Futaro's job was in managing his own business. Not long after his marriage with Yotsuba, he founded a start-up that succeeded immediately upon its launch. As CEO, he sometimes needs to go abroad to pursue more investors and handle foreign branches.
"Yes, dear. I'm at the airport now. I'll see you in a week, alright? Have fun at work!" Futaro said on a call with his wife of one year.
"Byee! Take care oka-" Yotsuba replied with love but was hung up on.
"I don't know why I'm doing this. I've never done this before. And just only after one year of marriage?" Futaro thought. "My plan to buy a new house for me and Yotsuba in the USA is finally coming to light. And I'm so glad that Nino is helping me find one. She had moved there last year too and has managed her and Miku's cafe in San Francisco."
His plan to meet up with Nino had been on his mind only a few months after his marriage to Yotsuba. His troubles began when he began noticing that the four other sisters had been avoiding him recently. "Nino and Miku had moved to San Francisco to bring their mom's Japanese pastries to the world outside Japan. Ichika has been getting a lot of movie offers lately in Hollywood, California. And Itsuki, well, she applied for an assistant teaching job at Ivy League University. Everything just happened so fast."
Futaro rolled his luggage into the plane. The passenger line had moved, and he knew for himself that he too, missed the rest of the Nakano sisters. "Why did they move so suddenly? Yotsuba and I got married in January last year. But none of them even stayed for long. As if they wanted to rid us of their lives, just because we- No... I shouldn't be thinking like that. What is wrong with me!"
The flight stewardess paused in front of Futaro. "Sir. Your phone, please." She smiled, asking him to turn off his phone as the flight was on takeoff.
As he sat on the window seat of the plane, he thought, "That stewardess was kind of cu-"
Futaro closed his eyes to rest and reminisced the memories he had with the Quintuplets. He knew that when he had come across them at the cafeteria, his life would change forever.
Futaro closed his eyes to rest, and reminisced the memories he had with the Quintuplets. He knew that when he had come across them at the cafeteria that they, that his life would change forever.
"Futaro?" Yotsuba called his name inside the plane. "What are you doing in the USA? I called your office, and they told me you didn't have any business there!"
"Yotsuba! I can explain. It's not what you think! I'm just going there to find us a new home there. I'm also planning to move my business there! I truly have lots of offers to move the business' base in the America! Believe me, please!"
"No, Futaro... If you were really being honest with me, then why didn't you tell me. Why were you being so secretive. You lied to me, Futaro. You were going to meet with my sister because-"
"No! That's not it! I'm just trying to find us a new house for us! I was just asking for Nino's help! Yotsuba! Yotsuba!"
"Sir! Sir!" The stewardess woke Futaro up. "Sir, the plane has landed. Welcome to Los Angeles." The stewardess smiled.
"A dream?" Futaro mumbled.
The flight came to an end and the plane landed in Los Angeles, Futaro stretched and stood up, eager to finally be on solid ground again. He walked down the aisle with the other passengers, his mind racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness about his trip.
As he entered the bustling airport, his eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of Nino. He knew they were planning to surprise him, but he couldn't help his anticipation. And then, he saw her.
"Miku?" Futaro stunned, at seeing her again after a long time.
Miku, standing a few feet away, her signature headphones perched on her head as she glanced around, her eyes shimmering with the kindness he had always loved about her.
She looked just as he remembered her, her quiet confidence and unique style making her stand out even in the busy airport.
His heart skipped a beat as he walked toward her, a rush of emotions flooding his chest. He had missed her more than he realized, and seeing her now, he felt a sense of familiarity and comfort wash over him. He remembered when Miku kissed him on the school's roof top, and thought about how things would've gone if he chose her instead.
Futaro couldn't help but smile as he approached Miku, his footsteps quickening with each step. He tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Futaro-kun?" Miku exclaimed, her voice a mix of astonishment and joy.
He grinned, his heart racing as he pulled her into a tight hug. "Miku, it's so good to see you!"
Miku returned the hug, her laughter ringing in his ears. "You too, Futaro-kun. We couldn't let Nino have all the fun with you in the States without us."
As they pulled away from the hug, Futaro took a moment to really look at Miku. Her hair was slightly longer, her smile a bit more radiant, but she was still the same Miku he had grown close to.
"Thanks for being here, Miku," Futaro said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
Miku shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, someone has to keep an eye on you, right?"
"Where's Nino?" he asked.
"Ummm... She will be here... but she hasn't arrived yet," Miku shyly replied.
