Chapter 20
The sky painted a canvas of soft blue merging into a gentle yellow hue, signaling the approaching end of the afternoon. As closing time approached, the park's once bustling crowds began to thin, creating a spacious and tranquil atmosphere. Most attractions had already shuttered for the day, leaving only a handful of cafes and souvenir shops open to cater to lingering visitors.
With about an hour and a half left before the day's trip concluded, Fuutaro and his companions exited the café, feeling invigorated after a leisurely hour of relaxation. Despite Takeda's usual inquiry about their next destination, Fuutaro and Maeda found themselves at a loss for a plan, having exhausted nearly every interesting spot and attraction in the theme park. Rather than idly waiting for time to pass, Takeda suggested for a relaxing stroll around the park to enjoy its quieter ambiance.
As they neared the park's center, a small crowd caught their attention, prompting them to investigate further. Fuutaro approached a nearby staff member to ask about the commotion.
"Excuse me, what's going on here?"
"We're about to start filming a TV show in five minutes," the staff member explained, gesturing towards the gathering crowd. Meanwhile, other staff members were busy setting up barricades and organizing spectators. "Visitors are welcome to watch, including you three. Just be mindful not to disrupt the filming process."
Returning their focus to the filming set, Fuutaro and his companions found themselves among a growing number of spectators, partially obstructing the view of the filming set. Noticing this, he stood on his tiptoes, attempting to catch a glimpse through the crowd. Despite the challenge, Fuutaro managed to discern production crews arranging the set and actors and actresses donning traditional Edo period attire in preparation for the shoot.
After satisfying his curiosity and feeling his feet grow numb from the strain of tiptoeing, Fuutaro returned to standing flat-footed. Surveying the crowd, he observed the awe on people's faces as they snapped photos and recorded videos on their phones. For him, this sight held little novelty, having accompanied Ichika to her filming locations on numerous occasions.
His friend Maeda shared the excitement, capturing the moment with his phone. "Wow... It's an actual TV show filming," he exclaimed, his grin widening as he turned to Fuutaro and Takeda. "I've always been curious about how they shoot TV shows or movies, so this is the perfect opportunity to satisfy that curiosity! I wonder what kind of effects they use for those incredible scenes."
Takeda nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I've read about it in books, but witnessing it firsthand is truly fascinating." Retrieving a small notebook and pen from his pocket, he added, "This event will provide valuable material for our school trip report. Get your camera ready, Uesugi-kun, capturing images will enrich our report."
"Yeah, alright," Fuutaro complied, retrieving his digital camera from his backpack.
As he powered on his camera, a familiar voice called out his name not far from where he stood.
"Hmm? Ahh… Isn't it Fuutaro-kun?"
The voice was unmistakable, as he had just been thinking about that person not long ago. Turning around, he confirmed it was Ichika, along with the other four quintuplets as they headed towards him.
Reflecting on the situation, Fuutaro realized this was the first encounter they'd had since entering the park together, after which their groups had separated. Throughout their exploration of the park, he and his companions had not crossed paths with any of the quintuplets. Despite trying various attractions and activities, from watching the samurai and ninja show to grabbing lunch, they had not seen a single one of them. The only mention of the quintuplets came from a staff member at a wall climbing attraction, who mentioned that Yotsuba had set a record for the fastest climb on one of the platforms.
Perhaps fate had intervened to ensure Fuutaro spent the entire afternoon with his groupmates, given the significant time he had already spent with the quintuplets.
"Hey, what's up?" he greeted them casually, offering a small wave of his hand.
"It is good to see you again, Uesugi-kun," Itsuki said with a smile. "I have been wondering why we have not run into each other over the past few hours. We are practically in the same area, so it is surprising we have not crossed paths at least once, considering there are only a handful of places and attractions to visit."
"Yeah, I was wondering about that too," Fuutaro replied. "So, where have you all been? And what's with all the stuff in those plastic bags?" He gestured towards the two large plastic bags, one held by Nino and the other by Yotsuba.
