe this'll work. *Text: 'Operation Third Force by Ichika'* Operation Third Force! You need to be extremely strict with them! And that way they get a chance to bond over a common enemy. There's nothing like sure hatred to bring people closer!
Fuutarou: Sigh...
Ichika: What's wrong?
Fuutarou: I don't know... they're doing the best they can for once so I wouldn't feel right about punishing them.
Itsuki: That might be the most human thing I've ever heard you say!
"Was that an insult or a compliment? Cause I still don't know even to this day." Fuutarou asks Itsuki.
"Uh... a mix of both but more the latter?" Itsuki replies, unsure of how to properly express her emotions in accordance with her response.
*A while later though*
Fuutarou: Come on is that all of you slugs have managed to do so far?!
The two of them: Uh?
Fuutarou: Whatever I shouldn't have expected much from a couple of half-wits like you so why am I so surprised? Oh wait no you're not half-wits IT'S MORE LIKE YOU'RE SHARING A SINGLE BRAIN CELL!
Chibi Ichika (Thoughts): I kinda feel like he's enjoying this!
"Well I'm definitely not for sure!" Yotsuba panics over Fuutarou's overreactive attempt.
"Geez Yotsuba! Again! And yeah I was really hurt by this too!" Miku pouts.
"Next time... stick with Yotsuba's suggestion. You went way too far on this one for sure." Itsuki concludes as Fuutarou cringes again.
Nino: Don't bother barking at me I'm almost done! See?!
Fuutarou: Uh... That part's not on the test.
*Nino looks through her book again*
Nino: Really?! Oh shoot...
Miku: Nino... I wish you'd take this seriously.
*And then Nino reaches her breaking point*
"No wait, please... not this again don't show me..." Nino groans as she sort of hides her face under her hands, wishing that she can change what her past self has done to the others... though her finger create tiny gaps that allowed a small portion of her squinting, navy eyes to continue watching the TV.
"Well there's nothing we can do about this even if we wanted to ok? It's just a CD containing our recaps. Even if you wanted to change yourself in the past they're not real anymore." Ichika says to her younger sis.
"That doesn't mean I still don't want to recall this awful moment again along with you all! Not especially with what Itsuki did to me back then!" Nino whimpers. Itsuki meanwhile, realized what Nino meant and her mood also sours.
Nino: Oh yeah? Well I would if I could! But it's so boring! I'll go study in my room.
Fuutarou: Hey! Wait!
*Nino walks off as Fuutarou slams his papers and startles Miku*
Fuutarou: Urgggghh! A whole copy gone to waste!
Itsuki: Try not to lose your patience ok? You're setting an example. We'll flunk without you.
Fuutarou: Yeah...
"I'm honestly not sure which is worse: The naked scenes or the one we're about to rewatch in front of our faces right now..." Fuutarou groans as he notices that Nino and Itsuki have hit their lowest points of the season.
Fuutarou: Hang on, Nino. Our day's just started. Stick around for a bit! Everyone's behind. So don't put yourself further than behind!
*And Nino's pent-up frustrations give way as she turns around to berate Fuutarou*
Nino: Don't speak to me! You don't know anything! I'm not taking this from you! You're just a tutor that our father hired! An outsider!
*Miku then steps up and attempts to hand Nino her neatly organized papers*
Miku: Here. Fuutarou was nice enough to make this for us. So please take it!
Nino: Why should I care if he made some stupid worksheets?! It's not like I need them!
*She slaps the pile away, causing it to topple in a bundle of papers on the floor and everyone else stares in surprise.*
Ichika: Woah hey! Let's all take a step back!
Fuutarou: Yeah guys! Just relax!
Nino's quivering begins to increase in intensity as the other five could finally hear her muffles of regret coming from underneath her hands. Yotsuba and Ichika ready themselves just in case she decides to blow up.
Miku: Nino... *She gives off a harsh glare* pick those up!
Nino: Ngh! Why are you so obsessed with these papers?! He showed up late too!
"But now we know why..." Miku murmurs as she helplessly watches her sister tremble.
Nino: You're just a loser! You think you're helping us learn?! Get a grip!
*She mercilessly rips one of Fuutarou's papers in half as Miku prepares to confront her directly, if it wasn't for Fuutarou blocking her way*
"No, no, no stop it... stop it! STOP IT! STOP THE TV! I-I-I'M NOT LIKE THIS ANYMORE P-P-PLEASE!" Nino muffles as she finally closes her hands and buries herself into a ball in terror upon hearing the sound of ripped up sheets that Fuutarou spent hours trying to write up. It was also at this point that Itsuki shuts her eyes too in shame as she braces for what she did next.
Miku: Nino...!
Fuutarou: Uh?! Uh... Don't worry about me...
*Itsuki walks up to Nino... and bitch slaps her super hard, that she leaves a red mark on the former's left cheek; Everyone else watches in shock*
The slap made by Itsuki was so powerful that it resonated not only on the TV's sturdy speakers but across the entire section of the living room as well as the eardrums of everyone on the couch. And all that Ichika, Yotsuba, Miku and Fuutarou could do in response was to flinch like there was no tomorrow; Nino and Itsuki kept their eyes shut for the entire time being so they didn't follow suit.
"Yikes. Did they have to make that so dramatic?" Yotsuba whispers as to not tick anyone even further.
Itsuki: Nino... Tell him you're sorry! *But all Nino gave in return was another slap, though Itsuki wasn't fazed* Do it... you owe him!
Nino: Come on! Since when are you siding with this idiot?! He's got you guys wrapped around his little finger, Itsuki! And over what a bunch of trash?
Itsuki: No... it's not trash! *She holds a paper in front of Nino as the latter takes a closer look* He doesn't have a printer or a copier at his place. He wrote this by hand. All five copies.
Nino: Yeah so what?!
"Before...b-b before you get any ideas... I'm not like... I-I'm not..." Nino chokes as she struggles to hold in her sorrow.
"We get it ok? We never wanted to revel in this again too Nino. We all get why you don't want us to be distant from each other back then but it's already over. Please." Miku tries to reassure as she pats her.
Itsuki: So we should put in as much effort as he did! Please it's the least we can do, Nino!
Nino: It's not like I...
*She glances to Ichika and Yotsuba*
Ichika: Nino...
*And then to Miku*
Miku: Just accept it already!
Nino: ...I get it! All of you are gonna choose him over me! Ok... then I'm going to move out!
Fuutarou: What are you talking about?!
Nino: I've been planning on it for a while now... This place is getting on my nerves!
Itsuki: Nino! *She walks after her* Stop and think about how our mother would feel! Don't do this!
Nino: Our mom's gone, Itsuki so stop trying to be a replacement for her!
Itsuki: Uh?!
Fuutarou: Huh?
