Chapter 9

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Endless shades of green stretched out in every direction, an array of tones and intensities engulfing the eye as you moved farther from the chaotic pulse of Tokyo. The road began to narrow, and the trees closed in, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. The hum of the city faded, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a bird.

This could be peaceful.

As the winding path led deeper into the countryside, the landscape became more untamed. The smooth, paved roads gradually deteriorated into cracked asphalt, with weeds stubbornly pushing through the fractures. Soon, a barely visible overgrown trail appeared, something about it beckoning you to explore further.

A few minutes down this hidden path, a silhouette emerged from the thick trees: a crumbling structure, long abandoned. An old hospital, forgotten by time.

Any remnants of health or modernity this place once symbolized had long since vanished.

Vines crawled up the building's sides, and shattered windows caught the fading light of late afternoon. What had once been a pristine white facade was now a patchwork of peeling paint, revealing dull, grimy streaks of gray beneath. The walls, though still standing, were etched with deep cracks, spreading across the surface like a web of scars.

The most unsettling part was the surrounding landscape. Once lush with greenery, it had turned into a barren, desolate stretch of earth. The grass and shrubs that had once thrived were now lifeless, the few remaining plants decayed and withered as if some unseen force had poisoned them. Dry, brittle leaves littered the ground, mingling with the occasional skeletal branch.

Perhaps you had wandered too far.

Yet, the silence was abruptly pierced by the growl of a heavy engine. A truck pushed its way through the dense forest, its rusty frame creaking under the strain. Branches snapped and cracked as the vehicle's wheels churned up dust and debris. The truck, old and battered, moved steadily toward the abandoned hospital, its noise jarring against the still, mournful decay surrounding it.

As it rolled to a stop in what once might have been the hospital's parking lot, the engine sputtered and fell silent, leaving an eerie quiet in its wake.

Moments later, the driver's door creaked open, and a man stepped out. Dressed simply in a white shirt and black pants, his look was topped off by a red cap, barely containing his oak-brown hair. His small, purple eyes scanned the desolate scene with a practiced indifference, finally resting on the dilapidated hospital ahead.

"Damn, this place looks worse every time I come here," the man muttered, his tone casual, betraying how routine this had become. "Kind of miss the old one..."

As he spoke, he stretched, his muscles protesting after the long journey. A low grunt escaped through his nose as he worked out the stiffness.

With a final glance at the decaying hospital, he turned and made his way to the back of the truck. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small key and unlocked the hefty padlock securing the container doors.

The lock clicked open with a dull thud, and he swung the doors wide, revealing the dark, cavernous interior. A sharp, pungent smell of cleaning chemicals wafted out, causing him to wrinkle his nose in distaste even from a distance.

"Why is it always these damn strong smells at work?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he stepped into the shadowy container.

Despite the dim light, he moved confidently, navigating the narrow aisles lined with stacked supplies. He headed toward the far end, where a large, forbidding cage sat.

Once again, he pulled out a key, this time unlocking the cage's thick metal door. The hinges groaned as it swung open with a loud, metallic clang, the sound reverberating through the confined space.

His eyes settled on a massive box at the center of the cage, easily twice his size. "Well, there it is," he murmured, hands on his hips as he eyed it. "Pretty sure there are three this time..."

He glanced at the narrow cage door and frowned. "Is this thing even gonna fit through there?" he muttered, though he quickly dismissed the thought. He'd deal with it later.

With a grunt, he crouched down, slipping his hands beneath the massive box. It looked impossibly heavy, but with surprising ease, he lifted it onto his back, adjusting his balance to steady the load.

Almost immediately, the box began to shudder and squirm, something inside thrashing against the confines, trying to break free.

He grimaced, tightening his grip as the box bucked against him. "I hate this part..." he growled through clenched teeth, taking slow, deliberate steps toward the exit. The movements inside grew more frantic, the box nearly slipping from his grasp.

"You're lucky I'm not allowed to kick anymore." he muttered dryly as he reached the cage's threshold, pausing to brace himself for the inevitable struggle that lay ahead.

He eyed the narrow opening, fully aware the box wouldn't fit through it. With a resigned sigh, he carefully shifted his grip, freeing one hand to press it flat against the bars.

...

Outside, he dropped the box with a heavy thud, the ground trembling slightly under its weight. He straightened up, stretching his back, and cast another glance toward the crumbling hospital.

A smirk tugged at his lips as his eyes wandered over the dilapidated facade. "This guy's got some strange taste in real estate." he muttered, shaking his head before hoisting the box up again and heading toward the entrance.

The hospital's front door stood slightly ajar, creaking in the light breeze. But the man knew better than to just waltz in. Stopping in front of the door, he set the box down again, casting a glance up at a hidden camera tucked discreetly under the building's overhang.

"Yo, delivery's here." he called out, gesturing toward the box with a casual wave. The camera remained still, unresponsive, much to his annoyance. "Why you gotta pull this crap every time? You know who I am." he muttered, glancing irritably around the deserted lot.

With a sigh of frustration, he resigned himself to the usual protocol. Tugging down the collar of his shirt, he revealed a small 'X' tattoo etched just above his collarbone. Turning back to the camera, he held his shirt down, making sure the mark was in clear view. "There, you see it now?" he said, his voice edged with impatience.

After a brief pause, the camera blinked twice—a silent acknowledgment.

"Finally." the man muttered under his breath as he lifted the box again, stepping into the dim interior of the hospital.

Inside, if anything, was even worse than the outside.

The floor was riddled with cracks, and each step sent puffs of dust spiraling into the weak rays of light filtering through shattered windows. The walls were in even worse shape, with paint curling and peeling in wide, brittle strips. The air was heavy with the stench of mold and rot, thick enough to make each breath feel like an ordeal.

He almost made another comment about the smell but swallowed it back. By now, he should be used to it.

He carried the box, which squirmed slightly in his arms, through the barren hospital corridors. Whatever was inside seemed to sense the futility of its struggle, as it gradually stopped moving and settled.

Navigating the decaying labyrinth, he took a right turn, his feet squelching in patches of mold growing on the floor. He barely registered the filth clinging to his shoes, his mind singularly focused on the task ahead.

After a few moments, he turned left into a large room that had once been the doctors' lounge, now a shell of its former self.

He quickly scanned the area to confirm he was in the right spot before setting the box down near the wall. Without hesitation, he approached a dusty table with a small, outdated control panel.

His fingers moved with practiced precision as he punched in a sequence of numbers.

Instantly, the room shifted around him. What had been a crumbling, decrepit space was now a dimly lit chamber. A brown carpet stretched before him, vanishing into shadows where the light refused to reach. Even in the gloom, it was clear the corridor ahead was unnervingly wide.

Footsteps echoed faintly, growing louder as they approached. The man slid his hands into his pockets, casting a final glance at the box before turning toward the source of the sound.

"Long time no see," he said, his tone casual as a figure stepped out of the shadows. "Still the same, huh? Let me guess, that's the same uniform you had on last time, isn't it?"

The figure was a short man in his late fifties, barely reaching 1.60 meters, a stark contrast to the other man's 1.86 meters. His brown hair, streaked with gray, was slicked back in a greasy mess. Thick round glasses obscured his eyes, the overhead light bouncing off the lenses and making his gaze unreadable, though his focus was unmistakably on the box.

Dressed in a white doctor's coat, the older man's attire was immaculate, save for a few dark stains splattered across the fabric.

"There it is," the doctor muttered, heading straight for the box, completely ignoring the taller man. "About time... I was running low on test subjects."

The taller man scowled, annoyed at being dismissed so easily, but leaned back against the wall with a sigh. "And where's my thank you?" he muttered.

"You're just doing your job, Mizuguchi." the doctor replied curtly, his attention fixed solely on the box as he pulled a small pocket knife from his lab coat.

