Chapter 27

After the billiards game ended with Ichika claiming victory, she eagerly suggested another round, riding high on her triumph. The lively atmosphere between them had reached its peak. But Fuutaro quickly dismissed the idea, reminding her that their agreed-upon time was up. Ichika, feigning disappointment with a playful pout, teased him for being a bit of a buzzkill. Fuutaro, however, remained unfazed, merely shrugging nonchalantly in response.

As they prepared to leave the café, Fuutaro took care of the bill for both their drinks and the billiards game.

"It's my turn to pay, alright?" he asserted, glancing back at Ichika behind him. He pulled out his wallet and settled the payment at the cashier's desk. "But we're still not even after all the times you've treated me. Next time, it's on me. Deal?"

Ichika's face lit up with a grin as she giggled. "Hehe... Thanks! But I can't make any promises. After all, onee-san is always ready and happy to treat you!"

"Heh! Whatever you say, Ichika."

As they departed from the café, the two strolled out of the Pontocho district, heading towards the final destination Fuutaro had in mind before concluding their escapade and returning to the hotel. This particular place had occupied his thoughts since the creation of the plan back at the hotel.

It held significant importance to him, and he was eager to visit it before their return to Tokai the next day.

"So, Fuutaro-kun, where are we heading?" Ichika leaned in with curiosity, her gaze fixed on him. "And what's so special about this place?"

Fuutaro responded with a cryptic smile. "You'll find out soon enough." He checked his phone to confirm the location. "It's not too far from here, maybe about a fifteen-minute walk."

"Oh, really? Let's hurry, then!" she exclaimed. "Considering the time, we better get there before—"

Before she could finish, their attention was abruptly drawn by the sound of a child's cries. Both Fuutaro and Ichika came to a stop, their heads turning towards the source of the distress.

"Waaa... Onii-chan, where are you…"

They spotted a young boy sitting alone on a public bench near a park, not too far from where they stood. A quick glance confirmed he was quite young, likely an elementary schooler, and much younger than Raiha.

Ichika leaned in, her voice tinged with urgency. "Fuutaro-kun, we should check on him." Her eyes scanned the empty surroundings, concern evident in her tone. "It's late, and I'm worried something bad might happen if he's alone."

Fuutaro observed the boy for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yeah, let's go."

They hurried over to the crying child, and Ichika immediately crouched down in front of him, her arms resting on her knees. "Hey there, little guy, what's wrong? Why are you all by yourself?" Her voice was soft and soothing.

"*sob* Onii-chan… He hasn't come back..." the boy sniffled, tears flowing down his face. "He left for a bit and told me to wait here on this bench until he returned... But it's been a long time, and he's still not back *sob*," he whimpered.

Ichika exchanged a concerned glance with Fuutaro, who gave her a subtle nod. Refocusing on the boy, she suggested, "How about onee-chan takes you to the nearby police post? It's late, and it might be safer for you to be with an officer until your brother returns."

The boy vehemently shook his head. "No, I don't want to… I want to wait until onii-chan comes back for me," he insisted, wiping his teary eyes. "He told me to wait here, and he'll be worried if he comes back and can't find me."

"He has a point, Ichika," Fuutaro remarked, crossing his arms as he studied the boy. "If we take him to the police, his brother might panic if he returns and doesn't find him here. Plus, we could get into trouble with the authorities since we don't know the circumstances."

"Hmm... You're right," Ichika murmured, touching her chin thoughtfully. She looked at the boy and then back at Fuutaro. "Then let's stay with him until his big brother returns. I can't leave this boy alone out here in the middle of the night. What do you think, Fuutaro-kun?"

Fuutaro nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I agree. Leaving him alone after talking to him doesn't sit right with me either."

Ichika responded with her own nod and turned her attention back to the boy, leaning in once again. "Hey, how about we stay with you until your big brother comes back?" she offered, her reassuring smile aiming to put him at ease. "Does that sound okay to you?"

The boy hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding. "Y-Yeah... But you two aren't bad people, right?"

