Chapter 5

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine complex sprawled across the slopes of a majestic mountain in Kyoto. It was an expansive complex, housing multiple shrines that dotted the winding paths. The journey to the mountaintop, where the final shrine awaited, presented two distinct routes. The left path, the shortest and fastest, catered to those eager to reach the peak. On the other hand, the right path, slightly longer, allowed visitors to enjoy a more leisurely sightseeing experience.

With this knowledge gained from studying the map, Ichika recognized the opportunity that lay in the quintuplets splitting into two groups, each taking a different route. The success of their plan owed much to Yotsuba's victory in a card game on the train, which gave her the "power" to make any request. As a result, Ichika, Miku, and Yotsuba took the left path, while Nino and Itsuki took the right path.

Halfway along the left path, Ichika and Yotsuba could not contain their joy and laughter over the success of their plan.

"See! It worked like a charm, right?"

"Yeah. Good thing you barely won that card game, Yotsuba," Ichika recalled the intense card round. At the end of the card game, Itsuki seemed headed for victory with a full house comprised of three 5s and two Jacks. The other sisters' cards paled in comparison, far from a full house. However, just as Itsuki prepared to claim victory, Yotsuba revealed her marginally superior hand: a full house featuring three Queens and two 4s. In an unexpected twist, she snatched victory away from the near-declared victor of their most intense card game to date. "If I remember correctly, Itsuki-chan had a full house, but somehow you managed to have a better combination."

"Hehe... I couldn't believe it myself since I was on a losing streak at the time," Yotsuba chuckled, still grinning at her lucky win during that crucial round. "If I hadn't won that round, I can't even think of a way how we would have split up."

"But what matters is that you did win, right? Given the situation between the five of us, Miku will need all the support she can get," Ichika said, casting a glance back at Miku, who trailed behind them, visibly fatigued from the arduous climb. Pausing in her steps, Ichika expressed concern. "Miku, you seem tired. Should we take a short break?"

"*pant* *pant* No... I'm fine," Miku replied, her voice punctuated by short breaths, evidence of her exhaustion from the lack of sleep and the strenuous ascent. Despite her fatigue, her voice was filled with determination to reach the top of the mountain and meet with Fuutaro. "We're almost there... I can't stop now..." She bent down, gripping her tired knees, before gathering the strength to continue climbing.

Hearing the determination in the third sister's voice, a warm smile spread across Ichika's lips as she reached into her bag and took out a water bottle. "Yotsuba already told me that you've been working hard for the past few weeks, baking the perfect bread for him," she said extending the water bottle to Miku, who gratefully accepted it. "You've changed, Miku. Compared to last year, you're now more confident and courageous. After all the effort you've put in, you definitely deserve some alone time with him."

"Yeah, Ichika is right! So, hang in there, Miku!" Yotsuba chimed in, supporting Ichika's words.

"Ichika... Yotsuba... Thank you..." Miku expressed her gratitude with a tired yet appreciative smile, taking a sip from the water bottle.

"Here, let me carry your backpack and that paper bag," Ichika offered, extending her assistance to the exhausted Miku. "Is the bread you're giving him inside that bag?"

"Yes..." Miku nodded, handing over her backpack and the paper bag to Ichika.

"Hey, Miku, how about I give you a piggyback ride?" Yotsuba suggested, her tone laced with eagerness to lend a hand. "At our current pace, Nino and Itsuki will probably reach the top before us, and we don't want to fall too far behind."

"Ehh…? Is that okay?"

"Absolutely! I'm more than happy to help!" Yotsuba flashed a thumbs-up, a wide grin adorning her face. "Ichika, can you carry my backpack too?" She unslung her backpack and passed it to the eldest sister.

"Of course, no problem." Ichika took Yotsuba's backpack and slung it over her left shoulder.

"All set and ready to go!"

Miku nodded resolutely. "Yes... I'm ready!" She then climbed onto Yotsuba's back, and the three sisters resumed their journey to the top of the mountain where their tutor awaited them.

Many minutes later, the three sisters finally reached the mountaintop, where the last shrine was located. The area appeared deserted, devoid of any visible individuals. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees could be heard. The shrine itself was relatively smaller compared to the main shrine at the mountain's base, adorned with mythical statues and miniature torii gates.

As they observed the surroundings, it became evident that there were no other people present, including Fuutaro and his groupmates.

"Huh? There's no one here. Uesugi-san and his groupmates aren't here either," Yotsuba said, scanning the empty area before Miku climbed off her back. "Weren't they ahead of us? Or maybe they didn't come up here at all?"

