Chapter 34

After thirty minutes, their break came to an end. It was time to return back into the trip report. Ichika, feeling refreshed from a leisurely soak in the bath, returned to the group just in time. She settled down onto the floor, reaching for her iced coffee, savoring the cool sip. Yotsuba slid next to her, whispering something that set them both off into muffled laughter, causing Ichika to nearly spill her drink in her amusement.

"Alright, break's over—let's get back to work!" Fuutaro called out, his voice animated with renewed energy. "Now that you've finished the introduction, the next part should be simpler. You'll go through the activities for each day of the trip. Start with the first day, move on to the second, and wrap up with the third."

The quintuplets listened attentively, nodding along as Fuutaro explained the next steps.

"For each day, list the places you visited," he instructed, "give a bit of background—mention the main attractions, any points of interest—and then add your own experiences and thoughts. And don't forget to include photos; they'll make the report feel more complete and interesting." He paused, glancing at each of their faces to make sure they were following along. "Any questions before you get started?"

Nino raised her hand. "Do we have to start from the first day?" she asked.

Fuutaro met her gaze with a decisive nod. "Yes, following the order of events keeps the report organized and easy to understand."

Nino glanced at him for a few seconds, folding her arms as she closed her eyes. "Nope, I don't want to," she said flatly.

Fuutaro blinked, caught off guard by her blunt response. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"You see, the first day was pretty miserable for me," she admitted, her voice filled with resentment. "We spent hours wandering around Fushimi Shrine, which was just a bunch of old temples and shrines. And don't even get me started on that long, grueling hike to see yet another ancient shrine. Honestly, I didn't enjoy a single moment of it."

Nino opened her eyes, shooting a glance at her sisters. "And as if that wasn't bad enough, we had that creepy stalker incident at the hotel that evening." Her voice faltered for a moment, a chill seeping into her tone. "With all of that put together, I'm really not in the mood to relive that day in this report. It'll just kill my vibe and put me in a bad mood."

Yotsuba and Itsuki exchanged uneasy glances, each of them shuddering a little at the memory. They had been there with Nino, experiencing the strange, unsettling presence that had followed them that evening, and the whole incident was something none of them wanted to revisit.

Fuutaro, on the other hand, rubbed his temples, clearly baffled by the second quintuplet's reasoning.

"If you ask me, I'd prefer to start with the second day," Nino said, where a dreamy smile lighting up her face. "It was by far the best day of the trip… from morning until night."

Fuutaro sighed, his annoyance showing. "Oi, you can't just skip around in the report like that," he replied in exasperated tone. "Trust me, it's going to make it a lot easier to stay on track, and you'll thank yourself later."

Nino shook her head stubbornly. "Nope, I'm still not doing it." Then, her gaze softened, and she cast a playful, almost mischievous look in Fuutaro's direction. Her voice shifted, almost dreamy. "You know why I loved the second day so much? It was because of that time we got stuck in that little souvenir café shop—and had to run back to the bus through that heavy rain." A soft smile crept onto her lips as she locked eyes with him. "That moment was something else… especially since you were there with me."

Fuutaro blinked, clearly caught off guard by her sudden change in demeanor. "H-Huh?"

"You know," she leaned in just slightly, speaking in a teasing tone, "I might just include that moment in my report. After all, you did say we should add our personal experiences and thoughts for every place we went, right?"

The playful exchange between Nino and Fuutaro did not go unnoticed. Miku's gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing into an icy glare at the second sister, lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line.

Without warning, she cut into the conversation, her voice carrying an intensity that sliced through the lighthearted mood. "I'm with Fuutaro. We should start with the first day if we want the report to make any sense." She paused, taking a moment to close her eyes and steady herself before continuing in a more measured tone. "Besides, Nino, you're the only one who found everything as 'boring.' Fushimi Shrine is a beautiful, historically rich place—full of fascinating historical objects like the Senbon Torii."

She opened her eyes, fixing Nino with a steely stare. "Maybe your tastes are just too shallow to appreciate something of real significance. You'd be better off writing on your time at the hotel, since that place seems to be the only part of the trip you actually enjoyed."

