Chapter 2

"Here, Fuutaro-kun…"

"Yeah, thanks…"

They had been sitting on the bench for around 15 minutes, waiting for Raiha and Itsuki to finish their shopping. While they were waiting, Ichika had gone to a nearby coffee booth and bought them both a drink. She had opted for a frappuccino, while Fuutaro had chosen a non-caffeine barley tea.

As they sipped their drinks, Ichika brought up the upcoming school trip to kill time. "Hey, I didn't expect that you grouped up with Takeda-kun for the school trip, considering your recent history with him," she said, taking a sip of her frappuccino.

"Well, I didn't really want to, but he insisted on forming a group with me," Fuutaro explained, taking a sip of his barley tea. "To be honest, I'd rather go solo than be in anyone's group. That way, I can enjoy my time sightseeing without interruptions from others."

"Ahaha... you're still a loner as always, huh?" Ichika teased playfully, setting her frappuccino cup aside on the bench. "But I'm surprised that Maeda-kun is also part of your group. I didn't expect someone like him to join you guys."

Fuutaro smirked, recalling the day Takeda had asked him to form a group. "Actually, I had to ask him to join our group," he admitted. "Since I knew him from last year's school trip, I thought Maeda would be a good acquaintance to consider. Plus, I wanted to avoid getting unwanted attention from other students, which is Takeda's specialty. Surprisingly, Maeda agreed to join because no one else had asked him."

"Well, it's good to know that you're finally not lonely anymore and have some friends other than us," she smiled, feeling happy for him. "You know, I originally wanted to ask you to form a group with me. I thought it would be fun to hang around with you and sightsee together in Kyoto."

Fuutaro smiled faintly, placing his barley tea cup beside Ichika's frappuccino. "Yeah, sorry about that," he said. "I assumed you would have formed a group with your sisters, considering you five always go everywhere together."

Ichika pouted slightly. "Fuutaro-kun, even though we're quintuplets, we don't always do everything and go anywhere together, you know?" she pointed out. "But I'm glad that you finally have some friends to count on. And as a class representative, you need someone to have your back. Someone like Takeda-kun is good to befriend since he's very popular in school."

Fuutaro could not help but let out a small smirk upon hearing Ichika's response. "Heh! That's exactly what Takeda said to me when he offered to form a group with him," he said, before leaning back against the bench, his gaze scanning the surroundings. "Well, I suppose it's acceptable, considering I am the class representative. But next time, if you want to group up with me, just let me know as soon as possible, okay?" A gentle smile graced his lips as he turned to look at Ichika.

"Hehe, I'll definitely remember that," Ichika replied, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks from seeing Fuutaro's kind smile. "But don't be too quick to form a group with someone before I have a chance to ask, okay?" She gave him a playful wink, and Fuutaro could not help but chuckle at her.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," he said with a nod, the gentle smile still lingering on his face.

As they continued to sip on their drinks, the conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence. Despite the lack of words between them, there was no awkwardness, and both of them were content to simply enjoy each other's company, occasionally checking their phones for any messages or notifications. A few minutes passed by like this, with the occasional rustling of clothing or footsteps as other people passed by, but neither of them seemed to pay any attention to the outside world, lost in their own thoughts.

While still waiting, Ichika could not help but observe Raiha's behavior towards Itsuki. She had noticed during their spring break vacation that Raiha seemed to prefer Itsuki's company over the other quintuplets. Ichika recalled how she would spend more time with the fifth sister than with her or any of the other sisters. She also noticed that Raiha had a great time with Yotsuba, but still, Itsuki was her first choice for company.

She then decided to ask Fuutaro about it and as well the start to ask him about his opinion of Itsuki. This was her way of gathering more information about Fuutaro's perspective on the quintuplets and also to learn more about the fifth sister's feelings towards him.

"Hey, I noticed that Raiha-chan seems to really enjoy Itsuki-chan's company," Ichika said to Fuutaro, diverting her attention from her phone to him. "Did you notice that too?"

