Today was test day.

I woke up with plenty of time, but the quintuplets started helping a stranger in trouble.

Fortunately, I had sent Yotsuba ahead, so thanks to the quintuplet switch strategy, no one ended up being late.

It was a little moving to see that, after attending mine and Futaro’s lessons, they were now able to help a lost foreign child.

Though having Futaro and me wear Yotsuba’s ribbon during the switch strategy was rough.

Still, everyone managed to take the test.

* * *

Library

Futaro: "Sorry to call you all here."

Ichika: "What’s with the formality?"

Yotsuba: "You’re being distant."

Miku: "Midterm results?"

Futaro: "Yeah."

Kiyotaka: "Ichika, show yours first."

Itsuki: "No. I don’t want to."

She’s the only one who understands the weight of this test.

She knows one failing grade means we’re fired.

Which means her reaction likely confirms it.

Futaro: "Thanks. I’m prepared. Tell me."

We check the results.

Everyone failed everything except their strongest subject.

Futaro: "Seriously... We studied that much and still couldn’t hit 30."

Nino: "Shut up."

Kiyotaka: "But you’ve definitely improved."

Ichika: "Exactly. We’re evolving, even if slowly."

That doesn’t change the failing grades.

Futaro: "You’re right. Especially Miku. 68 on this test’s difficulty is impressive. From now on, you teach your sisters."

Miku: "Huh?"

She looks confused at his almost-final tone.

Futaro continues encouraging the others.

Kiyotaka: "Let me speak too."

I’m a tutor as well.

Kiyotaka: "Ichika. You can do this. Don’t give up until the end."

Then to Itsuki.

Kiyotaka: "Manage your time better. You didn’t finish."

Itsuki: "I know."

Kiyotaka: "Then fix it next time."

I look at Futaro.

Kiyotaka: "I’ve said my part. You?"

Futaro: "Yeah."

Ring.

Perfect timing.

Itsuki: "It’s Father."

Futaro takes the phone.

Futaro: "Uesugi speaking... Yes... Please assign them a better tutor next time."

Just as he’s about to report the results—

Nino snatches the phone and questions their father about the condition.

She asks why he set it.

Then she listens.

I assume this is the end of our tutoring job.

Nino: "The five of us avoided failing all five subjects."

Technically true.

Their father seems to misunderstand.

Futaro: "Nino, what was that?"

Nino: "We each avoided failing in different subjects. So collectively, we cleared all five."

Futaro: "That counts?"

Nino: "You can’t use that trick next time. So make it real."

Futaro: "I will."

Kiyotaka: "Do your best."

Nino: "You too."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah."

I didn’t expect Nino to be the reason we continue tutoring.

Yotsuba: "Let’s review now."

Nino: "No thanks."

Futaro: "Post-test study is important. But not right now. You mentioned a reward. Parfaits, right?"

The sisters burst out laughing.

Ichika: "Futaro-kun saying parfait..."

Itsuki: "I’ll have a large one."

And so our first test concludes.

* * *

While eating parfaits, we reminisce about studying and chat casually.

My phone vibrates.

A message.

Ichika: Let’s talk, just us two.

She could’ve said it aloud.

I slip outside.

Ichika follows.

Ichika: "Aren’t you going to say anything?"

Kiyotaka: "Not particularly."

Her eyes look sad and angry at once.

Ichika: "Do you not trust me? I thought we understood each other."

Her voice rises.

Kiyotaka: "Sorry. I should’ve told you about the condition. I wanted you focused on studying."

I pat her head.

She blushes slightly.

Ichika: "What’s with that hand?"

Kiyotaka: "You worked hard."

Ichika: "Let’s go back."

After that, nothing happens.

On the way home—

Ping.

Another message.

Kiyotaka: ‘Ichika?’

It’s from someone I know well.

Kiyotaka: ‘I never gave them my contact…’

Soon, two transfer students will enter the grade below mine.

And from there, my life will begin to change.