"One Yakiniku set, but without the Yakiniku, please."
It was the same lunch set Uesugi Fuutaro ordered nearly every day at Asahiyama High School's cafeteria—except on the rare occasion he brought a bento from home. As he picked up the tray from the counter, murmurs floated in from behind him.
"What's with that guy? A Yakiniku set without Yakiniku?"
"Don't you know? It's Uesugi's usual. He orders a lunch set, but without the main course, for almost every day. Probably doesn't get much allowance from his family."
Though the remarks reached his ears, Fuutaro brushed them off without a care in the world, walking away calmly.
The reason he ordered this stripped-down Yakiniku set was simple: efficiency and frugality. The full set cost 400 yen, but removing the meat knocked the price down to just 200 yen. It was the same price as the cheapest item on the menu—a plain bowl of rice. But with his modified set, Fuutaro not only got a bowl of rice but also miso soup and a few slices of fresh fruit for dessert. He had discovered this loophole in his first year, testing it out of curiosity—and it had worked ever since.
He reached the cafeteria's water dispenser, grabbed a plastic cup, and filled it for a quick drink.
"School cafeterias are the best…"
"The water's free, you can drink all you want, and even refill your bottle…"
Just as he was about to take a sip, a sharp jolt hit his left shoulder, causing his cup to smack into his face. The cold water splashed over him.
"Oh, my bad."
Another student had bumped into him, already walking off without bothering to glance back. Fuutaro sighed, wiping his face with his sleeve. At least he had managed to hold onto his tray—had he dropped it, he would be facing a meal-less afternoon, with only water to curb his hunger until dinner.
"I forgot that school cafeteria can be the worst at the same time…"
Refilling his cup to the brim, Fuutaro made his way to his usual spot, a secluded table tucked away in the far corner of the cafeteria. As he arrived, the familiar buzz of whispers rippled through the air behind him.
"Look at Uesugi—eating alone again, like always."
"Yeah... You'd think he has no friends at all, huh?"
"With that attitude? No way. I tried talking to him once, but he's just... weird. No matter what topic I brought up, he wasn't interested. And then he just walked away like I didn't even exist."
"Seriously? That's so rude."
"Yeah, I've heard other people had the same experience with him."
The remarks brushed past Fuutaro's ears, but he responded with nothing more than a shrug. It was nothing new. In fact, it happened almost daily. Ever since his first year, he had grown used to these kinds of comments. He did not mind—if anything, he saw it as a benefit. With everyone not bothering to interact or approach him, he could focus solely on his goal: maintaining and improving his academic performance.
That was his priority. Nothing else mattered.
As he placed his tray on the table, something caught his eye. Another tray had already been set down next to his. Turning his gaze to its owner, he realized it belonged to a girl. She immediately stood out from the rest of the students.
Her uniform was different—she was not wearing the Asahiyama girls' uniform. Instead, she had on a black sailor blouse with a white necktie, paired with a white skirt. In contrast, the girls at this school wore white collared shirts with ribbon necktie and green skirts, with addition of a black blazer for the winter uniform.
Fuutaro could only assume she was either a new transfer student who had not yet received the proper uniform or perhaps a visitor from another school here on some official business.
"Hey, you—did you hear me?"
The girl's sharp voice jolted Fuutaro out of his thoughts. He turned his attention toward her, noticing her frowning expression, clearly irritated about something.
"Huh? What's the problem?" Fuutaro asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"I was the one who got to this table first," she declared, her tone as displeased as her face. "So, please move to another table."
What was this girl's deal? It was obvious he had arrived first before her. Besides, this corner spot had been his usual place since his first year. There was no way he was about to give up his favorite spot to some random girl who was not even a student at Asahiyama.
"What are you talking about? I got here first," Fuutaro shot back, his patience already wearing thin. "And for your information, I sit at this table every day. So, if anyone's moving, it's definitely you!"
The girl's scowl deepened as she stepped closer, now practically face-to-face with him. "That does not matter! First come, first served—unless you have a reservation, this is how the world works!"
This girl was seriously annoying. Normally, if anyone tried to claim his spot, a quick explanation about it being his regular table would send them off in search of another seat. But this girl? She was clearly different. Maybe it was because she was not from Asahiyama, and did not know the unspoken rules around here.
Still, Fuutaro was not about to back down. He was too attached to this spot to let some stranger take it away from him.