Nino's smile instantly dropped as her expression darkened into a fierce scowl. "Huh?!" Her temper ignited, just as expected, the familiar tension starting to flare between them. "I'm not some history-obsessed nerd! I actually have sophisticated tastes and know how to keep up with modern trends—unlike someone who's stuck obsessing over dusty relics 24/7. Maybe you should take a hard look in the mirror and rethink your so-called 'taste'!"

Miku's frown only deepened. The jab at her passion for history hit hard. "Your crude statements only prove my point," she retorted, her voice filled with suppressed tension. "It's like comparing a commoner to a shogun. Some of us actually have refined, honorable tastes and can appreciate history's depth. Others, like you, are stuck in their narrow, shallow worlds."

"What?! You... Say that again, I dare you!"

The other three sisters exchanged wary glances, their expressions neutral but their eyes showing an undercurrent of concern. They were all too familiar with the flare-ups between Nino and Miku, but ever since the former's infamous clash with Itsuki, the others remained quietly alert, prepared to step in if things escalated further.

Noticing the rising tension and the impending clash, Fuutaro knew he had to intervene before things got out of hand. "Oi, that's enough!" he shouted firmly, his voice breaking through the heated atmosphere. "Why do you two always end up bickering over stuff like this?"

"You stay out of this, Fuu-kun! This is between us sisters," Nino shot back, her finger pointing accusingly at him before snapping her gaze back to Miku. "And you, your metaphor doesn't even make sense! Because—" Her words faltered as she took in Miku's unyielding expression, cold and resolute.

Realizing she was getting nowhere, Nino let out a frustrated sigh, "Ughh, whatever. I'm not in the mood to argue right now, especially when we're supposed to be working. Let's just pretend this didn't happen. But if you really think I'm the only one who wants to start with a different day, why don't we just ask the others? How about that?"

Miku's rigid stance softened, and she gave a small, conceding nod. "Fine. That way, we'll know what everyone wants and can decide based on that."

"Good." A satisfied smirk tugged at Nino's lips as she turned to Yotsuba, the first sister to be questioned. "Alright, Yotsuba, which day did you like the most? Where would you want to start?"

"E-Ehh?" Yotsuba stammered, caught off guard by the sudden focus on her. She blinked, clearly taken aback, as both Nino and Miku waited, eyes fixed on her with expectation.

"Umm… if I'm being honest, I'd prefer to start with the second day," she admitted with slightly trembling voice.

Nino's face brightened with a triumphant smile from the response, while Miku's brows furrowed in silent frustration.

"The second day was just… so much fun," Yotsuba continued, her confidence growing as she spoke. "Exploring Kiyomizu-dera, wandering through the temple grounds, seeing everything… and especially places like the Otowa Waterfall and the Love Stone. It was unforgettable." She glanced at Fuutaro with a shy smile as a faint blush tinged her cheeks. "That alone made the second day my favorite of the whole trip."

"Heh! Glad to know I'm not the only one who loved the second day," Nino said, her smirk widening with newfound confidence now that she had a support. She shifted her gaze to Itsuki, raising an eyebrow as she pressed her advantage. "So, Itsuki, what about you? Which day would you choose?"

Itsuki did not respond right away. She tilted her head slightly, gazing up at the ceiling, her hands pressed against the floor as if grounding herself. After a brief silence, she spoke, her tone calm and measured. "I think we should start with the first day, just as Uesugi-kun suggested. It will keep the report organized."

"Huh? Why's that?"

"You heard me, Nino," Itsuki replied with a faint smile. "If you really want to know… the first day was the most meaningful to me. Something happened that day—someone gave me encouragement when I needed it most. It helped me clear away a lot of my doubts." Her gaze flicked briefly toward Fuutaro before she closed her eyes.

Nino muttered to herself, her brows furrowing in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" But then, as if a realization clicked into place, her eyes widened slightly. "Ohh… I get it. It's because of that," she mumbled, rolling her eyes with a sigh, clearly annoyed that yet another sister's preference did not align with hers. She glanced over to Miku, who wore a subtle, pleased smile, clearly satisfied with Itsuki's response.

With two sisters favoring the first day and two others preferred the second, the situation was now at a deadlock. The deciding vote now rested with the final sister, who held the power to break the tie and steer the group's direction for the report.

