Chapter 22

Ichika eagerly approached Fuutaro, her excitement evident as she anticipated spending time together. With a playful glint in her eye, she quietly crept up behind him, intending to catch him off guard and tease him as she often did.

Suppressing a chuckle, she raised her hands and exclaimed, "Wahh! Yahoo, Fuutaro-kun!" Her voice was loud and cheerful as she dropped her hands onto his shoulders.

"Woahh!" Fuutaro jumped in surprise, his pen slipping from his grasp and hitting the floor. He turned around to see Ichika grinning widely, clearly amused by his reaction. "Ichika, huh…?" he remarked with an unamused frown as he picked up his pen before settling back on the sofa.

"Hehe, did I surpise you?" Ichika chuckled, joining him on the sofa. "Your face was fantastic when you jumped out of your seat."

Her gaze then fell on Fuutaro's outfit, a yellow zip-up hoodie with a sports logo on the chest. She recognized it instantly; after all, she had personally picked it out for him just a few days ago during their shopping trip.

A sense of appreciation welled up in her heart, pleased that he liked it enough to bring it along on the school trip.

"So, what are you doing, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked playfully, shifting her attention from his hoodie to the open notebook on the table, something that she had noticed vaguely earlier. "What's with the notebook? What are you writing at this nighttime?" She leaned in for a closer look, but Fuutaro quickly snatched it away and snapped it shut. "Huh?"

"No, don't look at it yet," Fuutaro said, a hint of panic in his voice, earning a suspicious look from Ichika. "I can show it to you in a few days. It's still a mess right now."

Ichika raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Fuutaro's cryptic demeanor. "What are you talking about? What's in that notebook that you're hiding from me?" Her trademark teasing grin returned as she added, "Hehh... Are you writing something perverted in there? If so, you're a hopeless pervert, you know that?" She playfully turned away with a faux frown, pretending to be unimpressed.

"O-Oi! It's definitely not like that!" Fuutaro protested, flustered by her unfounded accusation. He paused, watching as Ichika glanced back at him, her lips pursed, and seemed displeased for not revealing his notebook. With a sigh, he reluctantly handed her the notebook. "Fine... Here you go."

Ichika took the book and quickly scanned its contents. "The Fushimi Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto and is known for the Senbon Torii, which is..." she murmured, reading aloud a sentence. "Kiyomizu-dera is located in the eastern part of Kyoto and was built on the site of Otowa Waterfall..."

She fell silent, flipping back and forth through the pages, taking in the names and brief explanations of every destination they had visited in the past two days. "Uhh... Are you working on the school trip report, Fuutaro-kun?" Her expression genuinely unamused as she held onto the book.

Fuutaro sighed. "Well... It's kind of embarrassing to be caught." He took the notebook away from Ichika and quickly stashed it in his bag. "What you just saw is still a rough draft. Give me a few days, and I'll improve it."

"N-No, I'm not critiquing your writing!" Ichika exclaimed, genuinely surprised by Fuutaro's dedication to his schoolwork. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Fuutaro-kun, we're still on a school trip, and you're already working on the trip report? We're supposed to be having fun, not doing homework or school assignments…" She shook her head, baffled by his unyielding interest in academics, even during vacation. "You really don't understand the concept of relaxation, huh?"

"Oi, oi… I can't help it, you know?" Fuutaro replied lazily, sinking into the sofa. "I was bored for the past few hours, and there was nothing else to do… So, I figured I might as well start the school trip report now to make it easier later."

"No, what I mean is…" Ichika's words trailed off, struggling to express her concern about his extreme focus to academics during the trip. Eventually, she sighed, realizing it might be futile to argue. "If you were so bored, why didn't you hang out with your groupmates? Takeda-kun and Maeda-kun are fun to be around. You could've played some games or talked about other things with them…"

"Nope, I'll pass on that," Fuutaro said, shaking his head. "Those two were so loud back in the room, playing a board game Maeda bought earlier at the theme park. Then, some of Takeda's friends joined in, and the room felt like our classroom during break," he explained, rolling his eyes. "So, I came down to the lobby to escape the chaos. But I got bored again and decided to write the report. And here we are."