Ichika chuckled softly. "Don't worry, we're not bad at all! There's no need to be scared, okay?" she said warmly. "Is it alright if I sit next to you?"

With a small nod, the boy allowed her to sit beside him. Ichika settled in comfortably, while Fuutaro remained standing nearby.

Sensing the boy's distress, Ichika felt the need to calm him and minimize any attention from passersby. Striking up a conversation seemed like a good way to alleviate the tension.

"Hey, can onee-chan ask you something? What's your name?"

"Masato..." the boy answered, still sniffling.

"Hehe… Nice to meet you, Masato-kun!" she greeted cheerfully. "I'm Ichika, and this is Fuutaro," she gestured to him with a smile, where Fuutaro responded with a small nod and smile. "Can I ask you something else, Masato-kun? Where did your big brother go at this hour?"

Masato wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "Umm… We were going home after playing at the arcade. Then, suddenly, onii-chan got a phone call and looked really scared while talking," he explained, his voice trembling. "He told me to wait here on this bench and not to move until he comes back... When I asked who it was, he said it was his boss and that he had to meet him at a restaurant nearby. Onii-chan said it wouldn't take long, but it's been over half an hour, and he still hasn't returned…"

Ichika nodded thoughtfully, grasping the gravity of the situation. From Masato's explanation, it seemed his brother had received an urgent call from his boss, something serious enough that he did not want to involve his little brother.

"*sob* But why did onii-chan leave me here instead of taking me with him?" Masato asked through his tears. "Lately, he's always been so angry when he comes home from work. But tonight, he came home early and took me to the arcade…"

Fuutaro, who had been quiet until now, joined in with a question. "Hey, why didn't you call your parents and ask them to come get you?"

Masato was silent for a moment, his quiet sobs punctuating the pause before he spoke. "Mom… she works in Yokohama and only comes home on weekends." He hesitated, then added, "Dad… he passed away three years ago. So it's just me, onii-chan, and mom."

Fuutaro's eyes widened in shock. Clearly, he had not expected such a heartbreaking revelation. "I... I'm sorry to hear that," he said weakly, averting his gaze. He felt a pang of guilt for asking about Masato's parents.

Ichika's expression grew somber as she took in Masato's story. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, a serene calmness and warmth had replaced her solemn demeanor. A gentle smile softened her features. "It must be really tough for you, Masato-kun," she said empathetically. "I understand; my mom passed away when I was about your age. But you're fortunate to have a big brother who looks after you while your mom is away."

"But… onii-chan isn't the same anymore," Masato replied sadly. "He used to be kind and helped me with my schoolwork. We used to play games together on weekends. But since he graduated from university and started working, he… changed." He paused, his voice trembling as a few sobs escaped. "He's become scary sometimes, easily angered when he comes home from work. When I ask if he's okay, he either ignores me or yells at me to stop asking… Do you think he hates me?"

Ichika gently placed her hand on Masato's shoulder, offering a reassuring pat. "From what you've told me about your big brother, Masato-kun, I don't believe he hates you," she assured him, her expression kind yet firm. "Your big brother probably has a busy job, and when he comes home, he might be tired and stressed. That can make him easily frustrated over little things."

The boy mumbled, "But…"

"Have you noticed how your big brother acts on weekends, when he's not working?" Ichika asked. "Is he friendlier and calmer to talk to then, or does he act the same way as when he comes home from work?"

Masato fell into thoughtful silence, reflecting on Ichika's question. After a moment, he responded with some hesitation. "Umm… it's just like you said, onee-chan. Onii-chan seemed calmer and happier on his days off," he admitted. "He was easier to talk to, just like before he graduated from university."

"See? It's likely the stress and exhaustion making your big brother seem scary," she said. "By the way, you mentioned earlier that you were at the arcade with him this evening, right? Did you both enjoy playing together?"

The boy nodded. "Onii-chan was full of energy at the arcade. We laughed a lot, especially when we played that racing game... I had so much fun with him." A faint smile appeared on his face. "Seeing onii-chan so happy made me happy too."

