Chapter 25

Fuutaro and Ichika strolled through the streets of Gion, en route to the sweet shop recommended by the souvenir store owner earlier. Pontocho awaited them just beyond the bridge a few hundred meters ahead.

"Have you found the sweet shop yet, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked, peering over at Fuutaro's phone.

"Wait, I'm still looking for it," he replied, scrolling through his map application.

Fuutaro held onto the hope that this particular sweet shop would have the elusive konpeito candy he sought. Two days of fruitless attempts had left him frustrated, each souvenir shop visited resulting in disappointment. Finding out about the scarcity of konpeito in the city weighed heavily on his mind, casting doubt on his chances of success. Yet, his determination outweighed the negativity, fueled by his desire to fulfill his little sister's request. Exhaustion and sleepiness were a small price to pay if it meant searching every shop in Pontocho and Gion.

As they continued their journey, Fuutaro occasionally shifted his gaze from his phone to take in the nighttime ambiance of Gion. It was a stark departure from his usual routine, which revolved around school, home, the quintuplets' penthouse, and his part-time job. Rarely venturing beyond his city, he had never felt the need to explore Tokai's other parts, prioritizing academics instead. Despite his preference for solitude, he found the bustling nighttime activity in Gion intriguing, allowing himself to appreciate the unique atmosphere.

His stride came to an abrupt halt as his attention was drawn to a building beside him, captivated by something that compelled him to pause.

Ichika, noticing his sudden stop, approached with curiosity. "What's the matter, Fuutaro-kun?" she asked, joining him in inspecting the object of his attention. "What are you looking at... Wait, isn't this?"

"Ichika… this is you, right?"

The building they stood before revealed itself as a movie cinema, a now-showing movie poster catching Fuutaro's eye. He gestured towards a character on the poster, where a female character bore a vague familiarity. She sported glasses, a fedora, and hair length reminiscent of Nino or Yotsuba.

"Hehh... Who knows?" Ichika replied nonchalantly, her palm resting against her cheek. "If you're not sure, take another look and see if it's really me or not."

Fuutaro studied the movie poster once more, his fingers grazing his chin as he scrutinized the character with intensity. After about 15 seconds, he was certain that the character was indeed played by Ichika.

"Yeah, there's no doubt about it," he said, his gaze shifting between Ichika and the character on the poster as he compared their features. "It's definitely you."

"Are you sure? If you still have any doubts, you can always check the cast list," she suggested, pointing towards the bottom of the poster."

Fuutaro let out a small sigh. "Why didn't I think of that earlier? It would've saved me some time instead of going back and forth between you and the poster." He proceeded to scan the cast list, confirming his suspicions when he found the name "Nakano Ichika", albeit in a smaller font size compared to the others. "Yup, I was right. My guess is never off."

"Hehe... Congrats!" Ichika grinned, giving a little applause. "I'm impressed you figured out it was me without even checking the cast name. Given your usual trouble with recognizing us when we change our appearance, I half-expected you to mistake me for someone else, or even one of my sisters. How did you know, Fuutaro-kun?"

"When I saw this character, something just clicked, and I had this feeling that it must be you. And it's not like I knew it was you because you're an actress," Fuutaro explained, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. "Even though the character you portrayed looks much different from your usual appearance, I was still convinced it was you. But I can't quite explain it how…"

"Hehh... Is that so? Seems like you're becoming quite adept at recognizing me in various guises, aren't you?" Ichika teased, her expression shifting to its usual playful demeanor. "I heard from my grandpa that you asked for his advice during spring vacation on how to tell us apart when we look the same as each other or different from usual. Now that you've spotted me in a different look, did you finally learn that 'ability' he mentioned?"

Fuutaro's thoughts instantly flashed back to the advice the quintuplets' grandpa had given him on distinguishing each quintuplet when they looked identical or changed their usual appearance. He remembered well about it because the answer really surprised him. A hint of embarrassment crept onto his face as he instinctively covered his mouth. "I-I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Don't lie, Fuutaro-kun; your face is telling a different story!" Ichika remarked with a flirtatious smile, stepping closer to him and placing her hands behind her back. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled her grandpa's unique methods for telling them apart.

It was love.

With Ichika standing so close, Fuutaro felt his cheeks heat up even more, prompting him to take a step back and shaking his head in an attempt to regain his composure. "N-Never mind that! I just happened to recognize you, that's all."