The man, now known as Mizuguchi, sneered at the doctor's dismissive attitude but chose not to push the issue. Instead, he let his gaze wander around the newly revealed surroundings, taking in the details of the hidden chamber.

"Perfect... simply perfect!" the doctor exclaimed, a twisted excitement lighting up his features as he began tearing into the box with his pocket knife, much like a child opening a Christmas present. "I can't wait to get started!"

As the doctor eagerly stripped away the last remnants of the box's exterior, Mizuguchi stood back, observing with a detached expression. The sounds of ripping cardboard and the doctor's heavy breathing echoed throughout the desolate chamber.

Finally, the box was fully opened, and the doctor stepped back, his face contorted in an unseemly grin of anticipation. But as he peered inside, his excitement swiftly morphed into disappointment.

"What the hell?" the doctor spat, irritation thick in his voice. His eyes darted between the contents of the box and Mizuguchi, disbelief etched across his face. "Only three?"

Low groans and even a whimper echoed from the open box, and anyone brave enough to look inside would hardly feel relieved.

In the cramped confines of the cardboard box, three figures—clearly human—stood tied up, blindfolded, and gagged, pressed together in the limited space.

Mizuguchi, unfazed, shrugged. "It's not every day we get the chance to kidnap an entire army, you know," he said nonchalantly. "And so many disappearances will only raise the suspicions further."

The doctor grunted in frustration, casting one last dissatisfied glance at the box before shaking his head in resignation. "It'll have to do," he muttered, clearly unhappy with the meager haul. He reached into his pocket and produced a small metallic device as he approached the box.

The people inside began to thrash and whimper as the doctor drew near, but he paid them no mind. With a series of metallic clicks, he attached the device to each of them in turn, the faint glow emanating from the gadgets signaling a tragic fate for these unfortunate souls.

Satisfied, if not entirely pleased, the doctor waved Mizuguchi off. "Feel free to leave." he said dismissively, not even bothering to look at him.

Mizuguchi scoffed. "You can't blame me for this, asshole. I'm not responsible for acquiring your lab rats."

But the doctor barely acknowledged him, too focused on his new 'lab rats'.

"Don't cry, don't cry..." he murmured, his dissatisfaction fading into an excited grin once again as he reached out with his calloused hand to stroke the hair of one of the captives—a woman. "This is a gift for each of you... you will reach the pinnacle!"

"Heh, I don't know which pinnacle you're talking about," Mizuguchi scoffed, casting a disdainful glance at the doctor. "That last creature you handed to the boss didn't look like the pinnacle of anything."

The comment visibly angered the doctor, who snapped his gaze toward Mizuguchi, his expression seething. "It was a fetus, you damn fool!" he barked, genuinely offended. "It wasn't in its final form yet, of course it won't look impressive!"

"Sure, sure... fetus," Mizuguchi repeated sarcastically, his eyes darting to the panel in the corner of the room before returning to the doctor as a thought struck him. "And what does that 'fetus' do, anyway? Any techniques?"

The doctor narrowed his eyes. "Technique? Is that all that matters to you?" he said, exasperated. "What truly matters is the beauty of my creation and how evolved it is!"

"Beauty?" Mizuguchi mocked. "That thing was grotesque, for God's sake."

"You simply don't know how to appreciate a true masterpiece!"

"That's not what I asked," Mizuguchi replied, his patience wearing thin. "What was that thing's damn technique? Just answer me, old man."

The doctor fell silent for a moment, shaking his head as he turned away from the box, gazing into the dimly lit hallway beyond. "It doesn't possess a technique," he stated flatly. "I fused the embryo with a curse with no techniques."

Mizuguchi grimaced as the implications sank in, then a smirk formed on his lips, quickly transforming into a grin and finally erupting into laughter. "Haha! No techniques? You send an abomination without even a cursed technique to do the job?" he chuckled. "The boss will be so pissed!"

"Shut your filthy mouth, layman!" the doctor barked, his wrinkled face contorted with rage. "It doesn't need a technique to be powerful!"

Mizuguchi stopped laughing, confusion overtaking him as a thought struck. "Wait, wait... if it didn't have a cursed technique..." he began, frowning. "Then what was that disgusting liquid it was leaking?" He recalled the irritating substance that had splattered onto his hand.

The doctor's expression shifted, a sense of pride taking over. "A genetic trait," he declared confidently. "And it's this genetic trait that makes my recent creations so impressive."

Mizuguchi grimaced at the thought. "Genetic traits?" he echoed, shaking his head. "Hah, you're really mad."

The doctor growled quietly at this, shooting Mizuguchi a dirty look that soon morphed into a smirk. "You should be careful what you say to me. Should I remind you that your life is in my hands?" He pointed at Mizuguchi's collarbone. "That mark makes you nothing more than a bug for me to crush at will."

Mizuguchi didn't seem intimidated. He smirked back defiantly. "You really think you are something special, huh?" he scoffed. "I'm practically the boss's right-hand man. Killing me without his permission would cost you dearly."

The doctor's expression darkened at that. "You are no right-hand man," he said, turning his attention back to the box. "You're nothing more than a disposable pawn."

"Whatever you say," Mizuguchi shot back, pushing himself away from the wall and approaching the panel. "Keep jerking off to these disgusting 'masterpieces' of yours; I don't give a damn." He added, "I don't know what the boss sees in you."

The doctor gritted his teeth, a vein bulging on his forehead at the insult. Yet, a confident smirk returned to his face. "My creations go far beyond what your tiny mind can comprehend," he said, his voice darkening. "My greatest masterpieces are not just that, they are calamities."

"Blah, blah, blah. Yapfest. I'm getting out of here," Mizuguchi said boredly, entering a number on the panel without sparing the doctor a final glance. "Hope I don't see you for a long time, Shikichi."

The doctor watched with narrowed eyes as Mizuguchi finished typing the number and vanished from the room. A huff escaped his nose.

"What a nuisance..." he muttered, turning his attention back to the box. The macabre smile returned to his face. "Well... should we get started? I'll introduce you... to your new home."

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April 8, 2019, marked exactly seven days since Megumi Fushiguro had returned to an ordinary academic life. Yet, it also signified seven days since any semblance of normalcy had been completely disrupted by Maruo Nakano's interference.

If he had to describe his first week of school in one word, it would be exhausting. Then again, everything in his life had become exhausting.

Megumi attended only four of the five school days, skipping Wednesday entirely. He knew he couldn't afford to make a habit of that, but there were times when his body simply refused to cooperate with his mind.

Monday and Tuesday were spent trying to tutor the Nakano sisters. He only managed to teach something on one of those days, and that was just to Yotsuba. She and the eldest sister, Ichika, were the most receptive to the idea of tutoring. Yotsuba was naturally friendly, while Ichika's sociable nature made Megumi think she was more interested in hanging out than studying.

Then came Thursday, when he successfully convinced another sister to join his tutoring sessions. That felt like a small victory, at least.

However, on Friday, fatigue completely overwhelmed him. He decided not to interact with anyone. He declined Itsuki's invitation to join them during the break and made no effort to talk to any of the sisters. Could anyone blame him?

The weekend mirrored his skipped Wednesday: hollow and unfulfilling. Just that.

But make no mistake: he had done one thing—he had requested a copy of the quintuplets' report cards from Maruo. He needed them for today's class.

It may not seem like much, but it was still better than nothing.

Now, as he sat in his room with the report cards spread out before him, Megumi knew what he needed to do: prepare five copies of a test for the sisters to take today. Sure, he could postpone the test, but he preferred to get it done as soon as possible, ideally on Monday.

Yotsuba, Ichika, and now Itsuki might be open to the idea, but Miku and Nino had remained unchanged from the beginning.

As he reviewed their report cards from the last quarter, Megumi couldn't help but grimace. This wasn't the first time he had seen these grades, but the sight was still disheartening.