"These are prizes from the games and attractions. Yotsuba had an incredible winning streak at every attraction we visited," Miku explained, her expression neutral as always. Shifting her gaze to Nino, she added, "And as for Nino, she practically raided the souvenir shop, making up for missing out on exploring Kiyomizu-zaka yesterday because of the rain."
"Oi, Miku, watch your words!" Nino retorted, giving her sister an annoyed look. "But, she's not entirely wrong. Yesterday's rain ruined my chance to shop on Kiyomizu-zaka and I only bought Yatsuhashis, remember? So, it's only fair I make up for it today. Good thing this park's gift shop had loads of interesting stuff." She gestured towards her plastic bag of souvenirs, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, before turning back to Fuutaro. "I also picked something up for you, Fuu-kun. I'll give it to you back at the hotel."
A subtle smile curved Fuutaro's lips as he addressed the second quintuplet, "Heh, thank you. But honestly, there's no need to give me anything."
Nino's expression turned resolute. "I insist. So, I won't take 'no' for an answer," she declared, her smile taking on a mischievous edge. "And it's not just me; Yotsuba here also wants to share some of the prizes she won from the attractions."
"That's right, Uesugi-san! You can choose anything you like from the bag," Yotsuba chimed in cheerfully, presenting the large plastic bag overflowing with prizes. "I won so many things, so I'm happy to share with you. Feel free to take some for Raiha-chan too!"
Fuutaro's smile widened, touched by Nino and Yotsuba's generosity. "Heh… Well, I suppose I can't refuse you two," he chuckled softly, his hand instinctively finding its way to the back of his neck. "Thank you, both. I'll definitely find a way to repay the favor someday."
"There's no need for that! Think of it as our way of saying thank you for tutoring us, right, Nino?" Yotsuba glanced at Nino, who responded with a simple, affirmative nod.
While still engaged with the quintuplets, Fuutaro sensed a presence behind him, whispering, "I must say, you sure are one lucky man, you know that? Having those five giving you gifts and all that attention. I guess being a tutor has its benefits, huh?"
"Well, I suppose you could see it that way, Maeda," Fuutaro responded in a hushed, amused tone as his friend discreetly stepped away from him. Returning back to the five girls, he continued, "So, are you all here to see the filming too?"
"Yeah, that is right. We heard from some of the park staff that there is going to be a live filming in the center area. So, we thought we would check it out since we have pretty much seen everything else in this park," Itsuki explained. "And Ichika's been really excited about this. She has been bugging the staff all day, hoping today is the lucky day for the filming. Isn't that right, Ichika?" She turned to the eldest sister, who was beaming with excitement.
"Absolutely! This is a great opportunity for me to observe a professional filming production!" Ichika nodded eagerly, her gaze shifting between the set and Fuutaro. "My filmography hasn't been big until recently, so getting to witness professional acting and production up close is a big deal for me. Don't you think so, Fuutaro-kun?"
"Yeah, I know. But honestly, you don't need to do that since your acting is already top-notch in my opinion." His tone was gentle as he crossed his arms. "I've seen your performances quite a bit, and they've always been impressive. Oda-san even went so far as to say your performances are the best he's seen in his entire agency career."
"Thank you! But you know Oda-san, right? He likes to exaggerate a bit. He's just too kind and generous with compliments," Ichika chuckled, waving her hand playfully to downplay the praise. Transitioning to a more serious yet energetic expression, she added, "There's so much more to learn in the acting world, and I'm always looking for opportunities to improve my skills."
"Heh! Good to know about that," Fuutaro smiled again, impressed by her determination of her line of work.
Fuutaro had indeed witnessed Ichika's acting several times, and it consistently left a strong impression on him. Directors and producers on the set often commended her performances, noting that it was rare for a newcomer and rising actress like her to deliver at such a high level. While Fuutaro was not an expert on what constitutes great acting, Oda-san, her manager, often emphasized key elements such as facial expression, body language, and vocal emotion, and character understanding. Ichika excelled in these aspects, earning praise from various quarters. Despite the compliments, she remained unsatisfied and was constantly striving to enhance her acting skills.
