Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 34 - A Few Mistakes Ago

Asuka's POV:

''Tutoring, huh...''

Honestly, it felt like an eternity since I last visited the Nakano Residence, though in reality it has only been a few days. With finals just around the corner, just a few days ahead, and the girls' still doesn't pass a fucking solid thirty. Today's schedule is history—Bet Miku will have the time of her life. I won't lie, probably she'd probably be the only one excited about it.

I now stand in front of the Nakano's door; I must have come here dozens of times by now. Well, it has started to feel quite ordinary, but it's still fun! Ever since I revealed my relationship with Itsuki to the others, I feel much much lighter. Maaaaaan, sure feeels like heaven.

Fuutarou must have already begun the class by now. Better knock the door and hop in.

Or so I thought— Just as I was about to knock, I heard shouts from the other side of the door. All voices I knew. Are they...fighting?

''𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗼. 𝗔𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲.''

''𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻...! 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲!!!''

''...What the hell is going on in there?'' No, I gave up knocking on the door. Itsuki and Nino's argument is getting quite heated, reaching far beyond the door. Probably going to get much worse if I go and knock on the door right now. Waiting for their voices to stop is the right decision, I'll do so.

I am sure the others will tell me what happened later.

CRASH!

The door swung open with anger, and Nino stormed out. We came face to face and locked eyes only for a moment. Her cheek was entire red in pain, and I... Oh no... What have you done? ''Nino, what hap—!''

''DON'T TALK WITH ME! IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU TWO.''

''Nino, wait!'' Yotsuba's voice echoed through the hallway, carrying a desperate edge. She darted after her sister, but Nino was already long gone by the time she reached the front door. Instead, Yotsuba's eyes met mine. ''Asuka-kun...''
 
''What happened here?'' I asked, stepping closer to the door.

"The situation... It's a bit complicated to explain." Yotsuba replied hesitantly, biting her lower lip. "But if you'd like, come inside. Uesugi-san is already here."

Complicated. Great. That word always means a huge mess, as an abbreviation for a shitty situation that you can't get out of. Still, I nodded and followed her into the living room. I've seen the sisters argue plenty of times—Miku and Nino, in particular, arguing over a million unnecessary and nonsense reasons many times before—yet this felt different. Seriously, it's the first time I've seen Nino so shaken.