It was official: (Y/N) was going to return the confession. He had thought about it long and hard and figured this was the best time and place to do it. What's more romantic than confessing while on a school trip?
(Y/N) was hyping himself up as he ascended the stairs with the Quints. It was a big deal; since she was the one who first confessed, there was no chance of (Y/N) getting rejected, meaning he was guaranteed a girlfriend.
Ichika leaned toward (Y/N) and stared into his eyes. "Something on your mind, (Y/N)-kun?"
He switched his gaze from the stairs to Ichika. "I, um, yeah, I'm good."
"Remember when I told you my plan?"
"I do."
"..."
"Where were you going with this?"
"I dunno, just wanted to see if you, too, had something planned for someone."
"Maybe."
"Maybe? Oooo, (Y/N)-kun's gonna confess~!"
"Well, don't be loud about it."
She gasped. "W–Wait, you're serious? I was just joking...!"
I can't have her catching on. "I can't give you details, though..."
"Oh, alright..." Wait! Is he going to confess to me?!
(Y/N) noticed that they were lagging behind the other four. He extended his hand to Ichika. "Here. Come on, we should catch up."
Ichika blushed a bit and took his hand. They sped up to meet the others.
~ + ~
Four thousand six hundred and twenty-five gates later, the six reached the top. They sat at a conveniently located bench, next to a sign that read, "Congratulations on reaching the top!" as well as some historical details about Fushimi Inari.
After a few minutes of sitting, Ichika tapped (Y/N)'s shoulder.
"Hey, (Y/N)-kun?"
He turned to her. "Yeah?"
"Can I talk with you in private for a moment?"
Dang. Does she know? She probably does, I'm not that good at concealing the truth.
Ichika led him to behind a nearby shack occupied by a fortune slip-reading shrine maiden.
"What's up?" he asked.
She sighed. "Have you given my confession any thought? It's felt like ages..."
"I have."
"...And?"
"I..."
Meanwhile, the other Quints approached the maiden with the intention of hiding in the shack. Why? Listening to Ichika's confession being returned, of course; they had heard of her feelings for (Y/N) and were eagerly attending his response alongside her.
"Hey, you," Nino called to the maiden.
The maiden, who was looking down at the desk before her, raised her head to meet Nino. "Hey! What may I help you with?"
"Let us–..." Nino stopped herself to change to a kinder tone, hoping for better chances. "May we stay in your shack for a few minutes?"
"It's not a shack...," the maiden said under her breath.
Nino, seeing she wasn't convinced, continued: "It's for an important matter."
"Must you right now? Loitering strangers discourage business."
"Yes, please."
The maiden nodded. "Fine. But you must take a slip."
Nino nodded vigorously, trying to speed up the process. At this rate, we won't get in until the sun sets!
The maiden offered Nino three slips, from which Nino took the middle one. She turned it over in her hands, gazing at its intricacy.
"Have you never done this before?"
"I have, a while ago."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Hm?"
"Give me the bamboo slip."
Nino gave it back impatiently.
After a few seconds of seeing and looking at a piece of paper, the maiden recited: "Great fortune: you will experience great fortune in the near future. You might find a surprise waiting for you. Congratulations!"
"Great, thank you."
"You may enter the 'shack' now."
"Thank you!" Nino dashed through the door, opened behind the maiden, followed by the others.
Because it would be awkward if they missed it, they arrived just in time to hear (Y/N) say the magic words.
"I..."
Ichika slightly pouted. "Hurry up, (Y/N)-kun! I'm getting mildly impatient."
(Y/N) chuckled and smiled. "I accept your confession, Ichika."
Ichika smiled, sprang forward, and pulled (Y/N) into a tight hug. The Quints in the shack quietly clapped for the now-couple.
After some seconds and a stifled tear, (Y/N) took Ichika and held her at arm's length, just looking at her for a few more seconds.
She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Now, do we... kiss?"
Nino appeared out of nowhere and put her arm between the two. "Nuh-uh. That's where I draw the line." Knowing where this was going, she preemptively left the shack to stop further advancements.
"Wh– Nino!? You were watching?!"
"Maybe I was... That's beside the point. You two'll have to stop there."
"Nino..." (Y/N) shook his head, when suddenly...
"Nino." Ichika looked at her firmly. "I always appreciate you looking out for me – and the others, too. But, this time... Take a step back and let me do what I want to do! This is for the good of all of us; you wouldn't want to hurt us by stopping it... would you?"
Nino, now bright red from being called out, shook her head without a verbal response.
Ichika gently smiled and gestured for Nino to leave.
Nino, still flustered, left in a hurry.
"Now..." (Y/N) turned back to Ichika. "Where were we?"
Ichika — who was mildly annoyed and embarrassed that they were interrupted but quickly got back into it — turned to (Y/N) with glistening eyes.
With a sudden but gentle passion, the two pulled each other into a deep kiss.
YOU ARE READING
Dependence - an Original Quintessential Quintuplets Story
Fanfiction**second book in the series** (Y/N) arrived back in his home country... but some want him back? He returns to Japan (reluctantly) and continues to tutor the Nakano quintuplets. But even with (Y/N)'s help, will they end up graduating? Feedback and id...