"Fine," he said, his tone firm yet indifferent as he slid into the chair, staking his claim. "I'm sitting here now, so it's mine. You can go find another table."
He glanced up at her, only to find her still standing there, glaring at him with frustration, her teeth clenched in irritation.
"What's up with this girl?" Fuutaro muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, the girl did something completely unexpected. She marched to the opposite side of the table and plopped down into the chair with a thud, as if staking her claim.
Fuutaro's jaw nearly dropped, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Was this girl really so stubborn that she refused to back down over something as trivial as a table?
"Oi, I don't remember asking for a companion." He shook his head in exasperation. "There are lots of empty tables around, so why don't you—"
"This chair is empty, so I have just as much right to sit here," she cut him off, her tone unwavering. "Besides, my feet are tired from walking around this school all morning. I am not in the mood to go looking for another seat."
Fuutaro glanced around the cafeteria, and sure enough, the tables within his line of sight were all occupied. Maybe there were still some open seats on the far side, but given her apparent stubbornness, it did not seem likely that she would move anytime soon.
He let out a long, resigned sigh. This situation had taken a turn for the awkward. He was not used to eating with anyone, especially not a girl. But seeing no easy way out of this, and not wanting to waste his lunchtime any further, he decided to just focus on his meal and ignore her presence.
As he raised his spoon to take a sip of his miso soup, another round of whispers broke out from behind him, causing his hand to freeze in midair.
"Hey, look! Uesugi's eating with a girl!"
"No way... That's unexpected."
"Do you see her uniform? It's different from ours."
"Maybe she's a transfer student? Or a visitor from another school."
Fuutaro shook his head and took a sip of the soup. It tasted just as good as usual, and by now he was hungry enough that even the strange situation could not ruin his appetite. But as he was about to take a bite of rice, he noticed something odd. The girl's face had turned bright red, her eyes glued to the table. She looked visibly flustered, likely uncomfortable from all the whispering and the stares directed their way.
"What's with this girl?" he muttered under his breath, glancing at her with growing bewilderment.
Now that the tension between them had eased slightly, he finally took a proper look at her appearance—something he had missed during their earlier spat. She had long red hair, with a prominent cowlick standing out on top, and two star-shaped hairpins clipped on either side of her bangs. He rarely saw girls wear such distinctive hairpins; it was a small detail, but it made her stand out even more.
Not wanting to attract any more unwanted attention, or worse, be accused of making her uncomfortable, he sighed and spoke up. "Alright, fine. You can share the table. Just pretend I'm not here if my presence bothers you."
The girl seemed to relax almost instantly. She let out a long sigh, her expression softening as she settled down. With a light clap of her hands, she said, "Itadakimasu," before digging into her meal.
That was when Fuutaro noticed her food—and his eyes widened in shock. Her meal was enormous, far beyond what he was used to seeing in the cafeteria. She had ordered an Udon set, but with extra chicken meat piled on top. Alongside that was a side dish featuring two tempuras and a sweet potato, all finished off with a vanilla pudding for dessert. By his rough estimate, her entire tray must have cost well over 1,000 yen, far more than what most students, including himself, could afford.
But what really surprised him was not just the price—it was that she, a girl, had ordered such a massive portion. Could she really eat all of that? In all his time at school, Fuutaro had never seen a girl go for such a hearty meal.
Shaking his head, he reminded himself not to pry into other people's business. He had more important things to focus on. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a test paper his teacher had returned to him just before lunch. It was his habit to review his tests while eating, combining study and sustenance in one go. With chopsticks in his right hand and a small stack of notes in his left, he balanced the test paper on the edge of his tray and began his usual routine.
"What you are doing right now is bad manners, you know?"
Just as Fuutaro took a bite of his rice, the girl's voice cut through his focus once again, despite his earlier request to be left alone. He did not even bother responding. There was no point in wasting time with someone who clearly had no intention of leaving him in peace. He kept his attention fixed on his test paper, pretending not to hear her.
"Hey, did you hear me? You should not be studying while eating. It is rude," she repeated. She paused for a moment, watching him with a raised brow before adding with a teasing lilt, "Or is it that your grades are so bad you have resorted to studying while eating out of pure desperation?"
Without warning, the girl reached across the table and snatched the test paper from his hands. Fuutaro flinched, startled by her audacity. "O-Oi! Give that back!"
