Ep 16: Seven Goodbyes Part 3
A/N: Shoutouts to an unknown Guest and LightHorsey for your amazing ideas and I really appreciate the fact that you suggested them to me. Whilst I did my best to incorporate them, just bear in mind that I had to omit some of them in this episode, either because I felt like they just don't fit well (as in, I don't want this fanfic to turn too violent) or I just couldn't seem to find a good opportunity to place them. I might include them in upcoming chapters if I can do so, but that's another story for later. Nonetheless, enjoy.
"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.
"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 anything 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's on your mind... that's making you feel uneasy right now."
"..."
"Hey." Miku approaches Fuutarou and rests her left arm on his shoulder as he barely stands up. "You're still shaken aren't you? I can easily tell just by the way you're avoiding eye contact with me. I know you're staring at my headphones and not into my eyes, Fuutarou. Don't try to avoid it."
"And how are you so sure?" Fuutarou weakly replies back.
"Well for one thing, you never overreact to something like Nino drugging you again. The way you responded after seeing that was way out of your character for sure." Miku notes as Fuutarou remains silent. "You never had the nerve to lunge at one of us like this before, let alone since we started watching our past, and I feel like it's slowly beginning to affect you more than it's affecting the five of us."
Sitting down on the floor in plain silence with Miku following in tow, Fuutarou couldn't find a response to this. Miku was right. He had never overreacted to something that could be easily disregarded as an annoyance. There was definitely something weighing on his mind right now. Something... that he cannot easily describe like some sort of study problem. "Sigh... I... I'm sorry. I don't know... I don't even understand how... or what came over me back then. The moment I-"
"You're afraid of something aren't you?" Miku tries to find out as she keeps her arm steady over Fuutarou's shoulder. "That Rena you met last year... knowing that she's one of us... well um, I'm not gonna say who but... you get the idea right? That she's one of us five? It's like the quintuplet games we played all those years in a way."
"Well she um... uh..." Fuutarou mutters after realizing that Miku somehow got part of his current fears right. The thought of Rena not being able to see him again. Maybe he had interpreted it too literally; She wanted him gone, as in, gone for good. That was her message. "Look, I'm sorry for overreacting like that it's... well, I didn't think that, as with everything we've seen previously, I must have interpreted her message wrong. As if, she's telling me that... I'm not supposed to be the person who's needed. That was why I lashed out at Nino. That I thought that, knowing that she's one of you... I thought..."
"We would want you out when we've finally succeeded for real? Hell no, I'm against what you thought for sure. And I'm pretty sure that's not what Rena meant either." Miku firmly states, having felt like she's going through a role reversal since Episode 2.
"Is that so? Then I guess I must have been mistaken then. But I don't know. Another paradox of some sort maybe. Thanks for clarifying it with me though I guess?" Fuutarou nervously responds as she giggles lightly.
"You're really funny sometimes you know that?" Miku says lightly in an attempt to brighten his mood a little, though she knows that it would take more than a light joke for sure seeing that his deflated expression remains unchanged as he sighs. It was also at this point that her curiosity is slightly piqued upon noticing that Fuutarou is clutching his student handbook in his right hand as he spoke. It was open in full view, with the folded photo being exposed entirely to the quintuplet's ocean blue eyes as she shifts forward.
"Um... if you don't mind... can I take a look at the photo again?" Miku asks. No response, but Fuutarou does shift his hand closer to her slowly as she reaches out for it. Much to the third's surprise, Fuutarou doesn't do anything to stop her from taking the photo out of the slip as she unfolds it.
Gazing at the photo in silence, Miku's smile widens upon understanding how special the girl is to him after all these years, before she neatly folds it and puts it back where it belongs.
I see. That's his real reason for studying huh. She thinks. And Miku, being the type to depend on him heavily, is always willing to support him as much as he did for her, even though she feels super jealous knowing that she's not the girl that Fuutarou met in the past.
"We're so thankful that dad found you and decided to hire you." Miku assures as she continues to latch onto Fuutarou. "It would be a waste to dwell on this negativity and let all your efforts go to waste. And for the girl in your photo, well, I believe, along with her, that you can do it. You have the will to set an example for the five of us, you have the will to fight alongside us too and I know it. And believe me: What I'm saying right now, is part of what she actually means in the long run. Also, for someone who desires to be needed, thank you again, for your hard work."
"Sigh... your welcome I guess? But... how does setting an example for you girls plus the fact that you mentioned something about my will..." Fuutarou shudders a little. "How's that going to confirm that... that Rena... that she has put her faith in me? How's that... plus my growing love for you all supposed to help?"
In response to Fuutarou's hesitant response, Miku shifts herself so that she's facing Fuutarou directly, before returning a hug that lasted for at least 30 seconds, if not more. "Please, Fuutarou. I'm sure whoever that Rena is, she has no intentions of leaving you ok? In fact, I'm sure she's very proud of you that you came all the way this far... she would be proud that we, as your students, have passed so many hurdles with flying colours. Like she said on TV, we all really need you, till the very end, even if we end up separating that day. I'm sure of it. Just like how you helped me when I had no hopes of succeeding last year remember? You were there for me. So now it's time that the five of us, not just me, return the favour."
"Miku..." Fuutarou gasps as his eyes finally stopped shedding waterfalls as he and Miku gaze into each other's beautiful eyes upon the completion of their embrace. Round, perfect eyes with the crystal clear message saying that everything is going to be ok, no matter what happens in the end.
"You feeling better? I hoped that hug of mine was enough to at least cool you a bit." Miku speaks as she rises to her feet again.
"...I suppose." Fuutarou responds as he stands up too. "How are your sisters doing right now?"
"They should be fine. Nino should have long gotten over this by now." Miku says as she walks towards the door, only to turn back towards Fuutarou with a smile. "Fuutarou? Are you coming? The others are desperate to have you back you know."
Fuutarou just gazes at Miku blankly, as his words evaporate from his head faster than he can even process them. "...Alright." he finally murmurs before he follows suit.
"Want me to get you a drink once we go inside?" Miku then asks out of the blue.
"It's fine..." Fuutarou replies as he enters and shuts the door behind him yet again.
"They've been out in the hallway for nearly 15 minutes now. You think Uesugi-kun's ok?" Itsuki asks nervously as she and Yotsuba peer over the balcony before they join Ichika in the former's bedroom.
"To be honest I wasn't expecting him to lose his cool either. And my voice... urgh, it hurts." Ichika chokes as she slumps back first onto Itsuki's neatly made bed and stares at the ceiling blankly. "Though we had to deal with his unusual reactions every now and then, it's super rare to see him react like that. I felt like that one went way too far for sure."
"Well in way, don't you think that the way he overreacted well um..." Itsuki tries to bring up.
"What about it?" Ichika asks curiously.
"Nothing. Never mind." Itsuki says. She actually wanted to lighten up the atmosphere a little by referencing his overreaction to a scene that she saw in Ichika's movie but felt like it would worsen the mood even further. "I just hope this one episode isn't enough to shatter whatever motivations he has left within him of course."
"Thing is though, we're looking mainly through Uesugi-san's perspective most of the time." Yotsuba pipes up, knowing that she may have to revel in her own, private secrets too if they ever were to show up. "If I were in his shoes I'd also be terrified to unveil my most private things on TV too, so I clearly understand how he would feel in every aspect."
"Like the time where I had your little kiddy panties?" Ichika smirks as the former suddenly turns bright red.
"Wah! Ichika! Stop it I'm serious! Can we move on from your teasing habits already?" Yotsuba panics as her ribbons twitch profusely.
"As you just said though Yotsuba, this was what Uesugi-kun had to deal with when we looked at his private scenes. And it wasn't even just one in fact." Itsuki says after finally getting an idea on how Fuutarou feels just from recalling the same thing that happened to herself and her sisters. But then again, she had to watch herself as Rena, so she holds no grudges for this whatsoever. "So, other than the overreactions of some sort, we need to at least respect that and let him know that we can understand why he's so paranoid all the time."
"Pfft, I could honestly say the same thing for you and Nino honestly, since you two are nearly just like him when it come to this." Ichika scoffs as she suddenly catches an image of the photo in her head. "Speaking of private though..." She tilts her head at the fourth lying back first. "Yotsuba, about the photo that you starred in..."
"URK! Eheheh uh... what about the photo?! I mean, not that you two haven't seen it as of now but still?!" Yotsuba jolts yet again after remembering that her special secret got partially exposed last season.
"It's not like that, don't worry. What I'm curious to know is how did you and Fuutarou-kun manage to get the photo without the latter holding the camera. Who was the photographer holding it and shot the two of you together? Do you know?" Ichika asks.
