Won't let you down

　　"Objective?" Nino thought for a while, "Make sure I can participate in more activities organized by the school, I feel it will be more stable, and I can get points from Sensei."

"We are transfer students... In the future, I haven't thought about what to do. After all, with our current grades, even if we want to go to college, we can only find a few tier three universities to study at. It's better to rely on the father's relationship to get a job directly. With my skills, it's better to open a small shop."

　　After she finished speaking, she turned her head to see Itsuki's dumbfounded expression.

　　"... What expression do you have?" Nino pinched her finger.

　　"No, I just didn't expect that Nino would think so deeply..." Itsuki cast away her unbelievable look, and said in awe, "I thought you'd say, 'Why do you care so much? Let's focus on the immediate problem first. Let's talk about something else only when you're perfect!'"

　　"Such impolite…" Nino flicked her forehead and said angrily, "The future is very important. If you don't set goals beforehand, how will you know how to move forward?"

　　Itsuki's eyes couldn't hide her surprise: "Ni-Nino actually said something similar to what Asada-kun would say..."

　　"Don't mention that man in front of me !" Nino blushed, and acted fierce.

Itsuki looked at her and said: "However, Nino did not refute Asada-kun's statement. If that's not true, with your character, I'm afraid you'll sneer at him, and won't listen to half of his sentences."

　　Nino paused and looked away.

　　"...Hmph, that person is the head of the committee, so I can barely hear what he's saying."

　　"But… Very good."

Itsuki sighed, and Nino looked at her strangely: "What's so good?"

　　Itsuki smiled, then said that with a smile.

　　"Whether it's the four of us or Nino, all of us have made a difference this month... From idiots who can't even do student work well and get flustered in their studies, they have grown into people who can host the perfect event. I suddenly had more choices and possibilities in life."

　　"I think it's really much better than before!"

　 Nino gave her a confused look and lowered her head.

　　"It's different from you… I've always thought, is this really that good? I can't go back to the feeling that all five of us seem to have the same heart. Everyone gradually becomes different. After graduation, we will each embark on completely different paths. Or continue studying, or work, or get married and have children right away, most likely we will only be able to meet once a year…"

　　Nino looked down at the ground.

　　"The more we change, the farther we are from memory... I still remember the five of us listening to mom telling stories in front of the hospital bed, and I still remember that we are five identical children, but grandpa can guess right..."

　　"We are quintuplets, quintuplets unique in this world... Such uniqueness will sooner or later be lost in change..."

　　"The quintuplets who have separated and become different, can the relationship between family members remain unchanged forever… I don't want to see those foreign expressions that I have to pretend to be intimate the next time we meet."

　　Ichika's performance is precursor, and change doesn't only bring good things.

　　Nino knows that she can't stop this process, everyone has been released from the shackles of the past, only she is still huddled in the shell of memories, unwilling to admit that she is also gradually changing, and gradually separated. The relationship called quintuplets goes further and further.

　　That feeling was like a rope, she didn't want to let go, but in fact, when everyone turned around and left one by one, no matter how persistent she was, no one would hold her down with her.

　　"Scary... I don't know what kind of meeting awaits me in the future, and I don't know if we can still be peaceful in the future..."

Itsuki hugged Nino's shoulder.

　　"When something scary happens, try to learn not to be afraid. That's what we have to do."

　　"A period of pain will always pass, anxiety will always disappear, and tears will always dry up. And when we grow up, this can also become our precious memories…"

　　"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

　　"Let's move forward together, Nino!"

　　Shaking off her shoulders, Itsuki held her hand, her eyes full of anticipation.

　　Nino stared at her blankly, and it took a moment before she uttered a sound.

　　"That too… That man told you?"

　　Itsuki shook her head.

　　"Everyone tells me."

　　"You, everyone, Asada-kun, and everything that's happened so far.'

　　"The resulting changes are not insignificant, and they tell us something, good or bad."

　　"And let us know that we are still moving forward and not stopping."

　　"The unknown is still scary, but this is enough for us to deal with it."

　　△

　　During the less than three seconds of silence, Nino thought about many things.

　　After speaking with Itsuki, she goes to tell Shinichi what she said, and acknowledges her growth and change.

　　Then why is she still doubtful and shy now?

　　Progress always requires a price, the equivalent of a trade-off, the choice needed to reset the past and face the future.

　　Moreover, the one who has to make a choice is not her, but Miku.

　　Even if they were quintuplets, the five of them were still unique individuals in this world, and they were completely different existences.

　　Nino should have recognized this a long time ago, why was she still showing that embarrassing look in front of her?

　　"…Tsk, there was a hitch."

　　She smacked her lips in displeasure, undressing Shinichi.

　　"Sorry, wasted time? I know what must be done."

　　She faced the bonfire and firm words.

　　"Leave it to me here, you will not be disappointed."

Shinichi smiled, turned around the same way, and said.

　　"Don't worry."

　　"I said I would give you a perfect forest school, and I would not let you down."

　　Nino bit her lower lip, and covered her chest with a flushed face, the sound of her heart beating very clearly at this moment.

　　With resolute eyes, she dashed towards the stage.