Yotsuba, as he had noted before, was the worst performer among the sisters, with her only success being in physical education.

Ichika was slightly better but still struggled. Her only decent grade was in music, but that was an optional class.

Nino's grades were marginally better than Yotsuba's and Ichika's, but still far from impressive. She managed to get just two good grades for the entire quarter.

Itsuki wasn't much different; her grades were slightly better, but still well below average.

Miku, on the other hand, was the most academically inclined of the five, though that wasn't saying much. She failed most of her classes too, but she did score an 80.5 in history.

That 80.5 was the highest grade on any of the Nakano sisters' report cards. Most of their other decent grades hovered around the 50s, with a single 60 from Itsuki and Yotsuba's 75 in physical education, which hardly counted in the grand scheme of things.

Megumi set the report cards down on the table in his room, his expression impassive. What could he conclude from this?

Miku was somewhat stupid, and Yotsuba was really stupid. The other three fell somewhere in between.

This was going to be a long semester.

Megumi couldn't help but wonder how he was going to get five test copies ready for the Nakano sisters, especially when he was supposed to be heading to school right now. That was the problem with leaving everything until the last minute.

He sighed as he got up, grabbing his backpack from the foot of the bed and slinging it over his shoulder. He was dressed in his usual school attire—a white shirt, black pants, and his coat—nothing out of the ordinary.

As he walked down the hallway of his apartment, he felt the familiar weight of the day pressing down on him. Reaching the exit door, he opened and closed it behind him without a second thought, leaving the apartment without looking back.

Megumi already knew he had to mentally prepare himself for the exhaustion that lay ahead. With the report cards fresh in his mind and the looming task of those test copies, he hoped today wouldn't be as unproductive as the last few days had been.

But knowing how things had been going lately, he wasn't holding his breath.

.....

Megumi arrived at Asahi High School in silence, making his way to the classroom with the same quiet demeanor. Silence suited him, especially at this time of day when words felt unnecessary. But as he settled into his seat, someone else had a different idea.

"Good morning, Fushiguro-kun." came the polite voice from his right. He turned to see Itsuki Nakano sitting at her desk, dressed in her usual school uniform, complemented by a red cardigan and her signature hairpins.

"Good morning, Itsuki." Megumi replied simply, his movements lazy as he set his materials on the table.

Itsuki offered a small smile, glancing at him before surveying the room. Her eyes soon landed on the same pair of boys—one with red hair and the other blonde—from last week.

They quickly averted their gaze when they noticed her looking, especially when the blonde caught sight of Megumi nearby.

Her lips pursed into a line. She felt torn between being pleased by their reaction and uncomfortable remembering their words.

Shaking off the thought, she turned her attention back to Megumi, who was resting his face on his hand, staring straight ahead. He looked less exhausted than he had the previous week, which was a relief.

A doubt crept into her mind, and she cleared her throat to catch his attention.

"Fushiguro-kun, will you be teaching us today?" she asked, adjusting her posture slightly.

Megumi glanced at her from the corner of his eye before giving a slow nod. "I intend to." he replied.

Itsuki smiled softly, nodding in response. "Good," she said, adding, "I'll be there."

Megumi didn't respond right away, allowing the silence to linger for a moment before muttering an "Okay." With that, the conversation ended, and the quiet returned.

Itsuki didn't attempt to start another conversation. She knew from experience that Megumi wasn't much of a talker, and with the teacher arriving in just a few minutes, there wasn't much time anyway. Instead, she focused on arranging her materials, preparing for another day of classes.

For the first time in a few days, she felt a sense of eagerness to study. After all, she had to believe in Megumi and trust that, with his guidance, she could grasp the material. As she stole a quick glance at him, a surge of commitment filled her chest.

Don't disappoint me, Fushiguro-kun, she thought to herself. Because I won't disappoint you.

...

Class, class, and more class. Megumi didn't pay attention to any explanations; instead, he scanned the room, observing the students and the environment around him.

It felt somewhat foolish how little he cared about the lessons. He had chosen this path for himself, after all, and he should be paying attention to what the teacher was saying. But Megumi didn't really need to.

However, he noticed that someone else was paying close attention: Itsuki.

When his gaze settled on her, he saw that she was once again taking notes, likely from the board. She must have sensed his eyes on her, as she paused in her writing and looked up at him, offering a small smile.

Megumi didn't return the smile but acknowledged her with a slight nod before glancing at her notes.

Seeing her so focused on her work reminded him of his own task for the day—figuring out how to prepare the tests for the Nakano sisters. What were his options again?

He could write the tests by hand, but that would take too long and likely delay the test until tomorrow. He could print the tests, but he didn't have a printer and had no idea where to find one. So, what to do?

His eyes drifted from the blackboard to the teacher's desk, where he noticed a stack of papers—leftover copies, he assumed. Probably a test that had been given to another class.

He raised an eyebrow as an idea began to take shape in his mind.

...

Megumi walked into the Pentagon, sheets of paper in hand, as the automatic doors slid open to reveal the luxurious lobby.

He gave a casual nod to the receptionist as he moved through the room, quickly scanning the area.

His gaze fell on the bathroom doors, where a closed sign hung over the entrance to the men's room. He paused for a moment, frowning.

Could this be because of the accident? he wondered, studying the scene before shaking his head. Whatever the reason, he could just ask Maruo later.

Continuing his path, Megumi approached the elevator, which was already on his floor. He stepped inside and pressed the button for Nakano's floor.

As the familiar music began to play, he glanced down at the test sheets in his hands.

They were identical to the tests he had seen on the teacher's desk earlier that day in class. In fact, they were the same.

During recess, Megumi had politely asked the teacher if he could have five copies for something important.

However, the teacher had refused, explaining that the tests were still needed for a class recovery session, or something of the sort, Megumi doesn't know. He had stopped paying attention the moment his request was denied. His mind had already shifted to plan B.

So how did he end up with five copies?

He had stolen them.

To Megumi, it didn't seem like a big deal. They were just sheets of paper. After classes had ended, he had waited until the coast was clear, sneaked into the teacher's room, and grabbed the papers without being noticed. There wasn't a twinge of guilt.

After all, he had done worse things in his life.

The elevator arrived at the Nakano sisters' floor, and Megumi stepped out, straightening the sheets in his hand as he approached their apartment door.

He hadn't interacted much with the quintuplets during school, aside from a brief exchange with Itsuki. But that was irrelevant to his purpose now.

He knocked three times, as was his habit, and waited in silence. Light, quick footsteps approached the door, which soon swung open to reveal Yotsuba, her green bow as prominent as ever. Her face lit up the moment she recognized him.

"Fushiguro-san, welcome!" she greeted him with a wide smile, stepping aside to let him in.

"Good afternoon, Yotsuba." he responded calmly, his eyes briefly scanning the apartment before focusing back on her.

"It's good to see you! I didn't notice you much during class today," she remarked, her gaze drifting down to the papers in his hand. Her curiosity was plain. "What are those, Fushiguro-san?" she asked.

He glanced down at the sheets, then back at her. "Tests." he said simply.

Yotsuba's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a small squeal. "Already? Don't you think it's too soon?"

"It is," he agreed, his tone indifferent as he walked over to a table and placed the tests down. "But I have something in mind."

"You... do?" she mumbled, following him inside with a hint of uncertainty.

He hummed in response before explaining, "It's the best option."

Yotsuba still looked unconvinced. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she scratched her head, clearly uneasy. "I don't know if I agree..."

"You'll understand soon enough," he said, his voice casual, almost dismissive. He met her eyes directly and added, "Can you get your sisters for me?"

Yotsuba hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Okay, I'll be back soon." she said, before hurrying off to gather her sisters.