"Oh yeah. I was thinking of it too. Because neither of you two look like you were holding the camera directly. It was pretty obvious that both of you had your arms down during that time, minus the peace sign you were making." Itsuki notes as her ahoge twitches.
"Umm... uh..." Yotsuba stutters. She also didn't know who the actual photographer was either. It was a vague moment, unlike the times where the pair bought the charms and she even hoped that Fuutarou would take a photo of her at the lookout. And she knows for sure that it wasn't her father, as the photo was taken just before the two were found. "I... no... truth be told, I don't know who he really was, nor could I remember his name either. Sorry..." She mutters again as her ribbons suddenly flatten.
"It's fine. I was just curious that's all." Ichika grins.
"But... was this why you were so anxious? This special moment of yours... from your development up until second year, to reuniting with Uesugi-kun and finally staying true to your desires... This photo... this is the treasure you've been hiding from not just our tutor, but all of us previously?" Itsuki asks her, just to try and attune herself to her sister's troubles a little better in the long run.
Yotsuba just looks at her two sisters in silence. At least, until she finally understands that no matter what happens, she knows that her sisters will be here for her, nonetheless. They will be here to conceal this precious secret for as long as they can, until the end of their friendship with their tutor is nigh. As for her thoughts...
'Oh wow are those good luck charms? Let's buy some!'
'Why are you buying so many?'
'Cause maybe they'll make me try five times harder! *She turns to Fuutarou* I want to be a good example for everyone else!'
Fuutarou: 'Why are you still bugging me?! Just go away!'
'But it has to be you! You're necessary to me!'
"Well... as a matter of fact I-" Yotsuba begins to explain, but then her sharp sense of hearing detects the faintest sounds of metallic hinges creaking. And it wasn't Itsuki's bedroom door for sure. "Hmm? Oh. They're back. I can hear the front door opening. Let's just leave it here shall we? He's better off not knowing for now."
Surprised by Yotsuba's incredible hearing capabilities, the eldest and youngest quints gaze at each other for ten seconds, before they exited the former's bedroom and follow Yotsuba as the latter peeks from the balcony again and awaits Fuutarou and Miku's re-entrances.
Downstairs, Nino glances at her phone with a sigh. And on her screen, it was revealed that she had captured a picture of Fuutarou's photo with the girl five years ago. "I know who the girl you met is specifically but..." She talks to herself. "Fuu-kun... did you perhaps overreact because... you were afraid that... you thought I was Rena? That you thought she wanted you gone as much as I did in the past? If it is... I'm sorry for not noticing it earlier..."
And then the door opens to reveal Miku and Fuutarou coming back inside. In response, Nino slowly closes her photos and gestures a small wave in Fuutarou's direction to convey her innocence. The quint with the green ribbon meanwhile peers from the balcony with a grimace.
"Welcome back." Yotsuba says in a lowkey voice from above, with Ichika on her left and Itsuki on her right. Fuutarou glances up at the trio but doesn't even bother to respond as he just slumps on the couch. His non-reactive manner prompts the fourth to slowly trot down the stairs and over to the couch, with her eldest and youngest sisters trailing behind her as they reunite with the pair plus a half-recovered Nino on the couch.
"You feeling better, teach? I know Nino did yet another awful thing to you but don't let a tiny moment like that slip inside your head ok? I know your will is a lot stronger than this." Ichika reassures as she sits on Fuutarou's right.
"The five of us will be by your side, just like how you wanted us to stick with you in the last two parts of the Seven Goodbyes." Itsuki adds on as she pats his shoulder before sitting back down too next to Ichika.
"Uesugi-san... Miku, is he...?" Yotsuba shivers as Fuutarou wearily gazes at her for five seconds. I knew it... he's still mad... He going to turn on me and-
"Just..." Fuutarou murmurs as he looks away, bows down and solemnly shuts his eyes. "Just play it... play the next episode without me for now. I'll watch alongside you girls when I can."
"Uh..." was all that the quintuplets could let out.
"And thanks... I guess... I'm sorry." Fuutarou concedes. "Especially you Nino. I shouldn't have-"
"Don't worry about it. I already forgive for why you responded the way you did but please. Let's just move on, like you said ok? I don't want this to burden you either. I was the one who should have been aware that you would be hurt by this." Nino responds quickly.
"If anyone else asks, he's fine. I've managed to sort it out with him." Miku confirms with her sisters as they let a sigh of relief. "But he's still pretty uncomfortable at the moment, probably because he saw Rena on TV when he thought he wasn't going to see her again. So please let him be for the time being ok?"
The other quintuplets could only gaze at his troubled expression as they shift their attentions back to the TV.
Uesugi-kun... yikes... I didn't think my meeting with him would really have a profound impact on his mood in the long run... Itsuki thinks silently as she flashbacks to that one day in her thoughts... and hesitantly reaches for the remote to press the play button again. New seating order: Itsuki, Ichika, Fuutarou, Nino, Yotsuba, Miku.
"Fuu-kun... you're still not mad at me because of the previous episode are you? I'm really sorry. Please don't do this again..." Nino whispers as she unconsciously wraps both of her arms onto Fuutarou's left without him noticing as Episode 16 plays.
*The episode starts off with the track team assembled whilst Fuutarou, Ichika and Itsuki watch from the balcony*
Eba: Good. We're all here!
Yotsuba: Mmm...
Fuutarou: This sucks, almost exam day and these jocks are acting like it doesn't matter! You still can't get in touch with Miku?
Ichika's phone: The party you were trying to-
Ichika: It sounds like she might have turned her phone off. Just hold on a sec she told me where she was going!
"I actually turned my vibration and ringtone off that's why I didn't pick up." Miku reveals.
Itsuki: Uh... Ichika?
Fuutarou: If Yotsuba can't back out of this then you can always do it for her right?
Itsuki: Uh?
*And here's Smug Fuutarou with an image of his nightmares from Episode 2*
Fuutarou: Just play pretend! You're pros at it!
Miku had to supress her giggles to a series of pouty snickers just so that Fuutarou wouldn't be alerted soundly whilst he continues to mourn over his thoughts.
Itsuki: Ah?! *Her ahoge droops* I don't know it's a lot more difficult for me. Like remember when I tried to impersonate Ichika?!
"Ahem!" The worst liar in the room coughs at her only younger sis.
"Yeah, yeah we get that you haven't disguised as anyone at all but me ok? Don't be so harsh!" Itsuki laments.
"Ironic..." Ichika and Nino mutter.
Fuutarou: Sure I do! Here's the plan: You'll switch clothes with Miku, so- AH?! *The track team prepares to leave* Crap the track team's leaving! We can't let Yotsuba make it to the train station!
Itsuki: Then how do we stop them?
Fuutarou: Hmm...
*He stares intensely at the youngest who blinks nervously*
Itsuki: Eh?
"Alright now that we're done with my side, what exactly happened over there with you two?" Itsuki asks suspiciously, seeing that she, Yotsuba and Ichika had no idea what happened over there during this time.
Fuutarou meanwhile as he still gets shut in deep within his zone of discomfort...
I'm such an idiot. Why did I even try to pounce on Nino like that?! I mean, Miku was right though. He thinks. Maybe she was right. That Rena, or whatever her actual name is, when see says I'm not going to see her again, does that mean... no...
'I'm taking this with me. Because... I'm not going to see you again.'
Yeah no... awful idea. She said don't open whatever it was until I learn to accept myself, though I couldn't do so because, well... anyways She had no intentions of wanting me out of her life right...? But hey, like I said at the start of the Seven Goodbyes, it does beg the question... Besides why would she return the photo to the girls in the first place? Is there something she wants to tell them?
'Don't open that until you learn how to accept yourself.'
'Bye for good.'
Yeah, that's it Rena. I got the wrong impression that you wanted me gone for good. I misinterpreted the events too much, that's why I responded the way when Nino...
'You should have never barged into our lives!'
But... what would dad and Raiha do without me here? If I was gone... would they be able to...? I'm glad that question saved me from the brink of disaster but even so I...
Oblivious of his own sightings however, Nino kept her grip on his arm as tight as she could, hoping that her crush won't go into another random fallout of his in the meanwhile. Though, as she does so, the other four began to peer at her with sour looks...
*Over to Nino and Miku's side where the pair have made their own cups of black tea and matcha*
Nino: I don't care! I'm not going home!
*She pours in a sachet of sugar in her black tea*
Miku: All that sugar is gonna make you sick.
Nino: I don't need your opinion. Besides how would you know you drink old bleary tea.
*Miku sips her matcha*
Miku: Sigh... You're too much of a child to appreciate green tea.
Nino: Just finish your drink and get lost. By the way, how did you find me after I switched to this hotel?
