The 2nd box set of the QQ manga has been bought and should release in September, hopefully it won't be delayed like the first one... right?

-------------------------------

"Fuck" you said out loud, slamming your fist against the hard stone wall as you paced back and forth in front of a bench outside.

After Yotsuba had told you about the track team, it admittedly sent you into panic mode. Yotsuba was the type who couldn't say no after all, it wasn't a surprise she'd now found herself in this situation.

Things were really starting to spiral out of control. But the priority right now should be informing Fuutaro and coming up with a solution, if he calmed you down and you both though rationally, surely you could come up with some sort of backdoor route for Yotsuba.

"After all of this is over, I am so going to have to start therapy...." you muttered to yourself as you broke off into a sprint around the school, trying to find Fuutaro.

You found him with Itsuki, the both of whom where apparently looking for Yotsuba herself.

"Y/N!?"

"Y-Yeah..." you wheezed. "Just, let me catch my breath.." you huffed, gasping for as much air as possible.

"Okay... Yotsuba signed up to help the track team this weekend"

"WHAT!" both Fuutaro and Itsuki screamed in unison.

"That was my reaction too" you sighed.

"So what can we do..?" Itsuki pondered

You kissed your teeth, and walked straight up to her and grabbed her cheeks.

"YOU, can make up with Nino and then this situation becomes 50% easier" you shouted as you stretched her cheeks all over the place.

"Dude, chill out. Extending her face by a few extra inches isn't going to solve anything" Fuutaro pointed out, putting a hand on your arm and making you release Itsuki.

Her cheeks were bright red, and she had a shocked look on her face with tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

"Shit... sorry, I just got a bit agitated"

Itsuki wiped her eyes. She stormed up to you and raised her hand to slap you, but her eyes widened and she sighed, dropping her hand back down to her side.

"Sorry..." you said again.

"Let's just figure out what to do about Yotsuba" Itsuki diverted, giving you the cold shoulder.

"She's outside practicing right now, we can go and talk to her" you suggested. They both agreed and you all headed outside.

-----------

Yotsuba was talking with a group of girls, and judging by their outfits it was the rest of the track team.

Being on the baseball team and formerly the basketball team, you'd run into the President of the track team a number of times. You hated her. She was always a pain to deal with, oppressive, generally annoying and just a rude person if things didn't go her way. It was no wonder someone like Yotsuba would be roped into her madness.

The three of you approached the group mid-conversation.

"Oh. Y/N, what brings you and your friends here?" she smiled.

"Tell me, are you the president of this team? You're pretty brave for practicing when an exam is so close" Fuutaro started.

Here we go...

"Of course! It's an important Tournament, we don't have time to waste with a mere exam!"

"Mere exam...?" Fuutaro boiled.

"Okay okay chill out" you broke them up. You turned your attention to Yotsuba. "I already told you this before but you don't have time to waste here. Exams are just around the corner"

"I-It's fine, I can manage both!" she tried to compromise.

"Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too far?" Itsuki asked her. Good thing she's sharp and she knows that this is too much food on Yotsuba's plate.

"I'm fine!" she smiled.

"So is there anything else? We have to begin practicing now" the president interrupted.

"Well, if you say so Yotsuba, I won't try and stop you"

Fuutaro suddenly flicked off his blazer and rolled up his sleeves.

"Then I'll run with you, it shouldn't be a problem then right?" he grinned.

...

7 minutes later, Fuutaro was draped over your shoulder as you carried him over to a nearby bench with Itsuki walking beside you. He was drenched in his own sweat and misery.

"Great plan man, really saved us!"

"Shut up, I don't have the energy to deal with your sarcasm" he muttered.

"Good, because I have to go and meet Nino now. Itsuki, can you handle him?"

She nodded in response. "Gotcha, well I'll see you guys later!" you waved as you ran off to meet your girlfriend.

-----

Nino was waiting for you at home. You trusted her, so giving her the spare key wasn't an issue. As you walked through the streets towards your house, you dialled a number on your phone.

BZZT. BZZT. *CLICK*

"Hello?"

