Ep 15: Seven Goodbyes Part 2
A/N: Ok... scare me in the replies if you guys want but how the hell did this skyrocket to 26 favs and followers even though this is only the third chapter?!
"Oh Uesugi-kun..." She sighs as she picks up 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..."
'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.'
"He's still wanting to know who she is right?" She continues to murmur softly. "Yeah. It's been five years for him. I wonder how different would it be if I was the one..."
There was a moment of silence for five minutes... at least, until Ichika pounds on her door, wondering what her youngest sis was up to.
"Itsuki-chan?" Ichika says as the former's ahoge jolts in panic. "Is something wrong?"
"OH! Um... n-n-nothing! Everything's fine!" Itsuki stammers. "I'll be there soon. Just need to tidy my room heheh!"
"Ok. We'll be waiting downstairs for you then." Ichika responds as she walks off. A few minutes later, Itsuki peeks her head out of the room to make sure no one's watching... before she hides the box, closes her bedroom door and goes downstairs to join everyone on the couch again.
"Heh. We'll meet again soon. I promise." She mutters as she descends slowly.
"Hopefully this matter is resolved in the next episode." Fuutarou mutters. "I'm sure even Nino doesn't want to revel in this again like we do."
"Guess we'll find out right? Also, who is this mysterious girl? I'm pretty sure you told me a story about her right?" Nino reminds him as Episode 3 of Season 2 plays. New seating order: Itsuki, Miku, Fuutarou, Yotsuba, Nino, Ichika.
"Did I?" Fuutarou says, though he actually knew he told her that day. If I did tell her that day... how is it going to be animated if that's the case then?
*The Episode begins with Fuutarou in the shower with Nino sitting nearby*
Nino: You fell into a pond? No wonder why you smell so awful. By the way, you better be using treatment too not just shampoo!
"Really?! Out of all things, this is what they chose to begin with?!" Fuutarou yells as he blushes in complete embarrassment. The others released their own expressions in the meanwhile; There's Ichika with an open-mouthed smug, Nino as well except she's grinning instead of having her mouth agape, Miku with a shocked face, Yotsuba who's hands are covering her face and Itsuki... well... there's blood leaking out of her nose for absolutely no reason as she stares...
"Ara-ara Fuutarou-kun... hm?" Ichika notices her sister suffering from a nosebleed that she hasn't noticed yet and decides to take advantage of it. "Heh? Hey Itsuki-chan your nose is bleeding! Is everything ok, hmm?" she teases her, causing the latter to yelp as she covers her face with a tissue. "Don't tell me... *Gasp* you naughty girl! How dare you're thinking of what I'm also thinking staring at teach like that!"
"NO! DHON'T GHET AHNY WHEIRD IDHEAS!" She muffles incoherently as she covers her eyes too in panic whilst everyone stares bluntly at her. "In fact, why are you even in his line of sight whilst he's bathing, Nino?!"
"Look I was just making sure he doesn't do anything suspicious whilst he's in my territory. It's not like I wanted to peek at him that time ok? End of story." Nino replies back before anyone could speak up. But still... Fuu-kun, you're making my heart thump louder with every second of my life! Is it just me or is this scene really showing the most detailed details of his body... Oh wait...
Fuutarou: Fine! Damn it this this such a pain! It must be tough to maintain all your hair.
Nino: Oh! Yeah kind of. I do have to wash mine every day. You probably couldn't handle this much hair.
"Ahem!" Ichika and Yotsuba cough in unison, seeing that they also have their reasons for having short hair too.
Fuutarou: I wouldn't let it grow enough to find out.
*And here's Fuutarou with ridiculously long hair*
Nino: Ugh... I just imagine you with long hair and now I feel nauseous!
Fuutarou: Huh?! Hey you don't know! You're underestimating my potential!
"PFFFT!" Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba couldn't help but blow yet another raspberry for that hilarious imagination; Fuutarou meanwhile gives off a hostile glare at Nino for that.
"I... I don't even know how they managed to portray what I was thinking but ok!" Nino giggles as she blatantly avoids Fuutarou's mean look.
"He looks so ridiculous with long hair!" Yotsuba cackles. Itsuki meanwhile had no idea what was going on since her eyes were fully shut.
*Nino sticks her tongue out in disgust whilst Fuutarou realises something*
Fuutarou: Wait... am I actually having a conversation with Nino? Honestly I don't really care about my hairstyle.
Nino: Yeah well the rest of us still have to look at it.
Fuutarou (Thoughts): I guess it's a little easier when it's one-on-one like this.
*Indistinct conversation between the duo*
"Alright, hairstyles aside, it's so nice to be seeing the two of you chat for the first time when you clearly are polar opposites." Miku remarks.
"I agree. It shows how much the two of you have warmed up since you both met!" Yotsuba pipes along.
"I guess you could say that, yeah. Better than the small talk we've had in the past." Nino smiles before she stares at her blushing tutor again. "Anyways Fuu-kun, when are you gonna change your hairstyle back to the one your younger self and your father has again huh? I wanna see you like that again sometime before we part ways!"
"That's not gonna happen!" Fuutarou scowls back.
Nino: ...relatives cut your hair?
Fuutarou: You could do the same thing. Get Yotsuba to-
Nino: Yeah no thanks.
Because I asked Miku to cut it instead. Nino grins internally.
Fuutarou: Maybe I don't fully understand Nino yet.
Nino: So? What happened? You know at the pond. Why'd you fall in?
Fuutarou: Uh it's nothing.
Nino: Yeah right! That's the first time I've seen you look so gloomy!
Fuutarou: I wasn't gloomy!
*But his face already says it all*
Nino: Just tell me already. I like being alone but I get bored with no one to talk to.
Again, Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba giggle silently over Fuutarou's gloomy cartoon face, with Nino even joining along this time.
Fuutarou meanwhile... his sinking heart rapidly pounds inside of him like an overclocked motor as he finally realises that his meeting with the girl he met five years ago is about to be shown on TV...
Fuutarou: Sigh... Ok fine. I met a girl five years ago...
Mysterious girl: Hey Fuutarou Uesugi.
Fuutarou: Huh? UH?!
Mysterious girl: It's been a while.
"OH MY FREAKING GOD HERE SHE IS!" The four eldest quints yell excitedly as Fuutarou jolts in terror. Itsuki meanwhile, peeks over her hands to make sure the coast was clear.
"Is it over?" She nervously asks.
"Yes it's over, the bath scene at least." Fuutarou cringes because he's now forced to watch another private scene of his unfold on TV.
"Yeah but now we're gonna have to watch the story you told me onscreen!" Nino giddily exclaims as she braces for the truth.
"You never told me about that day you met her so now I want to know too!" Miku squeals in delight.
"Alright, teach. How did your conversation with Mutsumi go? Everyone else be quiet! I wanna know more about that day!" Ichika grits as she pumps her fists up and down. Itsuki and Yotsuba though... they both know why and how it came to be that day. Because they were both there.
"How are you so sure it's her?!" Miku asks her.
*The scene the switches to Fuutarou staring at...*
Fuutarou: You're... the girl from Kyoto?
"GYAAAH IT'S FUUTAROU'S TRUE LOVE! SHE'S HERE!" All the quintuplets scream again... except the annoyed one.
"For crying out loud everyone shush! I wanna hear Fuutarou-kun talk to Mutsumi!" Ichika hisses.
"Crap why?! Not now please!" Fuutarou moans as his face reddens again from that false sense of security. The five quint meanwhile, remain silent and paid super close attention as to what happened that day with... um... Mutsumi?
Fuutarou: Uh… Hey there… you look like you're doing well?
*Fuutarou tries to bolt off only for the girl to easily catch up and pull him back*
"EH?! WHY?!" Nino and Miku exclaim in confusion.
Mysterious girl: Where are you going?!
Fuutarou: I can't meet you again yet ok?!
"Alright, what was your excuse for failing to run away from her, minus your awful stamina?" Nino asks Fuutarou.