"Yeah, it can't be helped since she was the one who Raiha first met," Fuutaro replied, placing the cup of barley tea on the bench beside him. "Add that Itsuki also stayed at our house for a week after that fight between her and Nino. Raiha really enjoyed her company and they had a good time together in that period of time, doing house chores, hanging out together, and many other things that I probably didn't know," he recalled that event with a smile. "Raiha even got all sad when Itsuki was going back to the penthouse, even asking her to stay longer with us."

"Hehe… It's good to know that Itsuki-chan gets along with your little sister," she chuckled, before leaning back against the bench. "Being the youngest siblings, I guess they can connect well with each other."

"Hmm… I never thought of it. Maybe you have a point."

Now that Ichika already brought up Raiha and Itsuki, she thought that it was now a good time to ask Fuutaro's opinion of Itsuki without making it awkward.

"Fuutaro-kun, what do you think of Itsuki-chan?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Since you've been our tutor for almost a year, I wanted to know about your opinion of each of us," she said playfully. "This time, I wanted to ask you about your general opinion on her!"

"Is that so? Then, where should I start…" Fuutaro held his chin and closed his eyes, contemplating what to say. After some moments of thinking, he opened his eyes and crossed his arms, with a smirk on his face. "First of all, she is definitely a curry-eating monster that never ceases to amaze me."

"Huh? Really…?" Ichika raised her eyebrow, looking at him with a baffled expression.

"Well… That's definitely the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about my opinion of her because she always has food or snacks on almost every occasion," Fuutaro answered, his smirk slowly fading away and turning back into his usual bland expression. "Other than that, she's definitely a stubborn girl and always annoys me with that attitude. But behind that stubbornness, Itsuki is a very hardworking girl. She's diligent in her studies and always tries her best to excel. Moreover, she is kind, caring, and understanding. During the time she stayed at my house, she showed all those traits which impressed both Raiha and my old man."

"Hehh? Is that so?"

Fuutaro nodded. "Yeah… I kinda like those attitudes when she didn't go all stubborn and annoyed at me," he said. "You remember last year when Itsuki was acting all suspicious and not accepting me as her tutor? It was because I called her fat when I first met her on her first day at school."

Ichika let out a sigh as she heard about her tutor's insensitivity. "So Itsuki-chan was not exaggerating about it," she said, shaking her head. "You know, Fuutaro-kun, that word is very taboo for girls, especially if it's said by boys. It's definitely a no-no word to use with any girl."

I didn't expect her to be offended by that word. Besides, she took my table and interrupted my review while we were having lunch," Fuutaro said. He let out a weak smirk as he remembered that time, especially Itsuki's pouting face after he said that word to her. "Now that I think of it, I kinda regret saying that."

"Well, you should be. Remember when you called me heavy when you lifted me up last year? That's not a very nice thing to say, you know?" Ichika stated with unimpressed face as she picked up her frappuccino cup and took a sip.

"Yeah, yeah… Sorry about that."

"Hmm… Just as I thought…"

"Itsuki-chan really enjoyed Fuutaro-kun and his family presence since that time…"

"But he seems not to have noticed her infatuation with him though…"

"I guess he really needs to work on his sensitiveness and delicacy…"

Lots of minutes had passed as people went in and out of the clothing section, but still, there was no sign of their youngest sibling emerging. Ichika had already finished her frappuccino and walked over to throw the cup away in a nearby garbage bin, while Fuutaro was still drinking his barley tea at a slow pace. Boredom was etched on Fuutaro's face, and he yawned a few times in the period they were waiting. Meanwhile, Ichika stretched her arms and legs to alleviate the stiffness that came from sitting on the bench for so long before sitting back down again.

It felt like an eternity had passed when finally, Raiha emerged from the clothing area, but there was no sign of Itsuki. She made her way towards the bench where her brother and Ichika were sitting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Raiha greeted them with a smile and took a seat between Fuutaro and Ichika.

Noticing Itsuki was not with his little sister, Fuutaro then asked to her about the fifth quintuplet's whereabouts. "Hmm? Raiha, where's Itsuki?"

"Ahh, Itsuki-san said that there were still some things that she needed to take care of in the clothing section," Raiha replied. "She said that it would take a bit longer and told me to catch up with you and Ichika-san so that I won't get bored while waiting for her."

