Disclaimer: I own neither the series nor the characters. The original story is 五つ子強くて？ニューゲーム by いぶりーす. Check em out.
There was something strange about today.
Today was just meant to be another day for Uesugi Fuutarou's usual poor self. He had ordered the school cafeteria's Yakiniku set without the Yakinuku as he often did. Such a meal left me with only the rice, vegetables, and soup. It wasn't much but it wasn't something he could complain about. It was a real oddity of a meal sure but it was the best bang for the budget of someone like him.
However, the moment he started walking towards the cafeteria seat he'd often use, he felt something strange that set off the back hairs of his neck straight. Now, he was often used to people staring at him so he immediately knew this pinprick at the back of his skull were gazes but compared to the usual feeling of ridicule or held-back pity, he felt this was different.
It almost felt like he'd say he was being "targeted", his instinct of a living being telling him that he was absolutely in danger.
When he turned his own line of sight across the cafeteria, he immediately noticed a group of five girls watching him a few tables away. The five-person group was wearing a uniform different from what the girl's at his school wore. Of course, such an unfamiliar looking group also drew the attention of everyone around them.
Perhaps, they were transfer students?
Well, not like it really mattered to Fuutarou. What did matter was that he was pretty sure the hunter-like gaze he felt had come from the direction of their table. He focused his sight to get a good look at their faces.
"…!"
At that moment, Fuutarou felt a shiver go through his spine. The moment his eyes met with their own, all five similar looking faces smiled at the same time. It was much like a horror movie, especially with how they all carried the exact same expression.
The poor student quickly turned his eye away from them. With a speed he didn't expect in him, he practically inhaled his rice and miso soup and left the cafeteria in a hurry. He had a bad premonition, that it would be better for him if he'd remain uninvolved with such people. Of course, there was no real logic to it but the feeling in his gut was even overpowering the hunger from his no course meal.
That afternoon, Fuutarou became Nostradamus as one of those girls transferred into his class. Her hair held star-shaped hairpins and she called herself Nakano Itsuki.
Hearing her name had sent a jolt though his body. He remembered that was the very same one his sister had told him over the phone. This girl was the student that he was supposed to tutor tomorrow.
All his classmates got excited seeing the new girl as she introduced herself by writing her name on the blackboard. It helped that she was a beauty, one all the boys welcomed to their school. All but Fuutarou, at least.
The reason was simple.
She was watching.
Ever since she had entered the classroom, her blue eyes had never left his face. Moreover, there was a strong glint in them that Fuutarou could clearly see. Such a powerful feeling of hunger swirled in those eyes that met his own. Of course, having never seen her before, Fuutarou averted his gaze.
Uesugi Fuutarou, couldn't help but feel fear from this girl, as he tried to keep his head down until she finished her introduction.
However, such resistance would end up in vain.
When she finished her introduction, Itsuki moved to her new seat. Her voice then whispered to him words that only he could hear as she passed his own.
"Good to see you again, Uesugi-kun."
He felt his breath stop and his heart reach his chest. How did this girl know his name even though they've never known each other?
He wanted to glance back to ask her but he couldn't as he soon felt the strong gaze settle on the back of his head.
That night, Fuutarou couldn't fall asleep. Such an experience had left him too anxious about the next day's part-time job as he still didn't know what Itsuki's words meant.
Fuutarou started the next day tired, having no knowledge of when he had fallen asleep and when he had woken up. He had to drag his legs out of his house, the exhaustion still in them, knowing he had to start his tutoring job today.
"Good morning, Fuutarou."
The greeting was natural as they came, as if it had been exchanged every day between old friends. It was a kind voice filled with love.
Naturally, Fuutarou had no idea who the owner of the voice was.
As no one had ever talked to him before, the greeting caught Fuutarou by surprise. He almost screamed as he turned to the source to see a girl wearing headphones standing behind him. If he thought about it, he could recognize her.
She was also part of yesterday's five-person group. One eye was hidden with her long bangs but if he looked closely, she actually looked just like the transfer student.
More importantly, why was this person here? Also, she also knew his name and even called him by his given one. So many questions swam across his mind however he couldn't say any of them out of fear of this girl.