"Hehe... teasing you is always fun, you know?" she said, raising her index finger as she enjoyed the playful banter.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Fuutaro decided to steer the conversation in a different direction to avoid further teasing from Ichika. "Anyway, I didn't know you had a role in another movie. Weren't your recent acting projects mainly focused on TV shows and commercials?"

"Yeah, that's right," she nodded, glancing back at the movie's poster. "This movie was a project from last year, where it was filmed in November through mid-January. Since you weren't particularly interested in my acting works at that time, I didn't expect you to know about it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Fuutaro shrugged, also studying the movie poster.

Its design was vibrant and colorful, similar to the title cards from comedy TV shows he occasionally glimpsed when Raiha and their dad watched television. Two characters, a girl and a boy, presumably the main protagonists, stood at opposite ends of a podium table. Meanwhile, Ichika was positioned in the background alongside another girl, seemingly cheering for the main characters. From her placement on the poster, it seemed she played a supporting role in the movie. The title hinted at a romance genre or something similar, given the inclusion of the word "love."

With a soft chuckle, he shifted his attention back to Ichika. "Well, times have changed, and I'm definitely interested in your work now. So, what can you tell me about it?"

"It's a rom-com movie, set in an university setting, focusing on the love story between a boy and a girl. I play a supporting role, and I have more screen time in this movie than in any of my previous films," Ichika explained with a hint of pride. "But I can't reveal much more; it would count as a spoiler, and you haven't seen it yet, have you?"

"No, I haven't, and I don't really plan to," Fuutaro replied, his expression becoming neutral as he glanced at the poster again. "This kind of genre isn't really my thing, and I'm not particularly fond of movies in general."

"*sigh* You're as boring as ever, Fuutaro-kun," Ichika said, unimpressed by his response. She then pointed her finger directly at Fuutaro's face, causing him to startle slightly. "You do realize I'm starring in this movie, right? So, you should watch it to support my acting career. Some cinemas in Tokai are still showing it, so you should catch it before it's too late."

Fuutaro observed Ichika, noting her serious expression and determined gaze. It was clear she really wanted him to watch the movie. "Fine, fine... I'll find a suitable time," he replied casually, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe next weekend, since I'll be busy with writing the trip report this weekend until the deadline. Also, I have to help you five with the report as well, so there won't be much time to play around."

"No, that won't work!" Ichika exclaimed, swiftly retrieving her phone and scrolling through it with determination. After a few moments, she held her phone up to Fuutaro's face, displaying the list of screening schedules for the movie in every cinema in Tokai. "Look at this! All the cinemas will stop screening the movie on next Tuesday or Wednesday, except for one which will continue until next Friday. So, next weekend is out of the question, and the perfect time to watch it is this weekend!"

"Well, I suppose I could catch it on DVD once it's released, or maybe wait a few years until it airs on TV," he said. "Remember, Ichika, this school trip report is important and will affect our grades in History and Japanese. Besides, writing a decent report isn't that easy, and there's a minimum word count requirement for it to be considered acceptable by the teacher."

"It's just for this weekend, Fuutaro-kun, and watching a movie only takes about two hours, which is just a fraction of a day," Ichika retorted, her irritation evident as she shot him a glare, frustrated by his academic excuses and undying focus on schoolwork. She then returned her attention to her phone, seemingly rechecking the schedule. With a quick exhale, she shook her head and set down her phone, refocusing on him. "Fine, how about this? Since the very last screening is next Friday, you can watch the movie then. It coincides with the final day to submit our trip report, right? So, there are no more excuses for you to avoid it."

"Well, you're right, but..." he started, crossing his arms. "You do know we have a tutoring session scheduled for that day, don't you?"

"Fuutaro-kun, don't you think we deserve a break after completing such a report? Let's take a day off on that Friday," she asserted firmly, her expression still serious and her gaze sharp as she locked eyes with Fuutaro. "How about this? Onee-san will accompany you to watch the movie next Friday. And just to seal the deal, I'll even buy our tickets. Consider it a treat for supporting my acting career."

Somehow, Fuutaro did not feel the urge to argue back. Instead, he found himself amused by Ichika's stubbornness to persuade him to watch her film. Reflecting on it, he realized he had only seen her movies twice before. The first time was with Yotsuba, watching an apocalypse zombie movie where she played a minor character with limited screentime, meeting a quick demise. The second time was with Raiha, viewing a horror movie where Ichika once again started as a minor character with a fate mirroring her previous film.