This was one of her aspects that Fuutaro really loved and admired from her.
"One more minute before the filming starts! Get ready and take your positions!"
The loud announcement from one of the production staff signaled the impending commencement of filming. A quiet anticipation settled over the crowd, each of them eager to witness the live production unfold.
As the seconds ticked away, the production crew dispersed from the set, and the actors and actresses assumed their positions, awaiting the director's cue to begin filming. Without delay, the director initiated the countdown.
"Three... Two... One... Action!"
The director's voice echoed loudly, marking the start of the filming.
Fuutaro attempted to catch a glimpse of the scene, but the crowds in front of him obstructed his view. Some of these people were taller than him, and the narrow gap he had peered through earlier disappeared in the growing crowd. Frustrated by the situation, Fuutaro, who typically disliked crowded spaces, found himself unable to secure the desired vantage point.
After several futile attempts, he decided to move away from that spot. Scanning the surroundings, Fuutaro searched for a less congested spot to observe the live filming. Amidst the walls of people, he spotted a less densely populated area to his right and promptly maneuvered towards it. Although this new vantage point afforded him a clearer view of the set, the angle was not as favorable as his previous position.
"Hmm… This spot will have to do …"
"I can see much better from here…"
"But the viewing angle isn't really that great…"
"I guess it's better than not seeing anything…"
Glancing back to where he had been standing, Fuutaro noticed Ichika not far away, visibly struggling to catch a glimpse of the filming. She stood on tiptoe, repeatedly craning her neck in an attempt to improve her view, her discomfort evident. It appeared she had ventured away from her sisters, who remained together in another crowded area.
Observing her predicament, Fuutaro swiftly made his way to Ichika. He gently took her wrist, guiding her away from the throng of people, surprising her with his sudden intervention.
"F-Fuutaro-kun, what are you..."
"It seems you're having trouble getting a good view of the filming set," he remarked, maintaining his hold on her wrist as he led her to his newly discovered vantage point. "Come with me. I found a good spot where we can see the whole set without the obstruction. You can thank me later."
Reaching the new spot, Ichika stepped forward to survey the set. As anticipated, her face brightened within moments, and she emitted an astonished gasp—a clear indication that she now had a clear view of the filming proceedings.
"Wahh! I can see everything clearly now. This spot is so much better!" She beamed at Fuutaro, who returned her excitement with a smile. "Even if the angle isn't ideal, given the crowd, it's more than okay. Stand next to me, Fuutaro-kun! Let's watch the filming together!"
"Yeah," Fuutaro nodded as he joined Ichika, standing side by side.
Despite the less-than-ideal angle from their current spot, Fuutaro's height granted him a better view of the filming set. Observing Ichika, who stood a few inches shorter, he realized her viewing angle might be even worse than his. He crouched down slightly, attempting to match her height as he surveyed the set. As expected, the angle was notably worse.
During this, he noticed a sturdy wooden box beside his right foot, likely a prop not in use or part of the theme park's decor. Considering its size, comparable to a small bench seat, an idea struck him. He dragged the box and positioned it next to Ichika.
Ichika immediately spotted the object and asked, "Hmm? What's with the box?"
"You might want to stand on the box," he suggested. "You said the viewing angle from this spot isn't good, right? But for me, it's not too bad, probably because I'm taller than you. So, use this box as a step for a higher view, and I'm sure you'll have a better angle."
After a brief pause to consider the suggestion, Ichika nodded. "Hmm… Alright." Stepping onto the box, she redirected her focus to the set.
Observing Ichika standing on the box, Fuutaro noted that their heights were now more or less equal, confident that this improvised solution would improve her view. "So, how is it? Much better, right?"
