Chapter 19

"Did you find what you were looking for, Uesugi-kun?"

"No, I did not. The Konpeito candies were sold out, and they don't stock Hojicha tea leaves here," Fuutaro responded to Takeda, his arms crossing as he glanced over the shelves in front of them. "Unbelievable; a place this size should have more stock of that candy. And I thought that tea leaves would be common in Kyoto."

Fuutaro and his friends found themselves in the souvenir shop at the theme park, browsing the shelves for souvenirs after a taxing round of platform climbing. Following the challenging attraction, he proposed a visit to this particular shop, as he needed to check off the remaining items on his souvenir checklist: Konpeito candy and Hojicha Green Tea leaves.

Upon entering the shop, he dedicated the next thirty minutes to thoroughly examining every shelf and display table. Despite his efforts, the sought-after items remained elusive, causing frustration to bubble up within him. With annoyance growing, he double-checked each shelf and table, hoping to spot them somewhere. Not wanting to waste more time, Fuutaro approached one of the store's staff members to ask about the availability of the items.

To his growing suspicion and disappointment, the staff confirmed that the Konpeito candy had sold out due to a recent surge in demand over the past week. They also clarified that the store did not carry Hojicha tea leaves in the first place.

Joining Takeda and Maeda at the cashier, they seemed to have purchased a couple of boxes of Yatsuhashi for themselves. Fuutaro speculated that they might have been drawn to it after spotting his own Yatsuhashi, which he took out along with his other belongings from his wet backpack after running in the rain yesterday evening.

Watching his friends pay for their souvenirs weighed on Fuutaro, causing a heaviness in his chest and prompting a sigh. The prospect of leaving yet another souvenir shop empty-handed bothered him. He could already envision the disappointed expressions on Raiha and his dad's faces when he returned home with just one souvenir.

"Well, this suck..."

"This was my last shot at a souvenir shop since this evening will be restricted to the hotel only..."

"And to top it off, the hotel's shop doesn't even have those two items..."

"Now what am I supposed to do...?"

Lost in contemplation about the elusive souvenirs, Fuutaro's eyes caught a pair of brown aviator sunglasses displayed near the cashier. Approaching the exhibit, he moved closer, running his fingers over his chin while examining the shades. After about half a minute, he picked up the sunglasses and brought them to the cashier.

"Excuse me, how much are these glasses?" he inquired, placing the sunglasses on the counter.

The cashier staff scanned its barcode. "They cost 5500 Yen. Would you like to buy them?"

Fuutaro's eyes widened slightly, and a moment of silence followed as he stared at the glasses resting on the counter. Closing his eyes, he crossed his arms, grappling with the decision of whether to make the purchase, considering the price exceeded his budgetary norms. After weighing for about a minute, he chose to buy them, convinced that the design captured his taste and ultimately justifying the steep price tag. "Okay, I'll take it," he said, reaching for his wallet. He handed five 1000 Yen bills and a 500 Yen coin to the cashier.

"Certainly," the staff replied, accepting the money and providing Fuutaro with a receipt. "Would you like to wear it right away or have it packed?"

"Packed, please," he requested. The staff promptly placed the sunglasses inside a plastic case, then slipped the case into a plastic bag, handing it over to him. "Thank you."

Fuutaro took the bag and headed for the exit, where Takeda and Maeda awaited him.

Joining the group, Takeda turned to him, a curious expression on his face. "Hey, Uesugi-kun, did you pick up something? You seemed pretty focused on your checklist back there and not bothered with anything else." He gestured towards the plastic bag in Fuutaro's hand. "What made you change your mind? And what's in the bag?"

"Sunglasses," Fuutaro replied in a rather monotone voice.

Maeda arched an eyebrow, a hint of surprise coloring his expression. "Sunglasses, huh? Trying to add some style to your fashion? Well, that's a step forward for you, considering your appearance is usually bland and boring."

Fuutaro shook his head. "No, it's not for me." He cast a glance at the plastic bag and explained, "It's a gift for my old man. I just realized he's been wearing the same sunglasses for as long as I can remember, so I figured I might as well get him a new pair."

