Disclaimer: I own neither the series nor the characters.

It all started at lunch.

"Excuse me, would you mind if I sit with you?"

Uesugi Fuutarou looked up from his notes. In front of him was a girl with stupid looking star clips in thick red hair. In her hands was a tray of food, undoubtedly her own lunch. The oddest part was how she was in a different school uniform.

Fuutarou blinked as he stared back at friendly deep blue eyes. The girl's smile was polite yet oddly hopeful. Weren't there other seats free or was this really the only one?

Shrugging, Fuutarou nodded to the seat across him. Well, in the end, all he had to do was finish his food quickly than he could leave. Not that there was that much to finish.

"Thank you!" The girl flashed a smile before going over to the other seat. Nearby students, tables away, made teasing remarks but it didn't seem to bother the girl or she ignored them altogether.

When she did place her tray down, there was a noticeable thud, loud enough that Fuutarou actually looked up from his plate. His jaw dropped.

The girl's tray was full of plates covered with food. Five plates of a fried shrimp set, four plates of fried chicken, a two bowls of fried potato, and three large steaming bowls of rice. The fried scent combined with the steam coming from the rice stimulated his stomach more than his rice plus miso soup combo.

This girl had to be loaded.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was just so excited to try everything." The girl then lapped her hands together, as if a delightful idea had just popped into her head. "Say, since you let me share your table, why don't you have some?"

Fuutarou almost short-circuited his brain shock. To think that there was someone this nice even though she was clearly rich! While he would normally never accept a meal he hadn't earned, he also knew not to overlook a free meal.

But then again...

His stomach grumbled as pride and stubbornness battled it out.

"That's nice of you but..."

"It's fine! There's no need to be shy." The girl, no, angel, removed the plates of fried food from her tray and placed the food between them. "A girl can't eat all of this, you know?"

His sister would have proven the girl wrong but at this point that was the last thing on his mind. He glanced suspiciously between the food offered to him and the mystery girl. All he got was the image of a warm smile and a hot meal.

"Well, if you insist..."

Shakily, Fuutarou took one piece of fried shrimp and placed it on his mouth. It was...good? While he wasn't sure about the taste it was nice to have something solid go down his mouth and stomach.

"Itadakimasu~"

Fuutarou paused, looking over to the girl putting her two hands together in prayer. Right, he hadn't prayed but then again, he could just say he had done it earlier. Picking up another piece of chicken, Fuutarou got back to his flashcards, absentmindedly filling his mouth with food.

It was only after ten minutes of reviewing with robot-like eating that he felt something...odd. It was as if there was a pressure pressing down on him, like someone was staring at him intensely. However, it was more intense than the usual stares of jealousy he'd feel. It felt more...primal, like a lion who was sizing up a gazelle.

He shuddered as he forced down his flashcards, intent on looking for the source. However, the moment he did, he met the deep blue eyes of the mystery girl in front of him. She was sitting there, one hand holding chopsticks with the other holding a bowl of rice. Her gaze was a bit too intense to say she was just looking his way.

Fuutarou then noticed something odd. The girl had finished three bowls of rice, was on her fourth, and yet...she hadn't touched anything else. Even now, she continued to only bring rice to her mouth, her stare never leaving his form.

"Is there a problem?"

"You...sure like rice, huh?" Fuutarou forced himself to swallow and ignore how he had dropped his flashcards in surprise. "You know you're supposed to eat that with the meal, right?"

The girl's smile grew...pleased? Fuutarou wasn't sure especially with how flushed the girl's cheeks were along with her heavy breathing.

"I do. But I happen to have a meal more delicious than anything this cafeteria could serve."

Fuutarou's only response was a raised eyebrow. What was this girl talking about? Was this some new diet fad where she only pretended there was meat?

The girl continued, inhaling the rice in front of her yet never letting him leave her eyesight. It was almost as she was using his image as-

Fuutarou stopped. His train of thoughts halted as his body went rigid and cold sweat started rolled down his back. His breath hitched as his mind both entered what could have only been shock.

