Chapter 1
"Come on, Onii-chan, this way!"
"Yeah…"
Raiha's face lit up with joy as she stepped into the department store. It was not every day she got to visit a place like this. With their family's tight budget, department stores, especially high-end ones like this, were more of a rare treat. Fuutaro could not help but smile at the sight of his little sister's delight, feeling a mix of warmth and relief. Despite their financial struggles, seeing Raiha so happy made it all worthwhile.
Fuutaro was no stranger to this store either. He had been here a few months ago, with Ichika. The reason he picked this place today was simple—the clothing was of high quality, even if the prices were higher than usual. But thanks to the savings from his tutoring job, he had enough tucked away for this small splurge. He needed some new clothes, especially with the upcoming school trip just two days away, and today, being a Sunday, was his best chance to do some shopping.
As they entered the men's section, the two siblings began scanning the racks, searching for affordable but well-made pieces. They had to be careful—quality was important, but so was sticking to a budget.
"What about this one, Onii-chan?" Raiha held up a shirt, her eyes full of enthusiasm.
Fuutaro gave it a quick glance before shaking his head slightly. "Hmm, not really my style. The fabric's a bit too flashy for me."
Raiha quickly darted off to find another option, returning with a simple black t-shirt. It had a small sports logo on the chest and a white long stripe on the hips area. "How about this? It's pretty basic. Not much going on with it."
Fuutaro gave it a closer look. "Yeah, this one's better." He nodded approvingly. "Alright, let's go with that. Put it in the basket."
Raiha cheerfully dropped the shirt in, then tugged him toward the jackets. "Now, we need to find you a new jacket or sweater, onii-chan! You've been wearing that same gray sweater forever!"
Fuutaro chuckled as he trailed behind her. "Do I really need to? That sweater's still perfectly fine. Comfortable too."
Raiha shot him a playful look. "Of course! You can't just stick to one and need more variation. If I remember right, you've only got two jackets and one sweater. The first jacket is the green one you bought with Itsuki-san last year, and the second is the navy-blue one Ichika-san gave you."
Raiha's casual mention of Ichika's name triggered something in Fuutaro's mind. He abruptly stopped walking, eyes closing as he folded his arms in thought. What was it about Ichika that had slipped his mind?
After a few moments of deep concentration, the answer hit him. He had promised to take Ichika along on this shopping trip before the school trip.
"If you're planning on going clothes shopping, don't forget to ask me to come along, okay? You really need some advice on fashion choices, considering how bland your style is."
"Yeah, I've been thinking of doing some clothes shopping before the school trip. How about you come along with me?" Fuutaro responded, offering her to join him someday.
"Heh, is that so? Then don't forget to ask me on that day, okay?" Ichika replied with a grin, winking at the end of her sentence.
Remembering this now, Fuutaro smacked his forehead in frustration. How could he have completely forgotten about something so simple? Pulling his phone from his pocket, he stared at Ichika's name in his contacts, torn between calling her or letting it slide.
"Damn… I totally forgot about that…"
"Should I call her now…?"
"Or is it already too late…?"
"I can practically hear her irritated voice if I tell her I forgot…"
Raiha, noticing her brother's sudden change in demeanor, walked over to check on him. His face was a mix of confusion and worry. "Onii-chan, what's wrong? You're acting weird," she asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," Fuutaro snapped out of his thoughts, shaking his head slightly. "I just remembered that I promised Ichika I'd take her clothes shopping before the trip… and I forgot to ask her along." He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
"Ichika-san, huh?" she mused, glancing thoughtfully at him. "Well, before we head out, I called Itsuki-san to join us. She should be arriving any minute now."
Fuutaro blinked in surprise. "Itsuki, you say? Wait, she's coming too?" He trailed off, unsure how to react to this new development.
"That is right, Uesugi-kun." A familiar voice echoed from behind them, interrupting his thoughts. "Raiha-chan called me an hour ago to ask if I would join you."
"Huh?! That voice… It couldn't be…!" Fuutaro spun around, startled by the sound that was unmistakably familiar.
As Fuutaro turned around, his eyes landed on a familiar figure not far from him. Just as Raiha had mentioned, Itsuki had arrived—though, to his surprise, she was not alone. Walking beside her was the very sister he had been thinking about moments ago. His gaze met Ichika's, and her annoyance was written all over her face. It did not take a genius to figure out why—he had completely forgotten to invite her for clothes shopping, as promised.