Taking a moment to study the filming set with a concentrated gaze and subtle head movements, Ichika deliberated before responding, "It's somewhat better. I can see more of the set now than before." Her face now reflected a heightened enthusiasm, likely stemming from the enhanced view. She turned to Fuutaro, saying, "Thank you for the suggestion, Fuutaro-kun! Clever use of the box as a step!"
Fuutaro smiled, pleased to see the joyful expression on Ichika's face. "No problem. Let's continue watching the filming before we miss anything else."
As they directed their focus to the filming set, the unfolding scene depicted a confrontation between what seemed to be a destitute commoner and a corrupt shogunate official standing outside a store. The official, flanked by his two personal bodyguards, berated the commoner for accidentally colliding with him upon exiting the store. The tension escalated as the official ordered his bodyguards to physically assault the commoner.
Out of nowhere, a masked figure emerged from inside the store, swiftly seizing the official by the neck and holding him hostage. With authority, the masked man demanded the bodyguards halt their violent actions and instructed them to hand over all the money in the official's pockets to the commoner. Yielding without much resistance, the official took a bag of gold coins, which he tossed to the poor commoner. The masked man then knocked out the official and his bodyguards with impressive martial arts skills before vanishing from the set, disappearing into an alley.
"Cut! Excellent work, everyone. Fifteen minutes break before we resume filming," the director announced loudly.
With the conclusion of the current scene, the production crew swiftly began rearranging the set for the next sequence. Meanwhile, the actors and actresses took a moment to unwind, some finding a seat while others grabbed a refreshing drink.
Ichika's grin remained plastered on her face as her gaze remained fixed on the set. It was clear she was thoroughly enjoying watching the filming. "Fuutaro-kun, did you see that? The way the masked man took down that guy and his bodyguards was simply amazing!" she exclaimed with fervor. "His acting surpassed any actor or actress I've ever worked with. I wonder if I'll ever reach that level... It's going to be quite the long road to get there." Her expression turned contemplative as she looked upward.
Fuutaro could not help but chuckle softly, amused by her enthusiasm. "Heh, knowing you, I'd say it won't take long for you to reach that professional acting level. Oda-san once said to me that it usually takes around three to five years of dedicated focus and hard work for a new and rising actor or actress to achieve that stage," he explained, his arms crossed. "Considering the praise you've received and your constant eagerness to improve, achieving that professional and renowned actress status seems well within your reach."
"Hehe… Thanks! It's going to be quite the journey for me, especially now that I'm involved in a more serious project compared to my previous works," she replied with a faint smile, her attention shifting back to the filming set. "This TV show production seems incredibly professional compared to my current project. Just look at the number of crew members and the equipment – they must've had a lot of budget for the entire project."
Fuutaro redirected his focus to the filming set, noting the extensive involvement of numerous individuals in the project, as Ichika had pointed out. The filming equipment appeared notably advanced compared to anything Fuutaro had witnessed during Ichika's previous works. "Yeah, you're right. This production is no joke, and I can't imagine the amount of money the producers must be putting into it to keep it going…" he remarked, shuddering from contemplating the substantial budget needed for such a venture. "Anyway, if you were offered a role in this period drama genre, would you be interested?"
"Definitely! I'm open to exploring any genre—it's another opportunity to improve my acting abilities," Ichika affirmed with a nod, elaborating on her reasoning. "I've told you this before, haven't I? It's also about broadening my experience with diverse genres, which will allow me to take on roles in any kind of film in the future."
"Right, I forgot about that," Fuutaro replied. Recollecting one of Ichika's performances that stood out as his personal favorite, he continued, "Among the various genres you've played, there's one film that has always left a lasting impression on me, and I consider it your finest work yet."
Ichika tilted her head, curious of his statement. "Hmm? Which one?"
"Well, you know, it was the one set in the café where I work," he teased, his expression playful, prompting a blush to spread across Ichika's cheeks as she caught on to his reference. "You still remember that, right? Ta—"
Before Fuutaro could finish his sentence, he received a quick slap on the back, causing a faint stinging sensation. Ichika frowned, shooting him a sharp glare in annoyance. "Ughh… How many times do I have to tell you, Fuutaro-kun? If you bring up that name again, you're banned from accompanying me to the filming set, understood?"