Miku: I was at the other one on the day you left it. *Flashback* I mean, you walked right past me when you stormed out. Why was Fuutarou there?
*Nino gasps*
"Because he said he wanted the five of us to be together again... now that we all know." Yotsuba recalls.
"Ok, ok I get it I was a stupid jerk ok?!" Nino snaps as she tightens her grip on Fuutarou, though unbeknownst to her, that only intensified the yandere-like stares on her sisters.
Nino: If I had to describe what happened in one word, terrible! Believe me! I am never going to forgive that jerk!
*Cue Nino's radiant, but deadly aura blazing in front of Miku*
Miku: Woah! What in the world did he do?!
Nino clings onto Fuutarou's left arm even more, hoping that her crush doesn't overreact to this sort of thing again. "I know you're angry with me for what I did and I'm sorry, but..." She sighs. "...please don't ever do this again ok? I'm not who you think I am back then anymore." No response. "Fuu-kun?"
"He's fine Nino, stop it. And I wish you also stop clinging onto him like that!" Miku pouts jealousy as the other quints continue to wear the same look as her, though the former continues to ignore them for the time being.
Nino: He wore a disguise! The nerve he actually pulled one over on me!
Miku: ...I see.
*Awkward silence as Miku sips her matcha for a second time. And then...*
Nino: THAT'S IT?! Be more upset! I need a bigger reaction here!
Ichika and Yotsuba couldn't help but snicker at Nino's hilarious response.
Miku: Sorry but disguises are kinda normal in our family.
Nino: Well... yeah but... *Flashbacks to the ski trip* That time... *And then when she received the charm after reuniting with him* And that time... *And then over to the cream puffs they made* It was always him! *Back to the present as Nino wears a heartbroken scowl* How dare he! He's the worst!
"Well... at least I now know how he feels, trying to distinguish the five of us without the different hair colours..." Nino whispers to herself as Fuutarou suddenly shivers. "Hmm? Uh-oh..."
No way... Rena, thinking that... I'm the worst? No... pull yourself together... Fuutarou continues in his thoughts.
"I can't tell what's surfacing on his mind right now, but I suggest you stop latching onto him all for yourself Nino, in case he suddenly explodes again." Itsuki sternly tells her big sis. And yet she still gets ignored. "Nino?"
"Hey. Itsuki's talking to you." Yotsuba mutters as she jealousy shakes her sister.
"For crying out loud just leave us alone!" Nino finally shouts as she unwillingly peers at the looks of envy from Ichika, Miku, Yotsuba and Itsuki. "I don't care if you're all resenting me for latching onto Fuu-kun! I'd rather do so than face what happened in the previous episode ok? Now beat it, before I take him away and go on a date just with him in the future and disregard you all!" Thankfully at the mention of being disregarded and 'date', the others withdrew slightly, but refused to keep their gaze of their sister for the time being.
"Geez. No need to be so harsh as usual!" Yotsuba grumbles.
Fuutarou meanwhile, much to the latched-on quintuplet's relief, cools a little as his shudders cease to exist for now.
Miku: So is that all that happened?
Nino: Pretty much. Ah? *She strokes her long hair* Yeah that was all.
Miku: You sure?
Nino: ...He said that outside of exams, he wants us all to stick together.
*Miku appears to be astounded*
Miku: Fuutarou really told you that?
Nino: He did isn't that selfish?! Who cares what that jerk wants!
Miku: And you'd still rather not come home.
Nino: Why the heck would I do that?! What's the point of us sticking together if we can't even get along anymore?!
Miku: 'Cause we're family! That's enough right? *Nino gasps* I know you think that everyone else has changed without you, Nino. But if you ask me, you've changed quite a bit yourself.
Nino: Seriously? In what way?
Every single way, thanks to you... Nino thinks as she forms a wide smile whilst she looks up at Fuutarou.
Miku: You didn't drink black tea before.
Nino: That's it?!
Miku: It's like we're all twenty percent of a person, judging by the scores we've gotten. *She looks over at Nino's worksheets and rummages through them* Those worksheets.
Nino: Hey don't just go digging through my bag!
*Miku then points to a question that she knows*
Miku: You missed number three. It should be the Battle of Nagashima.
Nino: So? What are you trying to brag about how hard you've been studying?
Miku: I love Sengoku warlords. And I've always loved them.
*Shows a Sengoku man*
Nino: A bunch of old dead guys? You really like that stuff?
"Who was that? The bald guy behind you two?" Yotsuba asks out of nowhere.
"I believe that's Takeda Shingen. My favourite of the Sengoku generals." Miku smiles as she glances at her phone's wallpaper of the Takeda crest.
"Wait..." Ichika suddenly says out of nowhere...
"Hm? What's wrong Ichika?" Miku asks her.
"Mmm... nothing. Wrong person." Ichika hastily replies. I swear though, Takeda Shingen... his last name reminds me of Takeda-kun. And the other one... that Uesugi general... What was his full name again, because that's Fuutarou-kun's last name too right? Either way, Takeda-kun and Fuutarou-kun... that can't be a coincidence can it?
Miku: Mhm. That's my twenty percent of it. And... *She sips Nino's black tea and...* Urgh... too sweet!
Nino: What's your problem?!
"Anyways Itsuki... about me and Nino drinking each other's tea." Miku points out as Nino sort of grins.
Miku: If it weren't for you, I would never have known... how that tasted. *Flashbacks to the quints when they were young* It's true that when the five of us were alike, we never argued or got in trouble. But if we hadn't changed, we would have all stayed at twenty percent. *And then to the quints in the present day when they all got along* We should each laugh, get angry, be sad, experience life in our own way. Make up for each other's shortcomings. And become the people we're meant to be. It's good... that we're different.
"Man what you just said Miku, it hit me just as hard as the stack of practise papers Uesugi-kun wrote by hand..." Itsuki whimpers.
"Kinda like the photos we had in our photo album book huh?" Yotsuba remarks pleasantly, though she and her sisters minus Miku felt like they have hit a wall over what the latter said, not to mention that one image on TV reminding them of their younger selves being together again.
"Mhm. Though... I don't want Fuutarou-kun to be left out this time. After seeing everything he's poured his heart into, he's like our Onii-chan to us in a way." Ichika remarks as her stomach lurches slightly. In fact, the latter suddenly quivers again after overhearing what Ichika said, though nothing could be heard from his mouth.
"Fuu-kun... please..." Nino whispers yet again, now that she knows that he should be a part of the family in a way too. But even so, he doesn't take an ounce to reply.
"Nino...!" Miku firmly growls at her again.
*Nino eyes begin to get watery and soon enough she-*
Miku: For example you're the one who can cook so we haven't been well nourished recently. It's been kind of a disaster...
Nino: You can figure something out it's not like you're babies!
"Pfft!" Out of the blue however, Fuutarou blows a sudden raspberry and silently snickers as Miku abruptly changes the mood onscreen, causing all five quintuplets to jump.
"Woah! Uesugi-san!" Yotsuba exclaims.
"Sorry! I got caught off guard by what Miku said on TV!" Fuutarou silently muffles under his right hand as he continues to laugh, though his eyes still remained shut.
"Uh..." Itsuki lets out as she sits on the edge of the couch after being startled.
*Nino forcefully sit back on the couch before she picks up Miku's matcha*
Nino: Ugh... I knew it this is way too bitter! Black tea's definitely the way to go!
Miku: Black tea starts off bitter too.
*And here we go again x3 as a zoom in of the duo comes up*
Nino: Oh yeah! But in a classy way! They clearly use higher quality leaves to make it after all!
Miku: Green tea is fancier! So I bet it comes from way nicer leaves!
"Again?" Itsuki groans after seeing yet another repetitive argument, though Miku and Nino just smirk.
Nino: Fine! I'll just look it up! But don't be mad if they use weeds to make green tea!
Miku: Yeah right!
*Nino searches the results on Yahoo and...*
Nino: Oh they use the same for both kinds.
Miku: Black tea is just fermented.
*The look at each other*
Both of them: Ahahaha!
Nino: That's funny! I should tell the others- Uh! Hm...
"Aww! Nice to hear you two come to an agreeable solution for once!" Ichika coos.
"I agree. It's recall good to hear that you girls are getting along again too." Fuutarou says as he opens his eyes for the time being.
"Even better that you haven't gone insane too. We're all worried for you right now." Yotsuba adds on.
Nino: Sigh... Forget and accept the present right? I need to brace myself (Miku: Hm?) for the future! *She walks over to a cabinet and pulls out some scissors... before turning around to hold them menacingly in front of Miku* Miku... you should brace yourself too!
Scared Miku: Uhhhhhh...