Meanwhile, Fuutaro slumped back against the sofa, rolling his eyes as he let out a long, heavy sigh. His expression was one of clear exasperation—he was beyond tired of this endless debate.

In a silent but unanimous agreement, the four sisters who had already voiced their choices turned their attention to the eldest sibling. She now bore the weight of the deciding vote, tasked with bringing resolution to the impasse and steering the group's course forward.

Under the collective gaze of her sisters, Ichika blinked, caught off guard by the sudden focus on her. Then, with a soft chuckle, she spoke, "Ahaha… I guess it's my turn, huh?" She held their expectant stares for a moment before delivering her decision with a serene smile. "Well, my favorite day of the school trip… was actually the third day."

Her answer landed with unexpected impact, leaving her sisters stunned. Nino's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped in disbelief, processing the realization that Ichika had not chosen either of their sides.

"If you're wondering why," Ichika continued with a playful tone, "it's because I had an amazing time at Kyoto Studio Park. There were so many fun attractions, fascinating shows, and the whole place felt like stepping straight into the Edo period." Her eyes lit up with excitement as she explained her rationale. "But what really made it special for me was getting to watch a live filming session. Seeing professional actors in action gave me so much insight—stuff that could really help with my own acting career."

With a playful flick of her hand, she raised her index finger confidently. "So, if it were up to me, I'd say we start with the third day!"

An uneasy silence settled over the room now that all sisters had given their preference. In a single, decisive answer, Ichika had thrown the group's decision into a new kind of deadlock: 2-2-1, with no majority to settle on any day. The four sisters exchanged uncertain glances, each trying to gauge the others' thoughts and next steps, while Ichika, seemingly unfazed, watched the group with a calm, bemused smile.

With uncertainty hanging in the air, Ichika broke the silence with a light, reassuring tone. "You know, instead of making this harder than it needs to be, why don't we each just start with the day we prefer? We'll have to cover all three days in the end anyway." She finished with an easygoing expression. "Sound good?"

Nino, visibly frustrated, let out a groan, rolling her eyes as she shook her head. "Ughh… Fine, whatever. Do what you want. I'm starting with the second day, and no one's changing my mind," she grumbled, already turning her attention to her laptop and typing furiously.

The other sisters exchanged another hesitant glances before slowly nodding in agreement. Some reluctance lingered, but they followed suit, each turning to their laptops and starting drafts on their chosen days. Soon, the sounds of keys clicking softly filled the room as they began typing.

Meanwhile, Fuutaro, who had been silently observing the entire exchange with growing disbelief, let out a long, tired sigh, still slumping back on the sofa. "I'll never understand you all… You turn the smallest things into life-or-death decisions," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Ichika caught his remark and went over, crouching beside him with a soft chuckle. "Don't worry about it, Fuutaro-kun," she said in a tone that was both comforting and amused. "We've been through this kind of thing a hundred times. In the end, we always figure it out peacefully without killing each other." She gave him a quick, teasing wink. "So, don't let it get to you, okay?"

"The quintuplets are such a pain to deal with…"

The soft glow from the ceiling lights bathed the penthouse living room in a warm, comforting light, casting a serene ambiance over the space. Outside the broad windows, the sky had softened into a deep orange, signaling the descent of evening. Time had slipped by quietly since Fuutaro began helping the quintuplets with their school trip report.

Standing by the window, his gaze lingered on the shifting colors across the horizon. He pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the time. "It's already this late, huh?" he murmured to himself, surprised at how quickly the hours had passed.

As he tucked his phone away, a thought struck him—how unexpectedly enjoyable this unofficial tutoring session had turned out to be. At first, he had braced himself for a long, unbearable afternoon, given that it was his only day off since the trip. But instead, he found himself enjoying the easy, familiar rhythm of the quintuplets' company, even with their earlier argument about where to start the report.

He looked back at them, each sister deeply absorbed in her work, faces serious and focused. The usual mischief and banter were replaced by a quiet determination, lending an unexpected sense of calm to the room. It stirred a flicker of pride in Fuutaro, seeing them this committed. Their focused energy reminded him that beneath their carefree exterior, they took their work seriously when it mattered. And despite himself, he realized he was genuinely enjoying this time with them—the warmth, the companionship, and the satisfying sense of helping them succeed.