"Let us see…" she said, ignoring his protest. Her eyes scanned the paper quickly. "Your name is Uesugi Fuutaro, huh? And your score is—"
Her teasing smirk faded instantly, her expression shifting to one of disbelief. "One hundred...?"
Fuutaro sighed, reaching over to reclaim the test paper from her now-astonished grasp. "Yeah, not exactly something I want others to see. It's embarrassing," he said flatly, tucking the paper back in his pocket.
She turned her gaze toward him, her mouth slightly agape, eyes narrowed in shock. "You... You scored a hundred on your test?" she asked, her tone now incredulous. "So why in the world are you still reviewing it?"
"I have my reasons," Fuutaro replied, continuing his meal without so much as a glance in her direction. Her persistent interruptions had soured his mood entirely, and the rhythm of his usual routine was broken. The thought of going over his test again seemed pointless now. "Can you please stop bothering me? You've already ruined my concentration. Now I just want to finish eating in peace."
"Oh, that is right!"
The girl seemed completely oblivious to Fuutaro's request for peace as she clapped her hands with sudden enthusiasm, drawing his reluctant attention once more. Her expression had shifted again, now lit up with the kind of excitement that signaled an idea had just struck her.
"I just thought of something," she continued, her voice carrying a sense of revelation. "If you were studying while eating, even after scoring a perfect one hundred on a test... then you must be really smart, right?"
Fuutaro remained silent, only giving her a brief glance before returning to his miso soup, hoping she would get the hint.
"And since we are already acquainted now," she went on, ignoring his lack of response, "even though it did not exactly start smoothly... well, that is why—" She paused, clasping her hands together with a hopeful smile. "Would you be willing to teach me? Could we study together? Be study partners?"
Fuutaro nearly choked on his soup, coughing violently as the unexpected request caught him completely off guard. He slapped his chest, trying to clear his throat, his eyes wide in disbelief.
The girl shot to her feet in a panic, her face etched with concern. "W-What is wrong? Are you okay?"
Gasping for breath, Fuutaro reached for his cup of water and took a long gulp, slowly feeling the burn in his throat ease. When he finally caught his breath, he noticed the girl had returned to her seat, visibly relieved that his coughing fit had subsided.
But Fuutaro was far from relieved. His mind was still reeling. Did she seriously just ask him to be her study partner?
This was not the first time someone had asked for his help. Back in his first year, schoolmates had constantly pestered him, asking to study together or teach them, drawn by his reputation as the top student in his grade—rumors even suggested he outperformed some upperclassmen. He had turned them all down, choosing to study alone, knowing that others would only serve as distractions. Eventually, the requests had stopped.
And now, after so long, here it was again.
"Not interested," Fuutaro replied, his tone as flat as his expression. "I only study alone. I'm not interested in having anyone join me."
"Please! I am begging you!" the girl persisted, her voice taking on a desperate edge. "I am terrible at studying and my grades are horrible. I really need help to improve."
"Like I said, not interested," he repeated, more firmly this time, as he took a larger bite of rice. "Studying with someone else would just distract me. I don't want my own grades slipping because I decided to split my focus."
Despite his blunt refusal, the girl did not seem to take the hint. "Then how about this?" Her tone shifted, becoming more serious, yet laced with a touch of sincerity. "Since you said studying together and teaching me would be a burden, I could compensate you. I will treat you to some desserts and drinks between and after study sessions."
Fuutaro glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. "Huh?"
"I know that studying could be exhausting and burdensome," she continued, her reasoning growing more impassioned. "I mean, you were studying and eating at the same time earlier, even with a perfect test score. That is a clear sign you are pushing yourself too hard. So, this could work for both of us—you help me with my grades, and I will make sure you get desserts and drinks so you will not burn out."
Her proposal hung in the air as Fuutaro considered it, caught off guard by her persistence. Most people he had turned down in the past had taken his answer without protest, understanding his desire to be left alone. No one had ever pushed back, let alone tried to sweeten the deal with desserts.
But this girl... She was clearly stubborn, maybe even desperate. Could her grades really be that bad? Was she that serious about getting help?
Fuutaro quickly weighed his options. Maybe he should just agree to her request—though not without some extra planning. He could help her for one study session, then simply ditch her afterward and pretend not to know her the next time she approached him. Or, he could give her a vague response now, hoping she would forget about it later.