Megumi settled into the chair, waiting for the Nakano sisters to gather. He hoped there wouldn't be too much resistance from them and that, if the plan moved forward, it would at least show some results. Regardless, he had to trust Maruo's judgment.

After a brief wait, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs. He looked up to see Ichika and Nino approaching. Ichika greeted him with a casual wave and a warm smile. "Hey, Megumi-kun," she said cheerfully. "Long time no see, huh?"

Nino, following behind her, added with a dry tone and a frown, "Could've been longer."

Megumi silently agreed with her sentiment.

"Hello, Ichika, Nino." he replied before shifting his attention back to the tests laid out in front of him.

Ichika stepped closer, peeking at the papers with curiosity. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hey, is this a test?" she asked.

"Yes." Megumi answered curtly.

Nino scoffed, taking a seat across from him, her expression filled with disdain as she glanced between the tests and Megumi. "It's only your third day here, and you already want to give us a test? Did you even bother teaching us anything first?"

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to take the test?" he asked, catching the subtle implication in Nino's words.

Nino paused for a moment, then shook her head dismissively. "Of course not."

"Then why did you say 'us'?" Megumi inquired, his tone calm but pointed.

Nino faltered for a moment, her lips pressing into a thin line as she looked away without answering.

Ichika smiled casually as she placed her hands on Nino's shoulders before sitting down beside her. "Well, at least she's here, right?" she said lightly.

"Only because Yotsuba conveniently left out the part about Fushiguro being here." Nino muttered.

"And yet, you're still here." Megumi commented, which only earned him a glare from Nino.

"Shut up." she snapped, causing Ichika to chuckle.

"My, is that how you treat our guests?" Ichika teased, tilting her head with a playful grin.

"Shut up, you too."

"Haha! You're always so lovely."

Just then, more footsteps echoed from the stairs, and Itsuki appeared holding a notebook. She glanced at her sisters and then at Megumi, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Hi, Fushiguro-kun." she greeted as she approached the table and sat down beside her sisters, setting her notebook in front of her.

"Itsuki." Megumi replied, briefly meeting her gaze before turning his attention back to the test papers.

"Itsuki-chan!" Ichika beamed. "You really came!"

"I said I would." Itsuki replied softly.

Nino, still sulking, mumbled, "I still can't believe you agreed to have this guy as your tutor."

Though she wouldn't admit it out loud, Nino could somewhat understand why Itsuki had agreed, despite her attitude.

Itsuki frowned but chose to ignore Nino's comment, knowing it would be better not to engage.

"I hope you studied hard," Ichika teased with a mischievous glint in her eye as she turned to Itsuki. "Because Megumi-kun is going to give us a test!"

Itsuki's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She glanced from Ichika to Megumi, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Is that true?" she asked.

"It is," Nino answered curtly, nodding toward the stack of tests. "Just look at those."

Itsuki's frown deepened as her eyes moved to the papers. "Are you sure about this, Fushiguro-kun?" she asked, her tone unsure. "It's only my first class with you…"

"You're not the only one," Megumi replied evenly, glancing at Ichika and Nino. "Right?"

Ichika chuckled at that. "Oh, please. I've been in your class before!"

"Hiragana doesn't count." Megumi said dryly.

Nino's eyes widened as she looked from Ichika to Megumi. "Wait... you studied hiragana?" she asked incredulously. "Isn't that, like... basic Japanese?"

Ichika shrugged nonchalantly. "Practice never hurts, right?"

Nino grimaced, now directing her frustration at Megumi. "You taught them kindergarten stuff and you already want to give us a test?" she practically scoffed, snatching one of the sheets from the table. She brought it closer, her grimace deepening as she scanned the exercises. "I don't understand a single thing on here!"

"I can't say I'm surprised." Megumi replied indifferently, earning a sharp glare from Nino.

Before she could fire back, Ichika stepped in. "Alright, no fighting, y'all," she said, spreading her arms theatrically. "Let's all be friends!"

Nino raised an unimpressed eyebrow at her sister, sighing before placing the test back on the table.

Itsuki, more composed, reached for the same test. Her eyes moved over the questions, and after a brief silence, she sighed softly. "Actually... I'm in the same boat." she admitted, her voice tinged with quiet defeat.

"Don't worry about it," Megumi said, his tone slightly gentler, his gaze briefly drifting toward the stairs. "I just want to measure your current level."

That was part of his reasoning. It could work.

"...If you say so." Itsuki replied quietly, placing the test back on the pile.

Moments later, the quick patter of footsteps echoed from the stairs. Yotsuba bounded down with her usual energy, followed by Miku, who took her time descending.

"I'm back!" Yotsuba announced brightly, waving as she neared the table. Her eyes lit up as she saw everyone gathered, a wide smile spreading across her face before she turned proudly to Megumi. "I told you I'd get everyone together!"

Megumi glanced at Miku as she arrived. Their eyes met for a moment before Miku silently sat next to Itsuki, avoiding any extra pleasantries.

With a slight nod, he looked at Yotsuba. "Nice work."

Yotsuba's smile grew even wider as she glanced at her sisters. "Thanks for coming, everyone!" she said sincerely, taking her seat with a contented sigh.

Nino rolled her eyes and replied with a dry tone, "We live here, you know."

"Now that everyone's here, can we start?" Yotsuba asked Megumi, brushing off her sister's remark. The uncertainty she'd shown earlier seemed to have disappeared.

Megumi nodded. "Yes, let's get started. I'll explain the purpose of these tests in a moment."

He gathered the stack of papers and stood up, addressing the group. "The goal is to evaluate where you're at and figure out what we need to focus on," he said, handing out the tests. "I don't expect much, though."

"Well, it's only our third lesson, right?" Ichika said, her tone playful as she adjusted in her seat. "And let's be real, we're not exactly geniuses."

Yotsuba let out a sheepish laugh, nodding in agreement with Ichika. But as Megumi placed the test in front of her, her expression shifted to one of determination. "But Fushiguro-san is here to change that!" she declared, her voice full of fresh resolve. That confidence, however, faded almost instantly as she glanced down at the first few questions. "Oh."

Megumi methodically handed out a copy of the test to each of the sisters. Once he finished, he settled back into his seat and began to explain, "The rules—" but was interrupted by Nino's sharp voice.

"Wait a second," she said, grabbing the test and glaring at Megumi with narrowed eyes. "When did I agree to take this test?"

Megumi met her gaze with an impassive expression. "I don't think you have much of a choice."

Nino scoffed, letting the test drop onto the table dismissively. "Are you going to force me?" she challenged.

"It's just a test, Nino," Ichika chimed in. "Come on, just take it."

"I don't want to," Nino shot back stubbornly, crossing her arms and holding her ground. "And you can't make me."

"I won't need to make you," Megumi replied calmly, his voice steady. "You will complete it of your own accord."

Nino hesitated, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face. Was this a veiled threat? Was Megumi implying that he would expose her earlier attempt to drug him if she refused to take the test?

She glanced around at her sisters before returning her gaze to Megumi. "…What do you mean?"

"As I mentioned," Megumi began, his tone even and measured, "this test is designed to assess your current level. If you all perform well, it will show that you don't need my help."

His words hung in the air, and the sisters' expressions gradually shifted as they processed his statement.

Itsuki frowned, confusion evident on her face as she tried to grasp the implication. "Fushiguro-kun… what are you trying to say?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Megumi met her gaze briefly before clarifying. "If you pass this test, I will resign from my position as your tutor." he said plainly.

A moment of silence followed his announcement. Yotsuba's eyes widened in shock. "W-what!?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "Fushiguro-san, don't you think that's a bit extreme?"

"Wow, are you already fed up with us?" Ichika asked, a mix of amusement and concern coloring her words.

Itsuki swallowed nervously, her gaze darting back to her test paper before returning to Megumi. "I… I'm not sure if that's a good idea," she murmured. Now that I've accepted you as a tutor, you're willing to resign?