"Let's face it: I wasn't prepared for her sudden return ok? I was completely speechless!" Fuutarou snaps.
"Didn't I just told all of you to be quiet?!" Ichika yells again as her yellow aura blazes furiously to silence them.
Mysterious girl: Why not?! *She grabs his notebook* Fine if you want this back you'll have to talk to me first!
Fuutarou: Tch! No fair!
Mysterious girl: Let's see... How to keep you from running? Ah! *She points to the boats* Hey look! That'll work!
So this is when Fuu-kun really went out on a reunion date with 'Mutsumi' huh? I shouldn't have blasted those mean words at him then... ah whatever. I'll just take in what Fuu-kun described to me back the hotel. I can't change the past, but wherever she is now I'll take her down for sure if she won his heart... Nino heavily pants as she keeps her thoughts all to herself.
*A moment later, Fuutarou is rowing with the mysterious girl out into the centre of the lake*
Fuutarou: So... I never got your name.
Rena: Call me Rena. Wow it's been five years, huh?
Huh? Wait... Rena? Isn't that...? The three eldest quints think, because they knew that was also their mother's name.
"Why would Mutsumi adopt the name Rena though?" Ichika wonders. Neither of her sisters had a clue... except Itsuki and Yotsuba, though they both remain entirely silent for the time being.
Fuutarou: Rena... Why are you here?
Rena: So I could check out the new you.
Fuutarou: Uh?
Rena: Let's catch up! I heard that you've been studying hard since we met and now you're at the top of your class! Plus you got a job as a tutor isn't that right? That's great!
*Fuutarou stares at Rena before he starts to feel sus...*
Fuutarou: Who told you that?
Rena: Uh... don't worry about all the details! What are your students like?
"Hmm... didn't expect that reaction." Miku says over Rena's nervous response.
Fuutarou: Sigh... uh well this'll probably sound crazy... but they're a set of quintuplets who are in the same class as me.
Rena: Uh-huh.
*Fuutarou sus mode x2*
Fuutarou: I... thought you'd be shocked.
*Rena feigns surprise*
Rena: Oh really?! I never realized quintuplets actually exist! I've only seen them in TV shows!
"Judging by the fact that Rena isn't acting surprised as she normally would be... I'm already starting to develop my own suspicions." Ichika ponders as she stares at her sisters.
"Same here, though I won't specify who I might refer to." Nino adds on.
"You think it's one of us, don't you, Fuutarou?" Miku questions him without expecting a response.
"Wasn't that what I just said, Miku?" Itsuki says annoyed.
Yotsuba meanwhile chose to remain silent...
Fuutarou: There's one problem though: They're all as dumb as rocks.
*Ripples to each of the quints as Fuutarou describes them as total dummies*
Fuutarou: The oldest dummy is an actress. She doesn't believe her dream will work out but she's still got the courage to try. Which... I guess is pretty admirable. And stupid.
Ichika gives off a forced laugh in response as her aura suddenly fades away. "Oh come on teach, really? There's no need to be so harsh!"
Fuutarou: Then there's dummy #2. She puts her sisters above everything else so she's always getting wrapped up in arguments. I thought that's all there was to her but now I'm not so sure. Oh and she's stupid.
"Was all of that dummy talk necessary?!" Nino fumes.
Fuutarou: The third dummy's quiet. When I first met her she was so gloomy and had some self-esteem issues. But lately she's been starting to liven up a bit so that's a relief. Still stupid though.
"Excuse me?!" Miku pouts as she gets mildly hurt by the fact that she still got branded as stupid.
Fuutarou: One dummy's a meathead. On the bright side she's cheery and dependable but she also give me the most headaches. Also... uh well that part's probably just in my head. Anyways... she's stupid.
And it's all because of you Uesugi-san. You're the number one reason. Yotsuba thinks inside her head.
Fuutarou: Last but not least the baby dummy. (Itsuki wanted to cringe but chose to mask it) We pretty much never get along. However she's a capable person. I'd hate to see her abilities go to waste... But she's so stupid! *Back to the present* Ok, I think that about covers it... huh?
*Rena is whimpering slightly as her head is arched down*
Fuutarou: What's up?
Rena: Nothing! Everything's fine! I-I'm just a bit surprised... I guess.
"Honestly at this point I'm not sure if I should accept what you said or strangle you for calling us five dummies..." Nino grumbles.
Rena: You've faced your problems head on now. Like in adulthood! You're the kind of person people need.
Fuutarou: That's interesting. Itsuki said the same thing.
Nino (Flashback): You should have never barged into our lives!
"Wait... wasn't that...?" Ichika ponders as she flashbacks to the conversation Fuutarou had with Itsuki. The latter quint meanwhile felt her stomach throb over the fact that she nearly blew her own cover.
"What?" Yotsuba asks.
"Uh... never mind. Wasn't what I was thinking really heheh." Ichika instantly replies. I swear I've heard that line she said from the last episode before though...
Fuutarou: But no... actually I haven't changed at all.
Rena: Oh. Well... *They row back to the small pier where Rena hops off* If I'm bringing you down I should leave. *She hands him his student handbook back...* I'll give this back like I promised.
Fuutarou: Thanks.
*...but not his photo though*
Rena: But this... is coming with me.
Fuutarou: Huh? But why?
"No wonder why you gave it back to me Ichika." Fuutarou says. "She handed you the photo didn't she?"
"Mhm." Ichika nods, though Itsuki knows that it wasn't true.
Rena: Because... I'm not going to see you again.
Fuutarou: You aren't? What do you mean?! Hey wait up! Don't go! *Rena tosses the charm to Fuutarou* Huh?
"Ok... now I have some more thoughts." Nino mutters as she tries to piece who Rena actually is without success.
Rena: Don't open that until you learn how to accept yourself.
Fuutarou: Uh? Hang on we're not done! GAAAH!
*He tries to follow her but he misses his footing and falls into the lake whilst the latter looks back in sorrow*
"ACK!" The three eldest quints gasped as they witness Fuutarou's fall into the lake.
Rena: Bye for good.
*And Fuutarou falls into the lake with a gigantic splash*
Fuutarou: And that was it. She just kinda vanished.
"Oh. So she didn't dump you in the lake. I must have been mistaken." Miku mutters solemnly... but then she suddenly pumps her fists in jealousy. "But even so! Where is she right now?! I still wanna teach her a lesson for leaving you like this!"
"Look Miku, Uesugi-kun was telling the truth ok? If she says she's not going to meet him again, then he wouldn't where her current whereabouts are." Itsuki reminds her sis as the latter cools down.
"But still... that Mutsumi-" Ichika remarks.
"Her name is not Mutsumi geez! You clearly heard her calling herself Rena didn't you?!" Nino scowls. At least she didn't steal Fuu-kun's heart though. That's a relief seeing now I got to see what Fuu-kun told me come to life. Kinda weird to name herself after our mother though.
"...uh I mean, Rena. Right." Ichika stammers before she looks at Fuutarou with a teasy smile. "So she was the one person you love right now huh? Now that you're starting to know that she's one of us... right?"
Fuutarou doesn't even take the chance to response, let alone make eye contact with any of the quintuplets. And frankly... the same goes for Yotsuba... who was partially responsible for this meeting. All because she knows that she herself a bad liar.
*Back to the present when Fuutarou finishes showering*
Fuutarou: Weird huh? *He looks back as the bathroom turns silent and he exits the shower* Nino? What? Did my story make you fall asleep? NGH?!
*Nino has completely burst into tears*
"Aww!" The four quints gush as Nino blushes embarrassingly.
"Did Uesugi-san's story get you in the end? How sweet!" Yotsuba coos.
"Well congrats, Fuutarou. You've officially made the toughest sister break down for once!" Miku teases him.
"Shut up! I had my own reasons for doing so!" Nino yells as she grits her teeth.
"Nino..." Fuutarou tries to speak up.
"You don't get a say in this! You brought me down into this state and that's enough for sure!" Nino snaps as she activates tsundere mode again.
