After the test, they reconvened at the cake shop where Fuutarou works, as well as where Itsuki and Y/N met Shimoda. Fuutarou had asked for everyone to meet here once it was all over so they could share test results and discuss, as well as to celebrate should they all pass.

"Yotsuba! You did it!" Itsuki cried out, hugging her older sister. "Even though you were the one most at risk!"

"Congratulations," Miku says, hugging Yotsuba with her usual monotone voice, but had genuine hints of affection.

Yotsuba laughs sheepishly as she accepts the hugs. "Ehehehe..."

"Yeah. You did good job, Yotsuba-san," Y/N said with a smile.

"It's my highest score in all of history!" Yotsuba beams a smile at the L/N teen. "Though a total of 184 points is cutting it close..."

"But even still. You should still be proud, Yotsuba-san."

"You should be too, L/N-san! Even if it's cutting it close as well, you still made 189 points!"

He smiled after hearing that. "Yeah. Thanks, Yotsuba-san."

Fuutarou watched them from the opposite side as he sat on a little edge of a window. He nodded his head in reply, knowing that the two dumbest had finally pass some semblance of a test. Even if it was just borderline passing, he was still proud nonetheless. 

Itsuki sighed a little as she stared at her test results. "In my case, it was 224 points. I had subjects that were dangerously close too. I will need to work on those." She then looked to Miku, "How did you do, Miku?"

"I got..." Miku hesitated for a moment. "238 points."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Yotsuba squealed.

"Nice job, Miku-san!" Y/N claps in happiness.

Itsuki offers her elder sister a smile. "As expected of Miku."

The bell for the door then rings, signifying that someone had walked in. They look in the direction of the front entrance, seeing the familiar actress, the elder sister, Ichika Nakano, walk in.

Y/N piped up first. "Oh! Ichika-san! Over here!"

"Ichika's here too. Where's Nino?" Yotsuba tilted her head.

"I did tell her to come here after getting her results back..." Itsuki furrowed her brow. "Could it be that..."

"Miku," Fuutarou abruptly spoke up. "You've really changed. I knew you had the most potential."

The girl in question blushes. "Fuutarou..."

Miku held her tongue, biting her lip as she clenched her hands together. Feelings began to bubble and well within her chest, the redness on her cheeks beginning to increase even more. She figured that, now. Now was the time to tell him. 

To tell him how she felt.

"I'm..." She began speaking.

Yotsuba sighed in relief. "I'm so glad. Ichika doesn't have any fails either."

"What's your total score?" Itsuki asks her oldest sibling.

"Oh, it's... 240 points."

At this, Miku paused, her eyes wide open. Fuutarou had then taken his attention off of Miku, looking to the eldest Nakano sibling, along with Miku. She couldn't believe her eyes, disbelief clouding her as she stood there in shock, her mouth agape.

Yotsuba's eyes lit up in happiness. "That means..."

"Ichika has the highest!" Itsuki finished.

"Congratulations, Ichika-san!" Y/N offered his applause.

"Ah... I see." Ichika looked toward Miku, seeing her expression. An apologetic grin made it's way to Ichika's face. "Yay."

--: Chapter 21| Celebration :--

"Ichika's number one so far," Yotsuba chimed.

"Man.~ I really worked hard."

"Indeed," Itsuki said, nodding at her sister. "It's really incredible, considering you also have work. I thought for sure that Miku would be number one this time too."

Ichika gasped a little, looking to her younger sister. "Miku... I... That wasn't my intention--"

"Congratulations, Ichika," Miku congratulated, albeit with a fake, pained smile. "I guess I still have a ways to go."

Ichika could only gulp down her spit. She knew how much Miku was devastated right now. Miku had been studying very hard in order to gain the top spot so she could confess to Fuutarou. After all, Miku had told her what she planned to do and clearly said that she wasn't going to wait or lose to her.

"It isn't fair if it's just us," Itsuki soon complained, reaching for Fuutarou's test scores. "How were your scores?"

Fuutarou jumped. "Ah! Stop! Don't look!"

Itsuki halted herself. "T-That was close... I almost fell for your trap and let you brag about getting 100's again..."

"Tsk. You've gotten more clever at something pointless," he retorted, sneering a little.

"You really do enjoy that, huh?" Yotsuba asked.

Y/N deadpanned. "Of course. That's how Uesugi-san always is."

"Oi. At least I'm not the one who always falls for it, idiot." Fuutarou mirrored the expression.

Fuutarou's boss soon shows up, striding and boasting. "Congratulations on clearing your exams. Today, we celebrate! I'll deduct it out of Uesugi-kun's pay, so eat as much as you want!"