"What's wrong?"

The girl's tone was perfectly mundane and yet it had Fuutarou clench his teeth. This girl was no doubt lying in front of him yet her face was a perfect mask of inquiry.

After all, who else's foot could be snaking up his leg?!

The soft appendage had suddenly brushed on his shin causing Fuutarou to lock up in surprise. The girl in front of him just continued to eat although if he bothered to look, he'd have seen how her eyes slightly narrowed and her grin curl.

However, Fuutarou was too occupied with whatever was rubbing his leg. It couldn't have been his imagination as he felt the appendage slowly rub its way up from his shin, to his kneecap, to pushing itself in between his-

"I'm done!"

Fuutarou stood up, his body ramrod straight. He stared down at the girl who only returned a close-eyed smile.

A knowing smile.

"See you later."

"...Thanks for the food." Fuutarou took that chance to bolt out of his seat to the closest bathroom. It wasn't like he'd ever meet her again and he'd be happy to keep it that way. His sister's voice was that he needed right now, an anchor of rationality.

He knew the offer of free food was too good to be true!

It was a blessing to Fuutarou's sanity that he had ran away as fast as he could without looking back. Because if he did, he'd have seen the girl pick up the chopsticks he had been previously using. When the ends that had been in his mouth entered her own, the redhead's eyes scrunched close as her whole body shuddered, a delighted moan escaping her pink lips as an excited tongue traced over what was in her mouth.

Thankfully, he didn't see such an act, instead only being surprised as he realized the girl had not just transferred into his class but was also the name of the girl he was supposed to tutor.

He was so surprised he hadn't even noticed how the girl's tongue suggestively licked her upper lip as she passed him by.

If he knew what would be in store for the future, Uesugi Fuutarou would have avoided Nakano Itsuki like the plague.

Thankfully, the moment classes ended Fuutarou made sure to immediately skedaddle back to his family's cozy home. If it was up to him, he'd be back with his sister right after class.

Only there was something that made his retreat halt.

For some reason, there was an envelope in his locker. A pink one that smelled oddly nice. If Fuutarou was a more cultured person, he'd have marked the scent as lavender.

Fuutarou picked it up, his mind blank. Making sure no one around was looking, he opened the letter. Of course, this couldn't be what he thought it was? Who would even give him such a thing? He didn't have any friends as painful as that idea was.

It must be a prank then!

Dear Uesugi Fuutarou, this may come as a shock but I love you. I have feelings for you as a woman that loves a man and end up together with him.

If he hadn't been squeezing the letter tightly out of nervousness, he was sure to have dropped it to the ground out of shock. For perhaps a whole minute, he just stared wide eyed at the neat calligraphy of the letter. Not to be close-minded but the handwriting seemed too neat to be a boy.

I we haven't met yet but just know this isn't some joke. I know already know the best parts about you. How you're cool and confident, yet compassionate and thoughtful. How you're willing to see the best in people.

We are destined to meet soon so I hope you forgive me for such a roundabout method but even now I still need to prepare myself properly.

Only know that my feelings for you burn stronger than the fires that burned Honno-ji temple.

These flames will burn forever even after death.

When Fuutarou reached the end, he was surprised that the letter wasn't signed with any name. Rather, a kiss of pink lipstick marked the end of the paper. He really had no words and thus went to the logical conclusion

Could...could he have a stalker?

Hastily, he glanced around his surroundings. There was not a trace of red hair nor was there any feelings that he was being watched. Could this really be that Nakano girl from earlier or, impossibly, a different girl altogether? The letter said they hadn't met yet but he it's not like he could trust the words written all that much. For all he knew, it was still a huge prank considering there wasn't even a name.

Still, that didn't stop the pleased grin from spreading on his face along with the quickening of his heart. Fake or not, it still felt nice to receive a love letter even if he wasn't particularly interested in having a relationship at the moment.

He was definitely going to show this off to Raiha though.

While he made his way home, people who would have known Fuutarou (basically only his family) would have been surprised to notice a small swagger in his step. Crazier still, he wasn't even reading anything, no notes, no flashcards, nothing.