After all, even her voice was gentle, those terrifyingly intense eyes looked to hold the same overwhelming feelings Nakano Itsuki's own held yesterday. They contrasted her gentle, almost blank, expression. They looked to burn as hotter than the sun shining down below them.
Too overwhelmingly hot.
"Good morning."
His lackluster tone hid the sweat forming in his brow. He didn't know what would have happened if he ignored her so he forced himself to reply. Once he did return it, she just nodded and lined her shoulders with his. As if such a position as natural.
Fuutarou had to wonder if she wanted to go to school together like this. Right as he was about to ask, she tilted her head, her bangs shaking.
"What are you doing? Let's go Fuutarou."
And so, they started moving.
They walked to school without any conversation on the way. There were many things he wanted to know but not once did she talk to him. Fuutarou just decided to ignore her, not wanting to say anything wrong that could damage the mood of his mysterious companion. It didn't help that he wasn't used to walking to school with anyone really plus the girl walked close enough that their arms and shoulders were touching.
On the way there, he had wanted to make a break for it multiple times but he couldn't do it out of the action being too risky plus his own lack of physical strength.
"So, you were running around here, Miku"
After arriving at the main gate and finally being allowed to separate himself from the girl, a voice called out to their direction. When Fuutarou turned out of reflex, a black luxury car filled his vision, no doubt something he'd never be able to afford no matter how many years he worked. A girl with long hair wearing hair ornaments on each side of her head suddenly walked up to the stranger next to him and loked her straight in the eye.
"Muu, Nino."
The girl, Miku, met her gaze and uttered the other girl's name as her cheeks inflated up like mochi. Even though such an action was childish, a disturbing air started to flow between the two. For the first time in a long time, Fuutarou considered sipping school and just returning home.
"Well, whatever."
The other girl, Nino, then broke her eye contact with Miku and turned to Fuutarou. Again, she had the same face which meant she must have been part of yesterday's five-person group. Not only her face, but something also dwelt within her pupils. A gaze that sent shivers crawling through Fuutarou's whole body. Fuutarou, sensing the danger, was already unconsciously taking steps away from her.
"-I'm not letting you go this time."
One sentence. With just those words Nino walked past Fuutarou. There was no doubt. It was the same feeling of a beast that had caught her prey. And not just any beast but a ferocious one that was hungry for blood.
With strength he hadn't believed he possessed, Fuutarou managed to move his trembling feet and rushed back to his classroom. Just by hearing his words, he felt like he shouldn't remain in such a spot. He didn't need to deal with that Miku or the other three of the group. It was just morning but his mind and body already felt spent.
As he sat down on his chair to calm himself, Fuutarou finally understood the relationship of those girls. They went to school in the same car and shared the same face. They were probably a rich family of sisters. Seeing the uniforms, they were wearing the day before, they were also in the same grade. Perhaps, they were the rare form of quintuplets?
Fuutarou wasn't entirely sold on the idea but they all did share the same face. However, he also remembered another thing his sister, Raiha, had told him about the part-time job. The pay was five times the market price of a normal tutoring job which was why he had been so adamant in doing it in the first place.
The number five continued to fester in his mind as other facts flashed through it.
The five-person group in the cafeteria yesterday. His student's name being Nakano Itsuki. That those girls looked to be quintuplets. The reward that was five times the amount.
It was a truth he'd never want to admit or conclude.
Nakano Itsuki wasn't his only student and that very idea made Fuutarou's stomach grumble in pain.
He didn't even need to look back to know she was still looking at him. Fuutarou then had to endure the whole time as he felt the powerful gaze drill into the back of his head. When lunch period began, he bolted to the cafeteria with the last of his strength. He needed to get away from those strong eyes.
Thankfully, he was able to order his lunch in peace. However, that didn't mean he wasn't worried. He was already tired and he knew he couldn't run away forever. Either way, at the end of the school day, he'd have to face all five of them.
"Uesugi-san."
"!"
The shivering thought of talking to all of them all at once disappeared as a ribbon suddenly appeared. Fuutarou felt as if his heart had stopped.
The same face, once more. This time with a ribbon on top like rabbit ears. Also, she was really close, close enough that their faces were almost touching.
"Aha! Did I surprise you too badly?"
"Kuh. You just spoke up so suddenly."
"Oh, that's true! Ehe, sorry."
