Fuutarou's POV

Everything in this apartment is so well-known to me, bringing me to so much memories. These sofas and table, where everything happened. That… unnecessary staircases that lead to these sister's room, or that oven in the kitchen that on the day we first met, I was put to sleep by those cookies. This is so nostalgic. Although comparing to now, I just hope these changes won't last long. There are now polices around the house, investigating something, with the floor becoming messier with stuffs and stuffs, scattering all over the place. Ebata-san is also helping out, as he's the one who has access to the apartment.

Reaching the windows, I look outside and enjoy the marvelous scenery. The sight is still the same, covering the entire city from the top, with streets filled with busy traffics, driving around in the hot summer air. There is also a slight scent of leaves flowing on the trees, with branches swaying left to right, letting out some rustling sounds.

"Enjoying yourself, Uesugi-san?" Someone asked me from behind, and hearing the voice, I knew it was Ebata-san.

"Yeah, I've never thought I would return here. It's been 4 years, and this place is still so clean." I said, astonished by how tidy the apartment was.

"When the Nakanos was not home, I had to clean this place up every day, and sometimes I also had someone else helping with. It is a 4-year-period, with me hoping that one day, Maruo-sama and his daughters would come home, feel comfortable with this tidied and cleaned place." Ebata-san said, but then he bowed his head, with a frown on his wrinkled face. "All my life, I have been living, thinking of the best for the Nakanos, for the quintuplets, hoping that I could fill the gap in their hearts, like someone they could lean on, you know, as their second mother. I… didn't expect something like this, instead of having five girls coming back to this apartment, I have over ten polices investigating inside, with their suitcases…" He sadly said and shook his head, made me concerned about him.

"For someone who's been devoting the whole heart for this family… these days have been really difficult for you, huh?"

"You are right, Uesugi-san." Ebata-san answered. "It was quite a relief for me to find out that Itsuki-sama was still alive, while sitting in front of the TV, gripping the table, awaiting for another bad news to come. "

Yeah… Same here, Ebata-san… We do have a lot in common, huh?

"You two really are enjoying the talk, right? I think I shouldn't interrupt then." Suddenly, someone said and approached Ebata-san behind his back. He has a tall figure, a low tone voice, but judging by his face, he still looks quite young, maybe under 30. With his uniform, I guess he is one of the officers, who is on investigation.

"Ebata-san… So this guy is…" I asked.

"You are right, Uesugi-san." Ebata-san said. "I would like you to meet Miyamoto-san, leader of today's investigation team. He is here for the final look in the apartment, making sure that everything is clear."

"Please, Miyamoto-san is my dad's name. Just call me Kuro." The officer, Miyamoto-san, or as he said, I would call him Kuro-san from now on, introduced himself. "So you must be Fuutarou Uesugi-kun, am I right? You look really tired. Perhaps you were worried about the victims' family that you couldn't get any sleep. Seriously, you should worry more about your health."

Yeah, you're right, officer, but the reason is not exactly what you think.

"Can I please have a question? What are all of you doing in the Nakano's apartment, anyway?" I asked Kuro-san.

"Like our team's name, we're here for an investigation. We want to make sure that the jet crash wasn't an intentional, done by perhaps the pilot or anybody else, who used to have any kind of rivalry with the Nakanos." He answered. "Also, we want to return these luggage back to the apartment, since there was only one survivor of the family. If I'm not wrong, you're taking care of her, right?"

"… Itsuki Nakano, you're talking about her?"

"Exactly. According to Ebata, you were really close to them, or in this case, to her. So I asked him to take you here, so you could find a way to deal with these suitcases. I think there will be something that girl needs, so I want you to sort it out." Kuro-san said. "I'll be continuing my investigation with my team and Ebata, so if there is anything, call me."

"I understand. Thanks for taking me here, Ebata-san. And thanks for all the work, Kuro-san." I thanked Kuro-san and Ebata-san, but before the officer took his leave, he approached me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Remember, Uesugi-kun. She might be traumatized with this accident, and she won't have anyone else be with her, except you. So if you can, be her shoulders, got it?"