"Then your brother hasn't changed at all, Masato-kun," Ichika stated, playfully raising her index finger. "He still cares about you. The fact that he took you to the arcade and you both had a great time shows that, doesn't it?"

"Is that true, onee-chan?"

"Yup, it's true!" Ichika nodded enthusiastically. "Let me tell you a little secret: onee-chan has a friend who also gets easily angry and annoyed when stressed or under pressure. But deep down, he's one of the kindest and most gentle people I know." She turned slightly toward Fuutaro with a mischievous smile. "Even if it seems like they don't care about you on the surface, they truly do care deep down."

Fuutaro rolled his eyes slightly, a hint of annoyance crossing his face at Ichika's playful teasing. He could not deny that he often found himself easily irked or frustrated, particularly under pressure. He vividly remembered a few months ago when Ichika had fallen ill after the national mock exam. The immense pressure and accusations from the quintuplets' father, who blamed him for her condition, had left him deeply distressed. The tension had reached a boiling point during one of his hospital visits, resulting in a heated argument with Ichika—a situation he regretted deeply.

"Your big brother does care about you," Ichika reiterated, continuing her soothing tone. "Work is probably stressing him out, which might make him seem intimidating when he comes home. Sometimes, understanding his situation and finding the right moment to approach him can make a difference."

"I see..." Masato nodded a bit. "But what if I really want to talk to onii-chan? I don't want to see him stressed and unhappy... I want to cheer him up."

"In that case, you should…" Ichika began, guiding Masato gently with her advice.

As their conversation flowed, Masato appeared noticeably calmer than before. Although traces of sadness lingered, the tears had dried up. Both he and Ichika were deeply engaged in their discussion—her energetic yet calming voice offering comfort, while Masato listened attentively, responding with nods instead of words.

Fuutaro, observing quietly, chose not to interrupt, knowing his presence might disrupt the delicate mood. He watched with a subtle smile, relieved to see that Ichika's comforting words had brought some calm to the boy.

As they conversed further, a low growl emerged from Masato's stomach, his hand instinctively clutching it in discomfort. It was an unmistakable sign of hunger.

Noticing his plight, Ichika asked to him, "What's wrong, Masato-kun? Are you hungry?"

Masato nodded, his expression confirming his hunger. "Yes… I'm hungry," he admitted. "Onii-chan and I were supposed to get something to eat on our way home, but he still hasn't come back..."

"Don't worry, I've got this!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm, turning to Fuutaro standing beside her. "Fuutaro-kun, can you hand me my plastic bag from the sweet shop?

"Yeah." Fuutaro unstrapped his backpack, pulling out a plastic bag filled with chocolates and sweets that Ichika had purchased back in Pontocho.

Taking the bag from Fuutaro, Ichika placed it on the bench between her and Masato. "Here you go! Onee-chan got some sweets and chocolates. Take a look and pick whatever you'd like!"

The boy hesitated, peeking inside the bag before asking tentatively, "Is it really okay?"

"Yup, it's okay, Masato-kun!" she assured him with a nod and an encouraging smile. "If you're still hungry, don't hesitate to help yourself to more. No need to worry about it!"

For the first time since their meeting, a genuine smile of joy spread across Masato's face as Ichika handed him the chocolate bar he had pointed to.

Fuutaro could not help but smile as he watched Ichika's spontaneous kindness towards the unfamiliar child. Her natural nurturing instinct, combined with her supportive demeanor, had turned the boy's tears into a joyful expression. With her characteristic warmth and gentle smile, accompanied by a soothing voice, she comforted him as tenderly as a mother would console her distressed child.

It struck Fuutaro that Ichika's occasional self-proclamation as "Onee-san" was not merely playful banter. This was evident by her consistent care for her sisters, assuming the role of the eldest among them, demonstrated her genuine nurturing nature. Now, she was extending that same comforting demeanor to a distressed little boy they had just met and who clearly needed help.

"I guess it's not limited to your own sisters…"

"You also extend this behavior to other younger people, aren't you…?"