Fuutarou's anger simmered down as he heard her apologize normally. Somehow, even though she was one of that group, he had finally met a human with a normal reaction. The three he had encountered so far had intense gazes and uttered words he didn't understand at all but it seemed this girl was different.
His mouth opened with just a hint of caution. He'd have rather walked away but this may be his best chance to get to the bottom of things before his job later.
"…so what do you want?"
"Well, I hadn't introduced myself before. I'm Yotsuba."
"Yotsuba…Is your last name Nakano?"
"Yup!"
"A girl with a face like your own transferred into my class yesterday."
This confirmed it. This girl, Yotsuba, was also a student he was in charge of today.
Good. It seemed she'd be a good source of information. It helped that she was smiling with relatively normal eyes. He didn't feel that instinctive fear from her. Just knowing that he didn't have to worry about one of them made relieved him more than it should have.
"We're sisters."
"I see. Then, are you all perhaps Quintuplets?"
"As expected of Uesugi-san! You really do know everything. You're always taking care of Itsuki too."
"…" Fuutarou had to wonder if there was some sort of misunderstanding. Was being stared at the same as taking care of a person these days?
"I thought to introduce myself earlier. Starting today, Uesugi-san is our tutor, right?"
"So you knew?"
"Of course!"
I see…"
Hearing Yotsuba's words brought a sigh of relief out of Fuutarou's mouth. Apparently, they knew his name and face because they already knew he'd be their tutor. Well, the form he submitted included a picture, as well so it wouldn't be odd to think that they were shown what he looked like beforehand.
Feeling tension leave his shoulders for the first time in the last 24 hours, Fuutarou allowed himself to lean back on his seat.
"Well, it seems the mystery has been solved."
"Mystery?"
"Well, you learned of my name because you were informed, I'd be tutoring you in advance right?"
"…"
While he was a bit curious about the attitudes of the previous three sisters and the meaning of their words, it was all probably just some form of observation or way to approach him. He was a boy that was the same grade as them after all. Such things could have looked suspicious so they wanted to observe him themselves. Of course, that was all speculation but what else could it be?
In any case, Fuutarou was happy that the mystery of why these girls knew him had finally been laid to react.
"No, no."
"Eh?"
However, Yotsuba's words felt like they froze the world around him. Her expression was the same as before but, as if proving she was a quintuplet, her eyes matched those of the other three he had met.
"It's because we've known Uesugi-san for a long time."
Fuutarou had never thought he'd run away from food but here he was.
It was inevitable.
As much as he willed it, the school day had eventually ended and Fuutarou found himself standing in front of a luxury apartment where he knew the Nakano sisters were waiting. His stomach twisted so much he felt like fainting.
The whole day had been awful. In the morning, he couldn't concentrate in class at all due to the constant gaze of Itsuki on him while in the afternoon, Yotsuba's words did the same. Yet, it still felt like time had passed in an instant.
He almost felt like crying. Even though he knew in his very being that these sisters were dangerous, he had no option but to take the high-paying part time job to pay back his family's debt.
All for Raiha's smile.
Even so, he couldn't get himself to move his feet. Feelings of tension, fear, anxiety, and fatigue swirled across his body, holding him down from entering. Well, it's not like he knew how to enter such an apartment in the first place.
For now, he needed to relive his tension. That way, he'd surely find a way to get through this trial, in and out.
Confirming no one was around, Fuutarou took out his student handbook he often kept in his pocket. Because of current circumstances, he felt like he wanted to rely on her just a little bit. As he carefully spread open the photo in his notebook, his mouth unconsciously relaxed away from a taught grimace into a soft smile.
The picture reflected his old foolish self as well as memories of gratitude and longing. He had to make sure he didn't bring this out in front of his sister so he didn't have much opportunity to look at it.
His shoulders lowered. It was as if the girl in the photo was sharing her energy with him. Her smile shined like a sun and drove away the dark feeling within him who was about to enter the tiger's pit.
What was she doing now?
Has she changed since then?
Could they meet again?
If they did, he'd definitely tell her about being a tutor for these dangerous sisters. Really dangerous. It sounded like a joke but he knew she'd just listen and laugh along to this sort of story.
At the same time, he couldn't help but remember their promise. To become people needed by others. He had studied his ass off solely for that purpose. If he thinks about as a tutor, he could act as such a person for his students.