Fuutarou: W-why are you crying?!
Nino: Cause! You've had feelings for this girl for five whole years haven't you?! That's really sad!
Fuutarou: No. Not feelings. I was just glad to have had her in my life!
Nino: That's what feelings are!
Fuutarou: Looks it's not like that! Either way you don't have to pity me.
"Oh wait..." Nino suddenly grimaces as she stops shedding tears and finally remembers what happened after that.
"What's up?" Itsuki asks curiously as she and her three other sisters gaze at...
Nino: Well anyway thanks for the sob story! Just what I needed!
Fuutarou: Wow. Rude.
Nino: Believe me, you'll be alright. You may be an insensitive, disgusting jerk... I'm sure there's at least one poor sap on earth who could fall in love with you-
*Nino proceeds to stare at Fuutarou who is naked…*
Ichika abruptly covers her mouth and blows a massive raspberry with her gorgeous eyes wide open, not to mention she makes no effort in holding in her laughter in the process. Miku and Yotsuba do the same as Ichika except theirs are quieter; Itsuki screams incoherently as she covers her eyes and suffers from a blood nose… again.
"ARGH REALLY?! WHY NOW?!" Nino whines as she grinds her teeth and embarrassingly arches her head down to her thighs. Fuutarou couldn't help but give off a giant smirk in the meanwhile.
Nino: *Covers her eyes…* HEY! WHY ARE YOU FLASHING ME YOU PERVERT?! *…proceeds to look anyway*
Fuutarou: It's not like we haven't seen each other naked before!
Nino: FORGET ABOUT THAT!
"You got a taste of your own medicine again, Nino!" Ichika guffaws as she ducks underneath a pillow that the latter tried to hurl at her.
*As Nino crawls away though she tips over a bag containing the papers she finished*
Fuutarou: Uh... what's this?
Nino: Uh?
*Fuutarou picks up one of the papers she has finished*
Fuutarou: You've worked on these?
Nino: You picked out different problems for each of us didn't you? I knew that somewhere deep down. I... really do feel bad about what happened. Sorry.
"Aww how sweet!" Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba gush after hearing their sister apologize so sincerely.
"There, Itsuki. You wanted my apology? Here you go." Nino states bluntly.
"Uh... you don't... sound like... you- uh, never mind. Apologies accepted I guess." Itsuki replies back.
Fuutarou: Don't worry about it. Go apologize to Itsuki.
*Cue probably one of the only times in the anime where Nino visibly pouts*
Nino: Nope, never!
Fuutarou: Why not?! What are you still pissed off about her slapping you?
"Pretty much." Nino deadpans. "Though I've let that slide for a while until the previous episode slapped me harder than Itsuki herself did."
Nino: I mean yeah she's never done anything like that. So it almost feels as if... I don't know her anymore.
*Back to Fuutarou's house where... is that Eatsuki with a literal mountain of rice?!*
Eatsuki: Nino really apologized? I find it hard to believe!
"Well I just did for you, Itsuki and- Wait what the-?! H-h-how-?!" Nino gawks in shock after seeing that bowl of hers on TV. "H-how much rice did you even take?! Geez don't you have any shame on eating that much?!"
"I wasn't at your place to know back then ok? Please! And I was hungry as usual!" Itsuki sharply replies.
"You say that every time we wake up and leave both for and after school though." Miku points out.
Fuutarou: Well it's true. You're just as obstinate as she is you know?
Raiha: Oh wow! Your hair's so shiny today!
Eatsuki: What happened with you two?
Fuutarou: Not important I'm just saying maybe you should go to lunch with her again soon. Once you clear the air you can get back to being two peas in a pod.
Eatsuki: I wouldn't say that we were two peas in a pod. Like when we went to the movies recently.
"You're right, Itsuki-chan. In a way we're actually kinda like five peas in a pod!" Ichika chuckles.
"Or rather five 'split peas' in a pod, seeing that we're all so different now." Miku giggles alongside her.
"Split peas?" Yotsuba gullibly asks as her green ribbon twirls. "You don't mean that we're as green as the vegetable itself right?" Fuutarou couldn't help but give off a puzzled grimace at that.
"Really. I'm starting to speculate if Yotsuba's ribbons are the source of her lack of intelligence." Fuutarou blurts to himself, which makes everyone stare at him in silence for three seconds straight... "I keep having this weird theory that it's absorbing nutrients or brain cells from her head as we speak!" ...before they all, minus the one he mentioned, burst into laughter over what he just let out.
"What kind of theory did you just spurt out of the blue?!" Itsuki yells manically as she struggles to breathe after laughing so hard.
"That got me so hard not gonna lie!" Miku laughs too as her headphones once again drop out of her neck and onto her laps.
"I know that's so not him at all!" Nino wheezes alongside her sisters.
"UESU-!" Yotsuba exclaims before she withdraws awkwardly into her seat and pouts after realising that her sisters were all in this. "Mmm! Stop it you're embarrassing me! Geez!"
"Geez can't you take a light joke, Yotsuba?" Ichika puffs after she and her sisters cool down.
*Cuts to the cinema where Nino and Itsuki just finished watching a movie that their big sis starred in*
Itsuki (Flashback): Yikes! That was scary!
Nino (Flashback): I don't know it got pretty boring after they killed Ichika.
"Oh yeah I forgot that we couldn't resist to watch the movie you starred in, Ichika. Shame you didn't last long though." Nino purrs as her only big sis gives off a forced laugh.
Nino (Flashback): Oh but that one trailer they played? That looked interesting!
Itsuki (Flashback): I thought so too!
Both of them: Origins of life: Unknown mysteries! Love of summer vacation!
Nino (Flashback): Eww that sounds awful!
Itsuki (Flashback): Well I thought it looked good!
Nino (Flashback): Then you have bad taste!
Itsuki (Flashback): And you don't?
"Yeesh. And I thought you quintuplets would share the same interests up to this day." Fuutarou mutters.
*Back to the present*
Eatsuki: See what I mean? Over the years our shared interests have gotten fewer and farther in between.
Fuutarou: Both of those movies sounded pretty terrible to me though.
"Really?" Miku grins. "If you think that's the case just wait till you see a movie where the dogs die. I heard Itsuki is also a wild fan of those."
"WHAT?!" Fuutarou exclaims as Itsuki turns red in disbelief whilst the others puff their cheeks. "Who-! Who in the entire world would have a unnecessarily savage heart like hers to watch something like that?!"
"HUH?! W-w-w-what give you that stupid idea that I would watch those?!" Itsuki stutters.
"Um... back then you knew I was- MMF!" Yotsuba tries to explain before Itsuki cuffs her mouth to silence her honest truth about this.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of which, Ichika..." Nino suddenly blurts. "...I heard that there is a sequel of the movie that you made your debut in coming out during the days of the festival. Are you going to make your return in there?"
"Eheheh, yeah well I kinda wished I did." Ichika chuckles nervously. "Since I died in the previous one though, I didn't really get an offer, hence I won't be making a return. If I did I probably wouldn't have been watching this movie along with you guys."
"I guess that would make sense." Miku agrees.
Fuutarou: But that doesn't mean you can't-
Raiha: Ah! I have to get the trash ready!
Itsuki: Tomorrow is non-combustibles right? (Raiha: Huh?) I can take care of all that in the morning!
Raiha: Thank you so much, Itsuki-san!
*And Fuutarou's mood has plummeted again*
Isanari: Uh-oh. Where did my watch go?
*On Itsuki's hands of course*
Itsuki: I have it here sir!
Isanari: Ah!
*Fuutarou's left eye twitches inconceivably*
Raiha: Itsuki-san, where do the rubber bands go?
Itsuki: They count as combustible.
Isanari: Man you're handy to have around!
"Ok, Fuutarou-kun's annoyance aside, it warms my heart to see our little imouto (little sister) Itsuki-chan filling my shoes and acting as the onee-san for once in her life, especially towards Raiha-chan." Ichika coos. Nino nods as she agrees to this.
