"Well. I think that would be all." Having finished going over the details of the school trip as dictated by his not-so-precious job as class delegate, Fuutarou concluded his presentation with a final warning. "Everyone please, by tomorrow I want you to decide which groups you will be in for the entire trip. Decide well, because there will be no changes once I check you in."
Once Yotsuba and Fuutarou left their place in front of the blackboard of class 1, the girl went to the place of one of her classmates to solve a couple of doubts, looking out of the corner of her eye as Fuutarou left the classroom. The black-haired man headed towards the teacher's lounge so he could settle some minor details with the other representatives of the other classes.
"Hey, Uesugi." The tutor slowed his path once a gruff voice spoke to him from behind his back. "Where are you going?"
Turning around, he could see there a young man about his age. The earrings, the dyed hair combed back with perhaps an excessive amount of gel, the somewhat stooped and swaggering posture, no doubt he was the perfect embodiment of the word "delinquent".
"To the teachers' lounge." He replied dryly. "Do you need anything?"
"You already have a group planned?". Asked the boy arching an eyebrow.
"No."
"Do you want to form one with me?".
"I don't even know who you are."
"Wh-!? Are you serious?" The boy grunted, bowing slightly with his hands in his pockets. "I'm Maeda. We worked together during school camp."
Fuutarou looked at him blankly for what seemed like several seconds before something clicked in his head.
"Ah. You were the one who proposed to Ichika, right?". Fuutarou said with a nod. "I didn't imagine we'd be in the same class.".
"You didn't notice me sitting in front of you!?". More than annoyed, Maeda was starting to feel genuinely offended. "Bah, whatever! So what do you say, do you accept or what?".
"Uesugi-kun!". Joining the conversation, a voice much more familiar than Maeda's made its presence known only a few meters away from where they were both standing. "Would you like to make a group with me?".
"I don't really like the idea." Fuutarou replied disinterestedly to this newcomer, Takeda.
"Come on, Uesugi-kun, why not? It would be very interesting to be on the same team as my rival. Yes?" Moving closer, Takeda joined the pair of young men. "Wait a minute, don't tell me you're already in a group with one of the Nakano's?".
"Hold it right there, kid. One. I asked him first, so wait your turn. Two. Is that true Uesugi? You lucky bastard...". In contrast to the tone of voice Maeda used to address Takeda, that last sentence was more of a jealous whisper.
"No, it's not like that. I haven't talked to them about it yet." Fuutarou replied somewhat wearily, already imagining how tiring it would be to have to address this topic dealing with those chaotic fools. "Besides, why do they want to team up with me in the first place? We're not even friends."
"Fufu, that's right Maeda-kun, why would you-?".
"Nor are we rivals."
"W-What!?" Takeda staggered at that withering statement. "Y-you don't measure your words do you, Uesugi-kun?".
"Well, the guys I hang out with are in another room. So you're the only one I know in the class." Maeda said in a matter-of-fact tone as he shrugged his shoulders. "I just want to be in a group so I can go to Kyoto, that's all. Once there I'll take off to hang out with my homies and you can hang out with Nakano-san or whatever you want, I don't care."
"And you?" Ignoring that misunderstanding that clearly still remained a misunderstanding despite all this time, Fuutarou asked Takeda. "Aren't you very popular or something?".
"Right. But I think it would be more beneficial for me if I spend some time together with the national top 1." He said in a confident manner. "Only the best are the best because they hang out with the best, after all."
"Let's see...Uesugi-san...Uesugi-san...". Across the hall, the fourth sister, Yotsuba, had been trying to locate her tutor, finally finding him on the side of the stairs leading to the upper floor. "Ah, there he is!".
"Oh? Yotsuba?" Takebayashi's voice caused the girl to stop her footsteps in place and turn to look at her. "You're looking for Fuutarou?".
"Yes! I want to ask him if he wants to team up with Miku and me." Yotsuba replied being all smiles as she pointed in his direction.
"Oh, wow. Looks like we had the same idea, then." Takebayashi sketched a small smile. "I was coming to ask if you were interested in teaming up with me. But it looks like it won't be possible anymore."
"A-Ah! I'm sorry, Kuruma-san. I had no idea." Yotsuba's ribbon deflated with worry, fearful that she might have ruined her friend's plans. That is until the realization that she was also being contemplated to join their group hit her. "Wait a minute, would you be interested in forming a group the four of us? Then we'd all be with Uesugi-san!".
"Eh?". Takebayashi was puzzled. "Is that okay, Yotsuba-san?".
"Geez, Kuruma-san, don't act like you're a stranger. You're friends with Uesugi-san too! It'll be more fun if we're all in the same group." Said the girl with glee. "What do you say, do you have a chocolate throb?".
"Well, if you don't have a problem with that. I gladly accept." Said the girl with a smile. At her confirmation, Yotsuba and Takebayashi once again set out on their way to the group of boys.
"Yotsuba, Takebayashi-chan." That is until, this time, they were both stopped by a voice from behind. "Come, come."
Ichika, standing in the middle of the hallway, gave them a cordial smile as she waved her hand, indicating for them to follow her. Without waiting for them to respond, the pinkhaired girl stepped into one of the classrooms to her right.
The requested girls looked at each other for a moment before glancing over her shoulder at Fuutarou. She didn't look like she was leaving anytime soon, so they saw no problem in heeding Ichika's call.
"What's up, Ichika?".
As they entered, they could both see the older sister in front of one of the large classroom windows, turning softly before she began to speak.
"I'm looking forward to the school trip." Said the girl with a smile and with her hands behind her back innocently. "This is our first time going to Kyoto, isn't it Yotsuba?".
"No, we went during elementary school, remember?". Corrected Yotsuba gently shaking her head, causing Ichika to nod.
"Oh, that's right. What about you Takebayashi-chan, have you gone there before?".
"Yes, I also went once during elementary school." She replied simply.
"I understand. And tell me, is there any particular place you'd like to visit?".
"I would like to visit the historical archives convention. They say there will be a lecture about mining in the Edo period."
"Hmm." Yotsuba put her hand to her chin for a moment before answering. "It's a bit of a cliché but I guess temples."
"Hehe as expected from Takebayashi-chan. And yes, I don't blame you, Yotsuba. That's the main attraction after all. I read online that the seasonal flowers are in bloom already, so the views must be beautiful."