"*sigh* You never change, Fuutaro-kun…" Ichika muttered, recognizing Fuutaro's somewhat unsociable behavior. Yet, deep down, she was thankful. Thanks to whatever had happened in his room, brought him down to the lobby, giving her a chance to be with him.

Hearing that Fuutaro was currently bored, Ichika saw an opportunity to alleviate his boredom. It seemed he would not be returning to his trip report anytime soon due to her unexpected arrival and his explanation of the commotion in his room. With nothing else to occupy him and still feeling bored, it presented the perfect opportunity for her to enjoy some alone time with him – a desire she had been harboring.

With this revelation, her frown turned into a joyful expression like the one she had before. "Hehe... Today's your lucky day, Fuutaro-kun! Ichika-onee-san is here to rescue you from boredom!" she said, playfully raising her index finger. "No need to worry, because I'll keep you company and save you from loneliness!"

Fuutaro's face lit up with a small smile, intrigued by her offer. He always enjoyed her playful side and teasing nature. "Yeah, I think I could use your company. Much better than being cooped up with those people in my room." Now in a teasing mood himself, a facet of his personality he rarely displayed to anyone besides the girl beside him, he added, "Now then, what do you have in mind to entertain me, Ichika-onee-san?"

Ichika raised an eyebrow, surprised by Fuutaro's playful tone. "Hehh... This is the first time I've heard you call me onee-san... Are you sure you're not half-asleep, Fuutaro-kun?" she teased, enjoying the banter.

"Nope, wide awake as an owl at night," he replied, his hands resting behind his head.

"Hmm… what should we talk about?" Ichika pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. A topic immediately came to mind – one she had discussed with her sisters earlier. "Hey, what's your take on this school trip? Did you enjoy it? Any particular moment or day that stood out to you?"

Still in the same pose, Fuutaro gazed up at the ceiling, contemplating his response. After a moment, he replied, "I definitely enjoyed this school trip. It's probably one of the best ones I've ever had," he said with a faint smile. "As for my favorite moment… nothing stands out in particular. Although, I'd say today's trip was interesting. Watching the live filming and trying on a kimono were more enjoyable than anything in the past two days."

"Yeah, me too!" Ichika nodded eagerly. She continued with a cheerful expression, "Toei Studio Park was really fun! The Edo period theme was unique, and the attractions were fun to play. You know, when we went to the climbing attraction, Yotsuba broke a record for the fastest time on one of the platforms."

Fuutaro chuckled. "Yeah, I heard about it. One of the staff members told me. They were all impressed since no one had finished in under nine seconds before. She did it in about seven."

"Yeah, that's right. Everyone at the attraction was in awe of Yotsuba's speed." Ichika pulled out her phone, scrolling through the gallery before showing him a photo of Yotsuba proudly displaying her certificate and prize. "Look, they even presented her with a certificate and a special prize for breaking the record."

"Nino and Itsuki-chan weren't interested in the climbing attraction, so they went to the souvenir shop instead. Miku and I only climbed one platform. It was tough and tiring, so we didn't enjoy it as much as Yotsuba," she explained. "But my favorite part was watching the live filming and trying on kimonos! Not many amusement parks offer that experience."

Fuutaro smiled, warmed by her enthusiasm as she recounted her own experience at Toei Studio Park. He loved seeing her so passionate about the things she enjoyed. Her smile, cheerful demeanor, and the effortless way she chatted with him were things he truly loved, no matter how long they lasted.

"Yeah, you looked really good in that kimono," he remarked, recalling the beautiful sight of her that still lingered in his mind.

The compliment brought a blush to both her cheeks, accompanied by a grin. "Thank you! You also looked good in that kimono, especially with the Haori!"

"It was a rare opportunity to wear a kimono and haori. So, I definitely enjoyed that experience."

In the midst of their lively conversation, Fuutaro retrieved his phone from his pocket, briefly checking the screen before putting it away. Then, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small, white case.

"Hey, Ichika, let's play a few rounds of that popular poker variation," he suggested, opening the case and sliding out a stack of cards. "You okay with that?"

Ichika peered at the cards, curious. "Hmm? A card game?"

"Yeah, it's something I've been wanting to play for a while," Fuutaro said as he began shuffling the deck. "Since those two are busy with their friends and the board game, I thought we could play together to pass the time."