"Hmm… Is that so?" Takeda muttered, nodding repeatedly. A playful smirk followed. "You know, just like Maeda-kun said, I thought you were treating yourself to a style upgrade, finally realizing the need to spice up your monotone appearance and add a touch of style."

"I don't really care about how I present myself," Fuutaro stated. "As long as it's acceptable and neat enough for the public, I don't see the need for anything fancy to wear or to add."

"Right... Now that I've heard this from you, you might want to consider improving your overall appearance in addition to your personality. It could lead to an even more positive perception from people," Takeda stated, still smirking. He checked his wristwatch. "But that can wait; it's one step at a time. By the way, there are still around three hours left before the trip ends. So, where should we go next?"

"Let's hit up this café here," Maeda quickly suggested, pointing to a location on the map in his pamphlet. "I'm tired as hell after climbing all those platforms. My throat feels like the desert, and one more word from me might break my voice for the whole day..." He then cleared his throat, producing a rather rough sound.

"So, another café it is?" Takeda examined the location Maeda pointed out in the pamphlet. "Well, I suppose we don't have much choice. I'm pretty worn out too and could go for a milkshake or something. You up for a cold drink, Uesugi-kun?"

"Yeah, another cold drink sounds good," Fuutaro responded, clearing his dry throat. Thirst was creeping up on him again since the end of the climbing attraction. "Those platforms were no joke. I don't think I've been this tired out in ages. Even PE class feels like a warm-up compared to the hell we just went through." He stretched his tired arms overhead, feeling the strain of the activity.

"Hehe... Good to know you've got some sense of humor. I always thought you were incapable of that kind of thing," Takeda grinned as they made their way toward their next destination.

It took a few minutes for the trio to reach the café. Upon entering, they noticed some of their schoolmates were present, hanging out at the place. Their arrival promptly garnered attention, with many offering greetings and "hi"s, mostly directed at Takeda, given his status as one of the most popular students in school.

Opting for a vacant table in the indoor area, they chose the spot with air conditioners to cool off their heated bodies in the current hot weather. The waitress promptly approached, ready to take their orders. Fuutaro requested a glass of iced cola, Takeda opted for a milkshake, and Maeda ordered a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a large glass of iced coconut water.

As they waited for their orders, Takeda initiated a conversation with Fuutaro, "Hey, Uesugi-kun, do you remember the thing I wanted to tell you a few hours ago?" A teasing expression formed on his face as he revisited the topic he had postponed earlier.

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Guess what? Our friend Maeda-kun here, is currently dating a girl from the other class," he revealed, casting a quick glance at Maeda. "I know it might be surprising, but it's the truth! They're really getting along well, as close as you can imagine a couple to be."

Maeda, who had been listening to their conversation, could not help but display a flustered and annoyed expression at Takeda's statement. "O-Oi! It's not like that, Takeda!" he exclaimed loudly, drawing the attention of other customers in the café. Aware that he had garnered unwanted attention, he cleared his throat and composed himself. "Just so you know, I'm not dating her. We just hang out once in a while!" he declared, still audible but quieter than his initial outburst.

Takeda chuckled at Maeda's reaction before turning to Fuutaro. "See? His reaction says it all." He then rested his cheek on his fist, his elbow on the table. "From what you told me earlier, Maeda-kun, your interaction with her could easily be mistaken for dating, even though you said it's not. If the whole school sees you two together, they'll definitely jump to conclusions."

"Hey, who are you talking about?" Fuutaro chimed in, clueless but intrigued by his friends' conversation.

"It's Yoshida-san from class 3-3. You know her, right?" Takeda said, receiving a simple head shake from Fuutaro in return. "*sigh* You really are hopeless, Uesugi-kun. Three years at Asahiyama, and you still don't know all our peers? I might need to give you a tour of each classroom to introduce you to every third-year student."

Fuutaro rolled both his eyes in response. "Yeah, yeah, whatever... Anyway, is it true that Maeda is currently dating her?"

"From what I've seen, yes, absolutely," Takeda smirked. "You see, ever since last year's school trip, Maeda-kun told me he's been seeing Yoshida-san for almost every day. It all started when she agreed to be his dance partner during the campfire session on the last day of the trip."