"You bet! The girls in the class said that the indoor garden looks very beautiful this year!".
"Everyone in the class is struggling to make their groups of 5, but it's perfect for us, don't you think?". Ichika said, slowly starting to approach both girls.
"Haha, it's lucky we're quintuplets...". Yotsuba said, scratching the back of her neck somewhat nervously.
"But I wonder, what about Fuutarou-kun?".
Yotsuba's ribbon bristled in alertness. Takebayashi, for her part, remained impassive.
"U-Uesugi-san?".
"He's already in the third year, but it seems she still doesn't make any friends besides Takebayashi-chan. As an older sister, I'm a little worried." Ichika feigned a worried expression by frowning slightly and holding her cheek gently before turning to the black-haired girl. "What do you think Takebayashi-chan?".
"Yes. He doesn't have any friends."
"W-Well hehe, in that case..." Yotsuba tried to propose a way out of the situation, however, Ichika stepped forward.
"I guess there's no choice but to reach out to him!". Ichika said raising her index finger as an idea crossed her mind. "Let's form a group, Fuutarou-kun, Takebayashi-chan, Yotsuba and me. That sounds good to you girls, right?".
Yotsuba felt great shivers run through her bone marrow. What was with that look on her sister's countenance? And why had that sounded like a threat? How excited was she to be in a group with Fuutarou?.
"Eh? B-But it's just that...Kuruma-san and I...". Yotsuba turned to look at her friend.
"Uhm?" Before Yotsuba could answer, Ichika pulled out her phone, flicking a finger across the screen before rounding on both girls to hurry out the door. "Sorry, I have to get that. I'll take care of it, Yotsuba?".
"B-But Ichika!". Her attempts to call her sister were in vain, leaving them alone in that dark, empty room.
Takebayashi was the only one who noticed that Ichika's phone never rang.
"What now, Kuruma-san?". Yotsuba asked worriedly.
"You should have refused." Replied the girl without losing her smile. "I already told you. You must learn to be firm even if it's about your sisters."
"Agh..." Yotsuba hunched over wearily. "I know, but it would have been rude of me considering Ichika is worried about Uesugi-san...heck, I had already promised Miku that we would make a group with him."
"Is that so?" Takebayashi put a hand to her chin. "Sorry if I'm intruding, but do you two have something planned? I thought because you're quintuplets you'd all form a group."
"The truth is that Miku plans to confess her feelings to Uesugi-san during the trip to Kyoto. That's why I wanted to make them be in the same group." She said despondently. "And now Ichika tells us this, what should I do?".
"Ohh, really? I see." Takebayashi nodded with understanding. "It does seem like a big dilemma. But, isn't that right? If we follow what Ichika says, our group would have only four members. Miku could join perfectly."
"Hey, that's it!-". It was amusing for Takebayashi to see how her expression lit up with relief was quickly extinguished by whatever reason she had for not accepting that solution. "No, it wouldn't work..."
"And that's why...?"
"U-Ugh...I, w-well..." Yotsuba looked very doubtful.
"You don't want Miku to be interrupted by your sisters, do you?". Takebayashi smiled when she saw the fourth sister nod sheepishly after a few seconds, as if they were going to judge her severely for having that thought. "I see, again, yes it is a dilemma."
"I thought you'd be a bit more surprised, actually." Yotsuba said arching an eyebrow as she looked at her somewhat sheepishly.
"I actually already knew that Miku-san likes Fuutarou. It's very obvious." Takebayashi shrugged.
"Hehe, apparently not so much for Uesugi-san." Yotsuba said with a nervous smile.
"You ask a lot from that cloud of smoke. But either way, I'm sure we'll figure this out. We'll all get together in a little while, won't we? We'll see what happens by then."
(...)
Later, in the school Library, the group of 7 teens took a seat at their usual table.
"Oh? Miku came today. How weird." Ichika commented casually as she set her bag on the back of her chair before sitting down.
"I can only stay for a little bit, I have work later."
"It's the first time we've been together to study since the national practice exams, isn't it?". Itsuki commented as she searched for her study materials in hir backpack.
"Yeah, that's right."
Itsuki fixed her gaze on Fuutarou, slowing down her actions slowly. What he had said to her that day was still fresh in her memory, and it was no wonder after turning it over and over in her head. That feeling that something was wrong still lingered, which only made Itsuki feel more suspicious and, without realizing it, Itsuki entered again into that analytical state of mind that had become a habit of hers lately, reflected in the sharp and cunning look she was giving her tutor, like a predator trying to decipher the unusual behavior of a prey.
"What's with that intense stare?". Nino pointed out as she leaned her cheek on her hand, causing everyone to give the star girl a second take, startled with a jump as attention was pinned on her.
"U-Uh, I-I don't...Let's start studying!". The girl said with a small blush on her cheeks as she reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook at random.
"Fufu, looks like Itsuki-san is a little excited about today's session." Takebayashi joked, covering her lips with one hand.
"Before that I'd like to talk about the school field trip.". The third sister's sudden dialogue was like a bucket of cold water to those present. "Fuutarou, have you decided who you'll make a group with?".
"I-".
"Wait!" Ichika shouted hurriedly, interrupting her tutor as she turned her head towards her allies. "Yotsuba and Takebayashi-chan have something to say!".
"Ehhh!?" Yotsuba whispered. "Th-This...Well..."
The fourth sister felt as if a slab of bricks was thrown out of nowhere on her shoulders, intimidated under the watchful eyes of everyone present. Yotsuba's blue eyes traveled from one eye to another until landing on Takebayashi, who simply gave her a smile that would definitely calm her down in other circumstances.
"Go ahead and say it." At Yotsuba's silence, Ichika decided to push a little.
Ichika's idea isn't bad, maybe if I listen to Kuruma-san...
"What's wrong, Yotsuba?". Miku asked softly.
B-But what about Miku!? First one there wins or something, right?
"Well, spit it out."
Uesugi-san, shut up and let me think!
"Th-That Ichika and Miku, we could make a group..." Yotsuba muttered with a frown at the mental effort she was making. "But what about Itsuki and Nino?...the sisters should stick together...Oh, I know!".
Lighting up her expression with realization, Yotsuba stood up from her spot with a bang as she stretched her arms out to their full length, excited to share her solution.
"Let's form a group all together, Uesugi-san included!".
Fuutarou arched an eyebrow at that. What the hell was Yotsuba thinking now?