"Hey Miku"

"Y/N. I talked with her today"

"And what did she say?

Miku explained to you how she visited Nino after school and they had a long, deep conversation about her coming home and how they're all family at the end of it all. Even if they were similar in the past, they're growing into their own people. Everyone of them excels and sucks at things but that's what makes them complete together.

"Sounds like you really put in a good shift. Thank you Miku"

"No worries, although I don't think I've 100% cracked her. That job is for you"

"Have no worries, I'll reunite all of you guys even if it kills me"

"You're good at playing hero" she laughed.

"Shut it, but thank you Miku, really. And I'll have to thank Ichika too for sending you."

"Anytime Y/N, good luck."

*CLICK*

-------

"Honey I'm home!" you called out as you unlocked the door.

"Babe, welcome back" Nino rushed up to you and embraced you in a hug, you planted a kiss onto her forehead.

Nino smiled sweetly at you but her face shifted a tiny bit.

Immediately it was noticeable, and you had good money on it being about what her and Miku were talking about.

"Do you wanna talk?"

"Mmhmm" she mumbled as she grabbed your hand and began to lead you to the sofa.

As soon as you sat down, it felt oddly tense. Nothing had ever felt like this between you so far and you were honestly nervous. For your own mental clarity you decided to ask.

"You're... not breaking up with me are you...?"

Nino's eyes shot up from roaming around the room and looked directly at you. "NO!" she shouted, seemingly accidentally. "Sorry, but no. I Love You"

"PHEWWWWWWWW" you let out. "I thought I was gonna be crying into my pillow tonight" you chuckled. She laughed too and began to hold your hand.

Nino took a deep breath and looked at you as if asking for confirmation to begin talking.

You assured her with a nod and she began.

"I talked with Miku earlier. She came to try and talk me into coming back"

"Mmm"

"I shooed her away at first" she took a moment to compose herself, seeing her this vulnerable was new.

"I told you yesterday, I always thought the others changed around me and that they were drifting from me. But I never realised that I changed too"

You squeezed her hand a little tighter.

She let out a weak laugh. "I mean, I was the first to get a boyfriend. That's a pretty big change from the rest. Miku made sure to point that out. She wanted me to see that I've changed to them just as much as they changed in my mind"

"Still, I didn't want to go back, but she said that we're family" Her voice began to quiver slightly.

"Of course, you're family. Each of you 5 work your roles separately but become a whole when together. From what I know, you were all similar back when you were kids, but you're older now, the opportunity to grow and develop is natural. If you all stayed as you were as kids, I wouldn't have fallen in love with Nino Nakano. I would have just fallen in love with a Nakano sister"

Her eyes widened and began to fill with tears, she let out a sob as a tear dropped down her face. You pulled her face into your chest and she cried out many tears. She snuggled her face deep into your core, you did your best to make her feel as safe as possible. She really loved her sisters more than anything, the guilt that had been eating away at her this whole time must have been horrible.

After a good 5 minutes of crying, Nino sat up and began to wipe her eyes, you held her hand the entire time. She finally finished and looked at you once again.

"I think, I'm finally ready. Ready to steel myself and forget about the past and start accepting the present. That present lies with you and me"

"That's great!" you cheered.

"But I'm going to need a little help"

"O-Of course, if there's anything I can do-"

"Not from you"

You frowned.

"Your father, he's a barber right?" she smirked.

Immediately you caught onto what she was getting at. One of the most genuine smiles appeared on your face before you dialled a number on your phone and walked over to the kitchen.

---

NINO POV

The heartbeat grew louder in your chest as you anxiously awaited the man who would help you change soon.

Y/N was essentially coddling your hair, wrapping it around himself, and doing everything he could to savour it. Soon, a majority of it would be gone and you could finally cut yourself free of the past.

"Do you think I'll get along with your father?" you asked the boy who was currently making a beard for himself out of your hair.

"Mmm, mm, mmhmm!" That was his stupid attempt to speak muffled through your locks.

"Idiot" you smacked your hair out of his hands.

"Yeah, I'm sure!" he repeated. "He should be here any minute now"

"Are you gonna miss it, my hair?"