I nodded after hearing his words, acknowledging that he was a nice guy. After that, Kuro-san and Ebata-san starts companying the investigators, as I go to the table, where the luggage is scattering around it. It's quite uncomfortable searching for stuffs inside luggage of someone who is gone, but just like Kuro-san said, I need to find something important inside. With my priority of finding important stuffs for Itsuki, I also have something that I really need to find. To me, these things are also really crucial, have a lot of meanings for me.

Something that I hope "that time" won't become the last time I saw them.

Chapter 6:

Return to where it all began (part 2)

O0O

One or two hours have passed, as I haven't made any specific progress.

I've been searching through Ichika, Nino, Miku and Yotsuba's suitcases, but I still can't find any. I found Miku's cookbook and her recipe note or tips, which were torn and still a little bit soggy. One of the pages of the note, which was highlighted with different color, actually written by hand, "Special meal for Fuutarou (he will love it for sure)". And although the writing was really hard to read, judging by the ingredients, which were still readable, she must have thought about making curry rice, my favorite. Oh geez, Miku…

I also found something inside Ichika's suitcase. It was an autograph, signed by her, with a message below it, "To Fuutarou-kun". The ink was faded and the autograph plus the message themselves were blurry, but it was enough for me to see. It's sure is a pleasure to get an autograph from a soon-to-be successful young actress. Such a shame that she won't get a chance to give it to me directly…

Nino, apparently, also wanted to cook me something. With all the cookbooks inside her suitcases, I guess she was trying to find a new recipe, something that she hadn't cooked before, with the bookmarks inside them. I have to say, that was such a bold decision, but it's also too bad that she won't get a chance to do it. I feel for you, Nino…

I have a feeling that Yotsuba wanted to do something, but not with me, with Raiha. In my view, she really wanted to know Raiha better, to be her sister. I know Raiha would happily accept Yotsuba's offer to go somewhere to play or just a small hangout, but it was terrible for Yotsuba that she wouldn't be able to do it. Such a shame for all of these notes about some new Japanese amusement parks…

… But after all the things I have found, I still can't find those "things". They are definitely important to me, the reason I've been waiting for 4 years just to see them. But after all the searching, I can't find any of them. I found a pair of glasses and a notebook inside Itsuki's suitcase, with some questionable empty peanut packages though. I can give the glasses to her, hopefully it can improve her eye sight, at least for a bit, and I'll keep her notebook for now. But right now, I need to ask Kuro-san about those "things".

Remembering Kuro-san and his team are investigating upstairs, I decide to go to the staircases and call for him. "Kuro-san! Are you up there? There is something I need to-"

"FREEZE! BY THE NAME OF THE LAW!"

Someone shouted behind me! Oh crap, I've been caught!

"Please no harm! I didn't mean to-" I turned around and was about to tell that guy I was innocent. However, I stop as soon as I see him. This guy is also from the investigation team, judging by his uniform. He isn't really tall, a bit shorter than me, but he still has the figure of an officer, just not someone with a high role, more like a typical member or soldier, at least that's how I see him.

"You really are easy to get scared, huh?" The officer asked me and laughed, which I found it frustrating. Who wouldn't freak out when someone suddenly screamed right behind their back? But I try keeping calm, with all the respect for Kuro-san and his team, and waiting until he finishes laughing. "Sorry for my impoliteness." He then bowed his head and introduced himself. "I'm Hayato, member of Miyamoto-san's investigation team. You want to call Miyamoto-san, am I right? He's busy right now, so he sent me downstairs just to make sure if you need any help."

Still understanding as always, Kuro-san. Such a good personality for a leader. "You seem to be really young. This job isn't a problem for someone like you?" I asked Hayato-san.

"Well, it is, actually. I've just joined the team recently, so I'm like a rookie to them. I'm here mostly for learning some experiences from the experienced, for my future cases' preparation." Hayato-san said, then he started frowning. "Being a rookie is hard. They are always bossing me around without any sign of stopping. Hayato this, Hayato that… Even in my dream, their voices just keep echoing inside my head. But in the end, you have to do everything it you want to impress the experienced. That's just life…"

Yeah… I understand you, Hayato-san. After all, I've been through all those things you said…

Hayato-san then wipes off the frown on his face and beams a smile. He decides to change the topic to make a difference to the atmosphere. "So, how was your life with the Nakano sisters? Anything good? Anything bad? Was their bed durable enough for you six's 'midnight actions'?" Hayato-san asked me, which pissed me off with that last part.

