Hourglass [Quintessential Quintuplets]

Chapter 40 - Roll Like We Used To

Miku's POV:

Sometimes I think— why this silence? 

Whenever the five of us are together, there always trouble. Even though we are sisters, we are still girls with our own desires, temperaments, and flaws— And, well... most of the trouble usually starts with Nino.

My fingers drifted absentmindedly to the shampoo bottle beside me. In the past, we used to argue about this all the time before finally deciding to buy our own shampoos. Unlike Nino, Itsuki never caused any issues over shampoo; she mostly fought over food.

I miss them both.

''...''

I'm sure Yotsuba and Ichika feel the same way I do. They're both outside right now, but the silence in this house is too much. Why does quiet sometimes scream the loudest? ''Let's see...'' I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the bathwater pull me deeper into thought.

We made a plan for tomorrow. I'll have to skip a few hours of school—technically irresponsible, but it's crucial, so I suppose it won't be a problem. I hope Madoka's taking good care of her. Honestly, I'm more worried about Nino than Itsuki. After all, Asuka is with her. 

Come to think of it, Fuutarou and Asuka sure have some unusual connections of people. As I think about all this, I sink myself deeper into the bathwater until the warmth cradled my neck.  ''Mmm...''

...Creak!

Isn't that front door? I was about to start wondering who it was, when all my curiosity vanished. Instead, Instead, I burst out giggling. At the very least, she continues to be the same. ''Uwaaaaa~~~ I'm dooooooone~ Oya, a-am I the only one?''

I raised my hand and gave the bathroom wall two light taps. "I'm in here, Yotsuba."

"Miku?" She called back, already sounding relieved. I could hear her shoes scuffle against the floor as she moved closer. "Oh, okay! It's nice to know I'm not the only one here! Practice ended so late today. I was kind of worried you'd be mad at me."

"You always worry about silly things." I let out a small breath, leaning my head back against the cool edge of the tub. "Why would I be mad? But still... with finals coming up, do you think it's okay to let your focus slip so easily?"

I couldn't hear Yotsuba's voice for a while. It's like she's going back and forth between saying something and not saying anything. I doubt Fuutarou knows anything about this. If he found out, he would probably go nuts.

But I can understand her.

After everything that happened, she doesn't want to project her personal issues onto Fuutarou nor any of us. ''Miku? Can I... come?''

''E-Eh?! I'm still not out. Then I should get ou—''

''No need for that!'' Her voice came from just outside the bathroom door. ''I already had things I wanted to talk about.''