Ichika furrowed her brow and closed her eyes, contemplating the situation. "Hmm... We didn't encounter them on the left path," she noted. "Which means they either took the right path or didn't come up here at all."

"But we didn't see them at the rest area either, so they must have come up here, right?" Miku expressed her concern, gazing at Ichika for reassurance.

"Yes, you're right. So they must have taken the right path and are still on their way here," Ichika affirmed, opening her eyes. "Anyway, let's wait for them. But if Nino and Itsuki-chan arrive first, then it means Fuutaro-kun and his group never made it up here." She made her way to a nearby stone bench and took a seat.

"Come on, Miku. Can you still walk?"

"Yes... Thank you, Yotsuba."

The three sisters settled on a stone bench near the shrine, releasing a collective sigh of relief after the arduous climb from the rest area below. Despite its stony surface, the bench felt like the most comfortable sofa in the world, providing a great relaxation, particularly for Yotsuba, who had carried Miku all the way up.

Yotsuba used both hands to massage her exhausted, tense back, while Ichika stretched her arms and kneaded her weary shoulders, relieved to have unloaded their sisters' bags.

Miku, having quenched her thirst by emptying the water bottle Ichika had given her, clutched the paper bag and rose from the bench, her gaze fixed on the other pathway.

"Will Fuutaro really make it up here…?"

"I wonder if he met Nino and Itsuki on their way up..."

"Will they try to prevent him from reaching this place…?"

"No... I shouldn't think of such thoughts…"

"I'll have to wait and see for myself..."

Ichika noticed Miku's silence as she walked towards the other path, contemplating its significance. She could only hope that Fuutaro had made it to the mountaintop without Nino and Itsuki. If, by chance, he arrived with the other sisters, Miku's opportunity for alone time with him would be jeopardized, and their plan would be thrown into disarray.

Lost in her thoughts about the potential negative outcomes, Ichika was brought back to reality by the voice of the fourth sister.

"Hey Ichika, could you massage my shoulders too? My hands are exhausted, and my shoulders feel like they might collapse at any moment..." Yotsuba complained, casting a pleading look at her elder sister.

Ichika chuckled. "Hehe... You're such a kid, Yotsuba." She placed her hands on Yotsuba's shoulders and began massaging them. "Does that feel good?"

"Wahh...! It feels amazing... I could almost lie down right here." Yotsuba let out a deep sigh of relief, her body tingling from the soothing massage.

"Sadly, you'll have to wait until we return to the hotel," Ichika replied with a gentle smile, continuing to massage Yotsuba's shoulders. "Would you like me to massage your back too?"

"Unn! Yes, please!" Yotsuba eagerly nodded, prompting Ichika to shift her hands from Yotsuba's shoulders to her back. "So, Ichika, what's the next step? What should we do once Uesugi-san and his groupmates arrive? And what about Nino and Itsuki?"

"Listen closely because I've already devised a plan to separate Fuutaro-kun from his groupmates," Ichika's expression grew more serious. "I'll take care of Maeda-kun and Takeda-kun by taking them back to the rest area via the left path."

"Umm... Are you sure you can convince them to go with you? I've heard that Maeda-san is intimidating and has a reputation as a delinquent at school."

"Don't worry about them. I know Takeda-kun quite well since we were in the same class last year. As for Maeda-kun, Fuutaro-kun told me that he has a crush on me, so I should be able to persuade him without any trouble."

"Hmm... I see..." Yotsuba nodded repeatedly. "And what about Nino and Itsuki? What if they arrive here while Miku and Uesugi-san are alone?"

"For that, I'll need your help," Ichika said, explaining her plan further. "You'll go back down the right path. When you encounter them, try to delay them as long as possible. Or... you can tell them that Fuutaro-kun isn't at the mountaintop because he's resting in the rest area, and only his groupmates are here."

"Hmm... Yes, that's interesting..."

"I'm certain that if you tell them that, Nino and Itsuki-chan will quickly head back down since they're not particularly interested in his groupmates or this location." Ichika's face relaxed, returning to her usual calm expression. "But make sure to be convincing, since you're a bad liar, okay?"

"Hehe... Don't worry! I'll do my best to make it convincing!"

"Good... So, are your shoulders and back ready for more walking?"

"As ready as they'll ever be! Thanks a lot, Ichika! You're truly a big help and a great planner!" Yotsuba beamed with gratitude.

Ichika chuckled softly, removing her hands from Yotsuba's back. "Hehe... You can always count on onee-chan for help and solutions." She then glanced at Miku, who was still standing near the right path, and said to Yotsuba, "Get ready, Yotsuba. Fuutaro-kun and his groupmates should be arriving any moment now."

"Yeah!"