"… On my first day in this apartment, I was put to sleep by eating poisonous cookies. Do you want to hear more about that?"

"Aw, that sounds terrible. Sorry for reminding you. I'll stop then." He decided to stop the "what did I do with the Nakanos" thing, but the main topic didn't change. "Nakano family's death really was a tragic event, wasn't it? People felt terrible for death, encountering such a fate… Especially for Ichikan's fanbase, that was really a shock."

"… Ichikan?"

"Yeah, don't you know? That's the nickname her fans use to call Ichika Nakano. By the way, it was also a shock for me, since I was Ichikan's fan, as well. You know what they said, talents really don't live long…" Hayato-san sighed.

"So with your saying, I guess you're here just to see your idol's place with your own eyes, and the whole investigation and experience learning are just side missions, no?" I asked him, finding him suspicious. I think my guessing was right, since after that, he starts sweating and feeling nervous.

"W-Well… you see, buddy… In life, you should seize every single chance you get. Opportunity like this won't come twice…"

"Alright, so tell me how many pictures you took and uploaded to 'Ichikan' fanbase then."

"Dude, don't be like that. I'm not that type of person! Job is still job! I have to do it professionally!" Hayato-san obliged. Fantastic, what a line from an inexperienced rookie. And don't you "dude" or "buddy" me!

"A-Anyway, let's move back to where we're supposed to be, okay?" Hayato-san asked. "What did you call the leader for?"

"I need to find something important, but they are not inside the Nakanos' suitcases. Is there any chance that they are still here?" I asked him.

"Hmm… During our investigation, we also took out some stuffs that we thought to be useful or crucial, at least for the victims' family or the survivor." He said. "Itsuki Nakano, am I right? The only survivor of the jet accident. You're bringing something for her?"

"That's right." I answered. "I have a feeling that she will- no, she definitely needs it! It's very important to her!"

"Ahh… that Itsuki girl…" Hayato-san mumbled, and after some hesitation, he continued. "You know, sometimes in life, luck becomes such an important thing, which can turn the table."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember the live rescuing?" Hayato-san asked and he continued without waiting for me to answer. "When Itsuki-chan was rescued, we also found out that her body temperature was really low, but just, just enough to keep her alive for a few seconds. Before that, Maruo Nakano had been picked up, in a… hugging position. Just our theory, but…"

"But… what?"

"With Itsuki being rescued after her sisters, it was impossible that she could keep such an incredible body temperature. But… maybe her father, Maruo, had been hugging Itsuki the entire time until his death, giving all his warmth to his daughter. It sounds insane, I know, but it could be true."

This is so hard to believe this. Maruo Nakano, someone like him… protected his daughter?

"So what are you finding, young one? Perhaps I could help."

I think it's time to reveal what it is. No, what they are. Whatever the truth is, I'll definitely and be ready to face it. So I let out a sigh and tell him the keyword.

"… Nakano sisters' Bachelor's degrees. All of them, their certificates, their diplomas… You guys still have them, right?"

"… I don't know what you're hoping anymore, young man." Hayato-san said, made me confused. "Do you really think that those degrees wouldn't be soaked in cold ocean water? That requires a lot of hope and trust to believe that."

"Oh, is that so…?" I lowered my head after hearing what he said, feeling painful in my chest. Just 4 years ago, we promised to bring our degrees and certificates back to our high school's entrance, raise them up high as our proof of hard-working and winning the "battle" in university. But now, all of those hard works from the quintuplets, all of their trying in 4 years…

"You seem to be very desperate. What's going on in your mind?" He asked me.

Oh… nothing. Just… having some thoughts inside my head, that's all." I answered.

Now what should I say to Itsuki when she's recovered? Telling her that her hard work is gone? The last bit of her memories with her sisters is vanished? How will she feel after that? Damn it, what should I do now!? How can I face her!?

When I look back up, Hayato-san isn't there anymore. Instead, he goes to a table and looks for something, or should I say, some… papers. Then he collects some of them into a bag and brings them to me, hands them out. "Here, young one. Are these what you're looking for?" He asked. Letting curiosity beating me, I open the bag, look inside it, and I can't believe what I see.