"Yeah of course, It's the hair you had when we fell in love. But to be honest, I think short hair might look better on you"

"You really think so?" you felt your cheeks get hotter.

"I have no doubt" he kissed your forehead again.

BANG BANG BANG

It was time, Y/N's father was here. He'd told his dad I wanted to have my hair cut and apparently he dropped everything he was doing to get here as fast as possible.

Y/N opened the door and hugged his father, he stepped inside and stared right at you. He was essentially a taller, albeit skinnier Y/N.

He smiled warmly, the same way his son did.

"You must be the woman I've heard so much about. Nino right? I's a pleasure to meet you" he extended a hand for a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you to sir." you accepted.

"This is so weird..." Y/N added. "Seeing you both so formal and polite..."

"Shut up, Idiot!" you instinctively replied. You didn't catch yourself in time and got embarrassed for scolding a son when their father's in the room.

Instead of getting angry or questioning you. His father burst out laughing "HAHAHAHA" he roared.

"Let's get started, I don't want to waste any time if that's alright with you"

"O-Of course..." you replied. Your nerves were starting to kick in.

Y/N passed by you and whispered in your ear. "Don't be too nervous, I can tell he's already taken a liking to you"

His father grabbed a chair from the kitchen and placed it in the middle of the living room.

"Here, take a seat and I'll get set up" he said.

You obliged and swiftly planted yourself into the chair. Y/N's father retreated back to the kitchen and opened a case full of hair-cutting supplies.

Y/N grabbed your hand which was trembling slightly. It reassured you that he'd be here beside you now in the present, he had an endearing smile on his face.

"You ready?" his father entered the room.

"Let's do it" you confirmed.

"That's the spirit. Hey Y/N, do you mind running to the store quick? When I'm done with this I'm gonna want a beer"

Y/N frowned. "Can't you just go yourself afterwards?"

"You're lucky I'm not charging you for this..." he flicked his son some coins. "Take that, you look old enough, I'm sure they won't ask for any ID"

"If they do, your whole luxury plan comes crashing down" he laughed.

Before he left, Y/N ran up to you and grabbed you by the cheeks, simultaneously planting a kiss on your lips.

"If he says anything weird while I'm gone let me know" he ushered.

You couldn't help but laugh at his protectiveness.

"What!? I'm serious!" he cried.

Even his dad was laughing "Scram Y/N, that beer ain't gonna walk itself here"

His son obliged and swiftly left the house, leaving just you and his father.

"So how short were you thinking?" he asked.

"Shoulder length if that's okay" you responded.

"Hey you're the one getting their hair cut, it'd be fine with me even if you went bald" he sniggered.

"Shut up!" you laughed on impulse, realising you'd now told his dad directly to shut up made you flinch.

"Feisty one aren't cha" he chuckled. "Truth is, while I do want that beer, I did wanna talk to you 1 on 1. I hope you don't mind that"

"N-No, it's fine with me" you stuttered still embarrassed about telling him to shut up.

"You just relax, I'll cut while we talk"

Instantly you could tell by the way he handled your hair that he was a professional, originally you were going to cut it yourself or get Miku to help you but this seemed like a good opportunity to further break away from the past.

"Y/N was talking on and on about you when we met up recently"

"Really? he was?"

"Oh he was practically burning my ears away with how much praise he was showering you in. He plays it cool but in reality he's stupid giddy and over the moon having someone like you by his side"

"That's a relief, I thought he'd make fun of me to you and make things awkward" you sighed

You couldn't see it, but the way his father spoke was as if he had a proud smile on his face. "Usually he would have but, It's something genuine this time. A love that goes over his jaded sarcasm and quick wit"

He clearly noticed your cheeks become bright red as he chuckled quietly to himself.

"So if I may be so curious, what exactly do you see in my son?" his tone turning a tad more serious from it's usually light-heartedness.

"It's a lot of things that happened over time. Originally I was pretty cold to him" you smiled.

"So a Tsundere?" he smirked.

"Wha-!" Like father like son.