"I agree. Itsuki, you've longed to be an older figure towards someone right?" Miku says as Itsuki blushes a little whilst she removes her hands of Yotsuba. "I'm glad you were to Raiha-chan, honestly. You melted my heart too."
"Oh please, guys. You don't have to praise me for acting like Ichika." Itsuki nervously gushes.
"But it's true! You clearly have what it takes to be a parental figure, let alone a big sis too! Minus that one time you slapped Nino so hard in the face. That was a bit uncalled for." Yotsuba pipes up.
Fuutarou grumbles a little upon hearing Itsuki has finally earned the praise for being the older figure that she has longed for a while. He has never received this sort of thing back home, at least, not ever since his mother died. But still, at least Raiha likes her, that's a fact. That will be something he can cherish as he gives off a faint smile.
*Back to Nino's hotel*
Fuutarou: You always acted so annoyed when I would come to your house. And now I think I'm beginning to understand why.
Nino: Oh yeah? Hey, do you want me to get you something from room service?
Fuutarou: A drink would be nice.
Nino: Ok. I'll just order you whatever sounds good then... *And then 1 millisecond later she-* HOLD ON WHY ARE YOU STILL HANGING AROUND IN MY SUITE?!
"PFFFT! What on earth was that all about?!" Yotsuba wheezes before she and Ichika cough suddenly from laughing super hard at that silly moment.
Fuutarou: Is that a no on the drink?
Nino: You've got some real nerve, make-yourself-at-home-why-don't-you!
Fuutarou: Forget about that. We have a bigger problem to deal with.
Nino: A bigger problem? Oh! You mean passing the finals?
Fuutarou: Uh... Right. Yeah that's what I came here for.
*Back in the quintuplet apartment, where Yotsuba has finished her practise papers for once...*
Yotsuba: I've hit today's quota! Ugh!
*She comically faints on the floor whilst Ichika and Miku clap*
Ichika: You're so smart.
Miku: Genius.
"You actually finished my papers for once. I'm impressed." Fuutarou says astounded, though his somewhat stern tone masks the former emotion itself. Yotsuba meanwhile couldn't help but feel proud that what she did managed to earn her tutor's seal of approval.
"Seeing the way you fainted too, it looks kinda cute not gonna lie." Itsuki chuckles.
Yotsuba: Heheh. We're almost finished huh? I wonder if Nino and Itsuki have been working hard too.
Ichika: At least we know where they're staying now.
Miku: They'll probably be home soon...
*Yotsuba's phones buzzes and causes her to jump up again*
Yotsuba: Ah! My phone! Maybe they're finally coming back home! *At least until she picks it up...* Huh? Sorry guys it's just the captain of the track team.
"Sigh... you really wished that it was us huh? Honestly, I thought so too." Nino grimaces softly.
"Ditto." Itsuki mutters.
*Back to Nino's hotel again*
Fuutarou: What happened yesterday came as a total surprise. *Flashbacks to the encounter with Rena* I have no idea why Rena decided to show up now of all times. But I did learn something important from her: You can't stop people from changing. You have to forget the past. And accept what comes. *He glances to Nino* So make up with your sisters and go home.
"Honestly, I'm with Fuu-kun on what Rena said to him back then, about moving on from the past. I remember you four telling me to do the same thing yet I chose to be rigid in my own ways." Nino agrees as the other quints nod too... except Yotsuba, who thought that receiving those words on screen is the same as a thousand stabs to her own, beating heart.
Nino: Forget the past? That's a lot easier said than done. Anyway it's my room. So I'll talk.
"And this was what I meant about why I was the way I am in Episode 2." Nino confirms as her past is explained through the model of a bird's nest with five eggs.
Nino: When we were younger, we looked and acted completely the same. I felt like all our thoughts and feelings were shared. It was comfortable then. But... Five years ago, that changed. We slowly started drifting apart. It was like they left the quintuplet nest... and me along with it. I was the only one who wasn't able to move on. I can't even change my hair. That's why... I need to leave the nest now. Otherwise I'll end up all alone.
Fuutarou: This is what I didn't get before. She acts that way because of how much she cares about her sisters.
Fuutarou didn't hesitate to pat Nino on the shoulder again for revealing why she was acting so stubborn back then. "And yet... you left it in the end. You finally accepted that you needed to change. Or else you'll end up behind, as you originally feared. And yet your love for your sisters has grown even stronger as off now. I'm proud of you as always, Nino. I'd say your strong will has been strengthen even more as a result of this."
"Heh, thanks Fuu-kun. Though the majority of it was because of you." Nino smiles warmly. "And I'll admit the first half of your dilemma felt a bit rocky for me in a sense..."
"Hm? What do you mean?" Fuutarou says puzzled.
The other quints meanwhile lost their words as they struggled to get a grip on resisting their sorrows. What Nino said on screen was entirely true, and the four of them easily recognised the situation that she was dealing with up until the time of the final exams.
Fuutarou: Your mind's made up?
Nino: Yes it is. I have to leave the past behind and move forward! Besides that, there's still... one thing that's been weighing on my mind. *She holds her hands to her chest whilst she reveals Fuutarou's charm again as the flashbacks of the skip trip replay in her thoughts* That trip... Kintarou-kun...
Fuutarou: Uh?
Nino's stomach instantly lurches upon being reminded of Episode 11's incident. But because she was sitting next to Fuutarou, she was able to suppress this fear upon knowing that he was her destined saviour. Though, Kintarou-kun for her, the other side of the same coin, a silver bullet to the centre of her stomach perhaps...
Nino: Maybe it's because I never got to tell him goodbye. I feel like I could get some closure if I had one more chance to see him. Because he won't get out of my head.
Fuutarou: Uh... *He breathes a little* What if I said... you could see him?
*Nino turns around in surprise*
Nino: Huh?
"Yeah as I was saying about our rocky start to our relationship..." Nino sourly grumbles as mood suddenly swings. It was also at this point the other four turned towards her and stare intensely with grins on their faces. "What?!"
"So how did Fuutarou-kun break your heart huh? We want to know what happened exactly!" Ichika pesters her.
"Sorry but not a chance in hell I will explain!" Nino fumes as her grimace expands. "Didn't you all agree that you said to move on and forget the-"
"Uh... Nino? The TV..." Yotsuba suddenly points out as Fuutarou also cringes with what's about to play.
"What? What about- *Awkward silence as her face suddenly reddens* For crying out loud no..." Nino groans.
*Cuts to Nino's hotel at night as she hums the opening of Season 1. And then she hears a knock on the door*
Nino: Coming!
Kintarou: Uh... hey.
Nino: Hi! Come in get comfortable!
Kintarou: Sure thanks a lot.
"Urgh..." Fuutarou also groans as he knew exactly how it all fell apart that day. The other quints continue to gaze at the TV for their hidden answer in the meanwhile.
Kintarou: Ok I've got two options here... A- Pretend to be Kintarou-kun for a while and play along until she eventually gets over him.
Nino: I'm over you!
Kintarou: B- Confess everything now and beg her to forgive me.
Nino: It's fine.
Kintarou: Option A's probably best in the long run but...
"What would everyone go with if you guys were there?" Fuutarou asks out of curiosity.
"I'd say hmm... I'd agree with you and go with Option A; Strengthen the relationship even more under your disguise as Kintarou-kun!" Ichika voices with a smug.
"Option A. It's better to not let her blow up if she finds out that it was you." Miku agrees.
"Option B for me. But only because you guys know I can't lie." Yotsuba says.
"You already know what I'm gonna pick! Don't think for one second I could tolerate myself being dishonest like that!" Itsuki pouts.
"Geez no need to be so strict, Itsuki!" Fuutarou mutters. "What about you, Nino? Which one would you rather I have gone with if you were to decide it all?" Silence. "Nino? Hello?"
"Do I really need to give you one now? I've already seen your stupid act first-hand ok?" Nino grumbles.
"Uh... what's wrong?" Fuutarou asks.
Nino: So, Kintarou-kun...