Just thinking of it like that made him feel a little positive about his new job. Now, he could definitely face those scary sisters.
With enthusiasm filling his heart, Fuutarou found himself motivated for the first time that day.
"Fuutarou-kun."
But it didn't last long.
"Guh!"
To think he didn't notice such a threat approaching from behind him, probably because he was too busy being sentimental. Jumping, he unintentionally dropped his student notebook.
"What are you doing over there?"
He didn't even have to turn around to know that the same face would greet him once more. From the hairstyle, he already knew this was the final sister he had yet to meet.
"You're our tutor, right? What are you doing?'
"…you're one of the Nakano sisters, yes?"
"Mmhm. I'm Nakano Ichika. Well, don't just stand there. Let's go up already. Everyone's waiting."
"Oh, well, even if you say that, I don't know how to get inside."
"Then let Onee-san help you out. I'll show you how."
"Right."
The final sister, Ichika, guided Fuutarou into the condominium with a warm smile of her face. So far, it seemed like she was just like Yotsuba earlier, normal, however Fuutarou knew he needed to stay alert. Even Yotsuba had turned in the end. He needed to be on his toes. He could only hope that the final person he'd meet was a decent one.
Not saying another word, Fuutarou followed after her, making sure to keep a comfortable amount of distance between them.
"We're on a pretty high floor so it takes a while for the elevator to get here.
While waiting for the elevator to reach them, Fuutarou tried to strike a conversation with Ichika who spoke friendly enough. According to her, she was the eldest sister even if it was just by a few seconds. She felt responsible as their oldest sister although she used to have a bad habit of taking what her sisters owned. She also talked about a few struggles of being a quintuplet.
That part Fuutarou could actually sympathize with her on because he also had a little sister to look after. He hadn't realized it but he soon found himself relaxing as they continued to coverse.
"Even if you're all quintuplets, you all are surprisingly different."
"Really? We all like different things of course. Favorite foods, drinks, animals, tv shows, and many others. We all have our own preferences. However, sometimes everyone really wants the same thing no matter what. What do you think we do?"
"I wouldn't know."
"It's okay. Just try to answer as our new tutor."
"…If you think about it. It'd be normal to divide it among you all, right? But if it's something you can't share, then maybe you can all fight for it to come up to a fair decision. That way no one can complain."
"…that's what I thought before too."
"…?"
"For example, what if what we want is in the hands of someone outside the five of us? What then?"
"…"
"Hey, Fuutarou-kun, what should I do if that was the case?"
Ichika asked without turning her eyes away from the elevator door in front of the both of them. Compared to what they were talking about earlier, her story seemed to be going in an odd direction however, because he could feel the seriousness in her tone, Fuutarou didn't worry about it too much.
Perhaps, it was related to him becoming their tutor.
Giving himself a moment to think about it, Fuutarou replied.
"Well…if you don't want to divide it and you don't want it to be stolen by someone else, you should first secure such a thing with the five of you from the beginning and then share it with everyone else."
In the first place, as long as he had no idea what they were talking about, he couldn't come up with a clear answer. Perhaps, they were talking about a scholarship of some sort? It couldn't be food anyways. It was something they couldn't share yet could also be stolen. There were many things that could fall under that range.
Just as he finished speaking, the elevator door opened as it finally arrived.
"-So, Fuutarou-kun thinks that way, as well."
Getting into the elevator, Ichika turned to Fuutarou and smiled.
At that moment, Fuutarou confirmed that the girl before him was indeed a Nakano sister. Her gaze that locked onto his was just as strong as the others.
Behind him, the elevator doors closed with a silent click.
It didnt take too long for Ichika to lead Fuutarou to the room all the sisters resided in. While their earlier conversaroon remained fresh in Fuutarou's mind, the tutor put it aside for now to focus on other things. Mainly, the girls in front of him.
Five identical faces stared back at him. All five sisters were sitting on the sofa acrross him. He could feel the immense pressure of five burning blue eyes lock onto his own. He had never been as scared as he had been as right now.
However, he was already right here, in the proverbial den of lions. If he could finish the lessons safely, he could go back home and rest.