Rubbing his stinging back, Fuutaro chuckled weakly. "Ahaha… Yeah, my bad."
As minutes ticked by, another echoing shout from the director signaled the beginning of the next scene. Like before, the actors and actresses returned to the set, awaiting further instructions.
"Look, the next scene is about to start. Let's watch it together, Fuutaro-kun!"
"Yeah…"
With 45 minutes remaining on the clock before the trip concluded, Fuutaro, his friends, and the quintuplets had just wrapped up their experience of watching the filming production. It proved enjoyable for everyone, especially Ichika, who remained enthusiastic from start to finish. Wanting to make the most of their remaining time, Takeda suggested they try on traditional Edo period clothing. He pointed out a clothing rental shop that was still open, explaining that it would add to their Kyoto experience. Everyone agreed, and they made their way to the shop.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a variety of traditional clothing options to choose from. Most were kimonos, but there were also other special outfits such as samurai armor and ninja attire. After a few minutes of selecting their clothing, they headed to the changing rooms.
The boys were the first to finish changing. Fuutaro and Takeda wore kimonos, while Maeda opted for samurai armor.
"Samurai armor, huh? Looks pretty heavy," Fuutaro observed, eyeing Maeda's armor. It was a typical samurai armor, and the colors—red, gold, and purple—gave it an authentic feel, like something out of a museum or history book. A Katana prop completed the ensemble, hanging from Maeda's waist.
"It's a bit heavy, but I don't really mind," Maeda stated confidently, examining his attire and pulling out the Katana prop from the sheath. "I've always been fascinated by samurai armor whenever I see it in movies or TV shows about the Sengoku or Edo period. So, choosing this costume was a no-brainer for me."
"It suits you well, especially with your body size and broad shoulders," Takeda commented, also admiring the armor. "As for me and Uesugi-kun, we agreed kimonos were the best fit."
Takeda's kimono was a plain red one, while Fuutaro's choice was a combination of white and grey, paired with a silver-colored Haori jacket.
"While we wait for them, how about we step outside for a few pictures together?" Takeda suggested, leading the way. "We can use your camera for the pictures, Uesugi-kun. Go ask the staff to take our picture."
"Yeah," Fuutaro nodded as he approached a nearby staff member, handing them the camera. "Excuse me, could you help us take a few pictures?"
A few minutes later, the trio of boys had their photos taken. Ten pictures were snapped, some individual shots and others featuring the trio together. Overall, they were quite satisfied with the results.
"Great! My pictures turned out really cool!" Maeda examined the camera screen, grinning and nodding approvingly at each photo. "This one's probably the best, in my opinion. The photo of us together!" He showed a picture featuring the three of them; Fuutaro in the center with a neutral pose, Takeda on his left crossing his arms and smirking, and Maeda on his right, striking a powerful pose with his right hand holding the Katana.
Takeda glanced at the photo and nodded. "Yeah, I agree, it looks really good. With a vintage filter and a few old effects added, it could pass as a photo from a hundred years ago." He praised the particular photo.
The voices of familiar girls drifted from inside the shop, signaling that the quintuplets had finally finished dressing up. Takeda lightly tapped Fuutaro's shoulder, gesturing toward the shop. "Looks like they're finally done with their kimonos. Take your time, Uesugi-kun." He then made his way towards Maeda, who stood a few meters away, leaving Fuutaro.
As Fuutaro turned his head, his eyes widened in astonishment, and he could not help but gasp at the breathtaking sight before him.
The quintuplets had adorned themselves in kimonos, each accessorized with hair ornaments that enhanced their elegance.
Itsuki chose a light red kimono adorned with a hexagonal-shaped pattern, complemented by a red flower hairpin and her signature star hairpins.
