Vehemence + Dependence REVISED - an Original Quintessential Quintuplets Story

19 - Stopping the Sleepover

Miku handed Ichika a prop pizza box. "Good luck, Ichika."

Ichika smiled. "I'll try my best!"

As they were in the lobby, Ichika had to take the elevator up to Akasuki's apartment (she found the address from Nino; don't ask how Nino got it).

The elevator dinged. Ichika walked out, holding the pizza box on both sides to make sure the (imaginary) pizza wouldn't fall out.

She walked around the floor's corridor until she found Kasu's unit. She took a deep breath and firmly knocked on the door.

Inside the apartment, Kasu put on a confused look. "I wasn't expecting any more visitors tonight...," she said as she got up to get the door.

(Y/N) got up and put his hand on Kasu's shoulder. "It's alright, Kasu, I'll get it for you," he said as he left for the door.

He opened the door and saw a pretty normal-looking pizza delivery guy.

"Um...," (Y/N) looked behind him and asked Kasu if she ordered pizza, to which she answered no.

(Y/N) turned back to the delivery guy. "Hi, um, sorry, we didn't order a pizza. You must be at the wrong unit."

Ichika cleared her throat and put on the deepest voice she could. "Are you sure? Pizza for... Akasuki?"

Now, (Y/N) was even more confused. "Uh... Yeah, she's here, but she didn't order a pizza... Also, shouldn't you be wearing your company's uniform instead of that baggy jacket?"

"Yeah, um, I forgot it at home today, so I just wore my jacket."

"And you're talking really low, it seems like you're uncomfortable," (Y/N) continued being observant.

"It's required for my job."

"Alright, well... Sorry again, but I can help you look for the right apartment if you'd like."

"Oh, would you? Thank you so much!" Ichika smoothly wrapped her free hand around (Y/N)'s back and pulled him out of the apartment. Hey, he made it easy for me! A gentleman, as always...

(Y/N) said goodbye to Kasu and Eiyuu as he backed out of the apartment but barely had a chance as Ichika unexpectedly shut the door behind him.

"Hey, Mr. Delivery Guy... What's your name?"

Ichika had to think about it. "Um... Takeru."

"Takeru, nice... First or last?"

"Um... both."

"So your name is Takeru... Takeru?"

"Yep, that's my name, I love my name!"

"I would love it, too, if I had that name. That's a pretty nice name. Anyway, what unit are you looking for?"

"You know... I came here, to floor 12, but it might be on floor 2. I think I misread it."

"Hm, maybe. But that wouldn't explain the Akasuki thing... Unless there are multiple Akasukis in this building, but that's kinda unlikely."

"Well, let's go down, maybe there are."

(Y/N) called the elevator for the two. "Do you work around here often?"

"Fairly often, why?"

"I frequently order pizza for these girls that I tutor, but I've never seen you deliver."

Ichika fully thought out this response. "I only work Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"Ah, that would explain it. Floor 2, you said?" (Y/N) asked as the elevator doors opened.

"Yeah."

"Then why are we in the lobby?"

Before (Y/N) could think about it too much, Ichika pushed him from behind out into the lobby area. Then Nino came out of nowhere and stopped (Y/N) from moving any farther (though it just came out like a bear hug).

"Mission success!" Nino exclaimed.

(Y/N) squirmed, trying to escape Nino's grasp. "Let go of me!" He turned his head to the delivery guy. "Were you in on this?"

Ichika smiled apologetically as she took the wig and cap off her head, revealing her true self.

(Y/N) felt betrayed. He thought only Nino would do something like this, but for another Quint to join her? That can't be good.

As (Y/N) was thinking of what he could do before Nino actually took him hostage, Eiyuu came out of the other elevator.

(Y/N) didn't miss the opportunity and cried after Eiyuu. "Eiyuu, bro, help me!"

Eiyuu looked concerned and started to walk over.

Nino showed him her angry face. "Don't come any closer if you don't want to get hurt!"

Eiyuu ignored the warning and pried Nino's arms off of (Y/N).

(Y/N) breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, bro."

"Why are these girls bothering you?"

(Y/N) eyed the two Quints. "I don't know. They're jealous or something."

Nino looked away and crossed her arms. "Not my fault you're having sleepovers with other girls."

Eiyuu gave (Y/N) a confused look. (Y/N) clenched his fists in response to Nino. "Nino, for the second time, we're not doing anything romantic. We're literally just working on our project together."

Eiyuu nodded in confirmation.

"We're not even spending the night, we were about to wrap up soon."

Nino started to feel embarrassed. "Yeah, well, I thought–"

"Hey, no excuses. It's happened once before. Now learn from that and leave us alone."

Nino also clenched her fists. "Fine! If you'd rather hang out with some nobody girl and some"—she stopped herself, since Eiyuu was in front of her—"guy instead of us, go ahead!" And with that, she stormed off.

Ichika called after her. "Nino, the exit is this way!"

Nino expressionlessly crossed back in front of the boys before walking through the door. Ichika followed her out.

Miku popped her head out from behind a hall corner. "Hey, um, (Y/N)..."

(Y/N) immediately realized that Miku probably wouldn't have wanted to do this of her own accord. "Oh, hey, Miku."

She bowed her head a bit. "S–Sorry..."

(Y/N) smiled. "It's alright, just try to convince Nino to stay sane next time."

"I'll try..." Miku turned and scurried after her sisters.

Eiyuu was looking at (Y/N) with great disbelief.

(Y/N) motioned jazz hands. "Welcome to life with the Nakanos!"