"Oh, manager. You and your jokes."

"Thank you," Yotsuba and Y/N said, bowing in an almost cartoonish manner.

"But we're still missing one person," Itsuki quickly interjected.

"If you're talking about the girl with two ribbons, she was here before you guys and left this behind," the man said.

They all collectively looked at him confused. Itsuki took it from his hands and her eyes widened, knowing what it was.

"The exam result slip...!"

With Y/N gathered round them, he peered over their shoulders to see Nino's exam results. She scored a total of 209 points, signaling she had passed. Seeing this, both Yotsuba and himself looked at each other before they leaped into the air with their hands pumped up.

"We did it!~" The two exclaimed.

"How splendid!" Itsuki smiled. "We all managed to pass every subject!"

Miku and Ichika could only smile at the two friends' behavior, while also mirroring the happiness of Itsuki. They had did what they promised, which were to pass all subjects for the final exam. Their attention was then drawn to Fuutarou, who was walking out of the cake shop.

"Hmm? Where are you going?" Yotsuba asked.

"Are you not staying for the celebration?" Y/N tilted his head.

Fuutarou turns his head back slightly. "Attendance for this celebration is mandatory. I'm bringing Nino here."

His manager throws something to him. "It's almost time for your shift. You can use this."

"Thanks," Fuutarou says, catching a pair of keys.

Once he left, Yotsuba turned to the rest of them.

"Well, then... Let's order some cakes while we wait for them!"

"Yeah!"

"Come on, L/N-san! Let's check out the menu!"

"W-Wait for me, Y-Yotsuba-san!"

The two quickly took off and headed for a booth. Ichika laughed.

"Ara,~ ara.~ Such chaotic children," she mused.

"Yeah," Miku replied, nodding at said statement.

"Eh..."

Miku looked alarmed, just slightly. "Itsuki."

"Hmm? Yes?"

"You're crushing that slip of paper really tightly. Are you okay?"

"Mmm... Yeah... Just fine."

Miku looked skeptical, Ichika only giggling at her little sister's behavior. Itsuki was very jealous of the two's relationship. They got along so well.

Though it was only a matter of time. Before their own blossoming relationship would grow into something anew.

---

Ten or so minutes later, the group seated themselves in a booth over by the window. Having ordered themselves many cake slices, which was free due to Fuutarou's manager saying that it was their reward for passing the exams, they could eat as much as they'd like. Already, when the cakes arrived, Itsuki's mouth had begun to salivate, stars in her eyes as she remembered how delicious these cakes were. Though she would end up punching Y/N's shoulders many times because he would be laughing at her expression.

Although, if Itsuki were to compare, she wouldn't be sure who's cakes were better. Y/N's cake shop or this one. Quite honestly, they're both good. 

Such a hard decision to make.

As the they were all talking amongst themselves, they heard the bell ring. Yotsuba stood up in her seat, her hands placed on the table as she looked over at the entrance with a big smile. Walking in was Fuutarou, along with the last quintuplet Nakano sister, Nino.

Yotsuba waved them over. "Uesugi-san! You brought Nino, right?"

"We're over here!" Y/N had stood up as well, grinning like an idiot as he waved.

He sighed at their antics, but Fuutarou soon grinned a little. Standing behind him was Nino, of course. But she sported a huge blush, her head facing down as she hid her expression so no one could see it. Gripping her arm tightly, her heart beating as fast as it could, the red hue on her cheeks only increased as she was pondering, deep in thought.

'I said it... I went and said it...! Why did I say I love this guy!? What's wrong with me!? That was my first confession... Why did I say it all of a sudden!? Aaahhh...! What do I do!? ...Wait a sec...' She looks at the boy, a deadpan expression soon appearing. 'Why hasn't he shown any reaction!?'

Ah, that's right. After Fuutarou left the shop, he used his manager's bike and went to the quint's old apartment, the one they were first initially living in when they first met Y/N and Fuutarou. Where the original study sessions occurred. Anyway, Nino herself had gone there to notify their father of their plans, which Fuutarou would shortly appear and basically steal her away.

And that's when the moment of truth happened... When Nino finally realized that she had indeed fallen in love with Fuutarou Uesugi and professed, confessed her love for him. But much to her surprise, he wasn't making any conversation about it whatsoever... Which did irritate her.

"H-Hey," she shyly spoke, "about our conversation just now--"

She was interrupted when his manager peeked around the corner. "Glad you made it, Uesugi-kun! It's just me in the kitchen right now. Can you get in here on the double?"