"That would be ideal but..." Miku was hesitant. "The limit is 5 per group."
"I mean everyone except me" Yotsuba sketched a smile. "Maybe I can ask some teacher if I could accept a group of 6 just this once. Then there won't be a problem anymore!".
"That...I don't know, Yotsuba. Teachers are a bit strict when it comes to such things." Ichika commented dryly.
"Besides that wouldn't be right, Yotsuba." Fuutarou inquired.
Yotsuba only managed to look at him for a brief moment before the most beautiful memory she possessed in her recent memory surfaced to overlap with the image of the tutor. The memory of that beautiful smile...
If it came to Fuutarou smiling, she was willing to do this and more.
"Is there a problem?"
Fuutarou only returned his gaze for a moment. There was that attitude of hers...
"Yes, a very big one." That attitude he hated so much.
"I agree. The problem is, no one would want to do that. At least not me." Stepping into the conversation, Nino calmly announced herself before raising a hand gently to point at Fuutarou. "How about we better do this? You all can form a group while Fuu-kun and I make one of our own, just the two of us."
Fuck!
Once again, Nino's broken brakes came to run over Ichika.
"Fuu-kun...?". Seriously, Miku was starting to get annoyed that her sister called him that and more so because she had come up with that nickname.
"I'm not sure what Yotsuba was planning, but this was always my plan. To be with the one I love and I won't take no for an answer." After saying that, Nino simply folded her arms haughtily not giving a damn about the mess her bomb had made.
Eh?
Itsuki blinked after processing what her elder had said. Holding her hands to her mouth in disbelief.
So what Uesugi-kun said was true...I can't believe it! So did Ichika! When did all this happen!
As Itsuki looked at her elder, she writhed in misery.
Shit, shit, shit! Now that she's exposed him there's nothing she can say or do!...and why is she so quiet?
"Nino, I-".
"Don't worry, I'll fix it Fuu-kun!". Nino said with determination before a certain voice caught her attention.
"F-Fuu-kun..." Miku said in a shaky tone that was barely audible thanks to the relative silence in the library. "Me too...would you like to?... Uhm."
My god...
Nino was exasperated.
"Speak up." She demanded in a firm voice. "If you have something to say, go on, say it right here and now."
Miku deflated slouching in place, silently grateful that her bangs were partially covering her flushed face. Under the table, she squeezed large pieces of the fabric of her skirt in an action that tried to keep the small tears that were forming in her eyes from falling to the floor.
She didn't want Fuutarou to see her make a fool of herself any longer.
This was noticed by Ichika. And while she felt like saying a thing or two to Nino, she was the least likely to open her mouth, so she simply swallowed her words. It was Miku's fault for being so submissive.
"Nothing? Anyway, that settles it. Time to study."
"Of course not, listen to me first, will you?". Fuutarou said in frustration.
"Shut up Fuu-kun! You should be thankful because you will have a date with me, did you hear!?".
"I already formed a group with the guys in the class...sorry for ruining it for you."
Again, the group of young people was plunged into a white silence of disbelief for several tediously long seconds.
"Ah!? What the hell!?"
Silence that was quickly replaced by Nino.
"Why didn't you say so from the beginning!?". Nino asked with a brutal blush on her face. "I look stupid!".
"Nino, lower your voice." Itsuki said trying to calm her sister down seeing the ruckus their table was causing in the place.
"Why wouldn't you let me talk." Fuutarou replied dryly. "Now be quiet or you'll get us in trouble."
Reluctantly Nino leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed in annoyance.
"Agh, that's not fair. Why would you make a group with them? Mmm".
"I thought you guys would want to form a group together. I didn't think you would want to be with me." Fuutarou said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"And by the way. Who exactly are you going to make a group with?". Ichika asked.
"Takeda, Maeda and Takebayashi." That comment made the girls turn their heads in disbelief to look at that last person, who in their opinion was the most relevant in that list of names.
Takebayashi only managed to smile nervously as she gently scratched her cheek.
"Hehe, sorry for the inconvenience."
"Kuruma-san, you betrayed me!". Yotsuba shouted with a funny pout puffing out her cheeks, deep down feeling really relieved as that made things a hell of a lot easier.
"You're a daughter of...ugh!". Nino clenched her fists on the table, maintaining a deep frown at the raven-haired girl. "Why the hell didn't you say so before?".
"I already said I'm sorry, Nino. He and I had already agreed to make a group together from before, but Fuutarou decided to include his friends and I didn't see any problem with it."
"And why didn't you say so before?". Yotsuba asked innocently with genuine curiosity.
"You said you wanted to ask Fuutarou if he wanted to make a group with Miku and you. I don't think I have the right to speak for him."
"I guess this is for the best. We'll all be in the same group so there won't be any problems." Sighed Ichika with resignation. "That stirs it up."
"...It's not too bad, I guess." Miku commented in agreement.
"Come on girls, what's with those faces? It's not like being in different groups is a big deal. We're all going to meet up and hang out together after all." Takebayashi said with a cheerful expression. "Aren't you excited Fuutarou? It sure will be fun to revisit Kyoto like we did on that school trip we took during elementary school, won't it?".
Itsuki gave that comment a second take, but opted not to say anything for the time being.
"Yeah whatever. Can we start studying at once?". Fuutarou asked impatiently.
(...)
"Well, that's all for now." The teacher on duty nodded at the bauche of sheets of paper the students in the class had placed on his desk, gathering them all into a small block before arranging them with a couple of taps on the table. "I'll go turn in the group lists to the school committee. In the meantime you can go decide who will be the leader of your groups."
After that, the teacher left the classroom, allowing the students to assemble the benches in an impromptu fashion so they could refine the final details before the field trip.
"So who's going to be our damn leader?" Maeda asked sitting with his back against his chest. "I don't want to."
"I'm already the class representative so I'm practically the leader of the whole class." Fuutarou said disinterestedly.
"You can leave it to me!". Takeda shouted theatrically as he placed a hand on his chest. "I'll be glad to take on such a big responsibility! Unless of course Kuruma-dono wants to do it!".
"No need for the honorific, hehe." The girl said with a small laugh before patting the blonde boy on the shoulder. "I appreciate the consideration, but I'll leave it to you, tiger."
"I'll leave it up to you, tiger. How annoying." Nino growled with a pout.