The euphoria of receiving the love letter still hadn't gone away. In fact, he had, embarrassingly enough, gone and reread the thing a few times on his way back home. Sure, some would have found the letter creepy, even possibly stalkerish but then again it wasn't like Uesugi Fuutarou knew much about the etiquettes of love. Better than nothing he thought.

Even though he had walked this route numerous times over his stay at the school, it was the first time he had actually taken in the scenery and the shops. Window shopping didn't matter to someone who couldn't even afford a proper lunch. Normally, he'd zoom past the shops to afford stimulating his stomach but that too was full thanks to his unusual lunch experience.

It was a combination of these factors that Fuutarou was able to see a certain flyer on the wall of a café he never knew existed. It was immediately something that drew his attention. Words that were more eye-catching for him than any new parfait, cake, or menu option.

"Help Wanted."

His feet stopped as his eyes immediately took in every other detail on the poster: Highschool Student. No need for prior training. Extra pay for employees with driving license. Must also have a studious personality, dark hair, cute little sister, and perfect scores in tests.

Those last ones were oddly written in pink pen that looked to be clearly added post printing but it didn't matter as Fuutarou was at the shop's door by Extra Pay.

What luck!

While it was true that he had that tutoring gig coming up, the amount of pay he'd get from that was still unknown. It's not like he couldn't do both at once and if he couldn't then he'd just have to learn to.

For the money.

He pushed the door open to take into the quiet interior of the café. It wasn't as popular as he thought it would be with how few seats were occupied by students but then again maybe that was why they had a flier asking for help.

"May I help you?"

Fuutarou turned to see a person in a white uniform, a formal shirt combined with an apron. No doubt an employee with the small nametag pinned to the shirt. The student straightened his back, hoping to make a good impression as he put on a polite smile.

"Yes. I'd like to ask about the job offer you posted."

"I see." He got a nod with a gestured arm towards the inside of the cage. "Then why don't you step inside. The manager left to do a delivery so you'll have to wait for a moment."

"Is that why he wants someone who has a license?"

"You're pretty sharp. Has anyone told you that before?"

Fuutarou followed the person inside the café proper, past the counter, and into what seemed to be an area for only for employees, if the sign on the door was accurate. The room had lockers and a bench which Fuutarou sat down on.

"Let me offer you a drink while you wait."

"If it's not too much..." The employee went over to a nearby fridge and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea. It as then poured into a nearby glass which was handed to Fuutarou.

He took a sip, the cool sweetness refreshing to his dry throat. He'd normally order service water so drinking something like this was a novel experience.

"This is good." His honest praise got a smile from the other party

"I'm glad." The employee smiled before turning back to the exit. "I'll be back soon."

When he was finally left by himself, Fuutarou released a sigh. So far, so good. His fellow employee seemed polite, at least. With how she looked, she couldn't even have been older than him by that much yet she with how she carried herself it felt like she'd been on the job for decades. He hoped he wasn't too under qualified for the job

Speaking of which, he then remembered to contact Raiha that he was going to be late. He pulled out his cellphone which he always kept in his bag, unused. As the only two numbers were his family, there was no point in carrying around something worth so much (even if it was a cheap model).

That was why Fuutarou was surprised when he noticed Raiha had sent him a message.

'Onii-chan. I just met with Nakano-san! She wanted to meet up with her newest tutor and offered to take us out to dinner later to discuss the details of the job. She's also really pretty so you'd better be on your best behavior!'

Fuutarou's lips pressed together in a tight line. If this was true, and it was because there was no way his sister would like to him, then he needed to get home quickly. He didn't expect the girl to go his home but then again, he'd never tutored someone before so maybe it was the norm?

'She also gave me some movie tickets. Apparently, she's in it as an extra! How exciting is that!'

Movies? He hoped that wouldn't eat up too much of her study time. Then again, here he was waiting for an interview for another different job. Maybe, she needed a tutor because she was so busy with her other work.

With an arm, he wiped the sweat he felt building on his brow.