After what felt like a lengthy wait, the three sisters finally caught sight of three familiar figures emerging from the right path. The first person they saw was a visibly exhausted Fuutaro, who immediately bent down, clutching his knees and gasping for breath. Behind him was Takeda, carrying Maeda on his back. Maeda hopped off Takeda's back and collapsed on the ground, completely drained. Takeda himself looked tired, reaching into his bag to retrieve a water bottle to quench his exhaustion.

Ichika and Yotsuba could not contain their excitement as they prepared themselves to execute the final phase of their plan to assist Miku. Miku, on the other hand, felt her heart fill with nervousness, which was reflected in her tight grip on the paper bag.

The two sisters exchanged nods, signaling the start of the final phase of their plan.

Yotsuba promptly shouted and approached the weary Fuutaro, who was still hunched over. "Uesugi-san!"

Fuutaro lifted his head slightly, surprised to see the fourth quintuplet in this location. "H-Huh... *pant* *pant* Y-Yotsuba... Why are you here...?"

"Hehe... We decided to visit this place because we thought it would make for a good topic in our school trip report," she said with a grin. "It's quite surprising to see you here too!"

"Then... the others must be..."

"We're here, Fuutaro-kun," Ichika chimed in, waving her hand at him. "Miku is right over there." She turned her head to the third sister, who remained silent.

Fuutaro followed Ichika's gaze and saw Miku sitting on a bench, clutching a paper bag. He scanned the area and realized that the other two sisters were missing. "Huh? Where are Nino and Itsuki? Didn't they come here with you?"

"Ahh... Those two are still on their way here. We decided to split up back at the rest area," Ichika explained. "We took the left path, while they took the right path instead."

"Is that so? It's strange that we didn't cross paths." Fuutaro retrieved a water bottle from his bag and took a long gulp.

"Hehh... So the Nakano quintuplets are here too, huh?" Takeda smirked, amused by the unexpected sight of three of the sisters in this location. "This will be interesting for you, right, Uesugi-kun? Considering you spend almost every day with them..."

"Wait, does that mean..." Maeda, who was still lying down, abruptly stood up. He saw the person he had in mind after hearing that the quintuplets were also present. One of the quintuplets he had admired, to this day, was standing not far in front of him. A mixture of excitement and weariness was evident on his face as he beheld this remarkable sight.

Ichika approached Fuutaro, drawing closer to him and speaking in a hushed tone to ensure her plan remained undisclosed to his groupmates. "Hey, Fuutaro-kun, Miku said that she wanted to talk to you about something." She took hold of his arm and gently pulled him towards Miku. "She said it's something important, so make sure to listen, okay?"

"Huh? What is it? Can you give me some details?"

"No, I can't. Besides, I'm not aware of what she wants to discuss," she explained. "I suppose she only wants to talk to you about it."

"O-Okay then..."

After being pulled by Ichika, Fuutaro now stood face to face with Miku. With the boy she longed to spend time with right before her, Miku grew even more nervous, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She tightened her grip on the paper bag and averted her gaze to the ground, attempting to hide her nervousness.

With the main players now in position, it was time for Ichika to execute her part of the plan: luring Takeda and Maeda away from the area so that Miku and Fuutaro could have their alone time. Ichika then approached the two of them. "Hey, Takeda-kun, Maeda-kun, could you two accompany me back down to the rest area? I'm starting to feel hungry, and I would appreciate some company for lunch," she said calmly, a smile playing on her lips.

"Nakano-san, we've just arrived here after climbing a long set of steps from down below, and we're exhausted," Takeda responded, his charming expression tinged with tiredness. "I think we should take a moment to enjoy this beautiful shrine and rest for a while."

"Hmm... I'm afraid that won't be possible because I skipped breakfast this morning, and now my stomach is growling," Ichika continued, maintaining her act, offering a weak chuckle while holding her stomach. "Besides, there are certain circumstances that will arise, and it would be best if we're not here when they occur." She glanced in the direction of Fuutaro and Miku.

Takeda followed her gaze and spotted Fuutaro, now seated beside Miku on a stone bench. He let out a small chuckle, followed by a smile, understanding the situation Ichika had explained. "Hehe... I see what you mean, Nakano-san, and I agree."

"I'm glad you understand, Takeda-kun!"

"Then, Maeda-kun, let's head back down to the rest area." Takeda began walking toward the left path. "I'm getting hungry, and a nice, warm meal would satisfy my empty stomach."

"Huh? We just made it up here, and we're going back down already? Don't mess with me, Takeda!"