Well now that I've seen the first season, I'm pretty sure Uesugi-san's mother wouldn't like it either! Yotsuba thinks.
"Oh. Was that way she was like this? Because she doesn't want you all to go your separate ways either now that your mother has passed away?" Fuutarou finally realises.
"I know what you're trying to refer to but we'll talk about this once we find an open window ok, teach? Now's not a good opportunity to do so, considering Nino and Itsuki-chan's moods right now..." Ichika points out as Itsuki's whimpers suddenly increase in volume.
"Good point." Fuutarou says.
Yotsuba: Think about what you're doing!
Ichika: She's right! We can talk this out!
Nino: She was the one who hit me first remember?! You expect me to sit here and take abuse from this domestic evil meat monster?!
"NO! WHY?!" Itsuki screams under her hands as she sniffles.
"Calm down Itsuki it's not real!" Miku speaks up as she hugs her.
Itsuki: Meat... monster?! REALLY?! Ugh! Fine! If I'm so terrible then I'll move out too!
Nino: Perfect! The door's that way!
Fuutarou: Crap, what do I do?! *The next thing Fuutarou knows is that there are only three quints left in the apartment as the scene turns dark and gloomy before fading to black* I didn't hear anything else until the next day... when Miku let me know that both of them actually had left home.
"Ok I'm not sure if it's just me but I felt like these meat monster lines sounded a hundred times worse on TV than in person." Fuutarou cringes as he pauses the TV.
"I'm pretty sure it's not you this time." Yotsuba grimaces alongside him she suddenly turns to the curled up duo in silence alongside the others. "Nino... Itsuki..."
There was no movement for about 15 seconds, before both Nino and Itsuki shakily peek their heads up. They were still shuddering tentatively as Ichika and Miku respectively latched onto them to prevent their tears from getting the better of them. The former two's eyes were watery but thankfully not to the point where they could create waterfalls for the time being.
"I... I'm..." Nino tries to speak up, albeit unsuccessfully now that she has witnessed her past actions flash before her poor eyes.
"Nino, please. Calm down." Ichika assures before she turns to Itsuki. "You too Itsuki-chan, even though we all knew you were trying your best to uphold our mother's example."
"But still! She called me..." Itsuki whimpers as Miku keeps holding onto her. "She called me a meat monster to my face! Like how Uesugi-kun called me fat! Don't you think that's a little too far to be doing so?!"
"Itsuki! Stop being so sensitive and get a grip already!" Miku firmly tells her. "Nino's not like this anymore ok? She's a completely different person than she was last year and we all know it! Moreso, we're all aware that what you both done has already been done! Please you two. Just accept that it's over! Like what Fuutarou, Ichika and Yotsuba have agreed to!"
Neither of the two unstable quintuplets were able to say anything as they struggled not to cry. Despite this though, they managed to take breather as they detached themselves of the sisters hugging them and stared at each other with guilty looks. "Sorry... for that day..." They both mutters before they finally to a compromise and withdrew with shameful expressions reeling within them.
"Sigh... Well I'm glad that you two were able to forgive each other faster this time. That aside though..." Fuutarou tries to speak up. But after glancing at the two unstable quintuplets, he decided to hold it off for the time being as he glanced back to the TV. At least...
"What's with the incomplete sentence you jerk?! I thought you wanted to know why I was like this since the time we both met?!" Nino harshly grumbles.
"I mean I was but..." He replies, though Nino completely ignores him. "Just calm down and-"
"Look I heard you asking for it, so shut up until I've revealed my reasons on why I was like this in the past! So that maybe you could understand me a little more!" Nino interrupts before she shuts her eyes and flashbacks to the day where her sisters grew up to be independent ladies prior to their mother's death. Her tone noticeably softens during this time as well.
"Nino..." Fuutarou murmurs before Ichika places a hand on his right shoulder.
"Just let her speak for the time being. If she never trusted you up until now she wouldn't have offered to do so. I'm sure you'll come to understand." Ichika replies as the former sister begins.
"Ever since... our mother died from her illness, Fuu-kun..." Nino begins. "...The five of us have struggled to live up to her sake to this day, especially considering that... none of us, especially Itsuki, were willing to part with her." Her mind then flashbacks to the scene she just watched. "I myself was concerned that... my sisters would be the ones separating. I feared that... the bond between us five would come to an end, especially when they take interest with people outside our family like you. Like that scene where I said 'All of you are going to choose him over me'."
"I see." Fuutarou says as he listens.
"As for Itsuki, I remember her saying that she wanted to take the role of being a mother seriously. It was my fault for not remembering, or rather, accepting the fact that she was just telling me to be an example too. I felt really stupid, no... I felt powerless... when I thought the four of you were standing beside him."
"But that's because Uesugi-san's trying to help us not just academically, but to repair the love between us. He wasn't that kind of person you originally thought of. Even all of his actions says so." Yotsuba says.
"Most." Miku corrects her. "Unlike some of those moments in Season 1."
"My point exactly. Yet I didn't recognise it until that one meeting with Fuu-kun." Nino replies as she turns to Fuutarou again. "You remember that day, right, where I finished the sheet that you gave me whilst I moved out?"
"Yeah. I do." Fuutarou replies. "And I respect why you chose to amend yourself. That's really something."
The other quints also join in to listen to what their sister has to say alongside Fuutarou. Inside her head, Nino's mind shifts from the recaps of her stubbornness to her time with her sisters and how her character was built.
"Back to my past attitude towards Fuu-kun... Ever since our first year in high school, part of the reasons why I didn't like you was because of dad. He is really stern and it seemed at first glance that due to this, I felt like the five of us didn't get the freedom to choose our paths back then. When I heard you were going to be our tutor I thought that dad just hired you not because you were a good fit for us, but the fact that you would enlarge the rift between me and my sisters even further." She pauses to glance at Fuutarou again to make sure has hasn't lost interest, before flashing back her hostile interactions with Fuutarou. "I noticed how much the others were becoming dependant on you which scared me a lot, seeing that the five of us has been growing distant as time flew by. The thought of being fully separated, the thought of being alone for once, was why I was so fixated on their safety, rather than focusing on improving my own scores and maintaining the relationship between myself and the others. Hence... I never found a chance to let go of the past. I didn't at least... until I realised you were Kintarou-kun. There. I've said what I've need to say. Hope you're happy."
There was a moment of silence as Nino fades back to the present and grimaces. The next she sees however, was Fuutarou giving her a headpat for her courageous story, surprising her a little. "Fuu-kun..."
"Geez. You're so stubborn as always, Nino. And super tough too." Fuutarou teases as he forms a rare smile. "Yeah sure you can be an absolute dunce sometimes even when I prove that I have none of those intentions you have hoarding in your head and all with getting a grip on your past..."