Recognizing that Ichika had now ascended to a supporting role in a movie marked a significant milestone in her acting career. In her previous works, she had predominantly portrayed minor or background characters. This new role showcased her hard work and dedication. Fuutaro knew she had taken on numerous acting jobs in the past to gain recognition in the film industry, and finally, her efforts had paid off.

During the times he accompanied Ichika on set, praises poured in from producers, directors, fellow actors, and actresses, all commending her remarkable acting skills and ongoing growth. Oda-san, her manager, went as far as to declare her the most talented actress he had ever managed, confidently declaring her potential to achieve global recognition. Fuutaro could not help but also feel happy at witnessing her achievements and her rising status in the acting realm.

Considering all of these, it only made sense for him to support her acting career by watching every film she starred in. Ichika had worked tirelessly to reach this point, and Fuutaro felt it was only right to acknowledge and appreciate her dedication.

Moreover, watching a movie with her provided yet another chance to share quality time together, something he always welcomed in his desire to deepen their connection.

With those thoughts in mind, Fuutaro let out a faint smile. "Alright, I'll take you up on that offer. Let's watch this movie together next Friday," he agreed, meeting Ichika's gaze. "After school, then?"

Ichika returned her attention to her phone, scanning for suitable showtimes. "Hmm... There's one at 5:10 PM and another at 7:00 PM. Which one works better for you?"

"Let's go with the 5:10 PM showing. Sooner is always better, right?" he suggested, peering at the phone screen for the schedule information. "We'll be going to that cinema near the station, huh?"

"Yep, it's settled!" Ichika declared, softly tapping her phone screen. Her demeanor had shifted entirely from earlier; now she was beaming, her eyes shining with delight at Fuutaro's agreement to watch her movie. For her, this was another precious opportunity to spend time with him, just the two of them. She loved every moment with him and always wanted to be by his side, finding happiness and comfort in their companionship. "5:10 PM it is! I'll book the tickets once the school trip is over, so don't forget about it, okay?"

"Yeah, I won't," Fuutaro replied, still smiling as he took in her happiness. Her joy never failed to warm his heart. "But I can't promise I'll enjoy it; rom-coms are pretty foreign to me."

"Don't worry about it, Fuutaro-kun!" Ichika reassured him cheerfully, pulling up the movie information online. "Check this out, most reviews online are positive. Plus, rom-coms are quite popular among teenagers and young adults like us, so you might find yourself enjoying it after all."

"Well, you know I'm not exactly your typical teenager or young adult, right?" he teased with a smirk.

"Uhh... Yeah, I forgot," she admitted, managing a weak smirk. One of her eyes narrowed slightly at his remark, which, admittedly, held some truth. "Considering your personality and lack of delicacy, I'm not entirely convinced you'll enjoy it that much."

"Heh, who knows?" Fuutaro shrugged. "But one thing's for sure—I'll enjoy this movie because you're in it. Your acting is always top-notch, and I've always loved it. So, I won't have any issue enjoying any movie with you in it."

Ichika's cheeks flushed at Fuutaro's compliment, and a soft giggle escaped her lips. "Hehe... Thank you! That means a lot."

"Now that it's settled, let's head to that sweet shop," he said, pulling out his phone and reopening the map application. After a moment's pause, he located the sweet shop and set the direction towards it. "Found it. It's in the alleyway of Pontocho. Once we cross the bridge ahead, we turn right, and it should be about 200 meters down the alley on the left."

"Okay! Then, let's go!"

Pontocho… It was a charming and historic district located in the heart of Kyoto. The area was known for its traditional architecture, narrow alleyways, and vibrant nightlife. It runs parallel to the Kamo River and was home to a plethora of shops, restaurants, and teahouses, many of which have been in business for generations. The district was steeped in history and culture, and it remains a popular destination for visitors seeking to experience the beauty and traditions of Kyoto.

Since it was renowned for its vibrant nightlife, Pontocho shared similarities with Gion in terms of its nocturnal allure. But what set it apart was its distinctive layout—a long, narrow alleyway brimming with life and energy. Unlike the more formal and upscale ambiance of Gion, Pontocho exuded a more casual and upbeat charm, with its smaller ventures and bustling atmosphere attracting a younger crowd. As a result, the streets were predominantly filled with youthful faces, a stark contrast to the older demographic often seen in Gion's thoroughfares.

Fuutaro and Ichika had walked from Gion and now arrived in the bustling Pontocho alleyway.

"Whoa… this place feels so different from Gion, even though they're both nightlife districts," she said, casting an impressed gaze at the buildings surrounding them.

