Quintuplets in Yukata

Confronted with identical quintuplet girls in every aspect – face, three size, hair, and more – Akira shows no confusion.

He observes them briefly, among the five girls before him, one appears slightly rounder.

After a quick observation, he raises his hand, pointing at each one while saying their names.

"Itsuki-Nee, Nino-Nee, Miku-Nee, Yotsuba-Nee, and Ichika-Nee. Am I right?"

The five girls are stunned by his confident response.

The girl on the left removes her wig, revealing short hair. Ichika smiles and says, "Excellent, Akira-chan. You identified us in such a short time."

"Thanks for the praise." Akira calmly responds.

Yotsuba also removes her wig, her eyes sparkling. She curiously asks, "Amazing. Is there a special secret?"

"Love. Didn't mom say this?" Akira says with a smile.

Instantly, a blush appears on their cheeks, making them even more charming.

"I told you, Akira-kun can surely do it. No point in doing this." Itsuki complains.

This game was proposed by Ichika. Of course, she resisted at first but gave in after Ichika's persuasion.

"Akira seems very experienced. Do they often play this game?" Miku asks.

By 'they,' she means the quintuplets in the parallel world.

"Sometimes." Akira answers. Seeing them still in bathrobes, he reminds them, "If Onee-san doesn't get ready soon, the shrine will be crowded."

Hence, they return to their respective rooms to get dressed.

Shaking his head, Akira sits back on the sofa and continues playing on his phone.

Browsing social media, he finds people sharing photos of their New Year's visits with family or friends.

Usually, he would receive messages from many girls wishing him a Happy New Year. But this New Year is different; all contacts with the girls in his messages are unreachable.

"The Jewel of Four Souls... Where is that item..."

Missing his family and friends, Akira resists the urge to crush his phone.

On the surface, he maintains a calm face, but only he knows how restless his heart is as time passes.

Akira is unaware of the time flow difference between the two parallel worlds. If he returns to his original world and finds out everyone he knows has died of old age, wouldn't everything he does be in vain?

If that scenario truly happens, Akira fears he will lose control and won't hesitate to use the [Aurora Pillar] to destroy the world.

For him, the world means nothing if everyone he cares about is gone.

...

30 minutes later.

Due to various complex thoughts, Akira doesn't realize how much time has passed.

When he hears someone calling him, he sees the quintuplets wearing yukatas and styling their hair differently.

Ichika wears a white yukata with a yellow flower pattern. Her hairstyle remains the same, but there's a flower hairpin in her hair.

Nino wears a white yukata with a purple inner layer and a plant motif. She waves her hair, and her signature butterfly-shaped hair ribbon is not forgotten.

Miku wears a blue yukata with a pattern of pink orchids. She ties her hair in a side ponytail. Additionally, her usual blue headphones are not visible.

Yotsuba wears a green yukata with a butterfly motif. Her hair is tied in a ponytail, and she sports a green rabbit ear ribbon on her head.

Finally, Itsuki wears a red yukata with a cherry blossom motif. She ties her hair into a twintail.

"..."

"Don't stare at me like that... It makes me embarrassed."

Holding her twintail, Itsuki says, blushing slightly.

"How about it, do we look pretty?" Ichika approaches Akira, asking with a thin smile.

"Beautiful. The five of you are the most beautiful women in the world." Akira shamelessly raises his thumb.

"Ahaha... Your praise is too much, Akira." Yotsuba laughs happily at such high praise.

"You know how to compliment women." Nino says, lips forming a smile.

"Thank you." Miku lowers her head, her heart sweetened by her little brother's praise.

"In that case, let's go." Akira says.

Then, they leave the apartment.

Since the shrine is not too far, they decide to walk.

Miku is always at the back, so Akira slows down and walks beside her.

Ichika and the others walk while chatting.

Pedestrians eager to visit the shrine for the New Year become more crowded.

"Hey, Miku-Nee, have you decided on your future?"

"Huh?"

Miku turns and sees Akira with surprise, not expecting such a serious question. Though confused, she answers.

"Um. After high school, I plan to continue my education at university and choose a culinary major."

"Is that so... That's a good choice considering Miku-Nee's love for cooking. In the future, opening a cafe or restaurant would be fine."

"What about Akira himself? What's your dream?"

"It's too early for me to think about that. I'm still a junior high school student, you know~."

"Akira, don't you think about what your dream will be like?"

"..."

Facing Miku's question, Akira pauses before giving an unexpected answer.

"I don't want to work."

"Huh? Can you repeat that?"

Miku thinks she misheard and asks again.

"Miku-Nee didn't mishear. After graduating from high school, I don't plan to go to college or work. My aspiration is to live fulfilling all the passions I want to do. Moreover, human life is very short, and most people die filled with regret for missing opportunities to fulfill their desires."

"I don't want to die with lingering regrets. So, after fulfilling the obligation of education, I won't enter society and be part of it. Instead, I'll live freely according to my will. Anyway, as long as I'm not short of money and free from the need to earn it."

Akira reveals what he has long kept hidden. Even his five sisters and parents in his original world are unaware of this.

He's sure they would oppose his decision to become unemployed.

"Are you serious, Akira?" Miku asks, seemingly incredulous.

"100% serious." Akira nods.

Miku remains silent, unsure whether to support or oppose her little brother's decision.

Because she's too focused, she accidentally steps on a banana peel and slips backward. Fortunately, Akira next to her prevents her from falling.

"Thanks, Akira."

"You're welcome. Also, how come there's a banana peel here?"

After helping Miku stabilize herself, Akira kicks the banana peel to the side of the road.

"Miku, are you okay?"

Hearing the commotion behind them, Ichika and the others pay attention to Miku who almost fell.

"I'm fine, thanks to Akira. If not for him, who knows what would've happened."

Itsuki: "Thank goodness Akira-kun is walking with Miku. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened."

Nino: "You should be more careful, Miku. Having an accident on the first day of the new year. You're really unlucky."

Yotsuba: "Who littered on the street! That almost harmed Miku."

Ichika: "Enough, the important thing is that Miku is okay. Let's proceed to the shrine and buy an amulet for Miku to avoid further accidents."

After this small incident, the six of them continued to the shrine.