Why was it oddly hot in here? He could hear the gentle hum of the air conditioner and yet there was definitely heat building within his body. His clothes felt oddly suffocating as he unbuttoned the top button of his uniform. He took another sip of the iced tea yet it did nothing to quench whatever fire was burning within him.

Was he getting a fever? He didn't feel dizzy and yet-

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Fuutarou's thoughts halted as the earlier employee reentered the room. Only she had changed out of her earlier uniform and back into a dark school uniform. One that looked oddly familiar. However, the most prominent change was how she had traded the white bandana over her head with what looked to be clip that resembled butterfly wings.

"Manager said he's too busy so he left me in charge of your interview."

"…alright." Fuutarou nodded stiffly, forcing his mind to concentrate on the matter and ignoring his oddly heated body. He moved to stand but the girl was quicker, sitting herself right next to him on the bench.

He reflexively scooted to the side but she then moved with him, always making sure their legs were always touching. Eventually, they reached the end of the bench where the girl was practically pushing herself against him.

Predatory blue looked up at him.

"So, can you tell me your name?"

"Uesugi Fuutarou," were the words he forced through clenched teeth. With how close the girl was, he could smell the sweet scent of coffee and cakes sifting from her.

His body jolted as a pink painted fingernail traced up his upper leg.

"That's a cute name." A dangerous grin grew on the girl's face that sent warning bells ringing in Fuutarou's head. For some reason, he knew he had to run and yet his instincts also told him it was already too late for that as well.

The trap had been sprung.

"I'm Nino. Nice to meet you, Fuu-kun."

Yotsuba yawned.

She stretched her back as she did so, her arms reaching for the ceiling.

In front of her was the homework the school had assigned them even on the first day of transferring in. All the problem sets and essays were filled in and completed in full. The girl had finished them all at a record pace.

What's more, if anyone were to bother checking, all of her answers would have been correct; something no one would expect from someone who had flunked out of her last high school a few weeks ago.

Yotsuba did a quick take of the apartment. The apartment the sisters shared was currently empty. For some reason everyone had left, even the normally indoors Miku. There was some sort of irony that she of all the sisters was the only one who had stayed in their apartment, doing homework no less.

"I wonder where everyone went?" she mumbled to herself, her head tilting.

Now that she thought about it, everyone had acted odd these past few days. The atmosphere of the apartment felt more…mature, if she was to put a word on it. All her sisters from Ichika to Itsuki didn't look nervous at all in transferring schools. In fact, they looked outright excited.

Everyone had also been much friendlier and lively. Yotsuba had even been surprised when Miku made breakfast this morning and it was edible! Good even!

"Ah. I forgot." Muttering to herself as she reviewed her answers once more, she noticed an important error at the top of the papers. Yotsuba erased the "Uesugi" preceding her name and replaced it with a "Nakano".

That would just cause some complications.

Well, to be fair, she had used that name for the last twenty years. It was force of habit than outright ignorance.

To think she'd been somehow sent back in time, or her consciousness, at least. She wasn't sure why exactly. One moment she had said good night to her husband, the next she had woken up in her younger body.

At first, she had been confused, depressed even, that it was possible that all those years together had seemingly disappeared into nothing. But then she realized the fact that she still had her memories and it was proof enough that her life did exist at some point. May, even still exist.

Well, the how and whys didn't really matter too much. She had always left those sorts of hard questions to her husband and daughter. Yotsuba's brain just wasn't meant to think about the intricacies of multiple instances of one's consciousness and time travel.

Shrugging off thoughts of her past life, Yotsuba stood up from the couch and headed to the kitchen.

She had a bento to make.

LINE

AN: I'm not entirely sure why I wrote this. I think it all started with an Itsuki fat joke of some kind (as all things do) then went off the rails from there.

Just to confirm it right now to avoid confusion. No, Yotsuba wasn't the bride while the others had "lost". Like the summary implies, they all had won their own respective timeline's Fuutarou. The next chapters (if ever) would go into the perspective of the other sisters.