Nino, meanwhile, remained silent, her expression shifting to one of relief. It seemed that Megumi really wasn't using this as a form of blackmail after all.

She shook her head slowly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Well, that's something," she said dryly, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's the minimum passing grade?"

"Forty," Megumi replied evenly. "You need to correctly answer 16 out of the 40 questions."

"Forty?" Yotsuba echoed, her voice filled with disbelief. It seemed like a low bar. Why was Megumi taking such an unnecessary risk?

Itsuki sighed deeply, her gaze settling on her test paper as she contemplated the situation. Forty was a relatively modest requirement, which could be risky, but considering their past performances, it felt somewhat reasonable.

Miku remained silent, her focus locked on the test paper in front of her. Forty seemed like a score she could potentially achieve, but… was she truly capable of it?

Moreover, Megumi had stated that if 'they' passed the test, he would resign, not if just one of them passed. This implied that all five of them needed to score at least forty for him to step down.

That would certainly be more challenging.

Nino scoffed, her skepticism evident. Only forty? This seemed too good to be true. Had Megumi hit his head or something?

"Don't you think you're underestimating us, Fushiguro?" she said sharply, grabbing the test again and shooting him a scornful look.

"I believe I'm being fair," Megumi responded simply. "After all, your average grades last semester ranged between twenty and thirty."

Itsuki's face flushed with embarrassment. "Did you see our report card?" she asked, uncomfortable with the revelation.

"Yeah, he did…" Yotsuba muttered, equally discomfited by the intrusion of their academic records.

Ichika chuckled lightly, stretching as she did so. "So, you know what you're dealing with, huh?" she asked with a mix of amusement and resignation.

Miku, on the other hand, held her breath. If Megumi had seen her report card, he must have noticed her history grades… no, he probably wouldn't focus on such details. It's just a good grade, he might interpret it as a stroke of luck or something.

Nino, with a determined set to her jaw, fixed Megumi with a steely gaze. "Alright, fine. If you're going to quit, I'll take the test." she declared firmly.

Megumi gave a simple nod, then shifted his attention to the other four sisters. "What about the rest of you?" he inquired, his voice calm.

Itsuki glanced back at him, her expression a blend of apprehension and reluctance. She took a final look at the test paper before sighing deeply. "Do we really have to do this?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with resignation.

"You do." Megumi replied, his tone unbothered.

Itsuki's shoulders sagged slightly, but she nodded reluctantly and adjusted her glasses. "Alright, I'll take it." she said.

Miku, though silent, made her decision clear through her actions. She picked up her pen and began examining the test. A silent acceptance. Megumi's gaze then moved to Ichika.

The eldest quintuplet shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, what kind of big sister would I be if I let my sisters take a hit without at least trying?" she remarked casually, before adding with a playful wink, "Just don't regret this later."

Megumi internally dismissed the comment with a noncommittal thought, likely finding no reason to worry about it. He then turned his attention to Yotsuba, who was watching him with a frown etched deeply on her face, her eyes betraying concern.

Yotsuba stared into Megumi's calm, neutral green eyes, seeking some form of reassurance or guidance. When none was forthcoming, her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she sighed deeply.

"I suppose I'll have to go along with it." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she picked up her pen with a resigned air.

With all five quintuplets now committed to taking the test, Megumi nodded slightly, satisfied that the first step was complete.

"Good," he said, turning to face the group. "Now, regarding the rules: you'll have one hour to complete the test, and you're not allowed to look at each other's papers…" His voice dropped to a murmur for the final part, "Not that it would make much difference."

The quintuplets already had their materials at the ready as he explained. Observing this, Megumi announced, "You may begin."

As soon as he finished, Nino's face hardened with determination, and she immediately started reviewing her test questions. Next to her, Itsuki also adopted a serious expression as she began to tackle the test.

I won't ease up just because your dismissal is at stake, Fushiguro-kun, she thought resolutely while marking a question. I'll put in my best effort regardless.

Yotsuba let out a small sigh, placing her pen thoughtfully against her lip as she scrutinized her test sheet. Her expression gradually fell as she struggled with the content.

I really don't know much about this… she thought sheepishly, glancing briefly at Megumi. He was still fixated on the ceiling, seemingly indifferent. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing…

Ichika approached the test with a carefree attitude. She didn't expect to excel anyway, so she saw no reason to stress over it.

Miku, on the other hand, meticulously reviewed each question, trying to determine which ones she could confidently answer. Out of the story-based questions, she recognized about five and was fairly confident she could address them correctly.

Her gaze remained steadfastly on her test paper as she worked through the problems. It was relatively challenging, but she was making steady progress. She just needed to stay focused…

Megumi observed the quintuplets in silence, settling into a routine of waiting as he noted their varied reactions while they worked.

It was a simple test, covering material typically learned in the third quarter of first grade, and they were now in second grade.

Technically, they should be able to handle it without any issues, but given their past grades, he had his doubts.

Megumi hoped that the inevitable failure would prompt both Nino and Miku to realize they needed someone to teach them. Maybe it would even jolt Ichika into taking things more seriously.

...

Ichika was the first to finish, casually handing over her test with a carefree attitude. She met Megumi's gaze with a wink.

"You finished pretty quickly." he commented, briefly glancing at her test.

"Hah, I guessed on most of the questions." she admitted without a hint of shame.

Megumi sighed slightly, shaking his head in resignation as he left Ichika's test on the table. He shouldn't be impressed by this.

Nino completed her test next, slamming it down in front of Megumi with a scornful expression. "You better be ready to sign your resignation, Fushiguro." she said sharply, putting emphasis on his name with disdain.

Megumi accepted the paper with an impassive look, stacking it on top of Ichika's without a word.

He was prepared to grade them as soon as he finished with the others.

Miku and Itsuki finished almost simultaneously a few minutes later, handing their tests to him in quick succession.

Miku offered him a detached glance before retreating to her seat, slipping on her headphones and closing her eyes.

Itsuki approached with a mix of nervousness and determination, removing her glasses before speaking. "I hope I did well." she said calmly.

"I hope so too." Megumi replied quietly as he glanced at her sheet, setting it aside to be graded with the others.

Finally, Yotsuba handed in her test with enthusiasm. "Finished! That was exhausting!" she declared, her bright smile radiating as she passed her sheet to Megumi.

He accepted her test, giving her a brief nod. "Give me a few minutes." he told them, straightening up to begin the grading process.

"Alright!" Yotsuba replied, shifting in her seat.

Nino watched Megumi closely as he began grading the tests, trying to gauge his reactions to get a sense of the situation before he announced the scores.

A confident smirk crept onto her face. Yes, she and her sisters would get good grades, and then this guy would have to resign. Perfect—he was digging his own grave.

Megumi graded their tests in silence, aware of the occasional glances he received but indifferent to them.

After a few minutes, he finally finished and gathered the results. Clearing his throat, he prepared to address the quintuplets.

"Well, congratulations," Megumi began in a flat tone, briefly glancing at the stack of papers in his hand before meeting the sisters' eyes. "You all scored 100."

He let the words hang in the air, giving the sisters a moment to process the information.

Yotsuba's eyebrows shot up in surprise. They all got a 100? Or rather, she got a 100? It seemed unbelievable. A smile threatened to form, but then she remembered what that meant, and her face paled slightly.

Megumi would be resigning.

This definitely wasn't good, and a sense of dread washed over her.

Does this mean I won't see him anymore? she thought, a dismayed frown forming on her face. But... after so much time...

Itsuki also looked surprised for a moment, but her initial concern was quickly replaced by a composed demeanor. She sighed softly, accepting that Megumi had chosen this path for himself.

Nino, however, seized the moment to flaunt her confidence. "I told you!" she declared triumphantly, a big smirk spreading across her face. "I told you not to underestimate us!" she added, her tone dripping with superiority.