"I thought I said I was done and take it in for yourself? I don't need your stupid little-" Nino blurts out as Fuutarou carries on.
"But honestly, I'd say you made the right choice to accept and let go after all. But even so... that's something that I admire within you. Your steadfast attitude, your will to provide protection for your sisters, not to mention, your love for them... it just goes to show... how vulnerable you actually are sometimes. That's what makes you strong in the end, Nino. And yeah, sometimes it's better to take a moment to listen to your sisters, even if... even if you disagree with them, find some way to come to terms faster next time."
As soon as Nino hears Fuutarou's second part of his response, she just gazes at him and her equally gushing sisters whilst she suddenly turns red in embarrassment. To hear that coming from the person she once hated the most is like... it's like... well... her brain has suddenly combusted over the barrage of emotions that have resurfaced. "Um... well I... um... just... just shut up Fuu-kun! I don't need some haughty advice from you from the time being, not that I'm reverting back of course um...!" She bashfully muffles as she hides her face in embarrassment.
"Ahaha! Isn't it cute that Nino has become so vulnerable all of a sudden?" Yotsuba giggles as everyone nods.
"And Itsuki." Fuutarou then turns to the youngest. "I'm aware of how hard it is to be a parental figure when you are clearly the youngest of the five. Trust me: Sometimes I struggle to set an example even for Raiha too when you already could take my spot. Your mother would be proud of you nonetheless. But please. Don't just always resort to violence to discipline your sisters. And yeah. You're already a great parental figure to both me and Raiha. Thank you, as always."
"Uh what?" Itsuki gushes surprised as she too, blushes, though she doesn't hide her face unlike Nino. "Uh... ok...? Your... welcome?"
"Aww don't be shy, Itsuki-chan. And yeah. Thank you Fuutarou-kun, for keeping our bond in check despite not being part of the family. We all owe you a handful." Ichika beams.
"Yeah. You clearly exceeded not just ours but dad's expectation too. From a simple tutor to the saviour of our bonds... I'm sure he'd be proud of you too." Miku smiles.
"Heh. No worries at all, girls. Anyways, let me know when are you all ready to continue." Fuutarou says as he keeps his finger on the play button.
"I'm fine to keep going." Ichika pipes up.
"Same here." Yotsuba says.
"Yep." Miku adds.
"I guess so?" Itsuki says hesitantly.
"Nino? You ready to continue?" Fuutarou asks her.
"J... just do it without me." Nino muffles as a pang of guilt remains in her as she struggles not to cry again.
"I'll take that as a yes then." Fuutarou says as his index finger, channelled by his tiny, but powerful muscles due to all the writing he had to do over the years, presses down with enough force on the play button as the TV resumes.
*The next day, it's just Fuutarou and Miku walking on the streets*
Fuutarou: So... does this happen a lot?
Miku: We're sisters. It's not rare. But... this time it feels kinda different for some reason. Ichika and Yotsuba tried to talk some sense into them... but it didn't work. It's like they think whoever comes home first is the loser.
*Text messages sent: "Where are you now?", Yotsuba: "We're worried. Come home!", Ichika: "Please make up", Nino: "No. Stop contacting me", Itsuki: I have no intention of going home, either. I'm sorry for causing the rest of you to worry, but I'm not coming home until Nino apologizes*
Fuutarou: Sounds about right.
"No one will be a loser if they come home first as long as you two are fine, trust me." Fuutarou says.
"I know..." Itsuki guilty says.
Fuutarou: Are they... out searching?
Miku: No they said they had stuff to do. I think Ichika has to go to work.
No surprised on what piques her curiosity, let alone her ribbons... Fuutarou thinks.
Fuutarou: So it's up to you and me to track down the runaways huh?
Miku: We can do this, Fuutarou!
Fuutarou: Yeah!
*Or not...*
Miku: *Pant* I'm... I'm so tired already *Pant*!
Fuutarou: Well *Pant* you and I are the weakest onto the group *Pant*.
Ichika and Yotsuba laugh slightly over the duo's awful stamina. Nino and Itsuki meanwhile still remained silent for the time being as the former finally perks her head up slowly.
*Miku has an idea*
Miku: I've got this! *She approaches a crowd* Have you seen a girl with this face come by?
Fuutarou: Sometimes being identical comes in handy!
Woman: Yes! I think I saw her at the hotel I'm staying at!
Fuutarou: *Gasp* IT MUST BE NINO!
"Smart." Yotsuba says out loud.
"Well it wasn't that difficult to do." Miku points out.
*And then, at the hotel as Miku and Fuutarou walk into her room whilst she, um...*
Nino: Ugh?! Hey! Why are you here?! Who let you guys in?!
Miku: I told them I forgot my keys in my room and they opened it for me.
Nino: So much for security!
"Pfft!" Yotsuba couldn't help but blow a small raspberry over this, though Nino replies with a scowl.
Miku: Nino... about yesterday-
Nino: Go away! I've nothing left to say to either of you two!
*She pushes the duo out and tries to slam the door on them... only for Fuutarou to keep it open, though his arm gets caught and he flails it helplessly; His charm is also shown*
"Ugh no..." Nino groans as she trembles and arches her face down yet again.
Fuutarou: AGH! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO CARED THE MOST ABOUT YOUR SISTERS! ABOUT YOUR HOME!
Nino: Ugh... I told you stop talking like you understand us! You don't get a say in this! Especially because this is all your fault! You should have never barged into our lives!
"Nino, please. It's already happened." Fuutarou reassures as he joins Ichika to pat her quivering shoulder, though her words still stung like a honeybee on his neck.
"But still!" Nino muffles, already wishing that this wasn't shown.
*Nino spots the charm and flashback to the ski trip where her life was saved*
Nino: Give that back it's mine!
Fuutarou: HEY!
*And Nino finally slams the door shut as she clutches the charm in her hands*
Nino: Oh Kintarou-kun...
*The scene fades to black before showing that the evening has arrived, plus the warning sign of the quint's home*
Fuutarou: We know where Nino is, but no luck with Itsuki.
"You can relax now, Nino. It's all over." Fuutarou says as Nino suddenly pushes his and Ichika's arms away.
"I don't trust what you said for the time being but ok..." Nino grumbles as her face is partially stained by her tears as she looks back up.
Fuutarou: There's not much more we can do today. Might as well call it a night. I'm sure she's fine. Probably did the same thing.
Miku: Actually, I doubt that.
Fuutarou: Um?
Miku: She forgot her purse back at our place.
Fuutarou: Seriously?
Itsuki grimaces as everyone else gives off a nervous look at her. Everyone except one of them who gave the purse to her out of sight.
"I can't believe you managed to survive without it." Ichika notes.