"Sure," Fuutarou replied, nodding gratefully. "Thanks for the bike."

"Nino,~" Ichika calls.

Nino grinded her teeth. "Hmph... Fine, I'll come back to this later."

And so begrudgingly, Nino heads over to where her sisters and Y/N were. But she couldn't help but feel excited about the fact that she'll go back to talking to him about this. This was really the first time she's ever felt something like this when it comes to things regarding a boy. Though she didn't think that the boy she fell in love would be someone like him for that fact. But still, she couldn't help but feel excited about the thought of having "that" talk with him. Her heart just simply fluttered as it thumped in a rhythmic beat. 

Soon making her way over to the group, she sat down next to Miku, with Ichika next to the window. On the opposite end, Yotsuba was at the window with Itsuki in the middle and Y/N at the end. Soon, the six of them raised their glasses in the air and clinked them together.

"Good job clearing the final exams!"

"Cheers!" 

"I didn't think we'd actually be able to pass everything," Miku noted, a bit of surprise on her face. Y/N nodded as he agreed with the statement.

"Yeah, I know!" Yotsuba agreed as well. "I want to frame this exam paper and hang it on the wall!"

"Let's do that after we get a slightly better score," Ichika sweat dropped.

Nino looked at the plate of cakes skeptically. "I know this is a celebration and all, but is it okay for us to splurge like this...?"

"The manager said he will treat us as a congratulatory gift," Itsuki responded excitedly.

Y/N sweat dropped. 'But... He told us to leave a five-star rating... And that'll be awkward for me...'

Itsuki mirrored the expression Y/N had. "At any rate, the items we order really are all over the place."

"Well, that's as per usual for us," Yotsuba replied, sweat dropping as well.

Across from the girl, Miku grabbed her fork and stabbed it into a piece of the cake. Leaning forward a little, she extended it out toward the girl with the green ribbon.

"Here, Yotsuba," Miku offered.

"Huh--What's this?" Yotsuba was confused, blinking twice.

"The modern literature problem was exactly as you predicted."

"Oh, that's right," Nino nodded.

"That was a big help," Ichika smiled. "Then, me too."

"Me, too."

"E-Eehh!?"

Yotsuba blushed as she leaned back, seeing all the cake pieces being extended out to her. Y/N laughed at their behavior as this happened, laughing even more when his best friend (at this point) giggled and snacked down on them.

"Shi shi shi.~ So tasty," Yotsuba mused. She soon began to panic a little. "Ah, but--Since everyone helped me too, I'll need to reciprocate."

Nino sighed a little. "In that case, it's the same for us..."

Itsuki smiled as she clapped her hands. "Then let us all share, little by little. I'm sure that was how we cleared the exams this time around, too." And soon, Itsuki gained an even more excited grin as she grabbed two forks. "Plus, we are able to sample all the different flavors like this!"

Ichika deadpanned. "That's your actual aim, isn't it..."

Y/N laughed at this. "You're so easy to read sometimes, Nakano-san."

"B-Be quiet, L-L/N-kun...!" She blushed and poked a fork at him.

"Ow!" Y/N suffered critical damage.

While Ichika watched the poor boy being pummeled by her younger sister, she heard her name being called. Turning to her right, Miku held her fork up with a piece of cake on it. As always, her expression was emotionless and stoic as usual. However, Ichika was able to see slight hints of anger and sadness in those voidless eyes of hers.

"Thanks. And congratulations," she said in her usual monotonous tone.

Nino looked to the two. "This might sound rude, but... I never expected you to be number one, Ichika. Just where were you hiding that ability?"

She laughed sheepishly. "I just happened to be lucky."

The girl was then cut off when Miku plunged the fork into her mouth, letting out a "mmph," in the process. Using her finger to wipe away some of the icing around her mouth, she looked away from Miku's cold look.

"I won't lose next time."

"...Sure," was all Ichika replied with.

On the opposite end, Yotsuba's eyes sparkled. "Wow--Your cake is super tasty, Itsuki!"

"Yes. This one has my highest recommendation. I've been wanting to have this again."

"'Have this again'?" Nino questioned as she fed Miku a piece of a cake. "When did you come by here by yourself?"

"Oh, I was with L/N-kun at the time. And also... I was treated that time too."

"Nakano-san..."

"I know, L/N-kun..." She took a deep breath. "There is something I want to tell everyone."