A weak smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, though a nervous flicker ran through him as the two sisters approached.
"Fuutaro-kun, you promised to invite me for clothes shopping, didn't you? Don't tell me you forgot," Ichika's voice carried an edge of irritation, her frown deepening as she eyed him. "You've really let onee-san down, you know that?" She turned her head away with a dramatic pout.
"Y-Yeah, my bad…" Fuutaro stammered at first, feeling a brief wave of panic before he regained his usual composure. "I was about to call you as soon as I remembered, but then Raiha told me she had already invited Itsuki, so I figured you might come along with her since you five are always together."
"Actually, Ichika was feeling bored at home," Itsuki chimed in, crossing her arms and giving Fuutaro a mildly reproachful look. "But when she heard I was coming to meet you, she got upset—naturally, since you had promised her this shopping trip before the school trip. I see your sense of delicacy toward women is still… lacking." She sighed, shaking her head slightly, her expression tinged with disappointment.
Fuutaro sighed in return, scratching the back of his neck. "*sigh* Yeah, yeah… I'm sorry, Ichika. I didn't mean to forget."
Ichika's frown softened at his apology, a hint of her usual playfulness returning. "Apology accepted. Just don't let it happen again, okay?" She flashed him a smile, her previous annoyance fading.
"Got it," Fuutaro nodded. As he looked between Ichika and Itsuki, something struck him. "Wait, where are the others? Are they not coming with you?"
"No, they are not," Itsuki replied matter-of-factly. "They have their own plans. Nino is out with her friends, Miku is working until evening, and Yotsuba is helping her sports club with an exhibition match."
"Hmm, is that so?" he mused. "Well, to be honest, I'm kind of relieved. Last year's shopping trip with the four of you was… unpleasant."
"Unpleasant?" Ichika raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, Fuutaro-kun?"
"You see… your sisters made me try on all sorts of weird, silly clothes. Even the staff were staring at me like I was some kind of weirdo," Fuutaro explained, his face tinged with embarrassment as memories of last year's antics resurfaced. "Itsuki, right here, made me wear some rocker or biker outfit because she thought it would look 'manly' for the school trip."
"But… you did look more manly in that outfit," Itsuki quickly interjected, thoughtfully pressing a finger to her chin as she recalled his attire. "I do not know much about men's clothing, but from my perspective, it seemed like a good fit."
Fuutaro raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "There's definitely something wrong with your idea of 'manliness,' you know that?" he deadpanned. "Good thing Nino picked something more reasonable. And with Ichika here, her fashion sense when it comes to men's clothing is much better than you, Miku, and Yotsuba combined."
"Huh? That is rude, you know!" Itsuki snapped, her irritation flaring at his jab. "If I had known you were going to mock my taste, I would not have bothered coming along." She huffed and turned away, crossing her arms in frustration.
Ichika stifled a weak laugh, trying to ease the tension. "Now, now… Fuutaro-kun, that's no way to speak to a girl," she said, lightly scolding him as she raised a finger in his direction. "But anyway, let's not dwell on that. We still have to pick out some clothes for you, right? Onee-san is here to offer her professional advice if you get confused."
Fuutaro sighed. "Yeah, yeah…" he muttered as he resumed walking towards the jacket and sweater section, feeling more at ease with Ichika's calming presence.
As Fuutaro headed toward the jacket and sweater section, Itsuki turned to his little sister with a gentle smile. "Raiha-chan, would you like to help me pick out some clothes for your big brother?" she asked warmly, motioning for her to join.
Raiha blinked up at her, a bit confused. "But what about onii-chan?" she asked, glancing toward Fuutaro as he walked further ahead.
"Do not worry, Ichika will keep him company," she reassured her. "Besides, I need to prove that my fashion sense is not as bad as he thinks. Can you help me pick something nice for him?"
A smile brightened Raiha's face at the suggestion. "Sure, let's go, Itsuki-san!" she chimed eagerly before heading off toward another section of the men's clothing area.
Before following Raiha, Itsuki leaned toward Ichika and whispered, "You go with him. I am still annoyed about his insult, and who knows—he might start mocking my fashion sense again if I pick something he does not like."