*He snaps back to reality*
Kintarou: Uh?!
Nino: Do you have something you wanna say to me?
Kintarou: This could get hairy... Of course. It's kinda important. *He bows down* I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-
Nino: Don't worry. I forgive you for when you stood me up at the campfire so there's no reason to apologize.
Kintarou: Huh?
Nino: Plus, I was a little aggressive about asking you to come in the first place wasn't I?
Kintarou: Wait! What I meant was-
Nino: Ok good. I'm glad we got that out of the way. You can take this. You promised to hang out with me for the whole day right? And this time, you're not allowed to break your word.
*Nino hands 'Kintarou' his charm*
As soon as Nino hears herself saying that Kintarou shouldn't break his word, her stomach instantly get pierced by a mental silver bullet for the second time.
"You were thinking of switching to Option B at this point huh?" Miku says as Fuutarou nods.
"I seriously wonder where Raiha-chan's charm is going to end up next though now that we know where it came from..." Yotsuba mutters.
*Later Nino is shown to be baking some treats for 'Kintarou' whilst the latter stands in one spot*
Kintarou: A-a-actually I-
Nino: Sorry hang on a second. I'm concentrating.
Kintarou: This probably isn't a good time to come clean. Fine...*He stands next to Nino and rolls up his sleeves as he prepares to help her.* Let's speed things up. What are we trying to make?
*Nino's ribbons flutter as she stares at 'Kintarou' surprised*
Nino: Excuse me I need to make a phone call.
Kintarou: Hmm?
"What was that sudden surprise all about?" Ichika wonders.
"I didn't know he liked baking too that's why." Nino reveals. "At least..." She glares at Fuutarou again sourly as he lets off an exaggerative sigh.
*Nino exits onto the balcony. As she does so... Kintarou's phone buzzes and as he picks it up...*
Kintarou: Uh?
*Zooms to Nino chatting*
Nino: Uesugi help me! *Back to Kintarou* Kintarou-kun's sweeter than I expected he makes me so nervous I can't even stand to look him in the eye!
Kintarou: Is... that a problem?
*The scene shows Nino on the balcony, unaware of the fact that she's talking to Kintarou...*
Nino: Uh I guess it isn't... But hey would you happened to know whether or not he cares for cream puffs?
Kintarou: Oh yeah he loves cream puffs! I think...
The other four quints couldn't help but make silent, muffled giggles over this.
Nino: Perfect! *She peeks back to Kintarou from the balcony* I was thinking of making cream puffs!
Kintarou: Awesome. I-I love those!
"How the hell did I not notice that...?" Nino mouths as her own mood sours even more upon viewing her own, oblivious nature.
"Just realised though but that was the only time you ever called me by my last name. And then you swapped to Fuu-kun." Fuutarou notes, though Nino herself doesn't reply.
*The scene later cuts to Nino's treats being burnt*
Nino: Ah! No...
Kintarou: It's not like you to screw up a baking project, Nino.
Nino: Did you... Wait a minute!
Kintarou: Oops I mean, uh... Fuutarou told me... you're good at this stuff.
Nino: I didn't mean that...
"Wow how did you not notice that it was him?" Yotsuba asks, but Nino herself didn't reply again.
*Awkward silence before Nino calls the same guy again*
Nino: OH MY GOSH! HE TOTALLY ADDRESSED ME BY MY FIRST NAME!
Kintarou: Quit calling me for asinine reasons!
"And here I was being oblivious of the fact that he was just a façade and nothing else..." Nino finally whispers.
*A while later the cream puffs are done... uh... wait...*
Nino: Go on have some! I made plenty of them.
*Cue a sweat drop on 'Kintarou'*
Kintarou: I can see that.
Itsuki couldn't help but squeal over the truckload of cream puffs onscreen whilst her mouth drools profusely. The rest minus Fuutarou meanwhile covered their mouths in disbelief over the large number of desserts on the table.
"Just to be clear Itsuki those treats aren't for you ok? Quit it with that stupid reaction of yours!" Nino scoffs as she braces for the mistake that left her heartbroken for a while, which prompts the former to scowl at her.
"Geez what are you so grouchy about, Nino? Did you two even finish everything you just baked?" Yotsuba huffs as her sister ignores her again.
Kintarou: This sure is a lot of food. Let's invite your sisters over to help us eat it.
*Nino gasps in shock*
Nino: Please don't say that! You and I are finally alone now. They would all just be in the way. Kintarou-kun... *She looks up at him dreamily* I only want you to be here with me.
Nino's scowl doesn't wipe off her face despite hearing what she just said on TV whilst the others glance at her confused, including Itsuki who finally snaps out of her food trance. Fuutarou meanwhile knew why her mood soured but chose to remain silent.
"Uh... Nino?" Ichika asks hesitantly as she disregards what Nino said to 'Kintarou'.
"This is when I realised that Fuu-kun was pretending to be Kintarou-kun ok? End of story!" Nino grimaces before anyone else could speak up.
"But... why are you so...?" Itsuki says as the TV continues to play.
"Rather what did Fuutarou say to you that made you hate him more back then?" Yotsuba says. Miku meanwhile knows why... because her sister told her everything the next day.
*Kintarou couldn't say anything back*
Nino: Who's sulky would say that too? You guys are definitely cousins heh. He must be mad that I threw a wrench in his tutoring plans by moving out.
Kintarou: It's not that.
Nino: Why wouldn't it be that? All he talks about is-
Kintarou: I don't care about the exams! I just want you girls to be together!
*And this is when Nino realises that Kintarou-kun was actually the guy she hated previously*
"And this was that I meant when I said Fuu-kun was being absolute jerk for tricking me!" Nino finally snaps as she points at him. "He had to perform this act... he literally had to... uh? WHAT?!" But then she notices something wrong with three of her sisters. "W... what are you all so happy about?!"
What Kintarou said next made Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki gasp as they suddenly formed the brightest smiles on their cute faces. Miku meanwhile continues to glare at Nino whose mood worsens even more. And... frankly enough, Fuutarou's mood sours alongside the latter quint's too, after realising something extra after that...
Kintarou: I have to tell you something... the truth is... that Kintarou-
Nino: Uh wait wait wait hold on a second. (Kintarou: Uh? Hm?) this sound like it might run long. Let me use the restroom first.
Kintarou: Uh? Ok...? *Nino supposedly leaves for the restroom... and then Fuutarou's phone buzzes* What's up?
Nino: Are you close to the hotel right now?
Kintarou: I guess you could say that I'm in the neighbourhood.
"Woah! I can't even speak for myself... Uesugi-kun!" Itsuki marvels after hearing his selfless words.
"You actually tried to put fixing our bonds as priority rather than your own studying for once? That's so not like you!" Yotsuba gasps. "In fact, hearing you say that makes my heart melt! And in a good way this time!"
"I can't believe it either! You know, the fact that our father only hired you as a tutor yet you still stepped out of your boundaries just to help us? Yeah. I get it. You really have exceeded father's expectations as much as ours!" Ichika grins as her heart beats even faster inside of her.
"REALLY?! YOU GUYS TOO?!" Nino yells outraged and confused.
"Nino enough! It's already happened ok?! Don't get worked up over something you can't change please!" Miku reminds her as she raises her voice a little.
*Later on the first floor café as Fuutarou runs to Nino's location because she lied to him saying there was a fire*
Nino: Come to the first floor café.
Fuutarou: *Pant* Where's the fire?!
Nino: Why are you so sweaty? Hope iced coffee is ok.
"Why did you lie to him about the fire and made him run? It wasn't because you realised it was him was it?" Ichika asks suspiciously as Nino refuses to answer... because like Fuutarou, she suddenly realises something horrid that she did in the past.
Fuutarou: Yeah...
*Fuutarou slurps up the iced coffee, unaware that Nino actually put something inside it*
Nino: I think Kintarou-kun might ask me out.
Fuutarou: Huh?
Nino: He looked at me all seriously and said he had to tell me something... *And then she suddenly swivels her head to the side* Hey! There he is now!