His gaze then settled on Ichika, lingering perhaps a moment too long. A soft smile curved at the edge of his lips. Her presence, in particular, had been a highlight of his day. It was, after all, one of the main reasons he had agreed to help them—he had considered her special since the school trip.

Lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to reality by Ichika's cheerful voice. "Fuutaro-kun, I'm finished! Can you take a look at my work?"

Without hesitation, Fuutaro made his way over to her with an easy nod. "Yeah, sure, no problem."

As time passed, the remaining quintuplets gradually completed their sections of the report. Fuutaro reviewed each one carefully, offering feedback and suggestions for improvement. They had all agreed that once this segment of the report was completed, the informal tutoring session would come to an end for the day.

"Wahh… I'm completely wiped out," Yotsuba groaned dramatically, letting her head collapse onto the living room table. She looked as though she had just finished an intense workout rather than a study session. "I didn't even move, but I'm more tired than after a track meet or basketball game…"

Ichika chuckled, giving her sister a playful pat on the back. "Hehe, looks like we finally found Yotsuba's weakness that can exhaust her."

Itsuki stretched her arms high above her head, letting out a contented sigh. "I am so relieved we are finished," she said, then turned to Fuutaro with a grateful smile. "Thank you for your help, Uesugi-kun. Honestly, without you, we might still be stuck on the first sentence."

"Don't mention it. You all put in the effort—I just helped keep things on track," Fuutaro replied, leaning back against the sofa with a modest shrug. "Starting tomorrow through Thursday, we'll focus on wrapping up the rest of the report. Any leftover homework can be done afterward or whenever you have time." His gaze swept over each of them, a hint of sternness in his voice. "Just… don't slack off, alright? I trust you won't."

"Yes, understood, Fuutaro," Miku affirmed with a nod, and the others echoed her agreement with appreciative smiles.

"Good. Now that we're done here, it's time for me to—"

Before he could finish, Yotsuba suddenly shot up from her spot with a wide-eyed gasp. "Ahh! I almost forgot!" she yelped, startling everyone. Without a second thought, she darted upstairs. "Wait here, Uesugi-san! I've got something for you!"

Fuutaro watched her in confusion as she disappeared into her bedroom, then turned to the remaining sisters, hoping for some clue as to what Yotsuba was up to. They only shrugged, though their expressions showed a hint of amusement as they exchanged silent, curious glances, clearly as intrigued as he was.

A few moments later, Yotsuba reappeared, descending down the stairs with a plastic bag in hand and an expression brimming with excitement. She approached Fuutaro with both hands extended, presenting the bag proudly. "Here you go, Uesugi-san!" she chirped, setting the bag beside him on the sofa. "These are some of the prizes I won at Toei Studio Park—the games, the attractions—remember when I told you about them on the trip? You can have them! You can even share some with Raiha-chan!"

Fuutaro's mind drifted back to the school trip, recalling her enthusiastic recounting of the prizes. He had thought it was just another one of Yotsuba's bursts of energy, but now, seeing the bag with the Toei Studio Park logo, he realized how serious she had been. "Really?" he asked, peering into the bag. Inside, he found a small bunny plushie, a set of colorful stationery, a notebook with vibrant designs, and a playful headband with bunny ears.

A soft smile tugged at Fuutaro's lips as he set the bag on his lap. "You know, you didn't have to do this. "They're your prizes—like little trophies of your success."

"No, no, I want you to have them!" Yotsuba replied, her voice overflowing with sincerity. "Even though I won them, I want to share my achievements with someone who's been supporting me every step of the way. You've been tutoring us, helping us improve, guiding us through everything. Think this as my way of saying thank you."

"Is that so? Thanks, Yotsuba. I really appreciate it."

"No problem at all, Uesugi-san!" she beamed, her usual energy bubbling over. "But don't think this is a one-time thing! I'm planning on sharing even more successes with you as I work harder in every subject. Remember when I said I wanted to surpass you in at least one subject? I meant it!"

She leaned forward, her gaze bright with determination. "And when I finally graduate with top scores, we'll celebrate together—my biggest achievement, shared with you!"