Making sure to keep a careful eye on them, Fuutarou briefly introfuced himself, even if they seemed to have already known him, and handed out a sample test he had prepared to gauge their abilities. To his surprise, they did so without any fuss and obediently started to answer the worksheet before them.
For their first day of tutoring, it was good enough to learn their current abilities. It was more important to learn what he had to work with rather than set final goals. The order of the client, their father, was only to have them all graduate anyways.
It was something much easier than he expected if he were to be honest. For only graduation, he didnt think a tutor was needed but who was he to complain to someone willing to pay him for it.
Well, that's what he initially thought before he saw these results
It seemed he had underestimated stupidity.
"I have no words."
Only one conclusion came to him as he finished scoring their tests: These five were idiots.
The test hadn't even been that hard. He just needed to confirm how much of the basics they already understood but the mistakes were still way too high.
It seemed his client truly knew best. There was no way they'd be able to graduate like this.
"Hah. And we've already did this once before."
"Well, it's been a long time since then."
"It's okay. Now, we have Fuutarou."
"Yeah!"
"He'll be out tutor."
Thankfully, their stupidity didn't seem to affect their spirits at all. Surprisingly, all five sounded like they were willing to study ans, for reasons he didn't know, had an naturally high amount of trust in him.
He didn't remember earning such a thing but now was not the moment to worry about it. It's just good that they were all motivated to change themselves. Fuutarou himself was proof that one only needed motivation and will to become better.
Moreover, even if he did call them idiots, their scores were at least at the level where he could expect them to improve. He had noticed when checking their tests that they all had their own subjects they were strong with. If they could cover their weaknesses while concentrating on their strengths, they could definitely graduate.
Now, if all five of them were miracle-class idiots plus had zero motivation then Fuutarou may have given up right then and there. Thankfully, that was not the case.
Standing up, Fuutarou fixed the papers and held them between his arm and torso.
"I'm happy to see that everyone is motivated but such a sudden test must have tired you all out. For now, it's fine to rest up. This shall be all for our first day. Session adjourned."
"Hold on a second."
Just as he tried to get away with a sudden goodbye, Fuutarou was stopped by the one with butterfly clips. Nino, if he could recall. A line of sweat flowed down Fuutarou's cheek.
He tried not to make his nervousness apparent as he slowly eyed the door.
"What is it?"
"Let's eat dinner together."
"You're hungry, right? I'll cook too."
"Let's eat Uesugi-san!"
Nino and Miku suddenly threw an invitation of a meal at him with Yotsuba supporting them. Their faces were soft but the look in their eyes were enough to have hik afraid.
However, Fuutarou knew he shouldn't fall here. Now that he finished their tutoring, he had no reason to stay at this place. It helped that he also didn't want to stay too.
He was exhausted in both body and mind. He wanted to go home, eat Raiha's home-cooked meals, study in the bath, then fall to bed.
"I'm sorry but I'll have to reject your offer. I don't want to impose plus I don't want to keep my sister waiting after she had cooked food for me."
His reasoning was perfect. He didn't even need to lie. Using his family for a reason was sure to have them back down.
"It's fine!" Itsuki spoke up, waving her phone. " I already contacted Raiha-chan"
Fuutarou could only stare at the star wearing girl. He didn't think such a rebuttal would come from an unexpected place. Also, how did she know Raiha's name? And why does she have his sister's phone number?
The tutor felt like he was gradually being surrounded by an invisible force.
"So there shouldn't be any problems now. Well, Fuutarou-kun, why don't you sit down?"
Fuutarou had no choice but to follow Ichika's instructions with how much pressure her smile was radiating down on him. He sat down on the table, cutlery and plates already set.
"Don't you want to eat?"
"Or maybe you want Onee-san to feed you?"
"No, that's..."
Egged on by Itsuki and Ichika on both his sides, Fuutarou hurriedly picked up his spoon.
Before him, laid a feast fit for a king. Two steaming hot dishes laid before him. Just by looking at them he could tell they were elaborate dishes that were just as complicated to make as they were delicious. He had never even seen some of these before. Were they French or something? There were also more simple familiar ones like Omurice which were more approachable tham the unonown dishes. This was one area Fuutarou had no idea about. All of them looked to be made by the Nino and Miku.
Was it really okay to eat the food before him?
It was ither instinct or perhaps just intuition but...this was dangerous. His hesitation didn't go unoticed.