Fuutarou: MMM?!
Nino: Wow. You fell for that?
Fuutarou: Guess so. Uh?
"Um... before you... before you five get any wrong ideas..." Nino murmurs inaudibly as she notices Fuutarou's face morphing into a sour scowl.
"We can't hear you properly speak up!" Yotsuba annoyingly replies. At least... until she notices Nino quivering upon seeing Fuutarou's scary face and glances towards him too. "Uh- Uesugi-san?! What's wrong?!" And then Ichika, Miku and Itsuki follow suit as they sweat bullets alongside the latter two.
Nino: Thanks for letting me talk to him one more time.
*She holds out her hand*
Fuutarou: Nino... What's with you?
Nino: No matter what happens between us, I'm going to put an end to the relationship we have now.
"Nino? What on earth did you do to Uesugi-kun that the four of us didn't know about?" Itsuki growls as her tone get dangerously low.
"Fuutarou? Is everything ok?" Miku nervously asks. "What did Nino do to you that she didn't tell me-"
"Turn it off." Fuutarou rumbles as he arches his head down. "Turn the damn TV off."
"Huh? Wasn't this the time where you broke Nino's heart though? I don't get it." Ichika replies.
"He's right. Pause the TV. Now." Nino whimpers, though no one dared to move a muscle.
Fuutarou: Really? I'm sorry that I couldn't help you more. Good luck...
*He prepares to shake Nino's hand... only for the latter to reveal that the charm was still on his arm the whole time*
Nino: I knew it.
Fuutarou: I can explain! Hear me out! UH?!
*Fuutarou suddenly experiences a panic attack of some sort as Nino's voice echoes in his head*
Ichika, Miku, Yotsuba and Itsuki's eyes immediately widen in horror as they wondered what was about to happen to Fuutarou on screen. Nino meanwhile continues to shudder intensely whilst Fuutarou begins to grit his teeth unconsciously like a rabid dog.
Nino: I made it perfectly clear that you shouldn't break your word to me.
Fuutarou: Gah! Uh- Did... you-?!
*Fuutarou's eyes fade to black as he slumps over the table, which meant that Nino drugged him a second time*
This moment is enough to worsen Fuutarou's mood even more and simultaneously ignite the ferocious angers of the three former quints.
"NINO?!" Ichika, Yotsuba and Itsuki wrathfully yell as their respective yellow, green and red auras blaze again furiously. And this time, the quint responsible had no apparent methods of defending her actions as she felt her soul draining away from every inch of her body. Miku meanwhile could only just quiver upon witnessing the rather aggressive overreactions...
Nino: You thought that disguise would work? It's not like you're twins or anything. Bye now.
*She proceeds to walk off and check out; Fuutarou later wakes up only to realise as he pounds on the door...*
Fuutarou: URGH! NINO! OPEN THE DOOR!
*The door opens and reveals one of the ladies that work in the hotel*
Hotel worker: I'm sorry sir. The customer who was staying here checked out a short while ago.
*Fuutarou is shown to have a bruise on his face as the scene fades to black with Nino leaving for the next hotel*
"W-w-w-what?! I thought... why did you that behind our backs? Why-?!" Itsuki stammers as she struggles to voice her opinions, let alone comprehend why Nino did so whilst she and the latter were separated that day.
"You drugged Uesugi-san a second time all because he said he wanted us to be together again?! WHAT THE HECK!" Yotsuba screams mortified.
"WHAT NO THAT WASN'T WHY I DID SO!" Nino panic screams as she flails her arms only to be rapidly ignored.
"I GET WHY YOU WERE HEARTBROKEN THAT DAY BUT WAS THAT REALLY NECESSARY?!" Ichika roars having finally witnessed the ugly truth; Nino yelps in terror upon being jumpscared by the former's enraged voice.
"That-! S...sorry... Um... didn't... didn't I say promise I won't- ULP!" Nino quivers until she notices Fuutarou's mood and Yotsuba readying her fists to pummel some sense in her as she backs away in terror. "Um... F-f-f-Fuu-kun?!"
"Fuutarou..." Miku gasps as she too notices a half-dead, senseless Fuutarou preparing to lunge at Nino. "Fuutarou- NO! CALM DOWN!" She and the two youngest quints then leap out of their seats to restrain him from moving any further. Thankfully due to his rather fragile build, the three of them were able to supress him with little effort, though they still had to restrain him. "Fuutarou please! Get ahold of yourself already!"
"Urgh! What happened to him?! Keep him steady until he calms down for real!" Itsuki yells to her two sisters as they work together to bring Fuutarou back to his senses. They struggled for a few minutes until Ichika rapidly rises to the sink and returns with a glass of water before she dumps it onto his head in panic to bring him back to reality.
"GAAH!" Fuutarou screams as the chilling sensation flow through every single inch of his gripped body, from his thick skull all the way to the edge of his torso, as he finds out that Miku, Yotsuba and Itsuki have latched onto him like iron grips and refuse to budge. "What's going on... huh? HEY! Let me go!"
"Not until you stop squirming over some useless memory on TV!" Itsuki exclaims furiously as her grip tightens on him even more.
"What the hell's going on?! Why am I being restrained?!" Fuutarou booms furiously.
"I could ask the same thing with you! Why did you try to attack Nino all of a sudden like some kind of grudged beholder?! Even though you knew she drugged you again?!" Yotsuba yells back as her sister curls up into a tight ball and braces for the painful blow to her skull, even though it never happened.
"Besides we were the ones who started this disguise thing so it's only fair if you did it back to us in a way! It would already cancel out the previous events!" Miku reasons as she feels her grip in Fuutarou fading with each struggle. "Please calm down and accept that it happened already!"
"Arrgh! I will calm down... if you... let... go... Ichika! Help me!" Fuutarou yells furiously at her, but she could only helplessly watch his futile struggles plus Nino, who has withdrawn into a tight ball, from the dining table whilst the TV continues to play.
*Over in the apartment, Yotsuba receives a message from Eba: Meet on the track at 6 in the morning.*
Yotsuba: Mmm...
*Her ribbons droop as she arches her head down; Ichika meanwhile watches solemnly from upstairs, before the scene cuts to Fuutarou's house in the morning*
"Thanks for at least showing concern about me though. All of you." Yotsuba pipes up softly, though none of them chose to respond for various reasons; Ichika because her voice is nearly gone and her yellow aura was still at it brightest unlike her youngest sisters whose auras have faded, Nino is still tucked deeply into her own ball of distress and Miku and Itsuki were still concentrating on restraining Fuutarou so that their elder sister wouldn't get hurt.
Fuutarou: It's morning.
Itsuki: Mmm...
Fuutarou: Wake up, Itsuki.
Itsuki: Sigh... Aww not yet...
Fuutarou: We're leaving early today.
Itsuki: Just five more minutes.
Fuutarou: No get up now!
Itsuki: Don't be such a jerk, Nino! *And then she realises she wasn't talking to Nino as she suddenly springs up* Ngh! Oh... gosh! Well good morning I guess!
Fuutarou: Uh-huh. Good morning.
Itsuki: Hm?
Over the condescending chaos, at least Miku and Yotsuba had the decency to give off a light giggle over Itsuki's silly moment whilst she was at Fuutarou's house. But that was it. Other than those two the atmosphere remained unstable as ever again despite the fact that Fuutarou finally managed to take breather and calm down; The three quints that were latched onto him didn't release their grip just yet either.
*Cuts to Nino's classroom*
Yamada: Pretty sure Nino took the day off.
Itsuki: What?
Fuutarou: I thought so.
Itsuki: We should both go over there and talk to her.
Fuutarou: Hate to say it but I don't think it'll change much at this point. It's too late. All we can do now is believe in her.
Itsuki: You're acting weird today. Did something bad happen?
Fuutarou: Not exactly. Come on. Let's go find the other problem child...