Ichika chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Ahaha… Well, make sure you and Raiha-chan pick something that's at least somewhat reasonable, okay?"
With that exchange, the mood lightened, and the shopping trip became livelier. They split into two groups: Itsuki and Raiha wandered through other sections of the men's clothing area, while Fuutaro and Ichika moved toward the jacket and sweater section.
Fuutaro carefully browsed through the jackets and sweaters, scrutinizing each one with a furrowed brow. His unfamiliarity with outerwear, combined with the overwhelming number of options, only deepened his confusion. Although Nino and Ichika had already bought him a decent jacket, he still felt lost when it came to trends, leaving him unsure of what to choose.
Standing in front of the rack, he tapped his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he evaluated each item. Suddenly, a voice interrupted his concentration.
"What's the matter, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked, her voice laced with amusement. She had snuck up behind him and giggled at his pose. "Hehe… You look like a display mannequin standing there like that."
Fuutaro opened his eyes, still maintaining his contemplative stance. "There are too many choices, and it's making this harder than it should be," he admitted, his voice laced with frustration. He turned slightly toward her. "Hey, Ichika, can you recommend something? I'm at a loss here."
Ichika smiled, clearly prepared for his request. Without hesitation, she pulled a bright yellow zip-up hoodie from the rack, holding it up for him to see. It featured a small sports logo on the left side of the chest, and Fuutaro examined it curiously. The fabric felt soft between his fingers, a breathable cotton that promised comfort. The style was new to him—he was more accustomed to his gray cardigan or the jacket Ichika and Nino had picked for him.
"I've never worn a hoodie before," he muttered, still skeptical. "Is it comfortable? Honestly, I'm more of a sweater guy."
Ichika nodded confidently. "It's super comfortable, especially this one made of cotton," she explained with a bright smile. "I wear hoodies all the time when I go for my evening jogs. They're great for movement, and they're pretty popular with people our age. Trust me, Fuutaro-kun, it'll suit you perfectly."
Fuutaro took the hoodie from Ichika and tried it on. The soft fabric brushed against his skin, providing a comfortable feel. He zipped it up, finding the sensation similar to the jackets and sweaters he was used to wearing. He admired himself briefly in the mirror, testing the fit and comfort. After a few moments, he made his decision. "Hmm… it's definitely comfortable. It'll be good for colder nights. I guess I'll take it," he said, placing the hoodie into the shopping basket.
Ichika beamed, clearly pleased with his choice. "Hehe… I knew you'd like it," she chuckled, her voice light and cheerful. "Onee-san's fashion advice never fails, right?" She gave him a playful wink.
Fuutaro could not help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Well… so far, your advice has been pretty solid," he admitted, nodding. "Since you're an actress, I guess your fashion sense is top-notch and adaptable to any situation."
"Thank you!" Ichika's grin widened, clearly delighted by the compliment. "It's not every day I hear praise from Fuutaro-kun!" she teased. "Now, let's go find more clothes!"
Fuutaro shook his head immediately. "No need," he said, picking up the shopping basket from the floor. "These two are enough for me. Besides, everything here is expensive, and I don't have the money to spend on more clothes."
Ichika waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about that! If you're short on cash, Ichika-onee-san will cover you!" she offered with a playful grin.
Fuutaro frowned, his tone growing firm. "Oi! How many times do I have to tell you? You've already paid for enough. I'm not letting you spend any more money on me," he said, making his way toward the cashier.
"I know, I know… I was just kidding," Ichika muttered, though the lack of enthusiasm in her voice suggested otherwise. A frown crept onto her face as she continued, "I just want to help, you know? You're no fun, Fuutaro-kun… Hmph…"
Fuutaro sighed, his tone softening slightly. "There's no need to worry about me. Don't you remember last month when you tried to pay for our food but didn't have enough money?" He reminded her of the incident at the restaurant where she came up short, and he had to step in. "You should really be saving more for your own needs."
"Yeah, yeah…" Ichika responded, still frowning, her mood deflated but understanding the point he was making.
On the way to the cashier, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Raiha and Itsuki, who were still browsing the men's clothing section. Raiha spotted them immediately, her face lighting up.
