Chapter 7: The Faith That Unites Us

Scene 1: Tastes and Decisions

When Himari saw Kouta offering his hand to help her out of the car, she froze, thinking to herself: "Is it okay for things to be like this?" She was experiencing so many new emotions since this was her very first time going out on a date with a guy. Blushing, she took his hand and told him: —Thank you, Kouta. You don't have to do this for me every time. —Then she gently touched his hair and said happily: —You're so sweet to me.

She smiled and took his hand, pointing toward the plaza: —Let's go inside! I want to get to know you better and find out what surprise you have planned for me.

Kouta, happy and at ease as he enjoyed being with her, replied: —It's no trouble at all. I just want you to be happy. Every time I see you smile, it makes me even happier. I don't know how to explain it, but I hope God gives me all the means to never let you drift away from me.

She felt flustered by such sweet words, and Asuka's phrase "love at first sight" crossed her mind. She asked herself: "Could it really be like that?" Even though Ai had shared the story of how Takashi swept her off her feet, Himari still couldn't quite believe what was happening right then.

So, processing her thoughts, she answered Kouta: —Thank you for the compliment. I'd love to get to know you a lot better and hopefully be able to say the same thing back. —Hearing this made Kouta so happy, and he told her: —I promise you will, and you won't regret it. —All of this was happening as they walked toward the plaza to head over to a restaurant he had already reserved for them to spend time together.

Meanwhile, the other quadruplets were inside the taxi, and Suki said to the driver: —Can you go any faster? —The taxi driver replied: —Sure, but I still have to respect the speed limits and traffic signs.

They felt like time was dragging as they tried to reach the plaza, wanting to keep an eye on Himari from a distance. None of them had any experience in romance, but they also didn't want their sister to be on her own—especially Natsuki, who was thinking to herself: "This is the first time we aren't doing something together."

As Natsuki watched the cars pass by in the opposite direction on the two-way street, she was already feeling that sense of separation from the group. Suki noticed how sad she looked and nudged Asuka with her elbow. Asuka turned around, and Suki gestured toward Natsuki.

Asuka turned to Natsuki and asked: —Hey, calm down. What's bothering you? —Teary-eyed and heartbroken, Natsuki exclaimed: —These are going to be our last times staying together like this.

Asuka wrapped her arms around her and comforted her: —Don't worry, that's still a long way off. Besides, we should never be separated. Even if we get married someday, no one should ever break our bond as sisters. I'll personally make sure that stays true, no matter what.

The taxi driver was listening to everything and Chimed in: —Sorry for sticking my nose in! But I'll tell you this: no matter who you marry, always stay close. I see the three of you look identical, so I figure you're triplets or something like that, but if anyone ever tries to pull you away from your family, walk away from that person. That's a bad person. —He kept driving along the route toward the plaza.

Scene 2: Who Is That Young Lady?

The Yoshidas were already walking out of mass. It was one of those rare times the family attended incomplete, whether due to work or school assignments, as they usually kept their tradition of going to mass together as a family. Just then, their dad asked them, worried about Kouta: —Boys, I want to know something. Who is that girl Kouta went out to see?

Daichi answered him: —She's a classmate from school he met in class. In fact, they're quadruplets too, just like us. —Right after Daichi spoke, Sora told his dad: —Plus, I don't know what went through Kouta's head, but he helped her out from the very first day of school. I'd say it's either love or at least a really deep sense of happiness he's experiencing.

Kenji, the father of the Yoshidas, told them: —Well, as long as nothing happens to him like back when he was with Itsuki and ended up in juvenile detention, everything is fine. By the way, do you know where they met up? —Ren told him in a serious tone: —I heard, Father, that he met her at St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo.

Kenji said, visibly more relieved upon hearing it was at church: —Well, she seems like a good girl if she agreed to meet there. In any case, when he gets back, please let me talk to him. Do you understand me? —All three of them said: —Yes, Dad.

Akari was worried about her son, thinking to herself as a mother: "I hope Kouta is alright and making a good decision with this girl. The first time around, I almost lost my son."

Scene 3: The Espionage

After a 15-minute drive, the Shimizus arrived at the plaza where Himari was supposed to be. Even though Asuka had comforted her, Natsuki was still feeling down. It was only their second time visiting the plaza after six years of not going back, and they could barely recognize how much the place had changed over those years.

Himari and Kouta had already arrived at the plaza and were strolling around, mostly killing time until the restaurant opened. Just then, Kouta spotted a Mako shop inside the mall and asked her: —Himari, do you feel like getting some Mako ice cream? —as he looked toward the storefront.

She replied happily, with a sense of peace radiating from her eyes: —Of course! I’d love to try the seasonal flavor. I don't get to eat it very often. —He answered playfully, bowing respectfully to make her laugh: —Whatever the princess orders.

She giggled at being paid such a compliment. Kouta stood there admiring her laugh, thinking to himself: "I never want to lose this laugh," "Could God really have given me such a wonderful second chance?" They then went over to the shop and ordered two seasonal ice creams.