Chapter 3 - Tutoring 4/5

Fugo was glad he'd already met at least one of the Nakano quintuplets before arriving at their home. While pretending to take notes, he glanced occasionally in Miku's direction to check how she was handling the lesson.

Thankfully, she didn't seem unwilling to learn, jotting down notes from the teacher's lecture. She appeared more engaged during history class, though he'd already gathered from her previous grades that it was one of her stronger subjects.

Perhaps she's simply more inclined toward memorization than problem-solving in subjects like mathematics. That is understandable, but… he'd need to address that soon.

Still, he now had something productive to focus on during class. Observing one student was a start. He couldn't complain - getting all five of them plus himself in one class was nearly impossible.

RING!

'Fifth ring… school's done for today.', He noted, glancing at his wristwatch, which read 1:49 PM. He frowned at the one-minute discrepancy, then cast a final look at Miku as she packed her things before leaving the school.

Although his apartment wasn't in the same building as the quintuplets', it was close enough to be convenient. He planned only to stop there briefly to drop off his belongings and grab a quick drink.

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"Come on, Nino. This is a tutor assigned by Father. We must take this seriously!", A frustrated girl with medium red hair exclaimed to an equally frustrated girl with ribbons on both sides of her reddish-pink hair.

Nino stared at her sister, Itsuki, with exasperation. She couldn't understand why she was even entertaining the idea of letting someone in their home.

Ichika kept smiling behind them, only ready to intervene if they went too far. Or maybe she was just too lazy to get into the argument.

"But there's seriously nothing bad with it? We talk to a new person and also learn things?", Yotsuba popped her head in between exactly her younger and older siblings.

"Since when was it acceptable for you to be forced to learn?", And lastly came Miku.

"Since a new friend appeared!"

"A tutor isn't exactly a friend.", Nino replied drily, the others giving some awkward nods.

"You have no imagination! What if it's an elderly man or woman!? Think about their possible stories to listen to!", Yotsuba bounced and bounced, her energy unfazed by Nino's disapproving stare.

"It's not about stories, Yotsuba.", Nino snapped. "This tutor isn't here to entertain us or share tales. They're here to 'fix' us, according to Father.", She crossed her arms tightly, glaring out the window as if the idea alone had somehow soiled the living room's air.

"Fix us?", Ichika finally chimed in, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. "Is that how you see it, Nino? Maybe he thinks we're simply in need of... a bit of guidance."

"I don't need guidance. And I don't need some stranger poking around our house and telling us how dumb we are!", Nino retorted. "Besides, we're fine. We don't need anyone but each other, right?"

Itsuki sighed, her frustration plain. "But Father's right - our performance hasn't exactly been stellar. Besides, this isn't just about getting good grades. It's about showing Father that we're serious, that we can do this - together. But maybe, just maybe, we could use a little help to get started."

Ichika leaned back, folding her arms casually. "Think of it this way.", She suggested with a mischievous smile. "If the tutor's as dull as you expect, then we'll just have some boring lessons. But if they're interesting, maybe we'll pick up more than history notes. A new person means a new experience. Isn't that a little exciting?"

Nino scoffed, rolling her eyes, but her arms had loosened. "I still don't see why we have to let them waltz into our lives. We've gotten this far without any outside help. And if they're just here to tell us what we're doing wrong, then they're no better than Father."

"Maybe they won't be that way.", Miku mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. She seemed to be lost in thought, fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. "I mean, if they're willing to teach us, maybe they actually want to help. And… it's not like we can keep going this way forever.", She trailed off, her cheeks slightly pink.

Nino narrows her eyes and stands up, muttering under her breath that she will cook later something. Her sisters' eyes follow her, none questioning anymore her departure from the soon-to-be tutoring session.

"I am surprised you're still around.", Itsuki turns to Ichika who just grins in return.

"Didn't feel like sleeping.", Everyone turns a skeptical eye to that, but she continues. "Doesn't hurt to see the tutor at the very least."

Their chat dies down as a knock is heard.

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Fugo did not arrive just now.

The security was accustomed to his face, allowing him entry without question. He made his way through every accessible room, ensuring the safety of the place. It seemed far too easy for anyone to get in, even without Stand users to worry about.

Fortunately, he didn't encounter anything amiss, nor was he late for the lesson.

He hadn't held high hopes from the start and had abandoned the idea of reviewing the basics the night before. Instead, he prepared a test covering first-year high school material - something the quintuplets should have no trouble with… though he suspected they might.

The test was meant to highlight their shortcomings if they were unaware of them already and to motivate them if they lacked drive. He wasn't going to chase them around just to get them to attend.

Pushing those dark thoughts aside, he heard the front door open. An orange-haired girl peeked in, revealing a modest figure with a bob cut and a tomboyish look.

"Oh! You look young!", She exclaimed, laughing as if there were no issue at all. Fugo nodded back with a smile; at least one of them seemed welcoming. "Name's Yotsuba!"

He stepped inside, moving further into the apartment as Yotsuba trailed behind him, leaving the door open until she realized her mistake and quickly returned. He felt their eyes scanning him while he did the same.

He recognized Miku, the girl with red hair and headphones. The one closest to her waved lazily, a smile on her face; her pink hair indicated she was the oldest - Ichika. The girl with the most intense gaze, reddish-orange hair framing her face, had to be the youngest - Itsuki.

He noticed the absence of a fifth sibling and sighed, accepting his defeat for the first time. If she missed the second one too, he'd address it.

"Hi, teach. What's your name?", Ichika locked eyes with him from the couch, giving him the cue.

Clearing his throat, he began, "Hello. My name is Pannacotta Fugo. I've been assigned as your tutor by your father for the time being. I hope you will cooperate for your benefit." Before any of them could comment, he opened his backpack and pulled out some sheets of paper.

"Wow… you're so hardcore right from the start? I thought you already knew we sucked.", Ichika remarked, still waving her hand but accepting the paper when he extended his hand.

Their expressions soured slightly at his nod, even though they knew it was true.

"This is simply to assess what you lack and where. It's also to show you that I'm dedicated to your education, not just throwing information at you," he explained, pausing to catch his breath after speaking more than he had in quite a while. "I may look young, but I attended university when I was 13. I returned to high school due to some issues with the education system change."

A small lie, but what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.

"Alright. Fugo, I'll show you everything I know!", Yotsuba said, arriving back in her spot.

"Well… it doesn't hurt to try.", Ichika got up from the couch.

"A test… I see.", Itsuki finally spoke. Even if the tutor wasn't what she expected, his words seemed genuine, so she decided to trust him for today.

Miku merely narrowed her eyes at the history questions.

"Well then.", Fugo said, glancing at his watch. "It's 15:03. I'll take your sheets back in 50 minutes at the latest. Good luck."

They would surely need it.

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This felt awful to write.

I might come back to rewrite this one day, but I am just glad it's over.

Also I didn't include Fugo trying to make Nino take the test because... she would die. 

Ok, I am high balling it lmao. But Fugo's vein might explode after a round of Nino and also having to look at their tests results.

Don't worry, there won't be a next time to Nino not being there (probably).

Still getting around with the details of the first enemy Stand user. Again, don't expect much. 

Next chapter should be... more pov from the sisters... I am going to die from this lmao.