Miku remained silent, only opening one eye to glance at Megumi's impassive expression. So she got a 100? It seemed too good to be true.

Ichika, with a casual smile playing on her lips, appeared intrigued. She suspected there might be more to Megumi's statement than met the eye; it seemed improbable for all of them to have scored a perfect 100. She knew better than that.

After letting the tension build for a few seconds, Megumi finally added, "But that's combined."

His words shifted the mood immediately, and the sisters' reactions changed drastically.

Nino's eyes widened in disbelief as she registered what he had said. "Wait, what!?" she exclaimed, her earlier arrogance replaced by shock. "What do you mean by combined?"

Megumi calmly placed the tests on the table for everyone to see. The scores were displayed clearly: Yotsuba had the lowest score with 8, Ichika scored 12, Nino and Itsuki had 20 and 28, respectively, while Miku had the highest score at 32.

Nino stared at the tests, frustration etched on her face as she processed the results.

"Ugh!" she grunted, sinking into the couch in defeat. She couldn't believe they had missed this chance, and now she was left regretting it.

Ichika closed her eyes with a chuckle, mildly amused by the revelation. Her intuition had been spot on.

Miku sighed deeply, her disappointment palpable as she realized she was just 8 points shy of a decent score. The familiar sting of being so close yet falling short was evident on her face.

Itsuki's initial disappointment quickly morphed into resignation. Taking a deep breath, she reviewed her score. "28, huh?" she muttered, her frown deepening. "It wasn't fair of you to give me hope for a 100, Fushiguro-kun..."

Megumi offered a casual shrug in response to Itsuki's comment. It was a little funny.

Yotsuba glanced at the tests, her dismay slowly shifting to happiness as the scare passed.

Despite her low score, she smiled brightly at Megumi with hopeful eyes. "That means you're not going to resign, right?" she asked.

"That's right, Yotsuba," Megumi confirmed calmly. "I won't."

They heard Nino grunt once again at his words, but Yotsuba clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's a relief!" she exclaimed.

She wouldn't be losing contact with Megumi after all. That was good. Regaining that connection had taken her a long time.

Her expression shifted to one of determination. "And don't worry about that 8! I'll improve my grades and try harder!" she promised earnestly.

"...Good to hear," Megumi muttered, rising to his feet. His gaze swept over the room, landing on the quintuplets. Adopting a more serious tone, he added, "I hope today's performance made it clear that you need a tutor."

Ichika let out a soft chuckle, her demeanor lighthearted. "We already knew that, Megumi-kun." she said with a playful nonchalance.

Megumi chose to overlook her comment and continued, "Then I expect all five of you to commit to participating in my lessons."

Nino's expression darkened as she stood up, her tone sharp. "Just because you gave us a tough test doesn't mean we need your classes." she retorted.

Megumi regarded her with a dispassionate look. "It wasn't a difficult test," he replied calmly. "It was a straightforward assessment that any second-year student should be able to handle."

"Ouch…" Ichika said playfully.

"Ouch, indeed…" Itsuki muttered, fidgeting with her fingers.

Nino's frustration was palpable as she gritted her teeth. "That doesn't change anything, and you know it," she said sharply, before turning and stomping toward the stairs. "You're still not needed here."

Megumi couldn't help but frown slightly at that. They're not delusional, Maruo had said...

The remaining sisters watched her leave in silence.

Then Itsuki shot him a quick glance and asked, "Are you going to teach a lesson today?" She glanced briefly at the clock. It had been 55 minutes since he arrived, and they had completed the test in just 40 minutes.

Megumi shook his head and glanced at the clock as well. "It's past my time," he said. "But I'll conduct the lesson tomorrow."

Itsuki nodded and began gathering her belongings. Although she was still somewhat frustrated by her grade, she decided that perhaps a fresh start would be beneficial.

"Well, I'm heading up to my room," she said, clutching her notebook to her chest and offering Megumi one last look. "See you, Fushiguro-kun."

"See you, Itsuki." Megumi responded simply, focusing on organizing the tests.

Ichika let out a deep sigh, lifting her head from Miku's shoulder as she rose to her feet. "Waah~ I think I'll head upstairs too," she said with a smile. "I need to get some sleep…"

Megumi nodded in acknowledgment as Ichika waved goodbye to him and her sisters before heading out.

Miku remained seated for a moment longer before starting to rise, but Megumi's voice halted her.

"Miku, wait a second," he called, making her pause and look back at him. "I need to talk to you."

Miku didn't respond, but her brow furrowed slightly. Why would he want to talk to her specifically?

Yotsuba, sitting nearby, looked at them with curiosity. She soon met Megumi's gaze, who held it before saying, "I'd like to speak to Miku alone, Yotsuba."

Yotsuba nodded after a moment. "Alright, I'll give you guys space!" she said as she stood up. Maybe if it had been Ichika, there would have been some playful joke, but this was Yotsuba.

She shot Miku one last look and waved before saying goodbye to Megumi. "See you tomorrow, Fushiguro-san!" she called as she walked past him and headed for the stairs.

Megumi remained silent, casually gathering the tests as Yotsuba left.

Miku stayed quiet for a few seconds as well. She felt a bit tense, especially given his delay in explaining why he wanted to talk to her.

She soon assumed he would probably ask her to join his lessons, since, unlike Nino, she hadn't verbally refused. Her expression darkened slightly, but before she could say anything, Megumi looked up, and she immediately fell silent.

His green gaze fixed on her, and he watched her for a few moments. Miku couldn't help but swallow hard.

"...It's about your report card," he finally said, making Miku's unease grow. She really didn't want to discuss this topic at all.

She was about to prepare to leave when Megumi's next words stopped her. "Your best subject is history." he noted.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she caught her breath, locking her gaze onto his. Her initial instinct was to deny it, but reason quickly took over.

There was no point in being defensive. He wasn't accusing her of anything; he was simply stating a fact. Her best grades were indeed in history, and he had seen the evidence.

Slowly, Miku composed herself and nodded slightly. She kept silent, afraid her voice might falter if she spoke.

Megumi observed her closely, already picking up on certain behavioral patterns. His eyes narrowed slightly as an idea crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

"You also got the highest score on that test," he stated. Although 32 wasn't exactly great, it was still a more decent score than the others.

"Plus, your grades were the highest among your sisters last year," Megumi continued. "You had scores that would have allowed you to pass the year, until the final quarter."

Miku remained silent, feeling the tension build inside her. Discussing the last quarter was something she wanted to avoid, especially without Yotsuba's permission.

Megumi continued to analyze her, noting the tension in her posture and the unease in her eyes, especially now that the subject was her.

He had observed this strange behavior in Miku before and struggled to understand it. However, seeing how tense she became under his mere gaze, he doubted he would get far.

So, instead of pressing for an explanation, he decided to shift the focus. "Unfortunately, your test performance wasn't good enough." he said calmly.

Miku's expression soured at the reminder, and she looked away. "I know," she replied curtly. "You don't need to rub it in my face."

"That's not my intention," Megumi replied. "You still demonstrated capability on that test, so it's not all bad."

Miku pursed her lips but no longer tensed at his words. At least it wasn't an attack anymore.

"You have a solid grasp of the basics in most subjects," he explained simply. "While that's expected of a second-year student, it's not common among your sisters."

She couldn't help but swallow hard at his blunt assessment. But again, she couldn't argue with the truth.

"Still, at least one of you has a foundation of knowledge," he muttered thoughtfully, adding, "But it's not enough."

Miku's frustration began to surface. "Are you mocking me?" she muttered defensively.

Megumi raised an eyebrow at her question. "I'm not," he replied shortly. "Don't take the truth as an offense."

But maybe he should choose his words more carefully. Could you blame him, though? It had been a while since he had actually talked to someone.