"Hmm... I see," Fuutaro nodded.

"But their interaction didn't stop there. They continued to see each other after the trip, and it became more frequent at the start of this school year."

Fuutaro glanced at Maeda, noticing his hot-headed friend's flustered expression, ready to intervene and silence Takeda at any moment. He then refocused on Takeda. "And, is there anything else?"

"Maeda-kun also mentioned that he used to eat alone during the mid-day break, either in the cafeteria or classroom. Not many people wanted to join him because of his reputation at school. You're aware of that, right?" Takeda remarked, eliciting another nod from Fuutaro, who was familiar with the situation. "But ever since that school trip, Yoshida-san has been visiting his classroom or joining him in the cafeteria for lunch every once in a while. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but since the start of this school year, she's been accompanying Maeda-kun almost every day during lunch."

Before Takeda could delve further, their beverages finally arrived. The waitress placed their drinks in front of them, and the trio took a moment to refresh themselves with the cold beverages as their expressions started to lighten. However, Maeda remained visibly agitated.

Feeling refreshed after sipping his milkshake, Takeda continued, "And it doesn't end there... Maeda-kun often rides home with her on his bike after school. They even make pit stops at cafes or arcades for some 'private' time in the evenings," he remarked with a chuckle, stealing another quick glance at Maeda. "So, Uesugi-kun, what's your take? Do you think Maeda-kun is dating Yoshida-san?"

Fuutaro looked at Maeda, who was now busy eating his ice cream. He devoured the dessert quickly, then winced from an apparent brain freeze, holding both of his temples in a rough manner. Despite this certain friend's expression, Fuutaro commented, "Well... Judging from his face and your story, I'd say he's not dating Yoshida-san yet. But it seems he's definitely interested in her."

Unable to contain his embarrassment, Maeda slammed his fist on the table, though not loudly enough to attract attention like before. "Oi, Takeda, just quit it!" He took a deep breath and exhaled, continuing, "Like I said before, we're not dating, okay?"

"Are you really sure, Maeda-kun? I'm pretty sure I've heard some rumors going around in school that you two are already dating. If it's true that you ride home together on your bike, wouldn't you consider that dating?" Takeda's face bore a smirk as he continued to tease the flustered boy. "Just tell us about it. Don't be shy. Uesugi-kun and I are your friends, right? We won't tell anyone about it!"

"*sigh* How many times do I have to say it? No, we're not dating!" Maeda responded in an exhausted tone, emphasizing the last sentence. "And as for why we often go home together, her house is in the same direction as mine. So, it just makes sense to offer to go home together. And besides, she's a pleasant company to have."

"I see... In that case, what do you think of Yoshida-san?" Fuutaro took a sip of his iced cola.

"Well... She's definitely a nice person. When I used to eat alone in the classroom or cafeteria, she'd join me for lunch. Then, when I found out that our houses were close, I offered her a ride on my bike, and surprisingly, she agreed," Maeda explained. A faint smile curved on his lips and his face relaxed as he continued, "And from there, we've been going home together, chatting, and finding interesting topics to talk about. So, there you have it. It's just as simple as that."

Takeda nodded repeatedly, intrigued by his classmate's explanation. "Interesting, though... But the more important question is, are you really interested in her?"

"Huh…?" Maeda was caught off guard by the question. He shifted his weight, folding his arms and directing his gaze towards the ceiling, lost in contemplation. "Umm… There weren't many other girls in school who were willing to approach me besides Yoshida-san. She's always been kind and nonjudgmental, even with my less-than-favorable reputation because of my appearance and attitude." Pausing, he closed his eyes briefly before coming to a conclusion. "If I were to really think about it… Yeah, I guess I do like her."

A satisfied chuckle escaped Takeda, and Fuutaro nodded a few times, indicating their interest in hearing Maeda's story and his feelings.

"Good for you, Maeda-kun. From what I know, Yoshida-san is a good person with a nice personality. Her actions with you seem sincere," Takeda nodded approvingly. "Now that it's clear you both are interested with each other, have you thought about taking the next step and asking her out?"