"There, there... No need to get all worked up, Maeda-kun." Ichika approached Maeda and stood before him. "Won't you come with me? The more, the merrier, right?" She wore a cheerful expression and a warm smile, hoping to persuade the hot-headed boy.

As expected, Maeda immediately calmed down, his expression turning bashful at the sight of Ichika's cheerful face, which he found adorable. "Uhh... Yeah... I guess lunch wouldn't hurt since it's already noon," he stammered slightly, overcome by embarrassment. "I'll go with you..."

"Hehe... Thank you!"

Upon seeing his two groupmates heading towards the left path, Fuutaro quickly stood up, intending to join them. "Oi! Where are you two going? Don't leave me here alone. I'm coming with you."

"E-Ehh?" Miku let out a small gasp, seeing her tutor about to leave.

"No, Fuutaro-kun... Didn't you hear what I said earlier? Miku wants to talk to you. So don't leave her hanging," Ichika reminded him.

Takeda approached Fuutaro and whispered, "Don't worry, Uesugi-kun. You can catch up with us after you finish talking with Nakano Miku-san." He glanced at the third quintuplet still sitting on the bench. "We'll be waiting for you at the restaurant in the rest area, okay?"

"Come on, let's head back down to the rest area!" Maeda shouted, making his way down the steps. "That's the only interesting place in this complex. I'm already sick of seeing hundreds of shrines and torii gates."

"Alright! Let's go, Takeda-kun." Ichika walked towards the left path, with Takeda following behind.

As Fuutaro watched Ichika walking away, he remembered something he had wanted to tell her, something that had been on his mind for the past half an hour. "O-Oi, wait a moment, Ichika! There's... something I want to talk to you about..."

"You can tell me later, Fuutaro-kun. Just listen to what Miku wants to say first, and we can talk about it later." Ichika shouted from a distance, slowly disappearing from his sight. "See you!"

Fuutaro fell silent, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity after her words.

Before descending the steps, Ichika gave a quick wink to Miku, silently wishing her good luck. Miku noticed the gesture and nodded in response. The nervousness in her heart began to ease, thanks to the encouragement from her eldest sister.

Having witnessed Ichika's successful execution of her part of the plan, Yotsuba realized it was now her turn to play her role: preventing Nino and Itsuki from coming up to this spot.

"Alright! Ichika successfully lured Uesugi-san's groupmates away..."

"Now it's my turn to do my part..."

"The rest is up to you, Miku..."

"We've done everything we can to help you..."

She then came up with an excuse to leave the area without raising suspicion from Fuutaro. "Ahh! I almost forgot, there's something important I need to tell Nino and Itsuki," she exclaimed loudly, ensuring Fuutaro could hear her.

"Huh?" Fuutaro wore a perplexed expression, still trying to process what had just happened. "Hey, where are you going?"

"No time for chit-chat, Uesugi-san. It's something crucial that I have to tell them!"

"Can't you just contact them by phone? Call or message them?"

"No, I can't! There's no signal in this area, so I can't reach them that way." Yotsuba swiftly headed towards the right path. "Anyway, please stay with Miku while I go down to meet them!"

"Oi, Yotsuba!"

"See you, Uesugi-san!" She waved goodbye to him, giving a quick thumbs-up and a broad grin to Miku.

Miku noticed and responded with a faint smile.

"Ichika and Yotsuba have gone through all this trouble for me..."

"I should thank them for their help..."

"I'll use this opportunity to give him the bread I made..."

"And to express my feelings to him..."

Fuutaro, standing in place, let out a deep sigh and shook his head, feeling bewildered by the sudden odd behavior of the first and fourth quintuplets. After a long and exhausting climb from the base of the mountain, his groupmates abruptly left him as soon as they reached the mountaintop. Ichika and Yotsuba acted strangely too, descending almost simultaneously, leaving him and Miku alone in this desolate area, where the only sounds heard were the ringing of a small shrine bell and the rustling of tree branches in the wind.

Caught off guard by this bizarre and confusing situation, weariness flooded back into his body. His legs began to stiffen, and his back yearned for relief. He returned to the bench, seeking a rest for his tired body and a respite from his confused mind. He sighed heavily, too exhausted to fully grasp this sudden and peculiar turn of events.

A moment of silence lingered between them as Miku remained nervous to speak to Fuutaro. She stole a glance at him and noticed he was engrossed in his phone, seemingly checking something. The awkwardness permeated the air, and she realized she needed to gather her courage to engage in conversation with Fuutaro. She could not let her sisters' efforts to help her go to waste, nor could she allow this opportunity to slip away due to her timidity.

"I need to be brave..."

"I have to talk to him and give him this bread..."

"Ichika and Yotsuba have already helped me so much..."