"Just like I said, young boy. Sometimes, luck is the one that decides everything. And this time, perhaps luck has won and brought its victory to you."

These are their degrees! All of them! Even Miku's certificate from her culinary school is also here, too!

"B-But how!? I thought they… as you said… soaked in-" I was astonished by their existence that I couldn't utter a word properly.

"Yeah, but since one of the family members was too careful, he put them in his suitcase, inside a waterproof, sealed bag. God, it was so hard to open it, but yeah, they're here."

So these degrees were kept by… Maruo Nakano?

"So… young one, you're happy now?" Hayato-san asked, but I didn't answer him. Without knowing, I suddenly laugh, it's from all of my relief. Then I look up to the ceiling, being shone by the sunlight, coming through the windows. Somehow, everything around me is filled with light and all of my sleepiness, tiredness has vanished. Now inside my chest, there is only the feeling of relief.

You're wrong, Hayato-san. I'm more than happy.

O0O

The sun reaches the peak, as after a long day, the investigation is over. No sign or evidence can be found to conclude the accident as intentional or caused by someone else. According to Kuro-san, there were lots of dents and broken engine parts inside the jet, and there was no mark of intentionally breaking from anyone. From now on, the case is closed and the other steps will be done by the officers and Kuro Miyamoto's investigation team. However, if there is any other new information, Ebata-san will let me know.

"So what will you do to this place, Miyamoto-san?" Ebata-san asked the team leader.

"Since we are done with the investigation, I guess when the survivor is recovered, she can return to this place if she wants to." Kuro-san answered while scratching his forehead. However, maybe he soon finds out that he needs to do something, so he goes to a corner, where a large bag is placed, and he hold it up. Then he goes to my spot and hands it to me. "I almost forgot. During our searching through the luggage, we found this inside your friend's, Itsuki-chan, suitcase. I think it's my duty to hand it to you. You'll know what to do with it."

"Um… thanks, Kuro-san." I thanked him and received the bag, which was tied neatly.

"It was soaking wet as first, though. We found a way to dry it, but just in case, you might want to put that in the washing machine. It's very… smelly, like a rotten or expired burger or something, which I don't know why I find what I said relevant." He said, slightly laughing.

Now he mentions it, I also find this bag much larger than I expected, but it's not really heavy. I know girls usually bring a lot of clothes when it comes to vacation or emigrating stuffs, but this thing is human-sized, plus it's quite… squishy and soft, at least that what I feel.

"Um… thanks. I'll make sure to do that." Guess there is something for me to do at home.

"Uesugi-san, I am glad to have you here. I think you are hungry, right?" Ebata-san asked. Now he mentions it, I also feel my stomach rumbling. All the scattering and searching might have taken some of my energy. It's been so long since the last time I actually did something different from babysitting and singing lullabies at that hospital.

"Uesugi-san, if you want to, I can buy some lunch on the way back to the hospital."

"You don't have to, Ebata-san. You've been helping us a lot, especially with the hospital fee. Plus, I have my sister's lunch waiting for me in that room." I refused Ebata-san offer, since I didn't want to pull him into some kind of financial issue. Hearing what I said, he smiles and nods. This is actually my first time seeing him smile, right?

I turn around and look at the Nakano's apartment one more time. This is a place with memories, filled with precious things, recording our time together back when we were in high school, back when I was a tutor to those 5 dummies. Time really passes so fast, doesn't it? Sadly, when we return to this place, there will be only one sister, a single girl inside such a large apartment, with 4 spare rooms for nothing, no one will come in or out. There won't be any smell of freshly baked cookies, there won't be any sound of five writing pens and there won't be any loud sound of laughing. Even with someone lives here, the feeling of emptiness will still be there.

Sometimes fate really is cruel, isn't it?

When we're out of the door and Ebata-san is about to close it, I peek inside the small gap one more time, hoping to get all of the familiar sight in my head.

"May we meet again, Nakano's apartment." I whispered myself and let out a small smile.

And with that, the door is shut, waiting for its remaining owner to go inside, Itsuki Nakano.