"Ahh! Onii-chan is here! Itsuki-san, show him the clothes you picked for him!" she exclaimed excitedly, tugging at Itsuki's sleeve.
Fuutaro raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's this? You picked something out for me?"
Itsuki shifted slightly, holding up a red polo shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans. "Y-Yeah… I thought these might suit you. I asked Raiha-chan for some advice on what you usually like, and we figured a polo shirt and jeans would be perfect."
Fuutaro examined the items closely. The polo shirt was from a well-known brand, with a small logo on the upper left side, and the fabric tag revealed it was 100% cotton—ideal for comfort. While the jeans were from a reputable company known for making durable clothing. The quality was clear, and the fabric felt sturdy, especially the jeans, which were heavier than what he typically wore. He immediately realized that these were higher-quality items than he was used to, given the store they were shopping in.
But as his eyes drifted to the price tag, his stomach dropped. The cost was steep, especially for someone on a very tight budget like his.
"Sorry, Itsuki, but I'm going to have to pass on these." Fuutaro handed the items back to her, shaking his head. "These two clothes are enough for me, and honestly, I can't afford these on top of everything else. They're way too expensive."
But Itsuki quickly placed the polo shirt and jeans back into the shopping basket, her expression firm. "Do not worry about it, Uesugi-kun. I have already paid for these. Consider it a gift."
Fuutaro blinked, surprised. "Huh? You already paid for them?" His tone carried disbelief as he looked down at the clothes in the basket.
"Yeah, it's true, onii-chan!" Raiha chirped, her face beaming with joy. "Itsuki-san said she wanted to get them for you as a thank you for all your tutoring!"
Itsuki nodded. "Y-Yeah… It's just a small token of my gratitude. Since it's a gift, there's no need for you to pay me back."
Ichika, standing next to Fuutaro, nudged his shoulder with a playful smirk. "Look at that, Fuutaro-kun. Even Itsuki-chan is starting to spoil you," she teased, grinning. "At this rate, the others will start buying you things too. Better not complain when it happens, okay?"
Fuutaro sighed in exasperation. "What a pain… You quintuplets really are the same sometimes," he muttered, then turned to the fifth quintuplet, a faint smile appearing. "Thanks, Itsuki. I guess I owe you one for next time."
"N-No, it is nothing, Uesugi-kun…" Itsuki stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly at his gratitude, embarrassed but pleased.
"Onii-chan, can you try on the shirt and jeans now?" Raiha asked, her eyes bright with excitement. "Itsuki-san wants to see how they look on you!" She flashed an excited look at Itsuki, who was standing a little awkwardly behind her.
"R-Raiha-chan!" Itsuki squeaked, flustered, her face turning red.
"Huh? You really want me to try these on?" Fuutaro asked, looking at her in confusion.
"T-That is not it! I-I was just joking around with Raiha-chan!" she hurriedly replied, flustered as she averted her gaze.
"Come on, Fuutaro-kun," Ichika chimed in, her grin widening as she added to the teasing. "We're tired of seeing you in your school uniform all the time. Let's see how good you look in something different for once!"
"Alright, alright…" he sighed in resignation and made his way to the fitting room.
It took about a minute for Fuutaro to change into the polo shirt and jeans. The polo shirt fit perfectly, its soft cotton fabric comfortable against his skin. It was much more breathable and easier to move in than the rigid clothes he was used to. The jeans, though a little loose, a size bigger than his, were sturdy and heavier than his usual pants, something that would last him a long time with proper care. He would need a belt, but the durability was a plus point in his mind.
Standing in front of the mirror, he studied and admired his reflection. He thought he looked pretty good in these clothing. He was not used to seeing himself in anything other than his school uniform, his work clothes, or his casual at-home attire, but he had to admit, the change was nice.
He always thought that there was not much need for fancy clothes in his daily life.
"This shirt is pretty comfortable…"
"And the jeans… they don't look bad either…"
"I'll definitely bring these for the school trip…"
Fuutaro stepped out of the fitting room, revealing his new outfit to the three girls. Their reactions were immediate and distinct. Raiha's eyes lit up, her face filled with admiration for her brother's new look. Ichika, already grinning, gave an approving nod as she sized him up. Itsuki, however, stood wide-eyed, her mouth slightly agape, stunned by how well the clothes she had picked suited him.