"Heh, what an amazing person you are…"

"You really are a kind and genuine person, Ichika…"

Witnessing her compassionate actions, Fuutaro felt a tug at his heart and sensed the need to contribute to comforting the boy. "Hey, Masato, right? What kind of drink do you like?" he asked. "If you're thirsty, there's a vending machine close by, and I can get you a drink."

"Umm… I like oolong tea," Masato replied between bites of the chocolate bar. "But, is it okay?"

"Yeah, no problem," Fuutaro assured him as he walked over to a nearby vending machine a few meters from them. Within moments, he returned with a bottle of oolong tea in hand. "Here you go, oolong tea."

"Wahh…! Thank you so much!" The boy enthusiastically accepted the drink and swiftly twisted the cap open.

Ichika turned to Fuutaro, giving a nod and a smile of approval. He mirrored her expression before settling back into his original spot. Watching Masato's delight filled Fuutaro with a comforting warmth, reminiscent of the joy Raiha often brought with her cheerful presence.

Minutes passed, and Masato's earlier sadness melted away completely. His face lit up with genuine happiness, and his eyes sparkled with a fresh, vibrant energy that left no trace of his previous tears. Fuutaro joined in the conversation from time to time, savoring the lively and uplifting atmosphere that Ichika and Masato had created together.

After a while, Fuutaro noticed a figure jogging toward them from the distance. Masato, noticing the figure as well, immediately brightened up with excitement. He quickly jumped up from the bench, waving eagerly. "Onii-chan!"

The man, presumably Masato's older brother, finally reached them, breathing heavily from his jog. Without hesitation, Masato rushed forward and enveloped him in a hug. The man responded with gentle strokes on Masato's head.

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, Masato," the man said with genuine concern, crouching down to meet his brother's eyes. "Were you scared?"

"Yeah, I was scared..." Masato admitted in a small voice before regaining his composure. "But these two nice people kept me company while you were gone." He looked gratefully at Fuutaro and Ichika, who had now risen to her feet.

"I see," the man nodded, rising to his feet and approaching Fuutaro and Ichika. He bowed respectfully. "I apologize for troubling you both by leaving my little brother in your care while I was away. How can I thank you?"

"It was no trouble," Fuutaro replied, shaking his head. His expression grew serious, but the intensity was something that Ichika had not seen before. "Can I ask why you left your brother alone in a place like this at such a late hour? Couldn't you have taken him with you wherever you were going?"

Maybe it was just her imagination, but Ichika detected a faint hint of anger in his voice.

The man fell silent, appearing hesitant to answer. After a few moments, he let out a heavy sigh and said, "No, I couldn't take Masato with me… I didn't want him to witness his big brother getting yelled by his boss. I didn't want him to see me in such a sorry state, especially knowing how much he worries about me..." His eyes dropped to the ground momentarily before regaining his composure and meeting Fuutaro's eyes. "On our way home, my boss called and demanded I meet him at an izakaya nearby. When I arrived, he was furious because an important document I had been working on had errors. He was in the middle of an important meeting with a business partner who was ready to sign that document."

"I see…" Fuutaro murmured, maintaining his focus on the man. "From what Masato mentioned, it sounds like you're going through a lot with your job. He said you often bring work stress home and continue working late into the night."

The man nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's true. Ever since my promotion a year ago, my workload has doubled. I'm busier than ever, sometimes bringing work home and working well past midnight. I'm also handling some of my boss's responsibilities because of the trust he has in me, and I'm practically his right-hand man. This time, I made a critical error on a document that I've been entrusted with for the past week. It's a document vital for the company's survival."

Fuutaro could not help but relate with the man's situation. It reminded him of a time five years ago when he started to dedicate himself entirely to his studies, shutting out the world around him. During that time, even the slightest distraction was enough to trigger his irritation.

One night, during his middle school years, he was deeply absorbed in preparing for a final exam in the living room. Raiha, concerned about her brother's relentless focus on academics, came out of her bedroom to check on him, gently urging him to sleep. Overwhelmed by the pressure of the upcoming exam and consumed by his determination to succeed, Fuutaro snapped, angrily shouting at his little sister to stop bothering him and telling her to leave him alone.

