…

...

"Uesugi-san!"

"There's still a lot I'm holding back."

[Why?]

"Next...It's your turn"

"Please...Don't say you won't pick anyone."

[I wanted to help you fulfill your dreams]

"Let's work hard together!"

[I only...wanted to be needed]

"Fuutarou"

…

…

Beep Beep

*click*

Fuutarou:"I had that dream again."

1 Year After Graduation

Afternoon

Fuutarou is walking back from his afternoon classes. While he looks over his notes for the day, Takeda catches up to him in glorious fashion.

Takeda:"Ah Fuutarou, my friend! I finally got to see you, I was simply bored of waiting. These classes are truly something else, but I shall perse-"

Takeda falls to the ground in exhaustion, still sparkling as he attempts to move his face in the dirt. Fuutarou stops looking at his notes to see Takeda slowly get up. Once he sees he's just fine, he continues walking.

Fuutarou:"Guess it's hard keeping that up at all times. Wouldn't it be better if you let that go from time to time?"

Takeda:"Oh, Fuutarou, can you truly say something like that with such a straight face? You're the one constantly bottling up your emotions. Tell me, from the way you're acting, you had a weird dream again, right?"

Fuutarou stops in his tracks and looks back at Takeda, who got back up.

Fuutarou:"H-How'd you know?"

As Takeda cleans his face of the dirt, he makes a pose, only to sparkle brighter than before.

Takeda:"I've been your friend for so long, I practically know every emotion you have from a few glances."

Fuutarou:"That's creepy."

Takeda: "I like to call it "true friendship", ah, that face you're making is your "I'm disgusted" face, you first made it when I came out of the shower naked that first day."

Fuutarou:"Honestly, have you no shame…?"

Fuutarou stops walking, he puts his hand over his mouth.

Takeda:"Hmm? What's wrong, was your breakfast bread not good this morning?"

Fuutarou:"There it is again, how did you know I ate bread?"

Takeda:"Fuutarou, my friend. That's the only thing you know how to make."

Fuutarou:"Well, it's what I was taught, it's what's keeping me alive on a budget."

Takeda:"Ah, yes. Your boss from that bakery taught you, right?"

Fuutarou:"Huh? Well, yes, he was an influence, but…"

Fuutarou places his hand over his mouth again.

Fuutarou:"I got...extra help at another bakery."

Takeda shone brighter than ever before.

Takeda:"Yes, help from those you cherish is truly the most wonderful thing a man can have. It's from those experiences that you can rise and become the greatest you can be! Wouldn't you agree, my dea-Hey, wait for me!"

As they went back to their dorm, Fuutarou kept thinking about that dream.

Fuutarou:"Honestly...it's probably not even a dream anymore, it might be more of a nightmare at this point, it's practically haunting me at this point. Why? Even though I'm already...Why can't I stop having it?"

Takeda:"Sounds like someone's in a state of denial."

Fuutarou:"Shut it, you. I'm not regretting anything. I know...I know I made the right choice, she needed someone like me and I helped her. That's...that's what anyone would have done."

Takeda:"Oh? Did I ever mention someone in particular?"

Having realized his mistake, Fuutarou begins to grit his teeth.

Takeda:[Ah, that's his "Unsure" face.] "Well, if you're happy, that's all that matters in the end, is it not? C'mon now, you don't have to be so reserved with that kind of stuff."

Fuutarou widens his eyes and slides away from Takeda.

Fuutarou:"Are you just messing with me at this point?"

Takeda's sparkles turn into question marks as he tilts his head.

Takeda:"Now, whatever could you mean..?"

Fuutarou blushes as he puts one hand over his mouth while the other is used to keep Takeda at bay.

Fuutarou:"No, never mind, just remembering something that happened long ago,but...it's not...it shouldn't be important."

Takeda:"Hmm, how confusing. Ah! That reminds me, you're going back home this upcoming vacation, correct?"

Fuutarou:"Uhh, yeah, I've been invited to go to the same hot springs I won a trip to a few years ago."

Takeda:"Hehe, that smile says you're excited to meet them again."

Fuutarou looks at Takeda, not realizing the massive grin on his face.

Fuutarou:"H-Huh? What are you talking about?"

Takeda:"You can't fool me, you're going to see the quintuplets again, aren't you?"

Fuutarou hesitates for a second, then finally notices his unconscious smile. Realizing there was no backing out of this, he responds

Fuutarou:"Yeah...of course I'm excited, they're my irreplaceable friends…Though, why did they just tell me!? I was supposed to get a 2-week notice, but I have to be there in a couple of days!"

Takeda:"Oh my, was Fuutarou forgotten?"

Fuutarou:"I guess so, Yotsuba was supposed to remind me. But, Miku had to go and tell me instead…"

Takeda:[Ah, now that's a grin]

End of Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Extra

Fuutarou goes to the restroom, Takeda swiftly follows behind.

Fuutarou:"Why do you always follow me here? Do you even have to go?"

Takeda:"I always believe in true friendship, and being like this is wonderful for relationships. I'm truly glad our friendship has blossomed so well."

Takeda, overflowing with emotions, goes to hug Fuutarou.

Fuutarou:"Don't you dare! Two stalls, Takeda!"