"Miku?" he asked her. "Tell me the truth."
"Fine. She doesn't know I'm here." She giggled. "I found out you were going to meet with her here, so I decided to surprise you too."
Futaro shook his head and smiled. "Miku... You've changed. I like that." He hugged her, truly happy she had come to see him too.
They shared a laugh, and as they walked together through the airport, Futaro couldn't shake off the feeling of warmth that being with Miku brought him. He knew that the week ahead was going to be filled with unexpected surprises, laughter, and a chance to reconnect.
As they headed towards the exit, Futaro's heart raced with excitement. He couldn't wait to see the rest of the sisters and experience the adventures that awaited them in the USA.
Just beyond the sliding doors, he spotted a familiar figure leaning casually against a pillar. Nino stood there, her confident demeanor on full display as she scanned the crowd. Her fiery red skirt caught the light, and her fashionable attire turned heads as people passed by.
Miku nudged Futaro, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Looks like someone really wore her best just to pick you up, huh?"
Futaro chuckled, his heart skipping a beat as he locked eyes with Nino. He couldn't deny the rush of excitement that surged through him. He had missed her spirited personality and unwavering determination.
"Nino!" Futaro called out, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
Nino's gaze snapped to him, and a radiant smile lit up her face. She pushed herself off the pillar and practically glided towards them, her steps confident and purposeful. In a matter of moments, she was wrapping her arms around Futaro in a warm embrace.
"Futaro-kun, you're really here!" Nino exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and delight. "And Miku? What are you doing here?"
Futaro returned the hug, feeling a sense of familiarity and comfort in Nino's embrace. "Of course, Nino. I've really missed you too. And Miku's here because... I called her as well. Sorry I didn't tell you."
Miku and Futaro shared a glance, agreeing to keep Miku's espionage mission a secret.
Nino pulled away and playfully elbowed him. "Well, you better behave yourself around Miku. You're married now, you know. And Miku's a fighter. She still-"
Miku covered Nino's mouth with her hands, and blushed in embarassment. "I really miss you, Fu-kun. That's all."
He chuckled, nodding in agreement. "I promise, Nino. I'm just here to look survey the real estate, and as surprise to Yotsuba, I'm planning to move us here with all of you!"
Miku and Nino looked at each other and a sorrowful vibe passed through their mutual thoughts. "That's great, Futaro. That's why we're here to help you out."
As they walked together, Nino's vibrant energy filled the air, and Futaro couldn't help but feel energized by her presence. He knew that their time together in the USA was going to be filled with laughter, spirited debates, and maybe even a bit of teasing.
Their laughter echoed through the airport as they shared stories and caught up on each other's lives. Nino's vibrant personality and unwavering confidence reminded Futaro of the strong bond they shared. He was grateful for her support and friendship, and he looked forward to the adventures they would embark on during his stay.
When they went to get an Airport Taxi, Futaro's heart skipped a beat once again.
He saw Itsuki running through the waiting line for passengers, her face plump with sweat and in a rush. She was running and carrying some paperwork. And she held a sign that read "Welcome, Futaro!" in her elegant handwriting, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Itsuki!" Futaro shouted at her.
Itsuki paused, and heard a familiar voice she hadn't heard for a long time. A voice that was comforting to her, and from someone she felt would fill the vacuum inside her.
"Futaro?" Itsuki turned and saw Futaro, with Nino and Miku.
Futaro's steps slowed as he approached Itsuki, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions. He had missed her nurturing nature and unwavering support. She was the one who had always been there for him, a pillar of strength throughout their journey.
"Itsuki," Futaro said softly, his voice calling for her to come to him.
Itsuki's smile widened as she ran to him. She then pulled him into a warm hug. "You're here! Futaro! Welcome to the USA!"
He hugged her back, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity in her embrace. "Thank you, Itsuki. I've missed you so much too."
As they pulled away from the hug, Futaro couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the presence of all three sisters. Miku, Nino, and Itsuki – each unique, each special to him in their own way.
Futaro stepped away for a moment, and looked at the three of them. "So I'm really here now. In America. These three. They look so beautiful. They probably have their own lovers by-"
Futaro's chest tightened and he felt a pain deep inside that he couldn't explain.
"Fu-kun?" the three sisters asked him in unison.
He faked a smile and said, "I'm fine. Its just jet lag." And looks at Nino who he has been flirting with in text messages for a while now. "Everything... is fine."