His outburst left Raiha in tears, and for weeks afterward, she was visibly traumatized.

His dad's reaction had been swift and severe—a slap across the face followed by a stern scolding. The very next morning, Fuutaro apologized to Raiha, but the damage was done. She avoided him, terrified of him, until she finally accepted his apology after several weeks. The incident marked a turning point for Fuutaro. He realized he had lost sight from his original motivation for studying so tirelessly—to lift his family out of debt and bring Raiha's happiness.

Acknowledging the unacceptability of his action, he vowed never to make Raiha upset again.

Fuutaro nodded thoughtfully at the man's account. "Yeah, I get it. I have a little sister too, and I know how much those tight situations matter to your life." His eyes drifted to Masato, who was standing close to his brother. "Masato told me you always got angry when he tried to check on you. I'd say ease up a bit. He really loves being around you—like tonight at the arcade."

The man looked surprised by Fuutaro's insight, gasping softly. "I see..." He turned to Masato, a faint smile forming on his lips. Crouching down again, he spoke with sincerity, "I'm sorry for being so harsh with you, Masato. My work has been overwhelming me lately, and I let it affect our time together. From now on, I'll do my best to control my temper and spend more time with you. Can you forgive me?"

"It's okay, onii-chan," Masato nodded, his gaze steady as he met his brother's eyes. "Onee-chan helped me understand how hard you work and how stressed you get. But I'm always here if you need to talk or take a break."

"Heh, Thank you. I'll keep that in mind whenever I need a break," the man said warmly, giving his brother's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. He then noticed Masato's stomach rumbling. "Speaking of which, we haven't eaten yet, right? How about we grab something to eat at that burger place over there?"

"Okay, let's go there, onii-chan!"

The man nodded as he turned to Fuutaro and Ichika once more. With another head bow, he expressed his gratitude. "Once again, thank you for looking after my little brother. I truly appreciate it."

"Thank you, Ichika-onee-chan, Fuutaro-onii-chan!" the boy exclaimed cheerfully.

"You're welcome, Masato-kun!" Ichika beamed, her enthusiasm shining through as she patted the boy's head. "Be sure to get along with your onii-chan, okay?" She winked playfully, giving a thumbs-up.

With a bright smile, Masato waved energetically as he and his brother walked away. "Bye-bye!" he called out, and Ichika and Fuutaro waved back, sharing a warm, heartfelt moment.

As Masato and his older brother slowly vanished from sight, Fuutaro and Ichika both let out simultaneous sighs of relief.

"What a situation, huh?" Ichika remarked with a smile. "I'm glad his big brother came back for him."

"Yeah, me too," Fuutaro agreed, placing his hands on his hips as he shared in her relief. He turned to Ichika, his expression softening. "You did a good job calming him down. I was surprised to see how naturally kind you were to a kid you just met. It's no wonder Raiha always loves being around you."

"Well, I couldn't help it," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of sadness that mirrored the smile on her face. "Whenever I see a child crying or in trouble, it brings back memories of when Mom passed away. It was a tough time for all of us, especially for Itsuki-chan, who struggled the most with the loss. The instinct to step up just kicked in, and I had to act like the eldest sister, to calm and support them, and also be there for them through those hard times."

A warm smile spread across Fuutaro's lips upon hearing her reason. "I see... It was a noble thing to do, Ichika, and you're natural at it. I'm sure you'll be a great mother someday."

His statement caught Ichika off guard, her eyes widening in surprise. "E-Ehh?!" she stammered, her face flushing crimson with embarrassment. "W-What do you mean by that, Fuutaro-kun?"

"Heh, let's just say it's a compliment from me. Don't think too much about it, okay?" Fuutaro smirked weakly, a faint blush coloring his own cheeks.

In response, Ichika pouted, her face still ablaze. "Ughh... You're as insensitive as always, huh? You truly are the worst man I've ever met when it comes to these things!" she declared in an unimpressed, irritated tone.