The truth hurts sometimes, Miku thought, her expression softening slightly.

"...You remember what I said before the test, right?" he asked after a moment.

Miku didn't respond, but he knew she remembered. Megumi continued, "Your note says you need guidance, and I hope you recognize that." He said before adding, "And before you mention my age, even a toddler could teach you." he accidentally blurted out.

Miku frowned at this, feeling slightly offended, and Megumi took a moment to register his own words before sighing deeply.

He really was bad at this.

"You are definitely mocking me..." she muttered, growing defensive again. She knew she wasn't the brightest, but really, a toddler?

He frowned, feeling frustrated by his social ineptitude. Damn, he thought, why couldn't he figure out how to interact better?

In these moments, Megumi truly wished he could be more like Yuji. That cheerful idiot always knew the right thing to say in situations like this to ease the tension.

After considering his options for a moment, he closed his eyes briefly and said, "You're not a lost cause."

His words seemed to catch Miku off guard, and she paused, looking at him in confusion.

Megumi quickly elaborated, "None of you are, you just need someone to help you." He tried to adopt a gentler tone to counteract his earlier harshness. "But you especially stand out among your sisters."

That particular comment made Miku's eyes widen slightly. She... stood out among her sisters? Did he really think so?

The girl wasn't sure if she believed it, though. He might just be saying this to convince her to join.

Sensing her hesitation, he decided to press on. "Is it really that difficult to give it a chance?" Megumi asked. He could have pointed to Yotsuba, Ichika, and Itsuki as examples, but he wanted Miku to arrive at that conclusion herself, so he held back. "I could help you."

The girl was silent for a few seconds. Yes, it was difficult. For her, at least, everything felt difficult. And that constant struggle frustrated her.

"...Have you ever taught anyone before?" Miku asked, her voice lowered.

Megumi didn't hesitate in his reply. "No." he said sincerely. That was one of his biggest concerns about teaching them: his inexperience.

"Then... why?" she pressed, furrowing her brows. "What makes you think you can help us?"

She really didn't understand. What was different about Megumi that could inspire them to overcome their challenges? What could she possibly overcome?

Her question seemed to make him hesitate for a moment. Megumi couldn't deny Miku had a point. Why did he believe he could help them?

He had failed many times before, that much was certain. He had taken this job out of exhaustion and a desire to prove to himself that he could actually succeed at something.

That thought lingered with him as he reflected.

He wasn't doing this because the quintuplets needed it; he was doing it because he needed it.

A selfish reason.

Yet, ironically, this selfishness would lead him to protect them and try to teach them, which was ultimately a good thing. But it remained a selfish motivation.

Perhaps it was selfish to leave their academic future in his hands when there were countless qualified professionals out there.

But did that even matter?

Megumi had always been selfish, and he never tried to hide it.

"I may not be the most suitable teacher," he admitted sincerely, causing Miku's eyes to widen slightly in surprise. "But your father trusted me."

She remained silent, staring at him. Megumi pressed on, "And because of that trust, I'm here as your tutor. My experience so far hasn't been pleasant, but that's beside the point. I have a job to do."

He couldn't forget the last time he failed to do his job—very bad things had happened.

Miku furrowed her brow slightly. Megumi was really difficult to understand.

If he didn't believe he was the right tutor, why did he want to continue? She couldn't grasp that.

If he thought he wasn't enough, why not just give up? Just like she had done so many times before.

Because Miku knew better than anyone that not trying was absurdly less painful than trying and failing.

"So, I can't just stand by and let you stagnate in your studies," Megumi said firmly. He could see that she was affected by his words, whether positively or negatively. "It doesn't matter what you think of me or my skills. What truly matters are the results."

Miku listened, this time with real focus. She wanted to understand him, but nothing he said seemed to make any sense to her.

Of course, she knew results were important. The constant lack of them had been a source of endless frustration. So why would this time be any different? What could he possibly do to change things?

"And the results won't materialize unless you give me a chance." Megumi added, his voice calm but resolute.

She clenched her fists, her frown deepening. The frustration she felt was palpable. She was exhausted from the cycle of trying and failing, setting expectations only to have them shattered repeatedly.

It seemed to happen with everything. Despite all the support she received, nothing ever change, and she never managed to achieve her goals. The weight of that failure ate away at her, making her feel inadequate. Each setback felt like a confirmation that she wasn't enough.

She didn't want to go through it again.

Call her a coward, she didn't care. She refused to face her fears, so she wouldn't. Simple as that.

Miku decided to stand by her initial response. "Just give up." she said, her voice cold and distant. Without waiting for his reply, she stood and walked toward the stairs.

Megumi watched her, momentarily stunned. He had hoped she would at least pause and consider his words. Then, his expression shifted to one of contemplation.

Something was wrong. He could feel it.

"Miku," he called after her, causing her to pause mid-step. She turned her head slightly, glancing back at him. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

She didn't reply, but Megumi caught the subtle quiver of her lip and the way her expression hardened. Why does he keep asking me this? she thought. She couldn't understand it. Why couldn't he just forget about her and let her disappear into the background?

Frustration swelled in her chest, mixed with an irrational need to escape, so she turned away again, continuing up the stairs without a word.

To Megumi, that was all the confirmation he needed.

There was no doubt in his mind now—something was eating at her. Her body language said it all.

He rose from his seat, gathering the five copies of test papers, his thoughts racing as he tried to piece together what was really going on with Miku. His expression darkened with frustration as he considered it.

"...This job is nothing but a headache..."

————————————————————————————————————————

Maruo exhaled heavily, slumping forward as his elbows rested on the cluttered desk. His tired eyes drifted over the disarray of his office before landing on the open folder in front of him. Another stack of work. The endless stream of tasks had become a burden that felt heavier with each passing day.

As Japan's top doctor, Maruo was supposed to focus on the most complex and critical cases—not routine morning appointments or diagnosing colds. But treating patients wasn't the only weight on his shoulders.

Ever since he quit, Maruo had been forced to manage the entire network of businesses alone. Even with a reduced patient load, the sheer volume of responsibilities seemed unmanageable.

The recent surge in patients needing care had become overwhelming, especially for his staff. The sheer volume was unprecedented. He couldn't help but think back to a similar time, after the accident in Shibuya, when the numbers spiked just like this.

His gaze wandered to the corner of the room, his eyes heavy with fatigue, eventually settling on something that made him pause.

There, in the space between the wall and the bookshelf, a small figure floated in lazy circles—a fish-shaped being with bulging eyes and an open mouth, drooling a mossy liquid. A curse.

Maruo let out another long sigh, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Of course. Hospitals were magnets for negative energy, and he practically lived in one. Naturally, these things would show up.

He was used to seeing harmless little curses roaming the hospital halls, it had become routine. But in his office? That was a first.

His expression darkened. He needed absolute focus for the work he did, and having this miserable creature in his personal space was the last thing he needed. It was irritating just thinking about it.

Moments like this made him wish he could control cursed energy like Gojo or Fushiguro. If he could, he'd exorcise the thing without a second thought. But no, life had dealt him a cruel hand—he could only see these things, not get rid of them. Typical.

A sudden beeping pulled Maruo from his thoughts, his brow furrowing as he searched for the source of the sound. His eyes eventually landed on a drawer in his desk. Realizing it was likely his phone, he reached inside and pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

Reaching into the drawer, he pulled out the device and glanced at the screen. The caller ID confirmed it—Megumi Fushiguro. The boy was likely calling with an update on the quintuplets.

He answered the call and brought the phone to his ear. "Fushiguro-kun," Maruo greeted curtly. "What's the update?"

On the other end, Megumi's voice sounded calm, but there was an unmistakable weariness. "...They took the test," he said. "All five of them."

Maruo took a moment to recall their earlier discussions before responding with a thoughtful hum. "How did it go?"