*As Nino looms over her scared sister the scene fades to black*
Fuutarou couldn't help but giggle over Miku's scared, but silly face for once. Even Nino couldn't help but join in too as Miku herself cringes slightly.
"What's so funny?" Itsuki asks Fuutarou.
"Oh you know... just think that Miku's face on screen when she was asked to cut Nino's hair... it look so cute and hilarious!" Fuutarou muffles as he snickers again.
"Well uh... ok?" Miku says as she becomes embarrassed.
"That aside, it's good to hear you laughing in a while. You feeling better now, Fuutarou-kun?" Ichika asks solemnly.
"Sort of. Rena's memories are still lingering in my head though so I'm not out of the woods yet... Hmm?" Fuutarou responds after he calms down... and feels a tugging force on his left arm as he looks down to see the second quint still latched onto him.
"Surprise. Heehee!" Nino giggles lightly.
"I thought I felt someone tugging onto me." Fuutarou says. "Listen, Nino... I-"
"...Should be the one saying sorry. Not you." Nino repeats. "Look, if you think that Rena of yours wants you out of our lives, please don't see it that way ok? I'm sure she would be proud of you helping us get this far. And believe me: I don't want you to go either. I forgive you for what happened with the time you disguised as Kintarou-kun in the meanwhile too."
"Sigh... um... It's fine I guess. Also um, judging by the hostile looks on your sisters right now, did you perhaps um... do something?" Fuutarou asks as the other four instantly revert back to their yandere-like stares and close in on their clutched sister.
"Oh heheh. They're just jealous that I was clinging onto your shoulder and hoped that you wouldn't break down for a second time, that's all. Don't worry about it." Nino smirks as she finally lets go of Fuutarou's arm and turns to her sisters. "There! I've let go of Fuu-kun's arm! You happy now?"
"Assuming you stop this for the rest of the episode yeah!" Yotsuba pouts.
"Alright please, girls. Thanks for expressing your concern for me, especially after what happened but..." Fuutarou says as he attempts to break the ongoing tension again. "...Let's just drop this and keep watching ok?" Thankfully, the quints all stopped pouting much to his relief as they decided to listen to him. "Thank you."
"The five of us, plus you, will always be together, until the end of the school year of course. Always remember that." Nino adds on.
"And as a bonus, at least you and Miku didn't have to drink your teas with Otani Yoshitsugu's snot in it am I right, Nino?" Fuutarou teases her, causing her to choke.
"WHAT THE-?! GROSS!" Nino screams as she goes into a sudden gagging fit whilst everyone else laughs their heart out. "WHY WOULD I EVEN DARE TO DRINK SOMETHING HORRID LIKE THAT SENGOKU IDIOT YOU AND MIKU DISCUSSED?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"Well consider this as payback for that Kintarou-kun incident you hear me?" Fuutarou smirks as Nino sourly withdraws whilst the TV continues.
"Good one, teach! Haha!" Ichika cracks up as she and Yotsuba give him a high-five for that.
*The scene cuts to Yot-suki*
Yot-suki: Umm... Sorry but I like to resign from the track team!
Itsuki couldn't help but grimace whilst the others, minus Yotsuba, puff their cheeks.
Fuutarou: No! Sound stupider!
Yot-suki: Mm! *Squeaky Yot-suki voice* I give up! I already told you I'm not any good at this stuff!
And that was enough to make everyone aforementioned laugh their hearts out.
"Ugh! Can you all not make it sound so mean?!" Itsuki complains as her ahoge sags.
"Aww lighten up a little will ya?" Fuutarou chuckles.
"Says the one who got me into this, jerk..." Itsuki bites back.
Fuutarou: There you go! Itsuki! That's classic Yotsuba! And I mean... you've got the look down that!
Yot-suki: Are you sure this is going to work out?
"What did you two even do anyways?" Nino asks curiously since she, Ichika and Miku weren't there to know what actually went on before the former intervened and saved her sisters.
"Wait for it..." Fuutarou says.
*Deep Fuutarou breath as-*
Fuutarou: SOMEONE HELP! THERE'S A GROPER HERE!
Yot-suki: Ngh?!
The track team: Huh? Is that him over there?!
*Fuutarou climbs up the stairs to lure Yotsuba away*
"Woah." Nino just lets out for no reason.
Yotsuba: Don't worry! I'll take care off it!
*She bolts off*
The track team: NAKANO!
Yotsuba: HEEEEYYY!
"How on earth did I not notice that..." Yotsuba mutters over her cluelessness onscreen whilst the three quints that were absent snicker profusely over Fuutarou's silly, but quick-witted decoy.
*Unbeknownst to her though, Itsuki lurks behind as she begins to initiate the decoy*
Yot-suki: Wow does he have a death wish?! Ok... it looks like he's left me with no other choice! *She pretends to run back to the track team exhausted* Ngh! I guess he got away too bad!
Eba: Huh?
Yot-suki: Sorry. I can't make training camp. And I have to leave the team.
Eba: Why though?
Yot-suki: Because exams are next week.
Eba: No not that. That's not what I was asking. I want to know what you're doing pretending to be Nakano.
Yot-suki: HUUUHH?!
"You forgot that I had short hair. That's why Eba's sharp eyes noticed that it wasn't me." Yotsuba points out.
"Yeah, yeah I get it." Itsuki grimaces after being forced to watch herself act like a total doofus on TV again. Thankfully, if it wasn't for Nino back then... She thinks.
*Over on top...*
Yotsuba: Haaaaaah... *She leaps as she tackles her target* HAAAAH!
Fuutarou: GAAUUUHHH!
Ichika, Nino and Miku can't even hold it when they saw Fuutarou's silly face as he gets caught and drown in their own laughter.
"Well at least it worked right? Ahahaha!" Ichika guffaws.
Yotsuba: You guys! I got the groper! *Random Fuutarou suffocation noises as Yotsuba sniffs him* Hmm? You smell like...
Fuutarou: Can't breathe!
Yotsuba: Hah? Uesugi-san?! What the heck!
Fuutarou: Well... at least it worked!
Gullible Yots: Groping people is not okay!
Fuutarou: NO I didn't grope anyone I was just trying to lure you over hahaha!
Cue the tiniest snickers made by Ichika and Miku over this silly moment as they, alongside Nino, cool down slightly.
Yotsuba: Huh? What for? I don't understand...
Fuutarou: Uh... Itsuki's posing as you and resigning from the team in your place.
Yotsuba: Uh?
*She tries to bolt off*
Fuutarou: Wait you can't go back now!
Yotsuba: Huh? But I have to smooth things over!
Fuutarou: Look it's too late! Uh-? Be quiet!
Yotsuba: MMM!
*He ducks downs and muffles Yotsuba alongside him*
Fuutarou: Something's (Yotsuba: MMM! Mm... mmm!) not right...
Yot-suki: Uh... I promise you I'm Yotsuba! I got the green ribbon and everything!
Eba: Yeah. You do look a lot like her. It's just... *Zoom up* Your hair isn't the correct length.
Fuutarou and Yot-suki: She's right!
"Those are some super sharp eyes there. Almost as sharp as Yotsuba's!" Ichika grits.
"Well it wasn't that hard to pick up you know." Miku says.
"And at least our hair colours are the same unlike on TV. Otherwise this plan would have gone sideways in three seconds flat!" Itsuki begrudgingly admits.
Fuutarou: I didn't expect she would look (Yotsuba: Mmmm... MMM!) that closely! Huh?
*Yotsuba finally pops out*
Yotsuba: Please stop trying to get me to quit the team! Focus on somebody else for a while! It's nice of you to worry about me, but I'm doing this! *She bows down as a sign of respect before bolting off* Bye!
Fuutarou: Yotsuba come back!
"Well, here I go!" Nino giggles gleefully as Yotsuba suddenly gulps.
*But then...*
Yotsuba (?): Here I am everyone! Sorry! I didn't mean to keep you waiting!
Eba: Oh! Hey!
"Is that... no way...!" Yotsuba shudders as everyone suddenly glance to her sweating face.
"Hm? What about it?" Nino asks.
Evil Yots (?): Eheheh. That was just a prank ok? It's quintuplet humour!
Yot-suki: Yotsuba...
Eba: A prank? Well I'm glad that's all it was. It wasn't very funny though.
Evil Yots (?): I mean... The part about me wanting to quit totally real!
*Instant shock from Yot-suki and Eba*
"Could that be... That's my evil twin isn't it?! That's the one who wanted to murder me! I remember that day really well!" Yotsuba gulps as her ribbons began to tremble in regard to her cluelessness. Nino had to puff her cheeks in the meanwhile as her beautiful eyes widen haughtily in response.
"Evil... twin?" Itsuki says confused since she didn't properly hear what Yotsuba screamed that day.