From their own corner shared with the rest of their sisters, the Nakano's were viewed with a mixture of admiration and somewhat disappointment by their peers.
"I knew those five would end up like this." Said one boy before beginning to wipe away the sea of tears with the back of his hand. "It was naive of me to believe that I could be with Ichika-san!".
"You're not taking it too seriously?". Another classmate commented with a bit of embarrassment.
"Meh, it's not that big of a deal. It seems like the Nakano's really get along great!". Complemented another girl.
Such a comment would probably have been true had it been uttered at another time, as the aura the quintuplets were emanating was anything but friendly.
"So it'll be the same as always...". Miku said in a pessimistic tone.
"W-Well, I'm glad Fuutarou-kun made friends, haha..." Added Ichika with a fake laugh.
Nino simply ground her teeth before crossing her legs. Her frown being a clear warning to think twice before bothering her right now.
Itsuki for her part only managed to give Takebayashi one last glance before lowering her gaze to her feet sheepishly.
And lastly, Yotsuba...
THIS IS AWKWARD
She was the one who was begging the most for an excuse to get away from here. The atmosphere was tense enough that you could cut it with a knife and then make a sandwich out of it.
"So...We're going shopping?" She asked nervously as she avoided eye contact with any of her sisters who were forming a circle with their benches. "You know, for what we're missing."
"No." Was Miku's blunt reply.
"I think I have everything." Ichika said.
"No, I ordered everything I need online." Nino replied.
"What about you Itsuki?". Yotsuba asked her youngest. "Tomorrow we can go together if you want."
"Y-Yeah, I guess that would be okay..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
THIS IS VERY AWKWARD!
(...)
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Hey, Onii-chan, do you have the list of what you need to buy for your school trip?". Raiha asked her brother. "You need to be prepared. It's going to be a 3-day trip."
"Yes, Raiha, I just need a few things." Fuutarou replied from the low table in the main room of the Uesugi residence as he went over something with his study cards.
"You carry your own toothbrush? How about socks and underwear?".
"I don't need to buy new boxers."
"But your boxers are full of holes and besides, some of them are dad's. Your classmates are going to laugh at you."
"I'm not going to change in front of them, you know?".
Raiha proceeded to spin on her heels a little excitedly.
"I'm so excited! It'll be the first time I'll be going out with Take-san since I've been back!. It was nice of her to want to accompany us to the mall to buy things for your excursion."
"More like she invited herself." Fuutarou said dryly, and after saying that, his head was assaulted by a karate chop from Raiha's small hand.
"What a spoilsport. Have you already forgotten when we went out with Itsuki-san? It was a lot of fun, wasn't it? You've been working so hard so you could use a little distraction."
Ding dong
"Ah, that must be her!".
At the sound of the doorbell, Raiha ran at full speed to the front door, when she opened it, she could meet the black-haired girl who was expected by both young men.
"Hello!". As had become customary, Takebayashi was greeted by a tight hug from little Raiha. "Are you ready to go, Take-san?".
"Hey, easy little one. I'm the one who should be asking that." Takebayashi laughed. "Are you that excited?"
"It's just that it's the first time we'll be going out together!".
"Oh, that's right. In that case I guess I'll have to make this day super special."
"That we weren't going to buy my stuff?". Fuutarou said appearing from the background.
"Yeah but unlike the girls, the guys don't take too long shopping, so we'll use the time we have left over to have some fun." Takebayashi explained as she gestured for them to follow her. "Well, if you're ready, we'd better get going."
"Coming!" Raiha said animatedly as both girls walked down the stairs that connected the Uesugi's apartment to the street.
Without a chance to say anything else, Fuutarou closed the door of the place behind him before doing the same.
Walking down to the street, Fuutarou was shocked by the sight of a luxurious car parked right in front of his house.
"But what...?".
"Woooah! Is that your car, Take-san!?". Raiha asked with her jaw about to crash to the ground.
"Well, technically it's my mother's, so no." The girl said with a smile at the little girl's reaction, who was already circling the car while looking at every inch in awe.
"Allow me, Raiha-sama." Once Raiha approached one of the back doors, an older man with a strange looking brown skin and long blonde hair tied in a ponytail appeared to open the door for Raiha.
"W-What? Is that you?". Recognizing him immediately, Fuutarou pointed a finger at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you again, Uesugi-sama." Ebata replied. "I am pleased to announce that I am Miss Kuruma-sama's driver.".
"Ah, you know each other?" Takebayashi asked.
"I remember I was the chauffeur for those silly girls...". Fuutarou replied.
"I like to drive, so I work a lot of places." The old man replied humbly with a smile. "So I'll be at your service today.".
After that small discussion, Fuutarou decided to ignore the matter and enter the car together with Raiha, who was amazed by the luxurious interior since it was her first time to ride in a car like this.
Once Takebayashi sat down next to Fuutarou, Ebata closed his door and he himself got into the car ready to start the trip to the mall.
"Well?". Takebayashi gave Fuutarou a smug look, "Is it better than the Nakano's?".
"I don't know, I don't know anything about cars. To me they all just look like luxury cars." Fuutarou replied with some disinterest.
"Yeah, what am I asking you for?" Takebayashi said with a slight pout. "What about you Raiha?".
"The seats are very comfortable!". She said without a moment's hesitation. "Everything looks very expensive!".
"You know what the best part of it being expensive is? You press the third button on your right armrest."
"Hmm? Oh!... Ohhhhh!". Raiha's voice cracked into vibrations. "Onii-chaaaaan, these seats are massaaaaaaging yooooouuuu!".
"Hey, don't be a bad influence on Raiha. The last thing my family needs is a rich girl who spends money like it grows on trees." Fuutarou chided Takebayashi before pausing briefly. "Did you say the third button?".
After some time and some small talk, the young men finally arrived at their destination, getting out of the vehicle and saying goodbye to Ebata who would pick them up once their shopping was finished.
"Well, where are we going first Fuutarou?".
"I guess to buy underwear."
As the three of them walked further and further into the mall looking for the relevant store to make said purchase, Raiha was all smiles as she absentmindedly looked at the various window displays throughout the mall, whether it was clothes, toys, household items, Raiha always loved to see what so many things there were whenever she had the chance to come to this place. Meanwhile, in the back, Fuutarou and Takebayashi were diligently supervising her while chatting.
"Aren't you going to buy something?". Fuutarou asked.
