Back to the future with five Nakano kids!

Chapter 2: Unraveling the Mystery

Futaro slowly opened his eyes, the room spinning as he tried to make sense of what had happened. The quintuplets and the five mysterious children were huddled around him, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Are you okay, Papa?" Haru asked softly, her voice trembling slightly as she knelt beside him, her hand gently touching his shoulder. Haru had dark pink hair and dark blue eyes, a shy smile playing on her lips as she gazed at him.

Futaro blinked, struggling to sit up. "I... I think so. But who are you really? And why do you keep calling me Papa?" His voice was shaky, filled with confusion and a hint of fear.

Aiko stepped forward, her expression serious. She had inherited Ichika's light pink hair and dark blue eyes. Her wavy hair was usually kept in a loose ponytail. Her smile was warm and inviting, much like her mother's. "We tried to tell you, we're from the future. Something went wrong, and we ended up here. We didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Nino crossed her arms, her skepticism evident. "This still sounds like some elaborate prank. How can we believe you?"

Ren met Nino's gaze evenly. He had vibrant pink hair and dark blue eyes, combined with Futaro's serious expression. His hair was styled neatly, reflecting his confident stance. "We know things about you that no one else does. Personal things. Like how you always check the stove three times before leaving the house."

Nino's eyes widened, her face flushing slightly. "How did you...?"

Haru chimed in, her voice calm and soothing. "We also know about the time you all got lost at the festival when you were little. Grandma had to find you and buy you ice cream to calm you down." She smiled gently, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the memory.

The quintuplets exchanged glances, their initial skepticism wavering. They all remembered that day vividly, a memory they had never shared with anyone outside their family.

Futaro rubbed his temples, trying to process everything. "Okay, let's say we believe you. We can't just leave you here. You'll have to come to school with us. We'll figure out cover stories for each of you."

Ichika nodded, already brainstorming. "We can say they're transfer students. Cousins visiting from out of town. That should work for now." Her mind raced with possibilities, her usual calm demeanor masking the whirlwind of thoughts.

Over the next few days, the quintuplets and their future children tried to adapt to their new reality. Study sessions became a mix of tutoring and secret-keeping, with Futaro trying to manage the chaos. The children proved to be quick learners, blending into their new roles with surprising ease.

One evening, as they all sat down for dinner, Yotsuba smiled brightly at the children. "It's strange, but I feel like I've known you all my life." Her voice was filled with a sense of wonder, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Sora grinned back. He had lively orange hair, often tousled, and dark blue eyes. His energetic features and infectious smile lit up the room. "That's because you have, Mom. Just in a different time."

The quintuplets exchanged glances, a sense of unity forming among them. Despite the bizarre circumstances, they were determined to make it work. They had always faced challenges together, and this was no different.

Rina, with bright red hair and dark blue eyes, spoke up. Her hair was thick and often styled in braids or ponytails. She carried herself with a sense of purpose and determination. "We need to figure out how to get back to our own time, but until then, we'll help out however we can." Her voice was firm, reflecting her mother's diligent and responsible nature.

As they continued their meal, the room filled with laughter and stories, the lines between past, present, and future blurring into a single, harmonious moment. For the first time since the children's arrival, they all felt a sense of normalcy, a fleeting glimpse of what could be if they stayed united.

The next day, a typical school day, the quintuplets were gathered together at a table in the library, waiting for their tutor to begin their study session.

At the table next to them sat their five children, who had been reluctantly forced to join the study session by their father.

"This is so bothersome! Why do we have to join?" Ren sighed, a light thud sounding as he gently slammed his head on the table in frustration.

Haru patted her half-brother on the back sympathetically.

Sora drummed his fingers on the tabletop in a rhythmic pattern identical to his mother Yotsuba’s. Both mother and son grinned from ear to ear. "I'm so ready!" the two energetic ones cheered excitedly, only to be immediately shushed by the stern librarian.

"Quiet down, you two!" Itsuki and Rina ordered sternly in unison.

"Sorry, Itsuki. Sorry, Auntie," they responded sheepishly.

At that moment, Futaro entered the library with Takeda in tow, the latter sparkling as always.

"Is Takeda-kun joining us?" Ichika asked hesitantly, glancing at the unexpected guest.

Futaro turned to the other boy, confusion evident on his face. "Why are you following me?"

"You don't have time to be doing this, do you?" Takeda questioned Futaro. "There's something more important for you to be doing."

"What are you talking about?" Futaro asked, his brows furrowing.

"To be frank, these girls are holding you back," Takeda said bluntly.

"Holding him back?!" Nino exclaimed, her voice rising in outrage.

"For him to quit tutoring would be in his best interest, above all else. It's your fault. You turned him into a mediocre man. I'd appreciate it if you'd free him already," Takeda continued, each word dripping with disdain.

With each rude sentence from Takeda, the quintuplets looked increasingly upset while their children grew visibly angry.

Chairs scraped against the ground as Ren and Sora stood up abruptly.

"How dare you?!" Aiko yelled aggressively, her eyes blazing.

If looks could kill, Takeda would be dead from the hateful glare in Haru's eyes.

Rina watched her mother and aunts worriedly, sensing the rising tension.

What Futaro said next was surprising.

"You're right," he said calmly.

His kids turned to him, noticing how his words further upset their mothers. "What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

Ren stomped towards his father, his face a mask of anger. "How dare you, Pa—"

Futaro held up his hand, silencing his future son. "But until last summer, or rather, if I hadn't taken this job, I would have failed to even be a mediocre man. I thought I knew it all just from memorizing textbooks cover to cover. I never knew that there were such idiots in the world. That I was as much of an idiot as I am. I'm going to stick with them for as long as they want."

Takeda, undeterred, challenged him. "Then prove it. Make it to the top 100 of the coming national mock exams."

"I'll be in the top 10 and teach the quintuplets," Futaro replied confidently.

Takeda smirked and left without another word.

The quintuplets looked at Futaro with adoration and pride.

Futaro, meanwhile, turned to Ren. "What were you thinking?! You almost called me Papa!" he hissed, scolding him.

Ren apologized sheepishly, his face turning red. His half-siblings burst into laughter, their mothers joining in the mirth.

"Shhhh!" the librarian admonished them, but the warmth of the moment couldn't be dampened.