Fuutaro let out a sigh, shaking his head at the same time. "I don't understand why girls take such a long time browsing and shopping for clothes," he grumbled. "How much longer do we have to wait? It's been like 45 minutes..."

Ichika gave him an annoyed look in response to his complaint. "See? That's the kind of talk that shows you still lack sensitivity towards girls," she said, pointing her finger at him. "You really need some lessons on the topic. Onee-san can teach you a thing or two, free of charge for our tutor."

"Yeah... I guess I can listen a few from you," Fuutaro replied with an unenthusiastic voice, picking up his barley tea cup. "But not now. I'm really bored waiting for your sister to finish shopping." He took a big sip from his cup.

"Yosh! We'll start the lesson after Itsuki-chan is done shopping, okay?" Ichika said, nudging Fuutaro's shoulder and giving him a wink. "She can be your conversation partner while I teach you some good manners and how to be more sensitive towards girls."

"Yeah, yeah… Whatever you say, Ichika."

A low growl emanated from Raiha's stomach, and Fuutaro noticed that his little sister was holding her belly with a pained expression on her face. Checking the time on his phone, he realized that it was already mid-afternoon, and Raiha must have missed her lunch. Knowing that Raiha usually ate three times a day, he was certain that her hunger was the cause of her discomfort. Adding to that, she had been walking around the clothing section without a break, which only made her exhaustion worse.

Concerned for his sister, Fuutaro asked her about her condition, "What's wrong, Raiha? Are you hungry?" Turning his head towards her, he awaited her response.

Raiha answered weakly with a small laugh, "Y-Yeah… I'm feeling a bit hungry, but I can hold it! I can't wait to go home since dad promised to cook with us!"

"Ahh, yes, that's right," Fuutaro said, slightly nodding as he recollected her words. "Raiha, remind me to go to the supermarket after this. There are things that we need to buy for the later cooking," he added as Raiha nodded in agreement.

Seeing the younger girl's hunger pangs, Ichika's treating habit kicked in, and she offered to buy Raiha some food. "Raiha-chan, how about I buy you some snacks while we're waiting for Itsuki-chan?" she suggested, looking at the young girl with a kind smile.

Raiha hesitated, "Ehh… Is it okay?"

"It's perfectly fine. We still don't know how long she will be, and besides, I'm starting to feel a bit hungry too," Ichika reassured her.

"It's okay, Raiha. Just accept the offer from her," Fuutaro chimed in, smiling. "Ichika always does this, and she won't stop offering until you accept it."

Ichika joined in with a playful nod, "Yup, that's right! I've been treating your big brother to food and drinks, but he always seems unappreciative about it and constantly refuses my offer," she teased, shooting a faux frown at Fuutaro. "So I hope Raiha-chan can be more appreciative of treats than her insensitive big brother."

"Ehh… Is that so, onii-chan? It's bad to always refuse a treat from a friend, you know?"

Fuutaro became annoyed by Ichika's teasing and glared at her, "Oi, oi… It's not like that!" There was an innocent smile at her lips as he kept glaring at her. He then shook his head, vexed at Ichika's antics. "Anyway, just go with Raiha. I will catch up to you once Itsuki is finished."

"Got it! Give us a call when you're done, okay?" Ichika stood up from the bench, followed by Raiha. "Raiha-chan, there's a Takoyaki booth outside the department store. Do you want to check it out?"

Raiha's face lit up, "Unn! Let's go, Ichika-san!" She grabbed Ichika's hand, and together they headed towards the Takoyaki booth outside the department store.

Fuutaro watched as Raiha and Ichika left the department store, a smile playing on his lips as they slowly disappeared from view. Despite his reservations about Ichika's habit of treating others, he could not help but appreciate how kind she was to his little sister. Her offer to buy Raiha snacks had been made without hesitation, and it was clear that she genuinely cared about making Raiha happy.

Though Fuutaro had often found himself annoyed by Ichika's habit of treating him in the past, this time he had no complaints. He knew that Raiha needed something to eat, and he was glad that Ichika had offered to help. Seeing Raiha cheerful and content always warmed Fuutaro's heart, and he could not help but feel grateful to Ichika for contributing to that.