"Obviously, I also need to prepare for the trip. I need to buy a new suitcase, since the one I have is already too old, also a Power Bank in case I need to charge my phone while we walk, an umbrella in case it's too sunny, and I think I could use a pair of more comfortable shoes."
"We're not leaving the country..."
"Well, you never know what might happen, right? It's better to be prepared and you better follow this advice. A cautious man is worth two".
"Yes, yes." Fuutarou said averting his gaze a little. "By the way, how is your mother?".
At the mention of her progenitor, Takebayashi was silent for a moment before averting her gaze with disinterest.
"Fine..."
"I didn't like that answer." Fuutarou inquired. "I've had my suspicions for a while now. Tell me, did you perhaps move by yourself from Tokyo?".
"Yes." Takebayashi answered honestly. "She sent me to this city after making a little deal with her. In exchange for being allowed to use my last year of high school as I wished, I would commit myself to running the company without any excuses when the time came."
Fuutarou turned his head sharply in her direction when he heard that.
"Stop, you what?" He said arching an eyebrow. "You're not serious. Are she really still going on about it? She's been talking about this since we were kids.. Even Mom was getting bored with the same story."
"Yes, she hasn't changed at all." Takebayashi sighed as she looked down at the polished tiles of the mall. "I'm sorry I couldn't be with you since the beginning of high school. As you know, we moved to Tokyo because she wanted me to enter that stupid Dinka academy, where according to her my education would be what I needed to fulfill my role as the company's heir. It was only thanks to getting nothing but perfect scores on every test that I was able to convince her to give me a break by transferring me to your school to spend my last year of high school. She bought me the apartment I live in with everything I need, so I just took a bullet train ride without much hassle."
"Gosh. That's amazing." Fuutarou growled in annoyance. "When will be the day when she'll stop acting like a jerk?...sorry."
"Calm down." Calmed Takebayashi with a small smile at the last part.
"It's just that he never cared about you. She'd practically leave you stranded at home all day when you were a kid and disappear for months only to come back like nothing happened."
"At least I had an unlimited credit card." Takebayashi said mockingly.
"Right, because a 3 year old knows how to go shopping."
"Yeah...if it wasn't for Aunt Yuri...I really don't know what would have become of me. She and Isanari have been more my parents than my own mother."
Fuutarou looked at her in silence. He could not argue with that, because it was true. He had mixed feelings, his recent experience with his now boss had made him see that he really wasn't that negligent when it came to his daughters and now, he wanted to believe the same about Takebayashi's mother, however, she wasn't helping much. In a sense, she was a bit similar to Marou, although much more drastic and it's not like she understood the doctor's reasons much to begin with. Two new problems for the future.
"Anyway, what does it matter? I couldn't ask for anything better really." The black-haired girl said raising her gaze again towards Fuutarou with a smile. "The Uesugi have always been there for me. You guys are my family, so let's forget about that, we're already here."
At the girl's pointing, the small group stopped right in front of an underwear store.
"Raiha, I'll go buy mine, you help Fuutarou in the meantime".
"Hai captain!" Cheerfully exclaimed the girl while making a military salute.
After Takebayashi left in another direction, the Uesugi entered the store and proceeded to inspect the garments on display.
"Tell me Onii-chan, do you prefer the socks with diamonds? Or the ones with stripes?"
"The ones that cost less." Fuutarou said taking a pair with the discount label. "These for example."
"Those are for 10 year olds!". Said Raiha snatching the item from him. "Geez, you just got appointed tutor again, so spending a little on yourself doesn't hurt. You shouldn't be stingy with Itsuki-san and the others' birthday present either. They're going to hate you, I know what I'm telling you."
"Oh? It's almost their birthday already?". Fuutarou asked arching an eyebrow.
"Eh?" Raiha gave him a blank expression. "... it's...it's already happened."
"Hmm..." Fuutarou became thoughtful. "Well, I can still figure it out. They were late too. Besides it's their fault for not remembering me."
"You have to return the favor properly!" Raiha said annoyed, looking at her brother with some disappointment. "You're so hard-headed, Onii-chan."
Before continuing the conversation he was having with his sister, Fuutarou noticed a small red strand peeking out from across the hall. With a calculated move, Fuutarou used a pair of underpants he grabbed from the rack and tossed them in that direction.
"Hey!" A voice exclaimed before watching as that tuft, similar to a shark's fin on water, quickly slid all the way down the shelf until its owner made her presence known at the entrance of the aisle. What's your problem? E-Eh?"
"W-Wait Itsuki, it sure was an accident! Ah, Uesugi-san and Raiha-chan!".
In front of Fuutarou stood Yotsuba and Itsuki, who looked at them with varying degrees of excitement.
"Something told me I'd run into one of you here." Fuutarou said.
"It's good to see you girls around!". Raiha ignored her brother and greeted both girls.
"Same here, Raiha-chan! Let's have a lot of fun!". Yotsuba said with a little hop.
"So you're here too, huh?". Said Itsuki turning around to continue her business. "In that case I don't think it would be wise to barge into your shopping together.".
"Before you go, I wanted to ask you about your gi-".
"Onii-chan, is it true? Even a preschooler knows how that works!". Raiha hastily interrupted.
"What's wrong?" Yotsuba asked.
"God, how annoying." Growling in annoyance, Fuutarou proceeded to follow Itsuki, who was already halfway down the aisle.
If I watch them while they shop, maybe I'll manage to think of what they want as a gift.
Such reasoning made sense, and probably would have worked if not for the fact that both teens were entering a certain section of the store.
"W-Why are you following me!?". After noticing his presence, Itsuki faced him.
"We'll buy the same things, what does it matter?".
"That's true, but even if they're the same things, they're not the same!".
"What? That doesn't make sense. I just want to see what you're going to buy, that's all."
"I came to buy underwear!". Itsuki replied with a blush on her face.
"Bye."
Fuutarou, though slow, knew that was a minefield he wanted no part of, turning around to leave the place.
"R-Raiha-chan, come help me."
"Okaaaaa!".
"You're not going with them?" Fuutarou asked turning to the only girl left in the place.
"Nah! I take care of all my clothes to make them last." Yotsuba said as they both walked out to sit on a bench just outside the store.
"You wear children's underwear, don't you?". Fuutarou sat down next to her heavily.
"D-Daring how do you know!?". Yotsuba was blushing up to her ears.