"Well… how do I look?" he asked, glancing down at the polo shirt and jeans. "Do they suit me?"
"Onii-chan, you look amazing!" Raiha beamed, clearly thrilled. "These clothes are way better than the ones in your closet!"
"I have to agree with Raiha-chan," Ichika chimed in, moving closer to him. "Hold on, let me fix your collar. Trust me, it'll look even better this way." With a quick motion, she popped the collar and unbuttoned the top few buttons of the polo shirt. "There, done! Now you're really looking sharp!"
Fuutaro stared at his reflection in the mirror, his eyebrows furrowed in mild confusion. The unbuttoned collar and open buttons were certainly not his usual style. The bold look gave off an air of rebellion that made him uncomfortable, and the popped collar kept brushing his neck in a way that irritated him. He glanced back at Ichika, skepticism written across his face.
"Oi, Ichika," he said flatly, "are you sure you're not just messing with me? I feel like I look more like a delinquent with this style."
"It's fine, Fuutaro-kun! You look cool and stylish," Ichika insisted, flashing him a playful grin. "This is the trendy look for high schoolers and young adults. Look over there to that mannequin!" She pointed to a nearby mannequin, dressed similarly, with its collar popped and buttons undone.
Fuutaro shifted his gaze to the mannequin, his expression still doubtful. "Really? I feel like if I walk down the street like this, I'll end up in trouble with either the police or some local thugs."
Ichika waved him off, laughing. "You're overthinking it. Trust me, this look is all the rage right now."
"Onii-chan, Ichika-san is right!" Raiha added earnestly. "This is how a lot of celebrities and models on TV dress nowadays. You totally look like one of them!"
"Hmm... I really don't like this style. It's too flashy for me," Fuutaro muttered, quickly flattening the collar and buttoning up the shirt, leaving only the top button undone. He glanced back at the mirror, feeling more at ease as the outfit returned to its more traditional, comfortable state.
"Dull and boring as always, huh?" Ichika teased softly, a faint laugh escaping her lips at Fuutaro's resistance to trends. "Well, let's ask Itsuki-chan. What did you think of the look earlier? Did it suit him?" she asked, nudging her younger sister, who was still lost in thought.
Startled, Itsuki blinked and shifted her gaze from Fuutaro to Ichika. "Ehh? Umm... I guess it did look good on him," she stammered, clearly caught off guard. "B-But I prefer him in the more traditional style—it suits him better and looks neater," she added, her eyes momentarily flicking back to Fuutaro before quickly averting them.
Fuutaro sighed, clearly unenthused by the conversation. "I'll stick with wearing this polo shirt my way," he said flatly, heading back toward the fitting room. "I'll think about your style, Ichika, but for now, it's still not for me." He closed the door behind him, leaving Ichika grinning as he disappeared from view.
Ichika, she could not help but chuckle at his reluctance. Even though she believed he looked good in his usual neat style, she still enjoyed pushing him toward something more daring. There would be more opportunities to tease him, especially once he wore the polo shirt again.
Her eyes drifted toward Itsuki, standing beside her, whose face was lightly flushed, her expression flustered. Ichika's teasing smirk softened as she noticed the subtle reaction. It was not the first time she had observed Itsuki getting this way around Fuutaro. Since their school trip the previous year, the youngest sister had grown much closer to him, even staying at his house after the argument with Nino.
Lately, it had become more obvious—Itsuki was becoming easily flustered, especially when Fuutaro was near, tutoring her or playfully teasing her. It was clear to Ichika that her younger sister's feelings toward Fuutaro were evolving, even if Itsuki herself had not fully realized it yet.
Knowing her sister's growing feelings, Ichika could not resist teasing her. "So... doesn't Fuutaro-kun look good in that outfit?" she asked with a mischievous grin. "The clothes you picked really suit him."
"Umm... yes, Uesugi-kun does look good," Itsuki mumbled, still visibly flustered. "I am glad he liked the clothes I chose."
"You should spend more time with him, you know?" Ichika suggested casually, though the hint of teasing in her voice was unmistakable. "Maybe you'll get to know more about his favorite food, or what he likes to do when he's not studying…"
Itsuki's face shifted into a frown, clearly uncomfortable with where this was headed. "With his lack of delicacy? No, thank you. Besides, if someone from school saw us together, who knows what kind of rumors might start."