After several minutes, Fuutaro finished drinking his barley tea and stood up from the bench. He made his way towards the nearby garbage bin to dispose of the cup and then decided to check the clothing area entrance to see if Itsuki was still there. His eyes searched every corner of the clothing section, but she was nowhere to be found.

With a sigh, Fuutaro shook his head, assuming that the fifth quintuplet had already moved on to another part of the department store. He pulled out his phone, planning to call her as he walked back to his bench. But as he was about to press the call button, he noticed that someone had taken a seat on the bench. His eyes went wide when he recognized who it was.

"That person…"

"That long red hair…"

"And that white outfit she's wearing…"

"It's just like the last time I met her…"

"Could it be really you…?"

The person who had caught Fuutaro's attention was a girl of about his age, with long straight red hair. She wore a white sun hat with a silver ribbon around it, and a long-sleeved white coat. Fuutaro knew her well and in fact, he had already met her twice before, making this their third meeting.

After a moment of shock, Fuutaro shook his head to regain his composure and put his phone back into his pocket, making his way to the bench. With a bland expression on his face, he sat down beside her and spoke in a monotone voice.

"I didn't expect to meet you again," he said, looking straight ahead. "Rena…"

"It's been a while, Uesugi Fuutaro-kun," the girl replied, her voice filled with warmth. She was indeed Rena.

"Why are you here?" Fuutaro asked, closing his eyes. "I thought you said we wouldn't meet again."

"That's true," Rena nodded, looking at Fuutaro. "But I had a change of heart. I wanted to see you again."

Fuutaro went silent for a few seconds, processing Rena's words. When he opened his eyes, he glanced at her briefly before speaking again. "You know, there's no need to do that since we already see each other for every day, right?"

Rena was surprised by his response. "E-Ehh…? What do you mean?" she asked.

"There's no need to pretend anymore, Rena," he said, his voice still monotone. "Also, why did you borrow your mother's name?"

Rena let out a weak chuckle. "So you even know about that, huh?" she said, her surprised expression fading away. She stood up from the bench and faced Fuutaro. "You're right, I'm one of the quintuplets. Since you said that we already see each other every day, can you tell who I am?" she smiled faintly as she waited for Fuutaro's answer.

"No… I don't know who you are," Fuutaro replied, closing his eyes again for the second time. "Even though we see each other every day, I still can't differentiate each of you if you all look different from usual." He opened his eyes and looked directly at Rena.

"Is that so?" Rena asked as she persisted in her game. "Could you take a guess? I just want to hear your answer."

"No, I still can't. Even though your grandpa taught me how to tell each of you apart, I still can't get the grasp of it," Fuutaro replied, his interest in her little game waning. "Just tell me who you are and get this over with."

"Please, I insist," Rena said, her expression now growing more nervous as she sensed Fuutaro's waning patience. "Just make a guess, trust your instincts, and use what our grandpa taught you."

Fuutaro crossed his arms and studied Rena for a moment. After a few seconds, he sighed and shook his head. His face showed a hint of seriousness mixed with disinterest.

"No… I refuse."

"Ehh…?"

"I already tried to guess one of you back during spring vacation and failed miserably," Fuutaro explained with a serious tone. "I ended up hurting her feelings and I don't want to repeat the same mistake again due to my lack of knowledge to differentiate each of you."

Rena fell silent and her face was all nervous and uneasy after hearing his words.

"You should stop pretending to be someone else and stop using your mother's name," Fuutaro then continued, "But I swear that someday, I will learn to tell each of you apart, even if you all look the same."

Fuutaro stood up from the bench, signaling that he was ready to leave. But before he walked away, he turned to look at Rena once more.

"Before I go, I wanted to say thank you for what you said last year," he said, his voice softening slightly. "Your words opened my mind once again, and I know I need to focus on the present and look to the future for me to become a better person."

"Thank you for appearing in my life. But now, I need to move on and see what the present and future have to offer to me. I will not dwell in the past and be held by it," Fuutaro said, a faint smile on his lips. "This will be the last time I see you, Rena… Goodbye."

With that, Fuutaro walked away, leaving Rena standing alone in front of the empty bench.

