Go-Toubun no Hanayome √AE

Chapter 14:Second Chance ⑥

Yotsuba:"She's in second place, you can do it!"

Miku continues to run with everything she has. She knew that running full speed would take what little stamina she had much faster, but she didn't care, she wanted to give it her all. Even with that, the girl in third place was slowly catching up to her, with fourth place not far behind.

Miku:[Don't stop to look back, just keep moving!]

Nino:"They're starting to catch up with her."

Itsuki:"Come on, Nino. Let's stop worrying about that. Let's just keep rooting for her."

Nino:"Y-Yeah."

Takeda:"Ah, there's Asun-kun."

Rito:"The girls are still going, huh? Two of the quintuplets are running. Who was Nakano Yotsuba-san again?"

Fuutarou:"The last one. The one currently running is Miku."

Rito:"Is she just as good as her sister?"

Fuutarou:"Of course not, not even close and she knows that more than anyone. But, she's trying her hardest."

Rito:"It doesn't really matter if she doesn't show results."

Fuutarou:"Huh!?"

Rito:"I didn't mean anything bad by that. But her form is pretty terrible now that I look at it. Why would a beginner put herself in that situation?"

Fuutarou:"...I don't know. It's almost like she was trying to rush towards a goal...But it doesn't matter at this point. All I know is that I'd rather cheer for her than talk with you."

Rito:"Well, aren't you honest?"

Maeda:"Shame Ichika-san couldn't make it, but Miku-san is taking after her pretty well."

Fuutarou:"That's not it, that's Miku racing for herself. She made it clear she wasn't doing it just to be Ichika's replacement."

Maeda chuckles.

Maeda:"You understand them really well."

Fuutarou:"...I'm not sure about that, there are many things I still don't get. When I attempt to understand everything, I just get more confused. Damn, I hate how much I have to worry about those dumb sisters."

Takeda:"Doesn't that just mean you love them?"

Fuutarou:"...Don't put words in my mouth."

Takeda:"Alright, but that doesn't change the fact you're clearly looking after them..."

Fuutarou:"I can't deny it's fun being with them. But no matter what I do, they'll all move away eventually. "

Rito:"Yeah, we'll all forget them eventually."

Fuutarou:"Tch."

Maeda:"I don't think that's necessarily true. Even if you don't see them, you'll still be close friends. Matsui and I are gonna go to separate schools after we graduate. Long distance relationships are tough to keep together, but if you put the effort in, what connects you will never break."

Takeda:"...Aren't you supposed to be the dumb one?"

Maeda:"You shut your mouth."

Fuutarou heard them, but decided not to respond anymore. At this moment, his attention was on the race. Fuutarou watched as Miku was passed by the girl behind her, putting her in third place.

Fuutarou:[I know it's just a game. This won't affect her future in the long run. It's nowhere near as important as a test. So, why...?]

{"What's the point? It's not like I wanted to do it."}

{"Who cares what they think?"}

{"Being alone is much better than being around people I don't like."}

{"Noone will laugh when they see my perfect scores."}

Fuutarou:[Damn it, there's so much I don't understand.]

...

Miku:[My legs hurt too much. I can barely breathe. Here I thought I could at least keep my spot...But I overestimated my abilities...again.]

Miku began to slow down even more.

Miku:[A part of me always knew I couldn't surpass them so soon, not after I'd spent so long wallowing by myself. But, I just wanted to be with them, I wanted to walk side by side with them...including the two people I admire the most...]

Yotsuba began to get ready.

...

{"I will surpass Fuutarou."}

{"I'll take part in the relay race."}

Miku:[I want to be alongside them now, I refuse to simply stay in the back anymore. I refuse to hide behind my sisters' faces. I began to think that dressing up as them was normal, that the quint game we made was something natural. I took advantage of that to keep hiding, using those disguises to emote in a way that I believed 'Miku' could never hope to achieve. I never wanted to be special...But no more! This is my second chance.]

Fuutarou clenched his fists as he watched Miku slowly get overtaken, causing her to be in fourth place. Miku gives Yotsuba an assured look signaling that she should start moving. Yotsuba nods as she turns her back on Miku to begin running.

Miku:[Right now, all I can do is continue to watch your back as you accomplish things far greater than I can. Even though I can't hope to be with them now, I'll eventually claw my way there. I won't let myself become comfortable in this position anymore. I will get to my goal with my own will. All I want right now...is to be with you...But what will happen once I get there? Will I be able to handle it? Will I just be knocked back down? It's scary thinking about the future, but I won't even be able to worry about that if I can't make it there in the first place. We'll all grow up, we'll all change...I haven't given up on Fuutarou. I haven't given up on my sisters and I haven't given up on myself. I'll pick myself up and keep working towards my goals.]

Miku's speed was increasing, despite her body screaming out against it. She was slowly catching up to third place. Miku knew this was her final wind. She began to extend her hand out.

Miku:[I can't hope to be with you right now, but I can believe. The very least I can do is give you the confidence I wish I had...]

Miku's baton slowly begins to fit into Yotsuba's hand. The receiving hand grips it as tightly as possible before Miku's knees buckle and she begins to fall. But, as she's falling, with her last amount of strength, she gives out one last request.

Miku:"GO, YOTSUBA!!!!!!"

As if on cue, the girl becomes a blinding flash as she takes third place. Miku smiles before finally hitting the ground.

Yotsuba:"I won't let you down!"

End of Chapter 14