Ichika chuckled softly, amused by her sister's defensiveness. "You're overthinking it, Itsuki-chan. Fuutaro-kun is still as insensitive as ever, but he's not as bad as you make him out to be. Spend some time with him, and you might even find yourself liking him more." She finished her statement with a playful wink.
"Ahaha... like that is ever going to happen..." Itsuki muttered with a weak, sarcastic laugh, though her cheeks flushed slightly despite her denial.
Raiha, having listened quietly to the conversation, suddenly perked up with excitement. "Yeah, that's right, Itsuki-san!" she chimed in, clearly excited by Ichika's suggestion. "You already stayed at our house for a week! You should hang out with onii-chan more! It's always fun when we're all together, just like last year."
"I-Is that so?" Itsuki stammered, caught off guard by Raiha's eager endorsement. She glanced at the younger girl, finding it difficult to refuse her enthusiasm. "Well... if Raiha-chan is coming too, then I guess it's fine..."
"Yay!" Raiha cheered, her face lighting up with joy. "Then let's go somewhere with onii-chan after the school trip, okay?"
Ichika chuckled again, enjoying the scene. She leaned closer to Itsuki and whispered teasingly, "See? Even Raiha-chan wants you to spend more time with him. Don't worry about his attitude—he's way more gentleman than before."
Itsuki sighed, feeling both cornered and amused by their persistence. "Yeah, yeah..." she muttered, exhaling a resigned breath.
Fuutaro emerged from the fitting room, now dressed back in his initial clothes. He folded the polo shirt and jeans he had tried on and placed them into the shopping basket. "Alright, let's pay for the rest of these clothes," he announced, looking at the three girls before starting toward the checkout counter.
Just as he was about to move, Itsuki's voice cut through the air. "Umm, wait a minute, Uesugi-kun!" she called out, causing him to pause.
Fuutaro turned back to face her, his brow slightly raised. "What's wrong?"
"Would it be okay if I borrowed Raiha-chan for a bit? I still need to shop for some clothes for the school trip," Itsuki explained, her voice hopeful but polite. "Is that okay with you?"
Fuutaro glanced over at Raiha, who was standing beside Ichika. "What do you think, Raiha? Want to go with Itsuki?"
"Yeah! I don't mind at all!" Raiha replied cheerfully, her face lighting up as she grabbed the fifth quintuplet's hand eagerly. "Let's go, Itsuki-san! I'll help you pick out something nice!"
"Thank you, Raiha-chan!" Itsuki smiled warmly, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Let us start with the women's underwear section. I could use your advice."
"Underwear, huh?" Fuutaro muttered under his breath, a sudden sense of déjà vu washing over him. He shivered slightly as memories of a similar shopping trip with Itsuki last year surfaced—specifically, the awkward follow up in the underwear aisle.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked, noticing the brief shudder in his posture as she tilted her head in curiosity.
Fuutaro quickly shook off the memory. "Ah, nothing. Just... remembering something," he replied vaguely, not wanting to dive into the details.
As Itsuki and Raiha ventured further into the clothing section, Fuutaro and Ichika continued on toward the cashier.
After paying for the clothes, Fuutaro turned to Ichika, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, what now? Should we sit over there while we wait for them?" he suggested, pointing to a nearby bench outside the shopping area.
"Good idea," Ichika nodded with a slight sigh of relief. "My legs are killing me after all that browsing." She stretched slightly before leading the way toward the bench. "Come on, let's take a break, Fuutaro-kun."
"Yeah, let's go," he agreed, following her.
A/N:
Hello, hello and welcome to this story! As the summary suggests, it's a sequel to my first Gotoubun fic, "Our Promise and Bet". For those who haven't read the prequel, I recommend starting from the beginning to understand the context and fully enjoy this story. You can search for the story or check it out on my profile page for a quicker way to find it.
The next chapter will be posted next week, either on Friday or over the weekend. Regarding future release schedules, I plan to release it twice a month (once every two weeks) or once a month because I don't have as much free time as I used to. This will also allow me to take my time with writing and fix any mistakes that I might make, so the story won't feel rushed.
It's good to be back to writing, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
If you enjoy the story, feel free to review, follow, and favorite it!