"Not exactly. I think one of you gave it to me the next day or something?" Itsuki says. She didn't exactly specify who it was, but she herself knew who did so.
*Cuts back to Fuutarou's home at night*
Fuutarou: I'm home.
Raiha: Hey welcome back, Onii-chan!
"Eh? Even Raiha-chan's eyes are now yellow!" Yotsuba suddenly notes.
"But why?" Ichika asks.
"Was there a studio change or something in that universe?" Fuutarou nonchalantly asks. "Because that's probably my theory."
"Possibly." Miku says as she looks at Fuutarou's golden eyes right now. "Honestly, though. I think you look better with yellow eyes than blue."
"Same. They look so sparkly in my opinion." Nino remarks as her mood sort improves. The others nod in agreement.
"Aww please." Fuutarou blushes.
Fuutarou: Mmm smells good. Curry right?
Raiha: Yep! We just started eating! Haha!
*She runs off as Fuutarou's stomach growls*
Fuutarou (Thoughts): I'm so hungry. I bet she is too…
*Hallucinates Itsuki sleeping on a bench and surrounded by pigeons.*
"Aww, even Uesugi-san was worried about you starving." Yotsuba says.
Itsuki glares at Fuutarou for that homeless imagination but chose not to say anything for the time being as her re-entrance unfolds on screen.
Eatsuki: Raiha-chan.
Fuutarou: Huh?
Eatsuki: Do you mind if I get seconds?
*Fuutarou makes his 'Hitler' face.*
"PFFFT! What kind of face was that, Fuu-kun?!" Nino bawls as she and her sisters are suddenly thrown into hysterics at the sight of Fuutarou's face, including Itsuki even though she saw it herself before.
Did I really make that kind of face?! Fuutarou cringes as his cheeks turn bright red.
Raiha: Go for it!
Eatsuki: T-Thanks for having me…
*A few minutes later, Itsuki finishes taking her shower*
Itsuki: I'm all clean. I appreciate you letting me take my bath first.
Isanari: What do ya think of our nice, big bath, Itsuki?
Itsuki: It's so tiny! I mean... i-it's very cosy and relaxing thank you!
Isanari: Hahaha! Isn't it? Alright Raiha you ready for your bath?
Raiha: Yeah!
Isanari: Bath time bath time!
Raiha: Bath time bath time!
Isanari: Bath time bath time!
Raiha: Bath time bath time!
"Ughhhhhhhh stop embarrassing me..." Fuutarou groans even more as he hides his darkened face in embarrassment whilst the others minus an equally embarrassed Itsuki stop laughing and glare with berserk smiles on their faces.
*Itsuki and Fuutarou nervously stare at each other before they immediately look away*
Itsuki: Listen-
Fuutarou: Itsuki-
Itsuki: Um... you first.
Fuutarou: What is she doing here?! This is an invasion of privacy! I kind of understand how Nino feels!
"Itsuki?" Miku scowls.
"Fufu~ So... did you two perhaps get really intimate off screen whilst we were all looking for you?" Ichika teases, causing both Itsuki and Fuutarou to cringe even more.
"ON WHAT PLANE DID YOU FIND THIS STUPID IDEA?!" Itsuki panics as she raises her voice whilst her ahoge staggers.
"You have your reasons for staying over at Fuu-kun's house after we left home, let alone have seconds over there rather than over what I cooked right?! What have you got to say about these two? Let me guess: You're gonna say Raiha-chan's cooking is better than mine huh?" Nino sneers with a rather furious grin on her face.
"U-u-u-Uesugi-kun's home was the only place I could find refuge in! I felt scared and lonely after I left you four until I found Raiha-chan and she offered to let me stay! And besides, I only had seconds because I never ate lunch that day seeing that I forgot my purse! I never said your cooking tasted awful, Nino!" Itsuki tries to reason.
"That doesn't mean you are always permitted to stay in my house all of a sudden!" Fuutarou scowls as Itsuki furiously slams a pillow into his face.
"Hey if it wasn't for Raiha-chan being a kind-hearted soul unlike you then I wouldn't have asked to stay there!" Itsuki bites back.
"And? Did you two perhaps do something even naughtier, hmm?" Ichika presses as she reflexively blocks Itsuki's second supersonic pillow with her right hand, though she recoiled a little from the impact.
"What?! Since when the hell did I ask?!" Itsuki yells.
"Ok, ok please! Calm down everyone! Let's just focus on the TV for the time being rather than to start a fight again!" Yotsuba tries to appease everyone, which somehow worked on all except the two who just fought in the episode as they continued to glare with hostile intent yet again at each other. Man I love how everyone has forgotten Uesugi-san's motivating words and nearly gone into another fallout!
Raiha: Onii-chan can you bring out the bedding?
Itsuki: Oh. I'll get it myself.
Fuutarou: Is she seriously staying over?! *Instant realisation* Wait a second... I just remembered dad's gonna be leaving for work soon!
*Cuts to the three of them sleeping in their futons, though Fuutarou and Ichika couldn't sleep*
Raiha: I know! Let's all sleep side by side!
Fuutarou: We can't go on like this! What do I say?
"The three magic words?" Ichika grins as Itsuki suddenly hurls a third pillow that the former was unprepared for right into her face.
"Alright Ichika, stop." Miku suggests.
Itsuki: Uesugi-kun? Can you hear me?
Fuutarou: Uh... um yeah. I'm still awake.
Itsuki: I'm sorry for dropping in on you. And for yesterday. I have something I need to you talk to you about.
*Raiha stirs in her sleep as Itsuki gets up*
Fuutarou: Uh?
Itsuki: Come on! We should take a walk.
"Before you even dare to judge me or Uesugi-kun, no, this wasn't even a mini-date ok? I just wanted to discuss the problems bubbling between the five of us that night." Itsuki sternly says before anyone else including Fuutarou could speak up.
*Later outside on the walking track*
Itsuki: Wow look at that! The moon's especially bright tonight isn't it?
Fuutarou: Eh. Looks like a moon.
Itsuki: Sheesh have a little class.
Fuutarou: I don't need to hear about class from you Itsuki. *Cue Eatsuki with her beloved curry* I saw you inhale that curry.
Itsuki: AH?! Hey! Don't judge me! I hadn't eaten in a whole day!
"Yeah we can't believe you still had nerves of steel to ask for seconds at a poor family's house!" Nino scowls.
"Didn't you hear what I said about having seconds on TV?! And weren't we all in Uesugi-kun's shoes back then whilst we were little?" Itsuki fumes as Nino ignores her remark. Yotsuba though, felt her stomach lurching over Itsuki's second question.
Fuutarou: You should go home tomorrow. Miku's worried sick.