Eba: Wait... you are quitting?! But why?!
Evil Yots (?): You know why. You must be out of your mind to schedule a training camp for the weekend right before finals... *Cue her intimidating stare in three, two, one* ...OR MAYBE YOU'RE JUST STUPID!
Eba: You're right! Uhhh...!
*And that was enough to bring make Eba weak at her knees as she suddenly stumbles in fear*
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU?! SHE REALLY IS MY EVIL TWIN!" Yotsuba gullibly screams as Nino puffs yet again.
"Wow even with the different hair colours and her obvious nail polish you're still assuming that Nino's your doppelganger?" Fuutarou groans.
Fuutarou: What the hell was that?!
Yotsuba: It's finally happening…
Fuutarou: Uh?
Gullible Yots: I HAVE AN EVIL TWIN! PLEASE DON'T MURDER ME!
At this point Nino had to suppress her laughter as hard as she could since she was a hundred percent responsible for Yotsuba's ridiculous panic reaction.
Fuutarou: Quints can have evil twins? Oh right!
*Ichika arrives and yawns*
Ichika: I made it just in time.
Fuutarou: Ichika! I was afraid you wouldn't make it! That means Miku must be the one who- Uh-?!
*She shows up as well*
Miku: Oh not me I didn't do anything.
*Cue an absolutely puzzled Fuutarou with two question marks*
Fuutarou: Uhhhhh?!
All five quints blew raspberries under their mouths upon noticing yet another hilarious animation on Fuutarou.
"For crying out loud..." The tutor himself grimaces.
"Aww come on lighten up a little! Just like what you said earlier!" Ichika laughs.
Itsuki: Miku!
*As the final two quintuplets reunite, Fuutarou beings to deduce who was the evil twin...*
Fuutarou: Itsuki, Yotsuba, Ichika, Miku... No way!
Ichika: When I went over to Nino's hotel room... *Flashbacks to Miku holding the scissors* Miku was there holding some scissors. Not sure what happened (Itsuki: Ahhhh!) but it's obvious that Nino changed her mind. And her hair.
"Well it wouldn't take a genius to figure out who both broke my heart and finally convinced me to let go of the past." Nino admits. Until she slyly peers at... "Unless, if you're someone clueless like poor Yotsuba, heheh."
"HEY!" Yotsuba furiously shouts.
Ichika: I can't believe you cut it so short! Did you have your heart broken?
Nino: Yeah you could say that.
Ichika: OOH! By who?! Miku! Do you know?
Nino: Yeah what?! (Miku: No I don't.) *She activates tsundere mode and points at Fuutarou* I wasn't referring to you! You got that?!
Fuutarou: O... kay?
Nino: Alright then... *She storms off, but then replays something she treasured one last time as it fades out of her conscience* Bye forever Kintarou-kun... goodbye to the past too...
"Yeah. Goodbye Kintarou-kun, goodbye to the past, hellooooooo Fuu-kun!" Nino ecstatically exclaims as she happily grips onto Fuutarou's arm again. Though...
"Um... Nino?" Fuutarou whimpers as her sisters close on not her, but him this time.
"Care to explain this, Uesugi-kun?!" Itsuki scowls.
"Why are you all targeting me this time?!" Fuutarou replies confused, though he got no reply.
Nino: Yotsuba!
Yotsuba: Mm!
Nino: I was just doing what I was told to do ok? But I hope you're happy. I'm sure if you'd been honest she would have listened and we could have skipped all this. You need to change some too. It may suck sometimes but it isn't always awful.
Yotsuba: Uh? Yeah. I'll do it.
"You hear that, Yotsuba? At times when things don't work out for you, it's ok to let go of them if you need to do so." Fuutarou agrees as Yotsuba nods.
Ichika: Want some backup?
Yotsuba: Thanks Ichika. But no. I'll be fine by myself.
*And as the real Yotsuba approaches the track team saying that she needs to quit, over to Nino and Itsuki*
Itsuki: Um... I'm sorry-
Nino: Don't be. It's alright now. None of what you said then was wrong. It was all my fault. Sorry.
Itsuki: Nino...
Nino: Well you did do one thing wrong. When you went and slapped me in the face. You did it way too hard.
*And Itsuki bursts into tears*
Itsuki: Mmm! Nino! I missed you so much! Oh yeah by the way, I have an apology gift to give you. *She presents to Nino her romance movie tickets* Two advanced tickets for that romance movie you said you wanted to see. Let's go together ok?
Nino: Oh come on. Are you kidding me? *Nino hides the Origins of Life tickets behind her unlike Itsuki* Nothing ever works out right?
"Aww!" Everyone except a whimpering Itsuki coos.
"That aside, how was the movie, seeing that you two watched together." Fuutarou asks.
"Honestly, if I could describe the Origins of Life in one word..." Nino begins.
"In my opinion, the romance movie was um..." Itsuki says and then they finalize their opinions in unison...
"Tolerable (Nino), It was rather fine actually (Itsuki)." The two glance at each other for a few seconds as everyone else is left stumbled... before they both laughed alongside each other.
"You're right, Nino. Nothing ever works out no matter how much we try!" Itsuki smiles.
"Oh come on, Itsuki! Cut to the chase!" Nino cackles.
"Uh..." The other four let out as they couldn't really comprehend on what the two of them spoke simultaneously.
"Can you two repeat that again? I couldn't hear what you two said..." Fuutarou mutters.
"Tolerable." Nino says.
"It was fine actually." Itsuki follows up.
"Wasn't that hard was it? Then again..." Fuutarou mutters to himself.
*Back in the apartment, Yotsuba gravely bows down as her ribbons follow suit*
Yotsuba: I sincerely apologize for the trouble that I caused all of you! I had a long conversation with the track team captain... After I helped them out with the meeting *Her sisters and Fuutarou just walk past her though* I'm gonna quit the team permanently!
Fuutarou: Huh? Really you're still hung up on that? (Ichika: Mhm!) Just come inside.
Yotsuba: Huh? Mmm... Kay!
Ichika: As for the two runaways... *As the duo softly peer at each other, welcome back.* Welcome home!
Nino and Itsuki: Thank you.
"Yeah. Welcome home you two. We really missed you." Yotsuba agrees as she forms the warmest smile on her face now that this matter is over.
"I promise I will never do anything like I did back then to you ok? I swear on the five of us from now on!" Itsuki declares boldly, only to receive a scoff from Nino. "What?!"
"I honestly could say the same thing, if it wasn't for you trying to put your soles into our mother's shoes of course." Nino chuckles lightly as she embraces Itsuki, though she did have to climb over Fuutarou to do so.
"Ow! Nino! Couldn't you just get up and walk around me?!" Fuutarou groans.
*And the massive looming stack of papers are back*
"HUUUUUHHH?!" Itsuki suddenly screams as everyone laughs yet again at her silly, off-guard reaction.
Miku: It looks like all five of us have finally finished our problem sets.
Ichika: It was tough. But I'm not sure if we improved any.
Fuutarou: It's fine. I have this...
All five: Hmm?
*He pulls out...*
Fuutarou: It's the ultimate cheat sheet!
All five: UGH?!
Itsuki: I didn't think you were the kind of person who would have one of those!
Yotsuba: Yeah what's the point of us getting good grades if we do it by cheating?!
Fuutarou remembers why he gave them out though and shuts his eyes over this. The other five meanwhile felt their stomachs throb painfully over the words 'cheat sheet'... and all because the fourth failed their Kurobara exams... oh yeah. The time when they opened what Fuutarou gave them too. That also struck them hard.
Fuutarou: I couldn't agree more with that statement! If I get you in shape in two days, then that mean you won't have to resort to cheating! So work hard! *And then he comically slides to Nino...* You don't mind if I move forward with this new strategy do you? Miss Nino maam?
Nino: Really? Why would you choose now to start asking permission? *She smiles faintly though.* But thank you. I'm in I guess. Let's get to it! The clock's ticking!
All five: Kay!
*Fuutarou looks at the quintuplets astounded as they began to study for real.*
Fuutarou: Woah!
*And then some memories of each quint replay in his head as he is amazed by their improvements*
Yotsuba: I got every question wrong!
Miku: So it turns out Mr Top-of-the-class is all talk!
Ichika: Why do you care about us so much?
Itsuki: You'll never be my tutor again got it?!
Nino: You should have never barged into our lives!
All five as they sparkle on the main table: Ahahaha!
Fuutarou: Huh?
"Wow that struck me so hard too." Itsuki remarks as her mouth waters for no reason.
"Was that why you're so astounded?" Ichika curiously asks Fuutarou, only to witness his eyes shut again. "You couldn't believe that we were actually... um... Fuutarou-kun? *Gasp* Oh no... please..."