But first, he needed more information. Judging by her uniform, it was clear she was not a student here. That left two possibilities:
1) She could be a transfer student, in which case he would go with the first plan.
2) She could be visiting from another school, in which case his second idea would work better.
Before making a decision, he had to find out exactly who she was and why she was at Asahiyama.
"Can I ask you something?" Fuutaro said, narrowing his eyes. "You're clearly not a student here—that much is obvious from your uniform. So, what are you doing at our school?"
The girl blinked in surprise, as if she had just realized her own mistake. "Oh! That is right. It was rude of me not to introduce myself earlier." She quickly gave a small bow of her head. "My name is Nakano Itsuki. I am a second-year, and I used to attend Kurobara All-Girls High School. Starting today, I am transferring to Asahiyama."
Just as he thought—she was a transfer student.
"The reason I am here now," she continued, "is to get familiar with the school building and environment before being formally introduced to a classroom after lunch."
So, she really was transferring in. Fuutaro decided that the first option would be his best bet. If he went with the second, she would probably just track him down and keep pestering him, especially with how persistent she seemed.
Even with her offer, Fuutaro was not thrilled by the idea of teaching her or studying together. His method of studying alone had always been effective—after all, it was what made him the top student in the school. Some even said he rivaled the smartest third-years. Why would he give that up for the sake of a girl he did not even know?
"Is that so?" Fuutaro responded flatly, hardly sounding interested. He finished the last bite of his rice and took a quick sip of water before standing up and gathering his tray.
Just as he was about to leave, the girl called out again, her voice tinged with surprise. "Ehh, are you leaving already?" she asked. "What about my offer from earlier? If you agreed, that would be wonderful. And I could start right away by sharing some of my food with you now," she added, nodding toward her still heaping plate of udon and side dishes.
Fuutaro glanced at her and her tray, then let out a small sigh. "Alright, I'll accept your deal, but not immediately." His statement made Itsuki blink in confusion. "You're going to be a new student here, right? So before anything else, you need to get used to our school's lessons and curriculum. Each school has its own way of teaching, and I'm sure your old one is different from ours."
He continued, "So, for now, focus on observing and adjusting to the lessons here. Once you're settled, I can start helping you, maybe even studying together."
"That makes sense…" Itsuki muttered, nodding thoughtfully as she touched her chin. Then, with a slight smile, she looked up at him. "Thank you for considering it, and… I am sorry for being rude earlier—about the table and, well, for grabbing your test paper like that."
She adjusted her skirt, shifting in her seat before adding, "Since we have some time before lunch ends, would you like some of my food? Or I could buy you a drink?"
Fuutaro shook his head, his expression indifferent. "No thanks," he replied, rejecting her offer without hesitation. "We haven't officially started anything yet, so there's no reason for you to treat me. Besides, I don't like owing anyone in general."
"Hmm, if you say so." Itsuki bowed slightly in acknowledgement, then smiled. "I look forward to working with you."
Without another word, Fuutaro turned away from Nakano Itsuki, heading toward the cafeteria counter to return his tray. There was no reason for him to stay in this area any longer, so he made his way back to the classroom, his thoughts already shifting away from the strange encounter.
As Fuutaro walked back to his classroom, walking through the school corridor, his phone buzzed repeatedly in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID—his house number. Given the time, it was most likely his little sister, since his dad would be at work.
He clicked the call button. "Raiha, huh?"
"Yup, it's me, onii-chan!" His little sister's cheerful voice came through the phone.
Fuutaro moved toward an open window in the corridor, leaning against the railing for some privacy, his left arm resting on the railing. "What's up? Do you need something?" he asked, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"Hey, onii-chan, dad just called a little while ago!" she chirped. "He said he found you a great part-time job! From what he told me, it's way better than any of your old ones—and it pays really well!"
Fuutaro chuckled lightly. His sister's bubbly excitement never failed to make him happy as well. "Alright, I'm listening," he replied. "What kind of job are we talking about? I'm always up for a decent part-time gig."
"It's tutoring!" Raiha exclaimed. "Since you're super smart and always score a hundred on tests, it'll be perfect for you! I bet you'll love it!"
Fuutaro's smile faded as his expression shifted into one of shock. His stomach seemed to drop like a stone. Just moments ago, a transfer student had asked him to teach her—something he reluctantly agreed to. And now this? Was someone playing a cruel joke on him, or was the universe just throwing everything at him at once?