After a moment, she sighed and composed herself. "Anyway, you handled Masato-kun's big brother well. Honestly, I expected you to be more quiet and indifferent about the whole situation."

"Well, I could relate to what his brother was going through," Fuutaro admitted, lifting his gaze to the night sky, dotted with stars and wispy clouds. "Years ago, I lost my temper at Raiha for interrupting one of my late-night study sessions. She was just checking on me, but I lost it and shouted at her to leave me alone." He paused, a heavy sigh escaping his lips before he continued. "My old man was furious. He slapped me, and gave me a long lecture that night. By the next day, I realized how wrong I was. I apologized to Raiha, but she was already traumatized and scared of me for weeks before we finally reconciled."

Ichika listened in silence, her expression growing serious as she absorbed his words.

"I truly regret that moment, and just from remembering it again sends a chill through my chest," Fuutaro confessed, shaking his head in self-disgust. "When you're so focused on what you think is important, it's easy to see everything else as a distraction and irrelevance. Since then, I promised myself never to hurt Raiha again, no matter the circumstances."

After hearing his story, Ichika could not help but smile warmly, clearly impressed by his dedication. "Hehe... You really are a great big brother," she complimented. "Whenever I saw Raiha-chan with you, she always seemed so happy. It's obvious that she adores you. When I asked her about you, she had nothing but praise, even saying that you're the greatest big brother for her. Though she did mention you can be a bit stubborn and insensitive at times." She chuckled lightly. "That just shows how much you've been there for her."

"Heh, I appreciate that…" Fuutaro chuckled weakly. "But honestly, I'm not sure if I've truly been a good brother for her. I haven't fulfilled my promise to help my old man with our family's debt and make Raiha truly happy. Until then, I can't say I've done enough for her."

"Seriously… You're really a great person, Fuutaro-kun."

"What's with that, huh?" he responded, a hint of amusement in his tone. "It's just a natural instinct, being the eldest sibling in the family. You're the oldest among your sisters too, right? So, I guess we share a similar mindset—it's just how we are."

"Yeah, I guess you have a point there," Ichika replied. "You know, maybe I should start calling you 'Fuutaro-onii-san'. You're older than me by a month right? So, should I start right away, Fuutaro-onii-san?" she teased playfully, a blush tinting her cheeks as she chuckled.

"Heh, whatever you say, Ichika-onee-san."

Their laughter echoed in the night as they enjoyed their banter, continuing their journey toward the final destination of their late-night adventure. This shared moment deepened their connection, revealing another layer of understanding between them.

It was clear that something special was beginning to bloom in their hearts.

"Well then, shall we keep moving, Ichika?"

"Yeah! Lead the way, Fuutaro-kun!"

A/N:

Chapter 27 is finished, and here it is!

This chapter is another one that might feel familiar to some of you. Yes, it's inspired by two moments from the main series: the one where the quintuplets are late for their mid-term exams and on the way to school, they encounter a lost foreign boy, with Ichika mostly taking care of him and even speaking broken English to communicate, and the chapter where Ichika attends the school festival on her day off from acting and accompanies a lost boy with Fuutaro until they find his mother.

Much like the previous chapter, this one also highlights an aspect of Ichika's personality. This time, we see her kind and gentle side, showing how caring she can be, along with her signature "Onee-san" persona. I believe this side of Ichika is a big part of why Fuutaro admired her throughout the main series, especially since he, as the eldest sibling, can relate too while also showing a similar caring side to Raiha.

Good news for you, the next chapter will be released earlier—Saturday next week, September 14th. It will be shorter than usual, so it'll be easier for me to prepare and revise before it's ready to go.

Oh and I also want to say that "Our Promise and Bet", the prequel of this story has reached 100 favorites count. This might seem trivial but it's a big achievement for me since, well, 100 people is a lot, and I'm really happy about it. Big thanks for all of you who made this possible. Also, if you haven't read it yet, I recommend to give it read since it focuses more on Fuutaro and Ichika compared to this story, which features a wider range of characters.

As always, thank you for reading this story, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

If you like the story feel free to review, follow, and favorite it!