"I won't let their efforts go to waste because of my fear..."

"Fuutaro..."

"Hmm? What is it, Miku?" Fuutaro shifted his attention from his phone to the girl beside him.

"Why did you choose Fushimi Shrine as your destination…?" Miku asked, still fixated on the ground. Nervousness lingered, but she mustered all the courage she could to sustain the conversation. "Were there any specific reasons or attractions that drew you to this place when you planned your visit?"

"Well... There wasn't any particular reason why my group and I chose this place," he replied, sliding his phone back into his pocket. "I simply thought it would be a good location for our trip report, given its rich historical background and stories."

Miku became intrigued by his response and began to look at him. "Is that so?" she asked. "Then, what kind of historical stories did you expect to find here? Did you have prior knowledge about this shrine?"

"I don't know much about this place, but I do know it has a long history, dating back to the Nara period," Fuutaro said, stroking his chin, attempting to recall what he knew about the shrine. "Those torii gates that stretch from the base of the mountain to this point were donated by people throughout the centuries."

"You seem to have some knowledge about this place," she replied, offering a weak smile as her nervousness gradually subsided. Finally, she felt more at ease, able to engage in a more natural conversation with him. "What else do you know about this shrine?"

"Well... if I remember correctly, during the Edo period, it was a popular custom to donate torii gates here because it was believed that by doing so, one's wishes could be granted," Fuutaro continued, sharing his knowledge of the shrine. "The massive torii gate at the entrance was erected by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to express his gratitude after his prayer for his mother's recovery was answered by the gods."

Miku was stunned by his knowledge of the place, her mouth slightly agape as she continued to gaze at him with amazement. It was to be expected, considering he always scored one-hundred in Social Studies. An enthusiastic yet calming smile formed on her lips. "You're right! Not many people know about this. I'm surprised you do."

Fuutaro noticed the look of amazement on Miku's face and could not help but smirk. A sense of pride swelled within him, reminiscent of when he taught and tutored the quintuplets and they paid close attention to him. "Furthermore, this shrine was founded and named after a legend from the past." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "In the old days, a member of the Hata clan shot an arrow at a mochi, causing it to transform into a swan and fly to this mountain. Afterward, rice—"

"—began to grow on this mountain, and people started to build the Inari shrine at this location," Miku interjected, unable to contain her eagerness to discuss historical topics.

What Fuutaro had shared was true. Thanks to her love for historical subjects, Miku was already familiar with most of the historical stories surrounding this place, and his account aligned with her knowledge. Hearing him speak about history and legends filled her with excitement and a desire to hear more and engage in conversation. Her eyes widened like a child in a candy store, and her mouth remained open in astonishment, completely taken aback by Fuutaro's depth of knowledge in this area.

Meeting someone with shared interests and wavelength always thrilled Miku, but she had never encountered the right person to engage in such conversations with. Last year, when Fuutaro became her tutor, he was the first person she could talk to on the same level about history. During a history trivia quiz challenge he presented, he answered all the questions correctly, capturing her attention.

While Fuutaro's knowledge of history impressed Miku, what truly made her fall for him was his supportive, understanding nature, and his stubborn yet determined attitude. He encouraged her to overcome her cowardice and self-doubt, believing in her abilities in academics and other areas of interest, such as cooking. Every moment she spent with him, every conversation they had, Miku cherished every of it. It was because he was the one who supported her, believed in her, and the one she had fallen in love with...

"I was about to say that, but it seems I don't need to," Fuutaro said, his smile growing slightly.

"Hehe... Seems like you know a thing or two about history, huh?"

"Well, yeah... I have read some history books in the library while studying."

"This reminds me of when you challenged me to a history trivia quiz last year," Miku chuckled softly, recalling their little competition. "Your knowledge of history hasn't dulled, I see?"

"Heh! As long as it's related to academics, I won't stop studying, even if I have to read the entire library."

"As expected from Fuutaro. Just like always," Miku chuckled again, finding amusement in his response.

As their conversation continued, a sudden growling sound erupted, interrupting their discussion. It was a distinctive growl that indicated hunger, originating from Fuutaro's stomach. He instinctively held his hungry stomach, which growled once again. "I guess I'm starting to get hungry," he admitted, pulling out his phone to check the time. "Hmm... It's already this late, way past lunchtime…"

Seeing this, Miku saw this as the perfect opportunity to offer him the bread she had brought. It was the ideal moment to present it without raising suspicion or the possibility of him refusing due to lack of hunger. Gathering her courage, Miku seized this golden chance.