Maeda's eyes widened, taken aback by the suggestion. "E-Ehh…? Ask her out?"

"Of course. Moving quickly is crucial before any unexpected things show up, or you might end up regretting missed opportunities," Takeda advised, his demeanor becoming more serious. "You know, high school is the best time to explore relationships. University life tends to get hectic, making it harder to start one. And post-university graduation or if you decide to skip university and head straight into the working world... I don't need to state it out. You can see how most adults dedicate their lives to their careers."

"Hmm… You make a good point there," Maeda acknowledged, reclining in his chair as confusion formed on his face. "But still, the idea of asking her out is really terrifying... I still remember the nerve-wracking experience of asking Nakano Ichika-san to be my dance partner before last year's school trip. I was nervous as hell!" He then shot a fierce, accusing look at Fuutaro, widening the latter's eyes in surprise. "In the end, she turned me down, choosing to be with this guy right here! I still haven't forgiven you for that, Uesugi!"

Fuutaro let out a weak smirk, recalling the moment Maeda had just mentioned. At that time, Ichika was actually Miku in disguise, as the eldest sister sought the third sister's assistance in turning down Maeda's request. During the charade, Miku had to hold hands with Fuutaro to persuade Maeda, who remained skeptical of her claim that they were going out together.

A small chuckle escaped him as Fuutaro replied, "Well, it's not as happy as you might think." Lounging back in his chair, he continued, "I ended up with a horrible fever because of an incident the day before the campfire. So, in the end, I didn't even get a chance to dance with Ichika."

"Still, I can't wrap my head around how Nakano-san would prefer someone like you!" Maeda exclaimed, his irritation evident, and his expression far from satisfied. "*sigh* Maybe I should let it go since I already have Yoshida-san to hang out with."

"Alright, now I can see that you're definitely interested in Yoshida-san," Takeda remarked, taking a quick sip of his milkshake before suggesting, "How about this? Ask her out during the upcoming school festival. It's a perfect opportunity with everything you need to set the right mood. Invite her to stroll around, play some games, venture into the haunted house, and share snacks. You know about the festival's reputation, right? Many students use this event to confess, and it wouldn't be unusual or out of place."

"Hmm… I still need to think about it," Maeda muttered, placing his hand on his forehead and shaking his head slightly. "I might need more advice from you since you seem to know a lot about this… And maybe you can help me feel more confident about the idea of confessing and asking her out. Keep your phone active during summer vacation for when I need to call you, okay?"

"Hehe… No worries. My ears and phone are always open for any friends seeking my opinion or advice. I've told the same to Uesugi-kun," Takeda happily reassured, looking at both Fuutaro and Maeda. "And since we've mentioned Nakano quintuplets in our talk, Uesugi-kun, do you have any particular interest in one of them?"

Fuutaro was taken aback by the question, displaying a small surprise on his face. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Like I said many times before, you've spent a lot of time with them, almost every day, at school and their house…" Takeda said, resting his cheek on his fist again, sporting a smile. "It would be natural that over time, you'd develop an interest in one of them. So, has that feeling finally surfaced for you?"

Fuutaro glanced upward for a moment before replying in a casual tone, "Well, yeah, I like all of them. They've made impressive progress in their studies since I started tutoring them. Besides, they're a pleasant company to have with, so I don't mind spending time with them every day and anytime."

"Hehh… So, I guess the feelings between you and them are mutual," Takeda said, his smile turning into an intrigued smirk. "But here's the most important question: which quintuplet are you interested in the most? By 'interested,' I mean in the same context as Maeda-kun and Yoshida-san, not just based on academic performance."

Anxiety built up inside Fuutaro, and his stomach felt like it was turning upside down at Takeda's question. He genuinely liked all of them, appreciating each of their unique personality. Witnessing their determination and academic growth, from struggling to surpassing expectations, filled him with pride for both their effort and his tutoring.

But in the context of a relationship, there was one quintuplet he could envision being with. Fuutaro had once pondered the idea of a future relationship with her—the quintuplet who always brought him comfort and joy whenever they were together. There was something indescribable about her, something he could not quite put into words, that set her apart from the other four.