"Oh great. He phased out again..." Miku grumbles pessimistically.
"Fuu-kun... are you still with us? Hello?" Nino says as she tries to hug his arm again, only to be kept in her seat by a fed up Yotsuba this time as she holds the former steady. "Hey!"
"Just leave him alone! He'll come back to his senses for sure I know it!" Yotsuba pouts.
*Miku notices him in his trance though*
Miku: Huh? Hey Fuutarou. Aren't you happy?
Fuutarou: Hmph. Not yet. We're just starting.
It wasn't noticeable first, but as Miku quietly peers into his lifeless face, she notices a small stream of tears coming out of her tutor's tightly shut eyes. "Fuutarou? Don't leave us again please."
Damn it, Rena! Not right now please! And yes! I am happy that you came into my life. What else do you need from me?! Fuutarou yells in his head as another wave of the girl he supposedly met five years ago pounds him yet again...
'I'm going to set an example for everyone!'
'You're the kind of person people need.'
'Bye for good.
'What I mean is, I'm happy that we have met again. But... I've moved on from you a long time ago, Fuutarou. So you need to do so yourself too. I'm sorry.'
'Rena! Hold on! I need to-!' Fuutarou yells in his head before she suddenly vanishes.
The last memory wasn't a part of his old memories but rather a harsh, warped one as Fuutarou grits his teeth upon visualizing it...
*The scene cuts back to school, where the exams are about to being. But first things first...*
Miku: Today's the big day huh?
Ichika: I'm really nervous!
Yotsuba: We did everything we could do! Right Uesugi-san? *Yotsuba looks behind her though...* Hey wait. Where did he go?
Unnoticeably, Fuutarou's stomach lurches as he opens his eyes slightly and experiences a neat panic attack upon overhearing what Itsuki said on TV. And as he clearly knows why he did so that day, he begins to tremble again like a vibrating phone as he neatly arches his poor head down so that he's facing his unstable legs. No... please don't show it, I don't want to...
"Fuutarou? What's wrong?" Miku worriedly asks as the others gulp.
Itsuki: He said he needed to give Raiha-chan a call.
Ichika: Now of all times?
Itsuki: Yeah it must be about something super important. He even had to ask if he could borrow my phone. *Over to Fuutarou on the rooftop...* Apparently his was out of battery.
*As Fuutarou hangs up though, the person he was apparently speaking to was Maruo, the quintuplet's dad*
"Wait, why were you calling dad? I thought you were calling Raiha-chan?" Itsuki asks.
"I did, but then afterwards I decided to speak to your dad about... um... I'm sure the TV will explain the rest..." Fuutarou begrudgingly says as he braces for the stuff he said to their father.
"About what?" Ichika asks. No response. "Uh... hello?"
"What? ...Ok... now I'm suspicious..." Nino mutters. It was also at this point that Fuutarou's trembles intensified at the thought of the quintuplets hearing what he yelled out.
"Oh no... Please Uesugi-san! Don't hurt yourself in your thoughts! We're still with you ok?! You're not alone anymore!" Yotsuba begs as she notices his body trembling yet again and nearly loses her grip on Nino. I can't mention Rena to him right now. And neither can Itsuki for sure. We'll both spoil it for him no matter how much we try to hide it in the words we'll let out!
Fuutarou: Do your best you guys. Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki, if the five of you are together, you can't lose!
*Cuts back to the apartment where the quints were reeling in defeat from their horrendous exam results*
Oh phew, it didn't show what I said when I had Itsuki's phone… Fuutarou thinks as his shoulders relax and he shuts his eyes in relief.
"Phew..." The other quints sigh as a crisis is averted.
*Back to the apartment where things aren't looking too good...*
Itsuki: This is terrible! How did we score so low after all that work?!
Miku: Guess this means we really are a bunch of idiots...
"But hey you all passed right? That's what counts." Fuutarou replies nonchalantly over this.
"Only in our strongest subjects…" Miku complains. "Everything else we either barely hit the mark or failed."
"So much for leaving us… Even though we ourselves are to blame…" Nino guiltily realises as Yotsuba finally releases her grip on the former.
Yotsuba: Nino. Don't be sad.
Nino: Why don't you worry about yourself, Yotsuba?!
Ichika: Today's a tutoring day too. He'll probably wanna go over the exam answers.
*The doorbell rings*
Ichika and Itsuki: Uh?
Ichika: Must be him.
Miku: Fuutarou's about to give us a long lecture.
Yotsuba: Bet so!
Nino: Why do you sound so happy?
Yotsuba: Eheheheheh! I do wish that we had done better, but I'm still really excited to work hard with all of you guys again!
*Itsuki rises to her feet to open the door. Only to realise that...*
Itsuki: That's weird. (The others: Huh?) Um... actually it's not Uesugi-kun at the door!
And you were wondering why I chose to quit... Fuutarou silently mourns in his thoughts again.
"Fuutarou-kun..." Ichika whispers as she apprehensively peeks at the former's troubled face.
*Ebata enters the apartment*
Ebata: Hello there ladies.
Ichika: Oh it's Mister Ebata-san!
Miku: We thought that you'd be driving dad around today.
Ebata: It would seem that I'm going to be working as your tutor temporarily.
The others: Huh?
Itsuki: What? That's random!
Ichika: I don't know. He was a teacher once wasn't he?
Nino: I smell a rat!
Miku: I wonder if Fuutarou's sick!
Ebata: *Clears his throat* Unfortunately Mr Fuutarou Uesugi has from the tutoring position.
All five: Uh?!
"Is why you've gone back to your nervous shut-in state, Uesugi-san?" Yotsuba asks him. No response again. "Um... hello? Earth to-"
"Look, the more we all push him to speak, the less he's going to do so. Just leave him alone ok?" Itsuki suggests, though she is holding her concerns for him.
Ebata: I received the word from your father himself. Apparently the young man terminated his contract effective the day you took your final exams.
Ichika: Does... this mean... that we won't see Fuutarou-kun anymore?!
*Awkward silence as Miku suddenly enters a massive trance herself*
Miku: No way!
*Even Nino receives a pang of guilt as she arches her head down and clenches her fists*
Nino: This is because of our scores! Dad forced him to-
Ebata: I don't believe that's the case.
Nino: Huh?
Ebata: I was informed that Mr Uesugi stepped down from his responsibilities of his own accord.
"Don't ever do something like that without our permission again you got it?!" Miku furiously grumbles. "Since when did all five of us say we were over you?" No reply. Again.
Miku, shut up! You're not helping to relive my internal crisis here this time... Fuutarou grimaces unconsciously as Rena floods him and his inundated brain yet again.
Yotsuba: He wanted to quit?
Miku: Why would he... do that?
Itsuki: There must be some mistake! I'll call him over here and talk to him myself!
Ebata: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that (Itsuki: Uh?) won't be possible. Mr Uesugi has been forever forbidden from entering his home again. Those were your father's express orders.
At this point the quintuplets weren't sure if they should snap Fuutarou out of his sullen mood or just let him be as they form various faces of sorrow, guilt, resentment, nervousness and fear. Whatever Fuutarou did back then, it must have heavily affected him too, prior to the time when they met him on Christmas Eve to pick up their cake.
Itsuki: Why did he say that?
*Miku stands up...*
Miku: Fine. I'll go to him. *...But Ebata blocks her* Ebata-san, please move.
Ebata: No miss. *Miku pouts* It may be temporarily, but I am your tutor for now. Therefore I cannot dismiss you from today's lesson until I've taught you a meaningful amount.
*The quints go back to studying with Ebata keeping watch*
"I really hope you took in the fact that Miku really wanted you to come back..." Ichika grimaces as she still helplessly eyes Fuutarou in his trance.
Nino: So we can leave after we're done with this?
Ebata: Why yes. Once you finish, you're free to go.
Ichika: These problems, they're not very difficult. Kinda makes me wonder if Ebata-san might be going easy on us.
Nino: Me too. Then again I don't think that we could have handled these before. It's almost freaky how painless it is now. I hate to say it, but we owe all of this to him.
Fuutarou does flinch slightly, but he does nothing else after hearing that; Miku didn't hesitate to pat him lightly.
*A while later*
Miku: Just one more! One more question to go!
Itsuki: I'm down to the last problem as well!
Ebata: Hahaha! If you girls don't finish soon, I suppose that I'll have to give you an extra lesson!
*Extreme panic from all five*
Itsuki: Hang on!
The others: Huh?
Itsuki: We can always just cheat! Should we?
Yotsuba: Huh?!
Nino: You mean the answer sheet?
Itsuki: Yeah. In each of our pencil cases.
*Itsuki pulls out hers*
Yotsuba: But... is that okay?!