Itsuki: I can't this time. I'm going to stand my ground until Nino apologizes! Then again, I can't keep burdening your family either. I'll be gone in the morning I promise!
Fuutarou: Ok you'll leave and go where? You don't even have you purse with you!
*Itsuki panic attack*
Itsuki: GAH! You're right! Please let me stay a little longer I'll help out however I can!
Fuutarou: FORGET IT JUST GO HOME! BESIDES I DON'T THINK A WELL-TO-DO PRINCESS LIKE YOU CAN HANDLE THE WAY WE LIVE!
"Yeesh! What was that unnecessary crappy attitude for?!" Ichika grimaces as Itsuki scowls at Fuutarou.
"Rich or poor I would happily accept anyone suffering like her even if it's just for a few days!" Yotsuba adds.
Itsuki: It's not like I've always been rich!
Fuutarou: Uh?
Itsuki: Up until a few years ago, our family's way of life was pretty similar to yours.
Fuutarou: Uh... Wait for real?
"It's true. Before we met our father we were in a similar situation just like you, Fuutarou." Miku pipes up.
"Kind of like what I mentioned during my explanation earlier too." Nino agrees.
*Cuts back to the past where the young quints were with their mother when she was alive*
Itsuki: Before our mom married our stepfather, we were living in poverty. How could we not? She was raising the five little girls completely on her own.
*Another scene where her mother hugs her five daughters*
Rena Nakano: Nothing in the whole world would make me happier than for the five of you to grow up healthy and taken care of.
"OH MY GOD MOM! IT'S REALLY YOU! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!" The five quints scream as they started to shed tears after hearing her voice again on TV. Fuutarou meanwhile, gasps in awe.
"So that's your mother?" Fuutarou says amazed, even though he didn't really see her face clearly. Minus her red hair, her selfless behaviour kind of reminds him of his own mother too, the way she cherish her daughters was similar to how his cherish him and Raiha before she died in the accident.
Itsuki: She worked hard to provide for all of us. Until one day, when she fell terribly ill.
"Was that why... Nino?" Fuutarou tries to ask her, only to witness her tears run loose across her scowl. "Oh um... sorry. Forget that I asked." In fact, all five girls look like they've hit a wall as their emotions of sorrow run loose.
"It's *Sniff* It's been so long... since I heard our mother's beautiful voice though." Ichika sobs as she wipes her tears with a tissue. "We're doing fine mom. I hope... *Sniff* I hope you're doing well on the other side. I hope you are."
"Now *Sniff* I'm... Now I'm imagining our mom would... *Sniff* somehow... be alive in the other dimension. I don't know why..." Miku weeps.
"Shut up, Miku and face the facts already! Even... *Sniff*... even if you... *Hic* even if you think that she's alive over there... she's not coming back as I said!" Nino chokes.
"Did I... *Sniff* Did I even ask?!" Miku counters.
Yotsuba though... whilst she kept her mouth shut, she felt like she was the most impacted by this recap of what her mother said before she died. And all because... she fully understand the concept of it... until it was too late. Mom... forgive me please. I... I feel like I've failed you. I'm so sorry...
Itsuki: She inspired me to look after my sisters in her place and that's what I've always tried to do. But lately... *Her ahoge droops* it hasn't worked out the way I planned...
Fuutarou: I see. *Flashbacks to the slap* She was stern with Nino because she was acting like a parent.
"So that's why you slapped Nino huh? You wanted to act like a mother for once despite being the youngest of the five of us?" Yotsuba sniffles as she stops crying. Itsuki nods sorrowfully in response. "I see."
Fuutarou: So you're playing mom huh? Alright. Then guess I'll play the dad role.
Itsuki: Huh? What are you saying?
Fuutarou: Well... I mean what the hell is your stepfather been up to during all this drama? He should have been involved in this from the beginning! *He pauses to glance at the water* I'll just think of it as my tutoring job.
"And I'm glad you are even to this day." Miku smiles as she glances at Fuutarou... who seemed to have phased out as he struggles to hold in his tears too. "Fuutarou?"
*Fuutarou then flashbacks to the day he met that girl*
Fuutarou: 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.
*Itsuki gasps*
Everyone gasps alongside Itsuki onscreen over what Fuutarou said... minus Yotsuba who felt her stomach being penetrated by Fuutarou's reasoning yet again as the flashback was recalled before her eyes.
"Ah. So that's why you were so focused on studying!" Nino marvels. "You wanted to be someone that others could rely on huh? Well... that feels rather heartwarming... coming from what I thought as a useless jerk previously. I guessed I shouldn't have judged your book by its cover huh?" She turns to Fuutarou who doesn't respond. "Please Fuu-kun. We're all with you this time, ok?"
"Hey teach? You there?" Ichika soothingly asks Fuutarou as she and Miku move in to comfort him.
"I'm still here. Just... I just don't know what to say right now..." Fuutarou weakly responds.
"Your mother would be just as proud as ours for keeping up this habit of yours." Itsuki reassures. "Trust me: If there's one thing our mothers would love to see, it's us maintaining our happiness with you... And the fact that you've helped us pass our academics of course. Don't beat yourself over it just because yours wasn't shown ok?"
Fuutarou shifts his golden eyes towards Itsuki, before noticing Ichika and Miku edging closer to comfort him. As they do so, he gives off a tiny but barely noticeable smile. "Thank girls... I owe you lot one too."
Itsuki: Ok... but having you as our father?
Fuutarou: Shut up! Don't be a brat!
*Itsuki giggles a little*
Itsuki: Anyways… *She looks up at the full moon* The full moon really is gorgeous tonight.
*Fuutarou makes another silly, if not shocked, face*
All the quints minus Yotsuba suddenly felt their jaws drop in shock at Itsuki's indirect confession and gave of a 'GACK' each; Fuutarou only just gave her the same look he gave on TV.
"ITSUKI?!" Nino yells as Yotsuba instantly restrains her before she can go too far. "So much for a 'mini-date!'"
"Eh? Did I say something wrong?" Itsuki asks her sisters as she stares at her big sisters confused. "All I said was the full moon was beautiful! What are you all-"
"Umm, actually…" Miku replies as she attempts to hold in her anger. "There was a different meaning to what you just said to Fuutarou."
"What?" Itsuki ponders. "I don't get why you're all so-"
"Search it up if you want but... That phrase is uhh… a more… what should I say… a phrase that more reserved couples used to say when they're together." Ichika mutters.