"Fuutaro, if you're hungry, I have a piece of bread with me," Miku confidently stated, though a trace of nervousness remained in her voice. She extended the bread she had been holding since the beginning of their trip. "Here, I made it myself this morning, so it should still be fresh."

"Are you sure? Don't you want to eat it?"

"No, I'm fine. Besides, I baked this bread just for you." Miku placed the paper bag on the empty space of the bench between them. "I've been practicing making bread for the past few weeks, and I'm confident that this one is my best yet. I want you to try it and tell me what you think."

A hesitant expression crossed Fuutaro's face upon hearing her words. He knew all too well about Miku's lackluster cooking skills. To put it bluntly, her cooking had been terrible in the past, ranging from mediocre to almost vomit-inducing. However, he had noticed some improvement in her cooking recently, albeit it still paled in comparison to Nino's exceptional culinary talents or Raiha's usual cooking prowess.

Since the beginning of the year, Fuutaro had been trying whatever Miku prepared, be it food, drinks, or desserts. Initially, her cooking was as disastrous as ever, but over time, he noticed some progress. There were moments when she managed to create something decent. However, consistency remained an issue, and she still occasionally produced subpar dishes.

"Hmm... Given her cooking skills, I'm not particularly eager to try it right now," Fuutaro thought, recalling the taste of her previous culinary disasters. However, considering his current hunger and the fact that her recent cooking attempts had not been as disastrous, he decided to give it a try. "Well, I suppose there's no harm in eating it. Besides, her recent cooking hasn't been as terrible as those abominations she used to serve me..."

With that, Fuutaro reached for the paper bag and opened it, revealing a croissant that Miku had made. "A croissant, huh?"

He examined the croissant for a moment, finding it to be a typical one, akin to those found in most bakeries. There was nothing strange or unusual about it. A sweet aroma wafted from the freshly baked pastry. Without further hesitation, his growling stomach urging him on, Fuutaro devoured the entire croissant in one ravenous bite.

Upon witnessing Fuutaro devour the entire croissant in an instant, Miku's jaw dropped in surprise. She had expected him to enjoy the bread slowly while continuing their interrupted conversation.

Now, Miku observed Fuutaro still chewing on the croissant, pondering how it tasted. She had not had the chance to do a taste test that morning due to the limited time she had before heading to the train station.

"Umm… I didn't get to taste the bread this morning…"

"I had to rush the baking process due to time limited time I had…"

"Will Fuutaro dislike the bread…?"

After munching away, Fuutaro finally finished the croissant and wiped his mouth with a pocket tissue. Crossing his arms, he closed his eyes and proceeded to share his thoughts on Miku's creation. "Hmm... It tasted good."

"Ehh...?" Miku gasped, taken aback by his unexpectedly positive feedback.

"Yeah, it tasted pretty good. Comparable to the croissants typically sold in most bakeries."

"Is that so...?" Miku grew nervous once again, this time overwhelmed by a surge of happiness from Fuutaro's praise. She retrieved an insulated water bottle from her backpack and offered him a drink. "Then, if you don't mind, here's some hot chocolate that I also brought." Pouring the hot chocolate into the bottle lid, she handed it to him.

"Ahh, thanks." Fuutaro accepted the bottle lid and took a whiff of the hot chocolate. He blew on the steaming beverage before taking a slow sip. "This taste good too... Although it seems to have a creamier flavor compared to the last one you made."

"Y-Yes... I added more milk than usual to make it sweeter…"

"I see…" Fuutaro nodded and finished the remaining hot chocolate in one gulp. "People always say that my taste buds aren't the best, so I'm not the best person to ask for a taste opinion."

Miku remained silent, listening intently, her nerves still tingling.

"But what I can say is, I can taste the effort and hard work you put into the bread and the hot chocolate," Fuutaro remarked, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he looked at her. "You've worked hard, haven't you?"

Miku's eyes widened, and a blush quickly spread across her cheeks. Thrilling sensations coursed through her body, her heart racing. Fuutaro's praise touched her deeply, creating the most incredible feeling she had ever experienced. Being recognized by him for her dedication and effort over the past few weeks was truly the best feeling in the world.

A small tear unconsciously formed in Miku's eyes, overwhelmed by the sheer happiness enveloping her. "Unn... I worked really hard..." Miku nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes, a weak but joyous smile gracing her lips.

"I suppose the reason you skipped some tutoring sessions was because you were practicing to make this bread, right?"

Miku let out a small chuckle, recalling about those days when she skipped a few tutoring sessions to dedicate herself to baking the perfect bread to give to Fuutaro. It had been a challenging period for her, pushing herself to the limits to achieve baking perfection.

"Sorry, Fuutaro, I can't attend today's tutoring session…"

"Huh...?"