Yotsuba's selection was a light lime green kimono featuring a diamond-rhombus-shaped pattern, paired with four-leaf clover hairpins and her trademark ribbon.
Miku, without her usual headphones, wore a light blue kimono adorned with purple and orange rose designs, complete with a lavender flower hairpin.
Nino opted for a lilac purple kimono with a rectangular pattern design, accentuated by three small, four-petaled flower hairpins and her customary butterfly ribbons.
Lastly, Ichika's choice was a yellow kimono with a square-shaped pattern and orange five-petaled flowers, elegantly adorned with a cherry blossom hairpin nestled in her hair.
Without a doubt, Fuutaro could not deny that they looked stunning in those kimonos, accentuated by the charming hairpins. He recalled seeing them wear traditional attire twice before: once during last year's fireworks festival and again for the New Year shrine visit. Back then, during the fireworks festival, he had not paid much attention, as he had only just met them. And during the New Year shrine visit, he had felt a sudden urge to leave and had kept his distance after they unexpectedly rehired him as their tutor.
However, this time, with no other distractions clouding his mind, Fuutaro could fully appreciate their appearance, which differed from their usual attire and captivated him.
Among the five, one quintuplet captured his attention more than the others, and he found himself gazing at her longer than the rest. Fuutaro could not help but find her absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking, and distinctly different from any other outfit she had worn. Unbeknownst to him, his initial gasp gradually transformed into a warm, genuine smile—much like the one he had shown her when she confessed her feelings to him.
"Whoa…"
"The last time you wore something like this, I didn't really notice..."
"But now, I can see just how beautiful you look in it..."
"And it suits you perfectly..."
"Ichika..."
"Uesugi-san!"
The voice of the fourth quintuplet startled him, snapping him back to reality. Ichika seemed to notice his prolonged gaze and blushed slightly, a flustered expression crossing her face.
"What were you looking at? Were you checking us out?" Yotsuba asked, grinning as she approached him. "Do we look good in kimonos?" She twirled around, admiring her own attire.
"Y-Yeah… Let's see…" Fuutaro placed his fingers on his chin, casting his eyes over each quintuplet once more. Undeniably, they looked stunning in their kimonos. Feeling a bit self-conscious for staring, he covered his mouth with his fingers, then focused on Ichika a moment longer before delivering his verdict. "Yes, you all definitely look great in these kimonos…" Fuutaro then turned his head away, still with his hand over his mouth.
"Why, thank you!" Nino grinned in response, glancing down at her kimono and adjusting her flower hairpins. "It took us a while to choose because all the options were so nice. But we're happy with our selections, and I'm glad you like it."
Fuutaro noticed Miku's intense gaze, her eyes scanning him up and down repeatedly. "What's wrong, Miku? Is there something on my outfit?"
"No, not at all. You just look really cool and dignified in that kimono," Miku remarked with a relaxed smile, followed by a soft giggle. "Uesugi… Since you share the same surname as Uesugi Kenshin, you could easily pass as a daimyo with this look. The costume suits you, Fuutaro."
"Daimyo, huh? Well, with your constant expressionless and boring face, you'd make a perfect daimyo too, Fuutaro-kun!" Ichika teased, moving closer to him and studying his face. "Compare yourself to some historical daimyo portraits in the mirror; you might find a strong resemblance, especially during our tutoring sessions…" She finished with a laugh, covering her mouth with her right hand.
"Oi, oi… Am I really that ugly, like those daimyo portraits?" Fuutaro responded with a hint of irritation to Ichika's jesting. "That's pretty harsh, you know?"
Itsuki nodded in agreement. "I agree with Miku, Uesugi-kun." She surveyed him over and continued, "Given your physique, samurai armor might not suit you. Personally, I am not a fan of ninja attire, so a ninja outfit might look odd on you. I would say the kimono suits you best, and the Haori adds a nice touch. What do the rest of you think?" She turned to the other four, receiving affirming nods from each.
A small smile graced Fuutaro's lips, appreciating the quintuplets' compliments. "Yeah… Thank you."