Rena, who had been frozen in place, finally moved and took a seat again on the bench. She let out a heavy sigh and removed her disguise, consisting of a hat and wig, revealing that the person who had been acting as Rena all along was actually Itsuki.

A disappointed and uneasy expression was etched on Itsuki's face as she stared at the ground, lost in thought. She was feeling down after Fuutaro had refused to guess her identity, and his words echoed in her mind.

"So I failed huh…?"

"What he said was all true…"

"Now that he already left all of that memory behind…"

"I guess this disguise will not work anymore…"

"Just what the hell was I doing, huh…?"

Itsuki had donned the Rena disguise to get Fuutaro's attention. Lately, her feelings towards him had been intensifying, leaving her easily flustered and embarrassed whenever he was around, be it in school, during their tutoring sessions, or in their free time. Especially when he teased and joked around with her. Itsuki was confused and uneasy about her sudden change of feelings, as she had always seen him as a supportive friend and helpful tutor.

To solve this uneasy feeling, Itsuki had decided to use the disguise again, hoping that Fuutaro would respond positively to her, knowing that he enjoyed her company when she wore the disguise last time. But now, her words from last year had backfired, as he had partially uncovered the Rena disguise and had made it clear that he did not want to see her again. It was evident that this disguise was now useless, and Itsuki was left feeling unsure of what to do next.

She then thought to herself that if she wanted to get Fuutaro's attention, she would have to be her true self. She thought about her sisters and how they interacted with him, trying to draw inspiration from their different personalities. She knew that Nino was bold and assertive, while Ichika and Yotsuba were easy-going and friendly. Miku, on the other hand, was calm and collected.

"I guess I do not need this anymore…"

"Uesugi-kun said that I need to stop pretending to be someone else…"

"Then, I need to be myself…"

"I also need to take note from the four on how they interacted with him…"

A notification rang out from her phone, breaking her out of her thoughts. Itsuki glanced down at the screen and saw that it was a message from Fuutaro. With a curious expression, she tapped the notification and read the message.

Oi Itsuki! Where the hell are you? If you're still browsing clothes, I'm just telling that right now, I'm in front of the department store with Raiha and Ichika, buying Takoyaki while waiting for you.

If you're finished, make your way here and we'll be waiting for you on the bench near the Takoyaki booth. I already bought you two large portions of Takoyaki knowing that you're a food devouring monster. Consider this as my thanks for buying me those clothes.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Itsuki's lips as she finished reading the message. Despite his sometimes blunt and insensitive demeanor, Fuutaro could also be kind and considerate. It made her happy to know that he thought of her and her love for food. Perhaps, just as Ichika suggested, she might need to spend more time with Fuutaro, to discover his interest outside of studying, to get to know him better, bond with him, and make him notice her beyond just being friends.

"Insensitive as always huh…?"

"But you seem to know what I like…"

"I guess you're not as bad as I thought…"

"Now that the school trip is nearing…"

"I will make sure to use that chance to spend time with you…"

"To get to know you better and improve the relationship between us…"

"Ahh! Itsuki-san is finally here," Raiha exclaimed, pointing at the fifth quintuplet who was walking towards them.

"Sorry for the wait…"

Itsuki had finally finished her clothes shopping, catching up to the three who had been waiting for her for like an hour. She held a shopping bag in her right hand, but it seemed she had not bought as many clothes as Fuutaro had expected, considering the time she took browsing the clothing section. She found an empty seat on another nearby bench and Raiha immediately sat down next to her.

Raiha then asked Itsuki about the clothing they had seen earlier in the department store, particularly the underwear, as it had taken them a long time to decide which one Itsuki wanted to buy. "So, Itsuki-san, did you finally buy the one we saw earlier?"

"Y-Yeah… I decided to buy it," Itsuki nodded, slightly embarrassed by Raiha's question. She understood what the young girl meant. "Even though it seemed strange at first, it actually felt comfortable when I tried it on. I have to admit it is better than the ones I have at home," she explained, chuckling weakly as she recalled the image of the adult-sized underwear she had purchased.

"Well, since you're about to be an adult age next year, I say that underwear will fit right away for you."