"A-Anyway. Overtime things just clicked between us, it was like something out a movie. Sure we argued and mad fun of each other a lot but one night it all sort of just came together. We realised we both felt something for one another but didn't make it official for a while as I don't think neither of us were really ready. Then he eventually confessed until a sky lit by fireworks. And now, here we are" you proudly said.

"It's great to hear that. He also mentioned you're a quintuplet?"

"Yeah. I'm the second eldest technically. There's Ichika who's the eldest and then Miku, Yotsuba and Itsuki who are the younger three"

"Does he treat your sisters well?" he said as you felt a big piece of hair being cut.

"He treats them like family already. A lot of times they go to him with their problems, it's like they already see him as a brother" you laughed.

His father sniffled. "I'm happy to hear things are going so well. He hasn't had the easiest life you know. I don't know if he's told you much but there are pretty much no adults in his active life. So her grew up quick and had to adapt to being alone a lot of the time"

"He's told me small pieces but I've never pried too much. I'd rather he tell me when he's ready"

"You're a good girl Nino. I'm glad he got to meet someone like you in his lifetime"

"T-Thank you sir" you blushed embarrassed from the heavy compliment.

He did the same chuckle that Y/N often did when he was going to make fun of you. "You can call me dad if you want, you might be doing it in a few years anyway"

You buried your head in your hands and groaned.

He continued to cut your hair for the next 10 minutes as different topics of conversations flowed between the both of you. It was a really weird feeling talking to someone so similar to Y/N but not actually be talking to him.

"Hey so what's up with those ribbons?" his father asked as he took one in his hands. "You seem like a fashionable girl, are these the latest trend or something?"

"All of us sisters have something to differentiate us. Even if half of the time people can't tell us apart"

"What about Y/N?"

"Weirdly enough he's never had trouble telling us all apart. I don't actually think he's even gotten it wrong when talking to us. Honestly, your son is such a weird guy"

"Doesn't that make you even weirder for falling for him?"

"I guess so" you smiled. "Things are weird in general at the moment so maybe I am"

"What do you mean?"

"At the moment, I'm in a really big argument with one of my sisters, Itsuki, the youngest".

You gave him a quick rundown of the situation as he stayed quiet and continued to cut strands of your hair.

"Sounds stupid" he responded. "You both sound childish and stubborn if you ask me" he sighs.

"That's exactly what Y/N said..."

"And he's right. You said this whole cutting your hair thing was for you to change right? To get the resolve to move on from things and live in the present.

"Mmhmm"

"Then after we're done here, either tonight or tomorrow. You better get your ass over to your sister and reconcile things. And if the problems are still happening with that other sister... the sporty one then you need to step up and begin to fix that too.

You shook slightly

"Nervous about doing it huh? I can see it in your body language"

"It's fine. I'm sure with Y/N by your side everything will work out. You don't seem like an idiot so I have faith that the both of you can put your heads together to sort this shit out. Plus you have Fuutaro with you guys don't you? he's a smart kid!"

"Ugh. please don't mention Uesugi" you groaned.

"Not warmed up to him I guess, I can understand why but he's a good kid whenever I've spoken too him. If you wanna change you can't continue being so hard on him"

"I guess, he's just plain weird though and he has been ever since the day we met"

"If Y/N still hangs around with him he can't be that bad. Oh we're almost done Nino" he said as you noticed the huge pile of your hair on the floor.

"Woah. I've never realised just how much hair I had." you said shocked.

"Well it's a lot. I could probably make a coat with all of this stuff" he laughed.

"Y/N would probably unironically wear that outside"

"Maybe you should give it to him as a Christmas gift!" he laughed.

----

Y/N POV

"Yo! I'm back!" you called out as you kicked off your shoes and closed the door behind you.

"Stay there a moment Y/N" your dad called out as you began to take a step forward.

"Huh, why?"

"We're just doing the finishing touches" Nino responded.

"Finishing touches? What are you, a birthday cake?"

"Idiot..." you heard her curse from inside.