"And especially when under a full moon, like you two back then, um... Itsuki…" Yotsuba attempts to continue as Itsuki whip out her phone. "In other words, it means that you said to Uesugi-san…"
As Itsuki searches up what the meaning of her phrase on her phone, which apparently was 'I love you', she blushes instantly as she releases a truckload of high-pitched squeals and flails her arms rapidly. "UH I-I-I DIDN'T KNOW BACK THEN OK?! U-U-U-UESUGI-K-K-KUN PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT LITERALLY I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO CONFESS-"
"Too late Itsuki-chan. Now that you've confessed to him, you're officially part of the race too!" Ichika points to her with a competitive smile on her face. "You better keep up your guard ok? We're all gonna be in the same boat"
"Yeah! Bring it on Itsuki! No matter what happens, we won't lose to you either!" Nino grins at her youngest sis as she suddenly relaxes. "Though, even though I'm letting this slide, I still won't forgive you for that ok?"
"Uhh... um..." Itsuki continues to stutter as her ahoge continuously releases steam.
Maybe I should have rejected my tutoring after all and find some better jobs… Fuutarou wonders as he lowers his head and witnesses his sanity drop below his threshold in a while.
Fuutarou: Look you still have a ton of studying to do...
Itsuki: Don't bring that up now!
*All of a sudden, the pair hear some rustling in the bushes*
Fuutarou: UNGH?
Itsuki: What happened?!
Fuutarou: I get the feeling we're not alone here!
Itsuki: What?! Don't talk like that you're scaring me!
Fuutaoru: Itsuki! (Itsuki: AH?!) Go see who's (Itsuki UGH!) there!
Itsuki: This isn't very fatherly of you!
Fuutarou: THAT'S IRRELEVANT!
Itsuki: AAAAHH-HAAAAAH!
"Ironic." Nino mutters.
"Who or what even was that?" Miku asks.
"Not a single clue since we both ran off that day." Itsuki replies... but deep down she knew who it was specifically that night. Because she received her purse, let alone didn't run off too.
Should I tell Uesugi-san that I...? Yotsuba thinks in her dizzy head right now. Nah. Maybe not, as usual...
*The next day*
Fuutarou: Itsuki, you're being weird!
Chibi Itsuki: Stop it you can't talk to me out in public! What if someone sees us and thinks that we're walking to school together?!
Fuutarou: Wow. You're the worst.
"Seriously, Itsuki? We've been out in public with Fuutarou several times and we've never had this sort of problem before!" Miku pouts.
"Yeah, yeah I was acting like a jerk ok?" Itsuki grumbles back.
Fuutarou: I don't mind you going straight there from my place but what about your books?
Itsuki: Not a problem. I bumped into Yotsuba yesterday so I just asked her to bring them to me.
Fuutarou: And you didn't think to ask her to bring your purse?
Itsuki: Ah heh... Well I did think about that after the fact. But I got the feeling she was too busy.
Fuutarou: Oh yeah she wasn't at the house yesterday either. I wonder what's up?
Itsuki: Uh... Wait, you don't know?
Fuutarou: Huh?
*Later on the track, where Fuutarou is wrangling a pair of bunny ribbons…*
Triggered Fuutarou: YOU MEAN YOU AGREED TO HELP THE TRACK TEAM?! (Yotsuba: mmMMMMmmMMMM!) IT'S CRUNCH TIME REMEMBER?!
Yotsuba: Yeah I know I'm sorry!
"Wow. Smooth." Nino grumbles.
"I couldn't afford turn down the offer made by Eba though!" Yotsuba tries to reason.
"And you ended up biting off more than you could chew in the process." Miku reminds her.
Yotsuba: I turned them down the first time they asked me but then they said they wouldn't *Her ribbon droops* make it to the marathon if I didn't step in!
*Fuutarou latches his hands onto Yotsuba's ribbons and readjusts them*
Fuutarou: Helpful to a fault as always. Go tell them you quit. You might as well nip this in the butt now alright?
Yotsuba: I'm sorry for keeping it a secret. But... I swear I've been working on your problems at my free time!
But deep down, Yotsuba knew that this wasn't even close to being the biggest secret she has been hiding from Fuutarou all this time. There was something... even bigger that she has been concealing under her own, honest façade since the start of all this.
*The track team captain, Eba, appears*
Eba: Hey Nakano!
The two: Uh?
Eba: We're getting back to practise now!
Yotsuba: Cool! I promise I'll give it my best shot!
Fuutarou: Uh-?! Wait I'm not done talking to you! Don't run away!
*And RIP Fuutarou's stamina again*
Fuutarou: GRAGGHH! *Panting intensifies* She's gone!
"Well we did warn you that saying no has always been a weakness of hers." Miku speaks softly.
Fuutarou doesn't really say much as he lets off a deep sigh whilst the others take notice.
*As Fuutarou shakily stands back up, Nino appears*
Fuutarou: Huh? Nino! Thank goodness I found you! Listen just go home alright? You could patch things up with your sisters, it'll be like old times!
"Is it, me?" Fuutarou whispers to himself as his grimace suddenly appears. Because even he knows that these final days are not like the old times anymore.
"Uh, teach?" Ichika nervously asks. "Is something wrong?"
Nino. Ok fine. I'll go home.
Fuutarou: I'm so glad! *She meant the hotel lol* DAMN IT NOT THE HOTEL!
Nino wanted to laugh out loud over Fuutarou's silly reaction. At least, until he saw his unpleasant grimace and decided that it was best not to do so.
*Fuutarou is blocked by some guards as Nino heads back up into the room*
Fuutarou: Nino! What are you gonna do about your exams?!
Guard 1: Calm down sir!
Guard 2: You're not a guest you need to leave!
"My god!" Ichika and Yotsuba exclaim even though they had to commend Fuutarou's persistence on TV deep inside their thoughts. Nino meanwhile gives off a guilty look over the mess she has brought him and herself into and beings to shudder.
Fuutarou: You'll pass them if you just let me help you! Call these guys off!
Nino: Who cares whether I pass the exams?
Fuutarou: Huh?
Nino: I certainly don't.
"Care to repeat that again please?" Ichika fumes as she and her sisters glare at her.
"Can I please take back what I said onscreen for crying out loud?!" Nino panics as she barely holds her character.
"It clearly doesn't sound like you want to!" Miku counters.
"Since when did I ask for your stupid opinions huh?!" Nino harshly backlashes.
*Nino walks off as Fuutarou still (fails) to convince her to change her thoughts; Fuutarou flashbacks to the quints doing their own things in the meanwhile*
Fuutarou: I'm not giving up... I'm... not... giving up! NINO! COME ON TALK TO ME! I'LL BE BACK! I'M NOT GIVING UP ON YOU!
Fuutarou meanwhile, is unsure of whether he should intervene again to stop this or let it blow out if it happens. Thankfully the two youngest quints inaudibly convince their big sisters not to start another fallout over some past flashback again, causing him to relax a little, but not much.
"Geez. You gotta respect his determination to bring us all together though. Because this wasn't what he was told to do as our tutor." Itsuki remarks.
