The next day, Miku hid in the quintuplets' room, pretending to be sick. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the air conditioner. Miku sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts swirling with the events of the previous day.

Nino joined her, her expression a mix of determination and concern. She closed the door behind her, muffling the sounds from the hallway.

"What are you doing, Nino?" Miku asked, puzzled.

"Imitating you. In more ways than one. They wouldn't buy that two sisters are both staying in sick together. When's the next head count? Yeah, we have some time," Nino explained as she put her ribbons back into her hair.

Miku furrowed her brows. "I'm asking why you came here."

"I told you. I wanted to talk to you," Nino answered, her tone softening. "And I don't want you to be alone."

Haru suddenly popped up from behind her mother, startling Nino. "Am I invisible?!"

"Haru! Don't just do that! You almost gave your own aunt a heart attack!" Nino scolded, clutching her chest dramatically.

"Sorry, Auntie," Haru apologized, while a small smile appeared on Miku's lips. "You really like being called 'aunt.'"

"No, I don't!" Nino denied, flustered, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

Nino sat down on the bed next to Miku, taking her hand. "Miku, I know things have been tough. But you can't let this get to you. You're stronger than this."

Miku looked away, tears welling up in her eyes. "There's no way he would like a girl like me."

"Are you crazy?!" Haru suddenly shouted, her voice filled with frustration and love.

Startled by Haru's outburst, both Nino and Miku turned to her, wide-eyed. Tears streamed down Miku's cheeks.

Haru's heart broke at seeing her mother so sad, and she was close to crying herself. "How could you think like that, Mama?! I'm living proof he loves you! So stop sulking, wipe those tears, and act like my kind, gentle Mama again! My mama who loves listening to music! My mama who loves baking and cooking! My mama who owns her own restaurant, with Auntie Nino, but still!" Angry tears were now rolling down Haru's cheeks as well.

"Mama, you're amazing. Don't ever doubt yourself."

Miku's eyes lit up again as she looked at her daughter. "Haru..." she muttered in awe. She chuckled, and before Haru knew what was happening, she was being tackled into a hug.

Both mother and daughter burst into giggles, their spirits lifting.

Nino watched fondly, a soft smile on her face. She knew that with Haru around, Miku would always have the support she needed.

The room's atmosphere lightened, the earlier tension dissolving into warmth and love. Nino joined the hug, wrapping her arms around both Miku and Haru.

"We're in this together," Nino said softly. "No matter what happens, we'll always be here for each other."

The three of them stayed like that for a while, drawing strength from their bond. As they finally pulled apart, Miku wiped away her tears and smiled.

"Thank you, Nino. Thank you, Haru."

"Anytime, Mama," Haru replied, her voice filled with love.

Nino turned to Haru with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, Miku and I own a restaurant together, huh?"

Haru's eyes widened in panic as she realized she had let a detail from the future slip. "Eek! Forget I said anything! You can't know that!" She buried her face in her hands, embarrassed.

Nino chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. "Chill out, kid! I promise you, this won't ruin your existence."

"Right!" Miku added with a confident smile.

Haru peeked out from behind her hands, a relieved smile spreading across her face. "Thanks, Aunt Nino. Thanks, Mama."

They cuddled through the afternoon, with Nino and Miku listening intently as Haru decided to tell them a few more small details about their future. Nothing too big, of course. The stories filled the room with laughter and warmth, dispelling any lingering sadness.

Nino was the first to notice as she looked outside. "Hey, it's pouring outside!"

"It wasn't supposed to rain according to the weather report," Miku replied, glancing at the window.

"Oh no, the others must be drenched," Haru worried. Just as she said that, the door opened, and Ichika, Itsuki, and Yotsuba entered, with Aiko, Ren, Sora, and Rina in tow. All of them were indeed drenched, water dripping from their clothes and hair.

They all quickly changed and put on new clothes after showering.

The quintuplets lent their daughters their clothes, while Ren and Sora went over to their father's room to ask him for spare dry clothes.

Once everyone was changed and more comfortable, Nino turned to Ichika. "Ichika, don't you have something to say to Miku?"

Ichika looked at Miku, who was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees. Haru sat next to her mother.

"Sorry, Ichika," Miku said instead.

Haru pouted at her mother. "You're not the one who needs to apologize, Mama!"

Ichika was about to say something when a knock sounded on the door.

"I'm coming in." The door opened, revealing Futaro with Ren and Sora in tow.

"Are you all here?" Futaro asked. "Message for everyone: we're assembling in the main hall in thirty minutes."

"Why are you delivering this?" Itsuki asked.

"I am class rep," Futaro reminded her, stepping into the room.

"Hi Mom!" Ren grinned, greeting Nino.

"My son! Oh, how I've missed you!" Nino said, in a fake dramatic voice, holding her hand against her forehead and then flashing him an identical grin.

"You guys..." Futaro started, but Miku hurried past him to the toilet.

"Are you still fighting? Tell me what's going on," Futaro asked, concerned.

"No, we're, well..." Nino began, but the bathroom door slid open next to Futaro. Yotsuba let out a content sigh, wearing nothing but a towel over her shoulders.

"Man, that was refreshing," she said, oblivious to the situation.

Sora immediately went into alert mode, hurrying over to stand in front of the door, which Yotsuba instantly slid shut again. "PAPA! CLOSE YOUR EYES!"

Futaro blushed bright red but did as told. Sora led him back out. He then knocked on the bathroom door. "Papa is gone, you can come out, Mama."

Yotsuba meekly slid the door open and exited the bathroom.

Miku exited the washroom as well, looking downcast.

"Mama!" Haru yelled angrily, causing Miku to flinch. "You can't just keep running away from Papa!"

"But..." Miku tried to protest.

"Miku, I agree with your daughter. You can't keep this up forever," Itsuki said, Haru grinning proudly.

"Guys, let's make things clear," Ichika said, looking down at the floor. "All of us are looking for a chance to be alone with Futaro-kun."

"That's what I've been saying this whole time," Nino said, arms crossed over her chest. "You too, Itsuki?"

"I can't deny it," Itsuki said, blushing.

"Seriously?!" Ren exclaimed.

"That's why you guys have been moping??" Sora groaned.

Slaps resonated in the room.

Both Sora and Ren held their now stinging heads.

"Aiko!" Ren whined.

"Rina!" Sora glared.

"Don't be so insensitive!" Aiko scolded her half-brothers.

"Men..." Rina sighed, disappointedly.

"If that's what you want, then we can help you!" Haru grinned, an idea already forming in her head. Rina and Aiko nodded. All three girls had a determined glint in their eyes.