They all gave her their full attention. Ichika rose her eyes up, thinking it was going to "that" she's going to tell everyone. When she looked to Y/N, seeing him smile a little, she thought it confirmed her suspicions. But what Itsuki said made her throw out what she thought out the window (essentially).

"I want to become a school teacher," Itsuki says with a blush.

Her sisters were all quiet, though some subtle murmurs were let out. This made Itsuki nervous, making her blush only rise up even more.

"O-Of course, this is merely a dream beyond my reach--"

"I think that's great!" Yotsuba shouted, a bright smile on her face. "I mean, your lessons were so easy to understand! It's perfect for you!"

"Yotsuba..." Itsuki was speechless.

"Of course, we support you too," Ichika cheered.

Miku nodded, a straight face expression as usual. "That means Itsuki will be trying for a university then."

Nino leaned back in her seat. "This really drives home that we're gonna be third-year students."

"Speaking of advancing to the next grade, we need to let dad know too."

"About that, I've contacted him, but he hasn't replied yet..."

Nino stopped her sisters. "Oh, don't worry about that. I've already talked about it directly with him earlier."

"So you really did go to the apartment then?" Ichika rose her eyebrows. "What did dad say...?"

"I didn't get a positive response from him," she replied. "What was to be expected. He's letting us do what we want for now, but... I'm sure the day will come when we'll need to settle things."

Miku looked at her suspiciously. "You sure got back quickly for being at the apartment though."

Nino acted smug, just for a little. "So there's a story behind that. You'll get a kick out of it."

She began to explain it, all of them looking at her shocked. Well, Itsuki didn't really necessarily care because there was already a boy she liked, but she was still shocked nonetheless.

"Huuuh!? A motorbike!?" They collectively exclaimed, Itsuki and Y/N not being that loud.

Yotsuba sweat dropped. "That's kinda hard to picture."

Ichika looked away, awkwardly coughing. "It's way too different from his usual image."

"Sounds cool," Miku said with a blush.

"Huh?" Both Y/N and Itsuki were confused. Of course, to them, that didn't sound like something Fuutarou would do, coming in on a bike and "rescuing" Nino from their father.

"It didn't really suit him," Nino says casually. "It threw me off. That's why... I went and something like that."

Yotsuba tilted her head. "Something like what?"

"Ah! I'll bring the dishes back! I need to say thanks to the manager, too."

Ichika stands up alongside Nino, "I need to use the washroom anyway. I'll give you a hand."

"Nino, what are you panicking for?" Miku asks her elder sister.

Nino babbled on, spouting out some sort of things as she made off with the dirty dishes with Ichika. Though both Miku and Yotsuba stood up, heading to the front counter and waited for the manager so they could request for some cakes to go, leaving Itsuki and Y/N in the booth together. As Y/N slumped back in his seat, voicing about how he was super nervous the entire time he was getting his test answer sheet checked by the teacher, Itsuki's heart thumped, which seemed to grow louder and louder as the seconds went by. She gulped down some of her spit, a red hue soon making it's way to her face as she thought about it.

She had said that if she passed the final exam, she'd tell him. Finally tell him and finally have those feelings she's kept shackled down and release them from her heart. So she can finally admit it.

Taking a deep breath, she puts on an a serious expression, turning to the glasses wearing teen.

"L/N-kun."

"Hmm? What is it, Nakano-san?" He looked to her.

Itsuki's breath grew heavy, the red hue growing brighter. "I... Um..."

"Yes?"

"It's... I want to..."

"...Nakano-san...?" His voice grew quieter.

"I... L/N-kun--"

However, that moment, the clear, perfect moment that she was about to tell him her feelings was interrupted. She paused, disappointment beginning to well within her as Y/N's phone began to ring. Frantically, Y/N scrambled to get his phone out of his pocket, failing to notice the look on Itsuki's face as her hand rested on her chest, slumping her shoulders as she began to look down, a downcast expression soon hearing.

"H-Hello?" A bit of an angry (more like irritated) voice came through, it being his mother's voice. "E-Eh? R-Right now!? ...O-Okay...! Coming...!" He ends the call, grabbing his things as he steps out of the booth. "Sorry, Nakano-san, there's trouble at the shop so I have to head back. What was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"...It's nothing," she said, her voice a little down. Just barely noticeable.

"Hmm? You sure?"

"...Yes. I'm sure."

"Okay..." Y/N was a bit skeptical. "Then... See you at school, Nakano-san."

He then hurries off, and once he left, Itsuki let out a deep sigh. Tilting her head up, she looked at the ceiling, her eyes slightly red as she seemed to have been crying. She opened her mouth to speak.

"...I'm such an idiot."