"Ahaha… I guess you are right…"

Meanwhile, not far from their conversation, a mischievous glint appeared in Ichika's eyes as she playfully nudged Fuutaro's shoulder. She kept nudging him repeatedly, hinting at something she wanted to convey.

"Fuutaro-kun, now that Itsuki-chan is here, this is the perfect time to put what I taught you into practice!" Ichika whispered, her voice filled with anticipation. She stole a quick glance at Itsuki, engrossed in conversation with Raiha, before focusing her attention back on Fuutaro. "Remember, be careful with your words and make sure not to say anything that might upset her, okay?" With a playful wink, she silently wished him the best of luck on this test of his sensitivity.

"Yeah, yeah..." Fuutaro replied, his response laced with a hint of reluctance.

With a deep breath, he unenthusiastically stood up, making his way towards Itsuki. In his hands, he carried two large-portion of Takoyaki, a gesture of gratitude for buying him clothes. Ichika had advised Fuutaro to buy Takoyaki for Itsuki as part of his lesson in being more sensitive towards girls, knowing that the fifth quintuplet had a fondness for food. Fuutaro thought that this "lesson" would be fine since he did not like owing someone a favor, and based on Ichika's advice, he should treat girls to something they like once in a while.

Fuutaro approached the bench where Itsuki and Raiha were seated, presenting two boxes of Takoyaki to Itsuki. "Here... here's the Takoyaki I mentioned earlier."

Itsuki's eyes lit up with delight as she accepted the Takoyaki. "Ahh… Thank you!" she said, placing the second one on the vacant space beside her. The enticing aroma wafted through the air, making her mouth water in anticipation. She took a bite of the savory treat, and as expected, a blissful expression spread across her face. "Mmm... It's absolutely delicious! The timing could not be more perfect—I was starting to get hungry."

Amused by Itsuki's enthusiastic enjoyment of the snack, Fuutaro could not help but tease her. "Heh! As expected of you. I guess any food or snack can make you drool, huh?" His smirk conveyed both amusement and fondness for her voracious appetite. "Here's also some water for you to drink after you eat all of that." He pulled out a small bottle of water from his pocket, barely fitting inside.

"Thank you!" Itsuki said, accepting the water bottle and took a refreshing sip, grateful for the thoughtful gesture. Her voice resonated with genuine appreciation. "It is rare to see you being so kind, Uesugi-kun. Did you hit your head while waiting for me?" She playfully teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes—a look that Fuutaro had grown familiar with thanks to Ichika's countless teasing moments.

"Yeah… About that…"

"Onii-chan said he didn't want to owe you a favor for buying him clothing," Raiha revealed, her voice tinged with disapproval. "I scolded him for it, but he didn't seem to care." The slight frown on Raiha's face reflected her dissatisfaction with his reasoning.

"Hmm…. Is that so?" Itsuki's expression turned pensive as she pondered Raiha's words, all while finishing the first Takoyaki and reaching for the second one. She took a moment to savor the flavors, contemplating Fuutaro's actions.

Fuutaro sensed her contemplation and felt the need to clarify. "That's not entirely true," he interjected, his voice laced with a touch of urgency. He wanted to ensure she understood his intentions. "It's also my way of thanking you for buying me clothing."

"Well, I guess it is fine." Itsuki said, taking another sip of water. "Anyway, thank you again, Uesugi-kun. This Takoyaki is really good." Her lips curled into a warm smile, a mixture of gratitude and contentment.

"Yeah, no problem about it." Fuutaro replied. "By the way, Itsuki, would you like to join me and Raiha at the supermarket after this? We need to pick up some items for dinner, and it would be nice to have you with us..." His tone and expression betrayed a hint of awkwardness, and Itsuki could not help but notice.

Raising an eyebrow, Itsuki regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Really, why are you suddenly being so nice? It's not like you..."

Fuutaro sighed, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and nervousness for Ichika's meddling. "Well, you can thank Ichika for that. She wanted to test my behavior and teach me how to be nicer to girls. She gave me a few pointers," he confessed, his cheeks flushed as he covered his face with his right hand. "She said I needed to improve my attitude. And, you know the rest…"

"Ichika, huh?" Itsuki muttered, her gaze shifted towards Ichika, who responded with a wide smile and a playful wink. "Typical Ichika… Just like last time."