The image of her cool, cheerful, and playful face resonated clearly in his mind, much like a bright sunny day. The thought of her teasing and joyful personality always brought him a unique sense of comfort, especially when experienced in person. However, this remained a very personal matter, one he guarded closely and did not discuss, not even with his family.

This thought brought a spontaneous smile to Fuutaro's face as he responded to his friends, "No... I can't choose between any of them," he admitted, though not entirely truthful. "They're all very good person, and I really enjoy their company. Besides, if I were to develop a liking for one of them, I wouldn't tell it to you two so early. Some personal things are better kept as secrets until a certain time arrives, wouldn't you agree?"

"Trying to play it cool, huh?" Takeda smirked, laughing, clearly entertained by the response. "But honestly, it wouldn't shock me if you ended up dating one of the quintuplets. After all, there's not a single girl in school other than them who interacts with you, right?" he teased.

"Heh, let's leave that to the future," Fuutaro remarked as his smile subtly shifted into a small smirk. "Besides, I'm not particularly interested in love or romance since it could mess with my studies and get in the way of making money."

"To this day, I still can't understand how Nakano Ichika-san chose you as her partner for last year's school trip," Maeda mused, shaking his head at Fuutaro's apparent popularity with the quintuplets. "And it's not just her; all her sisters seem to get along so well with you. What's your secret?"

"That, you should probably ask each of them about their opinion on me, and then you'll have your answer," Fuutaro responded cheekily. His gaze then shifted to Maeda's ice cream bowl, spotting an interesting sight that made his smirk grow wider. Closing his eyes as he rested his cheek on his fist, he exclaimed playfully, "Hey, Maeda, your ice cream needs some attention; it's not looking great."

Maeda redirected his attention to his bowl of ice cream, realizing it had turned into a melted mess. Startled, he quickly devoured the ice cream at lightning speed, resulting in another brain freeze.

Fuutaro could not help but let out a small laugh as he witnessed Maeda's brain freeze, finding amusement in the sight while casually sipping his iced cola. His attention then shifted to Takeda, who had subtly moved his chair closer, speaking in a hushed tone, "It's nice to see you opening up, Uesugi-kun. You're proving to be a good person to befriend." Chuckling in a teasing style, he then exclaimed, "And about what you said earlier, I might have an idea about which quintuplet has caught your interest the most... But I won't say it, for now, for the sake of your dignity."

In response, Fuutaro smirked and closed his eyes once again, finding amusement in Takeda's playful speculation. "Heh! Go ahead and take your best guess, Takeda."

A/N:

Chapter 19 is now complete, here it is!

After the events of the last chapter, I felt there needed to be a follow-up to continue exploring the developing friendship between Fuutaro, Takeda, and Maeda. Last chapter really felt like the climax of their mini-arc of friendship, and now that Fuutaro is more accepting and friendly towards them, another chapter focusing on their friendship felt necessary.

With the release of this chapter, the mini-story about Fuutaro's friendship with Takeda and Maeda has reached its conclusion. From the next chapter onwards, the moment you all have been waiting for, we will finally shift our focus to the much-awaited pairing of Fuutaro and Ichika, which has been the main point of this story all along. After much writing and updating, I'm thrilled that the story is finally reaching this stage, even though I'm the writer lol!

I also realized that this story has surpassed 100k words, making it quite a lengthy read. And yet, it's not even close to the end. In fact, it will be longer than its prequel, which totaled around 110k words. This length is due to the various aspects I've introduced, some of which may have seemed unrelated to the main storyline. The reasons for this can be found in the A/N of Chapter 3 and Chapter 5. I hope you're not feeling burned out from following this story because, from this point on, it's going to be an exciting journey.

Regarding the usual chapter update, Chapter 17 of "Our Promise and Bet" has been fixed and updated. Feel free to revisit that chapter or read it if you're a newcomer.

Looking ahead, if all goes well, the next chapter will be released in the first week of April (1st – 7th April). Keep an eye out for its release during that week

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

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