Fuutarou sighed wearily.
"What a bummer..." He mutter. "Hey Yotsuba. Is there something you want to be in the future?".
"Eh? What's that about?"
"I don't know. I'm just trying to start a conversation. If you don't want to talk that's fine."
"Now that was sudden...hmm." Yotsuba folded her arms thoughtfully, mulling over her answer. "I never thought of that before."
"I figured as much." Fuutarou said as he watched the people walk by. "Well, you're athletic. Maybe you'd like to be an athlete? Coach? Or maybe one of those stuntmen? You'd probably do well working with Ichika."
"Hey, actually that's a good idea...but honestly I'm not sure yet." Yotsuba's ribbon deflated a bit.
"Well, I guess we still have some time to think about it. It's the same with the others."
"What about you Uesugi-san? What would you like to be when you grow up?" Yotsuba asked back.
"Something that would make me a lot of money."
"Yeah, I figured as much." Yotsuba sweat.
(...)
"Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra-Raiha-chan, how about this one?". Sporting a crimson blush on her cheeks that matched her hair, Itsuki held a garment in her trembling hands. "I-I-I-It looks good, doesn't it?".
"I-I think that one's too mature for you, Itsuki-san." Raiha, despite her young age, was mature enough to know when a piece of underwear was too much to wear, just like in the case of the garment in front of her. Simply put, it was a mini-string the thickness of a dental floss and left nothing to the imagination.
"I-I'm already a high school student. I don't see anything wrong with it!".
And for some reason, Itsuki insisted on it.
"Decided, I'll try it on!". Itsuki was dying of embarrassment. With steaming ears, she looked for a store employee who could help her and when she succeeded, she was free to enter one of the store's fitting rooms in the back.
"I'm going to be a while. Why don't you go with Uesugi-kun and Yotsuba to keep them company, Raiha-chan?". Itsuki said to the little girl before closing the fitting room curtain. "I'll catch up with them as soon as I'm done."
"Okeey, good luck with that."
Back to Fuutarou and Yotsuba.
"We're done, sorry for the wait!". Raiha arrived with the couple, who were still waiting on the bench outside the store.
"Oh? Where's Itsuki?" Yotsuba asked looking over Fuutarou's sister's head, searching for her own younger sister.
"She's trying something on, she shouldn't be long." Raiha said sweating a little nervously.
"She's trying on underwear? Aren't you just supposed to take what's your size and that's it?". Fuutarou arched an eyebrow, receiving a red card that Yotsuba pulled from somewhere.
"Foul! To the bench, Uesugi-san! That was very inconsiderate!".
"I'm already on the bench. Besides, why? What did I say now?"
"Girls' underwear is very different from boys'. In case you don't know; a girl's measurements are constantly changing. Especially Itsuki, since her breasts are bigger than ours- ah! No! Forget that, Uesugi-san pervert!". Yotsuba made an X gesture with her fingers in panic.
"The best thing for my mental health is to pretend I didn't hear that."
"You'd better, because if Itsuki heard that you definitely wouldn't be having a good time. Well, technically no one is having a good time lately." Yotsuba stood up and looked at those present with a bright smile. "Anyway, the school camp ended with a bittersweet ending, so this time we'll have a school trip with no regrets. Let's make a lot of effort!".
"For me that trip wasn't so bad. I was able to get some sleep in a nice bed." Fuutarou said disinterestedly.
"Don't be interesting, Onii-chan." Raiha placed her hands on her hips before shifting her gaze from her brother to the ribbon girl. "He's really excited about this trip. At home he's been reading the school guidebook over and over again."
"Raiha!". Now it was Fuutarou's turn to show off a slight blush on his cheeks at being exposed like that. Yotsuba smiled mockingly.
"Besides, you're going to Kyoto, right? You might meet the girl in that picture!".
Smile that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"That would be asking too much. She was on a trip too."
"A girl in a picture?" Yotsuba arched an eyebrow, cocking her head slightly. "What are they talking about?"
"Tell her, Onii-chan, tell her!". Raiha reached over to poke Fuutarou's side with her elbow playfully.
"It's nothing. I don't even have the picture anymore..." Fuutarou said with a shrug.
"Muuu!". Yotsuba puffed out her cheeks before bursting out. "There's definitely something that reeks of suspiciousness. If it was nothing, then you could tell us and I know the reason! You must have some regrets! So come on, let it out of your chest and you'll feel better!".
Fuutarou backed up a couple of steps at the assault of the ribbon girl, who during their little dialogue approached Fuutarou with an inquisitive finger.
"But I don't want to." Fuutarou growled.
"Come on, Onii-chan, you're only backing yourself further and further into a corner. Don't be shy."
"I'm not shy, agh, it's okay."
Having a little Deja vu, Fuutarou rightly understood that they wouldn't leave him alone until they gave them what they wanted, so he proceeded to tell his story.
"She's a girl I met 5 years ago in Kyoto by chance. Her name is Rena."
"Rena?"
"End"
"E-End!?". Yotsuba arched an eyebrow. "You're terrible at telling stories! Now I'm curious! Please tell me more, pleeeeaaase?".
"In short, she was Onii-chan's first love." Raiha interjected with a smile and a tender happy blush.
"...F-". Yotsuba gave a second take to what Raiha said until her brain finally processed it. "F-First love!?".
Yotsuba's face was as red as a tomato. Eyes wide as saucers as they remained fixed on Raiha, unable to look at the Black-haired man. But before the situation could progress, she was saved by the bell.
Grooown
"Hehehe, talking about food made me hungry." Raiha said massaging her stomach with some embarrassment at that sound alerting her to her empty tank.
"No one said a word about that." Fuutarou pointed out.
"T-Then let's go to the food area! I'll buy you whatever you want!". In a hurry to get out of that situation, Yotsuba was about to run hand in hand with Raiha until Raiha stopped her.
"Wait, what about Take-san? We agreed to meet later."
"Eh? Kuruma-san is here?". Yotsuba asked.
"Yes, she accompanied us shopping but we parted ways before we met Itsuki-san and you."
"You came together. I-I see..."
"You guys can leave. I'll stay here and wait for Itsuki, then we'll look for Takebayashi and at the end we'll join you." Fuutarou offered his solution, to which, both girls saw it as a good idea, walking away as they said goodbye for the time being.