The other quintuplets, who had been watching the exchange in silence, exchanged soft smiles. Their expressions were a mixture of amusement and quiet admiration for Yotsuba's determination, but they said nothing, allowing the moment between her and Fuutaro to linger.

Fuutaro's smirk grew as he listened to Yotsuba's bold declaration, his curiosity piqued by the quiet determination behind her words. Despite her usual bubbly demeanor, there was something undeniably different in the air—a quiet intensity radiated from her, as if she was standing her ground with newfound resolve. "Heh, never in a million years will you come close to matching my academic abilities," he teased, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "But if, by some miracle, you manage to score a perfect hundred on a test or exam, I'll admit you're getting closer. Deal?"

"Deal!"

"Good. Just make sure this isn't another one of your spur-of-the-moment things. I'm expecting you to stick with this all the way to graduation. Promise me you're serious about it, okay?"

For a brief moment, Yotsuba's infectious cheerfulness dimmed, and something more solemn replaced it. She nodded firmly, her gaze hardening with a resolve that cut through the playfulness. This was not a new promise—it was the same one she had made six years ago. Although time and circumstances had changed, she had never let go of that commitment, even if it had remained unfulfilled. Meeting Fuutaro again had reignited the resolve she had carried all this time—especially after their moment together at Kiyomizu-dera, where it grew even stronger.

This promise was more than just about academics—it was a proof of her dedication for the boy she had loved for so long.

"I promise!" she declared, lifting a confident thumbs-up.

Fuutaro chuckled, touched by her energy. Before the moment could stretch too long, he straightened up, stretching slightly as he reached for the souvenir bag Yotsuba had gifted him earlier. "Alright, I'd better get going." Adjusting his waist bag, he cast a glance at the other quintuplets, giving them a casual wave. "See you all at school tomorrow."

"Take care, Uesugi-kun. See you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Fuutaro."

"See you at school, Fuutaro-kun."

"Later, Uesugi-san!"

With farewells exchanged, Fuutaro departed, marking the end of today's unofficial tutoring session with the quintuplets.

Slipping on his shoes, Fuutaro opened the front door of the quintuplets' penthouse and stepped out, closing it behind him. He strolled down the corridor toward the elevator, rolling his neck to ease the tension that had settled there. Despite spending most of the session seated on the sofa, the lingering fatigue from the school trip starting to creep back in. Thoughts of a warm bath, a hearty dinner, and the comfort of his futon filled his mind as he envisioned finally relaxing at home.

As he reached the elevator, he raised his hand to press the button, but a familiar voice called out from behind him, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Hey, wait up, Fuu-kun!"

Turning, he spotted Nino hurrying down the hallway, with a cloth bag clutched tightly in one hand. Oddly enough, she had not been around when he said his goodbyes, and her unexpected appearance caught him off guard.

"What's up, Nino?" he asked, dropping his hand from the button. "Did I leave something behind at your place?"

Nino came to a stop in front of him, slightly out of breath, a few strands of hair falling loose from her usual style as she caught her breath. "*pant* *pant* No, not really…" she said, regaining her composure before holding the bag out to him. "I'm glad I caught you. Here, I meant to give you this before you left."

Fuutaro looked at the cloth bag in her hands, curious. "What's in there?"

"Some slices of chocolate cake I baked this morning…and a couple of boxes of black tea," she explained, her voice softer than usual, taking on a rare note of shyness. "And remember when I said I'd get you a souvenir from the theme park? That's in there too."

Surprised by the gesture, Fuutaro accepted the bag, his brow furrowing slightly as he peeked inside. Sure enough, he found a food container, likely holding the cake, and two boxes of black tea. But something else caught his eye. It was a roll of purple fabric tucked neatly inside that caught his attention. He pulled it out, unsure of what to expect.

"Hmm? What's this?" he muttered as he unfurled the cloth, revealing it to be a T-shirt. The front displayed a sleek, minimalist design of Kyoto's cityscape, while the back featured a stylish Kyoto Studio Park emblem, giving the shirt an unmistakable, cool edge.

Smiling, Fuutaro felt a surge of unexpected gratitude for Nino's thoughtful gift. "Heh, didn't expect a T-shirt. I thought it'd be something more like what Yotsuba gave me," he said, his eyes glancing at the gift again. "Thanks, Nino. This is great."