"If you're asking about their grades, they were terrible." Megumi replied bluntly. Maruo sighed, the weight of the news sinking in.

"I see," the doctor muttered, his disappointment evident in his voice. "And what about my daughters' thoughts on you as their tutor?"

"...The test didn't change anything." Megumi replied, his tone flat.

Maruo's expression darkened, concern and frustration mixing on his face. "...Miku-kun and Nino-kun didn't change their stance at all?"

"No." Megumi confirmed. Over the weekend, he had already informed Maruo that Itsuki and Ichika seemed more willing to cooperate, so he left that out now.

Maruo closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. He had genuinely believed that failing the test would push his daughters to change their minds, to take Megumi's lessons seriously. But it seemed he had been wrong.

"That's... a shame." Maruo mumbled after a brief pause, trying to resign himself to the reality of the situation. It felt like the conversation was coming to an end, but then something crossed his mind.

His gaze flickered toward the curse still floating in the corner of his room. "What about their protection?" he asked.

On the other end, Megumi took a moment to process what Maruo meant. His expression tightened as he searched his memory for anything worth mentioning.

There had been the incident with some guys picking on Itsuki in the classroom, but Megumi figured that wasn't worth bringing up. It had been dealt with already, and there was no point in worrying Maruo further.

"I didn't notice anything unusual at the Pentagon," Megumi finally replied. "And my Rabbit Escape clones didn't pick up on anything strange either."

"I see... that's a relief, then." Maruo muttered.

Silence hung between them for a moment until Megumi recalled something. "Except..." he added, catching Maruo's attention, "the men's bathroom was closed."

Maruo frowned slightly, but then realization dawned on him. "Ah, I called pest control to deal with an infestation there," he explained, his tone growing more serious. "There was a... bad odor attracting them after the security guard's death."

Megumi nodded slightly, acknowledging the explanation.

The conversation lapsed into silence again, and Maruo asked out of habit, "Is there anything else you'd like to share?"

Megumi paused to think. He had already gone over the test results, the protection, and the closed bathroom. But then, Miku's behavior crept into his mind—not just today, but in general.

Doubt filled him. Should he really bring this up? Maruo was her father; surely he was aware of what was happening with his daughter. Besides, it wasn't Megumi's place to ask why Miku was acting the way she was. That was a conversation for someone closer to her.

Yet Nino's words echoed in his mind. She had complained that Maruo didn't know anything about what was going on with them because he hadn't seen them in months.

It was true—he was always busy. Maybe he really didn't know what Miku was going through. Maybe, with the little time they had together, she hadn't opened up to him.

"There is something, yes," Megumi finally said, after a moment of hesitation. "It's about Miku."

Maruo's attention sharpened. "What about Miku-kun?"

Megumi hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. He didn't want to overstep, but if it were his own daughter, he would certainly want to know if she was facing any difficulties. And Miku... well, she was clearly struggling.

"Miku... she doesn't talk much, does she?" Megumi began carefully.

Maruo paused, considering the statement, before agreeing. "She's always been a closed-off girl. She gets that from me."

Megumi nodded, taking that in before pressing on. "I've noticed something off about her behavior."

"Hmm..." Maruo hummed, thoughtful. He had a feeling he knew where this was going, and before Megumi could continue, he cut in. "Confidence issues, I assume?"

Megumi blinked, a bit surprised by how quickly Maruo identified the problem. But then again, Maruo was still her father. Of course, he would know.

"That's what I thought too," Megumi confirmed. He could understand it well—self-doubt, whether about oneself or others, was a subject he was all too familiar with. He'd seen it in his own life, and now he was noticing similar signs in Miku.

He recalled a few instances that pointed to this. On the first day, Nino had made a joke about Miku's cooking, and it had visibly upset her. Just a few days ago, Ichika had teased Itsuki about accepting Miku's food, and the youngest had practically turned pale before denying it vehemently.

In other words, Miku cooked. She just wasn't very good at it, and she got hurt when people pointed it out.

Then there was the incident in the cafeteria last week, where Miku had been defensive about liking matcha soda. At first, she stood her ground, but with just a little pressure from Nino, she had backed down from even drinking something she thought was "good."

No matter how blunt and expressionless she tried to appear, Megumi knew better.

Maruo pondered the situation for a few moments, his expression growing melancholic. "Miku-kun has been acting this way for some time," he said, the unspoken weight of Rena's death hanging heavily in the air. "We've tried therapy, but nothing has changed."

Megumi listened in silence, absorbing Maruo's words.

The doctor continued, "She's not very open to interacting with people... and Nino-kun has mentioned that she spends a lot of time in her room." His voice carried an unmistakable heaviness.

After a moment, he added, "I... really wish I could help more, but... I don't have the time." He brought a hand to his forehead, frustration evident in his demeanor. "Miku-kun doesn't usually call me, either. So I don't really have a way to help."

The palpable frustration in Maruo's voice pressed against Megumi's chest, causing his lips to press together into a thin line.

After a brief silence, Maruo took a deep breath. Discussing Miku's situation reminded him of his own powerlessness as a father, which upset him even more.

"Fushiguro-kun..." he began, his tone softening. "Would... could you keep an eye on Miku-kun for me?"

Megumi frowned, pausing to consider. Technically, he already did, but he understood what Maruo was really asking. "That... isn't something I think I can do." he replied. He struggled to take care of his own emotions, let alone someone else's, especially someone who didn't seem to appreciate him.

Maruo's shoulders slumped at his words. He realized he was asking too much of Megumi; it wasn't fair to put that burden on him. "I see..." he murmured, attempting to keep his disappointment in check. "It's fine. That's not your job, after all."

Megumi fell silent, his expression tightening even more, his grip on his cell phone growing tense.

But again, what could he do? He was terrible with words; how could he possibly comfort Miku?

"I just wish things would change for Asahi, and that Miku-kun would feel more open to making friends..." Maruo remarked after a moment, his tone laced with melancholy. "But... I'm not so sure."

Frustration washed over Megumi at that. He didn't know why, but Maruo's tone was really getting to him.

"Well... thanks for your time anyway," Maruo said after a pause, trying to maintain a polite tone. "Keep up the good work, Fushiguro-kun."

"Wait..." Megumi muttered, feeling that nagging urge to do something good. "I... I'll see what I can do about Miku."

Maruo's eyebrows raised at Megumi's response, and he fell silent for a few moments. After a second, he closed his eyes and nodded slightly. "Thanks again. You're doing more than you need to, and I appreciate it."

Megumi clenched his jaw, trying to suppress any reaction. Once again, he had acted on impulse and found himself in an emotional obligation with Maruo. He really needed to learn to ignore that damn urge driven by a certain someone.

"Anyway, I ask you not to worry too much about this," Maruo said after a moment. "Miku-kun's emotional stability is important, yes, but I don't want you to exhaust yourself trying to solve something that should be my responsibility."

Megumi didn't respond, but he nodded in understanding.

Maruo took a deep breath, adjusting his posture in the chair as he cast a final glance at the curse in the corner of the room. "If that's all you had to share, I'm afraid I'll have to hang up."

"It's okay," Megumi replied after a moment. "I should hang up, too."

Maruo hummed quietly. "Goodbye, Fushiguro-kun." It felt like a proper farewell, perhaps for the first time, before he ended the call.

Afterward, Maruo stood still for a few seconds, then slowly moved the cell phone away from his ear and placed it back in the drawer.

He glanced at the picture on his table, where his five daughters were gathered, still children, all looking the same.

A melancholic expression settled on his face as he placed his elbows on the table and closed his eyes. "I wish I could do more..."

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A/N: Megumi is kind of bad with words and says something harsh without thinking. I think this is a bit in character, especially considering this AU.

Just wait till he summon Mahoraga on Nino's ass