"Haa...". Once alone, Fuutarou sighed before leaning back lazily on the bench, casually watching people pass by the mall. "How tired I am, this is somehow more exhausting than studying. And you're not making it any easier for me, Rena."
There, on that bench, Fuutarou's figure received the company of a second figure, a figure dressed in white and possessing long pink hair.
"Oh? How disappointing. Is this how you receive your friends?".
Fuutarou settled into his seat, leaning back and leaning his head against the back wall.
"I'm not going to be surprised a second time." He said without even looking at her.
"I hear you're going to Kyoto again for your school trip. Very nostalgic." Rena said with an elegant tone of voice.
"Didn't you say something about not seeing each other again? To what do I owe your return?" Fuutarou questioned.
"Because I wanted to see you." Rena replied. "What would you do if I said that?".
"We see each other all the time without you having to do all this theatrics, right?".
"E-Eh?" From her tone of voice, Fuutarou could tell that this was the first time Rena seemed cornered. He still wasn't looking at her. "I-I..."
"Why did you take your mother's name?". Fuutarou asked, doing her the favor of evading that earlier statement.
Rena was silent for a moment before recovering.
"Hehehe, so you even know that." She laughed. Fuutarou could see out of the corner of his eyes as the girl stood up to finally enter his line of sight. "It was in the heat of the moment, to tell you the truth. But back to the main topic. You took me by surprise a moment ago, but yes, it's exactly as you say. I'm one of the quintuplets."
Rena adjusted her big-brimmed hat.
"Can you guess who I am?"
"I don't know. Hurry up and tell me."
"You gave up too fast!". Fuutarou wasn't going to lie, teasing Rena was kind of fun. "This isn't the kind of thing you should ask directly. Since you're so gifted try guessing."
"Who's who." Fuutarou frowned. "Who is pretending to be who...I've had enough of that."
Rena recoiled at his words.
"I'm trying to have fun on the school trip. Don't ruin it for me. Shuu, shuu!". Fuutarou said making a dismissive gesture with his hands.
"D-Don't you have any curiosity?".
"No." Fuutarou replied sharply. "Whenever I get curious about the identities of others, I always lose out. You showing up here just means there's something really stinky under the rug and I really don't want anything to do with it until after the trip."
"You don't care about me anymore?" Rena asked in a dejected tone.
Fuutarou didn't answer.
Rena quickly disappeared into the crowd, wiping a few small tears from her cheeks.
(...)
"And what is this?" Raiha asked as she looked at the menu on the counter of the strange shop Yotsuba had brought her to.
"Raiha-chan, weeeeeelcome to...McDonaaald's!". Yotsuba said while making a ta-ra style gesture with her hands.
"McDonald's?".
"Yes! That you've never been...ah yeah, I guess you've never been here, hehe." Yotsuba scratched her cheek nervously. "It's a very popular restaurant in America."
"Nothing they sell here looks very healthy, Yotsuba-san."
"True! But who cares? The only thing this restaurant is worth it for is that!". Yotsuba pointed to a certain dish on the menu. "The happy meal!".
"The happy meal?".
"It's a children's menu that includes a hamburger, some fries and a soda in a very funny box. But its main attraction is that it comes with a toy as a gift!".
"Gift toy!?". Raiha in a moment understood why this restaurant was so popular. Her eyes lit up at the prospect of being able to eat something delicious while playing with a new toy. "It's the best restaurant in the world!".
"I know! And that's why I'll buy you one of those little boxes. How about that?"
"Yotsuba-san, I love you, you're the best!". Raiha said running to hug her friend, who gladly accepted the gesture.
"Kyaaaa Raiha-chan, you're so cute!".
"E-Excuse me." Said a voice. "I hate to interrupt your nice moment. But could you please order something?".
The guy behind the counter, who had been appreciating the interaction for the past few minutes, hurried to get their attention once he noticed the line of people already forming behind Raiha and Yotsuba.
"A-Ah, yeah. Sorry." Yotsuba apologized with a slight bow of her head. "We'd like two happy meals, please."
"Okay, they'll be ready in a moment."
After a few minutes passed, he handed them their orders on a tray for each.
"Enjoy!".
"Thank you very much, sir!" Raiha thanked with a twinkle in her eye before both girls looked for a place to sit down.
"Toy, toy." Eager to know what this mysterious toy was that made this order so popular, Raiha opened the small red box and pulled out a plastic wrapper.
"It's a penguin!". After opening it, Raiha held in her hands a small toy of a penguin holding an umbrella that apparently made sounds if a button on its back was pressed.
"Wh-What!? I touch you Mr. cobbelpot!?". Yotsuba was incredulous. "I got another silly Mr. Shark. I already have about four of these."
Indeed, what Yotsuba was holding was some kind of muscular shark man. "What a disappointment...".
"I can trade with you if you want." Yotsuba offered the penguin to her friend.
"No need, Raiha-chan. It's yours!". Yotsuba hurriedly declined.
"This penguin seems very important to you, so I don't mind giving it to you. Take it as a thank you for the food." Raiha smiled brightly. And Yotsuba couldn't help but cry.
"Waaah, Raiha-chan, you're so good! I want you to be my little sister no matter what!". Yotsuba got up from her seat to hug the little girl, who gladly reciprocated the gesture. "Thank you so much, Raiha-chan! You helped complete the Crime Gang Collection. Mr. cobbelpot was the only one I was missing!".
"Hehe, no problem."
"So this is where they were." A voice again interrupted their conversation, only unlike last time, this was a very familiar voice to both girls.
"Kuruma-san!". Yotsuba sketched a smile when she saw the girl in front of their table. "What are you doing here?"
"Raiha sent me a text message saying you were at this place. I wanted to meet up with you guys." She explained calmly.
"As expected from Raiha-chan." Yotsuba scratched the back of her neck with some embarrassment. "It's a little embarrassing that she's always looking out for me when it should be the other way around."
"It's so much fun hanging out with you, Yotsuba-san." I soothe the little girl before turning to Takebayashi. "You haven't seen my brother or Itsuki-san?".
"No. I just finished my shopping and Itsuki-san sent me a message saying that she and Fuutarou are at an underwear store." Takebayashi inspected her phone briefly for any new messages. There were none. "I don't want to interrupt their meal, but how about we meet them first and then we can all go eat together."
"That sounds good!". Raiha agreed instantly.
"I think that's best." Yotsuba nodded as well.