Ichika's enthusiasm bubbled forth at the suggestion, her excitement evident in the sparkle of her eyes. While she had been thoroughly enjoying their conversation, the prospect of engaging in a game with Fuutaro added an extra layer of enjoyment to their time together, surpassing her initial expectations.

"Sure, that sounds like fun!" She eagerly accepted five cards that Fuutaro handed. "I had a good run playing this a few days ago with those four, so get ready, Fuutaro-kun!" Flashing a sharp gaze, she confidently smirked at him.

"Heh, we'll see about that," Fuutaro responded with a matching smirk as he placed the remaining stack of cards on the table in front of them.

As the card game began, they both became absorbed in their hands, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation as they strategized to create winning combinations.

After five minutes, the first round concluded, with Ichika emerging victorious. Her grin widened, accompanied by delighted giggles, while Fuutaro responded with a small "heh" before proceeding to shuffle the cards for the next round.

As the game progressed, their expressions reflected the outcomes. The winner wore a satisfied grin, punctuated by laughter, while the loser's face bore a slight frown and the occasional sigh. Despite the competitive edge, the atmosphere remained light-hearted, with jokes and teasing exchanged between them, eliciting chuckles and smiles that kept the mood carefree.

For Fuutaro, the rarity of playing card games with people outside his family struck him. Even within his own household, such activities were uncommon, reserved for special occasions like holidays or school breaks. Playing this game sparked a memory from the past, reminding him that the last time he engaged in a card game with someone other than Raiha or his dad was with Rena, or whatever her name was—the girl he met six years ago on a school trip.

"How many years has it been…?"

"Six years, huh…?"

"The last time I played cards with someone other than Raiha and my old man…"

"Come to think of it, it was really fun playing cards with her…"

"And somehow, I feel the same now…"

On the other hand, Ichika found herself lost in a cherished memory from six years ago during an elementary school trip. It was when she first encountered Fuutaro at the inn where she stayed with her sisters and mother. While wandering around, she bumped into Fuutaro in a spare room, and he invited her to play cards to pass the time. The game was a lot of fun, much like the present moment, and Ichika was captivated by Fuutaro's lively personality, marking him as her first love. The delightful twist of fate, experiencing a similar scenario six years later—on another school trip in the same city, at a hotel, with the same boy she had harbored feelings for—filled her with overwhelming happiness.

"This feels so nostalgic…"

"Playing cards with you again…"

"Just like last time…when we played a lot of rounds throughout the night…"

"And six years later, here we are, doing the same thing…"

"Fate really works in mysterious ways, huh…?"

"And I'm really happy right now…"

Twenty-five minutes had flown by, and they were starting the fifth round of their poker game. Just before the round began, Fuutaro mentioned he had something important to share after the game. He suggested concluding the game after this round, leaving Ichika curious about what he might reveal.

The score stood at 2-2, with Ichika taking the first and fourth rounds, while Fuutaro claimed victories in the second and third. The outcome of this decisive final round would determine the ultimate winner of their engaging twenty-five-minute duel.

During the round, the lighthearted banter and teasing that had characterized their earlier games were notably absent. Both adopted a serious demeanor, intensifying the atmosphere. The ambiance resembled that of the quintuplets' card game on the train a few days prior, albeit devoid of any underlying hostility. As they drew and discarded cards, maintaining poker faces became second nature, concealing their emotions. Ichika, an actress by profession, found it easy to keep a composed expression. Fuutaro, known for his monotone demeanor, effortlessly maintained his neutral look while examining his hand.

The neat stack of cards that had adorned the table at the outset of the round now lay scattered in disarray, discarded remnants of their strategic maneuvers. Eventually, the round reached its conclusion, heralding the moment of truth as they prepared to reveal their final card combinations.

"Alright, here it goes!" Ichika declared confidently, ready to lay down her cards.

"Okay, here are my cards," Fuutaro said, appearing somewhat uncertain as he placed them down.

With their respective sets of five cards laid out, they carefully inspected each other's hands to determine the victor. Fuutaro revealed a pair consisting of two ones, a seven, a king, and an ace. In contrast, Ichika displayed two pairs: a pair of queens, a pair of kings, and a two.

Ichika's face lit up with joy as she realized she had emerged victorious in the card game. "Yay! I win!" she exclaimed, happily clasping her hands together.