"I agree. The fact that he's willing to step over the line for us... that's something I would hold dearly in my heart." Miku beams, though her glare towards a shuddering Nino still remains.
*Cuts to Fuutarou glancing down on the steps by the lake*
Fuutarou: Sigh... Four days till the exams... What can I do to make all of the girls get along again?! If I was drowning, would they panic and start cooperating to try and save me? Yikes… that's a dangerous thought to have… But hey it does beg the question…
Fuutarou visibly cringes over this and bows down sitting upright. To hear himself contemplating on leaving the mortal world felt like a silver bullet to his stomach. Meanwhile the other quints had the same panicked looks as him… including Nino herself who felt super responsible for his mess.
"Oh my… No!" Miku gasps over the thought of Fuutarou drowning.
"Please tell us you were joking!" Yotsuba pants nervously as she struggles to hold in her sorrow.
"I wasn't. You five really pushed me to my breaking point." Fuutarou replies, causing the former two to gasp even louder. Thankfully I was thinking of my family struggling without me…
Fuutarou: Yeah no… Awful idea! That would turn out terribly! Maybe I made a mistake here… *Flashback to what happened earlier* I got the wrong idea because they had started to trust me and depend on me. But it didn't necessarily mean that it was my place to concern myself with another family's problems.
"Even so, we're thankful that you took the pain to help us get along again. Thank you." Miku says in hopes that Fuutarou will lighten up a little (It didn't).
Fuutarou: No… in fact…
Nino (Flashback): You should have never barged into our lives!
"Oh crap no… Please!" Ichika exclaims as she glances at her tutor whose mood has reached its lowest point since the third episode of Season 1, though thankfully he's summoning the remainder of his will not to revert unlike last time. "Fuutarou-kun… please stay with us! Don't revert again we beg you!"
"No… What have I done… That wasn't w-w-what I m-meant..." Nino breathes heavily as her head spins like a pinwheel. "I'm… Fuu-kun I'm sorry-"
"Shut up… all of you..." Fuutarou grumbles with his golden eyes visibly squinting.
"Uh-oh…" Yotsuba gawks in horror.
Fuutarou: She's right. This was doomed from the start. All I've been doing is studying. How does that help them? Those girls don't need me… one bit.
"T-t-that's not true! W-w-we never said-!" Itsuki chokes as she covers her mouth in horror over the barrage of Fuutarou's darkest thoughts before shifting her gaze at his worsening mood. "I can't even… Uesugi-kun…! Please don't ever say something like this anymore! It was our fault, yes! But that doesn't mean-"
"NO!" Yotsuba screams as she clutches even harder onto Fuutarou, who's silently mourning over his darkest hour. "DON'T LEAVE US PLEASE! WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT US WASN'T-"
"Stop, please Fuutarou! Don't say it again please!" Miku yells unconsciously as she too clutches onto his rigid body. "Everything you did wasn't in vain ok?! Hear us out! You have no idea how much you've helped us-"
"Stop it… All of you! SHUT UP!" Ichika begins to erupt before the three youngest quits could finish. As she does so her voice tremendously raised with every sentence she hurled at Nino. "Nino-kun, he… he never deliberately barged into our lives in the first place! Rather he was trying to fix them instead! Why do you think he started to help us improve on our grades and getting us together?! WHY DO YOU THINK HE AT LEAST CARES FOR OUR OWN SAKE?!"
"Why do you think he wants us to improve together?! Why does he still want our love for each other to last?! Even though he knows he's not part of us?!" Itsuki joins in with an equally furious demeanour.
"Enough... please..." Fuutarou grumbles softly.
"Imagine if he did drown! Who's going to take care of his family if he did?!" Yotsuba yells as she starts to weep uncontrollably. "Or rather… Who's going to help us graduate with smiles on our faces?! Did you really think this was what mom would have wanted to see if she was still alive?!"
"I-I-I… no! I didn't mean… I never meant it that way! Besides you all…" Nino panics as she flails her arms over the other's brutally aggressive responses. "…No… Fuu-kun! Whatever you're thinking please, for crying out loud, stop! We're all partially responsible! You said the five of us are supposed to be together right? Including the times when we thought we could do it by ourselves? Is this really what you mean?! Pushing Fuu-kun away from us?! It wasn't just… it wasn't just me you know! All of you-!"
"I SAID ENOUGH!" Fuutarou finally screams, as he unnerves everyone within his reach. He then sits back up and his creased face already explains that through the last of his willpower, he barely managed to find some way to restrain his darkest emotions. "I get that you're all concerned about me and the words Nino chose but please! Like the incident with Itsuki and Nino we've already come to an agreeable solution long ago! Stop crying over spilt milk and don't make things worse for goodness sake, even though I'm aware you're all concerned for me as you are with Nino and Itsuki's problems back then!"
"But still!" Yotsuba pouts as her tears run loose again. "Just because Nino did something to you doesn't mean-!"
"So what?! You five have already dragged me into a mess last year and I can tolerate that. What I can't tolerate is the though of you girls repeating history again. And believe me: I don't want too either. Not when this is our final year studying together. So please girls..." Fuutarou interrupts before Yotsuba could continue. "Let's just end it there and accept that it happened already. And you two..." he glares at the two who started this.
"Yes?" Nino responds nervously. Itsuki's ahoge meanwhile, quivers.
"Apologies accepted ok? I heard you the first time I'm not deaf! Just as long as you two can resolve this without having either of you slapping each other again, we can all move on from here. You ok with that?"
"We promise that won't happen again. We swear on our final days studying with you." Itsuki speaks up nervously as Fuutarou finally relaxes.
"Thank you. And I hope that remains that way for the time being." Fuutarou mutters as the atmosphere returns to normal again. "...Now that the situation has been sort of quelled, I'd say we finish this before anyone else explodes again. Does that sound good?" Everyone nods in response. And then he realises something else that occurred that day. Hang on a minute... wasn't that also the time... where...?
*Suddenly, the wind causes the tress to rustle. And with it, a girl in a white robe and hat appears*
Mysterious girl: Moping again huh?
Fuutarou: Huh?
Mysterious girl: You haven't changed at all have you?
"WHAAAAAAAAA?!" All five girls screech in unison… though Yotsuba and Itsuki's sound unusually softer to Fuutarou.
"Actually uh I... kinda take it back now..." Fuutarou complains, though it's too late for him to say so. CRAP!
Mysterious girl: Hey Fuutarou Uesugi.
Fuutarou: Huh? UH?!
Mysterious girl: It's been a while.
"IS THAT ACTUALLY THE GIRL YOU MET? WHO IS SHE?!" Nino aggressively yells as she clenches her fists.
"MUTSUMI?! IS THAT YOU?!" Ichika comically screams, causing Yotsuba's ribbons to jolt in shock.