"Good, then let's get going."
After Yotsuba and Raiha packed their to-go orders, the group of now three girls left the establishment so they could meet Fuutarou and Itsuki on the highest floor of the mall, the place where that lingerie store was located.
"Itsuki sure took her time this time. Unlike Nino, she's never late when trying on clothes." Yotsuba commented.
"True, but it's understandable in a way..." Raiha smiled nervously.
"But it's good that we ran into you at this point, Kuruma-san. That way it won't be such a hassle for you to wait so long."
"It wouldn't have been a problem. I'm sorry I didn't let you know I was coming with Fuutarou and Raiha, but let's just say my attendance was a bit impromptu."
"That's okay. It's more fun if we're all together!".
After a while, the group finally met up with the missing members.
"They're finally here." Fuutarou said watching the group approach. "Can we go now? I took advantage of the time to be able to buy what I need so that should be all for today."
"Speak for yourself. We still need to buy sunblock and antibacterial gel." Itsuki said beside her.
"And don't forget that you need to buy another backpack, Onii-chan. The one you have is already broken."
"Then how about we get going!". Yotsuba said enthusiastically. "The afternoon is still young! Let's all go together this time!".
"Sounds like a plan." Takebayashi said, smiling at the girl's enthusiasm. "Let's go, team."
And so, the group set off to their next destination. Itsuki and Fuutarou were discussing the activities that would take place during the school trip, Raiha was eating her hamburger while listening attentively, eager for the funny stories her brother would tell her when he returned and meanwhile, Takebayashi and Yotsuba were chatting about their part-time jobs. Arriving at a certain store in search of some toothbrushes and first aid supplies in case of an emergency, Takebayashi asked Yotsuba if she could accompany her to the next store while the others shopped. This store turned out to be a bookstore.
"Are you going to buy a book, Kuruma-san? Don't tell me you're like Uesugi-san and you're going to study the whole trip?" I ask with an arched eyebrow.
"Relax, that's not the case at all." Reassured Takebayashi as she casually looked with the shelf of books in front of her. She had already read them all. "I didn't really come to buy anything."
"Uhm? Then what are we doing here?" Yotsuba asked bowing her head slightly.
"To tell you the truth, I just wanted some privacy so I could talk to you." She stated with a soft and calm tone.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?". Yotsuba smiled. "What do you want to talk about? I'm all ears. Tell me what you need from me and I'll tell you. I'm an open book hehe, get it?".
Takebayashi turned her head to give Yotsuba a look. However, what was intended to be a small glance ended up turning into a long and penetrating stare that made the ribbon girl a bit uncomfortable. Realizing this, the black-haired girl shook her head a little to clear her head.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare at you. Even though it's been a while since I've known you and your sisters, it's still amazing to me that you all look exactly alike. You are the first quintuplets I've met, after all."
"We get that a lot, relax."
Takebayashi took one of the books from the shelf. One concerning bird migration.
"I'd already met quadruplets, though." She looked at it for a moment, and returned it to its place.
Yotsuba took a double take at that comment.
"Where?"
"In Kyoto six years ago. It was a very peculiar trip." Takebayashi smiled at Yotsuba. "It was you who met Fuutarou?".
That had escalated too quickly. Yotsuba felt his blood run cold, as if her heart was pumping all the blood out of her system.
"H-How...did you know?".
Yotsuba felt like a child who was caught by her mother stealing a yen from her purse to buy a candy.
"I didn't know, but now I do."
"...U-Uh?"
"The truth is, I had my suspicions. I wondered which one of you five it would be." Takebayashi raised a fist and held up each of her fingers as she spoke. "Nino would have told her herself long ago, her style is to go on the offensive. Miku doesn't seem to have a clue. Itsuki is very similar to you two in the sense of wanting to improve in her studies, but it seems her motivation is because of her mother, so I ruled her out. The only suspects were Ichika and you. But given your sister's current focus, I ruled her out right away."
"As expected from Uesugi-san's tutor..." Yotsuba was genuinely surprised. "You totally saw right through me."
"You were the most viable option, besides, since you don't know how to lie I figured I'd get my answer either way in case I was wrong." Takebayashi replied in a matter-of-fact tone before offering a sincere smile to Yotsuba, giving a polite bow. "I'm so glad to finally meet you, Kyoto Girl."
"You don't need to do that." Yotsuba tried to stop her humbly.
"Fuutarou knows-?".
"Please don't tell him!". Takebayashi was a little surprised when Yotsuba raised her voice abruptly, and as she realized where they were at, she coughed a little to compose herself before returning to her low tone from before. "Please don't tell him, Kuruma-san."
"Why are you keeping it a secret?".
"...I don't want to disappoint him." Yotsuba replied, clenching her fists in frustration. "While he was working diligently, giving his best effort, I was wasting my time."
Yotsuba's tone cracked a little.
"I threw six years of my life away." Takebayashi could see a drop trickling down the cheek of the girl, whose face was shadowed by her fringe. "Uesugi-san was expecting someone smart. Not some muscle-brained idiot like me who has only caused him trouble by being my tutor...so please don't say anything to him. I'll do whatever you want."
Takebayashi approached her, bowing slightly.
"I am someone who is unnecessary and has no purpose in life. I know someone who said something like that." She whispered softly before using her thumb to wipe the girl's cheek, causing her to look up. "But now that person has begun to move on. She's still wobbling, but she's slowly walking towards a new dawn."
Yotsuba said nothing, watching as Takebayashi sat back up before continuing to speak.
"I'm sorry for bringing you all the way here and bothering you with this. I even made you cry. I admit it was just my own selfish desire to satiate my curiosity." Takebayashi bowed her head by way of apology.
"Kuruma-san...". Yotsuba was stunned by her friend's words.
"I know it's none of my business, but I hope you can put your past behind you, Yotsuba-san. Because when the time comes, you will have to make a decision." With nothing more to say, Takebayashi turned to leave the bookstore, leaving Yotsuba watching her back slowly walk away. "You, and all the others."
"Decision?"
"Come on, the others must be finished by now. We'll just do a couple more shopping and leave. I'll have my driver take us all home. It's getting late and you should get ready for the trip."
Yotsuba stood there for a brief moment, analyzing what had just happened. But before falling into deeper contemplations about what her friend meant, she opted to leave it to the Yotsuba who would be sleeping that night.