*Activate Serious Itsuki mode*
Itsuki: We are desperate! So the end will justify the means!
Yotsuba: You look just like Uesugi-san!
Nino: You sure have changed!
"Is this why... Uesugi-kun has gone back to his distressed state? No wonder..." Itsuki whispers silently as it's her turn to shudder sorrowfully. The other quints immediately take notice of that alongside Fuutarou's hands suddenly covering his face.
Ichika: Guess I'll take a look then. *She opens hers first and...* Huh?! It says... 'Don't try to take the shortcut to the answer, fools.' Ha! Wow. So he never intended to let us cheat in the first place huh?
Miku: Of course. That sounds just like him.
Itsuki: But what do we do now?
At this point, the quints began to shed small streams of tears as they remember exactly what came after that... Now that they had to recall themselves almost being left in the dust.
Ichika: Wait. There's more here. *She unfolds the paper all the way* A two?
Nino: Does he mean me? *She opens hers* Mine says 'I'm not going to teach cheaters.'
Miku: 'You have to get there yourselves from now on.'
Yotsuba: My paper says 'I'm glad I'm finally with this hell job…'
*Itsuki was the last to open hers. As she reads her text the colour drains from her face whilst her eyes water…*
Ichika: Itsuki-chan?
Itsuki: 'But… it was a pretty fun hell. Later.'
"I can't believe... the music itself... is not helping...!" Miku chokes as she squints her eyes in sorrow.
"Don't… *Sniff* don't… you dare… *Sniff* abandon us… like that... ever again! *Sniff* You hear me?!" Nino weeps as she and Yotsuba clutch on to Fuutarou's arms as hard as they could, though the latter ignores them yet again.
Yotsuba: This sucks! I want Uesugi-san to keep on being my teacher!
*Yotsuba was the first to break down, followed by Miku*
Miku: So do I. I need Fuutarou here. Badly!
"Not just Miku. We all needed you *Sniff*. Dad would have never hired someone *Sniff* as intelligent as you for nothing." Ichika sniffs as she wipes away her tears with a tissue.
"Remember how… *Sniff* Nino said there… *Sniff* there was at least one… person… who would…*Hic*" Yotsuba couldn't even finish her sentence as she chokes on her words.
"No... please Uesugi-kun... don't phase out again! Don't revert!" Itsuki begs as Fuutarou's breaths become increasingly louder.
Nino: You heard Ebata-san. He can't come see us anymore! It's over!
*But Ichika has a last resort idea*
Ichika: Ok. Listen. I think I may have an idea!
*Meanwhile Ebata is about to bring the quintuplets their drinks from the kitchen. Until...*
Ebata: Ah. Is there something the matter?
Ichika: We need a favour sir. Will you help?
*What Ichika said was enough to make Ebata remember a time where he faithfully helped the young quintuplets, and how much they cherished him too*
Ebata: Hmm. You've all grown up so much.
"I felt like... *Sniff* I just hit a wall there... *Hic*" Itsuki sobs.
"Ditto..." Nino growls.
"Honestly... we wished Ebata-san could say the same for you too, Fuutarou-kun." Ichika sniffles as she embraces him on his right.
I know, Ichika, I know. Thank you, all of you... Fuutarou mourns, as when he heard what Ebata said on TV when the quintuplets asked him, he thought it was Rena taking his place as she compliments him on growing up so much too; From losing his mother at a young age and becoming the rebellious little kid he was, up to the days where he focused solely on studying to improve his family's lives and finally the fateful day where he became more than just a tutor for five, meathead but caring identical sisters. Just the ounce of general support. That's what he needs from her. From his family. From everyone that cares about him.
But... it wasn't enough to elude the fact that... the reason why he quit being their tutor, was because... he couldn't stand the thought of facing their past attitudes and the procrastinations he had to face. From being introduced to their poor study habits to trying to understand them better and finally being acknowledged for his selfishness as he remembers what he said on Christmas Eve. Yeah. Quintuplets are a pain to deal with am I right, Rena? Ahahah! Fuutarou laughs in his thoughts, hoping that the girl in his photo would respond back in a way, be it a memory or some semi-conscious spirit forming inside him.
Meanwhile the quintuplets continue to weep in silence as they finally understand what their tutor is so distressed about other than Rena...
*Days passed since their exam results came out. Yotsuba was celebrating with the track team and Itsuki was studying and kept her eye on Fuutarou during class; The closing ceremony has come too. At night once the school period has ended, Fuutarou has taken a new assistant position at the Revival cake shop after he resigned; It also happened to be Christmas Eve too, on the day he was working at his new location.*
Fuutarou: Merry Christmas! Come in and try our desserts! Sigh...
*No came though. Until...*
Itsuki: Excuse me!
Fuutarou: Yes? Uh?! You guys!
Itsuki: Is your store able to do home delivery? We would like some cake brought to our house.
Fuutarou: What? We don't have delivery service this year!
*But the Revival manager comes out...*
Revival manager: Uesugi. I can finish things up. You go on home ok?
Panicking Fuutarou: No! It's fine! I can work-
Revival manager: I said you're done!
*...and hands him the cake they were asking for*
Fuutarou: Uh...
Revival Manager as he give a thumbs up and winks: Merry Christmas!
Fuutarou: Haaaah?
"Yeah. Merry Christmas indeed." Ichika smirks.
Well, at least it's kinda funny to see Uesugi-san's neat panic face am I right? Eheheh!" Yotsuba forcefully giggles as she tries to lighten the mood a little. Fuutarou meanwhile, finally opens his reddened eyes for real as he figures that the episode would be almost over by now.
*The quints and Fuutarou walk to somewhere the former five have been planning to move to for a while...*
Fuutarou: Wait... this isn't the way to your father's house is it?
Ichika: It sure isn't!
Miku: Just come along.
Fuutarou: Mmm... look girls, sorry I didn't tell you why I quit, but the fact is, I can't be your tutor anymore.
Itsuki: Check this out. It's a copy of our new tutor's resume. *Fuutarou reads Ebata's resume* We wanted you to see who replaced you.
Fuutarou: Sigh... Well this is good! Your dad didn't waste any time at all! He's a former teacher, went to college in Tokyo, wow! This guy seems like he's totally qualified!
"And so are you, Fuutarou-kun. We're not letting anyone replace you as our tutor ever again." Ichika firmly states.
Nino: Is that it?! *And here's Tsundere Nino again as she confronts her crush* So you're just going to abandon us to become someone else's problem from here on out?!
"Yeah I admit, now that I've heard my own-" Fuutarou mumbles before Nino suddenly cuffs his mouth.
"Alright that's enough of your negativity! Don't you think it's time to let this go as you said a million times beforehand? And yeah, you leave us again and I swear on my life I will forcefully drag you out of your home and make you stay with us at ours you hear me?!" Nino snaps as her tears finally run loose along Fuutarou's sleeve.
"But Nino... you're... *Sniff*" Yotsuba weeps alongside her.
"OH! Uesugi-kun! W-w-welcome back! We thought you were um... you know..." Itsuki says out of the blue.
"Don't bother. I know what you're gonna ask me anyways so yeah. And I appreciate you five for worrying about me too." Fuutarou deadpans.
"But..." Itsuki stutters.
Fuutarou: NGH?! Look, I had a second chance and I fumbled it again! Who knows if next time will be any different! This is a job for a professional! It be selfish to put you more of the same crap!
Nino: It would. But when have you not been a selfish person, never cutting us any slack, forcing us to memorize so many formulas that it felt like our brains would explode, but then we did get a problem right, it made us so happy!
Fuutarou: Uh?
Tsundere Nino: Your selfishness is the thing that got us this far! So you don't get to be considerate now! In fact it's really creepy coming from you!
Fuutarou: Ngh... Sorry... But it's too late now! I quit! I'm not even allowed inside your father's house anymore!
Ichika: Is that the problem?
Fuutarou: Yeah. Can we just go?
Ichika: We're already here!
Fuutarou: Huh?
Ichika: Thanks for the cake delivery, mister!
Fuutarou: What?! I don't...
Ichika: See this place? *And here's the home that they previously lived before it got demolished* Welcome to our new home sweet home!
"Come to think about it, I thought I saw this place when Itsuki told me about you girls living with your mother." Fuutarou suddenly says as his mood temporarily returns to normal.
"Mhm. This was the place we stayed with our mother until she passed away, so in way it kinda felt like notalgia to us." Miku says as she smiles at Fuutarou." Oh and... I hope you're feeling a little better I suppose?"
"A little better, now that I know you girls understand my pain. Sort of..." Fuutarou admits.
"Pity that it got demolished before we moved back here though." Yotsuba sighs as she wipes off her tears and lets go of Fuutarou alongside Nino.