Of all the jobs out there, why did it have to be related to academics? Tutoring was the last thing he wanted. He valued studying alone, without distractions or commitments to anyone else. If it had been any other type of part-time job, he would have considered it. But this? This was the worst possible outcome.
"Raiha, are you sure about this?" Fuutaro's voice was heavy with heavy with hesitation. "Isn't there any other job I could take instead of this one?"
"There might be, but this is the only one dad found that pays the most," Raiha replied. "A rich family just moved into town recently, and dad knows them somehow. They're looking for a private tutor for their daughter, and the pay is really good—five times more than a regular tutoring job! Plus, dad said the workplace is super comfortable and fun."
Fuutaro fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting out to the school's front yard as he mulled over the situation. Eventually, he broke the quiet. "Raiha, what kind of student would I even be tutoring? Do you know what grade she's in? Did dad give you any details?"
"Yeah, he told me she's in her second year of high school."
Fuutaro's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A second-year student? Shouldn't a tutor be teaching someone younger than them? Why would they want me to tutor someone in the same grade?"
"I wondered the same thing, but dad said they're willing to hire any tutor as long as they're smart enough to help her out. He recommended you because of your grades," she explained. "Besides, onii-chan, you should take this job! With how much it pays, we could finally live more comfortably—and eat as much as we want every day!"
A small chuckle escaped Fuutaro's lips and a reluctant smile followed afterward. It seemed like he did not have much of a choice. Raiha's enthusiasm made it hard to refuse, and if this job could provide a significant financial boost for their family, how could he turn it down?
For the sake of his family, he had to set aside his lone-wolf approach to academics and studying, even if it meant taking on a job he did not particularly want.
"Alright, alright, I get it," Fuutaro said, his tone calm but resigned. "Tell dad I'll take the job."
"Hehe... I'm glad you're taking it, onii-chan!"
Just then, the school bell rang, echoing through the corridor, signaling the end of lunch break.
Fuutaro glanced around as students began pouring into the hallway, making their way back to their classrooms. "Okay, Raiha, I've got to go. We'll talk more about this at home, alright?"
But before he could end the call, Raiha's voice stopped him. "Ah, wait a minute, onii-chan!"
Fuutaro paused, bringing the phone back to his ear. "What is it?"
"There's something I forgot to mention," Raiha said. "About the girl you'll be tutoring... she just transferred to your school today."
Fuutaro felt a small knot forming in his chest. "Wait, what?"
"And if I remember correctly," she continued, "her name is..."
Fuutaro and his classmates had already settled into their seats, waiting for the next class—Science—to begin. But instead of the expected Science teacher, their homeroom teacher walked in, sparking murmurs of confusion throughout the room.
The deviation from the schedule clearly caught everyone off guard.
"Alright, settle down," their homeroom teacher called out, her tone firm as she stood at the front of the class. "I've borrowed a bit of Yamada-sensei's time for an important announcement."
The class fell silent as curiosity overtook the confusion.
Clearing her throat, she continued, "Our class will be welcoming a new transfer student, and she'll be joining us in just a moment."
Excitement quickly rippled through the room, the murmurs now filled with intrigue at the prospect of a new classmate.
Fuutaro's eyes widened in surprise, his jaw dropping as he processed the news. His thoughts raced. A transfer student? Just an hour ago, he had met a girl claiming to be a new transfer during lunch. Then…
The homeroom teacher went to the door, gesturing for someone outside. "Alright, you may enter and introduce yourself."
Fuutaro's heartbeat quickened as his eyes locked onto the doorway. The room buzzed with anticipation as the others also did the same. As soon as the transfer student stepped into the classroom, his breath hitched. It was her—the girl he had met during lunch, still dressed in her old sailor school uniform.
Nakano Itsuki, if he remembered her name correctly.
She bowed politely before the class. "Nice to meet you. My name is Nakano Itsuki," she introduced herself with a soft, clear voice. "I transferred from Kurobara All-Girl High School, and I look forward to studying here and being your classmate."
The murmurs around the room intensified, no longer whispers but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Wow, we got a new girl!"
"She's pretty too! Maybe I've got a shot with her…"
"And did you catch that? Kurobara, right?"
"Yeah, Kurobara's that prestigious all-girls school for rich kids!"