"Alright, team, good work! Let's head back to the station!" Kuro-san told his team and received a "yes, sir" from all of the members, including Hayato-san. Then he turns to me and offers his hand, giving me a card. "If you need something, just call me with this number. I'll help you if I can. Just remember what I told you, alright?"

"Definitely, Kuro-san." I told him and shook his hand, accepting a huge investigation team leader as my friend, which was bizarre and unthinkable. Then I turn to Hayato-san, the team rookie, who looks really bored. "You want to share your number, too?" I asked, but Hayato-san shook his head.

"Nah, it's not my plan to be friend with you." He said. "But like he said, I can still help you as officer and citizen."

Still that tone, huh? Oh well, at least he helped me with these degrees earlier. Holding all five of them in my hand, I still have that feeling of relief in my chest. Their hard works, their studying through 4 years are here, but sadly without four of the owners.

Thanks to this morning, I actually have some respect for Maruo Nakano. I thought he was just some cold-hearted father, only thought of the result and success, without thinking of his daughters' feeling. And look at what he did, protecting these degrees, protecting Itsuki, saving her life within a nick of time. I mean, these degrees were still considered as success by that father, but the last two things have given me a different image of him. You've had my respect, just a little, but still enough, Maruo-san.

"Uesugi-san, can you wait for me for a sec? I need to find the car key." Ebata-san asked, and I answered with a nod. We are going far away from the investigation team, which I can still hear them talking.

"That boy, Uesugi, he really will become a shoulder for the survivor, right?"

"Yeah, good kid. I'm glad to be his friend."

Oh geez, just stop it, people…

"But hey, Miyamoto-san, don't you think that girl is actually lucky?"

… What?

"What are you talking about, Hayato? She almost died, you know!?"

"Yahhh… just think about it. Just yesterday, you were the youngest of the family, a position that would get just a small amount of patrimony when your father passed away. But then one day, boom! You get all of it, every single piece of gold, grab all those cash and become a rich girl by default! Luck really is a strong thing, isn't it?"

"S-Shut up, Hayato! How could you say that!?"

…

"Alright, Uesugi-san, I have found it. Let's go and-"

"Ebata-san, sorry if I'm cutting your words, but… can you please wait for me, just a minute?" I asked Ebata-san, with my hands balling into fists, channeling all of my anger.

"Um… sure, but why, Uesugi-san? You forgot something in the apartment? I can open the door for you if you want to."

"No, Ebata-san." I told him, then I turned around and approached Hayato. "There is someone I need to lecture…" I whispered.

Let me tell you a secret, something I've been keeping for so long, not revealing to anyone else.

You know, there is one thing that I really hate, one thing that I can't find anyway to forgive. To me, that thing is a spike in my eyes, something I wish that I wouldn't have to see it. But this time, this fricking time… it has finally appeared, and it has successfully pissed me off.

And that is when someone finally gets my respect, but then he screws up and loses it.

"Oi, Uesugi-kun, isn't it? You need something?" That thing, Hayato, called for me when he saw I was approaching him. However, I didn't answer him. I stop in front him, facing him eyes to eyes, trying my best to keep calm and not hurting someone, as he is still an officer. But to be honest, I'm really furious with what he said earlier.

"Hayata, isn't it?" I asked him, which made him laugh.

"You have some kind of short-term memory loss, don't you? It's Ha-ya-to. Lack of sleep makes people lose memory easier, so make sure to get some rest, alright?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not used to remembering a first-day rookie or some inexperienced, unprofessional guy's name." I told him, which made him raise his eyebrows. "You know, life really is unfair and stupid. Like some lawyers, instead of using their knowledge to help people, they steal people's work and copyright it, using their incredible knowledge to help themselves, leaving those innocent individuals nothing. Or in this case, we have a kid, who wished to be a police and saved people, but when he actually achieved it, he used his job to 'nut' at his idol's suitcase, instead of thinking about his actual main mission. Am I right, Ha-ya-to?"

"… You heard it, didn't you?" Hayato asked.