Nino crossed her arms, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she briefly looked away. "Well, I figured your wardrobe could use a little variety," she said. "Considering you wear the same thing every day." She shifted on her feet, but there was a slight flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, a momentary crack in her confident exterior.

"And... make sure you eat the cake when you get home, okay?" she added in a quiet voice. "Maybe have it with the black tea for breakfast…"

She trailed off for a moment, as if lost in thought, before shaking her head rapidly. Her posture stiffened, and she quickly regained her usual assertiveness. "Anyway, just make sure you have it whenever you get the chance, okay?"

"I will. Tonight, I'm making dinner with Raiha and my old man, so I'll save it for breakfast tomorrow," Fuutaro replied, his smile lingering as he folded the T-shirt and tucked it back into the bag. "But really, thanks again, Nino. I really do appreciate it."

He turned back toward the elevator, hand hovering over the button, ready to end the exchange. But just as he was about to press it, Nino's voice cut through the air, sharper now.

"Wait—hold on! I'm not finished yet."

Fuutaro froze, his hand lowering slowly as confusion crept across his face. He turned back to her, an eyebrow raised, waiting for whatever she had left to say.

Nino's demeanor softened as she spoke, her usual confidence tempered with an edge of vulnerability. "You know, Fuu-kun… I've been thinking a lot about what you said back at the souvenir café—about me following my dream to open a café." Her eyes faltered for a moment, but there was a steady determination beneath the uncertainty. She took a breath, as if to steady herself, then continued, "It really made me stop and think, and I keep wondering if it's time to give it a real shot. What you said, about taking it seriously… it got to me. Maybe I need to figure out if this is something I can actually make happen, or if it's just some childhood fantasy I've been holding onto."

Fuutaro crossed his arms, a small smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the elevator wall. "So, that's what's been on your mind, huh?" he said, his tone a mix of teasing and supportive. "Didn't think you'd bring that up again. You usually keep these kinds of things to yourself." He paused for a moment before continuing, "But like I told you back then, if you're determined and focused enough, you can make anything happen. And if you're really serious about it, why not talk to our boss about café management? Or even Miku's boss—they could give you a practical sense of what it takes to run a café. Their advice could help you decide if this is the right path for you."

Nino nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "That actually makes a lot of sense," she murmured, considering his words more carefully. "Yeah, I guess if I'm serious about this, I need to start acting on it." She met his gaze, her earlier hesitation now replaced with a newfound resolve. "Anyway, thanks for listening, Fuu-kun. If I run into more questions or doubts, can I come to you?"

"Of course," he replied, his tone steady and sincere. "But don't just rely on me. Talk to your sisters, your friends, and most importantly, people in the industry. Get as many perspectives as you can. And whatever you do, don't let self-doubt stop you. It's the quickest way to lose sight of your goals."

"Right, I get it," Nino said, her usual grin returning, lighter and more assured. "Thanks, Fuu-kun. And sorry for holding you up. You can head out now."

As the elevator doors slid open, Fuutaro stepped inside, but just before they closed, Nino called out, her voice full of energy once more. "See you at school tomorrow, alright? I'll be waiting for you!"

Fuutaro responded with a small nod. "Yeah. See you tomorrow, Nino."

As the elevator doors slid closed, Nino felt an unexpected warmth bloom within her chest. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she realized Fuutaro's departing figure just a few seconds ago. It was not just his usual presence that had her heart fluttering; it was the purple waist bag he was wearing—the very one she had bought for him at Kiyomizu-zaka. She recognized the brand and design instantly, the memory of picking it out for him surfacing clearly in her mind. She had not expected him to use it so soon, but seeing him wear it right away was enough to make her happy.

On her way back to the penthouse, Nino found her steps lighter, her mood unexpectedly buoyant. A soft hum of contentment escaped her lips, and she let herself savor the feeling. She marveled at the fact that the boy she had once seen as rigid and uninteresting had grown into someone who could surprise her in such small, meaningful ways. She had dismissed him as boring at first, but over time, something had changed. His seriousness, which once felt stifling, now felt more like a quiet strength—his flaw had become something she found strangely charming. The very traits that had initially pushed her away were now the ones that drew her in.