"I wonder if you don't like what I made. Weren't you okay with anything besides raw fish?"
He tried not to drop his spoon as Nino casually mentioned his tastes in good. The more important part was how to get through this phase...That was it!
"Actually, I'm not that hungry. I may have eaten a bit too much for lunch."
"Is that right, Uesugi-san? Didn't you eat your usual set meal today?."
"Yakinuku set without the Yakiniku. Is that right, Yotsuba?"
"That's only miso and veggies at that point."
And once more, his excuse was cut off. It seemed there were no escapes at this point.
No, in the first place, maybe his intuition was just wrong. It was practically insulting how he was hesitating when they looked to be acting on good faith. If he couldnt show he trusted them, how could they trust him? This sort of thing would affect the tutoring job.
Also, it was strange that he hesitated when there was free food in front of him. Even if the delicious-looking food tasted horrible, his poor palette would still find it acceptable. Maybe, if there were past experiences of some sort but he had no such memories of being poisoned or drugged. His worries had no basis at all
This food was surely made to welcome their tutor.
"Itadakimasu."
To start things off, Fuutarou pulled over a nearby omurice. Nearby, Miku pumped her fist while Nino humphed how he didn't choose her dish first. Taking a spoonful, she slowly brought it to his mouth to find...rather tasty food. It wasn't anything especially delicious but he wouldn't know of such things anyways. He could eat it which was good enough for him.
After taking many bites of the omurice, he then decided to try Nino's dish. He took a spoonful of whatever the dish,hoping i was as delicious as it looked. His impression turned out to be right. Even someone like him could tell the seasoning and texture was good .
If they were to ask him which was delicious, he'd have to say both were.
Delicious.
Delicious.
…Delicious.
…Delicious.
…Sleepy.
…Delicious.
…Sleepy.
Sleepy ... sleepy.
…What?
"Huh?...what's..."
"Ara, Fuutarou-kun is feeling sleepy?"
"No...I..."
"It's fine. I'll wake you up later."
"That's...wrong..."
"Good night, Fuutarou-kun."
Losing his consciousness, Fuutarou let go of the spoon in his hand, his body teetering to the side. Before he could fall and hit the floor, Ichika, who sat next to him, placed his head on her lap. Soon, she felt soft snores coming from his body.
"This is somewhat nostalgic."
"Hey, Ichika. What do you mean by that?"
"...did you do it? Give Fuutarou a lap pillow?"
"That's a secret."
"Let's not fight anymore!"
"Right, we don't have to compete between us."
The remaining four people lined up to surround his sleeping body.
"But I wonder if it's okay to borrow Uesugi-san for the whole day."
"It's fine, Yotsuba. I already called Raiha-chan to tell her that he's staying overnight today so that she wouldn't worry. Father-in-law also said it was okay."
"That's good. I can relax than. I didn't want her to worry."
"Yotsuba really likes Raiha-chan, huh?"
"It's natural, Miku. She's our sister-in-law, after all."
"But it's okay. Uesugi-san, I borrowed it."
"That's right. It's actually pretty fresh to have a sister that's not the same age as myself."
Five girls then reached out to his sleeping left hand.
"Fuutarou-kun said it, right? We just have to share between the five of us. That's why I'll make sure to use Sensei's teachings."
The thumb, said to fuel consciousness and belief
"You said it, right? Grab on. So I'll grab you. From now on, I'll never let you go."
The index finger, said to show aggressiveness and determination
"This time, it will be me who Fuutarou falls for. So please look at me."
The middle finger, said to enhance understanding others and being understood.
"I'm sorry, Uesugi-san. Even though I got what I wanted back then I feel like it's not enough. Now, I want it all the time. Your smile, that is."
The ring finger, said to deepen the bonds of love and make wishes come true.
"Uesugi-kun. We have decided. Everything will be divided into five equal parts. Joy, sadness and suffering. And even you. Because you are our partner."
The little finger, said to attract opportunities and the opposite sex.
"So no longer..."
"...Never again..."
"...we'll ever..."
"...allow ourselves..."
"...to let you go.
TN: I was reading some fics and stumbled upon this gem of a fic. To my surprise, it had the same premise as Loop-de-loop...only the author actually bothered to write it out! Needless to say, I knew I had to tl it.