"Yeah, but I still prefer Gion. It's quieter and has that classy feel," he replied, also surveying the surroundings. "Still, this place is fine. I've always wanted to explore spots like this once in a while. Seems like it can be fun."

"Hmm… You sound like you're a bit on the boring side, Fuutaro-kun," Ichika teased, giving him a playful smile. "Since we're here, I hope you can let loose and enjoy yourself!"

"Heh, whatever you say, Ichika."

Following the map, the pair made their way to the sweet shop. Along the route, Ichika pointed out several Izakayas, suggesting they visit one and hang out there after finding the konpeito. She had always been curious about Izakayas, having noticed that some of her senior actors and actresses frequented them for post-filming dinners. However, Fuutaro quickly dismissed the idea, explaining that minors would not be admitted unless accompanied by an adult. Ichika pouted, arguing that they could easily pass for university students, recalling a comment from the souvenir shop owner earlier. Despite her persistence, Fuutaro stood his ground, suggesting that they visit a café instead, given the numerous options in the area, much to her annoyance.

After a short walk, they arrived at the sweet shop, an impressive structure spanning the width of three buildings. Its exterior seamlessly blended modern and traditional architecture, maintaining the charming design typical of a sweet shop.

Peering through the windows, Fuutaro and Ichika could see that the interior was bustling with activity. Despite the late hour, the place was packed with customers.

"Wow… This place is really crowded," he remarked. "Do you think it's because of the konpeito shortage? Maybe everyone's rushing here to grab whatever's left?"

"Well, who knows? Let's just head inside and hope we can find some for Raiha-chan," she suggested, leading the way into the shop.

"Yeah," Fuutaro nodded as he followed her from behind.

The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the rich aroma of sweets that filled the air. The bright, white lighting from overhead lamps illuminated the space, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Display shelves and tables were packed with a vibrant assortment of sweets and candies, each one looking more enticing than the last. Neatly packaged treats ranged from delicate mochi to Western-style chocolates and candies, while colorful confections on display tables had their wrappers slightly crinkled from the eager hands of previous customers.

Most of the customers consisted of teenagers and young adults. Fuutaro and Ichika even recognized some of their peers from Asahiyama, who had clearly dared enough and managed to sneak out of their hotel, just like them.

Ichika, her eyes widened in awe as she took in the sweet shop's dazzling display. It had been years—probably three or six—since she last visited a place like this, back in her elementary or junior high school days. "Wow! This place is incredible!" she exclaimed, heading to a display table and picking up a package of chocolate. "Look, they even have this brand! I thought it was discontinued; I haven't seen it in any supermarket back in Tokai."

Fuutaro smiled softly at Ichika's enthusiasm. Her excitement reminded him of Raiha's delight during their supermarket trips, especially when they reached the chocolate and candy aisle. "Well, in a sweet shop like this, you can expect all sorts of treats—sweets, candies, chocolates, and even some rare brands," he said, picking up a package of dark chocolate from the display. "Look at this, they even have this famous foreign chocolate. One pack alone costs as much as an hour of my part-time wage."

"Do you want that, Fuutaro-kun? I can buy it for you!" she offered eagerly.

He shook his head. "No, it's fine." Returning the chocolate to the table, he added, "I'm heading to the candy section. Ichika, do you want to come with me?"

"You go ahead. I'm still interested in checking out some of the chocolates here," Ichika said, turning back towards the entrance, presumably to grab a shopping basket. "I'll catch up with you in a bit."

"Yeah…"

Arriving in the candy section, Fuutaro took a deep breath, his eyes determined to find the konpeito candy. Rows of shelves and display tables stretched out before him, each filled with an array of sugary treats. He started with a nearby shelf, adopting a rhythmic pattern of crouching and standing as he meticulously scanned for the elusive treat. Moving to the next shelf, he continued the same approach, his fingers tracing over each candy, considering the possibility of konpeito concealed amidst the vibrant packaging.

"Nope..."

"This isn't konpeito either..."

"Just how many candies do they sell in this store...?"

"This is the third shelf, and still no sign of it..."

Fuutaro remained steadfast in his quest for konpeito. He was ready to scour the candy section repeatedly, double or even triple-checking every nook and cranny, unwilling to overlook any possibility.

"No, I won't give up...!"

"I might have to double or triple-check every display table and shelf in this shop..."

"It's for Raiha's sake..."

Twenty minutes had passed, and still, the konpeito candy remained nowhere to be seen. This was his third exhaustive sweep of the candy section. His legs and back ached from the constant crouching, and his eyes felt sore from the relentless, unblinking search.