"Well, it seems Ichika's advice worked like a charm, and you certainly managed to please me," Itsuki stated, her eyes glimmered with a hint of fondness as she turned her attention back to Fuutaro, her voice carrying a gentle tone that conveyed her genuine appreciation. "Be sure to treat me again some other time, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah…" Fuutaro replied, his gaze meeting Itsuki's. "So, you want to go with us?"

"Yes, I will go with you," Itsuki nodded decisively, savoring the last bite of Takoyaki before standing up to discard the empty boxes. "In fact, I also need to buy some things at the supermarket, including food supplies for Nino."

"Yeah… Then, let's go." Fuutaro took the lead, guiding the way back to where Ichika was, while Raiha and Itsuki fell into step behind him.

As the group made their way towards the familiar supermarket where they usually shop, a mix of anticipation and quiet contemplation filled the air. Itsuki's mind remained occupied by Fuutaro's recent act of kindness. She could not deny that there had been a touch of awkwardness, but deep down, she knew it had come from his own willingness, even if it had been influenced by Ichika. His words during their encounter as Rena echoed in her mind, fueling her desire to be bolder in her approach, strengthen their relationship, and to capture his attention.

Now that the school trip was nearing, Itsuki's thoughts revolved around it, recognizing as a golden opportunity to spend meaningful time alone with Fuutaro.

"The school trip is nearing…"

"I could utilize this chance to create special moments with him..."

"I have several places in mind…"

"And among them, one location seems perfect..."

"Especially since he has cherished memories associated with it..."

A plan began to take shape in her mind, centered around that specific destination. The thought brought a renewed determination to her heart, as she contemplated how to make her move.

"Uesugi-kun…" Itsuki finally broke her silence, her voice laced with anticipation and resolve.

"Hmm… What's wrong?"

A flicker of boldness flashed in Itsuki's eyes as she locked gazes with Fuutaro, unwavering in her determination. "You know that the school trip is approaching, right?" she asked, her voice filled with confidence. "I have a proposal. How about my group and your group visit Kiyomizu-dera together?"

Fuutaro blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

"You have heard of it, right? Kiyomizu-dera is one of the destinations available for us to visit on the second day of the trip," Itsuki explained as she kept pressing him, her serious expression radiating certainty. "It is known for its breathtaking scenery and significant historical value. I believe it would be a wonderful addition to our trip report, don't you think?"

Caught off guard by Itsuki's unwavering gaze and her persuasive argument, Fuutaro felt a twinge of discomfort. He understood that she was earnestly pushing for this suggestion. "Uhh... Yeah... You make a good point," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of unease. "I'll think about it…"

Ichika could not hide her surprise as her eyes widened at the sight of her youngest sister suddenly exhibiting such boldness and suggesting a school trip destination out of the blue. Itsuki's newfound assertiveness intrigued Ichika, as it was a rare sight to witness her typically reserved sibling displaying such directness toward their tutor. Could it be that her earlier words of encouragement had fueled Itsuki's determination to make a move, prompting her to express her desires to Fuutaro without hesitation?

"Hmm… So Itsuki-chan is making her move, huh…?"

"This is becoming quite interesting..."

"Let's see about the others as well…"

"I have a feeling they might follow suit..."

"Especially Nino and Miku…"

A/N:

So here's Chapter 2, which focuses on Itsuki and her newfound confidence in spending time with Fuutaro during the upcoming school trip. This chapter may seem out of place since the story is meant to be a Fuutaro and Ichika story. However, I will explain what you can expect from this story in the next chapter's author's note.

Regarding the next chapter, it will be released either in the last week of December or the first week of January. I will be on vacation next week and plan to relax my mind from the stress of real-life work and other responsibilities. December is usually a month of relaxation and rest for me, so I hope that after the vacation and the Christmas holiday, I can continue writing this story with renewed enthusiasm. It can be challenging to maintain that "fire" when juggling work and writing.

Thank you for reading this chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it!

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