Takeda rejoined Fuutaro, accompanied by Maeda, and proposed another photo opportunity. "Uesugi-kun, how about we all take a picture together? It would be a shame to miss this chance. I'm sure you'd like a photo too, right?" He then turned to the quintuplets, seeking their opinion. "Girls, what do you say? Just one photo with all of us together. After that, you can have your tutor all to yourselves, and I'll be out of your way."
The quintuplets did not respond immediately. Nino narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Takeda, seemingly skeptical of his offer thanks to their less-than-pleasant history. She exchanged glances with her sisters, as if telepathically communicating with each other. After a brief moment, the second quintuplet spoke up, representing all of them, "Fine, we'll join for one picture with you three." She crossed her arms, maintaining her suspicious gaze. "Just like you said, one picture, and that's it, understood?"
"You have my word," Takeda assured, smirking with satisfaction. He then turned to Maeda. "Maeda-kun, hand the camera to the staff and ask them to take our picture."
"Yeah."
The eight teenagers arranged themselves for the photo. They formed two lines in front of the shop, using the location as a backdrop. The quintuplets stood in the front, while the boys positioned themselves behind. From left to right: Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and Itsuki. The three boys maintained their previous order, with Takeda on the left, Fuutaro in the middle, and Maeda on the right.
Before the staff took the picture, Fuutaro stole another glance at Ichika. A pang of regret and slight frustration gnawed at him as he realized that most of today's park trip had not been spent with her. When Ichika had accepted his invitation earlier, Fuutaro had envisioned a day filled with leisurely strolls, enjoying park attractions, sharing a meal together, and engaging in various activities that would delight them both.
However, circumstances dictated that he spent the day with Takeda and Maeda, a result of the former's playful insistence and Ichika's suggestion. Despite his initial annoyance, Fuutaro found unexpected enjoyment in their company, eventually regarding them as genuine friends. While he did not rue the time spent with them, a faint sense of longing lingered, wishing he could have shared more moments with Ichika.
The experience of watching the live filming with her earlier had been truly enjoyable. They engaged in conversation, observed the filming scene, discussed her acting career, and, most importantly for him, reveled in Ichika's excitement and enthusiasm. Now, witnessing her in a kimono only enhanced the beauty of the moment.
But it was not enough. Fuutaro yearned for more time with her.
During the afternoon stroll with Takeda and Maeda, he mulled over how to carve out some one-on-one time with Ichika. He brainstormed ideas, and it was not until he stumbled upon the live filming set after leaving the café earlier that he finally managed to formulate a plan he believed would create the perfect opportunity for them to be together.
Fuutaro could only hope that Ichika would join him in his plan. If she did, it had the potential to be the best highlight of his school trip—a moment he would cherish for a lifetime.
"I've come up with a scenario for us to spend time together..."
"I hope you'll agree to it..."
"It'll be just like last time..."
"Where we had fun, just the two of us..."
"Tonight, I'll share it with you..."
"So please be ready for it..."
"Okay, get ready for the picture, one... two... three..."
Unbeknownst to him, a soft smile graced Fuutaro's lips as the staff captured the moment. This ended up being one of the few rare photographs capturing Uesugi Fuutaro with a smile.
A/N
Alright, here we are! We've finally reached the part of the story where Ichika takes center stage!
This chapter serves as a prologue to their interaction, setting the stage for the moments they'll share together moving forward. What you've just read is just the beginning, as there will be plenty more moments between them to come. It's going to be a real treat for Ichika fans!
There isn't much for me to say about this chapter other than that I'm excited the story has reached this pivotal point. I'll let the story do the talking rather than me giving my thoughts in the A/N like usual.
For the usual chapter update, Chapter 18 of "Our Promise and Bet" has been updated and fixed. Feel free to revisit it or read it if you're a newcomer.
As for the next chapter release schedule, if all goes well, it will be released in the final week of April (22nd – 28th April). Keep an eye out for it during that week!
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!