It was his stability, his thoughtful approach to everything, that made him seem more like the kind of ideal partner she had always unknowingly longed for.

"So, did you manage to give it to Fuutaro-kun?"

"Yeah, I caught him just before he got on the elevator," Nino replied, sounding almost pleased as she moved toward the living room table to close her laptop. Her cheerfulness was apparent, though she tried to keep her tone casual.

Ichika's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued by the lingering smile. "It took you a while... Did something happen between you two?"

"Not really," Nino said with a nonchalant shrug, though her expression shifted, the brightness giving way to a more controlled, indifferent look. "We just had a quick chat about the trip report, that's all." She turned her attention toward the kitchen, steering the conversation away. "Anyway, I'm starting on dinner. Miku, can you handle the eggs and prep a few other things?"

"Yeah, got it."

As the sound of dinner preparations filled the room, Yotsuba flopped down on the sofa, flicking on the TV. Itsuki, meanwhile, grabbed her laptop and headed upstairs to her room, likely to continue her own work in her room.

Ichika observed them quietly from the corner of the room and she could feel that something was different in the air tonight—a kind of warmth that seemed to hang over the penthouse. She could not ignore it, nor could she resist giving credit where it was due.

It was thanks to Fuutaro, she thought to herself, shaking her head with a quiet smile.

It was clear that he had left an impression, though perhaps not in the way he would have expected. The tutoring session had gone well, no doubt, but it was the little things, the one-on-one moments, that seemed to have made a difference in the girls' interactions with him.

Itsuki, for instance, had seemed more relaxed than usual, even animated when speaking with him, genuinely interested, after lending her laptop to Nino—a small but telling gesture.

According to Yotsuba, Miku had been delighted and appreciative of Fuutaro's praise for her homemade cookies. She had even shown frustration towards Itsuki for devouring all the cookies because she had wanted to give more to Fuutaro.

Yotsuba herself had shown even more energy and cheerfulness than usual. Ichika even noticed the new spark in her sister's voice when she had stated her determination to outdo Fuutaro in a school subject someday.

And then there was Nino. Whatever she and Fuutaro had shared in those brief moments earlier had left her unusually upbeat—a rare and striking sight for the second sister, who tended to guard her feelings so carefully.

Ichika settled back into the sofa, her gaze drifting up toward the ceiling as her thoughts wandered. The penthouse now felt like an extension of the warmth they had shared during the school trip. She sighed contentedly, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction, savoring the success of orchestrating those meaningful moments for them. Those one-on-one moments with Fuutaro had helped create a positive ripple effect that still lingered.

As the eldest, she felt a unique responsibility—to support her sisters, guide them when they needed it, and to hold herself accountable to the commitment she had made to become a better version of herself than she had been in the past. The school trip had given her a chance to act on that promise. Looking back, had she not intervened to defuse the escalating tension during the trip, things might have gone very differently. This positive mood might not have existed at all, and the potential outcome of that situation, she mused, could have been worse, and she did not even want to imagine it.

But the past was behind them, and now their bond seemed stronger and their interactions were filled with warmth and shared purpose. This sense of harmony felt precious to her, like a delicate thread holding them together. Sighing again, she closed her eyes briefly, simply pleased that, for now, their family felt whole, united by the moments she had helped make possible.

A/N:

Chapter 34 is finished, and here it is!

Alright, there you go, I hope you enjoyed seeing the four quintuplets interact with Fuutaro during their unofficial tutoring session. Even though this and last chapter may seem simple, it was actually kind of hard creating meaningful moments between Fuutaro and each quintuplet, where I hit a few roadblocks along the way. But I'm glad I could build those interactions without overextending them, and I'm satisfied enough, while also keeping the focus on Ichika and Fuutaro as the main story.

Fun fact: these tutoring chapters weren't originally part of the story's roadmap. Then, I thought it would be a good addition to give a final, memorable moment with each of the four quintuplets, while also giving a nice break from the main pairing focus on Fuutaro and Ichika.

With the release of this chapter, only three remain before the story concludes. While the exact date for the final chapter is still undecided, I'll announce it at least by Chapter 36's release.

As for the next chapter, it will be released next week (November 11th – November 17th). Keep an eye out for it during that week.

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

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