"She must be loaded. I wonder what she's doing here…"
Their homeroom teacher clapped her hands sharply, cutting through the murmurs. "Alright, quiet down, everyone," she commanded with authority. "You don't want to give your new classmate a bad first impression, do you? "Her gaze softened slightly as she turned to Nakano Itsuki. "Nakano-san, there's a vacant desk in the back. Please take your seat, as we'll be starting the lesson shortly."
"Thank you, sensei," Itsuki replied politely, bowing before heading toward her assigned desk.
As she made her way to the back of the classroom, Itsuki caught sight of Fuutaro sitting at his desk, purposefully looking away from her as if trying to avoid eye contact. A soft smile curled on her lips, and she stopped beside him. Leaning in close, she whispered, "It is nice to know we are in the same class."
With a faint chuckle, she added, "Once again, I look forward to working with you, Uesugi Fuutaro-kun."
She straightened up and continued to her desk, leaving Fuutaro frozen in his seat, eyes still fixed firmly elsewhere. When Itsuki settled in, the students around her wasted no time introducing themselves, to which she responded with the same gesture, smiling politely at each of them.
Meanwhile, the classroom buzzed with more murmurs, eyes darting between Fuutaro and Itsuki. The brief interaction had not gone unnoticed.
"Did you see that? She talked to Uesugi!"
"Yeah, what's up with that? Does he know her or something? I mean, Uesugi?"
"Now that you mention it... I think I saw them sitting together at lunch. They were sharing a table."
"For real? What? Uesugi is actually lucky for once?"
"Tell me more! What happened?"
Fuutaro let out a long, weary sigh, propping his cheek against his palm as his eyes rolled in exasperation. The realization hit him like a weight—Nakano Itsuki was now in the same class as him, which meant his plan to avoid their deal had officially crumbled. But what truly sealed his fate was not just the fact that they would be classmates from now on.
It was the revelation that she was the daughter of the wealthy family his little sister had mentioned earlier—the one who needed a tutor for her dreadful grades. The same tutoring job his dad had secured for him, thinking it would be a golden opportunity to help their family.
"If I remember correctly... her name is…"
"Nakano Itsuki…"
He sighed again, this time deeper, realizing that there was no way out. Itsuki was the student he was supposed to tutor for his part-time job. That meant their deal was not just a casual agreement anymore—it was now tied to his responsibility and the job description his family was counting on him to fulfill.
Whether he liked it or not, he was stuck teaching her.
A/N:
Alright, this story is my rendition of a "what if" scenario: what if Fuutaro wasn't rude—but also not nice—when he first met Itsuki?
In the main series, Fuutaro is shown as observant, logical, and calculating by nature, with a tendency to be indifferent toward anything unrelated to his interests, particularly academics and studying. While his rudeness toward Itsuki during their first encounter was a unique and memorable way to start the series, I found it a bit unrealistic given his personality? But I can understand its purpose to set the tone for the series onward.
So, in this story, I chose to emphasize his core traits while toning down the intensity of his rudeness and indifference. Instead, he's depicted as more curious and calculating, yet still practical and disinterested when it comes to things outside his goals and values. This creates a unique conflict when his value of studying by himself clashes with his reluctant agreement to help Itsuki in studying, which in first he hoped to avoid by using a plan, but resulting in a resigned agreement due to his official tutoring job of teaching her.
Also, I added details not found in the manga or anime and altered some elements, such as Fuutaro quickly deducing that Itsuki wasn't from Asahiyama from a quick observation of her old school uniform and guessing she was either a transfer student or a visitor. I also expanded on his background, explaining why he tends to isolate himself from his peers and avoid social interactions.
This concept was the main inspiration for creating this story.
While writing this chapter, I had a vision to expand the story further by following the main series storyline but with some altered elements. For instance, Itsuki would be a bit nicer to Fuutaro, and his slightly adjusted personality would lead to different interactions with the other quintuplets. But the problem is, I'm about to finish my main Fuutaro and Ichika fanfic, That Special Someone, which I've been working on for two years. Combined with its prequel, I've been actively writing in this fandom for three years, and it's been an exhausting process.
Because of this, I don't think I can commit to another long fic, even though the idea of expanding this story is tempting. That's why I wrote "Probably" in the description—it's possible I might revisit and expand it in the future. But for now, I don't have concrete plans, so I've marked it as "complete."
Even though this is just a one-shot, I hope you enjoy my "realistic" rendition of Fuutaro and Itsuki's first encounter.