"Every single word of it, you're welcome." I said, then I pretended to cover my mouth in terror. "Oh no, I was so rude. I swore in front of an officer. Oh wait, he's just a rookie, he doesn't have any right to arrest me unless his boss says so. Right, Kuro-san?" I said sarcastically and looked up to Kuro-san, who was speechless but he didn't do anything afterwards, like he was allowing me to continue. "So, Hayato, with that being said, allow me, someone who is smarter and more understanding than you, teach you the most important thing of this job you're having. Care to know, Hayato?" I continued and leaned my face closer to Hayato, who was sweating and speechless as well.

"W-What is it?"

"Hayato-kun, when you are wearing that Japanese police badge, keep this in mind…" I told him. "The most important thing of this job is understanding other people's feeling first, biting your tongue seven times before thinking about spitting those words to them, like those you've said! GOT IT!?" I shouted at him and gave him a glare, which made him totally frozen.

"Uesugi-san…" Ebata-san whispered behind me. He might have heard the whole conversation.

"Sorry for making you wait, Ebata-san. I'll go with you eventually." I apologized him and followed him to the elevator, leaving the investigation team behind. With just a glance, I see Hayato still having that dumbstruck face, and Kuro-san just nods at him and folds his arms, like he is asking the rookie if he has regrets what he said. He doesn't call me back or arrest me, and to be honest, I'm glad.

Such a weird morning today…

O0O

Ebata-san is driving me back to the hospital. I try to find a way to kill some time by looking out the windows, or reading the content of the Nakanos' certificates, but I can't put that memory out of my head. I know that Hayato guy spitted some poisonous thing out of his mouth, but after all, he's still a police, even a rookie or an experienced one. It was really bizarre for me to do that. I don't know if I should feel regretful or think that I was right. Once again, I just let my anger control me…

"Uesugi-san." Ebata-san called for me, snapping me back to reality.

"Yes, Ebata-san?" I asked him, then he smiled, something I could see through the front mirror.

"If you need, I can teach you that 'ballpoint pen assassinate skill'. It's quite useful to teach bad guys a lesson, you know?" He "offered" me, which made me laugh and think about what he did to me this morning.

"Seriously, how could you be so fast at this age!?"

"Do not underestimate old people, kid! Every morning, I still can lift some weights and run more than a hundred miles, you know?"

Gosh I wish this man was my grandpa!

"Let's face the truth. If you were me, you would still plunge that ballpoint pen to his neck, right?" I asked him.

"I would not, Uesugi-san. I would pick anyway as peaceful as possible." Ebata-san said. "You really need to control yourself, Uesugi-san. I don't think what you did was wrong, but please, next time, find anyway smarter to solve it."

"But didn't you almost kill me when we got to Nakan-"

"That was a sudden action of anger, alright!? Fine, I couldn't control my feeling at that time! Can you stop bringing that out!?"

"Fine, I won't." Geez he is still a strange old man.

But still, with just a small talk, I can understand him, just enough. All these time, I only saw him as the guy who stole my job, or an unusual old man. But now, I see him as a caring, understanding guy, with his loyalty to his master, his caring for the master's daughters, who aren't even his own children. It's like… he is a father figure, a substitute one for all five of them.

"Ebata-san."

"Yes, Uesugi-san?"

"What are the Nakano quintuplets to you? How do you look at them?" I asked, wanting to know more about his relationship with the Nakanos. With that question, there is a moment of silence, waiting for someone to break it.

"You know, Uesugi-san. Even for someone with a very strong heart, it is still hurtful for that person when he or she loses the love one. This wasn't an exception for those girls." He said. "In my life, I have never met or talked to Rena-sama in person, but I know that she was a good person, a good mother for the girls. Even after her death, Maruo-sama didn't have time to take care of them, so… I thought I had to be a 'father' to them."

"… And it was hard to identify all five of them, right?"

"Yes, but just at first. They had some unique personalities. Like Itsuki-sama was the one eating the most, or Nino-sama was the one talking about cooking more than her sisters. I was slowly getting used to it, though."

"I see…" I mumbled and leaned my head on the headrest. Suddenly, through the front mirror, I see him making a frown, turning that smile upside down.

"Uesugi-san, I really want to see Itsuki-sama more often, but I can't."

"Why not? I can show you her room if you want-" I told him, when suddenly he started coughing, like he was in a bad health condition. "Are you okay, Ebata-san!?" I asked him worriedly.