Frustration built up as he concluded that, much like the souvenir shops before it, this sweet shop either did not carry konpeito or had sold out. A defeated sigh escaped his lips, and he clenched his teeth, cursing his luck and the overall situation.

"What the hell is this?!" Fuutaro grumbled, his voice harsher and more strained than usual. "Not even a big sweet shop like this sells a simple konpeito? What's wrong with my luck?!"

"I can't believe this…" He pressed his hand to his forehead, shaking his head with another heavy sigh. The vision of Raiha's disappointed and crestfallen face loomed large in his mind, causing a pang of guilt in his heart as he realized he might not be able to fulfill his little sister's simple request.

As Fuutaro continued to vent his frustrations, Ichika emerged from behind, carrying a shopping basket in her hand as she joined him. "What's wrong, Fuutaro-kun?" Her gaze softened as she noticed his frustrated expression. Sensing the situation, she added, "Looks like this store is out of konpeito too, huh?" Her face showed sympathy for his predicament.

"Yeah... I've searched through the entire section three times, and there's not a single piece of konpeito in sight," he said, his voice lacking energy. "Guess my luck is shit, huh?"

"Don't say that! We can always check other souvenir shops later, so cheer up, okay?" Ichika encouraged, her tone and expression supportive. "But have you asked a staff for help? Maybe there's a shelf or display table you missed."

Fuutaro shook his head firmly. "No, I haven't." Glancing again at the rows of shelves and display tables in front of him, he added, "There's no point in it. I've searched every inch of this section, and I'm certain it's not here."

"Come on, let's give it a shot anyway. The konpeito might be in another section," she suggested, approaching a nearby staff member. "Excuse me, do you happen to sell konpeito candy in this store?"

"Yes, we do," the staff member replied, pausing his task of examining a shelf to address her inquiry. "Would you like to purchase some, miss?"

"Yes, I would like to buy some," she nodded. "Could you please check the stock for me?"

"Certainly. Please wait a moment," the staff said before heading to the back of the store.

Returning to Fuutaro, Ichika reassured him, "I've asked for help from the staff. Let's hope this store still has some left. If not, I'll accompany you to check out other souvenir shops. So, don't worry, okay?"

"*sigh* Yeah..."

After a minute, the staff member returned with a stock record in hand. "According to our records, we have six konpeito candies left, all on the display shelf. Due to a recent surge in demand, these are the only ones we have remaining," he explained.

Fuutaro's eyes widened at the news, his resolve refilled once again. Turning to Ichika, she gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. "Where exactly is this display shelf? I've checked every shelf and display table in this section and couldn't find a single one," he asked, hope evident in his voice.

"It should be on shelf number five..." The staff member approached the designated shelf and began searching. Like Fuutaro before, he crouched and stood, thoroughly examining every corner for the konpeito. "Hmm... That's strange. It should be right here."

"I've already searched that shelf three times and didn't find any," Fuutaro insisted, moving closer to the shelf. "Maybe it's in a different section of the store?"

"Could there have been a mistake in our stock system? Or maybe another customer misplaced it..." the staff member murmured, falling silent as his gaze moved to the barrel of candy beside him. "Hmm?"

He pushed the barrel aside, revealing a previously concealed section of the shelf. "This barrel shouldn't be blocking this shelf. It must have been the work of that newbie..." There, as he had mentioned, were the six packages of konpeito. "I apologize for the inconvenience. Here's the konpeito candy you were looking for."

Fuutaro's eyes widened once more, his jaw dropping at the unexpected discovery. He had not noticed this part of the shelf earlier, assuming the barrel was meant to be there. Turning back to Ichika, she flashed a cheeky smile, her eyes conveying a playful "I told you so" message.

The frustration he had felt moments before melted away, replaced by a profound sense of accomplishment and relief. His face instantly broke into a broad, relieved grin, overjoyed to see his arduous search for souvenirs for his family that were riddled with frustration and annoyance finally come to a satisfying end.

Perhaps his luck was not so bad after all. Maybe his temper had led him to jump to conclusions without considering obvious options, like seeking assistance from the store staff. He could not help but feel a twinge of stupidity and embarrassment at the outcome of the situation.

"Y-Yeah… Thank you for helping us find the konpeito," Fuutaro said, offering a slight bow to express gratitude to the staff. "I really appreciate your help."

"It's my pleasure. If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to ask any of the staff," the staff member replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me." With that, he left Fuutaro and Ichika, heading toward the back of the store.