Luckily the store didn't ask for any ID so you picked up a 4 pack of beers. Ideally you dad would take one and you would keep the other three. Due to your age it was Illegal to drink but hey, if you had it you may as well drink it.

The hair was finally going, you could see a few separated strands on the floor in sight, since the day you met her borderline absurd amount of hair was always a stand out feature of hers and now it was mostly going to be gone.

"Okay. You can come through now" Nino called out.

You braced yourself, let out a deep breath and left the entryway to go to the living room....









And there she stood....



She couldn't look you in the eyes. She was leaned against the wall in the living room, her face was practically painted scarlet as her now shoulder length hair fluttered in the wind of the fan blowing towards her.

Her old habit of tucking her arm under her chest was back, likely due to her nervousness.

She weakly made eye-contact with you.

"So, what do you think..?" she stuttered out.

You immediately planted your lips onto hers, as you felt her arms wrap around you and fingers dig into your back.

"I love it"

"Really? you really do?" she looked at you as she was still pressed up against you.

"I'll admit it'll take some time to get used to but I think this is for the best for you, mentally and physically.

She smiled. "I love you"

"I love you too, no matter the hair length"

She laughed. "What about if I was bald?"

"Maybe I'd slap it a few times but you'd still be Nino" you hugged her again.

"Ha, idiot" you felt her knee you in the leg lightly.

All the while your father stood by with a smile on his face, watching the young love blossom before him.

"Oh" Nino broke off from you. She turned her attention to your father. "Thank you so much!"

"It's not problem for my future daughter-in-law right?" he smiled at you.

"Thanks dad. We appreciate it"

"No problem kiddo" he ruffled your hair, and then did the same to Nino. For a second you thought you saw a tear well up in his eye but he turned around before it was really clear.

"I'll be heading out now, I'm leaving town tomorrow so hopefully you get your situation sorted out with your sister Nino"

"Wait you told him about that?" you asked the girl clinging to your arm.

"Yeah. I want to change Y/N, not be held back by the past, and being stubborn with Itsuki isn't going to help that one bit. I just have to suck it up and take the first step. Right?" she turned to your dad who gave her a thumbs up.

"Seems you two got along then" you smirked.

"Yeah, I like her. You better put a ring on her finger eventually young man!" your father insisted.

"Who knows. Maybe one day..." you trailed off.

"Anyway. Goodnight you two. I'll hopefully see you both next time I'm in town but that may not be for a while"

You approached you dad and gave him a hug, he gave you one back and ruffled your hair.

"Love you son"

"Love you too old man"

He took one last look at the both of you in the doorway as he closed it behind him and proceeded to leave as made evident by the sound of a car engine getting quieter.

"Tomorrow" Nino immediately began, holding a finger to your face. "We fix the group"

"God I'm one lucky guy to have a girl like you" you smiled. "I think I may have a plan..."

--------------

The next day arrived. Fuutaro had told you about his last ditch effort plan for today. You were one to take gut feelings pretty seriously and something was telling you that his plan wasn't going to go smoothly. Convincing Nino was a non issue as she pretty much was thinking exactly what you were thinking. For once, her harsh attitude may come as useful, especially when dealing with the captain of the track team.

"Looks like we got here kind of late..."

"Mmm"

"You sure you can handle this?" you asked Nino.

"Positive" she responded, as she fixed a ribbon into a shape resembling that of Yotsuba's.

"I'll go up to Fuutaro and the others, assuming they figure out Itsuki for her much longer hair. That's when you step in. Got it?"

"Have some faith babe. I won't screw this up" she devilishly smiled as she zipped up her tracksuit.

"Do you want me to hold onto your gift for Itsuki while you do this?"

"It's just a couple of movie tickets, I'll be fine" she winked before you kissed you lightly.

Content with her answer, you walked up the stairs and joined Fuutaro, Yotsuba, Miku and Ichika

"Y/N!?" they all said in surprise to your arrival.

"So you're plan fell to shit then?" you mocked Fuutaro.

"Shut up idiot. What are you even doing here, and where's your girlfriend"

"Who knows" you whistled

"What is that supposed to-" Miku was cut off.