"*sigh* What a shit luck... After all that effort, this is the best hand I end up with..." Fuutaro grumbled with a hint of frustration, closing his eyes momentarily and shaking his head. With a deep breath, he released the tension of defeat. "Anyway, good game, Ichika."

"Thanks, it was really fun!" Ichika nodded, still feeling over the moon. "We should play again more often sometime. It's always fun playing with you, Fuutaro-kun."

As he gathered the cards back into a stack and returned them to the case, he replied with a wry smile, "Heh, of course it was fun for you because you won the game." But inside, he felt warmth from seeing her so happy. "But seriously, I still can't believe you got a royal flush in the last round. The chance of getting that combination is basically—"

"1 in 649,000, right?" Ichika confidently completed his sentence, raising her index finger.

During the fourth round of the card game, she somehow managed to assemble the rarest card combination in poker. When Ichika acquired the final card needed for the royal flush, her heart skipped a beat, unable to believe her luck. Despite her disbelief, she managed to maintain a poker face, albeit with some difficulty. Upon revealing her hand at the round's end, Fuutaro was left astonished. He examined her cards repeatedly, even rubbing his eyes a few times in disbelief at the extraordinary combination.

"Hooo… I'm surprised to hear that you know the odds," he remarked, a bit impressed by her knowledge.

"We learned that in math last year during the probability topic, remember?" Ichika reminded him with a smile. "It stuck with me because it marked the first time I scored above 70 on a quiz."

"Yeah, I forgot that you're good at math," Fuutaro said. "But I'm still convinced that you cheated and rigged the shuffle," he smirked, spinning the case with his fingers.

"Hehe… You should accept the loss and try your luck next time!" Ichika playfully said to him, raising her index finger once more. "Onee-san will gladly accept another game from you, so don't be shy to challenge me, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll remember that," Fuutaro replied with a smile.

After stowing the card case back into his bag, Fuutaro retrieved his phone, glancing at the screen to check the time. It read 9:28 PM, quickly ticking over to 9:29 PM. His gaze wandered to the ceiling, realizing how swiftly time had passed during their card game with Ichika. What felt like five minutes turned out to be half an hour of enjoyable diversion.

"It's already this late, huh…?"

"Time sure flew by fast when we were playing…"

"Now then…"

Slipping his phone into his pocket, Fuutaro decided it was time to address the important matter that he hinted to her earlier.

"Hey, Ichika, let's talk about the thing that I mentioned earlier," he said as his expression grew serious, locking eyes with her. "It's going to be important, so please hear me out."

"What is it, Fuutaro-kun?" Ichika asked, tilting her head curiously.

Fuutaro took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm going to sneak out of the hotel after this." His statement earned a surprise expression from Ichika, just as he had expected. "There are things I've been searching for since the start of this trip, and I haven't been able to find them, not even today. They're really important, and I need to get them before we head back home tomorrow. So, I'm planning to go to the Gion district to find them."

Ichika's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth falling open. The idea of him sneaking out from the hotel caught her off guard and she had not expected such a risky move, especially given the teachers' repeated and stern warnings against leaving the hotel premises since the trip began. The consequences for those caught sneaking out had been made abundantly clear by their teachers, and the stories of students getting caught, either by attempting to do so or returning unlucky, had circulated among them.

Whatever Fuutaro was searching for must have held great importance to him, given his willingness to act recklessly and face potential punishment. However, Ichika could not support his actions due to the associated risks and unknown consequences.

"F-Fuutaro-kun, what are you thinking? You know sensei always warned us not to leave the hotel after dinner, right? If you get caught sneaking out, there will be punishment after the school trip," she said, her voice tinged with panic. "What are those things that are so important, anyway?

"It's Konpeito candy and Hojicha tea leaves," he explained calmly yet firmly. "The candy is for Raiha. I made a promise to her, and she's been eagerly anticipating it, even reminding me several times before I left for the station." He sighed, recalling the unsuccessful attempts to find these items over the past two days. "As for the tea leaves, my old man asked me to pick some up if I came across any. He'll likely brew a cup of tea with them when he returns home from work. Hojicha tea is renowned for its relaxing and rejuvenating properties, something he definitely needs after his long shifts and late hours. With his multiple part-time jobs, he's always exhausted by the time he gets back."