"I am okay, Uesugi-san. Thanks for concerning." He said. "At the age of mine, I don't think if I can live any longer. Soon I'll be leaving this world behind. I really… want to see Itsuki-sama, but… I don't think that I can. Luckily, you are here, Uesugi-san. I guess I can be less worried about her now…"

"Ebata-san, I-"

"Oh, we're here, Uesugi-san." He said and stopped the car. I look out the window to see the usual sight of the hospital, waiting for me to go inside. I didn't even have a proper talk with him. Time really passes so fast, doesn't it?

Ebata-san then opens the door for me to go outside. Stepping out the car, I'm once again greeted by that shining sunlight, the usual heat of summer. Once again, I'm back at this place, back to my own routine. I take out the degrees and that strange, huge bag that containing something big with me, which I'm going to bring all of them to Itsuki's room.

"Uesugi-san, before we say goodbye, there is something else I want to give you." Ebata-san told me, which made me raise my eyebrows in curiosity. Then he reaches into his pocket and takes out an envelope, which is sealed carefully and hands it to me. When I receive it and turn it around, there is something written on.

'From: Maruo Nakano.

To: Fuutarou Uesugi.'

"From Maruo-san?" I asked.

"Yes. Maruo-sama sent this to me when his family was living abroad, the day before… the accident." Ebata-san sadly said. "He wanted to give this to you in person, but since he kind of had some… hatred for you, he wanted me to send this to you on his behalf."

"Guess he wasn't brave, was he?" I chuckled. "Even until this day, there was still someone wrote letter instead of using email or message?" I joked, but Ebata-san didn't answer, which I guessed I might have indirectly insulted him. "I-I'm sorry… I'll be… going now. Thanks for what you did, Ebata-san."

I turn around and walk to the entrance of the hospital, when suddenly…

"Uesugi-san!" Ebata-san shouted at me, made me turn around. And before I know it, he bows his head, which surprises me. "Please, on my behalf, take care of Itsuki-sama! The Nakano family needs you, Fuutarou Uesugi-san!"

"… Please don't do this, Ebata-san. I feel really uncomfortable when someone owes me something." I walked to him and pat his shoulder, made him look back up. When he is still speechless, I know it's my chance to continue. "I think with your health right now, you can live for more than ten years, Ebata-san. Keep lifting weights and jogging, okay?"

After my word, he starts smiling, and behind that sunglasses, there are some tears rolling down his cheek, on his wrinkle of time. It's like the smile of a father, finding out that his daughter finally has someone to be by her side, but feeling that it's hard to let her go. "I got it. Thank you, Uesugi-san." With a smile of a father, he thanked me, something I thought I wouldn't need, but I felt glad to accept it.

Saying goodbye to Ebata-san, I go inside the hospital, leaving the old "father" behind, waving me goodbye, letting someone go to his "daughter".

O0O

"What the heck happened to her?" When I finally reached Itsuki's room and went inside, I was greeted by a shivering Itsuki, lying on the hospital bed, with her eyes look like she encountered some sort of nightmare. Next to her, Raiha is wiping her sweats, looks like she is exhausted from doing something.

"Water… monster… raping… scary…" Itsuki mumbled, she looked like she was about to cry.

"Raiha, you have any explaination for that? I left her with you, right?" I asked Raiha, which made she let out the smile of pride.

"Mission completed! I've successfully given Itsuki-san a shower! Now she is clean from head to toe!" Raiha said and saluted.

Shower… shower…

DAMN IT RAIHA!

Am I having a "when the teacher leaves the room" situation?

"Hey, Raiha…"

"Yes, big brother?"

"I swear to god I'm leaving Itsuki with you ever again!"

O0O

A/N: Hey guys, Kaze here, back with another chapter.

According to some of your reviews, I have acknowledged and fixed them in this update.

For any question about the character or the plot, trust me. Everything will be slowly explained in many chapters to come. For now, I just want to keep this slow pacing, keep it steady so the story will be much more understandable.

Once again, thanks for all the reviews, favorites and followings. They're my motivation to keep updating this fanfic.

See you in the next update.

-TheNameIsKaze-