Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 4 - Butterfly Effect

| 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐨... |

Fuutarou's POV:

My first after-school job, teaching something to kids, can't be that tough, right...? That's what I keep telling myself, anyway. All I have to do is say out loud the explanations I normally run in my head! Simple. Easy. Piece of cake. Totally not panicking at all. ...Yeah, sure.

Since I'm not very familiar with these streets, I decided to use my phone to avoid getting lost. Google Maps is truly divine blessing from the gods, no joke. I've heard high-class people live around here, and it shows. If I bought a single meal in this neighborhood, it'd probably sit in my stomach for two weeks just out of respect for the price tag. That's the level I'm dealing with right now. Even the streetlights look like they're designer brand. Who the hell customizes streetlights?

''Fuutarou...?''

A voice made me lose all my focus in an instant, and I turned to where the voice came from. It was Miku calling me. The girl with the headphones from the cafeteria at lunch. Same sleepy eyes, same calm face, same big headphones. ''Miku... was it? It's interesting to see you here.''

"I live 'round here. Just heading back home. What you doing here?"

''And I was going to my part time job. It turns out I had to be a tutor for some students.''

Miku goes quiet for moment as though something had just occurred to her. Her expression shifted slightly, but she quickly masked whatever thought had crossed her mind. Then she spoke again. ''I understand, Do you know where you're going?''

''...Apparently somewhere called Yokukatsu Building.''

Her eyes widen for a split second, then go back to their usual sleepy state. If I hadn't been watching, I'd have missed it. She definitely noticed something, but she's not saying it outright. "I live there. Umm... I-If you w-want, we can g-go together?" She stammers the last part, cheeks turning pink. Honestly... kinda cute.

''Thank you so much! I'd rather have a live guide than rely on a phone app.''

Sorry, Google Maps. You just got replaced by a human being.

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After about 54,000 split seconds, 900 seconds, or simply 15 minutes of walking, Miku and I saw the building that was our destination. It was as massive as the other buildings in this district. Then again, I guess there aren't any real small buildings in this area.