"NO WAY! ICHIKA SHE'S REAL!" Yotsuba exclaims after that.
Oh god why… Fuutarou exclaims in his mind as he heart suddenly throbs in pain. Me conversing with… Rena?! ON TV?! SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS IN THAT OTHER DIMENSION?! NOW HOW ARE ALL THE QUINTS GONNA REACT TO-
*Cuts to Fuutarou drenched and soaking as he bumps into Yotsuba*
Everyone jump suddenly as they hear the gigantic splash of water.
Phew. Never mind thank goodness... Fuutarou relaxes as he lets out the deepest sigh he has ever exhaled.
"What the-?" Miku exclaims. "What happened? Did the girl dump you in the lake or something whilst I left you?! Tell me where she is and I'll teach her a lesson!"
Fuutarou cringes internally after hearing what Miku said. Itsuki cringes too… but for a different reason.
"Eh? Where did you come from Yotsuba?" Nino curiously asks in the meanwhile.
Yotsuba: Ahh?! Woah! Uesugi-san? What the heck are you doing here?
"Or rather, when did you get here, Yotsuba?" Ichika asks inquisitively. "Did you see Mutsumi at all in your direction?"
"Um... uh..." Yotsuba stammers as she suddenly notices four pairs of dark-blue circles eyeing her intensely.
Fuutarou: Yotsuba...
Yotsuba: Umm, I'm sorry. But I have to go! I'm sorta in the middle of laps right now. Please make sure Nino and Itsuki are safe though ok?
*She runs off, leaving Fuutarou behind again*
Fuutarou: Nino... right.
"Huh. Now I'm curious." Miku says as she pauses the TV before she eyes her sister.
"What do you mean? I didn't see anything when I ran off." Yotsuba stutters as she suddenly notices four ocean blue pairs of eyes locked onto her like searchlights. "W-what?!"
"We know you all can't lie so tell us! Who is she actually?!" Nino pesters her as she closes in. "Come on, spit it out!"
"W-w-w-what are you all going on about?!" Yotsuba breaks character as she hides her face behind a pillow. "All I saw going past my direction is Uesugi-san!"
"No not him, genius; more like identity of the girl he met!" Miku also stands firm. "Who is it huh? Did you find out who the girl in Fuutarou's photo actually is?"
"Um uh... she's um... she met me after Uesugi-san left and..." Yotsuba finally gives way as her ribbons tremble... though she technically wasn't wrong.
"And?" Itsuki pushes on to fit in with her sisters, though she knew... she was the one who disguised as that girl.
Itsuki: 'So it was you after all. I had my suspicions.'
Yotsuba: 'You don't have to pretend to be anyone. You can just be the way you were back then.'
"Umm... Actually, I did meet her once Uesugi-san left." Yotsuba (sort of) concedes.
"REALLY?! DID SHE SAY ANYTHING TO YOU?! WHAT WAS IT?!" The three eldest yell in her face.
"She said to me she'll never see him again. That's what she really told me! And also..." Her ribbons droops slightly as she continues to spill part of the truth. "...she ask for me, for us five, to get together... and help him as much as helped us. Also... I didn't really get her name... she just vanished."
Fuutarou just gazes at Yotsuba with curiosity, but then averts it as all five quint relax with partial annoyance.
"Man I wanted to know more about her! I can't believe even you lost her in the process." Nino grumbles.
"I didn't know anything else about her before she disappeared ok? Besides, that girl..." Yotsuba hesitantly speaks.
"Yes what about it huh?" Ichika smirks.
"Uh, never mind. Anyways judging by Uesugi-san's face right now..." She glances to Fuutarou who's blankly staring at the paused TV, before pushing aside thoughts that have been relegated back into her brain again. "Shall we uh... shall we keep going?"
"Sigh... ok fine." Miku says as she presses the play button.
*Cuts back to Nino's hotel... where the former has a disgusted face as Fuutarou chats to the guards*
Nino: Ngh?! I can't believe that creep is here again! That's it I'm about to give an earful! No matter how many times I turn him away he just keeps coming back! What's that going to take?! He's relentless... Uh? *Fuutarou walks off defeated and drenched...* Uh?
*...but then Nino throws a towel at his head, causing him to look back*
"Huh? What was that change of heart for?" The other quints wonder.
Nino: If you walk around like that the other guests will think you are an eyesore.
Fuutarou: Hm?
Nino: You're a mess. Come up to my room.
*Episode ends*
"But why?" Yotsuba asks.
"It was either I let him in or I worsen his impression on everyone alongside myself too. And that's something that even I wouldn't dare to think of either. Not when I've already set a bad example in front of him." Nino reveals.
"So you did start to feel some guilt for both him and yourself after all." Itsuki says, to which Nino nods.
"Ok..." Ichika gasps as she take a moment to inhale some oxygen. "Mutsumi drama aside, Nino-kun." She then resumes glaring at the second quint. "You better be glad that Fuutarou-kun actually has the will to keep tutoring us ok? I've met many people before that aren't as forgiving as he is so you better get that inside that senseless skull of yours ok?"
"Well um..." Nino shudders. "Ok... Fuu-kun... Thank you. And yeah, sorry for my selfish actions aga- wait what was that Ichika?!" She snarls.
"Ok Nino calm down, please. Just as long as history doesn't repeat itself I'll be A-Ok." Fuutarou responds as he stops Nino from hurling a pillow at her big sis after what she just said.
"Shall we finish the seven goodbyes arc then?" Miku asks.
"Maybe after we get rid of the rest of our tense thoughts first." Yotsuba says as she gets up to stretch her legs. Especially mine for sure... It's too early to reveal them.
"She's right. We should clear our head before we continue. Especially considering the fallout as well as girl he met in this episode..." Itsuki says before she gets up and everyone follows suit. Whilst everyone scatters around the living room to do their own however, Itsuki just walks up and straight into her bedroom before she shuts the door behind her. As she does so, she pulls out a box containing a white robe and hat from underneath her table while reminiscing the day she donned it...
'Let's catch up! I heard that you've been studying hard since we met and now you're at the top of your class!'
'I'm taking this with me. Because... I'm not going to see you again.'
'Don't open that until you learn how to accept yourself.'
"Oh Uesugi-kun..." She sighs as she picks up and examines the outfit that she had used to try to delve deeper into Fuutarou's past connection with the young girl. "If only we knew sooner..."
A/N: Man this episode slapped me square in the face; The part where Nino and Itsuki broke down and moved out of home as well as Fuutarou having an existential crisis were the toughest bits as I had to not only think of what reactions to write but also witness the bond between them get ripped up first-hand. Hopefully the next phase of the Seven Goodbyes arc is a little tamer to both write and watch...