"Before you get any ideas Fuu-kun..." Nino tries to mutter. "...be glad I didn't poison-"
"YOU DON'T GET A SAY IN THIS!" Ichika thunders again as she slams her fists onto the table and instantly shuts the former up.
"Ichika! Enough! At least she's right! I'd rather fall asleep than get poisoned by her!" Fuutarou snaps as he turns his head behind him to face the enraged eldest quint. "I appreciate your concern for me but cut it out with your screaming please! That's not the Onee-san that I want to see right now!" Hearing this, especially Fuutarou calling her a big sis again, was enough for Ichika to hastily withdraw as she sits at the table rather than on the couch. It was also at this point that her aura dims significantly, though it still remains flickering over her.
*Over on the oval...*
Eba: It's all because of you and your amazing running that we made it into the marathon! So we're all counting on you to help us win this, ok Nakano?
Yotsuba: Mmm...
*Fuutarou and Itsuki appear*
Fuutarou: You know it's bad when you're counting (Yotsuba: Uh?) on this dork.
Yotsuba: Huh? Uesugi-san?
Eba: Sorry?
Fuutarou: I guess you're the captain? You must be pretty serious if you're practising right before the final exams.
Eba: Yep. This meet is important! We don't have any time to worry about tests.
Fuutarou: Wha? (Yotsuba: Uh...) What's wrong with you-
Yotsuba: AAH! Don't worry guys I can handle both!
Itsuki: Yotsuba! Don't push too hard!
Yotsuba: I-I'm fine I swear!
Fuutarou: Well I wouldn't want to take away your commitments... *He takes off a layer of his uniform* So I'll just have to join you! That's not a problem is it?
"Huh?" Ichika and Miku gasp as they see him take off part of his uniform for the first time ever.
"What?" Fuutarou annoyingly asks.
"That's the first time we've seen you without the grey part of your uniform!" Miku exclaims.
"And what's so special about that?" Fuutarou grumbles back.
*Fuutarou later realises it's a huge problem as he struggles to keep up with Yotsuba and the track team*
Eba: Five more laps!
Fuutarou: *Heavy breathing intensifies* I'm dying!
"PFFFFFT!" Ichika and Miku couldn't help but blow yet another raspberry over Fuutarou's awful stamina.
"Look if you think this is funny then how about you put your soles into my shoes for once, especially you, Miku!" Fuutarou snaps.
"Couldn't you have tutored Yotsuba once she had stopped running?" Itsuki asks him.
"By the time they did so it was already time to leave! I had no choice!" Fuutarou reveals.
Yotsuba: Uesugi-san! You should stop!
Fuutarou: Not yet! Which famous palace was built by Louis XIV of France?
Yotsuba: Oh that's Berlin Palace!
Fuutarou: And who wrote 'Run, Melos'?
Yotsuba: Ryunosuke Dazai!
Fuutarou: The fourth element on the periodic table?!
Yotsuba: Lidio... Hydro... Barium!
"You do realise those answers were nowhere close to being right?" Miku says.
"At least I was close wasn't I?" Yotsuba cringes visibly. "But... since they're not... what were the correct answers again guys? I forgot ever since we did the practise exams..."
"Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles not the Palace of Berlin." Miku says.
"You were close on 'Run, Melos' though. The actual name is Osamu Dazai. You just got his first name wrong." Ichika notes too... at least until she coughs uncontrollably and gets herself a glass of water.
"Barium is element number 56. The correct answer is actually Beryllium, after Lithium." Itsuki answers.
"You see? At least all of us are willing to help you unlike those track team members in terms of studying. Though I will have to appreciate your commitment to them in a way though." Fuutarou says, causing Yotsuba's ribbons to perk up in surprise.
"Aww... T... thanks." Yotsuba blushes as she forms a warm smile. Nino meanwhile refused to even join, let alone watch the rest of the show inside the curled up stature.
*Cue Smug-tsuba as Fuutarou looks on helplessly*
Fuutarou: All of those are just barely off the mark! But she has learned more than I expected she would! Maybe she can do both! *And then Fuutarou trips suddenly as he lands on Yotsuba* URGH!
Yotsuba: Ah?! You're way overdoing it! Go take a breather ok? I promise I'm good!
"Thanks for catching me when was actually about to land on my face though." Fuutarou admits as Yotsuba's smile brightens even more.
"No prob!" Yotsuba replies. Though deep down there was something else she remembers that finally disables her positive expression for good for the time being.
*Later after school*
Eba: This weekend, training camp!
Yotsuba: Ugh?! Do we have to?!
"Who on earth would even dare to schedule a stupid training camp on the weekend before the exams?!" Miku gawks as she and Ichika gasp in horror.
"Ditto." Yotsuba grumbles knowing that she had gone too far that day.
1st year track member: But captain I thought you said we could take the weekend off!
Eba: Oh yeah? Listen first year. If we wanna two-peat this event, then we gotta go hard.
The others minus Yotsuba: Right!
Yotsuba: Ughhhhh...
*Yotsuba's eyes swirl as she realises her mistake*
"Wow. Absolutely no regards for the others huh?" Ichika grumbles as she coughs again at the table.
"So much for a school marathon." Itsuki adds too, though she does have some thoughts about it.
*Cuts to the quintuplet apartment at night as Yotsuba brushes her teeth as she looks at her phone. She was about to send a message to Fuutarou about the events that happened in the day. Then out of nowhere...*
Yotsuba: Hm...
Ichika: Just hit send!
Yotsuba: WAAAAH! Ichika! Don't sneak up on me!
"Oh wait! I know this scene well!" Ichika suddenly pipes up as her mood finally brightens. Yotsuba meanwhile, could only blush in embarrassment. Miku, Fuutarou and Itsuki meanwhile remained silent.
Ichika: I need to brush too!
Yotsuba: Let me gargle first!
Ichika: Wait... I knew it! You were holding your toothbrush without actually brushing again weren't you? Hand it here! I'll help you! *Yotsuba reluctantly hands the toothbrush over as Ichika activates big sis mode and puts on her own toothpaste* See it's like old times!
Ichika's smile couldn't help but increase threefold behind everyone's backs... except Yotsuba who turns towards her and unleashes a dirty look on her.
Yotsuba: I'm not a kid anymore!
Ichika: Open up, Yotsuba!
Yotsuba: Aah! *And here's big sis Ichika brushing her sister's teeth. At least until Yotsuba taste something awful...* AGH! DISGUSTING!
Ichika: That's 'cause it's my toothpaste! This is the stuff that adults use! I guess you're still too young for it.
"Why did it have to show this?" Yotsuba groans as her ribbons wilt and turn red like her face.
"Aww! Seeing Ichika being a big sister again and brushing Yotsuba's teeth warms my heart!" Itsuki giggles alongside Miku. And frankly enough, Fuutarou join in too, partly because he heard everything on the phone that day.
"You too, Uesugi-san?!" Yotsuba exclaims.
"Welcome to my world, Yotsuba." Fuutarou smirks as the former arches her head down.
Yotsuba: Nuh-uh! I'm a grown up too!
Ichika: Ahaha! You may have gotten bigger but you haven't changed! Look you've been working so hard you have canker sores!
*Ichika continues to brush Yotsuba's teeth*
Yotsuba: Ah! Come on you don't need to-!
Ichika: Aw don't get fussy! No matter how old we get, you're always gonna be my little sister! I really wish you would depend on me more!
"Just like how Raiha-chan depends on Fuutarou and Itsuki like they're family of course." Miku beams.
"Agreed- WAIT WHAT?!" Itsuki stammers as she thought Miku meant something else other than family.
"Hmm? What gives?" Fuutarou asks as Itsuki's ahoge shudders.
"N-nothing! Never mind!" Itsuki stammers. Family as in... me married to Uesugi-kun?! NO! NOT HAPPENING, MIKU!
Yotsuba: Uh... Is it bad... if I wanna quit the track team?
Ichika: You can if you want.
Yotsuba: Uh? *She frantically waves her left hand* No way I can't do that! I'll cause people trouble! Stop giving me bad advice if you wanna act like my Onee-san. You're still not though!