"Wait it got demolished?" Fuutarou asks puzzled.
"We told you over the phone before we went to the pool remember?" Itsuki points out.
"Oh yeah that's right you did." Fuutarou realises.
Fuutarou: Huh?! You live here now?!
Ichika: It's nice right? I've been making good money so we rented it! The five of us are gonna stay here from now on! So that takes care of that problem!
Fuutarou: You're kidding! You gave up your place for that?!
Yotsuba: You said it yourself! *She takes out the apartment key cards* It's most important is that we're all together right? *She tosses them into the water* So who cares where we live!
Fuutarou: AREN'T THOSE YOUR KEYS?! GAH!
*He jumps to try and grab them, but loses his footing before he prepares to plunge into the freezing cold water. As it happens, his flashbacks of Rena burn brightly into his eyes...*
Rena: Bye for good.
Cue another neat panic attack from Fuutarou as his eyes visibly widen this time.
"Oh!" The five of them gasp too.
Fuutarou: Crap! (Rena: you're the kind of person that is needed.) My life is flashing before my eyes!
Rena: It's been a while!
Fuutarou: Or at least... the last few things... If I was drowning...
"So... it was Rena... Is that why you kept silent for the majority of the episode and ignored me in the process?" Nino tries to figure out.
"It's... yes... that's why... I was... It was her... who I thought... wanted me gone..." Fuutarou weakly concedes, but not before all five latch onto him again.
"I thought I told you to shut up with your pessimism!" Nino snaps as she clings for her dear life.
*Fuutarou splashes into the water as he comes back to his senses... and notices all five of them splashing into the water after him before they all resurface*
Fuutarou: AGH! (Itsuki: GAH!) IDIOTS!
Itsuki: What was the point of all five of us (Miku: Please Fuutarou!) jumping in here like this?!
Miku: You can't just give up after only two tries! It'll work out as long as we have you! I know we can do it this time!
*Fuutarou's academic success charm floats away and as he reaches out to try and retrieve it...*
Rena: Don't open that until you learn how to accept yourself.
"As I said on TV and in the hallway, Fuutarou, Rena never wanted you gone ok? As long as we have you it'll work out! Trust me!" Miku pleads as her tears being to shed again.
"If anything, she's doing her best to support you as much as we all are! We'll never abandon you again! NEVER!" Yotsuba shouts which almost deafens Ichika and Itsuki.
"Yotsuba!" the latter two scream.
"Sorry!" Yotsuba quickly apologizes.
"I know! I'll stick with you girls till the end of the year too... thank you..." Fuutarou says as he finally accepts the fact they will always be by his side no matter what and embraces them back. And as he does so, their heartbeats began to thunder across their chests in unison as a wave of warmth engulfs them.
Yotsuba: Nino! What's wrong?!
Nino: I'M TOO COLD TO MOVE!
*Fuutarou swims over to rescue her before they climb up together*
Fuutarou: Ugh... I'll lift you! Hang on!
Nino: Huh?
*All six of them managed to get back on the surface*
Fuutarou: You're all nuts! Seriously you need to learn how to think before you act! I can't stand by and let your stupidity kill you. And I'm getting really sick of being considerate that's for damn sure! *He picks up the resume and rips it* That's why I'm going to do whatever I want now too! So get used to my selfishness. 'Cause I'm not going anywhere.
"About time you got that right, genius!" Itsuki comments as she lets off a rare smug towards Fuutarou.
*Nino's heart begins to thump rapidly though. And it's not because she's cold*
Nino: No... I-i-it's not what I think it is!
Oh yeah. I remember. This was when my feeling for Fuu-kun started to surface too. Nino grins softly as her embrace tightens like a knot.
Ichika: Well now that we're in an agreement, let's head inside.
Chibi Eatsuki: Gah! I hope the cake's ok!
Chibi Ichika: Calm down!
"Well said Itsuki. Prioritizing food over trying to get out of the cold!" Fuutarou teases her as everyone minus her laughs out loud.
"Uesugi-kun! And besides that was the only thing I could think of to get the coldness out of my poor brain!" Itsuki complains, but at least her smile hasn't been wiped off her face. "But... if it's to see you cheer up again... I'll let that slide for now. You're funny too I'll admit heehee!"
*Fuutarou watches over the ocean as he finally starts to let go of the girl in his past*
Fuutarou: Goodbye... Rena.
Miku: Fuutarou! Hurry up!
Itsuki: Yeah or else we'll eat without you!
Fuutarou: Sure! But if I'm there, you'll each get less than twenty percent of it!
All five as they look at each other: Uh? Ahahahaha!
*Episode ends with the quints laughing and shining like stars in the sky*
Yotsuba as the next episode title comes up: Good work today.
"Yeah! What I said! Good work today for keeping it together!" Yotsuba cluelessly cheers as all five of them release their grip on Fuutarou after that heart-warming group hug.
"I think they meant that's the title of the next episode." Nino clarifies as she wipes off the last of her tears.
"Is it?" Yotsuba asks as Itsuki abruptly facepalms. "What?!"
"So there really are no previews for this season huh?" Ichika ponders. "Feeling better, teach? Now that you were able to watch us get together back on screen?"
"Not really. I still have my own question burning hot in me. But yeah I'm thankful that this episode was a lot more heartwarming than the previous two. Mostly." Fuutarou concludes as he takes a breather.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad you're still with us for sure, even though we were all desperate to understand why you were in sop much distress." Miku smiles. "Please don't take it too seriously next time if it ever comes up ok?"
"I'll try not too if I can. Thank you. By the way Ichika..." Fuutarou asks.
"Yes?"
"You and Miku said something about Takeda Shingen? Or something? I didn't see what happened but I could hear it when Miku mentioned her love for Sengoku warlords to Nino." Fuutarou says.
"Oh uh... no I was just thinking that Takeda warlord reminds me of Takeda-kun, just like how... um... he fought... ken... shinsu... um..." Ichika stutters.
"Kenshin Uesugi." Miku corrects her.
"Right. That Kenshin Uesugi he fought shared your last name too. And hearing this similarity I was thinking: That can't be a coincidence can it?"
There was nothing but an awkward silence for a few minutes, before Fuutarou suddenly bursts out laughing in his loudest volume ever, which happened to startle the five of them too. "Oh my gosh, Ichika! That was so hilarious how you took a page out of my book! That was a definite coincidence I can give you that! Haha!"
"Uh... ok?! I uh... I wasn't expecting that!" Ichika replies bewildered.
"Oh my! Well, either way, it feels good to hear you laughing again in so long, Uesugi-san! We're all glad that you haven't fully left us for real!" Yotsuba coos as she smiles from seeing Fuutarou laugh since her supposed date before the Kyoto trip.
"Sigh... thank girls." Fuutarou responds after he cools down. "Honestly though, I should be the one owing you all. Not the other way around. And once again, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. The five of us are still intact. As you need us to be!" Miku grins as she embraces him again alongside Nino.
"Is it just me or have we actually laughed more often than usual though?" Yotsuba questions again.
"We have, Yotsuba. During the first season we only laughed about four times in total and that was it. And it wasn't even over one episode either." Nino replies as she and Miku let go once again.
"What's next after the Seven Goodbyes? Does anyone know?" Ichika curiously asks.
"I'm pretty sure this is when we're preparing for the actual exams. Are we ok to continue?" Itsuki asks everyone as they all nod. "Alright then. Here we go. Let's focus on how we prepped and aced them."
"Plus some behind the scenes moments for us six, as this video seems to be about." Miku reminds her.
"Yeah like the time where Nino drugged Uesugi-san a second time?" Yotsuba reminds her, who panics.
"Can we not?!" Nino shudders as she feels weak at the knees again.
"Ok enough, please. The show is about to continue." Fuutarou hushes everyone as Episode 5 of Season 2 plays... but then he looks at Ichika with a smug.
"What? What is it, teach? What are you staring at me for?" Ichika nervously gulps.
A/N: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Although I finally managed to complete the final part of the seven goodbyes, my fears have sadly become true again: IRL is going to clog up for me for a second time at a much higher rate so there is an extremely high chance that I won't be able to upload anything for the next 2-3 months or so. As compensation on the bright side, I will upload both Episodes 17 and 18 together if that's going to be the case, so stay tuned. And thanks for your patience as always.
That aside, this was a super tough episode to write, so I really hoped the wait was worth it.
P.S: Loliconnoisseur if you're reading this, I appreciate your concern for me but can you next time be a little less impatient please? This wasn't an episode I could easily knock out of the park within a week this time, especially when I had to work my way around the suggestions of others. In fact, it may take me longer to write the upcoming episodes when they approach. Thanks in advance though.