Closing to the shelf, Fuutaro picked up two bags of konpeito candy. He gazed at them with a lingering smile, shaking his head in satisfaction.

"See? You could've just asked for help earlier, and saved your disappointment for something else," Ichika said, raising her index finger, her tone was scolding. "You really need to control your temper and keep a cool head when handling situations like this, you know?"

Fuutaro chuckled slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed by her reprimand. "Yeah, my bad..." He then faced her. "I just couldn't help it. Two days of no success in finding one, frustration was bound to happen."

"As expected from our tutor, when things don't go as planned, you tend to panic and overreact," she commented, giving him a faint smile. "Here, you can put those in my shopping basket."

As Fuutaro placed the konpeito bags into the shopping basket, he noticed it was already filled with a considerable amount of chocolate, sweets, and candy. "Whoa, that's a lot of things you've got in there..." A smirk crossed his lips as he took in the scene. "Heh, are you going to turn into Itsuki and devour all of it in one go?"

"Of course not. I'm getting these for those four. Nearly half of them are for Itsuki-chan since she loves chocolate and sweets," Ichika replied, her lips forming a slight pout as she caught onto Fuutaro's teasing. "I've only grabbed a few for myself. You know I can't eat too much of these; I have to maintain my figure and posture if I want to land any job offers."

"Wouldn't want those extra calories and sugar putting you out of job, right?" Fuutaro teased further.

"Ughh… You're so annoying, Fuutaro-kun!" Ichika then slapped him on the back, causing Fuutaro to flinch a little. "Keep this up, I won't invite you to come with me to the filming set again, you hear me?"

"Ahaha… Take it easy, I was just messing with you."

Still annoyed, Ichika turned her head away from him. "Hmph, your delicacy and sensitivity haven't made much progress. I might have to give you an extra lesson on how to handle girls after this trip."

"And I'll look forward to it..." he replied, maintaining his teasing smirk. "So, are you ready to head out, or do you want to look around a bit more?"

"Nope, I'm all set. These should be good enough," she said as she began heading toward the cashier. "Let's go, Fuutaro-kun."

As they arrived at the cashier, Ichika unloaded everything from the shopping basket onto the counter, including the konpeito candy. Fuutaro could not help but be surprised; he knew exactly what she was about to do. "Oi, Ichika, what are you doing?"

She tilted her head, puzzled by Fuutaro's question. "Paying for all of this, of course. What else would I be doing?" she replied casually.

"You're going to pay for the konpeito candy too, right?" he pointed out, shaking his head with a sigh. How many times had she treated or paid for him? And now, she was going to pay again? He had honestly lost count. "We've had this talk so many times. You've treated me countless times, so I can't accept it anymore—"

Ichika placed her index finger on Fuutaro's lips, promptly silencing him. "Shhh... be quiet, Fuutaro-kun. Let's just consider these konpeito as a small gift from me to Raiha."

"But…" Fuutaro's protest died as he met Ichika's gaze. Her usual calm expression was there, but there was something different in her eyes. They held a firm look, silently insisting that she would take no for an answer. He knew once Ichika made up her mind, she would not easily back down. There was not much he could do but to accept her gesture, as usual. With a faint smile, he relented. "Alright, thanks for covering me again… probably for the hundredth time."

"You're welcome! I'm always happy to treat you!" she grinned, lowering her finger with evident joy. "You know, every time I treat you, it's because I genuinely want to. There are no hidden motives. So, you don't need to pay me back, and I don't expect you to."

"Good to know," Fuutaro said, shaking his head with a hint of amusement. "But, from now on, when we go out together, it's my turn to treat you. And I won't take no for an answer, got it?"

"Hehe… Okay!" Ichika agreed cheerfully, giving him a playful wink. "You know, you're a true gentleman at heart, you know that?"

"Heh, whatever you say, Ichika."

A/N:

Chapter 25 is finished, and here it is!

Alright, Fuutaro has finally found the last souvenir for Raiha, ending what was a long and frustrating search for him. With that done, we can now move on to some personal time between Fuutaro and Ichika, which will begin in the next chapter. For the first half of the chapter, yes, their movie outing will make an appearance in a future chapter.

I have some good news for you—I've decided to speed up the release schedule, bringing it back to once every two weeks. The next chapter will be out in the third week of August (19th – 25th). I've made significant progress with this story, so I thought it would be best to quicken the pace to avoid dragging the story out too long and to keep you engaged without making you wait too long.

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

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