Ichika: Eheheh... You don't get to pretend you're grown up *She lifts up Yotsuba's panties off-screen* if you wear panties like these!
Yotsuba: WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
And that was enough to make Yotsuba's crimson face darken even more whilst the rest, including Fuutarou but minus Nino, try not to laugh like maniacs.
"ARGH! WHY?!" Yotsuba screams embarrassed.
"At least they had the decency to cut your panties out." Ichika says, though her voice is starting to become dry despite all the water she drank.
Yotsuba: Stop teasing! And never leave those out when Uesugi-san's around got it?! Ugh...
*She leaves Ichika in the bathroom*
Ichika: Fine. *She whips out her phone to reveal Fuutarou actually eavesdropping on their conversation* Right, did you get all that?
Fuutarou: Yep. Everything.
"HUH SO YOU HEARD EVERYTHING ON- wait... ICHIKA?!" Yotsuba screams as she furiously turns her head to the latter... who grins. "SO MUCH FOR BEING MY ONEE-SAN!"
"Geez Yotsuba chill. At least it's better than Nino drugging Fuutarou out of jealousy for sure." Miku admits.
"That doesn't make it any less embarrassing! Not when Uesugi-san is right next to us and trying to hold in his laughter too!" Yotsuba shudders as she coughs.
Ichika: Perfect. I'll be at the track meet tomorrow. Are you going?
Itsuki: Hmm...
Fuutarou: Yeah absolutely! We have to free Yotsuba!
"Even you Itsu- MFF?!" Yotsuba wanted to yell, only to get gagged by the former with her red jacket.
"If neither of us had ever cared about you, we wouldn't have done all of this for you. Please." Itsuki says to her rowdy little big sis.
*The next day, Miku was shown to be infiltrating Nino's new location... whilst the former was disguised as her sister*
Ni-ku: Hey there Nino.
Nino: I'm never gonna get any privacy am I?
*Episode ends*
"Uh... what was that you were holding Nino?" Itsuki asks, though she declined to answer, even as she perks her head up now that the episode is finally over.
"Was that why you were fidgeting nervously when Nino found out it was you? I'm sorry I didn't notice..." Miku whimpers as she continues to embrace her tutor alongside Yotsuba; Itsuki detaches herself after noticing that the atmosphere has grown increasingly sour yet again despite the cute interactions with the first and fourth quints.
"Ditto." Ichika mutters, because that was sort of the same thing she said in Episode 12.
"And for a split second I thought we weren't gonna overreact to something like this anymore..." Fuutarou mumbles.
"Me neither. This fight between Nino and Itsuki-chan really struck a chord. *Cough cough* Especially now that it's pretty clear that we've *Cough* we've caught you Fuutarou-kun in this web of chaos *Cough*." Ichika says hoarsely.
"Whatever, please guys. I'm aware that it was my fault and all that but can we at least not hang this over our heads please?" Nino begs. The others, though not a word was spoken, just grimace at her for getting Fuutarou into a mess that he nearly couldn't pull himself out of, causing the former to withdraw guiltily.
"You keep saying things like this over and over again... yet because of this TV show, we're finding it increasingly difficult to believe that you have really moved on. What other excuses do you have that you're hiding away from us huh? Let me guess you wanted Uesugi-san to let everyone but you pass the exams right?!" Yotsuba replies sullenly as she removes Itsuki's jacket off her mouth.
"HEY IF HE WANTED ME TO FAIL THE FINAL EXAMS HE AND MIKU WOULDN'T HAVE COME TO ASSIST ME WOULDN'T THEY?! ISN'T THAT UP NEXT?!" Nino breaks as she aggressively approaches Yotsuba and nearly succeeds in striking her square in the face... if it wasn't for her crush intercepting the blow with his hand, albeit painfully.
"NINO! YOTSUBA! STOP!" Fuutarou, Miku and Itsuki scream in unison.
"Now's not the time to start another argument like on TV! What's done cannot be undone! It's already over! APOLOGIZE TO EACH OTHER! NOW!" Ichika adds as her voice is nearly destroyed from all of the screaming.
"And Yotsuba (ow...), please don't provoke your sister like this ok? We all know that she's easily prone to these sort of outbursts." Fuutarou warns her.
Nino and Yotsuba glare at each other with hostile intent since neither of them don't want to calm down yet; The only thing that actually got the second sister to comply was the immediate reminder of her younger sister's brute strength in her head. The staring lasted for about thirty awkward seconds before both of them finally decided that enough was enough.
"...S...sorry..." they finally say to each other, though their tones remained as sour as they possibly could as the second sister furiously withdraws with an awful feeling reeling within her. The rest meanwhile, couldn't jump to a reasonable conclusion with all of their moods being shattered by the two episodes.
"First my story with Rena and then the overreactive responses to seeing Nino drug me on TV after my exposure. So much for the Seven Goodbyes Arc..." Fuutarou then mutters out of nowhere.
"You were part of the overreactions too you know." Yotsuba sourly replies.
"Honestly, with the way we're all feeling right now... I think we should cool our heads for a second time before we continue." Itsuki again suggests as she helplessly witnesses this small fight with her poor, ocean blue eyes. In response, everyone except Nino got up and trotted upstairs without uttering a single word, though Fuutarou decided to exit their apartment again. "Hmm Uesugi-kun? Where are you-? Oh no... please..." She turns towards the door but get stopped by Miku.
"Itsuki. I'll handle this. You go and relax with the others... and hope that this sort of tragedy doesn't repeat itself on TV again." Miku tells her as she steps outside and closes the door, leaving the second quint wracked with guilt.
"Uh, O... ok..." Itsuki mutters before she glances at Ichika and Yotsuba speechless.
Outside near the lifts, Fuutarou was contemplating on what he had just recapped... but he felt something different. Something that didn't feel as good as he had experienced since he relieved this in person. Rather, there was something else on his mind right now.
It's just Rena though. I mean sure, she was the girl in my past right? We've already met a long time ago and So why... why do I feel so guilty? It's not because I let the TV show display it all before their eyes right? And that second drug moment with Nino... He flashbacks to his conflict with Nino and what happened during the past two episodes as the recaps pierce his stomach.
Rena: 'Because... I'm not going to see you again.'
Fuutarou: 'You aren't? What do you mean?! Hey wait up! Don't go!'
Rena: 'Don't open that until you learn how to accept yourself.'
Nino: 'You should have never barged into our lives!'
Fuutarou: 'All I have been doing is studying! How does that help them?'
"Hell no! This is different! We've successfully made it to third year! Everyone's back together! There's only a few weeks left until the final exams! Don't let the awful recaps hold you back! You're already someone who's needed!" Fuutarou yells to himself in a vain attempt to turn the negative into the positive.
But... there was something else... something fuzzy that has been burdening him ever since he started watching the show: 'Who exactly was Rena though? They she responded, the hesitation in her voice, the trembles on her skin... If it was one of the quintuplets, who out of the five has been the gamechanger in my entire life?' Part of him wanted him to finally unveil the truth, and part of him say that it's best to set that aside and focus on the future... and right now, it seems like the former seems to be triumphing over the mental struggle. At least for now.
The flashbacks continued to replay in his mind for a few hundred seconds. And then his body instinctively jolts as he hears the door creak open again, revealing the quintuplet complete with headphones.
"Fuutarou?" Miku says softly as she exits the apartment to comfort him before the latter turns his head around to face her.
"Miku. Is there something bothering you? Do you need something from me?" Fuutarou asks. Miku just stares at him timidly for five seconds before she opens her mouth to speak.
"I need to know what else is on your mind... that's making you feel uneasy right now."
A/N: I hoped I didn't make the reactions too dark there, because I ironically felt a little disturbed by what I wrote too. If you guys want I could edit and tone it down a little bit. That aside, hopefully the next episode is way lighter than the previous two parts, now that Fuutarou needs to find a way out of this loophole on TV. And I'm pretty sure he will.