Ichika could sympathize with Fuutaro's intentions, knowing that he always cared for his family, especially Raiha. Still, she could not shake off her worry about him breaking the rules to find those two items. "Can't you look for those things tomorrow on the way to the station? There should be souvenir shops nearby, even at the station itself," she suggested, still uneasy about his plan to sneak out.

"I've already checked those places on the first day, but they didn't have either of those items. They were either sold out or not stocked," Fuutaro said. "Originally, I planned to look for them during the evening trip on the second day, but as you know, that got canceled." He showed Ichika his phone, displaying a list of shops in the Gion district on a map app. "I've been searching online for some souvenir shops since we got back this evening, and I found some promising ones. Most are in the Gion district, and luckily, they're still open at this time. The online reviews says they have a good selection and variety."

"But..." Ichika started, her worry evident.

"This is the last day of the school trip. I can't afford to return home empty-handed and see a disappointed expression on Raiha's and my old man's faces," Fuutaro insisted firmly. Pausing briefly, his gaze meeting her worried expression, and his own softened. With another deep breath and a slow exhale, he added, "And also… I want you to come with me, Ichika."

"Ehh...?" Ichika's expression shifted into one of utter shock, her hands instinctively covering her gasping mouth in response to his unexpected offer.

"I'm not joking, and I'm serious about it," Fuutaro asserted, maintaining the seriousness in his expression. "I want you to join me in going to the Gion district. So, will you accompany me, Ichika?"

After the day's trip to Toei Studio Park concluded, Fuutaro carefully reviewed his new plan to spend time with Ichika. He mulled it over repeatedly until they returned to the hotel, determined to seize the opportunity it presented. His plan involved sneaking out at night to search for souvenirs for his family while enjoying a walk with Ichika, effectively accomplishing two goals at once. The disappointment of not finding the souvenirs he sought in every shop he visited over the past two days fueled his determination to enact this plan. Moreover, it was a chance to make amends for previous failed attempts to walk with Ichika.

This time, there should be no more obstacles to block him from doing so.

With the plan firmly in mind, he wasted no time putting it into action. As night descended, his first move was to call Ichika and arrange to meet in the lobby. Luckily, she was already there when he was about to reach out to her, which was a relief to him. Next, he planned to engage her in a card game, hoping to lighten the mood and set the stage for their conversation. Finally, they would discreetly sneak out of the hotel, venturing into the Gion district to search for souvenirs and relish some quality time together.

Given the plan's importance to Fuutaro, he carefully considered every possible outcome. Among the scenarios, one stood out as the worst: Ichika rejecting his invitation, leaving him to proceed alone. While he did not mind the prospect of being stopped by the teachers during their attempt, as long as they made the attempt, Fuutaro sincerely hoped Ichika would not turn down his proposition.

Spending time with Ichika was Fuutaro's top priority on this school trip, and he was eager to create memorable memories together. Those brief time with her at Toei Studio Park was not enough and he was yearning for more of it.

A heavy silence enveloped them after his revelation, leaving an air of uncertainty lingering.

Fuutaro stole a glance at Ichika, finding her seemingly lost in thought, her head lowered, and her hair obscuring most of her face, making it impossible to read her expression. Turning his gaze forward, he could only hope Ichika would agree to join him. Yet, if she refused, then so be it; he resolved to proceed alone in search of the Konpeito candy and Hojicha tea leaves for his family.

Minutes ticked by, the tension remaining palpable, and still, there was no response from Ichika.

Closing his eyes briefly, Fuutaro posed the question again, his voice steady, "So, Ichika, have you decided yet?" He checked the time on his phone before returning it to his pocket. "It's getting late, and I'll still be going, with or without you. But I would really appreciate it if you'd agree to accompany me. Can you please give me your answer now?"

After what felt like a prolonged silence, Ichika finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I..." Her words trailed off weakly, leaving the tension between them unresolved.

A/N:

Alright, I'm back, and here's Chapter 22!

There isn't much to say about this chapter since it pretty much conveys everything I had in mind. Or maybe the one-month break has made my mind a bit dull, and I can't think of anything interesting to add? I don't know lol! But it's great to be back and updating this story again.

As for the next chapter, it should be released in the final week of June (24th - 30th). So, keep an eye out for a new chapter 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!