"I have more important things to take care of. I'll make it up during the next session…"

There were instances when she would come home late from work and face scolding from her boss for using bakery ingredients for her personal baking endeavors.

"Nakano-san, you've been using a lot of the store's ingredients lately..."

"If this continues, we'll run out of sufficient ingredients for the store's operation…"

"You can use the leftover ingredients as you like, but if you use the main stock, I'll have to cut your wage for it…"

"I understand... I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, boss..."

At times, she even contemplated giving up on baking bread due to countless failed attempts. However, with Yotsuba and her boss providing constant support, she persevered in her pursuit of baking the best bread she could.

"*sigh* I guess I'm not cut out for baking... I think I'm done trying to bake bread for him..."

"I've made sure she follows the correct procedure for baking bread, but somehow there's always a mysterious force causing her to fail..."

"No! Don't give up, Miku! Have confidence in yourself...!"

"Yeah... Don't give up yet, Nakano-san. You already have the spirit, and skills can be continuously learned. I'll teach you what I can, as long as you have the will to continue...!"

"Yotsuba... Boss... Thank you..."

"Hehe... Sorry for keeping it a secret. I wanted to surprise you when I gave it to you."

"Don't worry about it. You skipping some tutoring sessions didn't pose a big problem to me," Fuutaro said. "Besides, I don't need to be concerned about your grades right now."

"Hmm...? What do you mean?"

"Other than your cooking, you've also improved a lot and changed, Miku." Fuutaro gazed at the sky above, reminiscing about the time he first met her last year. "When I met you last year, you were timid and lacked confidence."

Miku fell silent once again, her gaze fixed on Fuutaro.

"Almost a year later, your academic performance has greatly improved. You managed to pass last year's final exam and achieved acceptable results in the mock exam. If that's not proof of hard work, then what is? I've also noticed that you now have more confidence in yourself, taking on challenges and facing obstacles that once seemed impossible."

"For the past few weeks, I noticed you stayed at your workplace until nighttime. Was it because you were practicing to make that bread for me?"

"Fuutaro..."

Fuutaro nodded in approval, placing the lid back on the insulated bottle. "You've done a fantastic job. Thank you for the bread and the hot chocolate, Miku."

"Hehe... You're welcome..."

"Although, I must say that there's one thing about you that hasn't changed at all," Fuutaro remarked, his smile transforming into a playful smirk intended to tease her. "Your obsession with the Sengoku era..."

"H-Huh...?"

"I've noticed that when I visited your penthouse, you were often watching historical documentaries about the Sengoku era. And there have been times when I entered your room to call you for a tutoring session, only to find you engrossed in a strategy video game centered around that era. No wonder you always excel in history when it comes to the Sengoku era," Fuutaro teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Seems like you have quite the fascination with those old men from hundreds of years ago, huh?"

"Ughh... I can't help it, okay? I've loved the Sengoku era since I was a child," Miku retorted, annoyance evident in her voice as she pouted. "It's genuinely intriguing to learn about the battles, renowned generals, and the war strategies they employed to expand their influence, you know?!"

Fuutaro could not help but chuckle. It reminded him of last year when she pouted at him for playfully mocking her peculiar interest. "Yeah, yeah... There's nothing wrong with that. You're free to enjoy whatever interests you."

"Besides... Other than history and cooking, there's one more thing I like," Miku said, rising from the bench and taking a few steps away from him, her gaze fixed on the shrine.

"Hmm... What might that be? Is it another weird or eccentric interest?"

"It's not something, but rather someone. Some consider this person weird because that's how others perceive him. But I genuinely like this particular person..."

"Hehh... Then who might that—" Fuutaro's words were abruptly halted as a finger pointed directly at his face.

"It's you, Fuutaro," Miku declared in her usual casual, monotone voice, though a hint of happiness tinged her words. "I love you..." With that confession, she bestowed a warm smile upon the boy she held dear.

Fuutaro was stunned and rendered speechless by what appeared to be a confession from another quintuplet, this time it was Miku. He had suspected that the third sister harbored feelings for him ever since the spring vacation when she hugged him after he correctly identified her in Itsuki's disguise. Furthermore, Miku had also given him numerous chocolate bars on Valentine's Day, a clear indication of her interest in him according to the customs of the holiday, as Fuutaro had realized not long ago.

Now that Miku had finally expressed her feelings directly to him, Fuutaro's uncertain thoughts were confirmed. "Yeah... I know," he responded with a gentle smile.