"Sorry for the wait!" you heard someone cry out.

All of you looked over to the source of the sound.

"Ahaha, sorry for the trouble everyone!" she called out.

"Yotsuba!" one of the club members called out.

"That was just a little harmless quintuplets joke, no big deal right?" she laughed.

"Yotsuba..." Itsuki said.

"Oh so it was just a prank..." the president said. "But that's not funny so stop it" her tone changed to something more controlling and stern. "We can't let your talent be wasted Yotsuba, so you have to stay on track and be focused for winning this competition for us.

"Well... The part about quitting the club wasn't a joke" she smiled.

Dumbass, she's enjoying this so much....

"Wait, but why are you-"

"Isn't it obvious? You got too carried away and completely ignored my feelings. Deciding to do a training camp before exams is just stupid anyway"

She stepped right into the face of the president and looked down on her.

"Are you an idiot or what?"

"A-AH, I'm really s-sorry..." the president cried as she dropped to her knees.

"What the hell is even going on...?" Fuutaro sighed aloud.

"T-That's!" Yotsuba shivered..

"What?" you asked her.

"My Doppelganger!!!"

You pinched her cheek and shook your head. "No Yotsuba, you don't have a doppelganger"

"Then explain that!" she pointed as two people made their way up the stairs.

All of you watched as Itsuki and another walked up the stairs towards you all.

"Wait." Fuutaro backed up. He looked around frantically and counted the number of girls on his fingers. "Ichika... Miku... Yotsuba... Itsuki..." as 4 of his fingers went up. He looked at the other girl.

"No way..." he said startled.

"And that's why you let me do the planning" you boasted.

"Right babe?" you put your arm on the girls shoulder as she flicked her hair as she re-attached her butterfly ribbons

"NINO!?" They all screamed. Nino looked at all of them with an expecting expression.

Fuutaro looked at her in genuine astonishment.

She smiled at him. "What? Amazed by what you see?"

"Nino. Your hair" Ichika stepped up to her. "It's so..."

"Short" Miku finished.

"No shit..." you murmured.

"Did Y/N break your heart or something" Ichika teased.

"No, he fixed it." she smiled as she planted a kiss on your cheek.

Yotsuba also looked on at her sister in bewilderment and Nino noticed as she brushed off your arm and approached her.

"Yotsuba. I just did as I was told but is this really alright with you? I mean even without ending it with this method. if you told her how you really felt and took your time with it, I'm sure even someone like her would understand. So you should change too, It won't be easy but I know good things will come of it if you do" She warmly smiled at her younger sister. Yotsuba still firm.

"Okay, I got it" she said as she began to walk off.

"Want me to come with you?" Ichika called out.

"No thanks. I need to do this on my own" she smiled.

Now with her leaving. Itsuki and Nino were awkwardly standing next to each other.

Surprisingly Itsuki was the first to speak "Nino I-"

"Nino! you see, this girl-"

"Itsuki! Nino has wanted to-"

"Okay boys that's enough" Ichika grabbed both you and Fuutaro by the ears and began to drag you both away.

"We still have to prepare for the final exam after all"

"OW Ichika, ease up a little" you whined as she dragged the two of you away from the sisters.

Miku and Ichika both laughed and she finally released the two of you. Both you and Fuutaro looked back on the Itsuki and Nino.

Itsuki had tears in her eyes and was holding up a pair of movie tickets.

You smiled at the thought of those two stubborn idiots. They even got each other the same gift...

They were both laughing and smiling at each other once again.



-------------------------



Art used in this chapter by papamamanina. (I found it on Danbooru)

I have... basically nothing to add. But one thing I do want to say is that in about 2 weeks time (the 16th of August) It'll have been a full year since I started writing this story which is crazy. Hopefully chapter 27 will be out around that time and while it won't be a celebratory chapter or anything special I'll probably have some mushy shit to say at the end.

I do always have some feeling of "ah maybe this chapter wasn't up to par" whenever I release a new one but not for this one, I really enjoyed writing this one for some reason lmao.

Anyway, as always thanks for reading and take care of yourselves guys!