Miku then lowered her finger, returned to the bench, and retrieved the insulated bottle. "You know, Fuutaro, you've always been a wonderful and interesting person," she remarked, placing the bottle back in her backpack. "But sometimes, you can be as stubborn as a rock, and your ego can be quite inflated. I believe Tokugawa Ieyasu would have had an easier time conquering the country than your ego."

"Huh? What do you mean by that? Am I really as stubborn as you think?" His smile vanished, replaced by a dumbfounded and slightly offended expression.

"Considering Nino and Itsuki's first impressions of you last year, I don't think what I'm saying is entirely off the mark, right?" Her smile then transformed into a teasing grin, reminiscent of her eldest sister. "Besides, it was you who insisted on challenging me to that trivia quiz when I wasn't really interested, and we ended up running around the school. So you can be quite stubborn, you know?"

"O-Oi! That's not a nice thing to say." Fuutaro became displeased, hearing the apparent insult and teasing from the girl who had just confessed her feelings to him. "The way you said it reminds me of a certain someone who always teases me whenever the opportunity arises..." He shuddered slightly as the image of the first quintuplet popped into his mind.

"Hehe... Sorry," Miku apologized, her teasing expression returning to her usual calm and normal demeanor.

Fuutaro let out a small sigh and shook his head. "Well, anyway, it's already well past lunchtime. Let's head back down and catch up with everyone." He stood up and began walking toward the left path. "Let's go, Miku."

"Unn… You're right. Let's go."

As Miku followed behind Fuutaro, a sense of relief washed over her, sweeping away the nervousness and awkwardness she had felt just moments ago when waiting him to arrive at this spot. As much as she wanted to express more of her feelings to him, Miku was not sure if her heart could handle the pressure, fearing that it would create an awkward atmosphere if she unleashed all her romantic feelings. So, she decided to make a joke and tease him, hoping to dissolve any unwanted awkwardness between them. She was grateful that Fuutaro took it lightly, without taking offense. Still trailing behind him, Miku gazed at him with a faint but happy smile, feeling relieved that she had mustered the courage to confess without backing down or succumbing to her own cowardice.

"I finally said it..."

"I don't really know how, but I did it..."

"I guess it's just like Ichika and Fuutaro said..."

"That I've changed..."

Miku was also grateful that Fuutaro had eaten the bread she made, despite her countless failed attempts to create the perfect loaf for him. His positive feedback and praise for her hard work deeply touched her heart. This moment would be etched in her memory forever.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it..."

"Thank you..."

"For eating my bread..."

"And for always supporting me..."

"And believing in me..."

As for Fuutaro, he could only smile as he reminisced about Miku's confession, which confirmed what he had suspected for months—that Miku might have feelings for him. He had not expected the third quintuplet to confess, knowing that Miku often struggled with self-confidence and tended to shy away from uncomfortable situations. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Fuutaro was not upset. On the contrary, he was delighted that Miku had found the self-confidence she needed and had become diligent in improving herself in areas she wanted to grow.

"Heh... I didn't expect her to say that..."

"Nevertheless, I'm glad I heard it..."

"Good for you, Miku..."

"You've truly changed..."

A/N:

So here's chapter 5, and yes, it's a very long chapter. Originally, I wanted to split this chapter into two parts, but in the end, I decided not to because it can potentially ruin the reading experience. This is "That" kind of important chapter that you have to read without interruption.

When I re-read the Miku's confession chapter in the main series, I felt like it was missing something and it felt kinda awkward before Fuutaro ate the bread. Then I noticed that the missing something was Miku's confidence and bravery to talk about something casual to him. But that's pretty much understandable because of what happened between her and Ichika. So in this story, where that kind of thing did not happen, I imagined that Miku would be much braver and confident to initiate a conversation with Fuutaro and then finally confess to him.

Also, I forgot to mention this in the previous two chapters. So in addition to what was in the summary, this story is also my rendition of the Kyoto school trip/Sister's war arc, imagining what if the school trip went smoothly, what if each of the quintuplets got to spend their alone time with Fuutaro, and most importantly, what if there were no conflicts between them or if the conflicts were managed to be solved without any loss. The Sister's war arc was a painful experience for me (and probably for other Miku and Ichika fans too) to read or watch. Seeing Miku get hurt because of Ichika's actions and Ichika facing the consequences of Fuutaro not believing her words, and her crying while witnessing Fuutaro with Miku instead, it was really one of the saddest and most hurtful arcs for me in the series. This situation inspired me to write this story and continue what I started from the prequel.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. The timetable for the next chapter will be on the first week of March (between 6th-12th March), so keep an eye on that week. If you're wondering which quintuplet will be the next to have her moment with Fuutaro, the next chapter has the answer for you.

And as always, thank you for taking the time to read the story, and I will see you in the next chapter!

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